The pencil art was what had me itching to play! I was actually far less pleased with the color art. But I come from playing OSR dungeon crawling games where you play as farmers and peasants just trying to survive. Those rangers look like they could be me and the boys if we were in Eriador.

This is not the first review I have seen that mentioned not liking the pencil sketches, but there is something i really rather like in them. I don't know what exactly, but it does evoke something in me. Maybe it makes me think of flipping thru RPGs as a kid, I honestly dont know. But I do like it. :)

Regarding the inflexibility of Target Numbers, players don’t need to roll for the example you give. In the “When to Roll” section on p. 16 of the core rulebook, it says that players should only roll if there’s a possibility of failure. That rotting, wooden door is toast!

I think the artwork is great. Sounds like some people were expecting Peter Jackson style artwork. I think this book does enough to stay true to Tolkien but distance itself from looking like a copy of New Line Cinema saga.

I know art is very much subjective but at the same time the art within the book is gorgeous and exciting. The texture and depth is incredible not to mention the thought and careful planning that seems has gone into the composition. Beautiful hierarchy and flow for the viewers eye. The art work is what drew (pun intended) me to this book!

Huge fan of TOR here, thank you for your videos - they're very to the point and informative, liked & subscribed! Keep up the great work!

I love how this game reminds me of the adventurous aspect of the books and movies, more so than DnD. It feels like it was made with a deep and abiding love for LOTR. I've played and run some Call of Cthulhu and Traveller, and can say that skill based games like those and this can definitely be "don't pick a fight unless you have the advantage" when it comes to combat. But there's something about the instant kill if a monster fails their protection roll that feels very like the movies. I hope my players love this system as much as I'm starting to, and that more areas become available over time so we can explore the full brewery of Middle Earth.

I love your insight on the rules. I think I'm going to abide some of them, because they do make perfect sense. As a Tolkien geek, I do agree that both the Lore master and the players should have a strong connection to the books, to get the most out of it. A well done video 11/10.

This is a fine review, packs a lot in without taking too long. Plus seconding the comment that you've got a good speaking voice! - I like the journey rules: a bit of mechanical weight but without bogging things down too much! Can sympathise on the risk of characters being wounded, but wounds can be treated with Healing and PCs get a chance to avoid a bad outcome from the event as you correctly note. - Spider stats: there are some in Ruins of the Lost Realm, although I agree having some in the core rulebook would have been nice. - Expanding to other regions: I'm sure we'll get more material on other regions later. Kickstarter backrs already got "Peoples of Wilderland" to cover Woodmen, Beornings and Mirkwood Elves and presumably they'll be in a product on wider release later. 1e similarly went with a "start small, then broaden out" approach, which worked well.

The target numbers seem to work quite well - I'm about 4 sessions in, and it makes people want to use their good skills, and also gets them itching for level ups. Main point of agreement is that some skills are too similar, and I started to suspect it was just to have an equal number under each attribute

It does seem that the other areas of the world will expand as more material comes out. As far as feeling that a good Lore Master is important to experience this game, practice makes perfect. Or at least offers growth through repetition. Running a game is just story telling with rules interjected. If I can create a picture of the world in my and convey it to the players, most of my work is done. The rest is flowing with the players to weave their side of the story into the tale. I'm sure nearly anyone could run enjoyable sessions with this or other games with enough work and practice.

Great playlist ✨

Great vídeo, thanks! This was the first video I saw about this game and I really enjoyed it 🙏 actually it was the first video that I saw about this kind of games 😊

I ran the one ring for about 14 weeks but using the 1e book Tales from Wilderland as I have a lot of 1e stuff. I know what you mean about the art and I prefer the art in 1e.I would not describe m,yself as a good loremaster by a long way but my group love Tolkien so that helps a lot.

Thanks for these easy-to-understand videos, they are a boon and makes things easier for a loremaster-in-training (still in the learning all the rules phase). I can understand that the artstyle is a matter of perspective, I guess that since Free League is swedish, they go for that classical swedish style of John Bauer and Drakar och Demoner. Personally, I like it, but I get why you don't.

Nice review. I too have not actually played many games of this version of The One Ring (TOR). But what you say is very close to it all. Combat is potentially very deadly, and suddenly very deadly. New characters are particularly vulnerable. However should you survive a few adventures you will soon get to a level where you can expect to take down any of the basic adversaries in single combat. But never forget - you will remain vulnerable even at the maximum levels; and being outnumbered - even by weak adversaries - can rapidly increase the odds of getting killed. Although there are not many given adversaries, there is a system for a Loremaster (= GM) to create some quite varied "Nameless Things" to face up against. The Shadow and Hope mechanic is the one part I have to still get a better grasp of. (A previous version of this game had a different mechanic for this same idea.) Currently it makes me feel that there is too much of a Horror feel to this rule, than the Despair I get when reading the books. Strider Rules are good. Generally a player is given a little more starting experience to spend; a few more enhanced common skills; an extra special mobile Stance for running combat; and it is recommended that the Target Number system is reduced. All these are compensation for having no Fellowship Companions. And I think they are needed. I have Ironsworn too, and these Strider solo rules are not like that at all. They are a proper solo version of The One Ring rues: and not Ironsworn with a Middle-earth label on top.

I know you mentioned trying the Strider mode at some point, but based on your experience with the rules thus far do you think the game could be good solo? I only play solo right now and I REALLY want to get this because I'm into Tolkien and Middle Earth as a setting, but I'm so tied to OSR D&D rules that I'm hesitant to spend the money to get this. It looks like a lot compared to White Box FMAG which is what I mostly use. You mentioned the bit about combat, can you do old school dungeon crawls for loot with this game? I don't know what to think. Edit: I forgot to say, nice review! You pretty much sold me on it, I just need to find out a tiny bit more on solo play. Thanks.

Ohhhh myyyy, his voice is nice :) I like your tone

The one ring 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍👌

Would love to see a follow-up video with your thoughts after months of play! Did your same concerns continue? Or did some feeling on it change? Did new concerns come up? Did new aspects emerge that you really like? Did you adopt the home-brew ideas you raised (like with Journeys)? Did you try Strider mode and did it reveal anything new to you about the game? Thanks for the videos!

i'm curious about your thoughts on the new adventures in middle earth 5e supplement that just released and how it feels compared to this one. My 5e players really like combat and i want to eventually make a middle earth campaign. i am trying to gauge between this or the supplement which might be better.

Man... I love the art in the book. Ahahahhahaha

Ohh I don't think you are for me. 1:18 in and you seem to have missed the fact that lotr is about going home after the adventure. It is all about returning. Also love the pencil art work of the book. So good day to you sir.

Hey man, I love your videos. You have an amazing voice and good explanations but there is only a problem for me: you speak a bit too fast. I like to listen to podcasts when I am in my car and it's a bit hard to concentrate on the road and listen to you. Hope I did not come across as a dick, hope you have a great day!

I'd agree that the art style is not really my cup of tea either, but it sticks to that old style around the years the books was written.

it would be nice if you could speak a little slower, for some of us who English is not our first language. nonetheless, thank you for the video!

The pencil sketches are technically very good, but the depiction of the character options is awefull...I mean, the rangers look like guys from the 80s with their fancy hair. The elves look like normal people, the bardings like all the other. Only the hobbits are very good.

Nice review. One request: please slow down. You talk *very* fast and it's sometimes hard to follow what you're saying.

Dislike the art? This game has better art than the vast majority of games out there. Makes me question your judgement