How to Play War of the Ring: Second Edition
War of the Ring: Second Edition is an asymmetric strategy game where the Free Peoples tries to complete the Ring quest while resisting military conquest, and the Shadow tries to corrupt the Ring-bearer or conquer enough strongholds and cities.
Scope: Ares Games Second Edition base game. Ares updated the English rulebook and player aid on September 1, 2026; expansions are excluded here.
1. Recover dice and draw cards
At the start of each turn, recover used Action Dice and draw from the appropriate Event decks.
2. Fellowship phase
The Free Peoples may declare the Fellowship’s position and resolve healing/activation effects where legal.
3. Hunt allocation
The Shadow commits eligible Action Dice to the Hunt Box before rolling the remaining Action Dice.
4. Roll Action Dice
Each symbol determines which actions can be taken that round: character movement, army actions, muster, events or special combined actions.
5. Resolve actions alternately
Players alternate spending one Action Die at a time. Actions move the Fellowship, recruit units, activate Nations, move armies, attack, play Event cards and use Characters.
Fellowship movement and Hunt
The Fellowship normally moves hidden. Shadow Hunt effects can reveal it, add Corruption or create other consequences when movement is detected.
Battles and politics
Armies fight for settlements and Strongholds while Free Peoples Nations must become politically active and advance before they can fully mobilize.
Victory
Both sides have a military victory route and a Ring/Fellowship route. The exact thresholds are summarized in the dedicated victory guide.