All,

I have created a character Matrix for each unique character in the LOTR LCG. I did this to make it easier to build RP/Theme accurate decks for particular quests. I always play in a group of 3 or 4 and we have every expansion. We wanted to go back and replay everything in order with accurate decks to the period. I know this isn't a new concept, but I didn't know if a tool like this existed already for the community.

I included the Character Name, whether they were a member of Thorin's Party or the Fellowship of the Ring, if they lived in the period of The Hobbit or The War of the Rings, and any specific notes. There are some characters, like Arwen, that potentially could have popped up during any period as an ally. However, she has a couple of quests where she is specifically part of the story so I have included the note to exclude her as a character in your deck. In addition, there are characters like Bard the Bowman that is a big part of The Battle of Lake-town so I have a note for him to specifically be included. Faramir is a big part of the Heirs of Numenor/Against the Shadows section, but you are normally going to him or being sent somewhere by him so I felt that he shouldn't be available as a hero or ally until that entire cycle is completed.

Last but not least, we play our quests in a very specific order. This is the order we feel logically flows through the available quests. Basically you start with the Hobbit, then the Heirs of Numenor/Against the Shadows, then Khazad-dum/Dwarrowdelf and finally the Black Riders. We use a map to track our progress through a chain of quests, and when taken as a whole, this is the order that made the most sense for us.

Part 1

The Hobbit - Overhill and Underhill - Quests 1-3

The Hobbit - On the Doorstep -Quests 1 & 2

The Battle of Lake-Town

The Hobbit - On the Doorstep - Quest 3

Part 2

The Stone of Erech

The Heirs of Numenor - Quests 1-3

The Steward's Fear

The Druadan Forest

Encounter at Amon Din

The Massing at Osgiliath

Assault on Osgiliath

The Blood of Gondor

The Morgul Vale

Part 3

Khazad-Dum - Quests 1-3

The Redhorn Gate

Road to Rivendell

The Watcher in the Water

The Long Dark

Foundations of Stone

Shadow and Flame

Part 4

The Black Riders - Quests 1-3

Feedback is greatly encouraged. I'm open for adding more content, but I feel like the content already included can help you make informed decisions on whether or not a character should be available for a quest. The Matrix itself is linked below.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0u6GPh-vUrSVnZpbkpIY2RaTkU/edit?usp=sharing

Updated to a Google Spreadsheet for easier navigation.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Aku6GPh-vUrSdEZEVFhCYVF5YjVpOEFMcXFURklsUVE&usp=sharing

Really cool idea. Though, I found a few errors.

Farmer Maggot was not in the Hobbit, but he could still fit into that slot; however, he should definitely be in the War of the Rings time span. Beregond was also not alive during the Hobbit time period, and was just a young man serving as a Gondorian soldier during the War of the Rings. And finally, Bilbo can fit into the Hobbit, War of the Rings, and Thorin's Company slots.

Really cool idea. Though, I found a few errors.

Farmer Maggot was not in the Hobbit, but he could still fit into that slot; however, he should definitely be in the War of the Rings time span. Beregond was also not alive during the Hobbit time period, and was just a young man serving as a Gondorian soldier during the War of the Rings. And finally, Bilbo can fit into the Hobbit, War of the Rings, and Thorin's Company slots.

Updated with Beregond and Farmer Maggot corrections. I also updated Bilbo's information to include him with The Hobbit and Thorin's Party along with a note to use the quest specific version in "The Hobbit" quests. I simply had him as War of the Rings before since there is a quests specific version, but I agree with you so I updated and added the note. Thanks for the feedback.

This is really handy. Thanks!