Maybe this would be a bit of a stretch for an LOTR theme, but I've been fond of the idea of a cycle focused around taking down huge foes. Each AP could center around a different big boss, each with different strengths and weaknesses. I'm imagining something along the lines of Shadow of the Colossus, if you folks remember that video game. Probably something towards the end of the life of the game. The north could work though, with drakes, a particularly fierce giant, etc.

Maybe this would be a bit of a stretch for an LOTR theme, but I've been fond of the idea of a cycle focused around taking down huge foes. Each AP could center around a different big boss, each with different strengths and weaknesses. I'm imagining something along the lines of Shadow of the Colossus, if you folks remember that video game. Probably something towards the end of the life of the game. The north could work though, with drakes, a particularly fierce giant, etc.

In a way, that's kind of what Across the Ettenmoors is...

Maybe this would be a bit of a stretch for an LOTR theme, but I've been fond of the idea of a cycle focused around taking down huge foes. Each AP could center around a different big boss, each with different strengths and weaknesses. I'm imagining something along the lines of Shadow of the Colossus, if you folks remember that video game. Probably something towards the end of the life of the game. The north could work though, with drakes, a particularly fierce giant, etc.

In a way, that's kind of what Across the Ettenmoors is...

I thought Across the Ettenmoors was dodging trolls while getting the heck out of there.

Maybe this would be a bit of a stretch for an LOTR theme, but I've been fond of the idea of a cycle focused around taking down huge foes. Each AP could center around a different big boss, each with different strengths and weaknesses. I'm imagining something along the lines of Shadow of the Colossus, if you folks remember that video game. Probably something towards the end of the life of the game. The north could work though, with drakes, a particularly fierce giant, etc.

i think this is a great idea. didnt they do that with watcher in the water? i havent played it yet so dont really know but the ap sounded like a big boss fight against the creature.

I have to respectfully disagree. I feel like the game is filled to the eyeballs with boss battles. Basically quests like steward's fear, morgul vale, and three trials are sets of boss battles. There is shadow and flame and journey in the dark for two Balrog boss battles. I could go on and on. What I want are more quests that don't have bosses. Now that is interesting. It's one reason I like quests like seventh level (nm adds a boss) and trouble in Tharbad- they don't have any bosses and yet they are still fun. Also, too many escort quests.

also it seems like this is the first sort of two part quest I think we have ever gotten. I know technically all quests chain together and are played in order but with this situation the first half (AP 5) is the actual battle of carn dum and then the second half (AP 6) is entering carn dum and shutting down the rituals. It is kind of like the one quest broken down into two parts.

I think Escape from Mount Gram/Across the Ettenmoors is also kind of a two part thing. Less of an epic scale, but it looks like AtE is essentially "Continue to escape from Mount Gram: now with 100% more Trolls!"

I have to respectfully disagree. I feel like the game is filled to the eyeballs with boss battles. Basically quests like steward's fear, morgul vale, and three trials are sets of boss battles. There is shadow and flame and journey in the dark for two Balrog boss battles. I could go on and on. What I want are more quests that don't have bosses. Now that is interesting. It's one reason I like quests like seventh level (nm adds a boss) and trouble in Tharbad- they don't have any bosses and yet they are still fun. Also, too many escort quests.

I see what you're saying but I'm not talking about regular boss battles. I'm talking about battles against huuuuge foes, who have specific strengths and weaknesses and need to be taken down in certain ways that may or may not involve conventional combat. Perhaps objectives would be involved. Again, think Shadow of the Colossus. I want us to stare down as something as big as Ungoliant and somehow have to find a way to win or at least survive. We don't have anything like that in the game so far.

Edit: Well, Smaug in Lake-town comes the closest.

I'll admit that such things are a matter of taste of course. I actually prefer the boss battles in general, as they give unique flavor to a quest, although I agree that they shouldn't be over-used.

How about The Return of the King?

It was surprising to see Land of Shadow announced this early in the year, I would have thought they'd wait for GenCon, as for Treason of Saruman last year. That's why I'm not sure we'll have so soon the announcement for Saga Box #5. Some Land of Shadow previewing would be well received though.

I'd like to see a cycle of quests where each quest is different based on choices made in earlier scenarios.

Scenario 1 chose quest stage 3A or 3B. Each chose would add or remove quest stages and/or locations and enemies in future quests in the cycle. A more open-ended version of Campaign Mode.

While I would like to see that, I'm afraid it would be very diffcult to implement, considering tht not every one buys expansions and packs in order and many people skip adventure packs and whatnot. A deluxe expansion with this mechanic would be welcome though.

I'd like to see a cycle of quests where each quest is different based on choices made in earlier scenarios.

Scenario 1 chose quest stage 3A or 3B. Each chose would add or remove quest stages and/or locations and enemies in future quests in the cycle. A more open-ended version of Campaign Mode.

I love that idea. Maybe a way around the issue Gizlivadi mentions is for the instructions for each scenario to give players some "default" choices for previous packs and instructions if they don't have a particular pack.

Yes. I was thinking a default and then a number of instructions you would follow depending on choices made previously, like a campaign mode instruction card for each AP with perhaps 1-3 "extra" cards that would not always be used in "normal" mode and a few cards you would be able to remove.

What I especially would like to see is multiple ways of beating a quest and that having a major impact on future quests in the cycle.

I like your ideas Anders!

Make it happen FFG!

That would work I think. I really like the idea of actually being able to change the outcome of the cycle based on the decisions you make, similar to those Choose your own adventure books.

Awesome awesome ideas. I am still a huge fan of gamebooks now and gave a big collection of fighting fantasy and line wolf books. Choose your own adventure is awesome and could certainly be done... great ideas.

What I especially would like to see is multiple ways of beating a quest and that having a major impact on future quests in the cycle.

That,s what makes Steward's Fear such a fun quest, because of the various Vilains and outcomes you can get each time.

Had another idea that came to me while listening to the latest Grey Company Podcast.

Encounter set sideboards.

Each encounter set would come with a handful of joker cards that would not be part of every game. There could be ten cards of which five were randomly used in each game picked randomly during setup.

This is similar to plots and conspirators in Steward's Fear, isn't it? One of the best adventures, without any doubt.

I'd like to see a cycle of quests where each quest is different based on choices made in earlier scenarios.

Scenario 1 chose quest stage 3A or 3B. Each chose would add or remove quest stages and/or locations and enemies in future quests in the cycle. A more open-ended version of Campaign Mode.

I like this idea as well. Additionally, perhaps quests could also be influenced by whether or not the player(s) had completed certain side quests in previous scenarios. When side quests were originally revealed, I'd thought that they might have do this. I.E. - if you complete side quest X you gain some benefit on the main quest and potentially in a future quest. I think either Into Ithillien or Siege of Cair Andros has a mechanic similiar to this. Obviously this could be tricky to implement, as others have mentioned.

I used to play the Middle Earth CCG and Alatar was my favourite wizard. I would love to see the blue wizards in the game.