War of the Ring^*

Players control either the Free Peoples or the Shadow Armies. Initially, the Free Peoples hesitate to rise against Sauron and may need persuasion from Gandalf or other allies to engage in battle, represented by a political track indicating their willingness to fight.

Victory can be achieved through military conquest or by destroying the One Ring, which requires the Ring-bearer to reach Mount Doom. Players roll action dice to perform various actions each turn, with options influenced by the rolled faces, and can also play event cards that reflect significant occurrences from the story, potentially altering gameplay dynamics.