TDG: The Battle of Five Armies

Can't get enough of Tolkien? Well don't make a hobbit out of it! Instead, let's look at Ares Games' new board game, based on the book and new movie.

[@eugelonely8313]

''Welcome to the Discriminating Gamer; the internet's only nuclear deterrent to the Dice Tower''...those are memorable lines! Love these intros!!

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks, eugelonely83! Love those comments!

[@33shin33]

what a great video my friend, you have a good way of explaining it

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

33shin33 Thank you, sir.

[@MarkCMG]

Thanks for the video review! I've been looking forward to playing this game and am a fan of War of the Ring, both the new(ish) version and the ancient one.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks, Mark. Glad you liked the review.

[@BadFish81]

Excellent review! I just played The War of the Ring and loved it, but was curious about its shorter little brother. After watching this review I wouldn't say hat this game is more streamlined, just more focused on straight combat. War of the Ring sort of has combat on three different fronts and multiple things going on. I really want to pick this one up now.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

+TyDeL Thank you, sir.

[@zacharyclark3693]

War of the Ring is an excellent strategy board game. I enjoy it a lot better than Battle of Five Armies. WOTR is designed so that the game can go either way up until the end. In many ways it is similar to Star Wars: Rebellion--thematic and strategic. Really a fun experience. Highly recommend if you can find a copy.

[@AliDoganSayiner]

This board game is much better than last part of the movie series.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Still haven't seen the last movie. I'm not a huge fan of the Hobbit movies, though I loved LOTR films.

[@eriksjogren800]

Great review

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@rode8173]

Great job! I have War of the Ring and two of the three expansions. It's a great game. Try playing it without the main play cards. Only use the cards for the characters. Use only the dice. The game moves faster and is still a lot of fun.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Thanks!

[@Project-Masculinity]

Great Review as always by TDG, however has Mr Cody played War of the Ring yet ??

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

I played a brief, learning game once that didn't get very far. Haven't played it again since. People keep telling me I need to.

[@rockxhero]

Is this game worth a purchase if one already owns the LotR: Tradeable Miniature Game (or LotR: Heroclix)? It seems somewhat similar to me.

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Jake Kamps I haven't played either the Tradeable Miniatures Game or Heroclix, so I can't comment on that unfortunately. Battle of the Five Armies is a great strategic light wargame, comparable to War of the Ring, certainly, but also perhaps, to an extent, Axis & Allies and Conquest of Nerath. Hope that helps.

[@rockxhero]

ah, well I haven't played Axis & Allies yet, but hope to someday. Thanks anyway though.

[@MrPioneerlight2011]

Is it easy to learn how to play??? Honestly....?? It looks awesome....

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

It's been my experience that "easy to learn" is a relative term. I found it fairly easy to learn, much more so that War of the Ring. If you have experience with other modern board games and not had too much difficulty, I think you'll be okay.

[@befirmbefair6674]

This is a good game! I’ve played it over 50 times. It really polishes all the ideas from the WOTR and Battles of the Third Age. If you liked the “Hobbit” and wargames, you will like this offering

[@TheDiscriminatingGamer]

Indeed