Discarding a Balrog

[Ulmo]

This one has me a bit confused. The Balrog states that it is discarded if not underground.

• Does this mean that it cannot be played except at an underground site?
• Or can it be played at a non-underground site for 12 tokens but is instantly discarded (why would you do this???)
• Or can it be played at non-underground site but not move to the next site if the FP moves again?

~ Rob

[FM]

Ok, our Rules Gurus may have something to add, but since there's nothing stating that you can only play him at an Underground site, I guess you COULD play him at any site, but as you said, he'd be instantly discarded. Also, if you play him at an underground site and the Fellowship moves to a non-underground site, it bites the dust.
Now, you wanted a reason as to why playing it at a non-underground site? Perhaps the Free Peoples player just added a ton of twilight and you want to discard another card to try and reconcile for a better hand for your Free PEoples turn, then you could play the Balrog AND discard another dead card, cycling 2 cards instead of 1.

[Ulmo]

Thanks for the clarification!  That's how I thought it would be played, but wanted to make sure. 

[Elessar's Socks]

If a card is discarded when it comes into play, ignore any effects triggered when it comes into play. This includes effects from a minion's own game text (such as "When you play this minion...") and effects from other cards in play (such as "Each time you play...").
If Watcher in the Water is in play ("While you can spot Watcher in the Water, discard all other minions...") and you play Goblin Runner ("When you play this minion, you may add ."), is not added.

So it can be played at a non-underground site but it'll be discarded immediately, so it's hard to take advantage of that besides whatever you get from cycling.

[TheJord]

It could be an extremely expensive way to discard Gollum and CbtR him back

But highly wasteful.

[Ulmo]

Another scenario at non-underground site: Suppose I have 2 minions in play and the FP moves again and I play Balrog - those 2 minions don't get discarded because the triggered effect is ignored when Balrog comes into play discarded.  I think that's right.

[FM]

YEs, you won't be able to spot the Balrog since he was discarded, so they (the minions already in play) won't be discarded.

[DáinIronfoot]

What I've always though would be a nasty trick would be playing Traveled Leader or There's Another Way and replacing the current underground site with a non-underground one. Bye-bye Balgy!

[Gil-Estel]

with Demon of Might it wouldn't be possible.....other than that I say: if you're able to discard a balrog....DO IT!

[Ulmo]

With There's Another Way, you've already faced the Balrog by the Regroup phase.  I like the Maneuver phase of Traveled Leader better - not that it makes any difference as we're playing Fellowship block at the moment 

[CCCORNIV]

...not that it makes any difference as we're playing Fellowship block at the moment 

We'll get there eventually!!!!   

[Ulmo]

I'm just happy to be playing again.  And loving every minute of it.   

[Elessar's Socks]

Ah, Fellowship block. That's where Bill the Pony and Asfaloth keep falling off the site path, huh?

Hey, welcome to the forums Ulmo!

[Ulmo]

Thanks Elessar.

With 3 kids, I'm grateful I get to play at all. 
And if I don't have Bill the Pony, he won't fall off.

I'm looking forward to using SdA - once I figure out some good strategies!!

[Gil-Estel]

http://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/ ...here you can find millions of decks, well, a lot of decks, to explore new tactics and all. www.decktech.net is also neat, but outdated, so the decks you find there are somewhat old.....

EDIT by Kralik: Fixed link.