Is it just me, or are there no "rest places" in The Land of Shadow where we get to change our hero selections? I have been wondering how they were going to handle the split fellowship, and it seems the answer is that they're not handling it at all. It seems that the same heroes who march on Isengard pretty much have to time travel back and follow Frodo now.

Unless I missed something? (I hope I missed something).

For some reason I was thinking that you weren't allowed to use the same heroes, but I could be totally making that up.

That's the solution I was hoping that they would opt for, but I can't find that in any of the rules or on the "Campaign Mode" Cards. Unless I'm just overlooking it, which is possible.

Interesting question indeed, there should be a clarification

Ian and I mentioned this to Caleb at Gen Con - this was accidentally omitted from the rules insert. Because you are switching between the Aragorn and Frodo stories, the players get to switch heroes for free (before the first quest). I'm sure they will be issuing a clarification about this shortly, but I wanted to pass this information along to anyone who was wondering.

Ian and I mentioned this to Caleb at Gen Con - this was accidentally omitted from the rules insert. Because you are switching between the Aragorn and Frodo stories, the players get to switch heroes for free (before the first quest). I'm sure they will be issuing a clarification about this shortly, but I wanted to pass this information along to anyone who was wondering.

Are you required to switch heroes though? I know it makes sense thematically, but from a gameplay standpoint I'd hate to switch out my lineup after they've done so well for me.

I very much doubt you have to. Pretty sure you will either have the chance to change heroes (if you want to stay completely thematic) or simply keep your current ones (if you want to keep your booned out badasses like I do).

@psychorocka what heros are you using? And have you lost any along the way?

I imagine that the text will be similar, if not identical to, what is on the Helm's Deep campaign card, which is:

Setup: Each player may change hero cards without incurring the +1 threat penalty.

@psychorocka what heros are you using? And have you lost any along the way?

Two handed campaign. One deck uses Haldir, Spirit Glorfindel and Elrond and the other uses Elladan, Elrohir and Sam

https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/180927-your-saga-campaign-so-far-and-any-highlights/

Cool thanks for the link. Not to sound naïve but you only used one hobbit. I've been playing with more but also have been struggling.

I've been playing the sagas very close to story (non-nightmare). I wasn't able to satisfactorily finish TRD until I got Gimli and Legolas from ToS. For the ToS quests I really wanted to use the Three Hunters for the first quest, but since they can't quest it didn't work. Bring in some Rohan and relegate Gimli and Legolas to allies and all went well. Some day we'll get new verisions of G&L and I hope to be able to beat the first quest with just The Three Hunters.

Helm's Deep wasn't a problem with Boromir, Eowyn and Théoden. (Boromir did not die at the end of TRD.)

I cheated a bit for the last quest though as I switched heroes to Treebeard, Merry & Pippen. I got close a few times, but wasn't able to seal the deal. Now with the new ents from Mt. Gram I'm hoping it will push the hobbits through. I may also try switching Treebeard to an ally and trying it secrecy.

TLDR: It seems that I can play close to story, but I need to wait for the cards to appear. I think it's been planned that way, but I have no proof.

Ian and I mentioned this to Caleb at Gen Con - this was accidentally omitted from the rules insert. Because you are switching between the Aragorn and Frodo stories, the players get to switch heroes for free (before the first quest). I'm sure they will be issuing a clarification about this shortly, but I wanted to pass this information along to anyone who was wondering.

That's really good to hear! I'm glad I don't have to try to justify that one to myself thematically.

Cool thanks for the link. Not to sound naïve but you only used one hobbit. I've been playing with more but also have been struggling.

Yeah never been a big fan of the hobbits in the actual stories (don't get me wrong I don't dislike them or anything they are just my least favourite race) or in the game plus in the game they are far too squishy and unreliable. I like playing strong all purpose heroes that can quest, attack or defend in a pinch if need be and Elves seem to fill that role pretty **** well (plus they are my favourite race in middle earth). Sam is a bit of an exception as he has phenomenal willpower and if you keep threat low/engage lots of enemies optionally (that have higher engagement than your threat) he can be a pretty good attacker or even defender as well. Chuck a shield and dagger on him as well as a fast hitch and hes pretty **** flexible! Also in campaign/saga quests both Sting and Anduril go amazingly on him (has the noble trait due to Noble Hero being chosen and attached to Sam) and can put him up to 5 willpower, 3 attack (that can still get boosted from his ability) and 3 defense (can also still get boosted). Attach some fast hitches to mega buffed Sam and watch him cleave through foes whilst also questing for 5 or more!

Also he pairs really well with Elladan and Elrohir.

I fully agree with PsychoRocka. Hobbits are the worst race. Elves have an extremely rich backstory and were hugely powerful back in the day (Rog anyone), Men are relatable and have a tragic story that culminates in becoming the leading race of Middle-Earth, Dwarves are hardcore in battle, and hobbits are little short dudes who plant gardens and sing songs. Plus, we know almost nothing of their backstory before the Battle of Fornost. Even Tolkien Gateway says "They played little role in history..." How boring!

Right on the money! Also it has always bothered me that we have a rich backstory and origin for Men, Dwarves and Elves but hobbits? Who knows where they came from or how! Don't get me wrong I enjoy many of the mysteries of Middle Earth and how open they are left (Entwives, Tom Bombadil, Harad, the Dark Lands, Nameless things etc) but no creation tale or at least myth for Hobbits bothers me for some reason...

Man!

You guys read The Lord of the Rings.

But you didn't read The Lord of the Rings.

This is making me so sad... I love hobbits! How could you not? Their lack of a mythic background and legendary destiny is what I find so appealing. They rise to the occasion and become heroes when necessary, but don't seek glory. I love them precisely because they are "little short dudes who plant gardens and sing songs".

I'll admit, I don't use some hobbit heroes very much (Frodo, SPippin, Fatty, and Bilbo). But I absolutely love Sam, Merry, SMerry, and Pippin. They are in some of my very favorite decks.

Man!

You guys read The Lord of the Rings.

But you didn't read The Lord of the Rings.

Is right.

As I get older I feel more and more sympathy with the Hobbits... let's just chill out and have some good food and sing a song...

To be honest Grandspleen I find that quite offensive..... I am a massive tolkien fan and am pretty obsessed with everything Middle Earth. I usually have a look at the reddit subforum Tolkien Fans on a weekly if not daily basis always wanting to read more and more rants, essays or debates about anything Middle Earth. I recognise the epic journey Sam and Frodo go on (and Merry and Pippin), I am fully aware of their importance, the fact likely no one else could have gotten the ring anywhere near as far as Frodo did and how they rise to the occasion leaving their simple ordinary lives behind to join others in trying to save Middle Earth. They are perhaps even more relate-able to then men in the books. Also yes they are the true heroes of the book in a way, Sam especially.

I never said I didn't like them or didn't think they play a valuable role. I didn't discredit anything any Hobbit did or slander them in any way. They are simply not my favorite race. If you really think that I didn't truly read or understand lord of the rings just because I am not obsessed with Hobbits and don't really care for them outside of the featured ones (Sam, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, Bilbo, Fatty and Farmer Maggot who are all awesome) I think that's a pretty silly assumption to make.

I just want to give every hobbit a trimmer and a much needed pair of shoes.

No offense meant, of course.

Okay guys, you are all the biggest Tolkien fans ever - there is no need to fight.

Here is a kitten, don't you just want to rub its belly?

My female cat just had 3 kittens (yesterday to be precise). If they're all males, I'm definitely calling them Sam, Merry and Pippin.