The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – Trick-Taking Game

To set up a chapter, read the story card and note the required characters, ensuring asterisked characters are chosen and correct player-count sides are used. Distribute player aids and a main deck of cards containing four colored suits, two towers, and orcs. Deal one face-up lost card (ignoring towers), then deal hands to players. The player holding the white tower claims Aragorn and the white token. In clockwise order, remaining players pick characters, ensuring all asterisked ones are taken. Players holding characters with setup actions must immediately perform mandatory card exchanges. Unchosen characters return to the box, and setup tokens are set aside.

The main objective is entirely cooperative: all players must work together to satisfy the unique winning condition listed on their chosen character cards. Goals range from winning specific quantities of certain suit cards to securing a certain number of tricks before or after specific events. Every single player must achieve their goal by the conclusion of the round for the team to succeed, meaning players must balance personal objectives with supporting their teammates.

The round is played over multiple tricks. The lead player plays any valid card face-up to start the trick, establishing the lead suit. Going clockwise, other players must follow suit by playing a card of the same suit if they have one; otherwise, they may play any card. Powerful tower cards can override suit rules and win tricks unless canceled by each other, while orcs cannot win tricks or be used to lead unless forced. The player of the highest-ranked card in the lead suit wins the trick, collects the cards, and leads the next trick.

There are no traditional points scored. Instead, success is evaluated entirely by checking whether the personal goal of every active character has been successfully met by the end of the round. Players keep their won tricks face down or reveal specific cards necessary for tracking ongoing goals.

The chapter ends when all cards from players' hands have been completely played and won into tricks. If every player has successfully completed their character's goal, the players win the chapter and can advance to the next one. If even a single character's goal fails, or if a player is forced to lead a trick using an orc card, the entire team loses the chapter and must reset to try again.