Is The One Ring 2E Kickstarter going to break the records?

At over $140K in the first half hour and shooting quickly past the $200K mark before the first hour was up, the numbers on Free League's Kickstarter for the 2nd Edition of The One Ring are whizzing up faster than the eye can see!

THE ONE RING™ Roleplaying Game, Second Edition

A new edition of the roleplaying game set in the world of The Lord of the Rings™ by J.R.R. Tolkien, designed by Francesco Nepitello.

www.kickstarter.com

The record for a TTRPG Kickstarter is Matt Colville, at over $2M for his Strongholds & Followers project (and a followup $1.3M campaign). The next highest was John Wick's 7th Sea at about $1.2M.

There were over 6,000 people who were following the pre-launch page for this Kickstarter, which runs for three weeks.

 

[Desrimal]

I'm new to backing projects on Kickstarter, so forgive if I ask a dumb questions

Is there anyway to back this kickstarter and ONLY get the Deluxe Leatherbound edition of the Rulebook (and perhaps the die). I'm not interested in the Starter Set at all.

 

[darjr]

Pledge small, then ask in the comments on the Kickstarter. Back out of you need too after.

 

[Charles Dunwoody]

I like it. Landmarks in TOR are like the adventure sites in Forbidden Lands. Little pockets of adventure in one location complete with legends about the place.

 

[schneeland]

I like it. Landmarks in TOR are like the adventure sites in Forbidden Lands. Little pockets of adventure in one location complete with legends about the place.

That was also my favourite bit from the Q&A session so far (big fan of the legends in FL).

 

[Mercador]

Is LOTR is out of copyright or something?

 

[darjr]

Is LOTR is out of copyright or something?

No, in fact they can’t do minis or a printed art book because of licensing

 

[Laurefindel]

I’ve played AIME but never One Ring. Is it a good system? Any recommendations based on the first edition?

I played MERP believe it or not many many years ago after getting their boxed set as a Xmas present back in the last century.

After all our discussions about trying new systems I thought maybe I should branch out a bit!

TOR came out just a bit before D&D 5e and foreshadowed or pioneered a few modern game-design elements (or codified some that already existed informally). But mostly, it presented a medieval-fantasy system that was (at the time) refreshingly magic-free and yet allowed for a very magical world. In short, it achieved that elusive and whimsical Tolkien "feel" many LotR fans had been looking for.

Highlights for me were a four-combat-stance-system and how certain tasks could only be achieved through certain combat dispositions, a well-defined exploration/travel pillar supported by a solid narrative system, attributes (stats) that mostly come into play when you try to overdo yourself or are forced to fall back on your natural aptitudes, a built-in weapon/armour/equipment enhancement system, and an overarching "attrition game" within the whole system that hit the right spot between the need for careful planning and frustration.

IMO, some of the mechanics aged better than others. I'm curious to see what the 2e brings/enhances/tones down

 

[Inchoroi]

I'll never use the book or system.....but god, that hardcover special edition is so pretty.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Torn. On the one hand, I own all of the 1E TOR stuff as well as C7's reprint of the core rules (which I thought was revised, if not a true 2E). But I don't know that I need a new rulebook right now (start set might be nice). And I'm still waiting for my T2K kickstarter ... I wish they'd deliver on the one before launching another.

Any idea how different 2E is from 1E? I'm definitely picking up Moria if they finally release it -- was guttered when C7 lost the license before producing it.

 

[Skywalker]

I’ve played AIME but never One Ring. Is it a good system? Any recommendations based on the first edition?

I think its superb. Its purpose built to emulate adventuring in the world of Middle Earth, but is also very approachable by bringing player into the setting at a ground level rather than the usual high level overview of most fantasy RPGs. It has a strong vibe that permeates every adventure.

Was the One Ring 1E that popular? I wonder how much of the design of 2E was by the previous publisher. I will say that Middle Earth Adventures for 5E was astounding.

Anecdotally, Cubicle 7 and the designers were both very happy with the sale for TOR throughout the run of 1e. So, I would guess that it was popular.

The Limited Collector's Edition does look very snazzy.

It does. I am in love with the regular edition cover art though, so I am sticking with that

Any idea how different 2E is from 1E? I'm definitely picking up Moria if they finally release it -- was guttered when C7 lost the license before producing it.

Not yet, though the product releases seems to be complement 1e's releases rather than substitute them for the most part (Rivendell being the exception).