## Readme - WotR v3-0; Mar 6, 2002 ## War of the Ring (SPI) (c)1977 ===================================================================== Original Game Design Credits --- Game Design: Howard Barasch, Richard Berg Physical Systems and Graphic Design: Redmond A. Simonson Game Development: B.E. Hessel, Eric Goldberg Cover and Character Illustrations: Tim Kirk Acknowledgements: Scott Rosenberg, The Mythopoeic Society Playtesting: John Butterfield, Gary Christiansen, Gilbert Colgate, Marty Goldberge, Ben Grossman, Edward Woods Production: Bill Bauer, Larry Catalano, Manfred F. Milkuhn, Steve Parsons, Norman Pearl, Bob Ryer ===================================================================== --- Cyberboard Gamebox Details --- !! Ownership of the original game by at least one player is required to play this gamebox. Gamebox File: SPI-WotR v3-0.gbx Description: Base components, plus some additions, for the SPI 'War of the Ring' game. Includes 2 versions of the game-map. Release Date: Mar 6, 2002 Gamebox Author: Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman Graphics pulled from John Amenta's ADC2 gameset. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- Enhanced Map Scenarios --- Scenario: War of the Ring -- The Character Game Standard 'Character Game' setup as described in 2nd Edition rules; uses "enhanced" game-map. No. of Players: 2 Scenario File: SPI-WotR - Character Game v3-0.gsn Scenario Version: v3-0 Release Date: Mar 6, 2002 Scenario Author: Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman Gamebox Req'd: SPI-WotR v3-0+ Scenario: War of the Ring -- The Campaign Game Standard 'Campaign Game' setup as described in 2nd Edition rules; uses "enhanced" game-map. No. of Players: 2 Scenario File: SPI-WotR - Campaign Game v3-0.gsn Scenario Version: v3-0 Release Date: Mar 6, 2002 Scenario Author: Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman Gamebox Req'd: SPI-WotR v3-0+ Scenario: War of the Ring -- The Three Player Game Standard 'Three Player Game' setup as described in 2nd Edition rules; uses "enhanced" game-map. No. of Players: 3 Scenario File: SPI-WotR - Three Player Game v3-0.gsn Scenario Version: v3-0 Release Date: Mar 6, 2002 Scenario Author: Robert Struble, Karl Kaufman Gamebox Req'd: SPI-WotR v3-0+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Now go ahead and play. Have fun and please feel free to let us know if you notice any errors or to suggest any changes to improve the gamebox. Robert Struble Karl Kaufman Character Game Quick-Start: ====================================================================== [Find a Game] - Find an opponent, choose sides and dettermine an acceptable game-turn sequence of play. (See the "Suggested PBeM Game-Turn Sequence" file for one way to approach WotR via eMail.) [Initialize the Game] - Open CyberBoard and select [File->New::Game] - Open the Character Game scenario file.. - Append personal names to the player laabels, if desired. - Save the initial game files with a shoort, logical name; the player labels/names will be appended to this base filename to create unique names for each player-specific game file. For example, specifying "WotR_RK2" as the base filename might result in the following player-specific game files: WotR_RK2-Dark Power Player (Karl).gam WotR_RK2-Fellowship (Rob).gam WotR_RK2-Spectator.gam Format: -.gam - Open the specific game file for the pllayer you've selected, and deal out 3 Event Cards to each player's "Event Card" board. - If the game-map card spaces are to be used for the Event, Search and/or Magic Cards, deal out all the cards from their playing piece trays to their appropriate game-map spaces. - Email each opponent (and any spectatorrs) their game file, and the saved initial setup move file(s). Here's a sample name for the move file, to facilitate tracking and historical review of the game: Format: ---.gmv Example: WotR_RK2-01-0-Dark Power Player (Karl).gam [PBeM!!] - Begin the first game-turn, following wwhatever sequence of play was agreed to. - Each player needs to take care to savee/export their move files *and* save their game file on exiting. - Email only the game MOVE files to the other player(s). (See the "Suggested" 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. Of most concern is how to facilite the feedback-heavy individual and army combat occurrences. Important Gameplay Notes: ====================================================================== - With the introduction of the "enhancedd" map, hex labels for the original game-map have been sync'd with the CyberBoard hex numbering mechanism, with the following caveat: CyberBoard hex numbers 3300+ must be translated to "East Map" hex numbers by subtracting 3200 from the CB hex coordinates and prefixing "E" (hexes 1-3299 simply need to be prefixed with a "W"). Translation between the CyberBoard and Original map coordinates: Original => CyberBoard: West Map (Wnnnn) hexes: Read normally, without the "W" East map (Ennnn) hexes: Add 3200 and drop the "E."; E0417 = 3617. CyberBoard => Original CyberBoard Hexes 0001-3299: Just prefix "W" CyberBoard Hexes 3300+: Subtract 3200, and prefix "E" - On his/her first Player-Turn, the Felllowship Player needs to deal character cards, Ring indicators, and magic cards to the "Fellowship Characters" Board. Ownership of the gameboard and pieces will prevent opponents from viewing the cards, but be sure to use the "normalized" cards -- with Frodo and the Ring on the back -- to keep character identities secret. (The original cards are included for historical reasons and to allow the Dark Power Player to view character attributes.) - The Fellowship Player needs to grab ann initial set of 4 magic cards, from Rivendell, at the beginning the first Fellowship Player-turn. - The Gollum card is associated w/ the FFellowship Player in the "Gollum Allegiance Indicator" at game-start to reflect initial "control" of Gollum by the Fellowship player. (Remember, then, that the initial Ring Phase roll for Gollum should be skewed to the Fellowship Player, subtracting 1 from the die roll.) - Movement of members of the Fellowship should always be documented through "plotted" moves to ensure that transient incursions through target search territories can be identified. - It's debatable whether the Event Card Discard pile is needed *if* Event Cards are being drawn directly from the Event Card playing piece tray. It would provide an interesting approach to return unwanted cards back to the Event Card playing piece tray for add'l random draws. CyberBoard Notes: ====================================================================== - Paraphrased from the Cyberboard Playerr manual... Once a scenario is set up you can create and start a game. The state of a game is stored in a different file than the Scenario file, a game file, and, in fact, once a game is started the scenario file is no longer required. However, the gamebox file is *ALWAYS* required. Here are the filename suffixes for each file type: *.gbx: Gamebox (provides game components for building game scenarios) *.gsn: Scenario (sets up game components in an initial state, ready for a game) *.gam: Game instance (player-specific game files for a started game [i.e. scenario]) *.gmv: Game move history file (move history saved/exported, and emailed between player) Additional Resources: ====================================================================== CyberBoard Home: http://cyberboard.brainiac.com/index.html CyberBoard Mailing List: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CyberboardML PBeM Emporium: http://pbem.brainiac.com Web-Grognards: http://grognard.com/ Tolkien Wargames website: http://matrix.dumpshock.com/tzeentch/Tolkien/tolkien.htm Known Issues: ====================================================================== Gamebox Known Issues: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - Duplicate maps in gamebox drastically increases the size of the gamebox file. - Game-Map playing boards lack the W00000 and E0000 hex space labels from the original game map making counter placement and rules coordination difficult. (However, the "(enhanced)" Game-Map does provide an acceptable compromise through synchronization with the CyberBoard hex numbering mechanism.) - Character Card graphics need to be upddated to improve resolution. (compare Nazguls 3-9 w/ all others) - Gamebox is lacking the charts and tablles; and would also benefit from a summary sheet of all character attibutes, and event, magic and search cards. (Inclusion of rules is strictly off-limits as this gamebox is intended only to supplement a hardcopy of the game for those who can't find nearby opponents.) - Game-map text, symbols and other detaiil, in general, aren't detailed enough. Scenario(s) Known Issues: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - None, yet, so please email whatever yoou find. As well as suggestions for other scenarios, should the base files not meet the initial setup needs of your house/variant rules. History: ====================================================================== Version 3-0; Mar 6, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Key improvements since v2-0: - Scenario files for all 3 standard gamees. - Playing piece ownership implemented, aas needed. - Shadow Points letter counters. - Pseudo "hidden" movement counters - Updated graphics for counters and cardds. - Game piece text added. - Game-map synced w/ CyberBoard hex numbbering. - Game-map redesigned/re-oriented for CyyberBoard. - Update to suggested PBeM play sequencee. - Corrections to cards/counters. - Addition of missing cards/counters. Misc. fixes since v2.9.1: - Removed back of double-sided replacemeent counters. - Brightened Magic and SoS hex symbols. - Removed ownership on army counter playying piece trays. - Added player-owned Event Card playing piece trays. Version 2.9.1; Feb 2, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - Added empty notes to Servants and Charracter Cards to keep identities secret (due to bug in CyberBoard), and removed text note from Ring indicator. Version 2.9; Feb 2, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - Added Shadow Points letter counters too gamebox, and added playing piece tray to each scenario. Version 2.8; Feb 1, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- - Added enhanced map and scenarios proviiding hex space association, improved orientation and placement of game cards, and maximum usage of the game-map. - Added colors to the "tiny board view" icons. - Corrected placement for "Iron Hills" ddwarves in original map army scenarios. - Updated PBeM sequence-of-play recommenndations. Version 2.7; Jan 30, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gamebox changes: - Graphics update: color-matching w/ caard set, added sorcery die-roll info to Balrog card, new scan of Nazgul beasts, added half-size counter art, removed boxes from endurance markers, replaced endurance chart graphic (again!), sync'd card fonts w/ original cards, rescan of "hand" for Saruman cards, added numbering and card-type text to all cards, fixed dwarf strength point smudge, modified Gandalf counter to read "... the Grey", added gray border to right of main map board as misc short-term holding area for reinforcements. - Added counter detail, starting hex andd reinforcement locations to counter text notes. - Added character card note to card fronnt text notes. - Added missing text for Event and Magicc Cards, and added text notes for all Event, Magic and Search card fronts. - Set all Event, Magic and Search cards to only allow viewing of Top of card; flip-flopped Event/Search/Magic/Servants piece definitions to insure only back-side is visible to opponents. - Added new set of Fellowship and Free PPeoples character cards with uniform backs to insure secrecy on the gameboard, and flipped fellowship counters for same reason. Also, added new set of counters for all characters with uniform tops to provide secrecy in hidden movement games (including Dark Power and Saruman characters). - Added "Active Card List" gameboard, too make it easier to scan the map during search, and to track active Event and Magic cards. - Verified all counter quantities/detaill: fixed 'Men' counters w/ incorrect backing, re-ordered Saruman counters, fixed 4 dwarf spare counters (were 5-5 fronts, now 2-5), fixed front of 4 Dunlending spare counters, added missing Mordor Troll spare, added new single-sided counters for back-sides of spare combat units for "owned" play. Changes to scenario file(s): - Sync'd scenarios w/ new gamebox filenaame. - Set ownership for gameboard pieces, annd put Fellowship back on map. - Removed Event Card playing piece boardds, in favor of using trays -- with access appropriately set. Misc changes: - Updated RobS email address throughout (new = rwstruble@cox.net). Version 2.6; Jan 25, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gamebox changes: - Replaced endurance chart graphic. Changes to scenario file(s): - Updated each scenario with new endurannce chart. Misc changes: - Updated RobS email address throughout (new = rwstruble@cox.net). Version 2.5; Jan 24, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gamebox changes: - Fixed Nazgul #5-9 card backs using exiisting artwork; cards all previously said "Nazgul #4"; normalized counter colors (matched FP character ctr colors with their respective armies, and modified Elves bow graphic). - Added "Saruman Event Cards" game boardd. - Modified Event Card and Fellowship Carrd gameboards with new text content and sizing, and increased Fellowship Card gameboard dimensions to accommodate hidden group markers and Free Peoples cards. - Added add'l Fellowship group markers tto facilitate secrecy during movement (assuming non-Fellowship Free Peoples characters would also move under the hidden movement system, if not travelling within an army unit). - Added "Gollum Allegiance Indicator" gaame board, to hold the Gollum card and to facilitate tracking control of Gollum. Changes to scenario file(s): - Consolidated playing piece trays, sortting all army reinforcement counters by their game entrance order. (Still no hex numbers, though.) - Normalized component naming across sceenario files. - Built three-player scenario, and then dropped the Saruman user to create the Campaign scenario. - Integrated "Gollum Allegiance Indicatoor" into all scenarios. Version 2.3; Jan 23, 2002; Karl Kaufman ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Gamebox changes: - Updated the gamebox to include the folllowing (repeated) Event cards, missing from the original gamebox: 58 Misty Passes Open - Any Player (same as 57) 59 Misty Passes Open - Any Player (same as 57) 61 Fierce Storms - Any Player (same as 60) 62 Fierce Storms - Any Player (same as 60) 65 Rivers Flooded - Any Player (same as 63) 67 Elven Boats - Fellowship Player (same as 66) 73 Eagles! - Fellowship Player (same as 72) 85 Orcs in State of Battle Frenzy - Any Player (same as 84) - Added card geometrys for snap-to-grid.. - Added a new endurance marker, a slash,, "/" -- for non-lethal injury to Nazgul. - Verified search card regions as A-OK. - Added missing Mordor reinforcement couunters to "Darkness" counters using existing artwork: (3) 2-5 Mordor reinforcement counters. (1) 20-4 Barad Dur (1) 4-5 Uruk Hai - Modified (6) 4-7 "Lebennin" reinforcemment cavalry units to correct region associations: (2) each for Lebennin, Lamedon and Anfalas. - Tweaked Celeborn counter back, changinng erroneous initial location of W2812 to W2918. - Brand and Dale 10-5 initial counter loocations were wrong: indicated E0807 but should be E0808. This was a carryover from the original WotR game counters, but has now been corrected in the gamebox. Changes to scenario file(s): - Updated to use new gamebox file. - Updated properties for scenario w/ chaanges to PBeM game-turn flow. - Modified "card" playing boards to use 'Snap to Grid,' after tweaking grid to 143Wx215H. - Added players, and modified ownership of numerous boards and trays. - Moved 'Ring' magic card to Fellowship card tray, under Frodo. - Moved Event, Search and non-Palantir mmagic cards from 'Gameboard' to their respective playing piece trays, with the intent of being able to hide their content and to provide randomization. (May still need to create an "Event Discard" tray.) - Removed non-Character Game event cardss (#83-96) from character scenario, and added missing event cards, as needed. - Removed Gandalf the White from initiall Rivendell stack, and dumped him into the Fellowship (counters) playing piece tray. - Flip-flopped Gollum counter/card to reeflect initial setup in rules book. See E.9: Fellowship "controls" Gollum at game start. Gollum's card has been placed in the "Fellowship (cards)" tray to start. - Sorted campaign reinf. counters withinn their trays by their M+n arrival order. Versions 1.2/2.0; Jan 2, 2002; Rob Struble ----------------------------------------------------------------------- There are two versions of this gamebox. 1 - LotR v1_2 contains a hand made map and as such is sized at svelte 1,007Kb (zips to 907Kb). This means you can take it with you on a floppy or e-mail it to someone without fear of rejection by a finicky ISP. This version also includes a card mat to permit "shuffling" (it was made before the release of Cyberboard 2 and the advent of true card shuffling). The counters and cards are legible at most every resolution. 2 - LotR true map v2 contains a map scan and weighs in at a whopping 1,768Kb (zips to 1,739Kb). In return for the hefty Kb size you get a gamebox that is visually identical to playing the tabletop game. Cards are actually placed on the gamemap, likewise with the turn and shadow point markers. Be warned, the cards and counters are a bit hard to read in the 1/2 scale boards. Versions 1.1; Apr 25, 2001; Rob Struble ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Update. Versions 1.0; Mar 21, 2001; Rob Struble ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Initial release.