Battle of the Five Armies (board game)

The Battle of the Five Armies is a two-player, asymmetrical, war game published by Ares Games, designed by Roberto Di Meglio, Marco Maggi, and Francesco Nepitello, and based on the climactic battle from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit.

The game pits the Free Peoples (Elves, Dwarves, and Men) against the Shadow Armies (Goblins and Wargs, with the assistance of Bats). One player controls the Free Peoples, attempting to defend Erebor and Dale against the overwhelming force of the Shadow. The other player controls the Shadow Armies, aiming to capture key locations and eliminate Free Peoples leaders.

Gameplay is driven by action dice, which determine the actions available to each side each turn, such as moving units, recruiting reinforcements, playing event cards, or attempting to influence the flow of battle with special actions. The game board depicts the valley of Dale and the surrounding terrain, featuring key locations like Erebor, Ravenhill, and the Gate of Erebor.

The Battle of the Five Armies is considered a sequel to War of the Ring, sharing some similar mechanics and design elements, but streamlined and adapted to the smaller scale and specific context of the Battle of the Five Armies. Key differences include a smaller map, fewer unit types, and a greater emphasis on strategic positioning and tactical combat. Victory conditions vary for each side, reflecting their different objectives in the battle. The Shadow player wins by controlling a certain number of key locations or eliminating key Free Peoples leaders, while the Free Peoples player wins by surviving the onslaught for a predetermined number of turns. The game often features dramatic swings of fortune and relies heavily on clever use of tactics and strategic planning.