by fyrian
This isn't going to be a review, but I'm happy to outline a few options for you as you think about getting into this game. Let me know if you have any specific questions.1x Core Set: A Fun Card Game with limited deck building
There's a lot of game to be had in the core set. You get 3 quests, 12 heroes, and 120 player cards. Your deck building options are limited, but the 3 included quests are some of my favorite. I'd recommend 1x core set to someone who's interested in trying this game and would like to experience a few treks through Middle Earth, but isn't interested in starting with much deck customization.
2x Core Set: Good for 3--4 players
In addition to the threat trackers and assorted tokens, the core set has some of the best heroes and player cards in the game. But unlike X-Wing, I do not recommend multiple core sets unless you plan on regularly playing with 3 or 4 players. The reason for this is that most of the variety of this game comes from different quests. Buying multiple core sets opens up a few deck building options, but no new quests. I'd say additional money is better spent on adventure packs to give new quests and different player cards.
Core Set Plus 2--3 Mirkwood Adventure Packs: Fun with serious deck customization options
The core set has encounter cards for the Mirkwood cycle and so you get the most bang for your buck by starting with the Mirkwood Adventure Packs. Three packs gives a total of 6 different quests, 15 heroes, and about 210 player cards. With more quests and more player cards, the game starts to open up in both quest and deck building possibilities. A single core set plus 2--3 Mirkwood Adventure Packs is my recommendation for a new player.
Which packs to get depends on what you're looking for. When played in order, the adventure packs tell a story. If this story element sounds fun, then I recommend buying the first 3 adventure packs in the Mirkwood cycle (The Hunt for Gollum, Conflict at the Carrock, and A Journey to Rhosgobel). If you're more interested in the single quest experience, then I recommend Conflict at the Carrock, The Dead Marshes, and Return to Mirkwood which are highly rated quests per the quest database.
What's next...
Finish Mirkwood. This is one way at continuing in the game. There are interesting cards in all the packs and you finish the Mirkwood story, so you wouldn't be doing bad to finish the Mirkwood Cycle. Still, I think the later quests are of higher quality.
Khazad-dûm Deluxe Expansion plus a few Dwarrowdelf Adventure Packs. This cycle delves into Moria with a dwarf focus. Good cards and fun quests.
The Hobbit Saga expansions. This has a similar price and number of cards as the Deluxe Expansions. Unlike the deluxe expansions, it doesn't set up a cycle of adventure packs but it does tell the Hobbit story. I had a lot of fun with the first Hobbit expansion and would recommend this after Mirkwood.
Heirs of Númenor Deluxe Expansion plus the Shadow Cycle. A Gondor centric expansion. This is where the game is currently at and I haven't played any of it, but it looks fun. You could start here if you like Gondor.
Hope this helps! J