I was planning to simply replace seven wonders with this, I haven’t played my copy of lord of the rings yet, but it looks like it might be worth holding onto both until some expansions come out, but I am super excited to give it a go.
From a interview with both designers, they mention that they do not intent to add a expansion for this game. They are now focusing on a reimplementation of Shadows over Camelot. Maybe they could change their mind but they feel that the game is complete as it is.
Hey Alex - thanks for your video. I would, though, disagree on the characterisation of this new Duel as a tug of war. Tug of war means that it can go forward and backwards. However, here, if your opponent is one step from winning on the ring track, there is no pushing backwards. To us, mechanically this is more like a race rather than a tug of war.
It's still an abstract tug of war because both sides are competing for the same resources. It would be a race if you win by just going faster, but any resource you take towards one thing takes that resource away from the other player. So, by going hard in one direction you pull your opponent to have to also go in the same direction when future cards get revealed.
You are absolutely right - the ring track and the green faction cards are races. The board is a tug-of-war because you can gain and lose cities during the game. It’s really nice that the board is also the tiebreaker so you want to be ahead on the board if nobody will satisfy a victory condition by the end
It’s a great game. My only complaint is they tell you the sleeve size on the back of the box, but they make two of the three wells in the insert too shallow to hold the sleeved cards for that chapter. Also, I do not think there will be any expansions as it is a finished game from a previous game with expansions. It’s like Raiders of Scythia from Raiders of the North Sea with expansions.
As soon as I heard 5/5 I paused the video and bought the game. I'd been on the fence about buying this and your excellent review pushed me over the edge!
This game is deserving of a 5. I’m happy to have both Duel for Middle Earth and 7 Wonders Duel + Agora expansion in my collection. Middle Earth will definately be the game to introduce new players too, since it’s easier to learn.
there's room for both in a collection, but in mine, there's only room for the OG 7WD. I like LOTR, but I'd rather play other LOTR games instead. There's a lot of theme, and components are great, but as a game it's less than 7WD *to me*.
Preordered this and finally got around to playing it this week and my wife and I adore it. What a great game.
I was planning to simply replace seven wonders with this, I haven’t played my copy of lord of the rings yet, but it looks like it might be worth holding onto both until some expansions come out, but I am super excited to give it a go.
From a interview with both designers, they mention that they do not intent to add a expansion for this game. They are now focusing on a reimplementation of Shadows over Camelot. Maybe they could change their mind but they feel that the game is complete as it is.
@@Exoziki have read the same from the designers.
Thanks Alex, as someone who doesn't own 7 Wonders Duel, loves LoTR and has a birthday coming up I might have to get this instead.
Hey Alex - thanks for your video. I would, though, disagree on the characterisation of this new Duel as a tug of war. Tug of war means that it can go forward and backwards. However, here, if your opponent is one step from winning on the ring track, there is no pushing backwards. To us, mechanically this is more like a race rather than a tug of war.
It's still an abstract tug of war because both sides are competing for the same resources. It would be a race if you win by just going faster, but any resource you take towards one thing takes that resource away from the other player. So, by going hard in one direction you pull your opponent to have to also go in the same direction when future cards get revealed.
You are absolutely right - the ring track and the green faction cards are races. The board is a tug-of-war because you can gain and lose cities during the game. It’s really nice that the board is also the tiebreaker so you want to be ahead on the board if nobody will satisfy a victory condition by the end
I believe one of the win conditions is to rally support of the races aka gather all 6 symbols on green CARDS, not tokens.
Oops, you missed a set-up condition: To start, both players are allowed to have two army units on the board.
Thanks for the review Alex! My wife and I love this, and every game has been super close. I also upgraded my coins!😊
It’s a great game. My only complaint is they tell you the sleeve size on the back of the box, but they make two of the three wells in the insert too shallow to hold the sleeved cards for that chapter. Also, I do not think there will be any expansions as it is a finished game from a previous game with expansions. It’s like Raiders of Scythia from Raiders of the North Sea with expansions.
Might this not get expanded, too?
As soon as I heard 5/5 I paused the video and bought the game. I'd been on the fence about buying this and your excellent review pushed me over the edge!
Why hasn't anyone mentioned the card quality? I can already see some bending on the cards on your table. They don't seem very durable
I’m trying to move away from sleeving cards. I felt I needed to sleeve these as the card stock quality did not feel present.
This game is deserving of a 5. I’m happy to have both Duel for Middle Earth and 7 Wonders Duel + Agora expansion in my collection. Middle Earth will definately be the game to introduce new players too, since it’s easier to learn.
7W: Duel | Pantheon > LOTR: Duel
The lack of resource economy hurts LOTR: Duel too much for me.
Thanks for sharing! I concur, it’s excellent. And, I agree with all of your other points too!
Couldn’t agree more : this is a gem and yet, 7WD still has its own merit and place in my collection 👍🏻
there's room for both in a collection, but in mine, there's only room for the OG 7WD. I like LOTR, but I'd rather play other LOTR games instead. There's a lot of theme, and components are great, but as a game it's less than 7WD *to me*.