Middle-earth

About this board game

Middle-earth is a collectible card game for 1–5 players, with games lasting about 90 minutes. Released in 1995, it places players in the roles of the Istari—Wizards such as Gandalf, Saruman, Radagast, Pallando, and Alatar—in a struggle against Sauron and the Shadow.

Each player builds a deck divided evenly between resource cards and hazards dedicated to stopping opponents. The aim is to bring the greatest strength to bear against the Shadow by gathering powerful factions, allies, and items while pursuing quests across Middle-earth.

• Factions: Call on the Riders of Rohan and the Great Eagles.
• Allies: Recruit figures such as Gwaihir and Shadowfax.
• Items: Seek legendary objects including the Palantiri, Glamdring, and Narsil.
• Quests: Attempt challenges ranging from rescuing prisoners to reforging the Sword that was Broken, restoring the White Tree to Minas Tirith, or destroying the One Ring.

Hazards provide the means to hinder rival Wizards, bringing the major threats of Tolkien’s world into play. The opposing forces include all nine Nazgul, Dragons such as Smaug, Shelob, and the Balrog.

With its combination of deck construction, resource development, hazards, legendary characters, and competing quests, Middle-earth offers a focused card-game interpretation of the struggle between the Free Peoples and the Shadow. It is now out of print following the loss of its Middle-earth product license in 1999.