The Fellowship of the Ring: Difference between revisions

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This was it.  This was the set that kicked off the Lord of the Rings TCG.  Released November 6th, 2001, one month before the theatrical release of the movie by the same name, ''The Fellowship of the Ring'' laid down the groundwork for every set that followed it.  This was the first "base set", and it started a pattern that would define the Movie block regular release schedule: one base set to lay down the foundation followed by two expansions to fill in the gaps.
This was it.  This was the set that kicked off [[The Lord of the Rings TCG]].  Released November 6th, 2001, one month before the theatrical release of the movie by the same name, '''The Fellowship of the Ring''' (commonly abbreviated as '''FOTR''') laid down the groundwork for every set that followed it.  This was the first "base set", and it started a pattern that would define the Movie block regular release schedule: for each movie, one base set to lay down the foundation followed by two expansions to fill in the gaps.


''Fellowship'' took most of its direction cues from the dramatic combat conflicts of the first movie.  Elf and Gondor cards used many scenes from the prologue battle with Sauron, while Moria and Isengard were spearheaded by the likes of {{Card|1R165}} and {{Card|1R127}}. Being a fresh new game, most strategies relied on brute force on one side or another, and this worked well with the expectations of a new player base.
FOTR took most of its direction cues from the dramatic combat conflicts of the first movie.  {{C|Elven}} and {{C|Gondor}} cards used many scenes from the prologue battle with Sauron, while {{C|Moria}} and {{C|Isengard}} were spearheaded by the likes of {{Card|1R165}} and {{Card|1R127}}. Being a fresh new game, most strategies relied on simple interactions on one side or another, which worked well with the new player base.


Because the cards use stills from a movie that wouldn't come out for another month, New Line Cinema prevented Decipher from releasing images they considered spoilers until the later expansions.  As a result, ''Fellowship'' included some "prophetic" cards that referenced other cards yet to be printed.  {{Card|1C349}} was the only site 5 in the set, making it impossible to play without it, so you could imagine players' confusion as they looked down the spoiler sheet only to find that the Balrog was nowhere to be found! The first two versions of the Balrog were released in [[Mines of Moria]] four months later, but until then the site was a constant reminder of bigger and better things to come.  Similarly, {{Card|1R310}} references {{Card|3U106}}, who was not released until [[Realms of the Elf-lords]].
Many of the core mechanics took cues from the story of FOTR, which persisted throughout the lifetime of the game even when later blocks did not line up with their inclusion quite so well.  For instance, [[Sanctuary|Sanctuaries]] being at site 3 and 6 lines up with Rivendell and Lothlorien; the [[Rule of 9]] restricting the number of companions that can be played comes straight from the Fellowship's canonical size; and an emphasis on protecting the [[Ring-bearer]], [[Frodo]], at the expense of all other companions.


[[File:LOTR-EN00M001.0_card.jpg|frame|left|A card used to promote the release.  Note the early differences, such as the flat Twilight icon.]] [[File:LOTR-EN00M002.0_card.jpg|frame|right|The reverse side.  Note the early differences, such as the switched Culture icon / background watermark.]]
Because the cards were released a month before the movie itself did, New Line Cinema prevented Decipher from releasing images they considered "spoilers" until after the movie.  As a result, FOTR included some "prophetic" cards that referenced other cards yet to be printed.  {{Card|1C349}} was the only site 5 in the set, making it impossible to play without it, so you could imagine players' confusion as they looked down the spoiler sheet only to find that the Balrog was nowhere to be found! The first two versions of the Balrog were released in [[Mines of Moria]] four months later, but until then the site was a constant reminder of bigger and better things to come.  Similarly, {{Card|Sam, Faithful Companion}} references {{Card|Bill the Pony}}, who was not released until [[Realms of the Elf-lords]]; and {{Card|Gandalf's Cart}} refers to [[Artifact]]s, which were not released until MOM and ROTEL.
 
[[File:LOTR-EN00M001.0_card.jpg|frame|left|A card used to promote the release.  Note the early differences compared to the finalized {{C|Gandalf}} culture template, such as the flat Twilight icon.]] [[File:LOTR-EN00M002.0_card.jpg|frame|right|The reverse side.  Note the early differences compared to the finalized {{C|Moria}} culture template, such as the switched Culture icon / background watermark and brighter / more saturated colors.]]




{{Set Table}}
{{Set Table}}

Revision as of 22:34, 7 January 2023

Promotional Set
Back to Main Page 		Mines of Moria
Set Info
Index
Thumbs
Product


The Fellowship of the Ring
ID1
NameThe Fellowship of the Ring
CreatorDecipher
Release Date2001-11-06
Is OfficialYes
PlatformsPaper • LotR-O • GEMP • mLOTRO • Tabletop Simulator • Lackey • gccg
Notes


This was it. This was the set that kicked off The Lord of the Rings TCG. Released November 6th, 2001, one month before the theatrical release of the movie by the same name, The Fellowship of the Ring (commonly abbreviated as FOTR) laid down the groundwork for every set that followed it. This was the first "base set", and it started a pattern that would define the Movie block regular release schedule: for each movie, one base set to lay down the foundation followed by two expansions to fill in the gaps.

FOTR took most of its direction cues from the dramatic combat conflicts of the first movie. Elven and Gondor cards used many scenes from the prologue battle with Sauron, while Moria and Isengard were spearheaded by the likes of Cave Troll of Moria, Scourge of the Black Pit (1R165) and Lurtz, Servant of Isengard (1R127) . Being a fresh new game, most strategies relied on simple interactions on one side or another, which worked well with the new player base.

Many of the core mechanics took cues from the story of FOTR, which persisted throughout the lifetime of the game even when later blocks did not line up with their inclusion quite so well. For instance, Sanctuaries being at site 3 and 6 lines up with Rivendell and Lothlorien; the Rule of 9 restricting the number of companions that can be played comes straight from the Fellowship's canonical size; and an emphasis on protecting the Ring-bearer, Frodo, at the expense of all other companions.

Because the cards were released a month before the movie itself did, New Line Cinema prevented Decipher from releasing images they considered "spoilers" until after the movie. As a result, FOTR included some "prophetic" cards that referenced other cards yet to be printed. The Bridge of Khazad-dûm (1C349) was the only site 5 in the set, making it impossible to play without it, so you could imagine players' confusion as they looked down the spoiler sheet only to find that the Balrog was nowhere to be found! The first two versions of the Balrog were released in Mines of Moria four months later, but until then the site was a constant reminder of bigger and better things to come. Similarly, Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310) references Bill the Pony (3U106) , who was not released until Realms of the Elf-lords; and Gandalf's Cart (1U73) refers to Artifacts, which were not released until MOM and ROTEL.

A card used to promote the release. Note the early differences compared to the finalized Gandalf culture template, such as the flat Twilight icon.
The reverse side. Note the early differences compared to the finalized Moria culture template, such as the switched Culture icon / background watermark and brighter / more saturated colors.


Sets
Official Decipher Sets Promotional Promotional
Fellowship Block The Fellowship of the Ring • Mines of Moria • Realms of the Elf-lords
Towers Block The Two Towers • Battle of Helm's Deep • Ents of Fangorn
King Block The Return of the King • Siege of Gondor • Mount Doom
War of the Ring Block Shadows • Black Rider • Bloodlines
Hunters Block The Hunters • Rise of Saruman • Treachery & Deceit
Non-Block Sets Reflections • Expanded Middle-earth • The Wraith Collection • Age's End
Unreleased Sets The Great Eye • Shelob's Lair
Unofficial Fan Sets Player's Council PC Kitchen Sink (V0) • Shadow of the Past (V1)
The Hobbit Draft Game Main Deck • Shadow Packs • Supplementary Packs
mLOTRO MLOTRO Promo Cards • MLOTRO Reflections II
The Journey Continues The Journey Begins
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