Fantasy Flight Games

A Job for Dwarves

Published 14 December 2010 | The Hobbit Board Game

A Job for Dwarves

The Hobbit, a board game of adventure in Middle-earth, is now available

“To the end of his days Bilbo could never remember how he found himself outside, without a hat, walking-stick or say money, or anything that he usually took when he went out; leaving his second breakfast half-finished and quite unwashed-up, pushing his keys into Gandalf's hands, and running as fast as his furry feet could carry him down the lane, past the great Mill, across The Water, and then on for a whole mile or more. Very puffed he was, when he got to Bywater just on the stroke of eleven, and found he had come without a pocket-handkerchief!” – J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

The Hobbit, a board game of adventure and treasure in Middle-earth for 2-5 players, is now on sale! On his journey to the Lonely Mountain, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins will need guidance and protection. Swing by your local retailer or visit our webstore to pick up your copy today so you can guide Bilbo on his quest.

Designed by Reiner Knizia, The Hobbit is a game of strategic bidding and chance. Taking on the roles of the stoic dwarves, players need to guide Bilbo Baggins from the Shire to the Lonely Mountain and end the game with the most treasure. During their journey they will fight goblins, battle wargs, escape the Mirkwood elves, and eventually reach Laketown. Players must plan their journey wisely, bidding for their turn sequence to move Bilbo Baggins further along the game path.

In order to face the challenges that await them, players can increase their stats by using their numbered Dwarf Cards to bid for upgrades. Player stats include Cunning, Strength, and Initiative, and each of these can be raised whenever the active player moves Bilbo onto an appropriate space along the path. But be wary, there are also spaces on the path that will reduce your stats. Bid wisely!

Players will want to increase their stats equally, since they will not be able to predict which ones will be tested on the upcoming Adventure Space. Once Bilbo reaches an Adventure Space, players must roll custom six-sided dice to beat whatever challenge awaits them. Through strategic re-rolls and effective stat upgrades, players will need to match the dice symbols with whatever symbols are on the Adventure Card. If they succeed, they will be awarded treasure. If they fail, Smaug will advance further toward Laketown and attempt to prematurely end the game!

For more information on The Hobbit, visit the description page or download the full rules (pdf, 2.1 MB). Note, this board game is an entirely new design, with no relation to the other game (of the same name) published by FFG in 2002.

Head over to your local retailer or our webstore and pick up The Hobbit to begin your journey today!

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The copyrightable portions of The Hobbit: The Board Game are © 2001, 2010 Sophisticated Games, Ltd. The Hobbit and the characters, events, items and places therein, are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-Earth Enterprises and are used under license by Sophisticated Games, Ltd. and their respective licensees. Fantasy Flight Supply is a trademark of Fantasy Flight Publishing, Inc.

A Guide to Dragons and Treasure

Published 1 December 2010 | The Hobbit Board Game

A Guide to Dragons and Treasure

The rules for The Hobbit are now online

Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away ere break of day To seek the pale enchanted gold. - J.R.R. Tolkien

The rules for the The Hobbit (pdf, 2.1 MB), an upcoming board game from Reiner Knizia, are now available on the support page! On his journey to the Lonely Mountain, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins will need guidance and protection. If the dwarves hope to recover any treasure from the dragon Smaug’s hoard, they must guide their diminutive companion effectively. Note, this board game is an entirely new design, with no relation to the other game (of the same name) published by FFG in 2002.

The Hobbit is a game of strategic bidding and chance. Taking on the roles of the stoic dwarves, players need to guide Bilbo Baggins from the Shire to the Lonely Mountain and end the game with the most treasure. During their journey they will fight goblins, battle wargs, escape the Mirkwood elves, and eventually reach Laketown. Players must plan their journey wisely, bidding for their turn sequence to move Bilbo Baggins further along the game path.

Download the rules today, and be ready for the imminent release of The Hobbit!

Discuss this article
in our forums!

To the Lonely Mountain

Published 20 September 2010 | The Hobbit Board Game

To the Lonely Mountain

Announcing the upcoming release of The Hobbit

Far over the misty mountains cold To dungeons deep and caverns old We must away ere break of day To seek the pale enchanted gold. - J.R.R. Tolkien

Fantasy Flight Games is excited to announce the upcoming release of The Hobbit, a board game of adventure and treasure in Middle-earth for 2-5 players. On his journey to the Lonely Mountain, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins will need guidance and protection. If the dwarves hope to recover any treasure from the dragon Smaug’s hoard, they must guide their diminutive companion effectively.

For more information on The Hobbit, visit the description page. In the meantime, stay tuned for news on The Hobbit, coming soon! (Note, this "The Hobbit" board game is an entirely new game, with no relation to the other game (of the same name) published by FFG (and worldwide by a number of other publishers, in 2002.)

Discuss this article
in our forums!