Riddle of the Ring

About this board game

Riddle of the Ring is a card-driven Lord of the Rings game for 2–8 players that takes about 120 minutes to play. Each player controls one of four Hobbits or one of four Black Riders, competing against every other player for victory.

A Hobbit wins by taking the One Ring to the Cracks of Doom and surviving for one turn. A Black Rider wins by bringing the ring to Barad-Dur and surviving there for one turn. The shared map of Middle-earth provides the setting, but cards drive the central action.

Movement, terrain, and player interaction are closely connected. The map can hinder movement and offers locations where players draw cards, while cards may provide useful tools for fighting or moving through particular types of terrain at a reduced cost.

• Move across Middle-earth and manage the obstacles of the map.
• Use Friendly Exchanges to influence the cards and opportunities available to you.
• Execute Power Plays, including examining another player’s hand, taking cards, or starting a battle.
• Draw cards and combine your actions for carefully timed advantages.

Although the rules are fairly simple and play is fast, the best choices are not always obvious. Success depends on intelligent timing, effective card use, and combining Friendly Exchanges with Power Plays to create the greatest advantage.

Optional rules add variety with team play, pitting Hobbits against Black Riders. An enhanced two-player game is also included, with one player controlling all four Hobbits and the other controlling all four Black Riders. In Riddle of the Ring, every move toward a destination can open new risks and opportunities.