Free League did a fantastic job on this! Everything they do for Middle Earth has so much care and love for Tolkien’s lore. Amazon should have hired Free League to story outline the horrible RoP series. Maybe it would have been salvageable.
I feel like the Rings of Power remark was a bit..unnecessary. Writing a screenplay, writing a novel, writing an rpg book, these are fairly different approaches to writing. Being good at one doesn’t necessarily mean being good at another.
Free League makes amazing products, all that I have so far are Top Tier. Francesco et al have done an amazing job in keeping to the feel and theme of Tolkien, shows their dedication in keeping it real.
@InhabitantOfOddworld frankly, it seems unnecessary to me. It either feels like trying to use it to prop the writers here up, which is unnecessary from what I’ve seen if their work, or like an inability to let go of something that is disliked. Like I said, writing a screenplay, a novel, and a sourcebook all require different foci and considerations, and being good at one doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do another as well. I’ll add that people thought much the same as you claim of the movies. The writers of The One Ring did a fabulous job on their various works from what I’ve seen and heard. And the statement doesn’t need to go further than that with other content. Good day. (To Ryan, sorry old habit of mine with RoP. Great not so deep drive into the book. I’m much more intrigued to pick it up does the road when I’m able. Oh how the road of rpg books goes ever on and on
I was excited to get the email with the alpha pdf the other day and also very happy to see you did a run down on it this evening! Always a fan of your TOR content. Long live Folco Hornblower
Thank you. I hadn't planned on doing an over as I didn't have a whole lot of time myself, but figured as I was skimming through, wouldn't hurt to summarize for those like yourself (and holdouts still on the fence in getting it!).
Excellent video! And wow, the Balrog stats are scary. Gror is doomed it seems, not sure how a lone Dwarf can overcome a monstrosity of that caliber. Very much looking forward to the follow-up to the Gror vs Balrog video from a month or so ago.
Thank you! Gror is still in "training" and now that his team has did some advance scouting of his adversary, some changes will be made in prep for Fight Night!
I really wanted to back this, and my gaming shelf is nearly all FL products...but I know I don't NEED it and it will likely run late. So I will pick it up locally. Love every video you put out and keep up the EXCELLENT content.
Thank you for the feedback! And like yours, my shelf is starting to be primarily FL products, can't help it, they're good! And always a good decision to support a FLGS!
woot we survived a brief dive into Moria and lived to tell the tale! ;P Gror is going to have his work cut out for him and hopefully some stalwart companions at his side going through the long dark
Looks pretty cool. I tried to get into TOR 2e, but just didn't like the rules so we switched over to the 5e version, which is easier to convert to the system we actually play, which is Castles & Crusades. Still include lots of the special TOR elements for flavor, though.
Nothing wrong with 5e, I really don't have much bad to say about it. Easy to run, easy to use as a player, and it's heavily supported in regards to online resources and tools. It's great FL did the port, expands the reach of the game material, and Francesco et al has done an amazing job in maintain the feel and theme of Middle-Earth in the 5e realm! Thanks for watching!
It’ll be a great adventure anytime one would run this. And even if you’re waiting for a group the fact they have the specific solo rules for it, is great! Also surprised that you were able to get in there on a late pledge!
@@RyanoftheNorth I'm waiting to hear a response, but they took my money and told me "Thank you for your order". I also just ordered the main rules, starter set and GM screen from Zatu today and it's not been despatched on the same day, despite paying for next day delivery. Fingers crossed all round!
What would have been the companys solution if they had lost Gandalf, and his light, earlier? Frodo might have been able to guide them out, using the ring. Aragorns knowledge of the caverns would have been completely useless. But the staggering amount of torches they would have needed per day, in that dark place, would have left them in the literal dark. Sooner or later..
Would have been catastrophic for them. Like Tuor traversing the Gate of the Noldor (Unfinished Tales), they would have had to feel themselves against the walls of the tunnels until they reached light!
So glad to get the alpha the other day. I’ve started to read it and I’m wondering how to introduce a delve into Moria with my player group. I’ve also wondered whether setting the delve in a different time period might work.
Yeah I’m thinking as well how to start laying down the bread crumbs to get my play group there. Could also be a separate endeavour with a band of Dwarves looking to reclaim what they can, outside of Balin’s Expedition. Maybe a group that he as patron sends well ahead, 20+ years ahead to see if it’s viable for him to even finance!
i would buy a oficial physical copy of Strider mode and this solo supplement... i have a home printed version of strider mode but i love so much this game that i need an oficial print.
Hi! I don’t play 5e or TOR but other systems. Do you think the info in the TOR version is agnostic enough to port over to other systems and use as a setting only? Thanks!
Thanks for the comment! I think the lore and write ups, even the adversary and NPC descriptions could easily be ported over. You would have to find similar creatures, etc for whatever rpg you’re running it in, but I don’t think that would be too daunting! Besides. It’s a large book so you’ll have time between chapters to find the right monsters :)
The PDF of the Alpha for Kickstarter backers was released 3/20/24, but as for general sale assuming it’ll be the same as for the TOR version which will be later in the fall I believe.
I love the core rules and the art style the Freeleague has done for 2nd ed. But I do prefer the 2 book system that C7 did for its expansion. One a setting the other a more railroad module.
You get something similar in Free League's edition: Ruins of the Lost Realm is a campaign outline (several, in fact!), NPCs and landmarks for Eriador, while Tales from the Lone Lands provides a series of more traditional adventure modules. They make a great pair.
Thanks for the Comment. I unfortunately hadn't even known about 1e until 2e came out, so have no experience in the different editions and how they were presented. So far, liking what's been produced, and as Harlath states, With Ruins you get the sandbox feels, and Tales you get more "railroad" feel. Moria I think is a combo, more leaning to Sandbox... but can be depending on a Company's route they take, could feel at least a mining cart rail feel to it!
Free League did a fantastic job on this! Everything they do for Middle Earth has so much care and love for Tolkien’s lore. Amazon should have hired Free League to story outline the horrible RoP series. Maybe it would have been salvageable.
I feel like the Rings of Power remark was a bit..unnecessary. Writing a screenplay, writing a novel, writing an rpg book, these are fairly different approaches to writing. Being good at one doesn’t necessarily mean being good at another.
@@davidbeer5015
It's very necessary, because RoP is a pure insult to Tolkien's legacy
Free League makes amazing products, all that I have so far are Top Tier. Francesco et al have done an amazing job in keeping to the feel and theme of Tolkien, shows their dedication in keeping it real.
@InhabitantOfOddworld frankly, it seems unnecessary to me. It either feels like trying to use it to prop the writers here up, which is unnecessary from what I’ve seen if their work, or like an inability to let go of something that is disliked. Like I said, writing a screenplay, a novel, and a sourcebook all require different foci and considerations, and being good at one doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do another as well. I’ll add that people thought much the same as you claim of the movies.
The writers of The One Ring did a fabulous job on their various works from what I’ve seen and heard. And the statement doesn’t need to go further than that with other content. Good day.
(To Ryan, sorry old habit of mine with RoP. Great not so deep drive into the book. I’m much more intrigued to pick it up does the road when I’m able. Oh how the road of rpg books goes ever on and on
I was excited to get the email with the alpha pdf the other day and also very happy to see you did a run down on it this evening! Always a fan of your TOR content. Long live Folco Hornblower
Happy you've enjoyed them so far! Folco is prepping his adventuring gear and will be on the road again soon!
Got the email the other day, but I've been at work everyday since and had no chance to read it myself. Thank you for the breakdown.
Thank you. I hadn't planned on doing an over as I didn't have a whole lot of time myself, but figured as I was skimming through, wouldn't hurt to summarize for those like yourself (and holdouts still on the fence in getting it!).
Excellent video! And wow, the Balrog stats are scary. Gror is doomed it seems, not sure how a lone Dwarf can overcome a monstrosity of that caliber. Very much looking forward to the follow-up to the Gror vs Balrog video from a month or so ago.
Thank you! Gror is still in "training" and now that his team has did some advance scouting of his adversary, some changes will be made in prep for Fight Night!
@@RyanoftheNorth Good idea. They'll need it...
I really wanted to back this, and my gaming shelf is nearly all FL products...but I know I don't NEED it and it will likely run late. So I will pick it up locally.
Love every video you put out and keep up the EXCELLENT content.
Thank you for the feedback! And like yours, my shelf is starting to be primarily FL products, can't help it, they're good! And always a good decision to support a FLGS!
Ryan you are a champ! Thanks!
You are extremely fast, the book haven't been out a week yet :D
Thanks lol. Yeah surprised myself with this one. I should have mentioned in the video, the layout of the book lends itself to quick referencing!
woot we survived a brief dive into Moria and lived to tell the tale! ;P Gror is going to have his work cut out for him and hopefully some stalwart companions at his side going through the long dark
Thanks! Gror may need to have some help for sure... but this is a single bout... although could see a more WWE style match if things go sour!
Looks pretty cool. I tried to get into TOR 2e, but just didn't like the rules so we switched over to the 5e version, which is easier to convert to the system we actually play, which is Castles & Crusades. Still include lots of the special TOR elements for flavor, though.
Nothing wrong with 5e, I really don't have much bad to say about it. Easy to run, easy to use as a player, and it's heavily supported in regards to online resources and tools. It's great FL did the port, expands the reach of the game material, and Francesco et al has done an amazing job in maintain the feel and theme of Middle-Earth in the 5e realm! Thanks for watching!
Nice review and covering. Thank you.
Thank you for the comment and watching! (Will have to do an updated video once I receive my KS copy)
After watching this video, I went to the Kickstarter and made a late pledge. It looks amazing.
It’ll be a great adventure anytime one would run this. And even if you’re waiting for a group the fact they have the specific solo rules for it, is great! Also surprised that you were able to get in there on a late pledge!
@@RyanoftheNorth I'm waiting to hear a response, but they took my money and told me "Thank you for your order". I also just ordered the main rules, starter set and GM screen from Zatu today and it's not been despatched on the same day, despite paying for next day delivery. Fingers crossed all round!
What would have been the companys solution if they had lost Gandalf, and his light, earlier? Frodo might have been able to guide them out, using the ring. Aragorns knowledge of the caverns would have been completely useless. But the staggering amount of torches they would have needed per day, in that dark place, would have left them in the literal dark. Sooner or later..
Would have been catastrophic for them. Like Tuor traversing the Gate of the Noldor (Unfinished Tales), they would have had to feel themselves against the walls of the tunnels until they reached light!
So glad to get the alpha the other day. I’ve started to read it and I’m wondering how to introduce a delve into Moria with my player group. I’ve also wondered whether setting the delve in a different time period might work.
Yeah I’m thinking as well how to start laying down the bread crumbs to get my play group there. Could also be a separate endeavour with a band of Dwarves looking to reclaim what they can, outside of Balin’s Expedition. Maybe a group that he as patron sends well ahead, 20+ years ahead to see if it’s viable for him to even finance!
i would buy a oficial physical copy of Strider mode and this solo supplement... i have a home printed version of strider mode but i love so much this game that i need an oficial print.
Yeah, me as well. Not sure why it’s never been an actual physical release, something to do with printing rights I’m assuming…
Hi! I don’t play 5e or TOR but other systems. Do you think the info in the TOR version is agnostic enough to port over to other systems and use as a setting only? Thanks!
Thanks for the comment!
I think the lore and write ups, even the adversary and NPC descriptions could easily be ported over. You would have to find similar creatures, etc for whatever rpg you’re running it in, but I don’t think that would be too daunting! Besides. It’s a large book so you’ll have time between chapters to find the right monsters :)
Any idea when the actual product will be released?
By the sounds of it early Fall if not sooner. They had shown the printed proof copy on the Kickstarter just last week!
When does the 5e come out
The PDF of the Alpha for Kickstarter backers was released 3/20/24, but as for general sale assuming it’ll be the same as for the TOR version which will be later in the fall I believe.
I love the core rules and the art style the Freeleague has done for 2nd ed. But I do prefer the 2 book system that C7 did for its expansion. One a setting the other a more railroad module.
You get something similar in Free League's edition: Ruins of the Lost Realm is a campaign outline (several, in fact!), NPCs and landmarks for Eriador, while Tales from the Lone Lands provides a series of more traditional adventure modules. They make a great pair.
Thanks for the Comment. I unfortunately hadn't even known about 1e until 2e came out, so have no experience in the different editions and how they were presented. So far, liking what's been produced, and as Harlath states, With Ruins you get the sandbox feels, and Tales you get more "railroad" feel. Moria I think is a combo, more leaning to Sandbox... but can be depending on a Company's route they take, could feel at least a mining cart rail feel to it!