The Hobbit: There and Back Again

The Hobbit There and Back Again Board Game

Step into Tolkien’s world of adventure, riddles, and courage in The Hobbit: There and Back Again Board Game, a new competitive adventure from legendary designer Reiner Knizia. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless novel The Hobbit, this immersive, story-driven dice game lets 1–4 players relive Bilbo Baggins’ journey from Bag End to the Lonely Mountain and back again.
You’ll roll and draft dice, collect resources, and overcome obstacles across eight unique chapters filled with giant spiders, goblins, trolls, and Smaug the dragon. Every choice shapes your path through Middle-earth in this replayable adventure game for all ages.

The Hobbit board game – A competitive story-driven adventure

At its heart, The Hobbit board game is a competitive adventure game where each player assumes the role of a traveler joining Bilbo and his thirteen dwarves on their quest to reach the Lonely Mountain. Rather than moving along a traditional board, each player narrates their journey through a series of individual chapters represented in their own player book. Each book contains unique illustrations and objectives that bring Tolkien’s story to life.

In each round, players draft dice from a shared pool to collect resources, complete objectives, and advance through Bilbo’s adventures. Success depends on careful planning and timing—knowing when to take a risk with the dice and when to conserve resources for the next challenge.

You’ll relive moments like the Unexpected Party, the encounter with trolls, the riddles in the dark beneath the Misty Mountains, and the final battle at Erebor. Every roll advances your story as you compete for victory points earned through treasure and successful quests.

Journey through Middle Earth

From the cozy comfort of Bag End to the dangerous wastes of Mirkwood, players traverse Tolkien’s world chapter by chapter. Each chapter is a new mini-game filled with decisions and challenges that mirror the events of the novel. You might face down goblins in the dark, avoid capture by giant spiders, or use the ring to escape from danger.

The Hobbit There and Back Again Board Game is more than a roll-and-move game—it’s a story-driven dice drafting adventure where luck and strategy blend seamlessly. Each session feels like a fresh journey through Middle-earth, with paths diverging based on dice results and player choices.

Designer Reiner Knizia’s vision for The Hobbit There and Back Again

Reiner Knizia, the master game designer behind timeless titles like The Lord of the Rings and Beowulf, returns to Tolkien’s universe with an all-new creation that blends his signature mechanical elegance with narrative immersion. Knizia’s design emphasizes decision-making over chance: players draft from a limited set of rolled dice to optimize their turn while reacting to changing circumstances.

Each chapter presents a unique goal and a series of obstacles to overcome. Your decisions matter—save resources for later or take a chance now to complete a quest that could tip the balance of the game. The result is a tight, fast-paced story game that plays in 30–60 minutes and rewards both skill and creativity.

Draft dice, perform actions, and complete adventures

At the start of each round, players roll five six-sided dice and one twelve-sided die, then take turns drafting them to perform actions in their individual player books. The drafting system creates a shared pool of opportunity and competition—do you grab a needed symbol before someone else takes it, or gamble on rolling something better next turn?

Actions include collecting resources, overcoming obstacles, and fulfilling chapter goals. Each chapter brings its own set of rules and victory conditions, from evading the goblins in the Misty Mountains to battling Smaug the dragon at the Lonely Mountain.

The Hobbit There and Back Again gameplay overview

Each player advances through eight adventures:

1. An Unexpected Party – Begin your journey at Bag End with Bilbo and the thirteen dwarves.

2. Over Hill and Under Hill – Cross the Misty Mountains and face the goblins.

3. Riddles in the Dark – Challenge Gollum and claim the One Ring.

4. Flies and Spiders – Battle the giant spiders of Mirkwood.

5. Barrels Out of Bond – Escape Thranduil’s Elven Halls.

6. Fire and Water – Confront Smaug and seize his treasure.

7. The Battle of Five Armies – Rally your allies and defend the treasure hoard.

8. There and Back Again – Return to the Shire to complete your journey.

These chapters mirror the structure of the novel, offering a mixture of luck, planning, and narrative momentum. The player with the most victory points from treasures, completed goals, and resources at the end wins the game.

Components and quality design

The Hobbit There and Back Again Board Game comes with beautiful art and high-quality components to enhance the storytelling experience. Inside the box, you’ll find:

• 4 individual player books with illustrations and chapter objectives

• 5 six-sided dice and 1 twelve-sided die

• 4 dry-erase markers

• 80 tokens for resources and progress tracking

• Full rulebook for learning and reference

The art captures the classic feel of Tolkien’s world—from the green hills of the Shire to the darkness beneath the mountains. Each player book features durable pages designed for repeat play with dry-erase markers, keeping your adventures fresh and replayable.

A competitive adventure game for all players

Designed for 1–4 players ages 10 and up, this competitive adventure game balances accessibility and depth. You can play solo for a personal challenge or with friends for an interactive story experience. The average game lasts 30 to 60 minutes—perfect for a casual evening of board gaming or a quick journey through Middle-earth between larger sessions.

Replayability is high, thanks to multiple paths, randomized dice results, and the strategic drafting system. No two adventures play out the same way, and every choice feels meaningful to your journey.

For Tolkien fans and modern board gamers alike

Fans of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien’s The Hobbit, and modern board games will find a lot to love in this release. The Hobbit There and Back Again Board Game bridges the gap between classic storytelling and modern mechanics, offering both nostalgia and innovation. Players who enjoy Knizia’s designs like Beowulf or The Quest for El Dorado will recognize his signature blend of elegance and strategy.

With its accessible rules and immersive presentation, it’s a fantastic addition to any board game collection and an excellent gift for fans of fantasy and adventure.

Summary

The Hobbit: There and Back Again Board Game is a story-driven dice drafting game from master designer Reiner Knizia. Join Bilbo Baggins and his companions on a journey across Middle-earth, from Bag End to the Lonely Mountain and back again. Players draft dice, collect resources, and complete chapter goals in a competitive adventure that’s filled with strategy, risk, and thematic storytelling.

With eight replayable chapters, simple setup, and engaging mechanics, it’s a must-have for Tolkien fans and modern board game collectors alike.