
Suggested 'War of the Ring' PBeM Game-Turn Sequence

Authored by Karl Kaufman, based on Rob Struble initial recommendations.
Feb 2, 2002


This document provides a stream-lined, and hopefully not too disruptive,
rework of the 'War of the Ring' sequence of play, designed to minimize
volleys in a PBeM gaming session.


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--- Sequence of Play Outline ---

Initial Game Setup (one time only, per game)

- Open the specific game file for the player you've opted to control, 
  and deal Event, Servant, Magic and, optionally, Search cards from their 
  playing piece trays to their respective game-map spaces.
- Deal out 3 Event Cards to each player's "Event Card" board.
- Email each opponent (and any spectators) their game file (only), and the
  saved "Initial Setup" move file.

Dark Power Control Phase
- Adjust game-turn indicator.
- Roll for control of Gollum.
- Reveal Shadow Points letter from previous game-turn.
- Select Shadow Points letter and roll die to determine available
  Shadow Points.
- Draw Search Card, and conduct searches where applicable.

Saruman Player-Turn  (Three-Player Game only)
- Draw Search Card, and conduct searches where applicable.
- Draw Event Card, and discard as needed.
- Move characters and armies.
- Conduct Individual Combat
- Conduct Army Combat
- Conduct Siege Combat (or Citadel Reduction)

Fellowship Player-Turn
- Roll to remove the Ring.
- On first game-turn only, collect the 4 magic cards from Rivendell,
  and deal out character cards and associated magic card(s) for 
  each character to the "Fellowship Characters" game board.  Use the
  special Ring and Ring "decoy" counters to identify the Ringbearer
  but to keep his/her identity and location secret.
- Draw Event Card, and discard as needed.
- Attempt escape, as appropriate and/or needed.
- Move characters and armies.
- Conduct Individual Combat
- Conduct Army Combat

Dark Power Player-Turn
- Draw Event Card, and discard as needed.
- Move characters and armies.
- Conduct Individual Combat
- Conduct Army Combat
- Conduct Siege Combat (or Citadel Reduction)


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--- File Naming Recommendation ---

It is recommended that the following file naming format be used when exporting/saving
game move files to be emailed, to facilitate recovery and/or historical review of a 
game.


Filename Format       Player       Description        
-------------------   ----------   -------------------------------------

<name>-00-Init.gmv    Any          Initial card deck setup and event card
                                   deal.

<name>-<GT#>-1.gmv    Dark Power   Adjust game-turn indicator, roll for 
                                   control of Gollum, Shadow Points 
                                   reveal and determination and Search.

<name>-<GT#>-2.gmv    Fellowship   Attempt to remove the Ring, draw/discard
                                   Event Cards, attempt escapes, character/army
                                   movement, collect magic cards, individual
                                   combat, army combat.

<name>-<GT#>-3.gmv    Dark Power   Conduct add'l searches, move, individual
                                   combat, army combat, siege combat (or 
                                   citadel reduction).

  Example filename:

    WotR_RK1-01-3.gmv


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-- PBeM Tips ---

- Agree to a documented sequence of play.
- Each player needs to take care to save/export their move files *and*
  save their game file on exiting.
- Email only the game MOVE files to the other player(s).  (See the 
  "Alternate" PBeM sequence file for a suggested naming convention to 
  be used when saving/exporting game move files.)

  PLEASE don't hesitate to email us playtested sequence-of-play outlines
  that you find to work well.


