War of the Ring: Battles of the Third Age---worth buying before price goes up?

I love War of the Ring--and so does my son.

I'm thinking of getting the expansion before prices are raised Nov 1.

Is it worth it or just stick with base game? Does it add enough that I'd want to use it? I'm not necessarily one of those that has to have something to complete a series or expansion. I haven't seen anybody post anything here (to my recollection).

Thanks!

Paul

The parts that you add to the base game (Ents, Balrog, Galadriel, etc.) balances the game back towards the Free People -- I prefer to play with the expansion, although Shadow still wins slightly more.

There are some cool skirmishes in Battles of the Third Age. This provides a closer-up working of the armies versus the global view of the original game. I give the expansion a hearty two thumbs up.

I also give the expansion and thumbs up. I really enjoyed the 2 siege games that it contains. The modifications to the base game were just bonus.

-Will

Depends. If you like WOTR then it's worth grabbing.

Well, first off--if you want to get it, DEFINITELY get it before the prices go up. For $10, I'm not so sure I would've bought it originally.

The things it adds to the base game:


Galadriel--She's aces for the Free people. Gets rid of Eyes, gives an action die much easier than her counterparts, and beefs up the elves early game, when they tend to be very fragile to a Shadow rush strategy.

Smeagol--kind of cool, again a boost for the free people. Puts some limitations on you but also keeps a 'regenerating' tile in the mix that keeps you from taking hunt damage when drawn.

Treebeard/Ents--a much more thematic and "detailed" treatment of the Ents, which were abstracted in the base game. Has pretty much the same effect, but feels/looks cooler.


Balrog--nice to get a mini for the big guy. Another way to get an action die. Can help beef up Moria's defenses and make moving through the mines riskier for the freeps.

New Witch King--interesting, but I have never seen him make a difference. I'd recruit Black Captain every time. His new mini is cool, though.


Corsairs/Raiders--these don't make a great deal of difference. The Corsairs provide a way for the Shadow to threaten the north more easily, near the Shire.


Siege Engines--on balance, these are just a dice sink. If your opponent invests in them, you pretty much have to. A little mini-game of an arms race, more or less.


They do change the base game fundamentally. Still, it's a steep price if that's all you'll use them for.

I keep telling myself that I'll study up and play the additional battle games, but if I have the time, I'd rather play War of the Ring.


It is chock full of War of the Ring goodness. If you think you want it, definitely get it now. $60 MSRP seems a bit much after the price goes up.

Late post, but yea, I don't play without the expansion. Get it.

SOLD. I haven't even unwrapped the base game, but I just snagged this for $36 shipped. man I'm a sucker.

Thanks everyone---esp Ken's detailed, brief, yet very useful comments!

I bought it, btw....along with Dunwich Horror.