The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game is a co-operative card game that guides players through eighteen immersive chapters, each inspired by events from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. While you can tackle the chapters in any order, progressing sequentially offers the most narrative cohesion.

In every chapter, players assume the roles of iconic characters such as Frodo, Gandalf, Sam, Pippin, and Farmer Maggot. Each character has a unique goal that must be achieved to successfully complete the chapter and move the story forward. For example, Frodo must capture ring cards, whereas Pippin aims to avoid taking tricks.

As you journey deeper into the game, new characters, challenges, and powerful items are introduced, enriching both the gameplay and the story.

The game uses a 37-card deck, with one card removed at random each round. The player dealt the One Ring becomes Frodo, and the remaining players choose characters based on their hand composition. The One Ring is the sole trump card, but it can’t be led unless another player has played off-suit.

Special rules are included for two-player and solo play:

• Two-Player Mode: A third, dummy hand is dealt. Some of its cards are face up, and one player controls the dummy’s actions based on available options. The dummy is also assigned a character.
• Solo Mode: The player manages four hands of face-up cards, each assigned a character. Only select cards are playable at a time, and after each trick, new cards are dealt to each hand.

Perfect for fans of Tolkien and card game enthusiasts alike, The Fellowship of the Ring: Trick-Taking Game blends narrative-driven adventure with strategic trick-taking mechanics.