rom: Andrew Brown <andrew_jbrown@removetoemail.yahoo.co.uk>
Subject: Middle Earth Risk Game Review & Commentary

I picked up the Lord of the Rings (LOTR) RISK game shortly after the
Peter Jackson movie releases. And, I've played it with friends on
multiple occasions since purchase. In short, LOTR Risk is a great
strategy multiplayer game that is also a lot of fun. 

In order to make the original LOTR Risk game even more interesting
though, I reccommend the following: 

1) Dispense with all the cards, rules and ring piece dealing with the
Fellowship moving from the Shire to Mordor. Instead play the game as a
straight up Risk game, but with added magic cards on the Middle Earth
map. 

2) Consolidate the original LOTR Risk game pieces and cards with the
LOTR Trilogy Edition game. That way, you have more armies, more magic
cards, and more territories. You should now enough armies for 6 separate
players. 

3)Go for the small regions (Rhun, Mordor, Harador) early and hold onto
them. The larger regions are too big and unwieldy to hold. 

4)Set a time limit on players' moves and game duration. To date, after
many multiple player games with my friends, not one single player has
ever conquered the entire Middle Earth map. We have usually declared a
winner by counting the total amount of provinces after their last turn. 

5) Use the magic cards as often as possible. With the consolidation of
the two game versions, there are some very deadly magic cards that can
be played. 

6) Add a third possible leader for everyone, if they get that magic card
stating "Appoint a second leader" (interpret that card as third, not
second leader). That way, the whole dynamic of achieving sites of power,
and a player's potential aggressiveness are enhanced considerably. 

7) Make sure that an "Evil" force does not capture all of Mordor early
in the game. Once these guys are in there, due to the virtual
impregnability of this region, and the magic cards' effects, it is
extremely difficult to dislodge them. 

8) Use the Naval assault option as often as you can, so leave troops and
a leader in a port in preparation for this whenever possible. 

9) Go for the sites of power with a leader at all opportunities. Some of
these magic cards are really useful. 

10) Know that the Evil forces have a certain edge in this LOTR Risk
game---the Middle Earth map and magic cards favors them to a degree.
Therefore, if you are commanding a "Good" force, look for and make
allies. You will need them. Non aggression pacts between players add
another political element that makes the game even more fun. 

11) Don't forget to add an extra battalion reinforcement to your
fortress provinces at the start of every turn. 

12) Divide the Brownlands province into two by drawing a line half way
through it, and then having a North Brownlands and South Brownlands
province where before there was only one enormous and unwieldy long
province. Add the Brownlands Trilogy LOTR territory card to the
consolidated LOTR Risk game mix. 

And finally, have a great time! It is a good game, I wonder whether
Hasbro will publish a Hobbit or Simarillion version? Now, that would be
cool! 

I would love to hear from others who've played LOTR Risk.

Andrew Brown
andrew_jbrown@removetoemail.yahoo.co.uk