Free League Publishing's tabletop role-playing game based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, The One Ring, has broken its own crowdfunding records. The latest campaign, focused on revised rules, a new bestiary, and a campaign book, has raised $2.6 million on BackerKit. This figure surpasses the $1.7 million generated in 2021 for the second edition of the game.
Lead designer Francesco Nepitello stated that the revisions came from extensive playtesting. "Most game designers are tinkers, so you always change your mind about things," Nepitello explained. "Eight months ago, I was of a mind to go to a full third version, but I backpedaled when I started playing with friends. They were not prepared for some of the changes."
While maintaining a close adherence to Tolkien's work, the new rules introduce a combat initiative system, moving away from the previous design where players always acted first. "It’s a matter of balance," Nepitello said. "If you allow the players to go first all the time, by the time the adversaries start doing something, they’ve been cut down to half the size of what they were before, and that’s just silly."
The updated core book will integrate the Strider Mode solo rules, originally released digitally in 2022 and since incorporated into other The One Ring supplements. Nepitello noted the utility of solo play, calling it "a very useful tool as a game master to just come up with stories that you can play by yourself and then present to your players."
The majority of adversaries will be housed in a dedicated bestiary, featuring updated statistics, rules, and lore for creatures such as dragons, ents, oliphaunts, and the Ringwraiths, aiming for canonical accuracy.
Intrigue and Giant Boars
Designer Gareth Hanrahan's campaign book, The White Tower and the Hall of Gold, explores the political landscape of Gondor and Rohan, offering campaigns centered on intrigue. "There are different factions who are trying to take advantage of their strife, and the players can align with one or the other," Hanrahan said. He drew inspiration from lesser-known aspects of Tolkien's writing and Anglo-Saxon mythology to create new threats, such as the great boar of Everholt.
The campaign book also revises mounted combat rules, addressing an issue where a Rider of Rohan character might not have a horse initially. "The other players were making fun of the Rider of Rohan player because you’re a Rider of Rohan and you’re walking like a beggar, so of course we had to change that," Nepitello recounted.
In addition to The One Ring, Free League is also funding Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition-compatible versions of these books for The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying, released in 2023. "It’s a safe option," Hanrahan commented on the D&D compatibility. "You have the most popular game and the most popular fantasy setting. Put them together."
The crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit runs through October 15, with pledges starting at $25 for digital content. Physical book orders are expected to be delivered by October 2027.