Quoted from Guinnesstime:LOTR is amazing. Epic.
SM is more fun. Faster pace.
LOTR has the edge for me, but each game is a long hike.
I’m going to agree here.
I owned SM sold and bought a different one back.
I owned LotR during this same time and think both (and Tspp) are great.
My biggest issue with LotR (although I feel like it’s fantastic maybe one of the best ever) was that I don’t feel like playing it a lot. I go through phases and sure the new pins get played more but I still keep the old ones and play them periodically. But LotR became one I didn’t turn on as much as I should have.
I would still buy LotR is you don’t have one but me personally SM seems to be better.
Basically the three pins you listed you can not go wrong with.
IMO you should buy LotR if you are really into rules and SM if you are more into funny flowing pins. LotR is a bit serious and dark but still excellent. Tspp deep and rewarding can’t go wrong with it at all imo.
So I’m not much help since after all kind of just see what comes up at a good price.