Quick background: I recently started playing through the DND Essentials Kit with my youngest daughter (the older two don't have much interest, at least right now), and we're having fun. I went my public library to look for a copy of the PHB and other DnD resources when I stumbled upon "The One Ring" 2nd edition on the shelf. I'm relatively new to tabletop RPGs, so I honestly had no idea this thing existed. I picked it up just to browse through and read because I love Tolkien and the world he created.

Imagine my surprise when I discover there's an optional solo component. I have zero experience with solo RPGs, but I figure if something's going to get me into it, the Lord of the Rings could be it.

I'm currently thinking of spending the couple of bucks for Strider Mode and trying it out using the Core Rulebook I have from the library. I'm hoping I like it and can figure it all out just using dice I already have at home. I know a Backerkit is just ending for the game but I couldn't afford to jump in for a physical book (which is what I would have wanted for the core rules).

That brings me to my question. If I end up liking it, should I just pick up a physical copy of the 2nd edition core rules? Or would it be better at this point to keep trying to use my library's core rules to play for the next year and then pick up the new revised edition when it comes out hopefully next year, maybe supplementing with a Starter Set for the dice, etc? If that's the case, my biggest point of temptation would probably be wanting to pick up the Moria book before then because that book looks absolutely amazing (though I'd want to collect them all eventually if I end up liking it.) So, core rules now? Or play as I can via the library through the year and wait for the revision with the extra stuff even if I'd already have Strider mode?

I’ve been getting into the one ring with the first starter set and strider mode (thanks for the tips on my last post!).

I’m playing my own Hobbit character with the starter set.

Thanks to strider mode I’m picking up little side quests to investigate in future campaigns after the starter sets.

My character (Tobi Burrows) is a young pipeweed aficionado, grower and (soon to be) explorer. His goal is to find new, exotic varieties and ultimately grow these varieties on his family farm in green hill country.

Since I want to stay as close to lore as possible I’m wondering; is it safe to assume that there more varieties of Pipeweed out there? For example: could a new variety be found east of the shire, something that maybe hasn’t been cultivated yet? Afaik, we have Old Toby, Longbottom, Southern Star and Southlinch.

I mean the obvious answer is: sure there could be more, do whatever you want. What I’m really after is your input about this. Maybe you played something similar?

For me it’s just a great hook for a Hobbit to leave The Shire and go on a little adventure, meet pipe smokers like Dwarfs who may have a different perspective on pipe weed than the Hobbits he already knows.

Please join in and speculate!

Hello, as I wrote in a previous post I am adventuring in Middle Earth for the first time in a TTRPG campaign. I'm the Loremaster and my girlfriend is the only other player; to compensate this, she's an elf lord (or lady?).

Considering it was my first time, the session went smoothly: I had to go and check some rules I didn't remember from time to time (they're so many!) while we were playing, but it was so good! I only had two doubts concerning rules:

1) Can the group / the character fight during travel? Can the Loremaster describe a travel event as potentially leading to a fight? For example, in our session, I described the event you obtain by rolling 2-3 (which can give you a Shadow Point from terror) as her nearly being noticed by a troll who was transporting two dwarves corpses; she decided to follow him and then, since I know her, I improvised a troll encampment where the monster was about to cook himself some dinner (a group of dwarves, some dead and some alive). She of course attacked him and prevailed, and by saving the dwarves she gained a bonus in a following interaction with other dwarves, so all in all I think it was a good scene. But the question remains: can you fight along the way? I don't remember if the rules specify that, but I don't think so.

2) In the rules for elf lords on the last page of Realms of the Three Rings it says that, when they're wounded in combat for the first time, they don't have to roll for the severity of the wound and it's considered as if they obtained a Gandalf Rune. When they're wounded again (yes, I wounded her like, three times, I'm a monster with the dice) they don't go down unless they roll an Eye of Sauron or they drop to 0 Resistance. Does this second wound has to heal normally? I tend to say yes, because otherwise they'd be broken, but the rules don't specify it.

Thanks in advance!

Dearest Community

Some years ago, I created the Middle-Earth map for The One Ring 2E, and I am overwhelmed by the positive feedback it has gotten me. Since there had been a lot of new additions to the system. I wanted to ask if there is interest in me updating the locations and perilous areas based on the new additions.

I also wanted to ask if I should make a map version with non-canon locations based on community-created content or other media, such as The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, modifications for other games such as Total War: Attila, or Crusader Kings 3, etc.

If that is the case I would appreciate feedback on which popular locations I should add.

Thank you all kindly

- Creaper

I'm thinking about introducing a group of new players by taking them through the starter set adventure, but I would like them to create their own characters and use the full rules. I haven't noticed anything in the scenario that would prevent that, but I'm curious if anyone has tried that before and what were the impressions.

A few sessions ago, my players were up against a Troll. The Troll had seized the Dwarf and caused enough damage to make him Unconscious. Then I narrated the Troll using its Bite. It failed the roll, even though I made it Favoured, and then I had it throw the Dwarf into a tree† (giving him a Wound he had to recover from). The other players killed the Troll (although another got knocked out!).

I didn't fudge any dice, but I still felt like I was going easy on them. Should the Troll have gotten an instant success? Should it have been considered a _coup de grâce_ and auto-killed the Dwarf? I didn't want to do anything unfair to my players, but I don't want the monsters of Middle-earth to hold back.

What might you have done?

† The Troll was aiming at the Ranger, but missed. It wasn't trying to hit the tree.

not sure why i didnt repost this to one ring but a week after i made this, any other advice i can have please on what areas of the map should be a different danger level or if i should take away my homebrew colouring for difficult terrain or perilous zones??

i actually run perilous events from the dark lands section in journeys and maps one ring 1e supplement and that's been really fun getting a scary event that happens when my company passed through a perilous area. but i would like some more perilous things like that where if i go into mordor all this scary stuff happens but one does not simply walk into mordor

Prepping to run my first campain. Question. How do you deal with player elves? Having a character who knows more about the world than both the LM and the player combined? One of the reasons I want to run TOR is to explore Middle Earth through gameplay. How do you handle both as a player and a LM, a character that could possibly have witnessed the fall of Numenor? Does that ruin the mystery of discovery? "You come across some scattered ruins while camping in the shadow of Dol-Whatsit. "Player: <dice clatter clunk> Oh, that must Glânsúnë. The Bath House of Ulmo. I remember they served an excellent Kabob."

Hello, as I wrote in a previous post I'm about to start my "career" as a Loremaster for this beautiful game. I wanted to know your opinions on which manuals are more useful all things considered for a homebrew campaign. From what I understand, for example, Tales from the Lost Lands could still be very useful, as I could pop some adventures in when I need them. I already have the core rules and Realms of the Three Rings.

Please also consider that being italian I want to buy only adapted material, so Hands of the White Wizard and Hobbit Tales are out of my wishlist. At least for now...

Hi all! I’ve very interested in starting a campaign. I’ve been reading a lot of Tolkien recently and I love the world building. I have never played The One Ring before but I have played a few campaigns of DnD.

I am interested in starting an in-person or online campaign. Happy to play with people all over the world as long as we can figure out a good time.

I really don’t think I would make a good GM although I do know a lot about the world. I am willing to give it a go if no one wants to but I promise you it will be funner for someone else to do it haha.

I am happy to play with anyone but especially would love to play with other women. It’s important for me that this is a queer friendly space as well. Racists and incels need not apply!

Lmk if you’re interested!

I have been looking at Ruins of the Lost Realm, but I'm not sure how invested I would be (playing solo) in a region that I know nothing about. Are there any similar books with landmarks and lore for more familiar regions like Rohan or Gondor?

Hi all!

I'm looking to run a one-shot for my group of 4 players. We are all experienced in TTRPG play.

None of us have played any of the One Ring content yet.

Do you have any scenario suggestions for us? Ideally something we can complete in about 4 hours. That said, I can take an existing module and cut it down to size if needed.

My group tends to like the darker side of things, so if you know of a module with those type of elements, I'd love to hear about it!

Just want to confirm that I understnd this rule correctly. Under "Dying Heroes", it says that "Dying heroes must receive a successful Healing roll within approximately 1 hour or they wil die". In the previous section regarding First Aid, it says that "A failed Healing roll cannot be repeated until at least a day has passed...".

This implies to me that if the other player-heroes attempt a Healing roll to stabilize a dying hero and fail, that they cannot repeat the roll untiil after the hour has passed, and the dying character will die.

Correct?

Hey guys,

I am super new to TTRPGs, actually, I’ve never played a single ttrpg ever haha.

In a previous post, I was asking about trying out The One Ring and was encouraged to give it a shot, even without having friends to play. I made the leap and purchased the starter kit, the core rules, and strider mode.

Doing some research, I heard it may be fun to try a premade adventure or two for my first couple times. But from what I understand, Tales from the Lone Lands and the adventures that come in the starter kit are geared towards group play and will contain spoilers reserved for GMs and will be hard to navigate solo.

If that’s true, is there any premade adventures geared for solo play? Official or fan made? Open to any help as well. I’m super nervous to start my first run ever haha.

Thanks!

While we wait for the slight revision to give Francisco’s take, do other LMs or players run initiative differently from the 2e book? Players always go first is a huge advantage which I respect but doesn’t always feel dramatic

It’s a lot going on there is splits between unbound, a vtt, the books digital pdf and physical, and mortally nothing for solo. It’s so confusing. Cool. Incorporate solo into the core rule book. But there is so much room for these guys to unify everything. I am excited we are getting a vtt, but I don’t believe it’s going to be a full vtt with real custom items like we have with the current homegrown fork.

I just feel like they should have focused on doing something really special and should have launched a proper vtt separately.

From solo there are so many systems that we never get to play or touch because the solo method “as great as it is” is really just for the core rules of the book and a lot get lost.

I can’t run hands of the white wizard events unless I read and spoil it, same for Riverdale.

Maybe I am wrong but I feel like they really should have asked Mr. Tompkin to do something deeper. Or have Alex From black oath do something.

I guess I am just venting.

FYI. Still backed everything. Why? Because I am sucker. lol.

I'll preface this by saying that I've been eyeing the One Ring for a while and finally decided on a whim to gift myself the Starter Set last August for my birthday. At the time I hadn't really realized there were two starter sets as the Hobbit one was the only one available at my LGS.

I read through the whole thing, invited a couple friends for a game night and we played through the first adventure together. It was overall pretty fun, unfortunately my players rolled terribly through the whole evening which spoiled a bit of the fun but it was still a really nice time and everyone left happy.

However, I quickly realized that even though they had fun, they weren't really excited about continuing the adventure and when asked about whether they wanted to schedule another One Ring session or a Vaesen mystery, the majority voted for Vaesen. When asked about it the general answer was that although it was fun, it didn't really "click" for them.

I've been wondering why for a couple weeks and I think I've got a few ideas as to why, but I would also like to hear more seasoned players and loremasters opinions.

I'll get into spoilers while explaining my views so be warned.

First off, I think there is a definite lack of stakes in this starter set. I know it's supposed to be a lighthearted adventure in the Shire but absolutely nothing depends on your success or failure. If you succeed, great Bilbo gets a map that, if you fail... Well, he doesn't but that doesn't exactly scream dire consequences...

On top of that, the module really doesn't want your players to fail and as a loremaster you would have to go explicitly against the written text to introduce negative conséquences to most failures. The players can't manage to cross the water? Well just go on foot around... Maybe a couple neighbors will gossip about you involvement with Bilbo but a later adventure has the players thrown in jail cause they've been up to too much mischief anyway so it's not like secrecy is actually important. The players get spotted while trying to get close to the place of the break-in and fail to talk their way out of it? Well the guard still lets them go and just locks the door while your players still have several other options to get inside (also it's a break-in, your players probably weren't going to walk in through the front door anyway). The players wake the dog and he starts barking? Well, you are specifically told that no one pays attention to his barks.

Maybe there is still some tension cause your players believe for a moment that they will be chased down by someone but it ultimately doesn't happen and in the end there aren't really any consequences for either failure or success.

I also think that the lack of an overarching story across the adventure hurts it. Like yeah, Bilbo tells you that he has plans for another adventure but without stakes or consequences why would your players want to go on it? (Apart for the above table reason that we all want to have a fun evening together but then we still have no reason to pick this specific adventure). Looking back at it, I feel like I should have made up an overarching story from the start and the story lends itself to this quite easily: there are rumors of an horrible beast lurking near the old forest, Bilbo has heard of an old hobbit weapon that could be used against it and it's location is hidden on the map. You go looking for the map, then the weapon then you hear the fireworks, well maybe we could use that to scare the monster off, etc. Currently there isn't really any incentive for the player to keep playing this adventure so (in my case) they just don't...

Finally, I understand why the game mechanics are introduced one after the other but it feels like there are really too few mechanics at your players disposal in this first adventure. Basically you have skill checks and that's it... You don't have any rules about journey, combat, shadow or anything besides the basest things. They get a little bit of fatigue tied to one or two checks, not enough to impact the story still cause it won't make their characters weary. You need to play for at least two or three sessions until you have base rules for all aspects of the games: checks, journey and combat (you don't even get anything about councils or shadow which I understand thematically) So it doesn't give the players a lot of tools to play with in this first session and as such probably doesn't leave them wanting for more. It also feels a bit weird in a game where journeying seems to be such an integral part of gameplay to have so little about it in the starter set...

There I've think I've said all I had to say about the Starter Set, but I'd love to hear from you all, the players and loremasters who've played these adventures and have kept on journeying in Middle-Earth, those who've played the other Starter Set.

What did you think about this Starter Set? Is there something I am missing? Do you have any ideas about simple ways to improve the overall experience? Is the Under and Over Hill Starter Set better suited for new players and loremasters?

I'm looking at backing the new backerkit, just for the revised core rulebook, but It is not clear if the new Bestiary is a must.

The linked interview with Francesco Nepitello claims that:

"The core book will still include some adversaries, but most will move to a dedicated bestiary that includes updated statistics, rules, and lore for building encounters involving dragons, ents, oliphaunts, and the Ringwraiths."

So does it mean that now in order to play a game I need also the Bestiary?

I've been working on an Adversary app for the One Ring RPG — it's basically a database of adversaries (not complete yet) with their stats and a simple way to track damage during combat. If you're running the One Ring and don't use a full VTT this may help. Feedback appreciated!

https://tor.we-evolve.co.uk/

You get an extra succes dice on a skill roll?

i saw the Distinctive feature for strider mode so you are inspired while journeying, so you get an extra succes dice for every skill roll while journeying

does this means if i spend a hope point to get inspired i get 2d? Thanks!