A guide to Middle-earth tabletop games

Lord of the Rings Board Games: Risk, Monopoly, War of the Ring and More

By Updated

These Lord of the Rings board games range from 2003 Risk and a Monopoly edition to War of the Ring, card games and The Hobbit board game. All 19 entries list players, play time and whether they follow the films or books.

  • 19 games
  • 1978 to 2025
  • 1 to 6+ players
  • 3 classic editions

One game to rule them all? Let’s find a good fit for your fellowship.

Middle-earth tabletop games span 1978 to 2025, from a roll-and-move Hobbit game to a Pandemic-system co-op. These 19 entries mix film licenses with book-based designs, so it helps to know which you’re after. The fantasy board games hub groups them with other fantasy franchises.

Need a shorter game? Duel for Middle-earth takes 30-45 minutes for two players.

Getting started with Middle-earth games

For solo play, Fate of the Fellowship and The Card Game both work on their own.

  • Big strategy night

    War of the Ring (Second Edition)

    2-4 players, 120+ minutes, ages 14+. Free Peoples and Shadow race on two fronts. At 3 or 4 players, each side has a team.

    Difficulty4 out of 5
    Time to explain5 out of 5about 60 min
    Player experience5 out of 5
    Geek Level10 / 10Deep-lore superfan, wiki editor
    How we rate

  • Families and newcomers

    The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom

    1-4 players, about 50 minutes, ages 10+. This cooperative dice game follows the Fellowship toward Mount Doom, with light rules.

    Difficulty1.5 out of 5
    Time to explain2 out of 5about 8 min
    Player experience2 out of 5
    Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
    How we rate

  • Two players

    The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

    Exactly 2 players, 30-45 minutes, ages 10+. One plays the Fellowship; the other plays Sauron.

    Difficulty2 out of 5
    Time to explain2 out of 5about 8 min
    Player experience2 out of 5
    Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
    How we rate

Each card lists players, play time and age to help you narrow the choices. Strategy fans can start with The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring; for familiar rules, try the Risk or Monopoly editions. Cards mark out-of-print games.

Lord of the Rings board games and tabletop games

Many older editions are out of print, so check resale listings before you buy.

Showing all 19

Main games

War of the Ring (Second Edition)

  • 2011
  • 2-4 players
  • 120+ minutes
  • Ages 14+

The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring is the franchise’s grand strategy game. One side tries to destroy the Ring; the other aims to conquer Middle-earth.

How it plays

Players roll and spend action dice to move armies, recruit, play cards or advance the Fellowship. With 3 or 4 players, each side splits into teams.

The film or show connection

Based on Tolkien’s book rather than the films, it features character miniatures, event cards and character cards.

Difficulty4 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 60 min
Player experience5 out of 5
Geek Level10 / 10Deep-lore superfan, wiki editor
How we rate

Type strategy board game

  • war game
  • asymmetric
  • team play
Publisher
Ares Games
Designers
Roberto Di Meglio, Marco Maggi, Francesco Nepitello
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Lords of Middle-earth (2012)
  • Warriors of Middle-earth (2016)
  • The Fate of Erebor mini-expansion (2021)
  • Kings of Middle-earth (2023; some listings say 2022)
  • Kings and Lords of Middle-earth Limited Edition (2024)

Source 1 (aresgames.eu)

The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth

  • 2019
  • 1-5 players
  • 60-120 minutes
  • Ages 14+

In this cooperative campaign, a companion app runs the enemies and tracks progress. The story is original, not a retelling of the films.

How it plays

Heroes choose roles, prepare skills and equipment, then explore locations and fight threats. The app sets up encounters and manages the campaign.

The film or show connection

An original campaign in Tolkien’s Middle-earth featuring Aragorn and Bilbo. Sources show no film scenes or likenesses.

Difficulty2.5 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 20 min
Player experience3 out of 5
Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
How we rate

Type cooperative campaign game

  • co-op
  • campaign
  • app-driven
Publisher
Fantasy Flight Games
Designers
Grace Holdinghaus, Nathan I. Hajek
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Villains of Eriador (2019)
  • Shadowed Paths (2020)
  • Dwellers in Darkness (2020)
  • The Haunting of Dale (2020)
  • Spreading War (2021)
  • Scourges of the Wastes (2022)

Source 1 (fantasyflightgames.com)

The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

  • 2011
  • 1-4 players
  • 30-90 minutes
  • Ages 14+

The Lord of the Rings LCG is a cooperative card game for solo play or up to 4 players. Everyone faces the same scenario deck.

How it plays

Choose heroes and build a deck of allies, events and attachments. Each round, commit characters to the quest while managing resources and threat.

The film or show connection

The game draws on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Core scenarios are original; Saga expansions retell events from the books.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 30 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type cooperative living card game In print

  • LCG
  • co-op
  • solo
Publisher
Fantasy Flight Games
Designers
Nate French
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Revised Core Set (2022)
  • The Dark of Mirkwood (2021)
  • The Fellowship of the Ring Saga (2022)
  • The Two Towers Saga (2023)
  • The Return of the King Saga (2024)
  • Angmar Awakened, The Dream-chaser and Ered Mithrin hero and campaign expansions (2022 to 2024)

Source 1 (fantasyflightgames.com) Source 2 (fantasyflightgames.com)

Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game

  • 2001
  • 2+ players

Games Workshop’s miniatures game debuted in 2001 as The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game. It remains the main option for Lord of the Rings miniatures.

How it plays

Build rival armies, set up terrain and play a scenario. Models move, shoot and fight in alternating phases, with dice settling the outcomes.

The film or show connection

The miniatures depict characters and armies from the films, and scenarios recreate battles from the movies. The current description also lists The War of the Rohirrim.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 45 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
How we rate

Type miniatures game In print

  • miniatures
  • painting
  • skirmish
Publisher
Games Workshop
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Hobbit rules releases (2012 to 2014)
  • Rules Manual (2018 and 2024)

Source 1 (warhammer-community.com) Source 2 (warhammer.com)

War of the Ring: The Card Game

  • 2022
  • 2-4 players
  • 90-120 minutes
  • Ages 12+

This card game covers the same conflict, with teams split between Free Peoples and Shadow. Expansions support solo play and larger games.

How it plays

Play faction cards to move the Fellowship along Path cards or contest Battleground cards. The Free Peoples aim to destroy the Ring; Shadow wants Frodo corrupted or defeated.

The film or show connection

Based on Tolkien’s book, with no film imagery shown in available sources.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 25 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type strategy card game

  • card game
  • team play
  • two sides
Publisher
Ares Games
Designers
Ian Brody
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Editions and expansions

  • Against the Shadow (2023, solo and co-op)
  • Fire and Swords (2024, up to 6 players)

Source 1 (aresgames.eu)

The Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation

  • 2002
  • 2 players
  • 30 minutes
  • Ages 12+

A quick two-player duel from Reiner Knizia. One player leads the Fellowship; the other commands Sauron’s forces.

How it plays

Deploy pieces face down, then move them across the board. When they meet, cards decide the fight. The Fellowship wins by getting Frodo to Mordor. Sauron wins by killing Frodo or getting three characters into the Shire.

The film or show connection

Based on the books. John Howe provided artwork for the original Kosmos edition.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 10 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type two-player strategy game

  • 2 players
  • hidden pieces
  • Knizia
Publisher
Kosmos
Designers
Reiner Knizia
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Deluxe Edition (2005) adds 18 characters
  • Revised compact edition by Fantasy Flight Games (2013)

Source 2 (fantasyflightgames.com)

The Lord of the Rings (Reiner Knizia board game)

  • 2000
  • 2-5 players
  • 60-90 minutes
  • Ages 12+

The first cooperative Lord of the Rings board game arrived in 2000. Players take the role of Hobbits retracing the quest to Mount Doom.

How it plays

Reveal an event tile, then draw cards, retreat to safety or play cards to advance along an adventure track. The group must reach Mount Doom before Sauron catches the Ring-bearer.

The film or show connection

The game follows the books through Moria, Helm’s Deep, Shelob’s Lair and Mordor. The 2020 Anniversary Edition adds sculpted Hobbit and Sauron figures.

Difficulty2.5 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 15 min
Player experience3 out of 5
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type cooperative board game

  • co-op
  • Hobbits
  • classic
Publisher
Kosmos (original German edition); later Wizards of the Coast, Parker Brothers, Fantasy Flight
Designers
Reiner Knizia
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Friends and Foes (2001)
  • Sauron (2002)
  • Battlefields (2007)
  • Anniversary Edition (2020)

Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game

  • 2001
  • 2-6 players
  • 45 minutes
  • Ages 12+

Decipher’s Lord of the Rings trading card game ran for 19 sets before its license expired in 2007. It’s out of print.

How it plays

Build decks for Free Peoples and Shadow. Guide your Fellowship along a nine-site path while opponents use Shadow cards to slow you down.

The film or show connection

Licensed from Peter Jackson’s films, the game uses film imagery and includes some material from the books.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 25 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type trading card game Out of print

  • TCG
  • collectible
  • out of print
Publisher
Decipher
Designers
Chuck Kallenbach, Mike Reynolds, Tom Lischke
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • 19 sets from The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) to Age's End (2007)

Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building Game

  • 2013
  • 2-5 players
  • 30 minutes
  • Ages 15+

A competitive deck-builder based on the first film’s Fellowship. Choose heroes such as Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn and Boromir.

How it plays

Start with a personal deck, then buy stronger cards from a shared supply. Enemies in the Archenemy stack get in your way, and the player with the most Victory Points wins.

The film or show connection

Cards feature characters and imagery from the film, framing a struggle against Sauron on the way to Mount Doom.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 15 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type deck-building game

  • deck-building
  • competitive
  • Fellowship
Publisher
Cryptozoic Entertainment
Designers
Ben Stoll, Patrick Sullivan
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Arwen promos (2013)

The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth

  • 2024
  • 2 players
  • 30-45 minutes
  • Ages 10+

A two-player spin-off of 7 Wonders Duel from Bauza and Cathala. One player leads the Fellowship; the other plays Sauron.

How it plays

Across three chapters, draft cards and landmarks to build skills, coins, peoples and fortresses, or advance the Ring quest. Win by completing the quest, rallying six peoples or controlling all seven regions.

The film or show connection

Each chapter matches one of the three books. The game is used under license from Middle-earth Enterprises.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 8 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type two-player card-drafting game

  • 2 players
  • drafting
  • 7 Wonders Duel
Publisher
Repos Production
Designers
Antoine Bauza, Bruno Cathala
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Allies expansion (2025)

Source 1 (rprod.com)

The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship

  • 2025
  • 1-5 players
  • 60-150 minutes
  • Ages 14+

Matt Leacock’s cooperative game uses the Pandemic System. The team protects Frodo as the Nazgul and Sauron’s Eye close in.

How it plays

Guide characters across Middle-earth, protect havens, fight shadow forces and pursue changing objectives. Each turn ends with player and shadow card draws. Destroy the Ring before Frodo loses all hope.

The film or show connection

Frodo, the Nazgul and Sauron’s Eye are here. Sources don’t show film-based art.

Difficulty3 out of 5
Time to explain4 out of 5about 25 min
Player experience4 out of 5
Geek Level8 / 10Argues about the extended cut
How we rate

Type cooperative strategy board game In print

  • co-op
  • Pandemic System
  • solo
Publisher
Z-Man Games
Designers
Matt Leacock
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (store.asmodee.com) Source 2 (asmodee.ca)

The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom

  • 2023
  • 1-4 players
  • 50 minutes
  • Ages 10+

A cooperative dice game for 1-4 players, following Frodo’s trek to Mount Doom. The shorter play time works well for families.

How it plays

Roll dice and choose which ones move the Fellowship along the route. Encounter cards and threats get in the way; the group wins if Frodo reaches Mount Doom.

The film or show connection

The game follows Frodo’s journey with the Fellowship. Sources don’t confirm film scenes or art.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 8 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type cooperative dice game

  • co-op
  • dice
  • family
Publisher
Thames and Kosmos
Designers
Michael Rieneck
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (thamesandkosmos.com)

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

  • 2013
  • 1-4 players
  • 45-60 minutes
  • Ages 15+

Cryptozoic’s The Hobbit board game, designed by Reiner Knizia, follows the second film from Mirkwood to Smaug.

How it plays

Reveal an event card, roll dice and assign them to quest boards. Finish at least one quest each turn, or take a penalty.

The film or show connection

The game adapts the journey through Mirkwood and Laketown, with the Dwarven Barrel Escape and Smaug appearing on later boards.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 10 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level5 / 10Quotes the best lines
How we rate

Type cooperative dice game

  • co-op
  • dice
  • The Hobbit
Publisher
Cryptozoic Entertainment
Designers
Reiner Knizia
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2013), a compatible standalone that can combine with it

The Hobbit Game: The Adventures of Bilbo in Middle-earth

  • 1978

A vintage Milton Bradley roll-and-move game for collectors. Gather treasure around Middle-earth and try to defeat Smaug.

How it plays

Travel the board collecting treasure, gifts and equipment, then tackle challenges. The player with the most treasure wins.

The film or show connection

The 3-D pieces combine designs from Rankin/Bass’s animated Hobbit and Ralph Bakshi’s animated Lord of the Rings.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 10 min
Player experience1 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type family board game Out of print

  • vintage
  • roll and move
  • collector
Publisher
Milton Bradley

The One Ring Roleplaying Game (Second Edition)

  • 2022
  • 2-6 players
  • Ages 14+

The only tabletop RPG here, for readers after a Lord of the Rings tabletop game that isn’t a board game. One player takes the Loremaster role.

How it plays

Players create heroes and take on journeys, combat and councils, with a Loremaster guiding the story. Fellowship phases between adventures give heroes time to reflect and prepare.

The film or show connection

Based on Tolkien’s works; sources don’t document it as film based.

Difficulty2.5 out of 5
Time to explain5 out of 5about 45 min
Player experience3 out of 5
Geek Level7 / 10Can explain the timeline
How we rate

Type role-playing game In print

  • RPG
  • Loremaster
  • storytelling
Publisher
Free League Publishing
Designers
Francesco Nepitello, Marco Maggi
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Ruins of the Lost Realm (2022)

Source 1 (freeleaguepublishing.com) Source 2 (freeleaguepublishing.com)

Licensed classic editions

Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition

  • 2003
  • 2-4 players
  • 180 minutes
  • Ages 10+

Lord of the Rings Risk moves the classic conquest game to a Middle-earth map, with leaders, special locations and a gold-tone One Ring.

How it plays

Reinforce, attack with dice and fortify, just as in regular Risk. Territory and Adventure cards bring events into play, and teams can form alliances.

The film or show connection

Hasbro says the game features content from all three films. Its map includes Gondor, Mordor and Haradwaith.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 15 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type licensed classic edition

  • Risk
  • area control
  • film trilogy
Publisher
Hasbro (Parker Brothers)
Designers
Stephen Baker, Barry Yearsley
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • Risk: The Lord of the Rings (2002), the earlier smaller-map edition
  • Gondor and Mordor Expansion Set (2003) for that earlier edition

Source 1 (instructions.hasbro.com) Source 2 (instructions.hasbro.com)

Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition

  • 2003
  • 2-6 players
  • 60 minutes
  • Ages 8+

Lord of the Rings Monopoly trades Atlantic City for Middle-earth locations. It’s out of print, so copies are available from resellers.

How it plays

Roll, move and claim territories, then collect rent. Build outposts and fortresses, while the Ring of Power adds a special movement element.

The film or show connection

The film-trilogy edition comes with Fellowship tokens. Listings disagree on whether there are six or nine in the set.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain2 out of 5about 8 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type licensed classic edition Out of print

  • Monopoly
  • family
  • out of print
Publisher
USAopoly (Parker Brothers); also listed under Hasbro
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (instructions.hasbro.com)

Trivial Pursuit: The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Collector's Edition

  • 2003
  • 2-6 players

Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit quizzes players on the film trilogy with 1,800 questions. It’s out of print and sold as a collectible.

How it plays

Roll, move and answer a question from the category where you land. Earn a wedge at a headquarters, then collect six and answer a final question to win.

The film or show connection

The six categories are Good Characters, Evil Characters, Things, Place and History, Warfare and Making Movies. The box includes collectible pewter tokens.

Difficulty1.5 out of 5
Time to explain1 out of 5about 3 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level6 / 10Has a favorite side character
How we rate

Type licensed classic edition Out of print

  • trivia
  • films
  • pewter tokens
Publisher
Parker Brothers (Hasbro)
Show detailsHide details

Source 1 (instructions.hasbro.com)

Chess sets

The Lord of the Rings Chess Set

  • 2 players

The Noble Collection’s Lord of the Rings chess set is the main chess option, with 32 pewter pieces depicting the cast.

How it plays

It uses standard chess rules, with a board and base showing a Middle-earth map and film scenes.

The film or show connection

Based on the film trilogy. The Noble Collection says the actors approved the character likenesses.

Difficulty2 out of 5
Time to explain3 out of 5about 15 min
Player experience2 out of 5
Geek Level4 / 10Owns the soundtrack
How we rate

Type chess set

  • chess
  • pewter
  • collectible
Publisher
The Noble Collection
Show detailsHide details

Editions and expansions

  • The Two Towers and The Return of the King character sets (years unknown)

Source 1 (noblecollection.co.uk) Source 2 (noblecollection.com)

Comparing Lord of the Rings tabletop games

Lord of the Rings games compared by year, players, play time, age, type and print status
GameYearPlayersPlay timeAgesTypeIn print
War of the Ring (Second Edition)20112-4120+ minutes14+strategy board gameNot listed
The Lord of the Rings: Journeys in Middle-earth20191-560-120 minutes14+cooperative campaign gameNot listed
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game20111-430-90 minutes14+cooperative living card gameYes
Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game20012+Not listedNot listedminiatures gameYes
War of the Ring: The Card Game20222-490-120 minutes12+strategy card gameNot listed
The Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation2002230 minutes12+two-player strategy gameNot listed
The Lord of the Rings (Reiner Knizia board game)20002-560-90 minutes12+cooperative board gameNot listed
Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition20032-4180 minutes10+licensed classic editionNot listed
Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition20032-660 minutes8+licensed classic editionNo
Trivial Pursuit: The Lord of the Rings Movie Trilogy Collector's Edition20032-6Not listedNot listedlicensed classic editionNo
The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game20012-645 minutes12+trading card gameNo
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Deck-Building Game20132-530 minutes15+deck-building gameNot listed
The Lord of the Rings: Duel for Middle-earth2024230-45 minutes10+two-player card-drafting gameNot listed
The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship20251-560-150 minutes14+cooperative strategy board gameYes
The Lord of the Rings: Adventure to Mount Doom20231-450 minutes10+cooperative dice gameNot listed
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug20131-445-60 minutes15+cooperative dice gameNot listed
The Hobbit Game: The Adventures of Bilbo in Middle-earth1978Not listedNot listedNot listedfamily board gameNo
The Lord of the Rings Chess SetNot listed2Not listedNot listedchess setNot listed
The One Ring Roleplaying Game (Second Edition)20222-6Not listed14+role-playing gameYes

The timeline has two peaks: the 2001 to 2003 film boom and a wave of new designs after 2019. For another fantasy series, see how the cooperative Harry Potter Hogwarts Battle game made Hogwarts a campaign.

Lord of the Rings board games by year

Middle-earth tabletop games go back to 1978, with peaks around the 2003 film releases and again after 2019.

Need a shorter game? Duel for Middle-earth takes 30-45 minutes for two players.

First, it helps to sort out the licenses. Peter Jackson’s films inspired the Lord of the Rings Risk and Monopoly editions, while Tolkien’s text informs the Ares and Knizia designs. The groups below show where each game fits, including the campaign games.

Looking for miniatures? The film-based option is the Strategy Battle Game.

Film-based or book-based: which Lord of the Rings game fits?

Some games follow Peter Jackson’s films, others stick to Tolkien’s text, and one tells a fresh story.

Based on the films

Risk, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, the Decipher trading card game, the Strategy Battle Game, the Noble chess set and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Based on the books

War of the Ring and its card game, The Confrontation, Knizia’s cooperative board game, Duel for Middle-earth and The One Ring RPG.

An original campaign

Journeys in Middle-earth tells a new story with familiar heroes. The Card Game does too, with Saga expansions that retell the books.

Card games are the largest family in this franchise, and each plays differently. One is cooperative, one competitive, and one collectible game ended in 2007. The Lord of the Rings LCG remains in print with new expansions, making it a common starting point.

Which Lord of the Rings card game: LCG, TCG or deck-builder?

Five different card games use the license, and each plays quite differently.

  • The Card Game (LCG)

    Cooperative, 1-4 players, 30-90 minutes. Fixed expansions, no booster packs. The Revised Core Set arrived in 2022.

  • Trading Card Game

    Competitive, 2-6 players. Decipher released 19 sets from 2001 to 2007. The game is out of print.

  • Fellowship Deck-Building Game

    Competitive, 2-5 players, about 30 minutes. Cryptozoic's 2013 game draws on the first film.

  • War of the Ring: The Card Game

    Team-based, 2-4 players, 90-120 minutes. This card game tackles the big conflict, with solo play available through Against the Shadow.

  • Duel for Middle-earth

    Two players, 30-45 minutes. Draft cards across three chapters, with several ways to win.

Ares Games has expanded one design into a small line, so purchase order matters. The base game stands alone, its expansions require it, and the card version is a separate game. For a shorter session, consider War of the Ring: The Card Game.

The War of the Ring family, one step at a time

Ares Games has turned one design into a small line of games.

  1. Begin with the Second Edition

    War of the Ring (2011) is the base game for 2-4 players and takes about 2 hours or more.

  2. Add the expansions

    Lords of Middle-earth (2012) and Warriors of Middle-earth (2016) came first. Kings of Middle-earth followed in 2023.

  3. Try the mini-expansion

    The Fate of Erebor (2021) is a smaller add-on. A Kings and Lords Limited Edition bundled content in 2024.

  4. Or give the card game a try

    War of the Ring: The Card Game (2022) tackles the same war with cards. Against the Shadow (2023) adds solo and co-op play.

Middle-earth tabletop facts

For solo play, Fate of the Fellowship and The Card Game both work on their own.

  • John Howe illustrated the original Kosmos edition of The Confrontation.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

  • Decipher's trading card game had 19 sets, released from November 2001 to 2007, when its license expired.

    Source 1 (en.wikipedia.org)

  • The Trivial Pursuit film trilogy edition includes 1,800 questions and collectible pewter tokens.

    Source 1 (instructions.hasbro.com)

  • Matt Leacock designed Fate of the Fellowship, part of the Pandemic System family of designs.

    Source 1 (store.asmodee.com)

  • Duel for Middle-earth spins off from 7 Wonders Duel, with three chapters matching the three books.

    Source 1 (rprod.com)

  • The 1978 Hobbit Game features pieces inspired by both the Rankin/Bass Hobbit and Bakshi's Lord of the Rings.

  • The Strategy Battle Game launched as The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game in 2001. It now covers Hobbit and Rohirrim content.

    Source 1 (warhammer-community.com)

Lord of the Rings board game questions

What are the best Lord of the Rings board games?

By type: War of the Ring for heavy strategy, Fate of the Fellowship (1-5 players) for co-op, Adventure to Mount Doom for families, and Duel for Middle-earth for two players.

Does Lord of the Rings Risk exist?

Yes. Risk: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition is for 2-4 players, ages 10+, and takes around 180 minutes. There’s also an earlier, smaller 2002 edition.

Can you get Lord of the Rings Monopoly?

Yes. Monopoly: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition (2003) is for 2-6 players, ages 8+. It’s out of print, so you’ll need to look to resellers for a copy.

What kind of game is The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring?

A strategy board game from Ares Games for 2-4 players, ages 14+, with a playtime of 120 minutes or more. One side tries to destroy the Ring; the other aims to conquer Middle-earth.

What is the Lord of the Rings LCG?

The Lord of the Rings LCG, also sold as Lord of the Rings the card game, is a cooperative living card game from Fantasy Flight Games for 1-4 players. Its expansions come in fixed packs, not random boosters.

Did Decipher make a Lord of the Rings trading card game?

Decipher published one from 2001 to 2007, with 19 sets. It’s out of print, and its license expired in 2007.

Can you play a board game based on The Hobbit?

Yes. Cryptozoic's The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013, 1-4 players) is a Knizia dice game. Milton Bradley also made a vintage Hobbit Game in 1978.

Is there a Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit game?

Yes. The Movie Trilogy Collector's Edition (2003) includes 1,800 questions across six categories and pewter tokens. It’s out of print.

Is there an official Lord of the Rings Catan?

Research turned up no licensed edition. Catan's own site lists a Game of Thrones edition, but no Lord of the Rings one.

Can you get a Lord of the Rings chess set?

Yes. The Noble Collection makes a set with 32 pewter pieces depicting the film cast, plus expansion sets for The Two Towers and The Return of the King.

Is there a Lord of the Rings tabletop RPG?

The One Ring Roleplaying Game (Second Edition, Free League, 2022) is for 2-6 players, with one player taking the Loremaster role.

Many older editions are out of print, so check resale listings before you buy.

Need a shorter game? Duel for Middle-earth takes 30-45 minutes for two players.

Sources

  1. Ares Games: War of the Ring aresgames.eu
  2. Fantasy Flight Games: The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game fantasyflightgames.com
  3. Hasbro: Risk, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Edition instructions instructions.hasbro.com
  4. Games Workshop: Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game warhammer-community.com
  5. Repos Production: Duel for Middle-earth rprod.com