Post by tankard on Feb 10, 2011 16:42:35 GMT 1
These are the house rules that I have been using in my games. They do add some complexity to the game and should only be used by players who are comfortable with the rules. All or part of the house rules can be adopted. The value of each house rule is beside it. This is highly subjective and the values are probably dependent on your style of play. In the 10+ games I have played with these rules, they appear to be balanced and just offer a little more flavor to what is A GREAT GAME. I am certainly open to criticism or input.
Credit to blog “Lord of the Games”, Veldrin web site, Goodulf the Grey in Veldrin’s Forum and probably others. I have taken the house rules I personally like the best and combined them here. There are probably other sources that I have used and not given credit to. In this case, I apologize. Many of these items are identical to the house rules proposed in these locations.
WAR OF THE RING
House Rules: Value of that rule to the side is shown in parentheses. This is highly subjective.
Favor Shadow:
The Stop and Mourn Rule (2)
If a companion is taken as a casualty to avoid Corruption after a successful Hunt, then the Fellowship can’t move again in the same turn unless it uses an elven ring with any action die. Place the dead Companion’s miniature in the Hunt box as a reminder and do not remove it until the next Fellowship phase. This does not apply to Smeagol. This does apply to Gandalf (since the Fellowship doesn’t know he will come back).
Lose a Card When a Companion or Minion Dies (1.6)
Each time a Companion is removed from the game as a casualty a random card is drawn and discarded from one of the two FP player’s decks. This counts when removed as a casualty from the Fellowship or as a result of combat. This doesn’t count when Gandalf the Grey or Smeagol is removed (since both can come back in a different version). This does apply to Galadriel, Elrond, and Eowyn. The FP chooses which deck. Each time a Minion Dies the same thing happens in reverse. This does apply to the Balrog, but this does not apply to Grima. This card is revealed (not discarded face down as normal) so you opponent knows the card that is now out of play.
Merry and Pippin, Not Great Generals (0.1)
Neither Merry nor Pippin can move an army with a character action die. Otherwise, they are treated the same as other characters for Leadership purposes.
Enhanced Corsairs (3)
When muster Corsairs roll one die. On a 4-6: place 3 corsairs (instead of 2) in Umbar. Also, all Corsairs move 3 instead of 2 regions. There also seems to be some argument over where Corsairs can move. In these house rules they can move into any coastal region (whether free or not). Armies can move from any one region with a Corsair to any other region with a Corsair. If it is a free region then it can be done as one of the two moves by an Army action die. If it is not a free region then it is done as an attack.
Lessened Trebuchets (0.5)
FP nation has to be at war (not merely active) to muster Trebuchets OR FP nation must be active and be in a stronghold that is under siege.
Grima Wormtongue (1.5)
• If Isengard is not at war, Shadow may use a Muster die to place Grima in Edoras.
• Movement 0, Leadership 0, add 1 die to the Shadow pool. This die is not added once Saruman is brought into play.
• Theoden’s Counselor. It costs the FP 1 combined Army/Muster die to advance the Rohan on the political track (instead of just a Muster die).
• Black Whispers I. Rohan is only activated by companions or removing Grima. Until Rohan is activated, it can’t go to war. This means the Shadow could conceivably conquer all of Rohan (except Edoras and Helm’s Deep) and Rohan wouldn’t go to war unless it had been activated by a companion.
• Black Whispers II. If the Grima event card (Wormtongue) is in play then the shadow may draw an event card whenever any character dice are used to play an event card.
• The event cards Eomer, Son Eomund and Riders of Theoden can’t be played.
• If Rohan goes to war, Helm’s Deep is attacked, Edoras is attacked, OR Gandalf the White moves to Edoras then eliminate Grima from the game.
• When Grima is eliminated, move Rohan to War and muster a Rohan unit (regular or elite) in any Free Rohan settlement.
• Grima is not a minion for the purpose of playing Gandalf the White.
Enhanced Hillmen of Dunland (1)
They can also be mustered in any region that already contains Dunlendings.
Black Uruks (1)
A new faction. They can only be mustered when Sauron nation is at war. Use a muster die to bring into play.
• When mustered, replace up to eight Sauron Orcs in the supply pool with Black Uruks on a 1 for 1 basis (these Sauron Orcs are removed from the game) and place 1 Black Uruk from the supply in any Sauron Stronghold.
• Black Uruks are just like Sauron regulars, except as noted below.
• Event cards can only muster Black Uruks on a two for one basis. Anywhere that two Sauron regulars would be mustered, one Black Uruk can be mustered. Black Uruks can be mustered one for one if an elite could be mustered. Round down any halves. So three Sauron regulars would only equal one Black Uruk. Note that this doesn’t affect regular mustering. Two regular Black Uruks can be mustered in two different settlements with one muster die.
• Black Uruks act like Elites for the combat card We Come to Kill.
• Each Black Uruk sacrificed for Onslaught or Relentless Assault counts as two units.
• If a siege involves equal siege engines on both sides and Black Uruks are in the attacking army, then the FP rolls a die. If the result is equal to or less than the number of Black Uruks in the Shadow Army then the FP may not sacrifice a trebuchet this round in order to gain siege superiority.
Improved Witch King Chief of the Ringwraiths (1.5)
Hound for the Dark Lord: When the Chief of the Ringwraiths enters play then draw three hunt tiles and choose one to be removed from the game. This ability can be used again by discarding an elven ring and any action die. Any Smeagol tiles drawn do not bring Smeagol into play and they may be chosen as the tile to be removed.
The Ring Draws Them: If the Fellowhip is revealed and you play a character card with a Palantir action die result, then immediately draw a new character card.
Elven Rings (1.8)
Gandalf the White, Elrond, and Galadriel have the elven rings. The maximum number of rings that the FP can have is 3 minus the number killed. If the FP ever have more rings than this they are discarded (not given to the Shadow player). Elrond is considered killed if Rivendell has fallen and Galadriel is considered killed if Lorien has fallen whether or not the actual characters have been brought into play. The death of Gandalf the Grey doesn’t cause possible loss of a die since he can come back in as Gandalf the White. If rings are brought back by event card, then if have more than allowed must discard the extras.
Strongholds with Gates (1.5)
Moria, Morannon, and Minas Morgul have gates. This means that they must be taken before an enemy army can move through to an area on the other side. The army stays in the area when it attacks and if the defender retreats into the stronghold, but they are on only one side of the area. The area is considered a free area for the attacker for the purposes of entering from either side. It is possible to have armies on either side attacking. These armies can make a combined attack, but the armies are not mixed. The attacker can choose from which army to remove casualties. As long as one army survives, the stronghold remains under siege. Retreat is not allowed and normal mustering is not allowed despite the presence of gates. Defending reinforcements are not allowed to enter the stronghold from the other side of the gate.
Favor Free Peoples:
The Fall of Orthanc (0.2)
If Saruman is in play and Orthanc is captured by a FP army remove him as a casualty even if he was alone in Orthanc when it was attacked. Note this would also apply to Elrond in Rivendell and Galadriel in Lorien. It would not apply to the Balrog in Moria or to any other companions or minions who are alone anywhere (including strongholds) when an army moves in.
The Healing Powers of Elrond (0.4)
If the Fellowship is declared back in Rivendell, and any turn the Fellowship spends in Rivendell healing, remove 2 Corruption Points during the fellowship phase instead of 1, due to the healing of Elrond. This can’t be used if Rivendell has fallen to the Shadow or if Elrond has come in and then been killed.
The Healing Powers of Aragorn (2)
If the Fellowship is declared in a FP City or Stronghold where Aragorn (not Strider) is also present, remove 2 Corruption Points during the fellowship phase instead of 1.
News from Imladris (0.1)
In addition to already existing requirements for mustering Galadriel also add the following: If the Fellowship is in Lorien and Gandalf the White is not in play, use a Muster die to play Galadriel in Lorien.
Treating Hits as Misses in Combat (0.1)
Either side may treat any number of hits as misses in Combat as desired to give more leader rerolls. The main time this would probably come up is with Blade of Westernesse Combat card.
Improved Ents (5.5)
If a Shadow army is wiped out then any extra Ent hits may be carried over to:
First: An adjacent region to the region just wiped out by the Ents.
Second: If no more Shadow armies in adjacent regions then to any region adjacent to any Ents on the map.
Third: Place an Ent in the region wiped out by the Ent attack if desired by the FP.
Special exception for Orthanc: If an army in Orthanc is wiped out as a result then Saruman is eliminated. If there was no army in Orthanc to wipe out, but there is an extra hit that could be carried over to Orthanc; then Saruman is eliminated. In the last case this extra hit can also still carryover to another Shadow army or if none to place an Ent.
Optional Destination (0.5)
If the following applies: FP wishes to declare the fellowship location and will have moved through Moria and the Balrog or Gates are Closed is in play and the FP has enough moves to reach Lorien.
Then: The SP may draw a hunt tile for the Balrog and/or Gates are Closed. The FP can see what this hunt tile(s) is and resolve damage before deciding on the final location of the fellowship.
Elrond (4)
Elrond may be mustered using a Will of the West die in Rivendell if the elves are at war and Saruman and the Witch King are in play.
• Movement 0, Leadership 1, Level 3 Companion for all other purposes.
• Captain of the West ability.
• Council of Elrond. Use an Elven Ring to change any action die into a Will of the West.
• Healing Guidance. Remove 1 Corruption by using a Will of the West and an Elven Ring. This counts as an action by the Will of the West die.
• Elladan and Elrohir. Use a Will of the West to move an Elven unit (Regular or Elite) and an Elven Leader from Rivendell to the region with Aragorn or Strider. This can be done to move just a unit or just a leader also if so desired by the FP. This unit/leader can move into a stronghold under siege, but can’t be done if Rivendell is under seige. This can only be done once per game.
• Wisdom of Elrond. Use a Will of the West to activate any Free People’s nation and advance it one step on the political track OR to advance two active nations one step each.
Eowyn (0.5)
Eowyn may be mustered with a Will of the West die in Edoras if Rohan is at war and Edoras is not controlled by the Shadow.
• Movement 1, Leadership 1, Level 1 Companion
• I am no man! If in the same region as the Witch King she may use a Will of the West die result to roll one die. On a 6 she kills the Witch King. Each time she fails she gets a marker on her card. She gets +1 to subsequent rolls for each marker. Also, after rolling the FP may use an elven ring to add +1 to the roll. The FP would obviously only do this if within one of killing the Witch King.
• Craves Glory. Eowyn may be used as the Combat Card Heroic Death. Before you remove casualties you may eliminate Eowyn to cancel one hit. Note the word “may”. Eowyn doesn’t have to be eliminated just because she is played.
• Blade of Westernesse. If used as a combat card and Eowyn and a Hobbit and the Witch King are present, then they may both be sacrificed to change one miss on leader reroll into a hit (this can result in more than one hit).
Event Cards
Favor Shadow
Return to Valinor (1.3)
Each die hits on 5+ instead of 6.
Denethor’s Folly (0.3)
FP also can’t sacrifice Trebuchets to gain siege engine superiority.
Stormcrow (0.4)
Shadow (instead of FP) can choose one LEADER to be eliminated. If SP does not wish to choose (or there are no leaders to choose) then FP chooses one leader or army of his choice.
Corsairs are upon us! (0.5)
If FP withdraws into stronghold, then Shadow gets 1 free Siege Tower in the region.
A Balrog is Come! (1.5)
Apply the below in the order presented when the Balrog is eliminated to determine the effects.
1. The Balrog is eliminated if outside Moria if Gandalf is not part of the fellowhip and he is in the region.
2. Otherwise the Balrog is eliminated if outside Moria if the FP uses one Elven Ring. This is a special use of the Elven Ring and it is discarded and not given to the Shadow Player. If the FP chooses this option then the below doesn’t apply.
3. If the Balrog is in a region with the fellowship (not in Moria) then the Balrog and a companion of the FP’s choice are both eliminated. This case would not apply if Gollum is the guide.
4. If the Balrog is in Moria he can’t be eliminated.
5. If none of the above apply then the FP rolls a die and adds one to the result for every companion present (this would include companions in a stronghold under siege, but would not include the fellowship with Gollum as guide). On a result of 6+ the Balrog is eliminated. If not eliminated he is moved directly to Moria and the card “A Balrog is Come!” is discarded.
Favor Free Peoples
Cruel Weather (2)
This card can not be used to move the fellowship’s last known position into a SP stronghold.
Gwaihir, the Windlord (1.2)
Can also be used to move Companion(s) out of a Stronghold under siege.
The Last Battle (0.1)
Elven rings used by the FP are removed from the game (instead of given to Shadow) while this card is in effect.
Wisdom of Elrond (0.5)
This card can now advance two active FP nations one step each on the political track. This card can’t be used if Elrond was brought into play and subsequently killed or if Rivendell has fallen.
The Eagles are Coming! (0.1)
Surviving Nazgul must move to Barad Dur. Still doesn’t affect Witch King.
Mirror of Galadriel (1.5)
Changes the Die used to play this card into a Will of the West die and doesn’t use up the die. This Will of the West die must then be used right now as your action. This card can’t be played if Galadriel was brought into play and subsequently killed or if Lorien has fallen.
FP Combat Effect: Daring Defiance (0.3)
One Companion’s Leadership is forfeited instead of all companions.
Clarifications of house rules: some of this contradicts clarifications made in other locations:
Lots more rules involve possible use of an elven ring. Still only one ring can be used per turn by each side.
Gandalf the Grey as guide of the fellowship.
His ability to redraw a card only applies to a Character Event Card played with an “Event” Action Die (Palantir). It does not apply to a Will of the West used as an Event Action Die.
Smeagol
If Smeagol is in the fellowship and it is declared in a FP City or Stronghold, Smeagol is discarded and “We shall get it!” comes into play. Do also see “optional destination” for declaring the ring when moving through Moria.
One card allows Aragorn to replace a regular unit with an elite unit. The regular unit in this case is returned to the FP pool (not “eliminated” like a casualty). This is contrary to the forum answer on line.
Event Cards Don’t Constitute an Attack by Themselves
The FP cards “The Spirit of Mordor”, “Faramir’s Rangers”, “Ents Awake (all three cards)”, “Dead Men of Dunharrow” do not constitute an attack for political purposes. Similarly the SP cards “Dreadful Spells” and “Return to Valinor” do not constitute an attack for political purposes. Note that this is contrary to the official War of the Ring Frequently Asked Questions. Any cards which cause an actual army to do the actual attacking do still constitute attacks.
Deep Trenches and Great Engines
This card can be used to build one SP Siege Engine and destroy one FP Siege Engine.
Worn With Sorrow and Toil
Does not apply to Smeagol. It does apply to Gandalf the Grey.
Companions can separate in Mordor if not yet on the Mordor track.
A separated companion that starts in a SP stronghold can move out of the stronghold if allowed by rule of separation.
Credit to blog “Lord of the Games”, Veldrin web site, Goodulf the Grey in Veldrin’s Forum and probably others. I have taken the house rules I personally like the best and combined them here. There are probably other sources that I have used and not given credit to. In this case, I apologize. Many of these items are identical to the house rules proposed in these locations.
WAR OF THE RING
House Rules: Value of that rule to the side is shown in parentheses. This is highly subjective.
Favor Shadow:
The Stop and Mourn Rule (2)
If a companion is taken as a casualty to avoid Corruption after a successful Hunt, then the Fellowship can’t move again in the same turn unless it uses an elven ring with any action die. Place the dead Companion’s miniature in the Hunt box as a reminder and do not remove it until the next Fellowship phase. This does not apply to Smeagol. This does apply to Gandalf (since the Fellowship doesn’t know he will come back).
Lose a Card When a Companion or Minion Dies (1.6)
Each time a Companion is removed from the game as a casualty a random card is drawn and discarded from one of the two FP player’s decks. This counts when removed as a casualty from the Fellowship or as a result of combat. This doesn’t count when Gandalf the Grey or Smeagol is removed (since both can come back in a different version). This does apply to Galadriel, Elrond, and Eowyn. The FP chooses which deck. Each time a Minion Dies the same thing happens in reverse. This does apply to the Balrog, but this does not apply to Grima. This card is revealed (not discarded face down as normal) so you opponent knows the card that is now out of play.
Merry and Pippin, Not Great Generals (0.1)
Neither Merry nor Pippin can move an army with a character action die. Otherwise, they are treated the same as other characters for Leadership purposes.
Enhanced Corsairs (3)
When muster Corsairs roll one die. On a 4-6: place 3 corsairs (instead of 2) in Umbar. Also, all Corsairs move 3 instead of 2 regions. There also seems to be some argument over where Corsairs can move. In these house rules they can move into any coastal region (whether free or not). Armies can move from any one region with a Corsair to any other region with a Corsair. If it is a free region then it can be done as one of the two moves by an Army action die. If it is not a free region then it is done as an attack.
Lessened Trebuchets (0.5)
FP nation has to be at war (not merely active) to muster Trebuchets OR FP nation must be active and be in a stronghold that is under siege.
Grima Wormtongue (1.5)
• If Isengard is not at war, Shadow may use a Muster die to place Grima in Edoras.
• Movement 0, Leadership 0, add 1 die to the Shadow pool. This die is not added once Saruman is brought into play.
• Theoden’s Counselor. It costs the FP 1 combined Army/Muster die to advance the Rohan on the political track (instead of just a Muster die).
• Black Whispers I. Rohan is only activated by companions or removing Grima. Until Rohan is activated, it can’t go to war. This means the Shadow could conceivably conquer all of Rohan (except Edoras and Helm’s Deep) and Rohan wouldn’t go to war unless it had been activated by a companion.
• Black Whispers II. If the Grima event card (Wormtongue) is in play then the shadow may draw an event card whenever any character dice are used to play an event card.
• The event cards Eomer, Son Eomund and Riders of Theoden can’t be played.
• If Rohan goes to war, Helm’s Deep is attacked, Edoras is attacked, OR Gandalf the White moves to Edoras then eliminate Grima from the game.
• When Grima is eliminated, move Rohan to War and muster a Rohan unit (regular or elite) in any Free Rohan settlement.
• Grima is not a minion for the purpose of playing Gandalf the White.
Enhanced Hillmen of Dunland (1)
They can also be mustered in any region that already contains Dunlendings.
Black Uruks (1)
A new faction. They can only be mustered when Sauron nation is at war. Use a muster die to bring into play.
• When mustered, replace up to eight Sauron Orcs in the supply pool with Black Uruks on a 1 for 1 basis (these Sauron Orcs are removed from the game) and place 1 Black Uruk from the supply in any Sauron Stronghold.
• Black Uruks are just like Sauron regulars, except as noted below.
• Event cards can only muster Black Uruks on a two for one basis. Anywhere that two Sauron regulars would be mustered, one Black Uruk can be mustered. Black Uruks can be mustered one for one if an elite could be mustered. Round down any halves. So three Sauron regulars would only equal one Black Uruk. Note that this doesn’t affect regular mustering. Two regular Black Uruks can be mustered in two different settlements with one muster die.
• Black Uruks act like Elites for the combat card We Come to Kill.
• Each Black Uruk sacrificed for Onslaught or Relentless Assault counts as two units.
• If a siege involves equal siege engines on both sides and Black Uruks are in the attacking army, then the FP rolls a die. If the result is equal to or less than the number of Black Uruks in the Shadow Army then the FP may not sacrifice a trebuchet this round in order to gain siege superiority.
Improved Witch King Chief of the Ringwraiths (1.5)
Hound for the Dark Lord: When the Chief of the Ringwraiths enters play then draw three hunt tiles and choose one to be removed from the game. This ability can be used again by discarding an elven ring and any action die. Any Smeagol tiles drawn do not bring Smeagol into play and they may be chosen as the tile to be removed.
The Ring Draws Them: If the Fellowhip is revealed and you play a character card with a Palantir action die result, then immediately draw a new character card.
Elven Rings (1.8)
Gandalf the White, Elrond, and Galadriel have the elven rings. The maximum number of rings that the FP can have is 3 minus the number killed. If the FP ever have more rings than this they are discarded (not given to the Shadow player). Elrond is considered killed if Rivendell has fallen and Galadriel is considered killed if Lorien has fallen whether or not the actual characters have been brought into play. The death of Gandalf the Grey doesn’t cause possible loss of a die since he can come back in as Gandalf the White. If rings are brought back by event card, then if have more than allowed must discard the extras.
Strongholds with Gates (1.5)
Moria, Morannon, and Minas Morgul have gates. This means that they must be taken before an enemy army can move through to an area on the other side. The army stays in the area when it attacks and if the defender retreats into the stronghold, but they are on only one side of the area. The area is considered a free area for the attacker for the purposes of entering from either side. It is possible to have armies on either side attacking. These armies can make a combined attack, but the armies are not mixed. The attacker can choose from which army to remove casualties. As long as one army survives, the stronghold remains under siege. Retreat is not allowed and normal mustering is not allowed despite the presence of gates. Defending reinforcements are not allowed to enter the stronghold from the other side of the gate.
Favor Free Peoples:
The Fall of Orthanc (0.2)
If Saruman is in play and Orthanc is captured by a FP army remove him as a casualty even if he was alone in Orthanc when it was attacked. Note this would also apply to Elrond in Rivendell and Galadriel in Lorien. It would not apply to the Balrog in Moria or to any other companions or minions who are alone anywhere (including strongholds) when an army moves in.
The Healing Powers of Elrond (0.4)
If the Fellowship is declared back in Rivendell, and any turn the Fellowship spends in Rivendell healing, remove 2 Corruption Points during the fellowship phase instead of 1, due to the healing of Elrond. This can’t be used if Rivendell has fallen to the Shadow or if Elrond has come in and then been killed.
The Healing Powers of Aragorn (2)
If the Fellowship is declared in a FP City or Stronghold where Aragorn (not Strider) is also present, remove 2 Corruption Points during the fellowship phase instead of 1.
News from Imladris (0.1)
In addition to already existing requirements for mustering Galadriel also add the following: If the Fellowship is in Lorien and Gandalf the White is not in play, use a Muster die to play Galadriel in Lorien.
Treating Hits as Misses in Combat (0.1)
Either side may treat any number of hits as misses in Combat as desired to give more leader rerolls. The main time this would probably come up is with Blade of Westernesse Combat card.
Improved Ents (5.5)
If a Shadow army is wiped out then any extra Ent hits may be carried over to:
First: An adjacent region to the region just wiped out by the Ents.
Second: If no more Shadow armies in adjacent regions then to any region adjacent to any Ents on the map.
Third: Place an Ent in the region wiped out by the Ent attack if desired by the FP.
Special exception for Orthanc: If an army in Orthanc is wiped out as a result then Saruman is eliminated. If there was no army in Orthanc to wipe out, but there is an extra hit that could be carried over to Orthanc; then Saruman is eliminated. In the last case this extra hit can also still carryover to another Shadow army or if none to place an Ent.
Optional Destination (0.5)
If the following applies: FP wishes to declare the fellowship location and will have moved through Moria and the Balrog or Gates are Closed is in play and the FP has enough moves to reach Lorien.
Then: The SP may draw a hunt tile for the Balrog and/or Gates are Closed. The FP can see what this hunt tile(s) is and resolve damage before deciding on the final location of the fellowship.
Elrond (4)
Elrond may be mustered using a Will of the West die in Rivendell if the elves are at war and Saruman and the Witch King are in play.
• Movement 0, Leadership 1, Level 3 Companion for all other purposes.
• Captain of the West ability.
• Council of Elrond. Use an Elven Ring to change any action die into a Will of the West.
• Healing Guidance. Remove 1 Corruption by using a Will of the West and an Elven Ring. This counts as an action by the Will of the West die.
• Elladan and Elrohir. Use a Will of the West to move an Elven unit (Regular or Elite) and an Elven Leader from Rivendell to the region with Aragorn or Strider. This can be done to move just a unit or just a leader also if so desired by the FP. This unit/leader can move into a stronghold under siege, but can’t be done if Rivendell is under seige. This can only be done once per game.
• Wisdom of Elrond. Use a Will of the West to activate any Free People’s nation and advance it one step on the political track OR to advance two active nations one step each.
Eowyn (0.5)
Eowyn may be mustered with a Will of the West die in Edoras if Rohan is at war and Edoras is not controlled by the Shadow.
• Movement 1, Leadership 1, Level 1 Companion
• I am no man! If in the same region as the Witch King she may use a Will of the West die result to roll one die. On a 6 she kills the Witch King. Each time she fails she gets a marker on her card. She gets +1 to subsequent rolls for each marker. Also, after rolling the FP may use an elven ring to add +1 to the roll. The FP would obviously only do this if within one of killing the Witch King.
• Craves Glory. Eowyn may be used as the Combat Card Heroic Death. Before you remove casualties you may eliminate Eowyn to cancel one hit. Note the word “may”. Eowyn doesn’t have to be eliminated just because she is played.
• Blade of Westernesse. If used as a combat card and Eowyn and a Hobbit and the Witch King are present, then they may both be sacrificed to change one miss on leader reroll into a hit (this can result in more than one hit).
Event Cards
Favor Shadow
Return to Valinor (1.3)
Each die hits on 5+ instead of 6.
Denethor’s Folly (0.3)
FP also can’t sacrifice Trebuchets to gain siege engine superiority.
Stormcrow (0.4)
Shadow (instead of FP) can choose one LEADER to be eliminated. If SP does not wish to choose (or there are no leaders to choose) then FP chooses one leader or army of his choice.
Corsairs are upon us! (0.5)
If FP withdraws into stronghold, then Shadow gets 1 free Siege Tower in the region.
A Balrog is Come! (1.5)
Apply the below in the order presented when the Balrog is eliminated to determine the effects.
1. The Balrog is eliminated if outside Moria if Gandalf is not part of the fellowhip and he is in the region.
2. Otherwise the Balrog is eliminated if outside Moria if the FP uses one Elven Ring. This is a special use of the Elven Ring and it is discarded and not given to the Shadow Player. If the FP chooses this option then the below doesn’t apply.
3. If the Balrog is in a region with the fellowship (not in Moria) then the Balrog and a companion of the FP’s choice are both eliminated. This case would not apply if Gollum is the guide.
4. If the Balrog is in Moria he can’t be eliminated.
5. If none of the above apply then the FP rolls a die and adds one to the result for every companion present (this would include companions in a stronghold under siege, but would not include the fellowship with Gollum as guide). On a result of 6+ the Balrog is eliminated. If not eliminated he is moved directly to Moria and the card “A Balrog is Come!” is discarded.
Favor Free Peoples
Cruel Weather (2)
This card can not be used to move the fellowship’s last known position into a SP stronghold.
Gwaihir, the Windlord (1.2)
Can also be used to move Companion(s) out of a Stronghold under siege.
The Last Battle (0.1)
Elven rings used by the FP are removed from the game (instead of given to Shadow) while this card is in effect.
Wisdom of Elrond (0.5)
This card can now advance two active FP nations one step each on the political track. This card can’t be used if Elrond was brought into play and subsequently killed or if Rivendell has fallen.
The Eagles are Coming! (0.1)
Surviving Nazgul must move to Barad Dur. Still doesn’t affect Witch King.
Mirror of Galadriel (1.5)
Changes the Die used to play this card into a Will of the West die and doesn’t use up the die. This Will of the West die must then be used right now as your action. This card can’t be played if Galadriel was brought into play and subsequently killed or if Lorien has fallen.
FP Combat Effect: Daring Defiance (0.3)
One Companion’s Leadership is forfeited instead of all companions.
Clarifications of house rules: some of this contradicts clarifications made in other locations:
Lots more rules involve possible use of an elven ring. Still only one ring can be used per turn by each side.
Gandalf the Grey as guide of the fellowship.
His ability to redraw a card only applies to a Character Event Card played with an “Event” Action Die (Palantir). It does not apply to a Will of the West used as an Event Action Die.
Smeagol
If Smeagol is in the fellowship and it is declared in a FP City or Stronghold, Smeagol is discarded and “We shall get it!” comes into play. Do also see “optional destination” for declaring the ring when moving through Moria.
One card allows Aragorn to replace a regular unit with an elite unit. The regular unit in this case is returned to the FP pool (not “eliminated” like a casualty). This is contrary to the forum answer on line.
Event Cards Don’t Constitute an Attack by Themselves
The FP cards “The Spirit of Mordor”, “Faramir’s Rangers”, “Ents Awake (all three cards)”, “Dead Men of Dunharrow” do not constitute an attack for political purposes. Similarly the SP cards “Dreadful Spells” and “Return to Valinor” do not constitute an attack for political purposes. Note that this is contrary to the official War of the Ring Frequently Asked Questions. Any cards which cause an actual army to do the actual attacking do still constitute attacks.
Deep Trenches and Great Engines
This card can be used to build one SP Siege Engine and destroy one FP Siege Engine.
Worn With Sorrow and Toil
Does not apply to Smeagol. It does apply to Gandalf the Grey.
Companions can separate in Mordor if not yet on the Mordor track.
A separated companion that starts in a SP stronghold can move out of the stronghold if allowed by rule of separation.
