Strategy hints?

[larryavisbrown]

I've played Pandemic and Forbidden Island, etc. but "Fate" appears much more complex. Any discussion of suggested strategies, especially for the beginning of the game, would be appreciated.

[Digital Board Gamer]

playing solo?

[larryavisbrown]

Actually I play as two players using the Hot Seat option. I could try three players if more characters would help.

[breno_salomon]

I think hints are really character dependant and how many are playing. If is the introdutory setup and you are using 2 characters, I would suggest using the initial moment that Frodo & Sam and Merry & Pippin are together to exchange cards or if possible to use Merry & Pippin song ability in order to boost Hope. After that is a good idea to create a conflict somewhere to drag the eye away from its initial position.

Regarding card objectives, I found it easier to conquer Isengard first then completing Riverdell.

Also before attempting the 3rd objective is a good idea to let 6 to 7 green resources, 1 or 2 purple hearts and at least 5 rings at Frodo & Sam disposal. It is optimal to do the 3rd objective and attempt Mount Doom not long after.

[larryavisbrown]

Thank you. I'll try these suggestions next time.

[aush22]

I would suggest using the initial moment that Frodo & Sam and Merry & Pippin are together to exchange cards or if possible to use Merry & Pippin song ability in order to boost Hope. After that is a good idea to create a conflict somewhere to drag the eye away from its initial position.

Pippin and Merry’s song is inefficient as it gives 2 hope for 3 hearts, so it’s often better to use in anticipation of losing a haven you don’t plan to take back.

My basic advice is to keep the eye off of Frodo as much as possible by starting small fights, maximize Frodo’s time at havens where he can prepare and get those extra hearts for objectives/muster/mitigating hope loss, don’t be afraid to roll searches of 1-2 dice, and pepper the board with single units as barriers. The shadow troops are aggressive and always roll max dice so a fight with one of your troops vs 4 of theirs usually ends worse for them.

[rykerrk]

I definitely think your goal should be to cast the ring into the mountain, quick as you can.

[Goldwise]

Alot of these are redunant or obvious, but they need to be stated:

Move other characters with your characters to optimize travel when appropiate.

Prepare cards when appropiate. Frodo should prepare rings, cloaks, even hearts.

Try to keep the eye off Frodo at the end of turns. Start battles elsewhere. But this is a rule of thumb. Not strict rule.

Characters who can muster troops, should definitely prioritize this ability.

Sometimes I take Frodo to Rivendell. But sometimes maybe he hangs out at the shire/gray havens and will take double heart route to Gondor.

Pay good attention to cards characters can trade using fellowship. Plan ahead for haven meetups to trade. Remember Arwen does not require the region to match when trading. Frodo needs 5 rings!

Keep characters in appropiate locations to defend the backline havens. But at some point, you typically have to go all in on mordor(bringing troops to the gate) and decrease defensive efforts.

[JuniHart]

Some more strategy hints:

There are only 12 Ring cards, 5 of those are needed by Frodo, so you really only have seven or eight to use, and that is if you are risking a long strategy.

It is better to save all the Rings for Frodo and rush all the other objectives without using rings at all, so you can finish the game quicker. The longer the game lasts, the greater the probability of defeat, therefore play aggressively.

Not moving Frodo into a place where he will be searched will save Stealth cards up for the last push, but holding Frodo and Sam back too long can make you run out of turns too.

Use Arwen/Eowyn/Gimli/Boromir to get free troops rather than wasting cards to win battles.

Move many heros together in a main army for more speed per round, rather than spreading your heroes and heroines all over the map.

There is only one way to win but many ways to fail:

*Losing too many havens.

*Not winning enough havens back.

*Running out of turns.

*Running out of Ring, Stealth and Friend resources at the last stage.

*Not watching your hope bar after random searches.

*Bad luck with the Cards.

[Stefan Telemark]

Get lucky ;D If you win buy a lottery ticket while you're at it