The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying has a new Starter Set, Over Hill And Under Hill, and it’s an excellent way to dive into a tabletop RPG and live out your fantasies in Middle-earth. Using D&D‘s 5e rules, this latest boxed set from Free League Publishing comes with a host of goodies to get you started.
It’s worth noting there’s a companion Starter Set for The One Ring RPG as well, which is great for those who want to play with the original rules, but The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying version is arguably more ideal for those who are already passingly familiar with 5e and like it. The game is recommended for ages 14 and up, and is ideal for 4–6 players.
What’s In The Under Hill And Over Hill Starter Set
All Contents In LOTR 5e’s New Set Explained
As with previous Lord of the Rings Roleplaying content, the “Over Hill and Under Hill” adventure will take you around iconic Eriador locations. From the pleasantness of the Shire to The Prancing Pony in Bree, and to the darkness of the North Downs, there’s plenty to explore. It’s a beginner-friendly adventure that even veterans can enjoy.
The dice set includes two themed d20s engraved with the Rune of Gandalf and the Eye of Sauron. The cardboard figures include plastic bases so they can stand up, but there are more characters than bases – a problem players may run into if they use these items for larger adventures beyond “Over Hill and Under Hill.”
As with anything else Free League has done with The Lord of the Rings IP, the artwork included for this Starter Set is absolutely gorgeous. The map is worthy of hanging up on a wall, and the character details found on both the sheets and figures are impressive. Likewise, the art in each included book is equally fantastic.
Here’s what’s included in the new Lord of the Rings Roleplaying – Over Hill And Under Hill Starter Set:
- 5e condensed rules
- “Over Hill and Under Hill” adventure
- Full-color map of Eriador (combat diagram on the back)
- Cardboard figures of player characters and Adversaries
- 5 pre-generated Player-hero sheets
- Full set of polyhedral dice
A Great Way To Explore Middle-earth Using 5e
A Smooth Journey For Fans Of TTRPs & LOTR Alike
Now, I am admittedly already familiar with both The One Ring RPG and the 5e iteration of The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying, so this Starter Set isn’t exactly aimed at me. Still, my family and I found it an enjoyable experience – and I used the opportunity to teach my kids (major Lord of the Rings fans) more about the 5e ruleset.
For LOTR fans who have never touched 5e, but have wanted to try roleplaying in Middle-earth, this Starter Set is perfect for you. The rules do a great job of explaining how everything works, and the adventure itself (no spoilers) is the perfect balance between fan service and a fresh perspective.
No matter if you’re a newcomer or a veteran of 5e rules, The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying – Over Hill And Under Hill Starter Set is pretty much perfect for LOTR fans.
The real boost a Starter Set like this provides is through visuals and offering essential tools needed to start playing the game. In both respects, the Under Hill And Over Hill Starter Set thrives. There’s everything you need to get started, and the rules and subsequent adventure are both presented in easy-to-digest ways for both the GM and players alike.
Perfect For Beginners Wanting To Roleplay Lord Of The Rings
An Adventure That You Can Make The Most Of
The map and combat diagram are likely the most helpful for beginners, especially visual learners. The adventure itself took much longer than anticipated (this is a good thing) and we covered most of it in a few shorter sessions. I’d estimate it at around 5 hours total, despite the box’s 2-hour estimation. As with any tabletop game, though, the overall runtime depends on what a party does – and what the GM lets them do.
No matter if you’re a newcomer or a veteran of 5e rules, The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying – Over Hill And Under Hill Starter Set is pretty much perfect for LOTR fans. If you’ve ever remotely considered wanting to explore Middle-earth in a tabletop gaming environment, then I can’t recommend it highly enough.
