Battle of the Five Armies
Battle of the Five Armies
“Battle of the Five Armies” is a board game produced by Ares Games, based on the rules for War of the Ring, but with modifications to reflect the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel “The Hobbit”. The game was first released in 1975 by Lore/JMJ Enterprises and later re-released in a revised edition by Ares Games in 2023. The game is designed for two players, with one player controlling the armies of the Shadow (led by Bolg, son of Azog, the King of the Goblins of Mount Gundabad) and the other player commanding the forces of Men, Dwarves, and Elves, led by Gandalf.
Why is Battle of the Five Armies Popular?
The game is popular due to its connection to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien and its adaptation of the climax of “The Hobbit”. It allows fans of the series to re-create the epic conclusion of the story in a tactical board game format. The game has received positive reviews on BoardGameGeek and has been praised for its replayability and immersive gameplay.
Game Components of Battle of the Five Armies
The game includes:
– Game Board
– 126 Plastic Figures (19 different sculptures)
– 13 Action Dice
– 10 Combat Dice
– 92 Cards (Fate, Story, and Event)
– Rulebook
Game Setup of Battle of the Five Armies
The game is set up on a 50 x 70 cm game board, with the Shadow player placing their forces on one side and the Free Peoples player placing their forces on the other. The game proceeds in turns, with each player taking turns to move their units and engage in combat.
Gameplay Mechanics of Battle of the Five Armies
The game uses a combination of action dice and event cards to create a unique experience for each playthrough. The “Fate Track” mechanic handles the arrival of allies and the triggering of special events. The game is won when one player eliminates all the units of the opposing force.
Game Objective of Battle of the Five Armies
The objective of the game is to eliminate the opposing force from the board. The Shadow player aims to achieve this by conquering the board and defeating the Free Peoples’ forces, while the Free Peoples player aims to prevent this and maintain control of the board.
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