Which The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game expansion after the base game?

1-4 players (base) Co-op / deck-building About 1 h per scenario

The game

Already own the Revised Core Set? Here is which box to buy next, which ones really matter, and which would make you pay twice.

1-4 players, 14+. Each player leads 1 to 3 heroes and their deck against an encounter deck; scenarios play alone or as a campaign. Revised Core Set plus 10 revised-format boxes: 3 saga boxes that follow the book, 3 Campaign Expansions with their 3 Hero Expansions, and a small scenario pack.

Campaign Expansion, not Hero Expansion. Every cycle comes in two boxes. The Campaign Expansion holds all the scenarios. The Hero Expansion holds only player cards for your decks: optional, buy it later.

Old format = same quests. Before 2021, each cycle shipped as a deluxe expansion plus six Adventure Packs, and each saga as two smaller boxes. If you own those, the revised boxes repeat the same quests.

Saga boxes in book order. The Fellowship of the Ring, then The Two Towers, then The Return of the King. Each needs only the core set, but in campaign mode your heroes carry over from one book to the next.

Which boxes do you already own?

Put on the table what you already have, and how many of you play.

You usually play with

1 2 3-4

Release timeline

Revised Core Set, Dark of Mirkwood, Angmar Awakened and The Fellowship of the Ring 2022, Dream-chaser and The Two Towers 2023, Ered Mithrin and The Return of the King 2024 (French release years).

The graph

How the The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game boxes connect, plus the mechanics. An arrow starts at the expansion and points to the box it needs.

needs another box
contains this box
part of the line
game mechanic

Depending on what you want

You want	Get
Live the story of the book	The Fellowship of the Ring Saga
An original campaign, the classic one	Angmar Awakened Campaign
Ships, the sea and corsairs	Dream-chaser Campaign
Dragons in the Grey Mountains	Ered Mithrin Campaign
More cards for your decks	The Hero Expansion of the cycle you play
A small add-on to the core set	Dark of Mirkwood

Tick your boxes at the top and the answer follows.

At the table

Box	What it brings
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game Revised Core Set	1-4. 12 heroes, 3 scenarios, campaign mode. Needed by every other box.
The Fellowship of the Ring Saga Expansion	6 scenarios from the Shire to Moria. First book of the saga.
The Two Towers Saga Expansion	6 scenarios, Rohan to Helm's Deep. Play it after Fellowship.
The Return of the King Saga Expansion	6 scenarios and 7 heroes, Minas Tirith to Mount Doom.
Angmar Awakened Campaign Expansion	9 scenarios in the North against the Witch-king.
Angmar Awakened Hero Expansion	Player cards only, no scenario. Optional.
Dream-chaser Campaign Expansion	A sea cycle: ships and corsairs.
Dream-chaser Hero Expansion	Player cards only, no scenario. Optional.
Ered Mithrin Campaign Expansion	The Grey Mountains, dragons and dwarves.
Ered Mithrin Hero Expansion	Player cards only, no scenario. Optional.
Dark of Mirkwood	2 scenarios in a small box.

Compatibility

Box	Needs	Players
The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game Revised Core Set	standalone base	1-4
The Fellowship of the Ring Saga Expansion	needs base	1-4
The Two Towers Saga Expansion	needs base	1-4
The Return of the King Saga Expansion	needs base	1-4
Angmar Awakened Campaign Expansion	needs base	1-4
Angmar Awakened Hero Expansion	needs base	1-4
Dream-chaser Campaign Expansion	needs base	1-4
Dream-chaser Hero Expansion	needs base	1-4
Ered Mithrin Campaign Expansion	needs base	1-4
Ered Mithrin Hero Expansion	needs base	1-4
Dark of Mirkwood	needs base	1-4

The four starter decks (Dwarves of Durin, Elves of Lorien, Defenders of Gondor, Riders of Rohan), the old edition (2011 core set, deluxe expansions, Adventure Packs, old saga boxes), The Hobbit saga boxes and Nightmare decks are outside the picker. Check the language before ordering.

FAQ

Which expansion after the core set?

To follow the book, The Fellowship of the Ring saga: 6 scenarios from the Shire to Moria. For an original story, the Angmar Awakened Campaign Expansion: 9 scenarios in the North. Both need only the Revised Core Set.

Do I need the Hero Expansion too?

No. The Campaign Expansion holds every scenario and encounter card of the cycle. The Hero Expansion only adds player cards: it widens your decks, but the campaign plays without it.

In which order do I play the saga boxes?

In book order: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, then The Return of the King. In campaign mode your heroes, wounds and burden cards carry over.

I own the old edition: should I buy the revised boxes?

No. A Campaign Expansion repeats an old deluxe expansion and its six Adventure Packs; a revised saga box repeats two old saga boxes. The campaign cards are a free print-and-play from the publisher.

How many players with one core set?

1-4 with the Revised Core Set. The original 2011 core set seated only 2 per box.