The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Nuff’ said!
This is not spoiler free!

Official Press Release

Amazing look at the Return of the King Product Line

On Friday October 31st, 2003 I was handed a box that had come in the mail, instantaneously I knew what was within. Immediately I took to opening it and there was the latest in the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game, Return of the King. Upon opening the game box I was amazed at the set of 48 miniatures within but not only that but the expansive rule book (but I will get to that shortly). The 24 Mordor Orcs and 24 Warriors of Minas Tirith are quite detailed and to see the white tree upon the shields of these warriors makes the warrior spirit glow within me!! What was just as cool was the statuary that came with them to add to your environment building for all you hobbyists out there.

Dividing the box is the cardboard ruler with a map of Middle-earth attached. This, please correct me in I am wrong, was not part of the previous two sets. It was a really authentic touch to the reality of Tolkien's creation with us all. This is why I love Games Workshop's LOTR line, they combine essential book and film stuff to make a unique gaming experience.

Ok onto the rule book, which for me, aside from the models of course, is the prime part and the one with the most spoilers…hehe..

Unlike the rulebooks for FOTR (128 pages), TTT (160 pages), and Shadow and Flame (48 pages), Return of the King weighs in at a whopping 176 pages. Well, duh, save the best for last!

Just flipping through the book I felt, though ignorant of the process of its creation, as if all the plans, all the thoughts and essentials came together in this one book. The Games Workshop team brings all the rules together from the prior 3 books and ties it all nicely together with new rules, scenarios, models, etc. The development process from book to book was just a step to the ultimate in LOTR gaming, Return of the King. Each of the rules has been improved upon for better and smoother game play.

What I noticed, unlike the other books, that there was not much in movie spoiler pics. In the prior two film-related movie-books there were a few stills I had yet to see from either theatrical or extended release versions of the films, or an awaiting sequel. This has relatively few movie pics, shots of warriors and armies but nothing to give away the details we are all truly awaiting to see. Which is good. Instead scattered throughout the book are pics of award-winning models built by hobbyists. If you read White Dwarf then you know the models I speak of, dioramas of LOTR scenes and characters. A few to note are Frodo, Celeborn and Galadriel, the Balrog (man is this one amazing) and Durin's Chamber in Moria.

The pictures of new models, especially Frodo make you wonder where in the film they are. The Frodo model has him looking disheveled and haggard looking and holding the ring in the air…hmmmm curious. If you want spoilers then you have to read the text not look for pics.

Here are some for curious folks, like myself: Shelob (no pic, Darn!) can move 10" and has a will of 6, plus her abilities aside from movement are Terror, Venom, Pounce and Hunting Instinct

To her right is the Mouth of Sauron, (no pic, double Darn!!) He has a will of 4 can transfix, Drain Courage, Sap Will and has a Terrifying Aura

Ok if the models and the scenarios in this book are along the lines of the film, then the text of the following models may or may not confirm certain parts we all want to know…

The King of the Dead (abilities: Terror, Blades of the Dead, Drain Soul)
Description: A ghostly echo of the man that once was, this ancient king has sworn to lead his army into the fight against Sauron as penance for refusing to do so many centuries before

The Army of the Dead (abilities: Terror and Blades of the Dead)
Description: The oath-breakers of Erech now fight at Aragorn's side against Sauron. Only in doing this will the curse of Isildur placed upon them many years ago be lifted

The scenario's stay pretty close to book and film (what we know at least) it will be pretty amazing see all of these battles play out but I want to point out Scenario 9: The Army of the Dead described from page 107 below:

"The arrival on the Anduin of the black-sailed ships of the Corsairs of Umbar seems to spell doom for Minas Tirith. Great is the surprise of the servants of the Enemy when instead of their allies from Umbar, an army of the living dead pours from the ships and attacks them, led by both their ghostly king and by the Heir of Isildur wielding the newly re-forged Anduril, Flame of the West."

The movie scenes that comprise half of the scenarios in this book are phenomenal, but it does not end there. Gamers can also play The War of the Ring section:
"This section of the book contains rules and scenarios that will allow you to recreate a few of the innumerable battles that took place in other parts of Middle-earth at the same time as the events narrated in The Return of the King."

With rules for elves and dwarves (Khazad Guard, Dain Ironfoot, Dwarf King and Captains, Celeborn, Galadriel and Radagast…wheww) we have the following scenarios.

Scenario 1: The Long Night
Scenario 2: A Rock and A Hard Place
Scenario 3: Baruk Khazad!
Scenario 4: Dain's Last Stand
Scenario 5: Assault on Lothlorien

Complete with an extensive painting guide for all your mini's if you do not have fun painting and playing this for hours, if not days, months or even years then I will set a flock of crebain upon you!