Well, it's 2009, meaning Battles of the Third Age will be three years old this year. It's advertised as the first expansion to the game, meaning we should expect more. But where is this "more"?

I understand the designers have been busy with other projects (looking foward to the Age of Conan game), but hope they will not forget to expand War of the Ring once more. What could the add without betraying hte books upon which the game is based? Would they add more battles to play like Battles of the Third Age? Or a new game altogether?

How involved are the designers in the collectors edition coming out?

I'm not sure I want FFG to come out with another expansion.

It seems like no matter what I do, I always end up buying it.

It's an addiction!

I don't know man, if I ever got to the point where I didn't want more, I'd consider my addiction broken. But I understnd your sentiment!

I'm of the opinion that the game feels "complete."

It's not like it's an adventure game that needs some freshness added once in a while. It's a two-player head to head strategy game.

I'm just waiting for the Collector's Edition!

I have to agree with BlueHarlequin.

If there was ever a game that fulfilled my expectations, it was this one.

A brilliant production that completely encapsulates the feeling of the books (Sorry, Mr Jackson. The films don't come even come close).

Of course, there are always the battles from earlier ages. Smaller conflicts on a similiar scale to Battles of the Third Age. . . . . . .

I have to agree with BlueHarlequin.

If there was ever a game that fulfilled my expectations, it was this one.

A brilliant production that completely encapsulates the feeling of the books (Sorry, Mr Jackson. The films don't even come close).

Of course, there are always the battles from earlier ages. Smaller conflicts on a similiar scale to Battles of the Third Age. . . . . . .

Oh yeah, the only way I could see this game being bested is if they put out the same game, but with Beleriand as the map, and you can play different scenarios taken from all over the Silmarillion! Hoping a Silmarillion-based game comes out at some point that captures the feel of the book as well as War of the Ring does.

And I strongly agree that the movies failed to capture the feel of the literature, and failed hard.

why silmarillion? e.g. dol guldur vs. lorien is possible (or erebor and 5 armies)

some of the historical battles would be excellent, especially if using the same rules.

A Second Age (fall of Numenor) or First Age (Chaining of Morgoth) would be very cool and something completely new.

The only other expansion concept I can think of a way of making 3 or 4 player...

If we were to see another "Battle" type expansion, I would like to see the last alliance of elves and men battle on the plains of Mordor at the end of the second age.

jayhad said:

can be, but like a new game

this si war of the ring and third age

I agree -- the titanic battle at the end of the second age is the "expansion" I'd like to see.

Unlike others on this board, I loved the Peter Jackson movies. No, they don't capture the whole Lord of the Rings -- but they do a good job for a mere 12 hours of film. :-)

BlueHarlequin said:

Hear hear!

I want Roberto and company to finish the CE before getting sidetracked by anything else.

Looks like I've got a new game on the docket for purchase.

Darn you all and your convincing arguments!

I love the Jackson Movies !! I don´t think that it could have been done any better ... but thats just an opinion ;-)

As for an expansion it would be real cool to get a scenario-pack like the battle of the five armies or the last battle against sauron ... featuring new heroes like Isildur ...

But with middle-earth quest just a moment away I rather doubt that there will be another expansion ... :-(

Is the collector's edition speculation or do we know this for sure? If there is a CE should I wait until it comes out until I buy the "Battles for Middle Earth"?

The Collector's Edition is definitely coming. I'm not sure when, though.

The Expansion contains both an expansion to the main game plus two other games which cover the battles in Rohan and Gondor. The Collector's Edition will contain the main game expansion, but it won't contain the Rohan and Gondor games. If you want those, you'll need to purchase the expansion separately.

I too am happy with the base game and one expansion. (I made the "mistake" of starting painting the minis, and now i'm nearly done with the shadow armies). free people armies will be done in what...........next 3 years.

bitva said:

They are very involved in the designing of the Collector's Edition.

The rules have been rewritten (by me) and they were finalized some time ago. A few more details have to be completed but the end is at last discernable.

As for a second expansion I wouldn't hold my breath ...

eldamahj said:

Well said sir!!

Veldrin said:

Hey, Veldrin, do you have some inside information about this? Or was that just your personal opinion? I read some older posts at BGG and it seems the developers were enthusiastic about more expansions 2-3 years ago. Sure they've been busy with the Collector's Edition and other stuff like Conan, but why wouldn't they resume making a second expansion after CE?

I don't have any inside information on the subject but the time it takes to develope an expansion and the fact that the Collector's Edition isn't out yet makes me sceptical.

However, there are ideas on what could be in a possible second expansion if it should ever be made, that I know.

On Veldrin's forum, Francesco Nepitelli wrote:

" We've been already giving some thought on a sequel to the operational game, and a Battles in the North is of course a preference. BUT, since our licence considers only the Lord of the Rings, we will probably produce only the Battle of Dale/Erebor scenario.
I like the idea of a map including Erebor/Dale, Thranduil's palace with a southern front (with the enemies coming from Dol Guldur), and including the Iron Hills for the eastern front.
Easterlings, Men from the North, Elves and Dwarves, Orcs, and who knows, maybe even Giant Spiders...

A trickier scenario to produce is the Assault on Lorien. We don't know much about it, but it involves Dol Guldur, the Golden Wood, and could involve Moria. But almost nothing is recorded... "

That was in 2006! I sure hope those plans are still alive and well (and in development) even after the CE and Conan.

The Battle of the Dale + Battle of Lorien would mean that all involved FP races would get a Battle scenario and would provide brilliant opportunities to expand the base game with Easterlings and perhaps denizens of Mirkwood!

Sami K said:

Sounds good! I do hope they are planning another expansion for WotR. Would be a definitive buy for me!