Asmodee The Lord of The Rings: Duel for Middle-Earth Board Game - Epic Strategy Game of Power and Conquest for Kids and Adults, Ages 10+, 2 Players, 30 Minute Playtime

This is a beautiful game with absolutely gorgeous art. The gameplay is great fun for the most part and feels a lot like Splendor (get cards to buy cards to get cards to buy cards to get victory points) but with three victory tracks. Take over the map, catch the other player or get to the end of the journey track, or get a complete set of green race cards. So you are required to stop an opponent from advancing across a map or take it over yourself, stop a player from advancing across a track or fully advance it yourself, or stop them from collecting green cards or get a complete set yourself.This balancing act means that this game has a LOT of player interaction from blocking the other player from taking actions.In the end you are just collecting cards and playing card symbols from your tableau (or wild cards which are coins) to get more cards, but the wonderful artwork, movement across the map, and reveal and discard and other actions make the game feels a lot more dynamic.I played this one twice in a row before brain fatigue set in and I want to play it more.My only concern is that the game did not quite seem balanced in terms of victory relation to skill (making brilliant/lucky moves and then losing feels off) but this may be due to a misinterpretation of a rule.Be sure to read the rulebook on this one CAREFULLY. At least one reviewer didn't understand you could use coins to substitute for any symbol when buying a card, and I didn't realize you could get a race alliance bonus for two-of-a-kid green cards over-and-over.At any rate I like this game enormously more than 7 Wonders Duel, which somehow just didn't feel right thematically. I like the theme and execution here much much more.

Purchased brand new game. Arrived in perfect condition.

Currently our favorite game in this gaming household. We are LOTR fans and have enjoyed Duel for years. This game executes a great merge of the LOTR theme with improved game play of Duel. You can easily own and enjoy both. We are enjoying the balance required across the multiple game actions.

Great implementation of the 7 wonders duel system. Theme really suits this. I have already played this game more than any other game this year

If you’re a fan of The Lord of the Rings and love strategic board games, Duel: Lord of the Rings is a must-have. This game brilliantly combines the iconic lore of Middle-earth with engaging, well-balanced gameplay that keeps you on your toes until the very end.The design is stunning, with beautiful artwork on the cards, detailed game pieces, and a map that feels like it’s pulled straight out of Tolkien’s world. The mechanics are easy to learn but offer enough depth for seasoned players to strategize and outwit their opponent.What I love most is how thematic the game feels. Every decision you make feels like it has weight, as you reenact the epic battles and critical moments of the story. Whether you’re controlling the forces of good or the armies of Mordor, every duel feels intense and satisfying.It’s perfect for two players, and the sessions are just the right length—not too short, not overly long. My partner and I can’t get enough of it! Whether you’re a casual gamer or a die-hard Tolkien fan, this game delivers an unforgettable experience.Highly recommend adding it to your collection!

This is a card drafting , area control , set collection game. We loved everything but the area control. It's very mean. Sold it.

I had to open the box and play this one right away and it did not disappoint. Having been a fan of 7 Wonders Duel and knowing that this game was more than just a re-skin of that, this game was on my watchlist for a while now.The rules may seem a little complex by just reading them but once you get started it all starts to click right away. The two of you decide who will be the Hobbits and who will play as Sauron. Each side gets unique starting positions and separately colored wooden units.The game has three different victory conditions:1. Quest of the Ring - the game has a cardboard track and a clear plastic track that lays on top of it. As you collect blue cards (Rings) you slide along this track towards an end goal. The Hobbits have to get to Mt. Doom and Sauron has to catch the hobbits.2. Support of the Races - pairing green cards gets you access to race tokens with unique abilities, discounts on actions and more. If you collect tokens from 6 different races, you win!3. Conquering Middle-earth - The game comes with a map board of Middle-earth and each person has some starting units on the map. If you expand your units and towers in to all 7 regions, you win instantly!If none of this happens, it all comes down to who has the most controlled regions and if that's a tie, share the victory.All this gives great replayability to this as you can choose between the different sides to play as well as which victory condition you might want to pursue.There's even more to this game than what I've described here but you'll have to check it out yourself to discover the rest!

We played for 6 hours straight after getting this game! So much fun for a date night at home!