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00:00:00 – 00:22:29
The YouTube video discusses War of the Ring expansions, Lords of Middle Earth and Warriors of Middle Earth. It covers new characters, unique dice mechanics, and setup instructions for the expansions. The segments explain alternate versions of Companions, use of special dice, introducing Elven Rings, and strategic depth with characters like the Balrog and Mouth of Sauron. Smeagol's role as a potential guide is highlighted, along with considerations like factions, recruitment, and interaction rules. The Free Peoples and Shadow Faction units, involving Call to Battle cards, and unique abilities of factions like Dead Men of Dunharrow, Eagles of the Misty Mountains, and Ents are discussed. Additionally, the video mentions game mechanics involving Ents, Corsairs of Umbar, and Hillman of Dunland, and concludes with insights into the Shadow Army and Broods of Shelob in the Warriors of Middle Earth expansion.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, Shay Parker introduces the War of the Ring expansions, Lords of Middle Earth and Warriors of Middle Earth. Shay seeks help from a friend, Mike, to delve into the lore of the expansions. However, Mike reveals a shift in interest towards Star Wars instead of Lord of the Rings. Despite the disappointment, Shay proceeds with explaining the features of Lords of Middle Earth, focusing on new characters with special dice and upgraded elements like Aragorn and Gandalf. The segment also outlines the setup instructions for the expansion, including replacing tokens and adding new cards to the decks.
00:03:00
In this segment of the video, the optional alternate versions of the Companions are discussed. Each Companion has a new ability with individual cards. Players can choose which version of each Companion they want to use without revealing their choices to the shadow player. Additionally, players can decide whether or not alternate Companions, except Strider and Gandalf, start the game on the map in their respective Homeland locations, which comes with a cost in special action tokens for the shadow player. These tokens can be used instead of action dice but are one-time use only. The segment also introduces new characters with special dice, such as Elrond, Galadriel, Gandalf, and Narya, tied to specific ways of entering the game. Special dice have risks involved, with eye symbols that go into the hunt box. Gandalf’s Narya die is added during specific game rounds. The dice symbols are mostly familiar, with a new symbol allowing players to draw cards from event decks.
00:06:00
In this segment of the video, the key points discussed include the concept of “Stars” in the game, where choosing a die with a star can lead to losing it for free peoples if Gandalf the White is in play. The Elven Rings have new abilities activated by tokens associated with specific characters in play. Lesser minions like Gothmog and the Balrog have special dice with unique rules for use. The Balrog, for instance, becomes active in Moria, raising political tension when played. Alternate versions of the Mouth of Sauron and the Witch King add strategic depth, allowing players to switch between them during the game.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, it is explained that Smeagol can replace Gollum as the guide for the fellowship if specific conditions are met during a hunt check. Smeagol’s level matches the highest companion’s level, and there are special conditions to consider while playing with Smeagol. It is noted that Smeagol can be sacrificed like any other guide but will be discarded if the free People’s City or stronghold is declared. If Smeagol is eliminated or discarded, the Shadow Smeagol card is revealed. It is important to differentiate between Smeagol and Gollum in gameplay. Smeagol is considered a companion and affects the maximum number of action dice the Shadow player can add to the hunt box. Additionally, Smeagol can be separated from the Fellowship but is discarded if done so. If Gollum enters play after Smeagol leaves, discard any Smeagol tiles drawn. The segment also briefly mentions the Warriors expansion, introducing armies from various factions for combat.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the main points include:
– Players receive a new deck of faction event cards that focus on strengthening and utilizing their factions.
– Faction cards do not count against the hand limit and have their own separate hand limit of four cards.
– Reshuffling faction cards is allowed once all have been used up.
– Faction units have specific requirements for recruitment and can be eliminated permanently.
– Faction dice are rolled when faction units are in play and allow for recruiting faction units or playing/drawing faction cards.
– Different factions have conditions that must be met before they can be brought into play, with unique starting setups.
– Faction units are distinct from regular units and have special rules regarding movement, stacking limits, and interactions with enemy units.
00:15:00
In this segment of the video, it discusses the differences between the Free Peoples and Shadow Faction units in a board game. Free Peoples’ faction units are permanently removed when eliminated, while Shadow Faction units go back to reinforcements. Each faction can interact with the game through Call to Battle cards, which can be drawn if certain conditions are met when a battle starts. These cards can be played instead of combat cards and have various abilities. The three factions covered are the Dead Men of Dunharrow, Eagles of the Misty Mountains, and Ents of Fangorn, each with their unique recruitment conditions, abilities, and strengths in battles. The Dead Men are called to action by Aragorn, Eagles counter Nazgul, and Ents help the fellowship.
00:18:00
In this segment of the video, it is explained how Ents work in the game by forming the Endwood and moving or attacking from there. Ents need to stay in Fangorn, either with a companion or the fellowship. Moving a March of the ants snake towards the opponent requires eliminating an Ent from the Endwood and rolling three dice hitting on fours or higher. If an Ent moves into Orthanc or their attack eliminates all units, Saruman is removed from the game. The Corsairs of Umbar, pirate faction, can bring three ships in Umbar and can move to Gilead and any Gondor regions except for Erech. The Hillman of Dunland, recruited by Saruman, can only be brought in if Saruman is in play, have a stacking limit of three, can move and attack with armies or individually.
00:21:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the Shadow Army and Broods of Shelob in the Warriors of Middle Earth expansion. The Shadow Army starts as meat Shields but becomes powerful with the Saruman card. The Broods of Shelob are spider units that need the fellowship to move out of Rivendell and can hinder the fellowship’s progress. They are strategic support units in combat and have abilities to hinder the fellowship. The speaker concludes by expressing excitement about playing with these expansions and thanks viewers for watching.