Georgia Boardgames Association

This gem is quickly becoming one of my favorites.  I love the secret deployment mechanic employed by this game.  The theme is also a high tilt factor for me.  Well thought out rules, nothing hard to understand, bluffing (secret deployment), and good graphics, make this board game a must have.

Did I mention this is a Dr. Knizia game? If that’s not enough, the rules are perfect. I have yet to find any special circumstance that has not been covered in the rule book. I don’t have the new version, that is, the deluxe confrontation version, nor do I think I need it.

Another item I enjoy is the bluffing aspect, and using that to my advantage. When I was younger, I remember a chess tournament that had a “real” grandmaster playing. There was also a young man playing him, and I remember someone commenting that the young man beat the grandmaster all the time because he played him so much. You see, he knew how the grandmaster played (the GM was his teacher). It’s the same with bluffing with the secret deployment. I play my son and I know him and he knows me. Unfortunately, for him, he doesn’t understand yet, not fully any way, the psychology behind this. He does pick up on it some. I get comments like, “I KNEW you were gonna do that.” and others where he’s been fooled. Kind of like Captain Riker versus Locutus – okay, that was way out there, I’m digressing – I know.

The movement mechanics are also flawless. Not moving sideways into the mountains causes the player to make a guess or calculate the best time to move through. Is Balrog waiting? If I move into the mountains will the other player attack? This plays nicely with the special abilities written on units. How this special ability can be used to the advantage of the player takes time. I personally like using Pippin to move forward to expose my opponent and quickly retreat backwards (his ability.) The game seems especially well balanced.

The replayability, theme, play time, and small form factor of the board game make it an ideal companion to for travel and good to take out when you want a good strong game, but don’t have a lot of time to play. Lord of the Rings: The Confrontation is one of those board games that is neither fluff nor intense, but still fun. You will not find that you’re wasting your time.

Did I mention I purchased this board game on ebay for $9.00?