Race to Mount Doom
Following the success of the Spring 2002 League Kit as a tool for community-building, Decipher elaborated on the concept with the Race to Mount Doom reusable league kits in October 2002[1]. Expanding upon the "Encounter" system of the earlier kit, the Race incorporated a randomized and reusable system of modifiers that would alter league games. Players would progress down the "path" of unique modifiers, earning themselves harder and harder challenges to confront during each game. Participation was further incentivized by the awarding of exclusive Pins and Foils (both randomized and static promos).
Race to Mount Doom would receive a refreshed re-release the following year in November 2003[2], just in time for The Return of the King. This included a new wall mat using ROTK imagery and a further-expanded list of path modifiers, as well as an update to the Pins and foil promos used as awards. Race was extremely popular for the two years of its promotion[3], and is often referred to fondly to this day.
Unlike the league kits before it, the Race to Mount Doom had both a retail version and a home version of the kit (which was identical except for the omission of prize and advertisement support).
The Race format was implemented digitally on the official Lord of the Rings Online TCG client, a feat later matched by the fan-based mLOTRO platform.
For more detailed information on the contents and gameplay of these kits, please see the dedicated articles below:
References
