3 replies to this topic

[Jreilly89]

Hey guys, so for starters, I plan on getting the base game. I had a couple quick questions: 1) What should I follow up with/focus on? I see there are a LOT of expansions. 2) I will primarily play solo. My wife may join me, but it will be mainly a solo game. Do you have any solo variants you recommend?

[OKTarg]

Welcome to the game! 

 

This has been designed for solo play, so no variants are needed. There is an 'easy mode' in the ruleset, which can make learning a better experience and some quests more attainable with your smaller cardpool.

 

The best purchase after a Core set in my opinion is the Black Riders saga expansion. It comes with a lot of cards to build an effective Hobbit deck and some very engaging scenarios, tracking Frodo's journey from Bag End to Rivendell. 

[slothgodfather]

The guys over at the Hall of Beorn, have written some really good articles about the game.  Since you are new to the game, I'll assume that you are unaware of how the encounter cards work.  So, the way the game works is, the Core set comes with encounter cards that you use to play the initial 3 quests in the Core box.  But many of those same cards will be utilized by the cycle of adventure packs (6) that follow it.  That cycle is called "Shadows of Mirkwood".   So it is often suggested to buy them in order, when you can.  Some early packs are harder to come by as people first getting into the game always pick them up, but then perhaps quit buying into the game.  This does mean you can sometimes get collections on Ebay for cheap!

 

The first expansion in the game is Kazad-dum, and you'll need that expansion before you can play any of the quests from the cycle following it - the "Dwarrowdelf".  

 

So, while many suggest you buy in order, you can buy out of order, but I'd still suggest you always get the expansion of the cycle you want before digging into that cycle.

 

Saga Expansions are different than standard expansions as they are basically stand alone boxes and can be played with no other cards than the Core box.  That doesn't mean it will be easy though!

 

The game has grown as it's been released too, so later packs will have more powerful player cards, but will also have more powerful enemy cards.  

[Jreilly89]

The guys over at the Hall of Beorn, have written some really good articles about the game.  Since you are new to the game, I'll assume that you are unaware of how the encounter cards work.  So, the way the game works is, the Core set comes with encounter cards that you use to play the initial 3 quests in the Core box.  But many of those same cards will be utilized by the cycle of adventure packs (6) that follow it.  That cycle is called "Shadows of Mirkwood".   So it is often suggested to buy them in order, when you can.  Some early packs are harder to come by as people first getting into the game always pick them up, but then perhaps quit buying into the game.  This does mean you can sometimes get collections on Ebay for cheap!

 

The first expansion in the game is Kazad-dum, and you'll need that expansion before you can play any of the quests from the cycle following it - the "Dwarrowdelf".  

 

So, while many suggest you buy in order, you can buy out of order, but I'd still suggest you always get the expansion of the cycle you want before digging into that cycle.

 

Saga Expansions are different than standard expansions as they are basically stand alone boxes and can be played with no other cards than the Core box.  That doesn't mean it will be easy though!

 

The game has grown as it's been released too, so later packs will have more powerful player cards, but will also have more powerful enemy cards.  

 

You're definitely right in that it seems packs going out of print makes them hard to pick up! Currently I'm looking at either the Dark Riders saga, as was suggested, or the Kazad-dum expansion, as I do love Dwarves and that expansion looks full of it!