D&D 5E Adventures in M.E. vs The One Ring

[halfling rogue]

I own, but have not yet played The One Ring (softcover set). One reason I haven't played is simply because it is a new rule set (a good one!) which would require folks I barely play with already to learn it.

So my draw to Adventures in Middle Earth is the familiar system of 5e.

But I'm curious to hear from folks who have played both. Which one plays the best for Middle Earth? Is AiME worth the dough or would I get a better experience having folks just learn TOR?

Any other general AiME vs TOR thoughts also welcome.

 

[TerraDave]

Also curious...and bump

 

[vilainn6]

On this thread, I wrote what I see as improvements Adventure in Middle-Earth (AIME) has over The One Ring. (TOR)
https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?792510-Adventures-in-Middle-Earth-Is-anyone-playing-it-yet/page3

On the other side, AIME screem imbalance when looking at the character options. Some Classes are weaker than other, Some archetype inside classe are just worst than the other, Same thing with the cultures when you compare their virtues (special feats) If you play with power gamers, that could be a problem.

In conclusion, I will advise you to push TOR on your group. It is not perfect but I think it is a better game than AIME overall and it feel more Middle-Earth with its hope/shadow mechanic. Plus, TOR has a lot of very good supplements and with the release of the pdf of the adventurer compagnion in december, it would be even better. Adventure in Middle-Earth look more like an attempt to make easy money with the OGL than a serious product. Pick only if you are a diehard fan of 5e edition.

 

[halfling rogue]

Still interested in hearing others' thoughts ( especially now that a good bit of time has gone by)

 

[BookBarbarian]

I still have yet to run a TOR or AiME game, but I do have both rulesets.

I agree with the point that AiME is not well balanced, but I would still take it over TOR for the reason that my group quite frankly won't learn a new ruleset. so if I want to play in Middle-Earth, and i do, I'll be using AiME. My first session should be in the next few weeks. I'll report how it goes.

I fully expect to have to tweak a lot of things on the fly, and institute some houserules.

 

[JonnyP71]

I'm really looking forward to running a game using AiME, and I'm not in the slightest bit worried about mechanical imbalance, as the class flavour is much more important when running such a game. The focus looks to have shifted so heavily away from wanton combat, that I really don't believe the classes that look weak on paper will really prove to be as unplayable as people are making out. Knowledge and travel based skills will largely be used to ensure the party's safety, and give them a chance to avoid combat.

When I run it my plan is to promote the 'avoid first' mindset by awarding xp bonuses for sensible skill use ensuring company safety, and no xp for encounters in which the PCs provoke unnecessary conflict. This should further encourage the use of the 'weaker' classes.

I also own a copy of the revised One Ring hardback rules, and while I don't intend to DM a game of that at the moment, it looks like one of the DMs in one of my other groups will be running a game of that soon, which will give a chance to compare the 2 rulesets.

It's really not aimed at the 'powergamers', more for players who enjoy the feel of Tolkien's world, and initial impressions are that Cubicle 7 look to have done a fine job of combining that with the 5E rules.

 

[vilainn6]

After a couple of sessions with my home group and starting a pbf, I came to the conclusion AIME is a great improvement over TOR. The journey and encounter run more smoothly with AIME, the combats are more exciting and the shadow corruption and miserable state are truly punishing compare to TOR.

The only weak point is the scholar. I know the game is not focused on combat like normal DnD but Middle-Earth is still a dangerous place and combat will happens from time to time and the poor scholar is reduced to a healing bot when combat errupt. Considering than in TOR, a scholar could wield a martial weapon and be as proficient as defending himself as the "warrior" of the group, I found it is a great steps back. Oh, and I fear the day the barding swordmaster in my home group will reach high level and being untouchable.