Received the game in the mail yesterday, these are my first impressions.
Not game related at all, but when I see the picture of Aragorn on the cover I think of this scene
and wish that GW/Forgeworld would release these poses. Aragorn with a bow in hand is only found in the old Three Hunters set.
Back to the game:
I'm impressed with the quality of the components, The board is hard cardboard, the figures hard plastic (with only minor bending on a couple of weapons), rules could have been printed in a smaller format but not a major problem, they provided a bag for the wound counters which was nice, over all, very well made.
The Board is very well marked and gives a nice feel to the game. While it shows that there are various levels, they aren't mentioned or a factor in the game. The main pieces in the scenery set that you can buy separately from GW fits well on the board without affecting game play. (will try and get picture later). One piece of information that is in the rule booklet that could have been on the board is the number of goblin cards to be drawn each turn, but that could easily be added by the user if desired.
Wound counters - easily punched out and with bag provided not a problem keeping together when stored.
Character cards -nice quality card stock, one for every member of the Fellowship and the different poses of the goblins and cave troll showing a picture of the figure and its capabilities.
Goblin cards - 20 cards which make up the Goblin deck, showing where and how many goblins (or the cave troll) arrive.
Die - one for the cave troll, two for the goblins and three for the Fellowship. The Fellowhip dice have a higher probability of inflicting a wound.
The plastic figures - as mentioned, hard plastic, easily fitted into the grooved bases provided and put together. cave troll comes with option of either a spear or hammer but choice of weapon has no factor in game play.
The rules - still going over these, will probably get a better feel once i do a play through. Goblin player moves first each turn, followed by the Fellowship once all the goblin figures have moved/attacked. Each figure can attack then move or move and then attack. Dice are used for attack/defend results.
Some minor issues I have:
According to the goblin card with a bow it can attack any figure he can see no matter the distance while the Legolas card specifically gives this ability to him. Feels like that goblin should have a distance factor.
I understand for simplicity sake they ignore the different levels depicted on the game board but for line of sight it should be a factor. Easily home ruled if desired.
Number of goblins provided in game. You can only place the number of goblins provided on the game card that you have available. The game starts off with 9 of the 12 provided on the board and depending on game play and which cards are drawn you could receive 4 each on turns 2 and 3. Highly unlikely I know but for a 20 year old design it seems like GW could have provided 2 sets of the goblins but I understand the cost.
Back of rule booklet has a list of challenges that seem to me just video game accomplishments that have no factor on game play/victory.
The game is recommended for 12+, which I feel is rather high for the simplicity of the game.
Feel like if GW had done what they did with the older Mines of Moria game box, while this set would have costed more, it would do just as well as the Pelennor set for bringing in new players.
