Hi Guys,

Sorry if this has been covered before, but I can't get the search function to work (despite trying three different browsers), and I have neither time nor inclination to trawl manually through every thread!

Despite having bought a copy of TOR when it first came out, I haven't had time to really look at it until now. So this is, in some sense, my initial reaction to it - and to the (few) 'ancillary products' which are available.

The overall package (slipcover with rules, dice and maps) is well-presented and very attractive, and seems (mostly) to be pretty durable. In my view, it would be nice if I could buy (at least) the Adventurer's book seperately: most of the members of my group would happily buy that, but wouldn't want to have to pay for the Loremaster's book (which they don't need). I'm slightly concerned about the maps too - I have only one good 'hard copy' of the maps - that supplied with the game. Inevitably, they're going to suffer if/when we use them in the game. It would be nice to be able to get fresh copies... And amazing if one could buy un-creased, laminated, copies (particularly of the players' map) - even if they cost ten or twelve quid, I'd cheerfully buy one!

The artwork is stunning. And clever. Whilst it 'feels' true to Tolkien's vision (at least as I read it), it's also 'similar enough' to the imagery from the films that (for instance) G@mes W0rksh0p's Lord of the Rings miniatures don't look out of place.

The slow rate of release of product has been a concern (though understandable!). If the game hadn't been so gorgeous-looking, I'd definitely have waited to buy it - and with the absence of GM screen, I might still have been waiting! I'm usually reluctant to commit to a game which I'm not sure is going to be supported - and that means with solid product, rather than 'vapourware' (promises!). Enough has been released now, that the game is 'useable' - though, for me, the Loremaster's screen will be a 'must have', and I'd prefer not to play without one. I have, in the past, been a keen 'DIY-er' when it comes to GM screens - in fact the Harnmaster screen is based on my design (though Columbia messed up by making it smaller than my design, and leaving off some vital tables... So I still use my original, home-printed, version!).

The dice, whilst not vital, are a really nice touch - they look great, and make the mechanics easier to follow because of the way they're designed.

Some thoughts on the game may follow, once I think i've really understood it. I'm on my second read-through now, and probably need to run through chargen a time or two before i'll feel as though I've 'got it'.

Cheers,
Phil

Cheers,
Phil

Philhendry,
Unfortunately the search function is permanently disabled it seems. You can search through the site by using the Search link posted in TOR Resources (pinned thread).

You can enter the search terms either at the very beginning or end of the Google search field. Google has changed to fuzzy logic searching so while searching they use relative wording. If you specifically want "Tomato Sauce", entering that without quotes will get things like Tomato Paste, Tomato Juice, etc. Because Sauce is kind of sort of Paste and/or Juice too. Quotes and proper capitalization can make a world of difference in your searches. Also the minus prefix which means NOT. So entering "Tomato Sauce" -Paste -Juice means you want stuff about Tomato Sauce but nothing referencing Paste or Juice.

Personally, I find Google's switch to fuzzy logic highly annoying because its grabbing a bunch of stuff I don't remotely want.

Yeah, that's another reason I'm glad I was able to get the PDF version: I can print out new maps for $10 a pop. I was telling folks last night that we'll be updating/marking up the map directly since it's "the fellowship's map."

So we can write "And here was the last place they were even seen..."

Phil, if you're looking for a game to get familiar with the rules, I run an online game on Sunday evenings - 8pm UK time. I use Fantasy Grounds and have an ultimate license so all you'd have to do is install the software, turn up and play.

I bought it early enough that I have the PDFs... However, I only have access to an A4 printer these days (when I was working we had an A0 printer, which was handy at times )

I could print it out on A4, or, using Acrobat Pro, I could print it out fiull-sized and 'tile' the resultant set of six (?) pages. But in an ideal world a properly printed, nicely laminated, version would be worth paying for with the odd spare limb.

Cheers,
Phil

That's very kind of you, thank you. I'm tempted to take you up on the offer, but will have to see how my time goes, now we're into a new academic year...

And, wondering - I'm a Mac user, so I guess I'd have to install Windows to run it? I've been avoiding that, since upgrading to a new Mac a few months ago - had hoped not to need to 'sully' it with Windows!

Cheers,
Phil

Same thought. I don't know why they split the book if it's always sold in a hard box.

It would be better for sales if C7 sell Adventurer's Book as a single product. You can sell 1 Box set plus 4 AB to a 5-players groups.

There have been reports if it working in Wine bottler, but I really don't know as I use Windows - for that and another product, in the main. Plus Macs are a lot of money for old and locked technology

Some further thoughts...

Having read it all twice, I think it's great, with just two reservations, one of which concerns my group, and their manner of play; the other is of a somewhat more general nature.

I'm not sure how the abstract nature of 'Treasure' is going to sit with my group - over the couple of decades we've been playing together, they've always been used to using money - acquiring it and buying 'stuff' to use when adventuring. The combat seems very abstract too - we've always been used to fairly 'crunchy' systems (MERP/RM, Harnmaster, WFRP/DH, etc.). We'll probably get there in the end, but old habits die hard!

My other reservation concerns nomenclature in the rules, which, as has been pointed out by others in my 'Confused' thread, is inconsistent - the same thing is apt to be called by different names in different places in the rules - a minor editing failure? That causes a degree of confusion and makes learning one's way around the game harder than it need be.

Cheers,
Phil

It can be a problem for some groups, but for representing Tolkien's work I don't think a granular system is really needed. Perhaps an explanation of this to your players would help bridge the gap for them - ie, bean counting just isn't important in this game; Hope, Shadow, Valour, Wisdom and other elements are the bits the game will be focussing on...

Make sure you're clear in describing Stances as fighting styles/strategies rather than 'positions on a map', then it becomes a lot easier to understand. In more complex battles I've used a stance sheet and also a more traditional map to deal with the two elements. Picture paints a 1000 words, so:



The red box highlight is the Stance Mat, showing the stances of each character, whereas the rest is what you'd recognise as a more traditional 'minis map', allowing for movement of characters/creatures on the map, etc - a bit grander than what I usually do but this was a fairly key and epic battle in my campaign.

Just as a note, I write an Actual Play thread here (check the link in my signature) that may be worth reading to pick up some tips. Hopefully will also be updating it this weekend.

Francesco, the game's designer, has addressed your concern about Treasure and money in the new Lake-town Sourcebook.

Until you are able to get that resource, check out the Money in Middle-earth thread.

Dang Rich, when is your next play date? I think I'm going to start crashing your games.

... Fanx!

The Battle of Amon Naugrim - 'twas an epic which the PCs handled really well; they got their tactics for it spot on.

Game's currently on hold though as one of the player's dad's is really very ill so he's looking after him pretty much all the time. However I am starting a hobbit only game set in the Shire and around Bree next week for the other three players. Its unfortunate how this has come about (ie, family problems for my friend) but I'm really looking forward to it- working title for the campaign is "Three's Company".