War of the Ring, the two-player Lord of the Rings strategy game consistently rated among the best board games ever made, is getting its fourth expansion. Sieges of Middle-earth brings the desperate battles for the Free Peoples' strongholds to the forefront, and it's arriving in the second half of 2026.
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Set up your group for freeDesigned by Roberto Di Meglio, Marco Maggi, and Francesco Nepitello, the same team behind the base game and all its expansions, Sieges of Middle-earth introduces dedicated siege mechanics that give these battles their own identity. The Shadow player can now field powerful siege engines to smash fortifications and spread despair among defenders. The Free Peoples get tools to fight back: heroic feats, bold sorties from behind besieged walls, and the ability to inspire last stands that can turn a losing battle around.
If you've played War of the Ring (and with a BGG average rating of 8.5 from tens of thousands of voters, many of you have), you'll know that sieges already happen in the base game. But they've always used the same combat system as open-field battles. This expansion makes the fall of Helm's Deep or the siege of Minas Tirith feel mechanically distinct from a skirmish in the Shire, which is exactly how it should be.
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Start organising for freeAres Games announced the expansion at Spielwarenmesse in January, alongside Hope and Despair, the third expansion for the War of the Ring card game. Both are scheduled for the second half of 2026.
Sources: Ares Games | Spielwarenmesse Announcement | Gaming Trend
