Happy Tolkien Reading Day from Magic Madhouse

Do you prefer board games or card games? Either way, Ares Games has you covered with their two War of the Ring tabletop experiences.

In War of the Ring: the Board Game, 2-4 players will battle across an expansive map to determine the fate of Middle-Earth. The game is highly asymmetric since the shadowy forces of Sauron are far larger, but they’ll also lose immediately if the free people are able to come up with a cunning plan to get the ringbearer to Mount Doom without the Dark Lord noticing.

Meanwhile, War of the Ring: the Card Game weaves together the stories of the Fellowship and the battles between the various factions of Middle-Earth. Two players control the forces of good, while another two control the forces of shadow. You’ll need to coordinate with your teammate to ensure that your side claims victory, but you have to be careful about how much information you reveal since all discussions are public.

Both of these games offer different interpretations of Tolkien’s work that’ll appeal to different kinds of players. Would you rather assemble an army of miniatures and fight your way to victory, or pull off some clever card combos working with a partner?

Trick taking games, where 1-4 players cooperate to sequence a selection of tactical card plays, are all the rage. From The Crew, to Sail. If you enjoy slinging cards with your friends, then you’re sure to have a good time trying out a bit of trick taking.

The Lord of the Rings: Trick Taking Game: the Fellowship of the Ring tells the story of the first book in fantasy’s most famous trilogy, but in the form of an eighteen chapter long adventure. In every scenario, each player will take control of a different character, including some obscure deep cuts, like Farmer Maggot and Gildor Inglorion.  Everyone has a different objective to fulfil, and you’ll all need to work together to ensure that the chapter ends with everyone accomplishing their goals.

Once you’ve made it through this quest, you’ll be able to continue the story with The Lord of the Rings: The Two Tours: Trick-Taking Game.

Formerly known as the Lord of the Rings Warhammer, the Middle-Earth Strategy Battle Game offers a tactical experience where you can take command of the armies of Tolkien’s legendarium. Featuring figures representing everyone from Goldberry to Gollum, this game offers all of the dice rolling crunchy combat of Warhammer transported to Middle-Earth.

The War of the Rohirrim: Battle of Edoras box set makes a great starting point. Based on the animated movie from 2024, it contains two armies (the Rohirrim and the Hill Tribes), as well as some scenery, a rule book, a scenario book, and a variety of accessories to help you play like dice, a ruler, and a playmat. Everything you need to get in some good battles.

The EXIT series offers the experience of an Escape Room, but contained in a box small enough that you could carry it from the Shire to Morodor without it weighing you down. Shadows Over Middle-Earth is a special Lord of the Rings themed adventure, where a group of 1-4 can accompany the Fellowship on their quest, solving puzzles and outwitting villains as they go.

Like All Escape Rooms, Shadows Over Middle-Earth is a test of your wits, your ability to think quickly, and your deductive reasoning. If you’re resourceful, then you’ll be able to prove that you’ve got what it takes to be an amazing ringbearer.

Sauron isn’t the only ancient evil threatening Middle-Earth. The Balrog. known as Durin’s Bane, lurks deep within the heart of Moria and is one of the most powerful beings in the setting. If you’ve ever wanted to build your own Balrog, then The LEGO Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook set will give you everything you need to construct a fire demon of your very own, from the tip of its flaming whip to the furthest span of its great dark wings.

This book nook makes for an exciting addition to any shelf, particularly one lined with the works of Tolkien.

As one of the great writers of the twentieth century, Tolkien laid the groundwork for modern Fantasy as a genre. So in a sense, you’re celebrating Tolkien’s legacy whenever you engage with fantastical stories of any kind. Spare a thought for Tolkien when you summon some Llanowar Elves in your next game of Magic: the Gathering, when you have your Dwarven sorcerer throw out a fireball in your next Dungeons and Dragons game, or when you pull off a particularly devastating betrayal during the eleventh hour of a session of the Game of Thrones board game.

For more tabletop gaming updates, make sure that you scroll down and subscribe to the Magic Madhouse newsletter. You can also follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for new board gaming videos every day.