The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game | The Lost Realm | Intruders in Chetwood | Setup

[@CarlToonist]

Oh, I like your new catch phrase at the end. "I'll see you at the next Stop." I don't know how long you have been using it, but it's a perfect fit for your channel! Keep up the great work.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Glad you like it Daniel! My friend Timothee came up with it, and it has stuck pretty well! Thanks as always for watching, should be recording part I tonight!

[@chipkrolik6652]

Hi Colin, I love your playthroughs! You're excitement and fun in playing this game really shows thru! I love it! I'm new at LOTR card game. I like it a lot; it's a challenge especially in the area of deck building, especially when you don't own all the sets. Question: where on ringsdb do you have these deck lists? I've been trying to find them and am baffled. Thanks again😄

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Thanks so much for watching!! I'm not sure if I have those decks anymore in sorry!!

[@scredola]

Love the play at Colin. It really does add to the experience.

[@scredola]

Playmat

[@OneStopCoopShop]

I do love those playmats!

[@davidko9289]

It's cool to see the mechanical and thematic differences between the two decks. That Orc War Party looks brutal.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Thanks David! I am hoping that it works out, and should be fun! :) Thanks for watching!

[@erikbergman5810]

Hey Colin, I finally bought the core box of Lord of The Rings LCG. I have been thinking about digging into this for years, and finally took the leap! Listened to an old podcast of yours today where you praised the game, and we usually have similar taste. Wish me luck!

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Favorite game of all time!!!! Good luck it's a challenge but oh so good! Hope you enjoy!!

[@erikbergman5810]

@@OneStopCoopShop Nice to hear! I´m so excited for this weekends first scenario.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Have fun!

[@mbalsom]

I’m looking forward to this one Colin. I have the core set and pull it out from time to time. Unfortunately, I don’t really know what I’m doing and usually end up throwing all the cards back in the box in rage and swearing to turf the game. Hoping your play through will inspire me

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Ohhh I hope I can inspire you! The game is worth the initial barrier of understanding the rules. It really is straightforward once you start playing it. Fingers Crossed!

[@je_mere]

Since the podcast I know this was coming super cool

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Whoot thanks for listening/watching :) :)

[@mcsauteuse]

nice to see lotr on your channel, thanx.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Heck yes Franck! Thanks for watching!

[@robkeeley1570]

What an amazing card game, I've been playing marvel champions since its release and I love that also, but I picked up the revised core set still unsure about it ut with the new packs released since and the soon to be released expansions I'm totally blown away by this game

[@OneStopCoopShop]

I'm so glad you enjoy this one!! It is certainly older than marvel but the coop play is amazing! Thanks for watching!

[@amcieks]

I find the use of Ent-angling Nets in this to be very thematic ;) Also, very looking forward to the playthrough!

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Hahaha heck yes! Thanks for watching Maciek!

[@MrGreeneyes77]

Another great and informative review!

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Thank you for watching!

[@supark3244]

I traded for a collection but have not played yet. Thanks for this Colin. That game mat looks amazing. Where did you get it? Also, how does Steve store his cards (binders vs. boxes)? As a newb, it is difficult to play with all the content out there (sagas vs. cycles). Would appreciate Steve and you discussing the game in more detail on the podcast. Especially helpful since the two of you have different levels of experience. The art is so good!!!

[@supark3244]

Fellowship 1-4 player gamemat? I forget you are in MN. Not sure if you live in the area of the FFG supercenter. You really know how to make your games so thematic.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

You got it right on the game mat, and I LOVE IT! I wouldn't play without it. I love finding the spots where the particular quest is taking place as then I feel I am there. Glad you like how I try to make it thematic, best way to play!! For sure will bring this up again in a podcast!! Thanks for watching Mike as always!

[@todd636]

Hello, I'm a little late to the game. Are the cards in the deck you described only from the Lost Realm Expansion and the Core Set? Is there a good video on building a deck? Like, do cards from this expansion remain in your deck for other expansion sets? Or do you build based on the expansion set. Being late to the games, I'm a bit overwhelmed. Is there a list of the cards in your 2 decks? Thanks!

[@OneStopCoopShop]

I don't think they're is a list anymore. Any cards can go into any deck my friend! Check out ringsdb.com for ideas on decks! Good luck and have fun!!

[@robkeeley1570]

Todd check out the COTR podcast and KZbin channel also. Deck building is fun I've only started doing it recently don't worry about making mistakes just have fun

[@todd636]

@@robkeeley1570 I'll be playing solo, so I never know if I'm making mistakes. 😀

[@jeremyhammond7686]

good video. i have an ent deck that works really well. i run Bifur, Mablung, and Lship Faramir(so good with Ents)

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Sweeett! I will have to try that out!

[@SvartElric9]

Dat Spirit/Tactics deck...

[@OneStopCoopShop]

LOVE IT! Thanks for watching!

[@stevegeorge7773]

Yea! I definitely like that Matt! How do you get one?

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Cool Steve! You can get it here: www.miniaturemarket.com/ffgmes01.html?adpos=1o2&scid=scplpFFGMES01&sc_intid=FFGMES01&gclid=Cj0KCQjw8MvWBRC8ARIsAOFSVBUOie6B03RbdjqZwuEQDzcTLr38de2z2_TdPzih573pq5-LeonvuU0aAkhyEALw_wcB

[@stevegeorge7773]

One Stop Co-op Shop your toooo kind! Thank you.

[@dddmmm21]

So... what are your thoughts on this one vs Arkham Horror card game? They seem somewhat similar...

[@OneStopCoopShop]

This is Steve. This is a great question and one Colin and I have discussed covering in the podcast sometime. He asked I chime in as I think between the two of us, I have a little more experience with Arkham Horror LCG. I do think the average person will probably like Arkham Horror over LOTR. I say this because Fantasy Flight Games has definitely learned from some of their mistakes with LOTR and fixed them in Arkham. Some of the pros to Arkham are: - Better scaling to player counts - Better ability to adjust difficulty - Restricting the options and need to pre-game deck build - Excellent persitence and story telling That said I still much prefer LOTR for the following reasons: - I find the pre-game deck building extremely satisfying - The system is super cooperative - I like LOTR theme better over horror - Less luck and more deterministic play I could elaborate more but hopefully this is a quick glimpse at a comparison of those two games in my opinion. Please let Colin or myself know if you would find a more in depth discussion on this topic and we can slate it for an upcoming podcast. Thanks for watching!

[@gregkleinfall1901]

I know that your question was directed at the person posting the video, but I thought I would give you at least one perspective from someone who has played both games. Let me preface my subsequent comments by saying I really enjoy both games (both are in the top 10 of my entire collection). When it comes to immersion, I slightly prefer the approach of Arkham Horror in that you are a SINGLE individual in the game while in LotR you typically control a GROUP of heroes. This means that Arkham gives you more of a sense that you are in the game while LotR has you playing as a God like figure controlling your selected heroes. Also, Arkham has an RPG feel to it as your character gains experience and modifies their deck accordingly from scenario to scenario in a campaign. The "campaign" in LotR is more like scenarios that feel like chapters in a book where the expansion packs provide you with additional cards which are typically geared towards dealing with some of the challenges that may be in the new scenario(s). While they are both exceptional deck builders, in my opinion there is a significant difference between the two games. In LotR, you typically build your deck towards dealing with the particular scenario you will be facing. In Arkham Horror, you normally build a deck more towards your preferred play style for your character. Another difference is the size of your finished deck. LotR is typically a 50 card deck, while Arkham is around 30. This means that building your deck for LotR is a little more time consuming and involved. This is where, if deck building is what you are really looking for, you may enjoy LotR more. I would recommend both of these games to anyone who enjoys a deck building style of game. I have trouble deciding which one I prefer. I really enjoy the immersion of Arkham Horror and that is saying a lot since I am not a Lovecraft or Cthulhu fan. I think a good part of my enjoyment of LotR is due to the deck building, especially after you get a couple of expansions. Also, while I don't feel as immersed with LotR, the theme is huge plus for me and really comes through. One drawback for both games that you need to consider is that neither really accommodate 4 players out of the core box. If you are planning to play with more than two players with either of these games and want to have any real deck building, I recommend getting two copies. I usually play with two players, but I do have two copies of each game. I didn't mean to write a review, but there is so much good to say about both of these games that I could go on...and on. In any case, you now have one gamer's perspective and I hope this helped you in some way if you are looking to make a decision between the two games.

[@dddmmm21]

That is great, thanks... I think you summarized pretty well... I've been struggling about since I am quite new to LCGs... I do like LotR theme more and I would prefer a less luck base game, but I also heard people mentioning how the gameplay has been improved with Arkham (as you said) and it is not so demanding in terms of building a deck... Anyway... That is a nice struggle to have... I've been listening to the podcast and I am looking forward to hearing you guys discuss more about this.... Thanks

[@dddmmm21]

Greg Kleinfall - Hi, thanks a lot for your input... This is great stuff... I really appreciated!

[@Igtenio]

I know you've already gotten two very detailed answers, but I have something extra I wanted to add, after reading them. TL;DR, get the one with the theme that speaks to you, because they're very much in the same family of game with the vast majority of differences being due to theme. The biggest reason I think you should ask yourself the theme question first is because while Arkham Horror definitely has some smoother gameplay due to being the latter game, I feel that many of the changes are due to theme. Both games are extremely thematic, with little in the way of superfluous gameplay elements. For instance, AH doesn't add a luck aspect just because, it's due to the dark forces working against you and the gentle indifference of the universe. The party mechanic works in LOTR because bands tend to be common in the stories, whereas investigators tend to work solitary or in extremely small groups in AH. If you're looking based solely on game mechanics, the best question is really which theme speaks to you, due to how many mechanics will follow that decision. Most of the people I've spoken to about the two games tend to make their decision right there, because the thing you think of when you imagine one setting or the other will be what you end up getting when you pick up that game.

[@Shenaldrac]

You know... I'm just a layman, I've got no business challenging Mr. Tolkien. But, maybe these Rangers would have higher recruitment rates and more support if they *didn't* keep their task secret? Like, get some good PR going, advertise how you provide an invaluable service to Middle Earth. I know, I know, being the keepers of a secret, thankless task is really noble and sounds cool! But in terms of practicality, if your task is truly so important, so vital, shouldn't you do everything you can to strengthen yourselves and ensure said task can be accomplished? I get you want people to not be worried over the threat of orcs, sure, and ignorance is bliss. But it also means that if you fail, they will have no idea what threat faces them, and will be easily run down. All the more reason not to fail, and all the more reason to do everything in your power, even revealing your nature, to ensure you don't. Look, here's my card, I know some people who can make you one hell of a business card, some newspapers you can put ads in, the whole shebang. You got a website? I can get you a website with the best gifs and background midi audio this side of 90s websites.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

HAHAHAH You know they like to keep things quiet so that spies don't find out right?? Isn't that the reason?

[@Shenaldrac]

No I don't know that, I only saw the movies and read The Hobbit. Like I said, I'm just a layman. On the other hand, if they're so understaffed that they have entire forts that have to be left to fall into ruin, as shown in the second story mission, only to be overtaken by Orcs... then it sounds like they're already in a bad position. A *really* bad position. What good does it do you to be free from spies of Sauron if you are left so powerless that you must rely on strangers for outside aid?

[@Enroth186]

Colin please consider playing on easy or semi-easy mode. You will save you and your wife a lot of frustration :-)

[@OneStopCoopShop]

Good suggestion! So far we have been OK at normal, but we may switch to that if need be! Thanks for the advice!

[@Enroth186]

This game can be great fun and very thematic, but often times results in very cheap defeats and random card draws, which make the experience frustrating. To adress these issues, there is an official "easy" variant by fantasy flight games, which consists of 2 things: remove specific difficult cards from the encounter deck and secondly, allow the players to start with a single resource on each of their heroes. As I did not want to miss out on the encounter cards, here is the way my wife and I play the game: 1. Every hero starts the game with a single resource to get you on your feet a little faster in the early game. 2. We incorporated the mulligan rule from the arkham horror lcg, meaning: from your first hand, choose x number of cards that you don't want. Discard these cards and refill your hand. Afterwards, reshuffle the discarded cards back into your deck. With the old rules, we had games which we were just not going to win because we ended up with extremely unlucky card draws of the first hand+mulligan hand. 3. We have a limit of 33 cards instead of the normal 50 (just as in the arkham horror lcg). This way, deckbuilding is a little faster, you can build more specific decks that suit the scenario and the card draws from your own deck are a little more predictable. Furthermore, you don't have to buy 3 copies of the core game to create a strong deck. The game is still hard to win, but is just a little bit more controllable and fair.

[@OneStopCoopShop]

You have some AWESOME ideas! I really like the smaller deck idea, as it does feel like 50 cards is so large. . . It makes it difficult to deckbuild well. I agree I would not want to take out encounter cards either! That is part of the fun. Thank you so much for these ideas, I am going to mention this in my next vid so people know about it, hope that is OK!

[@Enroth186]

Thanks Colin. I dont't think these ideas unbalance the game or make it more complicated / less elegant. In fact, one idea is from the official variant mode and the other two ideas are from the games "successor" of sorts, the arkham horror lcg. I guess fantasy flight must have noticed themselves that these simple changes could improve the game, so I find it kind of "ok" to include them in lotr lcg as well.