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The One Ring – Roleplaying in the World of The Lord of the Rings
Roleplaying in the World of The Lord of the Rings
“This is the Master-ring, the One Ring to rule them all.”
The new edition of The One Ring roleplaying game, set in the world of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and designed by Francesco Nepitello, became the most successful tabletop RPG core game ever on Kickstarter when it ended March 4th 2021, raising over $2 million.
It is the year 2965 of the Third Age and the Shadow is returning. Twenty-four years ago, an alliance of Elves, Men, and Dwarves defeated a horde of Orcs and Wild Wolves, under a sky darkened by Giant Bats, inaugurating a new era of prosperity for the Free Peoples. But twenty years is a long time for peace to last, and in many dark corners of the earth a shadow is lengthening once again. Rumours of strange things happening outside the borders of civilised lands are spreading with increasing regularity and, while they are dismissed by most as fireside-tales and children’s stories, they sometimes reach the ears of individuals who recognise the sinister truth they hide.
These are restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, always eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten. Ordinary people call them adventurers and, when they prevail,
they hail them as heroes. But if they fail, no one will even remember their names.
This is The One Ring, a roleplaying game based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, two extraordinary works of fiction by the beloved author and respected academic, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. With these books, Tolkien introduced readers to his greatest creation, the world of Middle-earth, a mythic land from a remote past. With The One Ring, Middle-earth is yours to explore — you will travel the land searching for clues about the return of the Shadow, and have the chance to play a part in the struggle against the Enemy…
Now in its second edition, The One Ring comes with updated and revised rules, a new visual style, and a focus on the land of Eriador — the lone-lands west of the Misty Mountains. Among its key features
Rules for travelling across the land (Journey), facing frightening foes (Combat), and meeting the personalities of Middle-earth (Council).
Thorough advice for the Loremaster on how to bring Middle-earth to life, including rules for magical treasure, the Shadow, and the Eye of Mordor.
In-depth information on six Patrons — individuals sponsoring the adventures of the Player-heroes — including Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey.
A bestiary containing a spread of adversaries, from lowly Orc Soldiers and Highway-robbers, to monstrous Cave-Trolls and Barrow-Wights.
Rules to create your very own Nameless Things — unknowable beings from the dark corners of the world.
A complete Landmark adventure, The Star of the Mist, with extra support for new Loremasters, in the form of tutorial advice throughout.
“This is the Master-ring, the One Ring to rule them all.”
The new edition of The One Ring roleplaying game, set in the world of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien and designed by Francesco Nepitello, became the most successful tabletop RPG core game ever on Kickstarter when it ended March 4th 2021, raising over $2 million.
It is the year 2965 of the Third Age and the Shadow is returning. Twenty-four years ago, an alliance of Elves, Men, and Dwarves defeated a horde of Orcs and Wild Wolves, under a sky darkened by Giant Bats, inaugurating a new era of prosperity for the Free Peoples. But twenty years is a long time for peace to last, and in many dark corners of the earth a shadow is lengthening once again. Rumours of strange things happening outside the borders of civilised lands are spreading with increasing regularity and, while they are dismissed by most as fireside-tales and children’s stories, they sometimes reach the ears of individuals who recognise the sinister truth they hide.
These are restless warriors, curious scholars and wanderers, always eager to seek what was lost or explore what was forgotten. Ordinary people call them adventurers and, when they prevail,
they hail them as heroes. But if they fail, no one will even remember their names.
This is The One Ring, a roleplaying game based on The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, two extraordinary works of fiction by the beloved author and respected academic, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien. With these books, Tolkien introduced readers to his greatest creation, the world of Middle-earth, a mythic land from a remote past. With The One Ring, Middle-earth is yours to explore — you will travel the land searching for clues about the return of the Shadow, and have the chance to play a part in the struggle against the Enemy…
Now in its second edition, The One Ring comes with updated and revised rules, a new visual style, and a focus on the land of Eriador — the lone-lands west of the Misty Mountains. Among its key features
Rules for travelling across the land (Journey), facing frightening foes (Combat), and meeting the personalities of Middle-earth (Council).
Thorough advice for the Loremaster on how to bring Middle-earth to life, including rules for magical treasure, the Shadow, and the Eye of Mordor.
In-depth information on six Patrons — individuals sponsoring the adventures of the Player-heroes — including Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf the Grey.
A bestiary containing a spread of adversaries, from lowly Orc Soldiers and Highway-robbers, to monstrous Cave-Trolls and Barrow-Wights.
Rules to create your very own Nameless Things — unknowable beings from the dark corners of the world.
A complete Landmark adventure, The Star of the Mist, with extra support for new Loremasters, in the form of tutorial advice throughout.
248 pages, PDF
Published January 1, 2021
27 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 25, 2025
Qualità manuale:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ambientazione:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sistema regole:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Un affresco sui territori dell' Eriador, tra i Porti Grigi e Gran Burrone, tra le colline della Contea e le lande solitarie del nord. Territori di desolazione e antiche rovine, pronte ad invitare avventurieri senza paura.
Un sistema di gioco a pull di dadi, dalle caratteristiche ben collaudate già in altri giochi della Free League, come Coriolis, ma adattate per garantire quelle sensazioni che solo l' ambientazione tolkeniana sa trasmettere come il Valore e la Saggezza.
Ottima la gestione delle scene della fase avventura e della fase campagna, con un occhio ai viaggi, alla fatica e ai patroni. Tante le tabelle per facilitare il compito di creazione delle avventure per il Maestro del Sapere.
Chiude uno sguardo al territorio, un comparto grafico eccellente e un' impaginazione di pregio.
Ambientazione:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Sistema regole:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Un affresco sui territori dell' Eriador, tra i Porti Grigi e Gran Burrone, tra le colline della Contea e le lande solitarie del nord. Territori di desolazione e antiche rovine, pronte ad invitare avventurieri senza paura.
Un sistema di gioco a pull di dadi, dalle caratteristiche ben collaudate già in altri giochi della Free League, come Coriolis, ma adattate per garantire quelle sensazioni che solo l' ambientazione tolkeniana sa trasmettere come il Valore e la Saggezza.
Ottima la gestione delle scene della fase avventura e della fase campagna, con un occhio ai viaggi, alla fatica e ai patroni. Tante le tabelle per facilitare il compito di creazione delle avventure per il Maestro del Sapere.
Chiude uno sguardo al territorio, un comparto grafico eccellente e un' impaginazione di pregio.
October 9, 2023
He llegit la versió catalana publicada per Devir (punt positiu per publicar rol en català!). El sistema en sembla sòlid, senzill i temàtic. L'estructura del llibre és correcte però em sembla que podria millorar, algunes normes m'han costat una mica confoses per no estar totes juntes. El que més destaco és la presentació i les magnífiques ilustraciones, que evoquen molt el món del joc. També la secció de l'ambientació, que és molt evocadora i dóna moltes idees per a històries. El punt negatiu és que hi ha algunes errates i algun tros que han deixat en castellà directament, així com un paràgraf sense la línia inicial. Em semblen errors fàcilment evitables, s'ha de ser més curós.
September 27, 2024
One of the best TTRPG I've read in recent years, made with immense love and respect for the source material not only in details of the setting but also in the spirit of the JRRT works.
Read
May 26, 2023How? The library had it.
What? It's an RPG based on Lord of the Rings.
Yeah, so? I'm not likely to ever play this, so I really flipped through it with the question "how does this try to emulate the source material?" (since emulation and simulation are interests of mine). The answer to that seems to be:
1) by focusing not just on the adventure part (typical of RPGs, like D&D, which really grew out of both wargaming and Tolkien), but also on the downtime (here called the Fellowship Phase);
2) by slightly abstracting a lot of the combat action. (Or at least, it seems that way to me: action is a little more narrative and a little less crunchy);
3) and by focusing on the emotional toll of the action -- I'd say there's less focus on hit points and more focus on being weary.
(Sidebar because I can't resist: what's the appeal of playing in this setting? Unlike the Avatar RPG, which gave several possible time periods, this core book really focuses on the rise of Sauron, same as the movies and books. And I'm curious what appeals to people about that that isn't just a recapitulation of the books?)
What? It's an RPG based on Lord of the Rings.
Yeah, so? I'm not likely to ever play this, so I really flipped through it with the question "how does this try to emulate the source material?" (since emulation and simulation are interests of mine). The answer to that seems to be:
1) by focusing not just on the adventure part (typical of RPGs, like D&D, which really grew out of both wargaming and Tolkien), but also on the downtime (here called the Fellowship Phase);
2) by slightly abstracting a lot of the combat action. (Or at least, it seems that way to me: action is a little more narrative and a little less crunchy);
3) and by focusing on the emotional toll of the action -- I'd say there's less focus on hit points and more focus on being weary.
(Sidebar because I can't resist: what's the appeal of playing in this setting? Unlike the Avatar RPG, which gave several possible time periods, this core book really focuses on the rise of Sauron, same as the movies and books. And I'm curious what appeals to people about that that isn't just a recapitulation of the books?)
June 25, 2024
This just oozes Tolkien themes. There are rules for songs and riddles, long journeys, councils, and the pull of darkness on the hearts of men (and elves, dwarfs, and hobbits). The rules are simple enough to grasp pretty easily but detailed enough to cover most Middle-Earth shenanigans that you might dream up. I especially liked how all important rules and information were set aside in their own little boxes, so if you are looking for a particular rule you don't have to scan the whole page to find it, you can just look at the little rule boxes.
The only thing that really bothered be were some of the naming conventions. I wish the messenger class were named something like "wanderer" or "traveler" but that's just personal preference. More importantly, the strength stat covers any physical activity, so strength covers things like perception and singing, for example (the stronger you are the better you notice things?). It should just be named "physical" or something like that to make it less confusing.
The only thing that really bothered be were some of the naming conventions. I wish the messenger class were named something like "wanderer" or "traveler" but that's just personal preference. More importantly, the strength stat covers any physical activity, so strength covers things like perception and singing, for example (the stronger you are the better you notice things?). It should just be named "physical" or something like that to make it less confusing.
December 4, 2023
Ho letto l'edizione italiana di "The one ring rpg"
Il manuale è di ottima fattura,
gli artwork sono dettagliati ben costruiti.
Il manuale spiega molto bene molte cose, e ne da per scontate molte altre,
ho dovuto rileggere alcuni pezzi più volte per capire come effettivamente potessero funzionare alcune regole, alcune cose diventeranno più chiare in fase di playtest.
Nota dolente per alcuni adattamenti, è un mix tra il nuovo adattamento di Ottavio Fatica,
con alcune parti prese dalla vecchia edizione ed alcune inserite direttamente dal traduttore,
avrei di gran lunga preferito una linea unica invece di un mix.
4.5 stelle il voto potrebbe cambiare in fase di playtest
Il manuale è di ottima fattura,
gli artwork sono dettagliati ben costruiti.
Il manuale spiega molto bene molte cose, e ne da per scontate molte altre,
ho dovuto rileggere alcuni pezzi più volte per capire come effettivamente potessero funzionare alcune regole, alcune cose diventeranno più chiare in fase di playtest.
Nota dolente per alcuni adattamenti, è un mix tra il nuovo adattamento di Ottavio Fatica,
con alcune parti prese dalla vecchia edizione ed alcune inserite direttamente dal traduttore,
avrei di gran lunga preferito una linea unica invece di un mix.
4.5 stelle il voto potrebbe cambiare in fase di playtest
May 25, 2025
To hold this book is to realize its quality: made with love, written with passion, imagined with respect. The system feels lightweight but its mechanics interact well. I do find that some elements - conclaves, travelling, combat - have moments of befuddlement, and after trying a few sessions with different folks I still find some basic things tricky to remember, but what a refreshing thing the whole is when compared with the overcooked mess that D&D 5E has become. Read some Tolkein, pick this up, and you will be in for a real treat!
August 6, 2025
This book is a work of art, delivering a streamlined, thematic, and exciting game system.
July 7, 2022
3 stars [RPG Core]
(W: 2.5, U: 3.25, L: 3.5)
Exact rating: 3.08
This roleplaying game system proffers some interesting ideas. Notable among them are the Phase system (Council, Journey, Combat, Fellowship), which weave together a richer non-combat adventure experience; and the spiritual system (Hope, Resolve, Hate, Shadow) which balances the devil-may-care profligacy of action common to normal RPGs. [U: concepts 3.5]
However, much of the system is geared towards highly-simplified gameplay at the expense of realism, and seems to be inferior to the OGL system, especially concerning abilities and skills. [U: concepts 2.5]
This 3-star rating for utility in the micro is buffed by the macro [U: world-building 3.5]. We who love Tolkien are thankful that some companies and private ventures are still delivering quality derivative works in RPGs and video games (see the Battle for Middle-Earth II mods for the latter).
I picked up two accessories from this game's first edition, Adventures in Middle-Earth, and they were richer in background information and world-building. It is inexplicable, apart from possible legal or canonical inferences, why the 2nd Edition would dull the writing and leave out the more detailed background for Eriador. I look forward to The One Ring's upcoming Ruins of the Lost Realm and OGL adaptation, where perhaps these will be improved.
As for the book's physical appearance, the margins are well-illuminated [3.5] and the text is in colors of red, black, white, and gray [3.5], somewhat cluttered [2], and enhanced by several maps [+1/4]. [L: typesetting 3:25]
Regular illustration rates 3 stars, but the chapter-division artwork is amazing [4.5]. It appears to combine diametrically-opposed elements of Hyperrealism and Impressionism. Added to this is a kind of chiaroscuro in tertiary lighting that produces a moving result. [L: illustration 3.75]
Forgive my lack of precision in describing art. From my humble position as an amateur, anyway, I consider it a wondrous artistic style. It's as though I can feel the painting.
Overall, The One Ring seems worth the purchase. I hope they can further refine and improve certain elements in the future.
(W: 2.5, U: 3.25, L: 3.5)
Exact rating: 3.08
This roleplaying game system proffers some interesting ideas. Notable among them are the Phase system (Council, Journey, Combat, Fellowship), which weave together a richer non-combat adventure experience; and the spiritual system (Hope, Resolve, Hate, Shadow) which balances the devil-may-care profligacy of action common to normal RPGs. [U: concepts 3.5]
However, much of the system is geared towards highly-simplified gameplay at the expense of realism, and seems to be inferior to the OGL system, especially concerning abilities and skills. [U: concepts 2.5]
This 3-star rating for utility in the micro is buffed by the macro [U: world-building 3.5]. We who love Tolkien are thankful that some companies and private ventures are still delivering quality derivative works in RPGs and video games (see the Battle for Middle-Earth II mods for the latter).
I picked up two accessories from this game's first edition, Adventures in Middle-Earth, and they were richer in background information and world-building. It is inexplicable, apart from possible legal or canonical inferences, why the 2nd Edition would dull the writing and leave out the more detailed background for Eriador. I look forward to The One Ring's upcoming Ruins of the Lost Realm and OGL adaptation, where perhaps these will be improved.
As for the book's physical appearance, the margins are well-illuminated [3.5] and the text is in colors of red, black, white, and gray [3.5], somewhat cluttered [2], and enhanced by several maps [+1/4]. [L: typesetting 3:25]
Regular illustration rates 3 stars, but the chapter-division artwork is amazing [4.5]. It appears to combine diametrically-opposed elements of Hyperrealism and Impressionism. Added to this is a kind of chiaroscuro in tertiary lighting that produces a moving result. [L: illustration 3.75]
Forgive my lack of precision in describing art. From my humble position as an amateur, anyway, I consider it a wondrous artistic style. It's as though I can feel the painting.
Overall, The One Ring seems worth the purchase. I hope they can further refine and improve certain elements in the future.
September 26, 2025
Si quieres tener la experiencia de tener una aventura en la Tierra Media, este es el juego. 11 estrellas.
June 8, 2024
Mycket innehåll och nödvändig om du vill fortsätta äventyra i Middle earth!
November 12, 2023
Hard to rate a roleplaying game I have not yet played. However, the text is clear and easy to follow, and the system is presented in a well-organized, user-friendly manner. Most roleplaying game rulebooks do not do nearly so well a job of jumping off the page and evoking how the game might play. Very excited to run this game.
September 3, 2025
A tabletop RPG book with great production values based on the world of the books of Tolkien. With multiple hand-sketched images in there and with really interesting lore that fleshes out various places of Eriador, I'd consider it a must have for LotR fans, even for people who don't care about TTRPGs!
March 31, 2022
The quality of this 2nd edition of The One Ring core book is excellent. The artwork is stunning and presentation clear. It captures the feel of Middle Earth very will. I have not used the ruleset to run a game yet but I will be using some of the new mechanics and ideas at my table soon.
February 4, 2023
Read this ahead of playing in a campaign this year.
Really nice take on Tolkien for the RPG crowd. I’ve played and run previous games in this setting (MERP, and LOTR RPG), but this is really trying to get to the spirit and feel of Tolkien’s world. I’m really looking forward to playing it.
Really nice take on Tolkien for the RPG crowd. I’ve played and run previous games in this setting (MERP, and LOTR RPG), but this is really trying to get to the spirit and feel of Tolkien’s world. I’m really looking forward to playing it.
April 2, 2022
The collector’s edition of the book is pretty. It could double as a table prop representing a book from the setting. It’s also well made. It’s one of the only books I’ve read recently with gold foil stamping where the foil didn’t start wearing off after a single read through.
The game seems solid. It apparently simplifies some stuff from the first edition, but it’s been years since I played that edition, and the only big change I really noticed was changing Body to Strength, which I thought was a strange decision. Personally, it’s easy for me to accept “Body” as a term for all things physical, but having a stat called “Strength” that also applies to agility and dexterity seems counter-intuitive.
The mechanics seem solid enough, with a core task system that remains consistent throughout the rules.Those rules include combat, travel, social encounters, corruption, character development, and downtime.
Where D&D discusses the three pillars of Socialization, Exploration, and Combat, The One Ring actually provides robust rules that cover all three.
The biggest strength of the game is that it captures the essence of Middle Earth. The biggest weakness is that it captures that essence, warts and all. The controversy over “evil” races in D&D is at least as big a part of Tolkien. The game reflects that with Orcs and other “evil” beings being mechanically irredeemable. Specifically, if a creature has “Hate” it’s irredeemable.
Interestingly, if instead of Hate, an NPC has “Resolve” then it’s not inherently evil, and killing it when other options are available can result in corruption. So, you better at least think about giving those bandits a chance to surrender.
The game seems solid. It apparently simplifies some stuff from the first edition, but it’s been years since I played that edition, and the only big change I really noticed was changing Body to Strength, which I thought was a strange decision. Personally, it’s easy for me to accept “Body” as a term for all things physical, but having a stat called “Strength” that also applies to agility and dexterity seems counter-intuitive.
The mechanics seem solid enough, with a core task system that remains consistent throughout the rules.Those rules include combat, travel, social encounters, corruption, character development, and downtime.
Where D&D discusses the three pillars of Socialization, Exploration, and Combat, The One Ring actually provides robust rules that cover all three.
The biggest strength of the game is that it captures the essence of Middle Earth. The biggest weakness is that it captures that essence, warts and all. The controversy over “evil” races in D&D is at least as big a part of Tolkien. The game reflects that with Orcs and other “evil” beings being mechanically irredeemable. Specifically, if a creature has “Hate” it’s irredeemable.
Interestingly, if instead of Hate, an NPC has “Resolve” then it’s not inherently evil, and killing it when other options are available can result in corruption. So, you better at least think about giving those bandits a chance to surrender.
March 22, 2024
I’m not entirely sure there is a better TTRPG. It takes the already fabulous stuff of 1st Edition and cleans up the few holes in that system (attributes are actually important now) while still being broadly compatible.
1st edition might have been a BIT closer to Tolkien’s vision, but this edition is the better game and only deviates slightly (mainly pointing towards the more generic rewards rather than making them culture specific). The combat system is still the most innovative I have seen in my 37 years of gaming. The whole package is really incredible.
If 2nd edition has a flaw it’s that there isn’t enough of it. As of this review there is only this core book, a starter box, and Ruins of the Lost Realm. It needs extensive supplementary material for places like Gondor, Rohan, etc.
1st edition might have been a BIT closer to Tolkien’s vision, but this edition is the better game and only deviates slightly (mainly pointing towards the more generic rewards rather than making them culture specific). The combat system is still the most innovative I have seen in my 37 years of gaming. The whole package is really incredible.
If 2nd edition has a flaw it’s that there isn’t enough of it. As of this review there is only this core book, a starter box, and Ruins of the Lost Realm. It needs extensive supplementary material for places like Gondor, Rohan, etc.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews