In addition to the primary Modules offered by Middle-earth Games – (Third Age 1650, Third Age 2950, 4th Age 1000, Kin-strife, and Champions of Middle-earth), other Modules have been created and are available to players from time to time.
As well as standard games of the modules, Middle-earth Games also runs a number of variants on them. The following are the most common variants currently being run.
This variant of both 1650 and 2950 modules sees one of the neutral positions removed from play and the remaining four neutral positions divided amongst the Free People and the Dark Servants at game start.
For 1650 games, typically the Easterlings are removed, Rhudaur and Harad allied to the Dark Servants, and the Dunlendings and Corsairs allied to the Free Peoples.
For 2950 games, typically the Rhun Easterlings are removed, Corsairs and Khand Easterlings are allied to the Dark Servants, and the White Wizard and Dunlendings allied to the Free Peoples.
This variant is typically chosen by groups of players who wish to join up as large teams. A derivation of this is the 10 vs. 10 variant, where all the neutral nations are removed at game start.
In this variant no diplomacy is allowed, nor any form of contact between members of the same allegiance. Players run two nations each (in some cases, three nations each), with a total of 6 (or 4) players on a side. Neutrals are pre-aligned. The exact distribution of nations into pairs (or Duos) varies from game to game, and some nations are modified.
The standard battle of Good vs. Evil is done away with in this variant. Instead, it’s everyone for himself, for the most part. The removal of the old division of good vs. evil means that unusual alliances can be formed.
This uses the Battle of the Five Armies nations, but with the full 1650 rules. Some games are set to end on turn 10, others are open- ended.
This is a variant of the 2950 module, where starting nations are ‘boosted’ so that they are of similar strength to 1650 starting nations, with larger armies, and upgraded population centres.
Additional information about the other modules and variants will be added to this site in the future. Until then, please review the Middle-earth Guide.
Starting with the Las Vegas Face to Face Game in Summer 2019, and then again during the COVID-19 Pandemic in 2020 & 2021, Middle-earth Games offered a series on games with a rewards system where players could spent points to customize their own nation. While the rewards were tweaked from game to game, you can review the rewards system used in Game 918, an All-Neutrals 3rd Age 1650 game that began in March 2021.
The content in the Other Modules section is from The Middle-earth PBM Guide by Middle-earth Games.