One truly should do more math in this game, with those many factions. You can weaken with two or three factions and then kill with the fourth. I am not doing the math :)
But I like the map.
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :3
Purchase Units - Haradrim
Haradrim buy 2 caravels, 2 rafts and 3 spearInfantrys; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Haradrim
1 raft moved from Umbar Coast to S. Gondor Coast
1 spearInfantry moved from S. Gondor to S. Gondor Coast
1 spearInfantry moved from S. Gondor Coast to Tolfolas
Haradrim take Tolfolas from Gondor
3 corsairss and 6 spearInfantrys moved from Umbar to Umbar Coast
2 caravels, 3 corsairss, 5 galleons and 6 spearInfantrys moved from Umbar Coast to S. W. Central Sea Zone
2 caravels moved from Bay of Harad to Umbar Peninsula Coast
2 caravels moved from Umbar Peninsula Coast to S. E. Central Sea Zone
1 spearInfantry moved from N. Ithilien to Anorien
Haradrim take Anorien from Gondor
4 corsairss, 4 oliphants and 3 spearInfantrys moved from N. Ithilien to S. Ithilien
1 raft moved from Umbar Coast to S. E. Central Sea Zone
2 caravels moved from S. E. Central Sea Zone to S. W. Central Sea Zone
Combat - Haradrim
Non Combat Move - Haradrim
Place Units - Haradrim
2 rafts placed in Umbar Coast
3 spearInfantrys placed in City of Corsairs
2 caravels placed in Bay of Harad
Turn Complete - Haradrim
Haradrim collect 21 PUs; end with 21 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :3
Purchase Units - Gondor
Gondor buy 1 heavyCavalry and 7 towerGuards; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Gondor
1 spearInfantry moved from Enedwaith Coast to Druwaith Laur
1 towerGuard moved from Enedwaith to Druwaith Laur
1 spearInfantry moved from Enedwaith to Druwaith Laur
1 spearInfantry moved from Enedwaith to Druwaith Laur
1 undead moved from Lebennin to Morthond
1 undead moved from Morthond to Anfalas
1 raft moved from Anfalas Coast to Morthond
1 raft moved from Anfalas Coast to Morthond
1 raft moved from Anfalas Coast to Morthond
1 towerGuard moved from Lossarnach to Anduin Mouth
1 towerGuard moved from Lossarnach to Anduin Mouth
1 towerGuard moved from Lossarnach to Anduin Mouth
1 towerGuard moved from Lossarnach to Anduin Mouth
1 spearInfantry moved from W. Osg. to Anduin Mouth
1 heavyCavalry moved from N. Enedwaith to Druwaith Laur
3 caravels, 8 galleons, 1 spearInfantry and 4 towerGuards moved from Anduin Mouth to Morthond
1 spearInfantry moved from Morthond to Anfalas
1 towerGuard moved from Morthond to Anfalas
1 towerGuard moved from Morthond to Anfalas
1 towerGuard moved from Morthond to Anfalas
1 towerGuard moved from Morthond to Anfalas
1 raft moved from Anduin Mouth to Gilrain
1 towerGuard moved from Minas Tirith to Anorien
1 towerGuard moved from Minas Tirith to Anorien
1 towerGuard moved from Minas Tirith to Anorien
2 spearInfantrys, 4 towerGuards and 1 trebuche moved from W. Osg. to E. Osg.
1 towerGuard moved from Minas Tirith to Lossarnach
1 towerGuard moved from Minas Tirith to Anorien
Combat - Gondor
Battle in Anorien
Gondor attack with 4 towerGuards
Haradrim defend with 1 spearInfantry
Gondor roll dice for 4 towerGuards in Anorien, round 1 : 2/1 hits
Haradrim roll dice for 1 spearInfantry in Anorien, round 1 : 1/1 hits
1 spearInfantry owned by the Haradrim and 1 towerGuard owned by the Gondor lost in Anorien
Gondor win, taking Anorien from Haradrim with 3 towerGuards remaining. Battle score for attacker is -1
Casualties for Haradrim: 1 spearInfantry
Casualties for Gondor: 1 towerGuard
Non Combat Move - Gondor
Place Units - Gondor
2 towerGuards placed in E. Osg.
2 towerGuards placed in Andrast
3 towerGuards placed in Anfalas
1 heavyCavalry placed in Minas Tirith
Turn Complete - Gondor
Gondor collect 32 PUs; end with 32 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :3
Purchase Units - Rhun
Rhun buy 6 fortificationss and 4 spearInfantrys; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Rhun
1 chariotArchers moved from Bight to E. Mirkwood
Rhun take E. Mirkwood from Elves
1 warChariot moved from Bight to W. Mirkwood
1 chariotArchers moved from E. Mirkwood to W. Mirkwood
1 warChariot moved from S. Mirkwood to W. Mirkwood
1 spearInfantry moved from Rhovanion to Bight
1 spearInfantry moved from E. Rhovanion to Rhun
2 chariotArcherss moved from Rhun to Iron Hills
1 spearInfantry moved from N. Rhun to Iron Hills
1 spearInfantry moved from Rhun to N. Rhun
Combat - Rhun
Battle in W. Mirkwood
Rhun attack with 1 chariotArchers and 2 warChariots
Elves defend with 3 entss, 9 hunterss and 2 wizards
Elves win with 1 ents, 9 hunterss and 2 wizards remaining. Battle score for attacker is -17
Casualties for Rhun: 1 chariotArchers and 2 warChariots
Casualties for Elves: 2 entss
Non Combat Move - Rhun
Place Units - Rhun
6 fortificationss placed in Rhun
4 spearInfantrys placed in Iron Hills
Turn Complete - Rhun
Rhun collect 20 PUs; end with 20 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :3
Purchase Units - Dale
Dale buy 2 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Dale
1 spearInfantry moved from N. Dale to E. Mirkwood
Elves take E. Mirkwood from Rhun
Combat - Dale
Non Combat Move - Dale
1 archers moved from S. Dale to N. Dale
1 heavyCavalry moved from N. Dale to W. Mirkwood
1 heavyCavalry moved from Lake Town to W. Mirkwood
Place Units - Dale
2 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry placed in Lake Town
Turn Complete - Dale
Dale collect 9 PUs; end with 9 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :3
Purchase Units - Khand
Khand buy 2 raiderCavalrys; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Khand
2 raiderCavalrys moved from S. Ithilien to S. Brown Lands
1 warWolves moved from S. Ithilien to Dagorlad
2 raiderCavalrys moved from Rhovanion to Anduin East Bank
4 raiderss and 2 xbowInfantrys moved from S. Ithilien to N. Ithilien
2 raiderCavalrys moved from Khand to N. Ithilien
1 raiders moved from Harad Road to S. Ithilien
2 raiderss moved from Harad Road to N. Haradwaith
Non Combat Move - Khand
Place Units - Khand
2 raiderCavalrys placed in Khand
Turn Complete - Khand
Khand collect 10 PUs; end with 10 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :3
Purchase Units - Dwarves
Dwarves buy 3 axeInfantrys; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Dwarves
1 phalanx moved from Lonely Mtn. to N. Dale
1 zepplin moved from Lonely Mtn. to Celduin
1 axeInfantry moved from N. Dale to Celduin
1 axeInfantry moved from Withered Heath to N. Dale
Combat - Dwarves
Battle in Celduin
Dwarves attack with 1 axeInfantry and 1 zepplin
Neutral defend with 1 spearInfantry
Dwarves roll dice for 1 axeInfantry and 1 zepplin in Celduin, round 1 : 0/1 hits
Neutral roll dice for 1 spearInfantry in Celduin, round 1 : 0/1 hits
Dwarves roll dice for 1 axeInfantry and 1 zepplin in Celduin, round 2 : 1/1 hits
Neutral roll dice for 1 spearInfantry in Celduin, round 2 : 0/1 hits
1 spearInfantry owned by the Neutral lost in Celduin
Dwarves win, taking Celduin from Neutral with 1 axeInfantry and 1 zepplin remaining. Battle score for attacker is 3
Casualties for Neutral: 1 spearInfantry
Non Combat Move - Dwarves
1 zepplin moved from Celduin to N. Dale
Place Units - Dwarves
3 axeInfantrys placed in Lonely Mtn.
Turn Complete - Dwarves
Dwarves collect 14 PUs; end with 14 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :4
Purchase Units - Saruman
Saruman buy 2 orcss and 1 urukhai; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Saruman
2 orcss and 1 urukhai moved from Isengard to Westfold
1 urukhai moved from Westfold to Wold
Non Combat Move - Saruman
Place Units - Saruman
2 orcss and 1 urukhai placed in Isengard
Turn Complete - Saruman
Saruman collect 11 PUs; end with 11 PUs total
Rather boring turn for saruman!
I dont know, I like the map, but the balance feels wrong. Goblins rich, Saruman dirt-poor, other nations actually useless (dwarves, Dale). Zeppelins and cannons for dwarves are very strange choices, these are not warhammer-type dwarves. A strategy game needs compromise, I am not attached to the idea that it has to be as in the books, but goblins should not be able to take Lorien so easily. Dont say it could not happen in a full blown war, but I feel they would need a balrog at least. The Eastern nations feel ok and well done, their mobility is authentic. Gondor feels stretched, also authentic. I think the main prob for me is that Rohan, Dale and Dwarves (who should have a stronghold in the Blue Mountains as well as in the Iron Mountains) never will be more than a very, very limited local power. Against a good opponent. Rhun is a bit similar. Saruman as well.
Its definitely not a perfect map, and even though its gone through a great number of iterations and balancing tweaks it still has some problems. Having said that, watching expert players on this map I have seen both good and evil win in a fair fight.
The flavor of the map is such that it might not be that appealing to LOTR fans, but given the original map size/territory configuration, I do think the current power set-up is justified. If Saruman is too strong he can just overwhelm Rohan. If Rohan is made more powerful to compensate, then it creates the problem that their mobility and power can disrupt the balance elsewhere.
In regards to Dale/Dwarves, there’s a way to get them to be more than just always on the defensive, but it requires the Elves to help. The beauty of this map is that it allows the player the combination of 2-3 nations working together to take down one big one.
But I agree that at first blush the map does not seem entirely balanced, and only with repeated play does its depth become apparent.
I definitly want to stress that my remarks are not about overall balance. I totally agree that both sides can win.
I think you’re up ;)
I am, but not before kid asleep ;)
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :4
Purchase Units - Freefolk
Freefolk buy 2 archerss and 3 lightCavalrys; Remaining resources: 2 PUs;
Combat Move - Freefolk
1 lightCavalry moved from Tharbad to S. Dunland
1 lightCavalry moved from Tharbad to S. Dunland
1 lightCavalry moved from Tharbad to S. Dunland
1 lightCavalry moved from Cardolan to S. Dunland
3 archerss, 2 hobbitss and 2 spearInfantrys moved from Cardolan to Eregion
1 spearInfantry moved from Tharbad to Eregion
1 spearInfantry moved from Tharbad to Eregion
1 spearInfantry moved from Tharbad to Eregion
1 archers moved from Tharbad to Eregion
1 lightCavalry moved from Bree to Eregion
1 lightCavalry moved from Bree to Eregion
1 catapult and 1 spearInfantry moved from S. Downs to Cardolan
1 hobbits moved from Shire to Minhiriath
1 spearInfantry moved from Bree to S. Downs
1 spearInfantry moved from Fornost to Breelands
1 spearInfantry moved from Fornost to Breelands
1 archers moved from N. Dunland to S. Dunland
1 spearInfantry moved from N. Dunland to S. Dunland
Combat - Freefolk
Battle in S. Dunland
Freefolk attack with 1 archers, 4 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry
Neutral defend with 1 spearInfantry
Freefolk roll dice for 1 archers, 4 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry in S. Dunland, round 1 : 2/1 hits
Neutral roll dice for 1 spearInfantry in S. Dunland, round 1 : 1/1 hits
1 archers owned by the Freefolk and 1 spearInfantry owned by the Neutral lost in S. Dunland
Freefolk win, taking S. Dunland from Neutral with 4 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry remaining. Battle score for attacker is 0
Casualties for Freefolk: 1 archers
Casualties for Neutral: 1 spearInfantry
Non Combat Move - Freefolk
Place Units - Freefolk
2 archerss placed in Tharbad
3 lightCavalrys placed in Bree
Turn Complete - Freefolk
Freefolk collect 21 PUs; end with 23 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :4
Purchase Units - Mordor
Mordor buy 3 orcss, 2 siegeTowers and 2 trollss; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Mordor
1 orcs and 1 trolls moved from E. Emnet to Eastfold
1 trolls moved from E. Emnet to Anorien
2 nazguls moved from Anduin East Bank to Anorien
1 nazgul moved from Anduin East Bank to Eastfold
Combat - Mordor
Battle in Anorien
Mordor attack with 2 nazguls and 1 trolls
Gondor defend with 3 towerGuards
Units damaged: 1 nazgul owned by the Mordor
Units damaged: 1 nazgul owned by the Mordor
Mordor win, taking Anorien from Gondor with 2 nazguls and 1 trolls remaining. Battle score for attacker is 12
Casualties for Gondor: 3 towerGuards
Battle in Eastfold
Mordor attack with 1 nazgul, 1 orcs and 1 trolls
Rohan defend with 1 castle and 4 fortificationss
Units damaged: 1 nazgul owned by the Mordor
Mordor win, taking Eastfold from Rohan with 1 nazgul, 1 orcs and 1 trolls remaining. Battle score for attacker is 8
Casualties for Rohan: 4 fortificationss
Non Combat Move - Mordor
2 orcss and 1 siegeTower moved from S. Mirkwood to Anduin East Bank
2 trollss moved from Dol Goldur to Anduin East Bank
3 trollss moved from N. Brown Lands to Wold
13 orcss and 5 siegeTowers moved from S. Ithilien to N. Ithilien
5 orcss moved from Minas Morgul to N. Ithilien
3 trollss moved from Wold to Westfold
2 nazguls moved from Anorien to E. Emnet
1 nazgul moved from Eastfold to Westfold
Place Units - Mordor
3 orcss and 1 siegeTower placed in Dol Goldur
1 siegeTower and 2 trollss placed in Minas Morgul
Mordor undo move 2.
Mordor undo move 1.
2 trollss placed in Dol Goldur
3 orcss and 2 siegeTowers placed in Minas Morgul
Turn Complete - Mordor
Mordor collect 33 PUs; end with 33 PUs total
3 units repaired.
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :4
Purchase Units - Rohan
Rohan buy 1 heavyCavalry and 3 spearInfantrys; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Rohan
1 lightCavalry moved from Helms Deep to Eastfold
1 lightCavalry moved from Helms Deep to Eastfold
1 lightCavalry moved from Helms Deep to Eastfold
1 spearInfantry moved from Helms Deep to Eastfold
Combat - Rohan
Battle in Eastfold
Rohan attack with 3 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry
Mordor defend with 1 castle, 1 orcs and 1 trolls
Rohan roll dice for 3 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry in Eastfold, round 1 : 1/1 hits
Mordor roll dice for 1 orcs and 1 trolls in Eastfold, round 1 : 0/1 hits
1 orcs owned by the Mordor lost in Eastfold
Rohan roll dice for 3 lightCavalrys and 1 spearInfantry in Eastfold, round 2 : 1/1 hits
Mordor roll dice for 1 trolls in Eastfold, round 2 : 1/1 hits
1 spearInfantry owned by the Rohan and 1 trolls owned by the Mordor lost in Eastfold
Rohan win, taking Eastfold from Mordor with 3 lightCavalrys remaining. Battle score for attacker is 6
Casualties for Rohan: 1 spearInfantry
Casualties for Mordor: 1 orcs and 1 trolls
Non Combat Move - Rohan
Place Units - Rohan
1 heavyCavalry and 3 spearInfantrys placed in Helms Deep
Turn Complete - Rohan
Rohan collect 10 PUs; end with 10 PUs total
TripleA Turn Summary for game: Lord of the Rings: Middle Earth, version: 1.6
Game History
Round :4
Purchase Units - Goblins
Goblins buy 1 bats, 7 shooterss and 4 stabberss; Remaining resources: 0 PUs;
Combat Move - Goblins
1 shooters moved from Westfold to Eastfold
1 bats moved from Isengard to Eastfold
1 shooters and 1 stabbers moved from Wold to Westfold
1 shooters moved from Fangorn to Westfold
2 wargss moved from Anduin East Bank to Eastfold
1 shooters moved from Gladden to Carrock
Goblins take Carrock from Elves
1 shooters moved from Drimrill Dale to Gladden
1 shooters and 1 stabbers moved from Lorien to Celebran
3 wargss moved from Anduin East Bank to Westfold
1 shooters and 1 stabbers moved from Celebran to Wold
5 shooterss and 8 stabberss moved from Drimrill Dale to Moria
1 stabbers moved from Drimrill Dale to Celebran
1 trolls moved from Drimrill Dale to Celebran
2 stabberss moved from N. Caves to Drimrill Dale
4 shooterss and 2 stabberss moved from Celebran to Moria
1 bats moved from Moria to N. Dunland
1 shooters moved from S. Caves to N. Dunland
Combat - Goblins
Battle in N. Dunland
Goblins attack with 1 bats and 1 shooters
Freefolk defend with 1 hobbits
Goblins win, taking N. Dunland from Freefolk with 1 bats and 1 shooters remaining. Battle score for attacker is 2
Casualties for Freefolk: 1 hobbits
Battle in Eastfold
Goblins attack with 1 bats, 1 shooters and 2 wargss
Rohan defend with 1 castle and 3 lightCavalrys
Goblins win, taking Eastfold from Rohan with 1 bats and 2 wargss remaining. Battle score for attacker is 10
Casualties for Rohan: 3 lightCavalrys
Casualties for Goblins: 1 shooters
Non Combat Move - Goblins
1 bats moved from Eastfold to Westfold
1 bats moved from N. Dunland to Moria
Place Units - Goblins
2 shooterss placed in N. Caves
1 bats, 3 shooterss and 4 stabberss placed in Moria
2 shooterss placed in S. Caves
Goblins undo move 3.
Goblins undo move 2.
4 shooterss and 4 stabberss placed in Moria
1 bats placed in Lorien
1 shooters placed in S. Caves
Turn Complete - Goblins
Goblins collect 32 PUs; end with 32 PUs total
Didn’t mean to be pushy earlier!
didnt take it that way, no worries.
