The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Attack on Dol Guldur
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game – Attack on Dol Guldur Rulebook
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Expansion Symbol
The cards in the Attack on Dol Guldur scenario can be identified by this symbol (a flaming skull icon) before each card's collector number.
Scenario Rules
Attack on Dol Guldur can be played in one of two game modes: standard game mode and epic multiplayer mode. Standard game mode supports 1–4 players and requires only 1 copy of Attack on Dol Guldur. Epic multiplayer mode supports 3–12 players and requires 3 copies of Attack on Dol Guldur. To play in standard game mode, follow the Setup instructions on the double-sided setup card labeled "Standard Game Mode." To play in epic multiplayer mode, follow the Setup instructions on the double-sided setup card labeled "Epic Multiplayer Mode."
Epic Multiplayer Mode
Epic multiplayer mode divides a group of 3–12 players into 3 teams who play at 3 different stages simultaneously. Each stage is its own game and requires its own encounter deck to play. The teams at each stage must work together in order to defeat the scenario.
Setting Up Epic Multiplayer Mode
The Setup instructions on the epic multiplayer mode setup card instruct the players to create 3 separate staging areas with 3 different quest decks. Each quest deck is built with all 6 quest cards included in a single copy of Attack on Dol Guldur.
Next, the players divide themselves into 3 teams, one team for each stage. At least 1 player must be assigned to each stage, and no more than 4 players can be assigned to a single stage.
Only 1 copy of the epic multiplayer mode setup card should be used by the group while setting up the game. After completing the Setup instructions, flip over all 3 Setup cards and place 1 next to each quest deck.
Playing Epic Multiplayer Mode
The players at each stage are the only players in the game at that stage. That means it is possible for two players at different stages to use the same hero. However, players at the same stage must observe the game restrictions on unique cards. Player cards cannot target or affect cards at a different stage.
When a team ends a round at their stage they do not advance to the next round of play until each other team in that group is ready to advance. Furthermore, abilities that trigger at the end of the round resolve in alphabetical stage order. (Resolve end of round effects at stage 3B before resolving end of round effects at stage 3D, etc.)
Immune to Player Card Effects
Cards with the text "Immune to player card effects" ignore the effects of all player cards. Additionally, cards that are immune to player card effects cannot be chosen as targets of player card effects.
City Strength
"City strength" represents the amount of damage that must be dealt to Dol Guldur in order to capture the fortress. To set the city strength of Dol Guldur during setup, take a threat tracker, place it next to Dol Guldur, and set its value to the amount determined by the Setup card. That threat tracker is the "siege tracker" for the rest of the game.
Siege
Siege is a value that appears on the lower right corner of many enemies and locations in this scenario. While the players are at stage 3, Dol Guldur's city strength is reduced by the siege value of each location explored and each enemy defeated at each stage at the end of the round.
Indestructible
An enemy with the indestructible keyword cannot be destroyed by damage, even when it has damage on it equal to its hit points.
Archery X
While a card with the archery keyword is in play, players must deal damage to character cards in play equal to the specified archery value at the beginning of each combat phase. This damage can be dealt to characters under any player's control, and it can be divided among the players as they see fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the difference between a 'group' and a 'team'?
A. 'Group' refers to the 3–12 players who are participating in the event together. 'Team' refers to the 1–4 players at the same stage.
Q. What does it mean for a card to be "in a victory display"?
A. A card is in a victory display if it is in the victory display of any team in your group.
Setup
The Setup instructions are printed on the double-sided Setup cards. The front of each card gives the setup instructions; the back gives the scenario's rules for stage 3 and for winning or losing the game. The back of each card is transcribed below under the mode it belongs to.
Standard Game Mode
Setup (front of the "Standard Game Mode" card): Add Dol Guldur to the staging area, attach a threat dial to it, and set its value to 5. Then, increase its value by 5 for each player. For the rest of the game, that threat dial is the siege tracker and it displays the city strength of Dol Guldur. Flip this card over.
Back of the "Standard Game Mode" card:
While Dol Guldur's city strength is 0, each Lieutenant enemy loses indestructible.
While the players are at stage 3, this card gains: "Forced: After resolving the Forced effect on Dol Guldur, randomly select a stage 3 that was not in play this round and resolve its Forced effect. Then, discard all progress from the current stage 3 and advance to a new stage 3 of your choice."
At the end of the round, if Dol Guldur's city strength is 0 and there are no Lieutenant enemies in play, Dol Guldur is captured and the players win the game.
Epic Multiplayer Mode
Setup (front of the "Epic Multiplayer Mode" card): Create 3 separate staging areas, each with its own quest deck and encounter deck. Divide the players into 3 teams, one for each staging area. One team puts Dol Guldur into play in their staging area, attaches a threat dial to it, and sets its value to 5. Then, increase its value by 5 for each player at each stage. For the rest of the game, that threat dial is the siege tracker and it displays the city strength of Dol Guldur. Each other team removes their copy of Dol Guldur from the game. Flip this card over.
Back of the "Epic Multiplayer Mode" card:
While Dol Guldur's city strength is 0, each Lieutenant enemy loses indestructible.
While the players are at stage 3, this card gains: "Forced: After resolving the Forced effect on Dol Guldur, the team with Dol Guldur in their staging area resolves the Forced effect on the stage 3 that was not in play at any stage this round. Then, each team discards all progress from their stage 3 and advances to a new stage 3 of their choice. Each team must choose a different stage."
Response: At the end of the round, a player who controls Host of Lórien or Power of Lórien may give control of that card to another player at any stage.
If the last player at a stage is eliminated, the siege fails and the entire group loses the game. At the end of the round, if Dol Guldur's city strength is 0 and there are no Lieutenant enemies in play at each stage, Dol Guldur is captured and the players win the game.