hm...the more I think of it, the more I realize, that I actually have quite high hopes of the game to provide the opportunity to experience some other stuff than we already know from the novels.

We know the Balrog from the books already and he was even a minion in the TCG. So I wouldn't be overly sad to learn that there won't be a Balrog and that there won't be any Moria. I would really rejoice in being able to visit some other locations and explore some quests not directly to the lotr storyline. Also I think this is where most of the potential lies for the game.

However, as mentioned before it also depends on the license that ffg has, since that will strongly govern the possible directions of the game to take.

Apart from setting related wishes, I really hope that some new mechanics will be introduced later on, enhancing the game exprience and increasing replayability.

And another item for the wishlist: A fun singleplayer experience. I would just love it, if could also really enjoy this alone. I also really hope that the adventure packs will introduce a lot of storytelling elements, that make questing a fun experience!

A lot of wishes, lol...maybe some of them are already addressed in the core set?

faith_star83 said:

Oh ,you remember the text of the first Balrog?While you can spot the Balrog discard all other minions.Anyway Balrog without his artifacts wasn't realy a threat.Gandalf can cancel the skirmish with his staff and even Frodo can stand one attack with Bounder as an ally and if the next site is not an underground site you must discard Balrog.

In seven years of play i dont remember i 've ever faced a Balrog in a tournament.Troll was the first choise for Moria decks.

I also think that scouting Moria, even without fighting Balrog, would be very interesting. There should be a lot of hiding and fighting way out through swarms of orcs and some cave trolls.
Think that Gandalf had some bad feelings about Moria (our heroes told him something ), and Aragorn also made at least one trip through so fit perfectly.

In the same climat we could also see adventure sets related to:
- Angmar (previously visiting Bree, Barrow Downs and finishing around Carn Dum),
- Minas Morgul (with Cirith Ungol and Shelob’s Lair),
- Mount Gundabad (as part of travelling around Anduin river).

I think that Saruman (still pose as helper rather than black character) will be used as ally (one use like Gandalf) or “Nazgul from Dol Guldur” – whatever his abilities are.

Maybe quest for searching for lost Palantir’s from Annuminas and Amon Sul – vide ICE’s Palantir’s Quest.

Fighting with superopponents like Balrog, Smaug etc. is tempting but can lead to situations that they will have bigger characterisctics than usual enemies and that’s all.
Compering to Hill Troll how tough should be Balrog?? For me running from Moria will be much more interesting/frightening/exciting that fighting with enemy: attack: 15, defense: 15, hit points 20...
Higher than normal enemies will quckly lead to situation when we need to have cards that add more bonuses, so it ends in the point where in 10th adventure pack we will receive card - Folko (ally): similiar to Gandalf but draw 10 cards, discard 4 enemies, reduce threat by 15. It is sad but EVERY card game ends with something familiar – cards from later expansions are much more powerfull than from core/base set. It is sign that developers have no more ideas how to expand game other than increasing numbers.

I HOPE WE WILL NOT SEE THIS IN MELCG.
 

Would it be possible to launch one of those big expansions with The Hobbit complete story campaing, and they could start releasing adventure packs based on other stories of middle-earth

Wallenstein said:

This is true.Saruman's real strategy at that time was to find the One Ring and keep it for himself but he acts as an ally and he still is the leader of the White Council.

The notable absence from this game for now is...Rings. With the arrival of Bilbo and Gollum we will hopefully also see that magic ring of theirs appear in the first expansion cycle, and then future cycles will hopefully work towards the moment where it is revealed as the One.

 Re: Balrog

A solution for the Balrog could be, not to make him a creature, but a treachery. Something like: when revealed sacrifice a hero. Would make sense, story-wise, wouldn't it. So better put "Fate or Fortune" into your deck 

BeardFan said:

This is a very good idea.

I have one more solution.FFG can sell N/A and buy the rights for Silmarilion from Tolkien's son and then the joy is endless.We can have armies of Balrog fighting with elves,Beren and Luthien,Valars and Morgoth........

Ok i must wake up now.

servant of the secret fire said:

I saw the second one rarely - Moria usually had plenty of shadow to pay for some big hitter.  You are right though, usually it was the Troll. 

Wallenstein said:

I see the very big guns as scenarios in and of themselves, with each Quest card possibly representing a stage of the encounter.

Sisyphus said:

Great idea; a fight with a Balrog could definitely be a quest in itself.

rings said:

Yes also at site 5 you can play Balrog from your hand or your discard pile with -6 cost.

On the other hand Glamdring,Sting,Frying Pan and Power According was an auto win against Moria.

I think this license is the same one that Cubicle-7 has for their One Ring RPG.

If so, this game can use any place, item, character, or creature from..

Hobbit & Appendixes

LOTR & Appendixes

The upcoming One Ring RPG is even set during the same time-frame.

I'm 100% sure you will see the Balrog etc.

But anything else you want from The Silmarillion, Unfinished Tales, Children of Hurin, or the 12 volumes of History of Middle Earth are off-limits!

BeardFan said:

Sub in the word "character" for hero and you've got yourself a difficult yet still winnable scenario.

qwertyuiop said:

If you think losing a character is bad, wait until you try the necromancer scenario in the starter.