I am a big Tolkien fan, I have played a few LOTR games, but none seem to capture the feel. Card games just seem to be exploiting the Universe and the "puzzle games stray from the story too much. However, Imperial Assault (which I know is based on Descent, which I know next to nothing about) works perfectly, due to its story. It follows a varied group of individuals on a mission (The Fellowship of the Ring). There are side missions in which allies will help one out the team(Rohirim, ents, rangers). A threat dial that increases as the level continues(orcs discovering the fellowship as they bring attention to themselves). It fits perfectly! Of course some aspects must be changed seeing as most will attack with melee attacks. Lastly there is a great reason why FFG should make this game- MONEY! Unlike IA which is itself a stand-alone game, that can be added to with expansions, Morgul Assault would require one to buy all of the expansions in order if he wanted all of the LOTR story.

1.Morgul Assault Shire- Fords of Bruen Heroes - Frodo Baggins, Ring Bearer; Sam Gamgee, Gardner; Merry Brandywine, Cousin to Frodo; Pippin Took, Friend of Frodo. Allies - Gandalf the Gray, Wise Wizard; Farmer Maggot, Friendly Farmer; Tom Bombadil, Cheery Elder; Goldberry, River Daughter; Strider, Suspicious Ranger; Glorfindel, Elven Rider. Villains - Barrow Whites x 2; Mordor Spy x 3 Nazgul, Black Rider x 2; Nazgul, Ring Wraith x 4; Witch King of Angmar, Lord of the Nazgul. The box would come with miniatures of heroes and Strider, Suspicious Ranger; Barrow Whites; Mordor Spies; and Ring Wraiths. Tokens for the rest.

Wave 1

$10 - Gandalf, Farmer Maggot, Mordor Spy, Nazgul, Ring Wraith, Witch King of Angmar

$13 - Glorfindel, Barrow Whites, Nazgul, Black Rider

$15 - Tom Bombadil and Goldberry

2. The Fellowship of the Ring

3. The Breaking of the Fellowship

4a. The Taming of Sméagol

4b. The Riders of Rohan

5a. The Road to Mordor

5b. The Battle of Helm's Deep

6a. Cirith Ungol

6b. Battle of Pellanor Fields

7a. Mount Doom

7b. The Battle at the Black Gate

8. The Scouring of the Shire

Cool, except for that Tom Bombadil guy.

Yes, it would fit pretty well.

But until GW lets their license expire (which we know is coming soon, just not sure when exactly) no one else can produce Tolkien based miniatures games.

Tom Bombadil is an absolute butt kicker! Ever played Battle for Middle Earth II?

Cool, except for that Tom Bombadil guy.

What!? Tom Bombadil is a very important Character and lots of fun.

I still think the GW range captures the magic of LOTR perfectly (I collect both Isengard and Rohan).

It’s too bad the game was overshadowed by 40k and Warhammer because the rules are very simple, there’s plenty of strategy involved and the miniatures are gorgeous. I’ve played through several scenarios in the journey books and they are very fluffy!

If you’re looking for a stronger roleplaying element, the battle companies variation gives you that fix.

http://www.lordsofmiddleearth.com/Battle%20Companies/Battle%20Companies.pdf

So basically in MA you'd have 30 orc figures and a gazillion tokens of the actual characters.....

So basically in MA you'd have 30 orc figures and a gazillion tokens of the actual characters.....

No! That is the mistake that most people make. This isn't a game that is about battles (even though it includes them). Just like IA the game centers around small skirmishes. For example Moria would take place over multiple missions. So you probobly will not face more than 10 orcs at once. I mean do you think that there are never more than 9 stormtroopers wherever the IA team goes?

I would realty enjoy a LotR Assault game, and I agree that the Descent/IA mechanics lends itself to the story quite well.

Not sure about bothering with Bombadil and that part of the story, but it could be done I suppose...

If you're including Tom and his wife, you'd almost certainly have to include Old Man Willow too. Oh, and don't forget Fatty Bolger.

Oh, and as a side note. As a fellow fan, I feel obliged to point out that it's Merry Brandybuck. Brandywine is the river they cross. (sorry... my pedantry kicked in and I couldn't stop myself)

I am a big Tolkien fan, I have played a few LOTR games, but none seem to capture the feel. Card games just seem to be exploiting the Universe and the "puzzle games stray from the story too much.

It's a different kind of game, but try War of the Ring.

I would realty enjoy a LotR Assault game, and I agree that the Descent/IA mechanics lends itself to the story quite well.

Not sure about bothering with Bombadil and that part of the story, but it could be done I suppose...

If you're including Tom and his wife, you'd almost certainly have to include Old Man Willow too. Oh, and don't forget Fatty Bolger.

Oh, and as a side note. As a fellow fan, I feel obliged to point out that it's Merry Brandybuck. Brandywine is the river they cross. (sorry... my pedantry kicked in and I couldn't stop myself)

Oh my ghash (fire in Goblin tongue)! I can't believe I did that. I'm sorry Tolkien.