Isildur’s Bane is a little piece of game design that will allow you to play GW’s The Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game soltaire. You should be familiar with the game to use this text, but some elements might be useful in two player battles.
It features small changes to the phases of the game, procedures to take complete control off the player’s hands, and fun optional rules like random events and differing force qualities.
24 pages that actually fit in only 6 sheets of A4 paper with a lovely layout create a nice little booklet that will not clog your table space and you can even keep it inside your LotR rulebook.
Get the version that suits you better:
Screen version: Get this file and read the game in your screen, whether you play with a laptop near the table or want to check it out before printing. The layout is maintained so you can see how it will really look.
Booklet version: This one is specially set for printing. Just print each double sided page and you will be able to create the booklet. All you need to do put the pages in order and fold.
A4 version: Every version is set for A4 sheets of paper, but this one has two pages in consecutive order, in case you want to print the thing straight and not fold it to its original size. Just print it out. You can also read this one on your screen, 2 pages at a time.
Please send any feedback my way (contact info on the Designer’s Notes). I would love to hear from players!
February 16, 2010 at 8:21 am
Nice to see it finally ready Dogui. I like it
February 16, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Thanks Mungo! Hope you get a chance to try them out.
February 16, 2010 at 2:12 pm
What a great set of rules, a simple but effective system. I’ll have to get some of these miniatures now… would the “Mines of Moria” boxed set be enough to start with do you think?
I only want to play small games with the kids and now with your rules we can play same-side and win or lose together.
February 16, 2010 at 2:24 pm
The Mines of Moria box is an ideal starting point for same side games!
Just read the Moria booklet rules (very simplified version of the rules, and also compatible with IB), spread the Fellowship members amongst the kids and let the game deal with the hordes of goblins and the cave troll.
Have fun!
May 24, 2010 at 8:47 pm
[...] buildings I’ve got built so far and some low walls. Deployed the armies and using my Isildur’s Bane rules hack had a go at [...]
October 21, 2010 at 11:03 am
[...] I don’t think playing solitaire is the same deal for every game, period, or ruleset. There are games easier to adapt, others harder. Some require this while others require that. You can see that clearly on my specific set of solitaire rules for the Lord of the Rings Strategy Battle Game called Isildur’s Bane. [...]
March 5, 2011 at 1:06 pm
Thanks for making these rules! I am very much into solitaire rules.
March 29, 2011 at 2:00 am
[...] a refresher, I play solitaire LotR using my own rules hack called Isildur’s Bane. Click here to get them. Also, I decided I would give it a shot and design and play some scenarios for [...]
May 6, 2011 at 7:11 am
Thanks a bunch for these rules. A dream come true for a gamer like me. Just a few questions playing it through once:
How does groups of models work? Do you measure from a central figure 4″ out to count as a group…or can it be a string of models all within 4″ of one another? Does that make sense?
Also, do I have to roll for might if the Character already have more than 1 might point? Adding a die roll to might store and getting a 3+ seems very easy to do unless you have 1 might left. Seem like an auto-pass unless I’m rolling wrong (Is it a D3 roll?)
Last question: Can a spear armed model w/ bow that has moved half distance into support position in a fight be able to shoot during its activation phase and still support during fight phase?
May 6, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Glad you like them so much Ozuman!!
The rules as written don’t need a central model but a chain of figures. Remember picking up the groups to activate can be tactically challenging as well, not only a matter of randomization. Then, of course, you will see when they’ll get to act.
However, regarding groupings, you can see in the last LOTR solo report I played that having such a small table made me change this. In this case I decided groups would be always comprised of figures of the same type (dwarf archers, vault wardens, characters on their own). It just made sense for that game, and I advice you to do this as well. See how it would work better for your scenario, and play with the group rules a bit if you please.
Regarding the Might roll. Yes, it is an easy roll as Heroes shouldn’t be penalised for trying to use it. But remember a 1 on the die is always a failure!!! So you have a slight (1 in 6) chance of not being able to use it, which adds a bit of tension, specially when a couple of Heroes are using it at the same time.
Last question is more about the original rules than IB, since the way activation works in the game doesn’t chage the answer I am giving you (which I think is correct). A model giving support isn’t technically involved in the fight, that’s why they can’t get wounded, nor check for Terror if charged, but DO check Morale at the start of a turn the force is broken. Now, the rules say, if I remember correctly, that you cannot change weapons, for example shooting with a bow and then claiming shield DEF while in combat. So I’m guessing no. You can move into position of giving support but if you shoot your bow I don’t think he would count in the following close combat phase. I’m curious though as to which models have both spears and bows. Rohirrim? I don’t remember…
Hope this helped!!!
May 6, 2011 at 11:30 pm
A tremendous help, Dogui!
To answer your question, The Rangers of Arnor (and most of the Grey Company) are armed with bows and swords, spears are upgrades. I played Uruks vs. Grey Company and I had a blast!
And what you mentioned does seem right…either shoot or support but not both. Thanks again! Amazing Solo-Gaming rules for LOTR SBG!
May 10, 2011 at 2:29 am
I tried to download the booklet version but I only got symbols and numbers when it loaded up. I then tried the others and got the same result. Are they(the downloads) not working, or am I doing something wrong? Please help.
May 10, 2011 at 6:40 am
If you haven’t upgraded your Adobe Reader, you should try that and see if it helps. I have Adobe Reader 7.0 and it worked well. Good luck!
May 10, 2011 at 6:41 am
It’s a free program upgrade by the way!
May 10, 2011 at 11:23 am
Like Ozuman says, try updating your pdf reader. I have checked all files and they are working fine. Hope you can get them soon!
May 10, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Yeah, these rules are excellent and formatted nicely. They won’t disappoint! Super fun!
May 12, 2011 at 3:45 am
Hey! It worked. Apparently the Adobe Reader was updated. All I need now is some time to fully read through these rules and play a few games. Thanks guys!
May 12, 2011 at 2:40 pm
Glad to hear! Hope you enjoy them!!
May 12, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Let us know what you think about the Optional Rule “Random Events”…I love them. Just when you think one side is winning, a random event could turn the tides completely. It’s a blast!
September 14, 2011 at 4:17 pm
[...] LotR published scenarios. Not a lot of tactical depth either. I find I enjoy this game more with my Isildur’s Bane solitaire hack which adds a lot of uncertainty to an otherwise dull gameplay. Most of the pics were taken by her, [...]
November 11, 2011 at 2:10 pm
[...] if you need a few ideas check Isildur’s Bane, my solitaire rules hack for the Lord of the Rings game, as well as this solo mechanism for the Song of Blades and Heroes which will work with any Ganesha [...]