OK, I've been playing this most of the day now (solo with one investigator - Roland).

Since I was learning, I used the recommended starter deck and chose Standard difficulty. The first scenario was an enjoyable learning experience and the deck was sufficient to the challenge. However, the other two scenarios were MUCH harder. I barely made it through the second one and gave up on the third after two failed attempts.

Whilst I think the game has a lot of potential, the starter deck (and possibly the current card pool) seems too weak (at least for solo play) - I often found I couldn't equip assets as that slot was already filled, ending up with a max hand of cards that I couldn't use without dumping an existing asset. With such a weak deck, the card draw was just too random.

Another problem I encountered was that it takes several turns to kill most enemies (more without +damage cards in play), during which time I wasn't gaining clues and the agenda was advancing. I think having more players would alleviate this.

A side effect to both of the above was drawing a weakness was utterly debilitating.

Well with just 1 core set, my deck building options are limited: essentially, which 4 cards DON'T I want in my deck?

Seriously considering a second core set...

It's always nice to try a custom deck, although your possible custom decks will be limited with only one core. Gotta mix things up with the Neutral cards sounds like!

In any case, don't be afraid of playing the game on Easy if you feel you need to. The important thing is having fun; you're not playing against other players to win.

My overall strategy is to play the first scenario several times with each investigator to get s feel for the game and characters. Then I'll try a run through of the full campaign. I'm glad to hear that the second and third scenarios are a challenge, as the first one is pretty easy!!

Are you committing the cards in your hand to checks? I never managed to get a full hand since I keep spending cards I don't really plan on using to make checks easier. Especially important when playing on standard.

Although I will admit scenario 2 & 3 are rather challenging. Although if it was easy then it would lose a lot of replayability and since we have so few scenarios that is important.

(I managed to beat the campaign on easy with Skids and Wendy. Haven't succeeded on standard yet. EDIT - Should mention this is two player so it is a different experience.)

Are you committing the cards in your hand to checks? I never managed to get a full hand since I keep spending cards I don't really plan on using to make checks easier. Especially important when playing on standard.

Yes, but the last game I had just didn't have the right symbols, e.g. there were quite a few Willpower tests (often 4+ against Roland's Wil of 3) but the only one I had in my hand was dynamite which I figured would be needed later on - and even if I did use it, that would have only been one test that I likely would have failed anyway (its only 1 Wil).

I agree it shouldn't be too easy and I want it to be challenging. However, it felt like the last scenario was impossible unless I was very lucky with the cards I drew - in no way did I think 'if only I'd done that instead'. I only ever managed to explore 1 location before I was killed.

I'm looking to get a second core set so I can make some better decks that are a little more consistent.

I own 2 core sets and even had to copy some cards so I can make a deck for each investigator. If you play alone 2 core sets suffice, but even then scenario 2 and 3 are very hard. I guess 2 players is the sweet spot. Scenario 2 was A LOT easier with 2 players than with 1.

I guess 2 players is the sweet spot. Scenario 2 was A LOT easier with 2 players than with 1.

I figured it probably would be, its so easy to get caught up dealing with enemies in solo that you don't really get time to explore, investigate, etc.

I ordered the game yesterday. Tommorrow I am expecting it in my mailbox :) So yes... I will post my initial thoughts here of the soloplay.

But one question:

When you play solo: Do you play with one character or with two characters?

I ordered the game yesterday. Tommorrow I am expecting it in my mailbox :) So yes... I will post my initial thoughts here of the soloplay.

But one question:

When you play solo: Do you play with one character or with two characters?

That's really up to you.

You could play four characters by yourself if you felt up to it. Sounds pretty busy!

I like playing one or two characters when I'm playing solo, depending on mood.

I ordered the game yesterday. Tommorrow I am expecting it in my mailbox :) So yes... I will post my initial thoughts here of the soloplay.

But one question:

When you play solo: Do you play with one character or with two characters?

That's really up to you.

You could play four characters by yourself if you felt up to it. Sounds pretty busy!

I like playing one or two characters when I'm playing solo, depending on mood.

I've tried 3 player LOTR solo once, and it went well, but took about 3 hours to run a single quest. I wouldn't recommend it to people who aren't super-familiar with the game rules and haven't even done two-handed solo before.

4 just sounds ridiculous. I want to try it though. Just need an entire evening free...

But one question:

When you play solo: Do you play with one character or with two characters?

I just play with one character, partly because I find it more immersive (esp as this game has RPG elements), but also because playing more than that would probably make my brain explode!