GTM #134 - The Lord of the Rings LCG: Shadows of Mirkwood

The Hunt Begins! The valorous heroes of Middle-earth have a treacherous road ahead of them. King Thranduil has sent out reports of Orc activity in Mirkwood, meanwhile an elusive being stalks the same forests, leaving behind a broken trail of clues. The wizard Gandalf has dire need of this mysterious creature’s capture, and only the bravest heroes are willing to take up the hunt.

The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game is the latest addition to the Fantasy Flight Games catalog, and the first ever cooperative Living Card Game. The Lord of the Rings is a game of fellowship and adventure set in Middle-earth, where one to two players (or up to four players when using two Core Sets) take control of a customizable party of heroes armed with a deck of allies, events, and attachments. Players must work together to overcome the quest, which is run by the game itself.

Shadows of Mirkwood is the first series of Adventure Packs for The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game. Introducing new Quests, Heroes, player cards, and Encounter cards, each Adventure Pack will open new areas of Middle-earth to explore and present new dangers for heroes to face. With six new scenarios that each link together to build a flowing narrative, Shadows of Mirkwood not only provides players with new deck-building options, but also ensures that The Lord of the Ring: The Card Game is enriched by entirely new adventures with each monthly expansion. 

Each fixed 60 card Adventure Pack in the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle consists of a new quest, a new deck of Encounter cards, a new Hero card, and three copies of an assortment of player cards spread across each of the spheres of influence: Tactics, Leadeship, Spirit, and Lore. With the contents of these Adventure Packs, players will be able to supplement their The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game Core Set with new scenarios and a wealth of new deckbuilding options.

Nate French, designer of The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game, took some time to share his design process for the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle:

“The most exciting aspect of designing the Shadows of Mirkwood expansion cycle was the chance to introduce six entirely new scenarios to the game; it provided an opportunity to really push the envelope and see where the core system could go. It was important that each quest in the cycle be playable as a standalone adventure, but I alsowanted them to form a distinct sequential narrative when played in order from start to finish, so that an “epic” play experience would be possible for groups that desired it.”

“The series was designed around the search for Gollum, and it takes players through the various landscapes that surround Mirkwood Forest. The goals of the quests range from following clues, exploring dangerous locations, and escorting an extremely reluctant travel companion. Mechanically, I really wanted each scenario to be a unique experience; unlike any of the others and unlike any of the scenarios in the core set. It was a difficult design process, but I am very pleased with the end result. Each Adventure Pack introduces unique choices that will challenge your in-game and deck-building strategies. One quest might require a lot of brute force, making the sphere of Tactics quite appealing, while another quest might hinge on surviving the harsh elements of the wild. Fortunately, the new allotment of player cards in the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle provides all the options you’ll need to construct a deck to meet these new challenges.”

“In addition to the six new scenarios, approximately half of each pack is devoted to new player cards. There is a new hero in each pack (starting off with Bilbo Baggins in the first Adventure Pack, The Hunt for Gollum), and an assortment of cards for all four spheres. This was an exciting set to design, and I’m certainly looking forward to its release!”

As you can see, the Shadows of Mirkwood series of Adventure Packs enhances each layer of your The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game experience. New quests and Encounter cards keep the play environment fresh, while new player cards ensure that you are able to constantly explore unique ways to construct your decks. The Shadows of Mirkwood cycle will begin this spring, starting with The Hunt for Gollum Adventure Pack. Prepare your heroes for the perilous road ahead. The creature known as Gollum must be found at any cost... will you dare to trek under the ominous shadows that haunt Mirkwood Forest?