Virtual DC Contest #3 - The Return of the King (Starting the FINAL ROUND!)

[Thranduil]

I've been blown away by the activity on this board recently - something I haven't seen for months and months. And so, it was brought to my attention that it has been nearly 3 months since the last DC contest finished! More to the point, that DC contest was mine!

And so, with all this revitalisation going on with the possibility of a PC, a magazine, a computer program and loads of other exciting awesome stuff, I thought it was time to bring back one of my favourite concepts - the Virtual DC contest!

Now you may or may not know that I have done 2 Virtual DC Contests in the past. The first one was based on cards from The Fellowship of the Ring, the second one from The Two Towers, and so this one is (you guessed it!) The Return of the King! Hopefully this will both spark your interest in the future of this game which may well be virtual cards released by a proper player's committee, and give inspiration to such a committee if it does indeed come to pass about what cards you guys the players want to see.

For some inspiration and nostalgia, why don't you check out the first 2 contests here for FotR and here for TTT.

I welcome anyone to try it out, from beginners to experts - have your ideas known! To join, just let me know by either posting below or sending me a PM before Wednesday 18th November. If you have any problems with the above deadline or any questions about the contest etc., don't hesitate to PM me.


Introduction to the Concept

Those who once played Star Wars CCG when it died a horrible death may remember that the Players' Committee continued making ‘Virtual' cards. This would involve taking old cards that nobody used (because they were totally useless – a big issue with the early SW and LOTR cards) and making alternate texts so that they'd be useful.

A classic example of this is the SW card ‘Tarkin'. The original version had a text like this:



That's right – it was totally blank!

The Virtual card, with the title ‘Tarkin (V)' had a text like this:

‘Adds one battle destiny with Vader (or against a Rebel at a mobile site). Spies and Jar Jar may not deploy to Death Star. May subtract 2 from the Force retrieved from On The Edge or Off The Edge. Once per game, may download Put All Sections On Alert, Hyperwave Scan, or an ISB agent.'

Even if you don't know anything about the game itself, it's clear which of the two was more useful, and they also changed his stats, deploy cost and forfeit value, to make in the end, a pretty decent card, which I in fact use in one of my decks. They did this with a whole load of other cards, not just ones without game text.

As another example, the card ‘Stormtrooper' had this text:

‘Deploys free to same site as one of your Imperials with ability > 2.'

‘Stormtrooper (V)' had this text:

‘Destiny +2 when drawn for weapon or battle destiny. While armed with a Blaster Rifle, forfeit +2 and draws one battle destiny if not able to otherwise.'

These two cards do completely different things, and though it's clear the second is more useful, you could make an argument to use either.

What the SWCCGPC did was make printable versions of the bottom half of the cards covering up stats and game texts but leaving the picture, title and lore text the same. Imagine this is working in the same way, except because the lore is at the bottom it's being covered as well.


Tasks and Rules

In this contest, there will be a series of cards which nobody uses which will be from Towers Block. Your task will be to make a Virtual version of these cards which I will specify in each round. It should:

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture, type and sub-type
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own, it doesn't really matter.


(Bad) Example

So, say I choose ‘Legolas, Fearless Marksman'. Then your card might look like this:

•Legolas, Fearless Marksman (V)
Companion • Elf
Str: 13
Vit: 21
Res: 99
Archer. Hunter 3000. Damage +13.
Maneuver: Make Legolas a god until the regroup phase.
The original version of this guy was just not broken enough!
4 V 73

Obviously you'd lose because it's ridiculously unfair and totally unoriginal (Legolas is already a god ) but you get the general idea.


Format

This will be a cumulative contest without eliminations so that there is maximum participation and the widest possible range of cards. Voting is compulsory for participants.

The number of rounds depends on the amount of enthusiasm, but I'm hoping we can keep it going for 10 rounds.

There will also be some prizes for the top 3 overall.


Contestants
Thranduil
MR. Lurtzy
Sweet_Stuff
ket_the_jet
Ranofer
lem0nhead
legolas333
sickofpalantirs
Anvar
Sete
Beregond25
c10ckw0rk
Sweet_Stuff
TheJord
Sharkey
Sam, Great Elf Warrior

[MR. Lurtzy]

I'm up for it.

[Not a Zombie]

Me too!

[ket_the_jet]

I'm in and I will submit everything on time.
-wtk

[Ranofer]

Ahh why not, I'm in for it as well.  All text though right Thranduil?  Not Images?

[Thranduil]

Let's talk about images when we get there!

Great response guys! I'd probably be happy running with this, but I'll wait until the deadline for maximum participation.

Thranduil

[lem0nhead]

Boo!

As if i'd miss a DC contest 

[legolas3333]

I will

[sickofpalantirs]

count this spammer in.

[ket_the_jet]

By the way, how is Legolas, Fearless Marksman broken? He is damned useful and couples nicely with several cards, but not broken by any means.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

Exactly - not nearly as broken as Greenleaf or Dauntless Hunter, which were the examples I used for my last 2 contests!

[ket_the_jet]

Oh! Haha! I thought you meant he wasn't broken enough so you wanted to make him more broken! But I guess that is what you meant. Well, fair enough. I just mis-understood your intentions.
-wtk

[Anvar]

I'll give it a try (time-permitting).

Roni

[MR. Lurtzy]

So is this going anywhere?

[Thranduil]

Yep, very much so. I've even gone so far as to choose the first card! But I'm waiting until the deadline (which is Wednesday).

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Okay, I've waited until when I said I would, and now it's time to get on with the DC CONTEST!

Okay, let's kick this contest off with a groundbreaking character that opened a lot of possibilities to LotR, but was actually in himself exceedingly uninspiring and is now never used thanks to the fact he has obviously much much better versions.



Yeah - Elrond, Elven Lord: the first major ally to become a companion. Compare him to Witness to History or even his Mount Doom version Venerable Lord and Elven Lord pales horribly. So, it's now going to be our task to make him more interesting.

Let me restate the rules for this contest. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture, type and sub-type let's keep him a companion for this one. There might be some ally/companion to follower conversion later, but for the moment let's leave him as is.
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate I don't mind whether we use resistance or signets - it's up to you.
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines so take it back to the roots. What is Elrond about? What does he do? How does he affect the story? Also, given that we can't change the picture, think about what he was doing at the point in the film the picture comes from. You don't have to make a RotK themed Elrond, but it just could be worth thinking about. This round is very open - sometimes I will restrict the direction I want you to go, but first I want to see some creativity! This guy is perfect for that because of his generic subtitle.
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own, it doesn't really matter.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this:

•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: X
Vitality: Y
Resistance/Signet: Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 21

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, so the deadline will be at midnight GMT on Thursday 26th. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Sorry I forgot to mention:

My usual policy for DC contests is that I take a look at your card (if I'm entering the contest, I always design my entry before seeing any cards) and give you a reply with some of my thoughts. You can then repost your submission with any changes if you so wish. And this can happen any number of times.

This is because I think it's unreasonable for any one person to act as both designer and developer, so I let you guys be designers, and put myself in the developer's shoes.

And if you don't get a reply for your card, don't worry this is not because I haven't received it! It's because I couldn't think of anything particularly good to say.

Thranduil

[sickofpalantirs]

I'll work on this later ( maybe even today) but just have to say, Elven Lord has always been a sweet card IMHO the flavor is good, the pic is kinda kewl, and it was the first elrond companion!  plus their was a Decipher article that used him in a sweet way.  But anyway, good choice and I'll try to get it in on time.

[Thranduil]

I'll work on this later ( maybe even today) but just have to say, Elven Lord has always been a sweet card IMHO the flavor is good, the pic is kinda kewl, and it was the first elrond companion!  plus their was a Decipher article that used him in a sweet way.  But anyway, good choice and I'll try to get it in on time.

Yeah I understand what you mean, but at the end of the day conditional once per turn transferral of a wound is not that great. And compared to Venerable Lord (who is okay) and Witness to History (who is awesome) he's really nothing special. And I think you guys can do MUCH better, which is why I chose him!

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Okay, so let's see the entries. As I thought, there were 2 main methods of approaching Elrond's design. 1) Play on the Andúril/artifact theme, as obviously at that point in the movie that is what Elrond is doing, or 2) play more on the subtitle for a leader of the Elves.

So here are our entries. You should vote for your favourite 3 in order. Anyone is welcome to vote - in fact I encourage everyone who did not enter the contest to voice their opinions - but contestants MUST vote before we can continue with the next round (and obviously not for your own! ).

I have kept the names anonymous for the voting, and after the round is over I will add their names.

Voting deadline is a week from now, so Friday 4th December.

Anvar
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 7
While you can spot Arwen, Elrond's twilight cost is -2.
Fellowship: Exert Elrond and play a unique Elf companion (or Aragorn) to play an artifact on that companion from your draw deck.
"Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be."
7 V 21

Sweet_Stuff
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 7
Each time Elrond wins a skirmish you may heal another companion and place a card from hand on top of your draw deck.
"'We must take a hard road, a road unforeseen. There lies our hope, if hope it be.'"
7 V 21

Thranduil
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 7
Each companion bearing a or artifact is strength +2.
"'... my memory reaches back even to the Elder Days... I have seen three ages in the West of the world, and many defeats, and many fruitless victories.'"
7 V 21

sickofpalantirs
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 7
Fellowship: Play an artifact on a companion to heal that companion (and if that companion is Aragorn, you may take a event from your discard pile into hand).
"'They will answer to the King of Gondor."'
7 V 21

ket_the_jet
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength 8
Vitality 4
Signet: Gandalf
When you play Elrond (except in your starting fellowship), you may reveal the top 10 cards of your draw deck. You may play each artifact revealed. Shuffle your draw deck.
"'Onen i-estel Edain.'"
7 V 21

Legolas3333
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 8
Skirmish: Exert Elrond to make an or companion is strength +2 (and damage+1 if that companion is Aragorn).
"'Onen i-estel Edain.'"
7 V 21

lem0nhead
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 8
At the start of the fellowship phase you may exert Elrond to play an artifact from your draw deck on an or companion.
Regroup: Discard an artifact borne by a companion to heal a companion.
"'Onen i-estel Edain.'"
7 V 21

[lem0nhead]

5
4
2

[legolas3333]

4
2
3

[Anvar]

5
3
7

[Not a Zombie]

4
1
7

[ket_the_jet]

2 4 7

[ket_the_jet]

Thranduil--who are we waiting on, besides you? I think a week to wait is too long...I am dying in suspense!
-wtk

[TheJord]

5
2
4

[sickofpalantirs]

1.  Nice theme.
5.  Love the tie in to cards like Eomer Keeper of Oaths
7.  A bit OP, but I like the concept.

[Thranduil]

I think we probably got all the votes... But I'd still like to keep the poll open for as many votes as possible. And thanks TJ for voting even though you didn't have to!

While we're at it, my votes are for:

1) #5
2) #1
3) #2

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

for TJ as well. Your a chief amongst boys.
-wtk

[Sete]

1

4

6

All the other entries were awesome as well, but I either found them overpowered or lacking a tiny sparkle to make the card a top deck card.

Congrats to all anyway!

[Thranduil]

Thanks Sete!

Last day of voting today!

Thranduil

[Beregond25]

1
7
3

[Thranduil]

Sorry for the delay in posting, but we now have the winners of round 1! WOOOOO!

1) ket_the_jet (#5) and sickofpalantirs (#4)
2) Anvar (#1)
3) Sweet_Stuff (#2)

So let's give a well-deserved to each of our winners as we move onto the next round.

Now, unfortunately for us (though good for King block), sets 7-10 are not filled with useless annoying cards as were sets 1-6. But, there are cards which are a shame to be as unexciting as they are, including Elrond above, and this week's card:



So he's awesome, because he's the only the enduring Witch-King. But that's pretty much it. The rest of his text is uninspiring, uninteresting and quite frankly not especially good. With such a great subtitle, and more importantly, kickass picture, I know that you guys can do better!

Let me restate the rules for this contest. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture, type and sub-type
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. So the point of this round is not to make an enduring Witch-King per sé (but it can be if you decide that is the best expression of this guy's flavour) but to make a Witch-King that is truly deserved of the subtitle Black Captain. Just let the flavour, picture or lore take you somewhere different!)
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this:

•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: X
Vitality: Y
Site: Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
8 V 84

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, so the deadline will be at midnight GMT on Sunday 13th. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[MR. Lurtzy]

Can I enter this round if I didn't last round?

[TheJord]

As I'm trying to get the PC going, I'd also like to participate?

[Beregond25]

Me too

[Thranduil]

The answer to each of those questions is "OF COURSE!"

This contest is cumulative, so no eliminations and no restrictions on who can enter for maximum participation and the points you've received from each round you've entered will be totalled at the end.

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Fantastic turnout for this round - I'm very excited!

A quick word: I'd like the focus of the voting to be on ideas, and not on power level. Essentially this is because the development process has been very limited (ie. me! ) and any power level issues would be fixed later on in the process and it's very likely that I have missed something.

I also thought I'd remind you of The Witch-King, Black Captain (P) which has one of the most kickass pictures of any LotR card! At least 1 entry was designed with this picture in mind, and so I thought it was worth mentioning.

So as usual, do please vote for your favourite 3 entries and we'll have just under a week to get all the votes, so Sunday 20th.
ket_the_jet
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (P) (V)
Minion • Nazgul
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
Each time you play a or minion, add .
"Fool, no man can kill me!"
0 V 61

Sweet_Stuff
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring
Shadow cards may not exert The Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: Heal The Witch-King to play a Orc from hand; its twilight cost is -1, and is fierce and damage+1 until the regroup phase.
'Send forth all legions.'
8 V 84

TheJord
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring. Fierce
While The Witch-King is mounted, he is damage +1
Response: If a companion is killed, discard a mount the Witch-King to exert a companion.
"No man can kill me!"
8 V 84

Legolas3333
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion - Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring
Each time The Witch-King wins a skirmish, you may exert him to exert a companion (or 2 men)
"You fool, no man can kill me, die now!"
8 V 84

sickofpalantirs
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring.
Shadow cards cannot exert the Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: Heal the Witch-King twice to wound a companion he is skirmishing.
"'And those who will take a weapon to such an enemy must be sterner than steel, if the very shock shall not destroy them."'
8 V 84

Author's notes: This Witch-King is meant to go with the Enduring Nazgul theme set up in Mount Doom, of healing to do evil stuff.  The original version dealt with how normal weapons couldn't hurt him.  This one takes the fact that although some weapons obviously could hurt him,  they hurt those who wielded them right back.    The lore comes from Aragorn when he first sees Eowyn in the Houses of Healing.[/i]

Beregond25
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V) 
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
Skirmish: Exert The Witch-King to make a minion strength +1 (and strength +1 for each companion over 4 if that minion is a Nazgûl).
"‘Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

Thranduil
 •The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Besieger. Fierce.
Each other besieger minion is fierce.
"‘Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

lem0nhead
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
Shadow: Exert The Witch-king twice to play a Nazgûl from your draw deck, it's twilight cost is -2.
Skirmish: Exert The Witch-King to make each Nazgûl strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"'Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

Anvar
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring. Fierce.
Shadow cards cannot exert The Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: If The Witch-King is skirmishing, heal him to exert the ring-bearer.
"'Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

MR. Lurtzy
•The Witch-king, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
When you play The Witch-king, if you cannot spot another minion, you may play a minion from your draw deck. It is twilight cost -1 for each burden you spot.
Each time The Witch-king wins a skirmish against a companion with resistance 5 or less add a burden instead of wounding that companion.
"'Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

[lem0nhead]

2
10
9

[ket_the_jet]

#1
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgul
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
Each time you play a or minion, add .
"Fool, no man can kill me!"
8 V 84

This one has nice implications...but I would've wanted to see a great second ability.

#2
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring
Shadow cards may not exert The Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: Heal The Witch-King to play a Orc from hand; its twilight cost is -1, and is fierce and damage+1 until the regroup phase.
'Send forth all legions.'
8 V 84

I think limiting him to Orcs is a little bit of a letdown. What about the besiegers he commanded?!

#3
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring. Fierce
While The Witch-King is mounted, he is damage +1
Response: If a companion is killed, discard a mount the Witch-King to exert a companion.
"No man can kill me!"
8 V 84

Finally, a fierce and enduring Witch-King. I like the mounted bonus but I think I would like the idea of the Witch-King being mounted giving every minion a bonus.

#4
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion - Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring
Each time The Witch-King wins a skirmish, you may exert him to exert a companion (or 2 Men)
"You fool, no man can kill me, die now!"
8 V 84

I think The Witch-King, Lord of the Nazgul is much better and more powerful. I just wouldn't see this card getting much play.

#5
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring.
Shadow cards cannot exert the Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: Heal the Witch-King twice to wound a companion he is skirmishing.
"'And those who will take a weapon to such an enemy must be sterner than steel, if the very shock shall not destroy them."'
8 V 84

Powerful with Between Nazgul and Prey, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. What about the idea of healing him twice to discard all cards borne by a companion he is skirmishing? Eowyn's Sword melts away and Snowmane is Fell Beast fodder.

#6
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)  
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
Skirmish: Exert The Witch-King to make a minion strength +1 (and strength +1 for each companion over 4 if that minion is a Nazgûl).
"‘Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

Giving Nazgul pumps is dangerous territory, akin to giving condition removal (in my eyes). Possible strength +18 pump for any Nazgul (assuming nine companions) and can pump himself...

#7
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 5
Besieger. Fierce.
Each other besieger minion is fierce.
"‘Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

I'm going to guess that this is Thranduil's card, because he took a keyword and gave it to another culture. It's a cool idea...but why make that Witch-King fierce? Make him enduring and say, "Each besieger minion is fierce" so that he's fierce anyways!

It's worth asking if you want them to be fierce until the regroup phase or fierce until the Witch-King is killed...

#8
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
Shadow: Exert The Witch-king twice to play a Nazgûl from your draw deck, it's twilight cost is -2.
Skirmish: Exert The Witch-King to make each Nazgûl strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"'Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

Yuck...Nazgul Swarm! This guy is another very powerful minion. I think I would prefer seeing "At the start of the Shadow phase..." rather than how it currently stands to prevent multiple uses (with Ring of Rancor). But I guess if they are stacking four Rings, good job on their deck design!

#9
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring. Fierce.
Shadow cards cannot exert The Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: If The Witch-King is skirmishing, heal him to exert the ring-bearer.
"'Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

Nice card, but it doesn't get the "Black Captain" aspect of the Witch-King. I would probably still use Lord of the Nazgul.

#10
•The Witch-king, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Fierce.
When you play The Witch-king, if you cannot spot another minion, you may play a minion from your draw deck. It is twilight cost -1 for each burden you spot.
Each time The Witch-king wins a skirmish against a companion with resistance 5 or less add a burden instead of wounding that companion.
"'Do not stop the attack until the City is taken.'"
8 V 84

This is very cool. Got to play the Witch-King first! I don't know how strong the second ability is in Standard, but in Movie Block the only companion with resistance is the Ring-Bearer...doesn't bid well for a site two pull against Galadriel, Bearer of Wisdom!

_____________________________ _____________________________ ______

Great stuff everyone.

8
3
10

Also, Thranduil: I think that having Author's Notes can be a little unfair. I think most of us made the Mount Doom-Enduring Nazgul connection and so getting a free "This author did a lot of research to have the best lore" comment can skew results (though it was the best lore!) Just throwing that out there.

Again, good job to everyone!
-wtk

[Thranduil]

Also, Thranduil: I think that having Author's Notes can be a little unfair. I think most of us made the Mount Doom-Enduring Nazgul connection and so getting a free "This author did a lot of research to have the best lore" comment can skew results (though it was the best lore!) Just throwing that out there.

Perhaps I should have specified from the beginning that author's notes were allowed, but essentially that person was the only one to ask me about it! If someone wants some author's notes put up now, I'm happy to do that if you send them to me.

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

Haha...I don't want any author's notes and probably won't take advantage of that in the future...I think the card should speak for itself.
-wtk

[lem0nhead]

I'm going to guess that this is Thranduil's card, because he took a keyword and gave it to another culture. It's a cool idea...but why make that Witch-King fierce? Make him enduring and say, "Each besieger minion is fierce" so that he's fierce anyways!

I bet its not, thats a very "Un-Thran" card, his usually is either a burrito or an interesting game mechanic!

[Not a Zombie]

#7
#6, Needs some power fix, but cool idea!
#1, perhaps a bit underpowered, but the flavor is good

[sharkey]

May I enter, or is it too late?

[Thranduil]

May I enter, or is it too late?

Too late for this round, but not for the next! Now you'll be receiving email notifications from this thread, so just keep an eye out! You can however vote for this round - you have to vote if you participate, but I love all voters!

Thranduil

[TheJord]

9
10
2

[sickofpalantirs]

I am going to have to copy TheJord and Lemon and say
2
10
9

[sharkey]

10,
2,
3!

[legolas3333]

8
5
7

[Braler]

Been gone a while but now im back    Hope to get in on the next round!
Anyway, here are my picks.

10
5
9

[Beregond25]

2
8
7
I'm back finally. Yay

[MR. Lurtzy]

1
7
3

[Anvar]

7
1
4

[Thranduil]

And finally my votes:

1) #1 (I love the idea, but he needed a second ability)
2) #2 (I like the take on Black Captain for his Orkish minions, but I thought the Thrall of the One aspect made it more like 2 ideas and I would have liked it better had it had only 1)
3) #5 (one of the best flavours to go with the Witch-King, Black Captain (P) image, also honourable mention in this area to #3).

This gives our winners for this round:

1) Sweet_Stuff (#2)
2) MR. Lurtzy (#10)
3) Thranduil (#7)

So to all that lot (it was very close between 1st and 2nd)!

I will post the entries with their true authors in a second, and then I will continue with the next round.

[Thranduil]

So I feel like we've had enough of the characters for the moment, so the next round is a very disappointing artifact:



As with the last 2 cards, this one is okay, but pales horribly in comparison to other versions, such as Flame of the West in the same set, or Sword That Was Broken.

Let me restate the rules for this contest. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture, type and sub-type
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. Again going back to the basics of flavour is I think the key to this round: what does Andúril do? and particular for this subtitle, what does a King do? and what about his blade, one of the symbols of his kingship? what about the picture? or the lore text?
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this:

•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Res: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 80

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, but due to the holidays this is going to be an extended deadline. So this time the deadline should be midnight GMT on Sunday 3rd January - so you have about 2 weeks. (If it's more convenient for people going away or having family stuff etc., then the deadline can be extended beyond that - let me know!). A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[sharkey]

I entered mine! Let me know if I should post it here.

[ket_the_jet]

I entered mine! Let me know if I should post it here.

PM all entries to Thranduil. He will post them all under pseudonyms so that they will be kept secret.
-wtk

[ket_the_jet]

I bet its not, thats a very "Un-Thran" card, his usually is either a burrito or an interesting game mechanic!

Boosh.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

I entered mine! Let me know if I should post it here.

PM all entries to Thranduil. He will post them all under pseudonyms so that they will be kept secret.
-wtk

Indeed. I'll give you some comments a bit later.

I bet its not, thats a very "Un-Thran" card, his usually is either a burrito or an interesting game mechanic!

Boosh.
-wtk

There's been a reason I've been so slow with moving onto the culture in Back to the Light!

Thranduil

[lem0nhead]

I bet its not, thats a very "Un-Thran" card, his usually is either a burrito or an interesting game mechanic!

Boosh.
-wtk

Dam you sah!  I take my hat off to you!

[Thranduil]

I do apologise that I haven't been around on the forums - I expected to be around more just following the new year - and so I have not had time to comment on everyone's entry. So I am extending the deadline until Sunday 10th so that I do indeed have time, and I will get onto making comments fairly soon!

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Okay apologies for the delay but holidays and New Year and such things are now out of the way enough that I can post this round's entries!

I was (almost) literally bowled over with the participation for this round -  I have not had this many entries in a DC contest I think since the first Two Towers round, or perhaps even in the Fellowship of the Ring contest. It really shows that there's still a vibrant community here who love this game and want to see new virtual cards!

So please vote for your favourite 3 (not your own entry!) in order of preference and the deadline will be Sunday 17th.

Thranduil
•Andúril, King's Blade
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +1
Vitality: +1
Resistance: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn.
While Aragorn is resistance 9 or more, he is strength +2.
While Aragorn is resistance 7 or more, he is defender +1.
While Aragorn is resistance 5 or more, he is damage +1.
"… for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war on the marches of Mordor."[/i]
7 V 80

ket_the_jet
•Andúril, King's Blade
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. He is damage +1.
Each other companion is strength +1.
"Stand your ground...my brothers!".
7 V 80

Sharkey
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
When you play Andúril, add a threat.
Bearer must be Aragorn. He is enduring. Discard all other Free Peoples cards he bears, and he may not bear other Free Peoples cards.
While Aragorn has exactly 1 wound, he is damage +1.
While Aragorn has exactly 2 wounds, he is defender +1.
While Aragorn has exactly 3 wounds, each other enduring companion is strength +1.
7 V 80

Sweet_Stuff
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. Discard all other weapons he bears and he cannot bear other weapons. He is a knight.
Skirmish: Discard a fortification to make all other knights strength +1 until the regroup phase.
"The Sword of Elendil was Forged anew by Elvish smiths... for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor."
7 V 80

legolas3333
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Vitality +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. He is damage+1
Assignment: If you can spot more minions than companions, exert Aragorn to make him defender+1
Skirmish: Exert Aragorn to make a minion strength -1.
Regroup: Exert Aragorn to heal a companion.
"Renewed be the blade that was broken The crownless again shall be king."
7 V 80

Beregond25
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: + 3
Vitality: +1
Resistance: -2
Bearer must be Aragorn. Bearer is damage +1.
Skirmish: If Aragorn is skirmishing an Orc, exert him twice to wound a minion and make him strength +2 until the regroup phase.
"The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths... for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor."
7 V 80

Sete
•Andúril, King's Blade (V) 
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn.
Fellowship: Exert Aragorn to play the King of the Dead from your draw deck or hand; he is twilight cost -2.
While you spot 3 Wraiths, Aragorn is defender +1.
"I am Andúril who was Narsil, the sword of Elendil. Let the thralls of Mordor flee me."
7 V 80

Sam, Great Elf Warrior
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. He is damage +1.
Fellowship: Exert Aragorn twice to play a artifact from your draw deck or discard pile.
"'From the ashes a fire shall be woken,/ A light from the shadow shall spring;/ Renewed shall be blade that was broken,/ The crownless again shall be king.'"
7 V 80

lem0nhead
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. If you cannot spot Denethor, Aragorn is damage +1.
Each other Man is resistance +1.
Aragorn is strength +1 for each other companion with resistance 6 or more you can spot.
""The sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths...for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon ther marches of Mordor.""
7 V 80

Anvar
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn.
While Narsil or the Shards of the Narsil is in your discard pile, Aragorn is strength +2 and damage +1.
Skirmish: Exert Aragorn twice to make an unbound companion strength +1 for each artifact in your discard pile.
"Renewed shall be blade that was broken, / The crownless again shall be king."
7 V 80

sickofpalantirs
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn.
While you can spot another ranger, Aragorn gains ranger and defender +1.
While you can spot another knight, Aragorn gains knight and all knights are resistance +1."
"The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elven Smiths… for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor"
7 V 80

TheJord
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragon
While you can spot 3 exhausted Wraiths, Aragorn and the Ring-bearer cannot take wounds except during skirmishes.
"The one who wields this blade can summon forth an army more deadly than any that walks this earth!"
7 V 80

MR. Lurtzy
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. He is damage +1.
Each time Aragorn wins a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a card, you may heal a companion.
"The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths… for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor."
7 V 80

[lem0nhead]

1
13
10

[legolas3333]

13
1
7

[TheJord]

11
9
1

[sharkey]

7
10
11

[Sete]

6
8
13

Great work everybody! All the cards were awesome! ^^

[sickofpalantirs]

4
12
7
kewl stuff

[sharkey]

There seem to be quite a bit of work with Knight and Wraith with the new ones.

[ket_the_jet]

My favorite is 1, but it is backwards (see Southron Conqueror in the same set). Also, considering that this is a King Block dream cast, it does not have any application in Movie Block (although it helps considerably in Standard).

So to make my list of favorite three that span both playing Formats, which I believe these cards should do being in the "flex sets" (7-10), I'll go with:

4
13
5

Again, good job to everyone.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

12 (I looked at this card and my mouth literally dropped - it's so cool and so easy I just love it, and it singlehandedly makes Wraiths a playable deck)
10 (love the flavour of Narsil and the lost kingdoms of Númenor)
3 (I very much enjoyed the idea and the ingenuity of having an Andúril that turns Aragorn into a Wraith, but I thought it needed some work)

Great stuff everyone!

Thranduil

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

Wow, most of these are really powerful.
4
13
12

[Not a Zombie]

5
3
8

[Anvar]

11
12
1

[Beregond25]

1
8
2

I like 12's text "bearer must be aragon."

[sharkey]

Everyone's says that. We pride ourselves on our creativity.

[ket_the_jet]

"Aragon," not Aragorn.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

9
8
10

[Thranduil]

Okay, so that's all the contestants' votes completed. But I'd love to leave it up until the deadline (Sunday) so that anybody who is not in the contest still has a chance to vote! I will probably give a to anyone who does so (for what it's worth!).

[chompers]

3
7
12

[Cw0rk]

3
7
10

[Thranduil]

Okay I can now post the winners of last round:

1) Thranduil (#1) & MR. Lurtzy (#13)
2) TheJord (#12) & Sete (#7)
3) Sharkey (#3)

But it was an incredibly close round - each of those places were separated by 1 point, and 1 point below Sharkey were both Sweet_Stuff (#4) and Anvar (#10).

So let's give all those contestants a as we move into the next round.

Now Reflections was all round a good set. It made a lot of previously unplayable strategies playable (for example, the culture), added a whole host of new companions to the mix, new Ring-bearer options as well as such iconic cards such as Rings. But there were a few disappointing cards there, and since it is sort of technically King block I thought I'd address one of the worst at the higher rarity:



This is also the 1 chance we'll have to do an card in this contest (I reckon Suffered Much Loss can probably be left alone!). So yeah it doesn't seem great. I don't know of any one or any deck that plays it. But I think the idea is interesting enough to spark some much needed creativity!

Let me restate the rules for this contest. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture. Contrary to the rounds up until now, I see no reason to limit you to making a support area artifact, or even an artifact. For the purposes of this round, you can feel free to ignore the yellow culture and uniqueness symbol (these could be replaced with the virtual template without too much trouble) and make whatever card you think makes sense - condition, event, even follower?.
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. There is a flavour route to take here - what does Saruman have in his library? What does he use it for? How can libraries help you? - but I think there is another strong mechanical route for this round because a "library" is a bit of a non-specific thing. So try thinking about what strategies from King/Movie block need supporting (or standard for that matter)? What sub-themes never got a chance to shine? Could it let 2 cultures work together?
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this:

•Library of Orthanc (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Res: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
9 V 39

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, and so the deadline should be midnight GMT on Sunday 24th January. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[Sete]

Congrats to all the winners and non winners! ^^ Those cards were well worthy of dream cards!! (who knows, in a near future ;P)

Good luck all for this new contest as well!

Cheers,

7

[Cw0rk]

I just have a question, why are there submissions for DC that are pre-shadows involving stuff like 'resistance'?

[ket_the_jet]

I just have a question, why are there submissions for DC that are pre-shadows involving stuff like 'resistance'?

I brought up this same point. I don't mind in theory the cards doing such things in other dream sets, but as a "swing" set (7-10) which is both Movie and Standard eligible, I cannot vote for anything that makes reference to resistance, or has a toil cost, muster, etc.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

You're only limiting yourself.

[ket_the_jet]

Understand.
-wtk

Edit: You know what? Not really. If I want toil then I can just say, "When you play this card, you may exert a [culture] character. It's twilight cost is -X for each character exerted this way."

Same thing for any of the other keywords.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

Yeah, that makes more sense.

[ket_the_jet]

Yeah, that makes more sense.

I can't tell if you were using a sarcasm font. But relative to when these cards were "produced," it certainly does.
-wtk

[sharkey]

Congrats all entrants, all of the cards were cool.

[Cw0rk]

I just have a question, why are there submissions for DC that are pre-shadows involving stuff like 'resistance'?

I brought up this same point. I don't mind in theory the cards doing such things in other dream sets, but as a "swing" set (7-10) which is both Movie and Standard eligible, I cannot vote for anything that makes reference to resistance, or has a toil cost, muster, etc.
-wtk

Same point of view here.

[Not a Zombie]

wtk: you can write out the stuff for all the loaded keywords, like toil and muster, but you cannot for resistance. It would be convoluted and ugly

[Thranduil]

Wow, I didn't expect such an argument!

The answer as far as I can see is as follows. The purpose of virtual cards is to "fill out" the game - to fill in gaps, promote different strategies, show different takes on old strategies, promote new deck ideas and so on and so forth. Therefore you need to cater for all formats if possible, so you should make some cards geared for Movie block, some for Expanded, some for Standard, and also tournament, casual, multiplayer etc. Just because you're recreating a card from RotK block doesn't mean you should be restricted to what was known in RotK block - you're creating these cards post Hunters block, so it's ridiculous for you to forget information about the game that was introduced since RotK. And if the card might not have relevance in Movie block, it will have relevance for other formats that people want to play. If you don't want to use this version of the card in your deck, you don't have to - you can go back to the original version. You can even use King's Blade original in conjunction with King's Blade (V) in the same deck, if you so chose.

So in the case of resistance, some people will want cards that deal with resistance for their Expanded decks, which is something card designers need to be aware of.

In the case of toil, why bother writing it all out when there is a simple and concise language the game gives you to do so?

Secondly, I imagine that each virtual set would be available in the Standard environment to help move the game along, as well as the  format where the original card is found. So it might be relevant to have a RotK virtual card care about resistance.

Hope that clears up my intentions. Obviously you can feel free to disagree with me, and when you enter you can also feel free to not use any concepts from post King block - that's completely up to you.

Just remember to keep those entries coming in!

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Well I've had to actually carry out my threat this week! PMs are coming to those who have yet to give me an entry.

Thranduil

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

Wow, I didn't expect such an argument!

The answer as far as I can see is as follows. The purpose of virtual cards is to "fill out" the game - to fill in gaps, promote different strategies, show different takes on old strategies, promote new deck ideas and so on and so forth. Therefore you need to cater for all formats if possible, so you should make some cards geared for Movie block, some for Expanded, some for Standard, and also tournament, casual, multiplayer etc. Just because you're recreating a card from RotK block doesn't mean you should be restricted to what was known in RotK block - you're creating these cards post Hunters block, so it's ridiculous for you to forget information about the game that was introduced since RotK. And if the card might not have relevance in Movie block, it will have relevance for other formats that people want to play. If you don't want to use this version of the card in your deck, you don't have to - you can go back to the original version. You can even use King's Blade original in conjunction with King's Blade (V) in the same deck, if you so chose.

So in the case of resistance, some people will want cards that deal with resistance for their Expanded decks, which is something card designers need to be aware of.

In the case of toil, why bother writing it all out when there is a simple and concise language the game gives you to do so?

Secondly, I imagine that each virtual set would be available in the Standard environment to help move the game along, as well as the  format where the original card is found. So it might be relevant to have a RotK virtual card care about resistance.

Hope that clears up my intentions. Obviously you can feel free to disagree with me, and when you enter you can also feel free to not use any concepts from post King block - that's completely up to you.

Just remember to keep those entries coming in!

Thranduil

Ah, I was with ket and thought these were what the cards originally should have been; therefore we weren't supposed to use any anachronistic keywords. No wonder the cards were so powerful - they were scaled to post-Hunters rather than Movie Block.

[Thranduil]

Interesting round this one, with some very interesting cards that make you think - very appropriate for a library!

Okay so as usual please vote for your favourite 3 in order and have your votes in by Sunday 31st.

Sam, Great Elf Warrior
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
Each time you play an event, stack it here.
Regroup: Exert Saruman or an Man and remove for each card stacked here to take a card stacked here into hand; you may not play any more regroup events this phase.
Shadow: Discard this artifact or three cards stacked here to add (limit ).
The libraries of Isengard were filled with many ancient texts.
9 V 39

TheJord
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
Saruman's twilight cost is -1.
Shadow: Exert Saruman twice to play a minion from your draw deck. Its twilight cost is -4. Place Library of Orthanc on top of your draw deck.
9 V 39

Beregond25
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
Each minion is strength + 1 for every 2 artifacts in your support area.
Skirmish: Remove to play an possession from your discard pile on your minion (limit once per phase).
Regroup: Exert 4 Isengard minions to make the move limit -1 for this turn.
9 V 39

Anvar
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
When you play this, stack the top 6 cards of your draw deck here.
Each time you play Saruman you may stack the top 2 cards of your draw deck here.
Each time you play an Uruk-hai or minion you may remove to take a card stacked here into your hand.
"A strong place and wonderful was Isengard, and long it had been beautiful. But Saruman had slowly shaped it to his shifting purposes, and made it better, as he thought..."
9 V 39

Legolas3333
•Library Of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
To play spot Saruman.
Each minion is strength +1 for each minion of the same culture stacked here.
Shadow cards stacked on this card may be played as if from hand.
Shadow: Exert a minion to stack a shadow condition, shadow possession or shadow event from hand here.
Regroup: Discard a card stacked here to stack a minion from play here.
9 V 39

Sharkey
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
To play, exert an minion.
Response: If the fellowship moves during the regroup phase, discard this artifact to look through any player's draw deck. You may play a minion from that draw deck. When the minion is discarded, it is returned to that player's draw deck.
9 V 39

c10ckw0rk
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Condition • Support Area
Saruman's twilight cost is -1 for each Free Peoples card stacked on a condition.
Maneuver: Exert Saruman to make your opponent discard the top card of his or her draw deck. If it is a tale or a spell, you may stack it here.
9 V 39

Author's Note: Remember Twisted Tales!

Thranduil
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
When you reconcile, you keep up to 2 additional cards in your hand (ie. you discard down to or draw up to 10).
Regroup: Spot an minion and remove to draw a card.
9 V 39

Sweet_Stuff
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
When you play this artifact, spot Saruman to draw a card.
Each time a minion is killed or discarded, you may stack it here.
Shadow: Discard X minions of different cultures from this card to play a minion at twilight cost -X. Discard this artifact.
"Once he was as great as his fame made him. His knowledge was deep, his thought was subtle, and his hands marvelously skilled…"
9 V 39

ket_the_jet
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Artifact • Support Area
When you play this artifact, you may spot Saruman to add .
Response: If an minion is about to take a wound, remove or discard this artifact to prevent that wound.
9 V 39

[sharkey]

2
3
9

I like the idea of 8, but it gets too complicated when it becomes your fellowship turn... it's inactive, but you still have 10 cards, but reconcile to 8 in your fellowship, so your shadow starts with 8 and your fellowship 10... not quite the way that should work.

[Cw0rk]

2-4-10

8 looks cool, but I think drawing an extra 2 cards with no cultural reinforcement is too powerful. One card would be ok.

People can't vote for their own creation, right?

[Thranduil]

People can't vote for their own creation, right?

Bingo.

Thranduil

[legolas3333]

6
9
4

6 with the assumption that he means shadow players deck

[Witchkingx5]

9
7 cus' I like the idea of using also another card
4 cus' I always imagined of Stacking cards in a library, didn't you too?

[chompers]

6
2
7

[MR. Lurtzy]

Do I have to vote for 3 cards? Or can I vote for less?

[Thranduil]

Do I have to vote for 3 cards? Or can I vote for less?

I'd much rather you voted for 3.

Thranduil

[Beregond25]

1
8
4

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

7
9
3

[ket_the_jet]

I hate to say it, but I was largely undazzled by this round. My own contribution was simply a card to throw into the pot, and I feel like some others are either too obscure or too poorly worded to make the cut. It also doesn't help that, despite never using it, I feel like Library of Orthanc is a very neat card that could be a centerpiece in a few decks.

That said:

7: Beautiful card and works with the Twisted Tales theme. Whomever this was, could you PM me so I don't have to wait until Saturday/Sunday to find out?

5 was awkwardly worded; however, it seemed to work the best as a library...I guess it is where the cool minions go after school?

1, for the sake of having only one other vote thusfar and me not being able to pick a third place.

Like Lurtzy suggested, I would have only voted for one card this round...but I understand the dangerous implications of not having three votes per participant, so whomever submitted 5 and 1, congratulations on being first and second loser, respectively.
-wtk

[TheJord]

5
4
7

[Anvar]

8
5
9

[Not a Zombie]

1
4
7

[Cw0rk]

I guess the results are going to be revealed soon.

[Thranduil]

I guess the results are going to be revealed soon.

Yes indeed - as soon as I get my act together, which will be later today!

1) 4
2) 6
3) 7

Thranduil

[TelTura]

rats.  missed noticing this thread, and thus voting, by one day.  Oh well.

[Thranduil]

Sorry for the delay - been rather busy. But I'm now ready to show the results from last round and post the next!

1) c10ckw0rk (#7)
2) Anvar (#4)
3) Sweet_Stuff (#9)

Honourable mention to TheJord (#2) who was 1 behind Sweet_Stuff.

So let's give a those fantastic people, as we move onto the next slightly different round.

Now I've never tried this before, but I think it has the possibility to be very cool. We're going to do a site!

Which site I was not sure about. I wanted it not to be one that has a new version (like Pelennor Flat*) but had to be cool enough to make some great cards. But I was also worried that just having 1 site would make it seriously limited as I was not sure how much new design space there could be found with just 1 - maybe not enough for 10 DCs. So I am going to offer a choice of 4, which are any of the Siege of Gondor sites. So make 1 of the following:



Let me restate the rules for this contest, though they will be slightly different. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Shadow number and site number are now completely up for grabs! I would prefer you to make a Shadows site (ie. of the format from Shadows onwards) but if you want to make a King block site then fair enough. The Dimholt, though silver, will function as a normal site if you make a post-Shadows version of it.
3) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. I think there's a key point to remember here: bear in mind that you are making a VIRTUAL CARD, not an updated version of an old card. This is not like changing Pelennor Flat* into Pelennor Flat and so on, this is taking the same flavour starting point and taking it in a different direction. Key points to consider is the picture, the action that takes place there, the atmosphere your site should create, the characters that appear there and so on.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this (I'll use the white mana symbol to indicate site):

(Site #) •Site Name (V)
Keywords.
Text.
8 V XXX

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, and so the deadline should be midnight GMT on Monday 8th February. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[Cw0rk]

Nice! I won. I had no idea my love for discard was shared by others. ;P

[legolas3333]

for the record, i think crashed gate is fine as is.

[Anvar]

It isn't a matter of whether it's fine as is, but using cards already made as inspiration for new cards. It isn't about fixing cards.

There is no reason why we couldn't make a Greenleaf (V), for example.

Anvar

[Thranduil]

It isn't a matter of whether it's fine as is, but using cards already made as inspiration for new cards. It isn't about fixing cards.

100%.

It does, however, make sense to produce virtual versions of cards are either broken or do nothing in their original versions simply because it allows players to use otherwise useless cards. But that is NOT the purpose of virtual cards, it's just a happy by-product.

Thranduil

[legolas3333]

well then why don't we do the weight of a legacy
besides the fact it's fotr...

[Witchkingx5]

well then why don't we do the weight of a legacy
besides the fact it's fotr...

It's a classic, and btw, this rotK DC Contest, so just cards from 7,8 and 10 are made in here, but I'd like to do some others of TWoaL.

[Thranduil]

well then why don't we do the weight of a legacy
besides the fact it's fotr...

We did, in the FotR version of this contest! In fact, it was the first round!

These sorts of obviously useless rares are not as prevalent in RotK as they were in earlier sets because Decipher had got the hang of the game by then. But I think we have done some of them, such as Elven Lord (round 1), King's Blade (round 3) to give some examples. This round also falls into this category of making new use of old cards you no longer use, if you are making a standard site.

Thranduil

[MR. Lurtzy]

Yeah, pretty much.

[Witchkingx5]

well then why don't we do the weight of a legacy
besides the fact it's fotr...

We did, in the FotR version of this contest! In fact, it was the first round!

These sorts of obviously useless rares are not as prevalent in RotK as they were in earlier sets because Decipher had got the hang of the game by then. But I think we have done some of them, such as Elven Lord (round 1), King's Blade (round 3) to give some examples. This round also falls into this category of making new use of old cards you no longer use, if you are making a standard site.

Thranduil

And that's why I like t!

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

Just out of curiosity, what was the winning entry for TWoaL?

[MR. Lurtzy]

http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,133.0.html

[Thranduil]

http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,133.0.html

That's the one! Thanks Lurtzy! I think I posted links to both the Fellowship and Towers contests on the first post of this thread.

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,133.0.html

That's the one! Thanks Lurtzy! I think I posted links to both the Fellowship and Towers contests on the first post of this thread.

Thranduil

You mentioned it, but there isn't a link, maybe if you could fix it, would be nice.

[Thranduil]

For some inspiration and nostalgia, why don't you check out the first 2 contests here for FotR and here for TTT.

What, you mean those links? No I couldn't find them anywhere!

[Witchkingx5]

For some inspiration and nostalgia, why don't you check out the first 2 contests here for FotR and here for TTT.

What, you mean those links? No I couldn't find them anywhere!

Uhh, i was once more reading to fast....
Sry for that. Have a

[Thranduil]

A good round - really great entries, so thanks everyone!

Voting could be a bit tricky for this round. I encourage everyone to leave their prejudices of post- or pre-Shadows sites behind them and vote for the best concepts. It's also very likely that the Shadow numbers are a bit off (I didn't emphasise that in my comments) and so I'd ask to have you take them with a little pinch of salt as well - they would be finalised in development.

Other than that, vote for your favourite 3 as usual and please have all votes in by Monday 15th.

Good luck!

ket_the_jet
(Site 3K) •The Dimholt (V)
Sanctuary. Underground.
Fellowship: Wound a companion to remove a threat.
8 V 117

Thranduil
•The Dimholt (V)
Underground.
When the fellowship moves from this site, exert each character.
8 V 117

legolas3333
•City Of The Dead (V)
Underground.
When the fellowship moves to this site in the regroup phase, the Free Peoples player may draw a card for each exhausted companion in the fellowship (limit 3).
8 V 118

Anvar
•City of the Dead (V)
Underground.
At the start of the regroup phase, the Free Peoples player may add 2 threats to take an enduring character into hand from his or her draw deck.
8 V 118

c10ckw0rk
•City of the Dead (V)
Underground.
Each time a companion is played here, any Shadow player may place him or her in the dead pile.
8 V 118

Beregond25
•City of the Dead (V)
Underground. Battleground. Skirmish: Add 2 threats to play an enduring companion from your draw deck. It is twilight cost + 1 for each threat you can spot (limit once per turn).
8 V 118

WitchKingx5
•Crashed Gate (V)
Battleground.
Shadow: Exert 2 Orcs to play an engine from your draw deck or discard pile (and if that engine is Grond, discard a fortification).
8 V 119

TelTura
•Crashed Gate (V)
At the end of the first assignment phase, exert each unassigned companion.
8 V 119

MR. Lurtzy
(Site 5K) •Crashed Gate (V)
Response: If a fortification is transferred to your besieger, remove a threat to discard  that fortification.
8 V 119

Sharkey
(Site 7K) •Osgiliath Channel (V)
River.
Maneuver:[/b] Discard your Shadow card from play to play a minion from your draw deck. The Free People's Player may discard a Free Peoples card from play to discard that minion.
8 V 120

[Witchkingx5]

3
4
6

[sharkey]

3
4
7

[Cw0rk]

3-4-8

I liked 7 as well but the twilight cost of this site is way too high.

[TelTura]

3
7
5...which seems ridiculously over-the-top, but, hey, talk about crowd control.

[chompers]

8
3
6

[Thranduil]

#7 - I love the simplicity, and it really captures the action.
#10 - Very much captures the theme of "AMBUSH!"
#5 - A very interesting idea for a site - it essentially says: don't play companions here. I suppose the problem here is when you're playing a Solo deck and use that for site 1, but that could easily be fixed with a region specification.

I really liked quite a lot of them.

I love the utility of #1 for Wraiths, I like #3's play on City of Kings, I love the duality of #4, and the interest of #8.

Thranduil

[chompers]

Number 5 is a neat concept - but if it is possible to play the same site repeatedly using various strategies it may pose a problem.

[legolas3333]

yeah like with shapes slowly advancing

7
10
8

[Beregond25]

3
4
8

[ket_the_jet]

I am not convinced the game text from 6 and 10 would fit on a site card. I found that a lot of these sites had dangerous implications with replacing and replaying sites in Standard (looking at you, 2, 5, and 8!)

8
7
3

Well...here's to the next round.
-wtk

[sharkey]

Nah, I think 2 lines is about right... but it's amazing what you can do with fonts!

[Cw0rk]

I just had a cool idea, but it's too late.

City of the Dead
Underground. While the fellowship move to this site, the dead pile becomes a strength 10 minion who cannot take wounds, cannot be overwelmed and cannot be discarded. While the fellowship moves from this site, the dead pile becomes a strenght 10 companion who cannot take wounds, cannot be overwelmed and cannot be discarded. Replace the dead pile at the end of the turn.

[TelTura]

should be "when" rather than "while", but that's an interesting concept.

[sharkey]

I just had a cool idea, but it's too late.

City of the Dead
Underground. While the fellowship move to this site, the dead pile becomes a strength 10 minion who cannot take wounds, cannot be overwelmed and cannot be discarded. While the fellowship moves from this site, the dead pile becomes a strenght 10 companion who cannot take wounds, cannot be overwelmed and cannot be discarded. Replace the dead pile at the end of the turn.

Cool, but that would certaintly not fit on a card

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

1
4
10 (a bit powerful; I could see swarm decks built around this).

[ket_the_jet]

Real City of the Dead takes up nearly all of the text space:
Underground. Shadow: Remove 2 burdens to play an enduring minion from your draw deck or discard pile.

Now, let's compare:
#6
Underground. Battleground. Skirmish: Add 2 threats to play an enduring companion from your draw deck. It is twilight cost + 1 for each threat you can spot (limit once per turn).

#10
River. Maneuver: Discard your Shadow card from play to play a minion from your draw deck. The Free People's Player may discard a Free Peoples card from play to discard that minion.


Just throwing that out there.
-wtk

Edit: In case you wanted to compare the rest:
#1
Sanctuary. Underground.Fellowship: Wound a companion to remove a threat.

#2
Underground. When the fellowship moves from this site, exert each character.

#3
Underground. When the fellowship moves to this site in the regroup phase, the Free Peoples player may draw a card for each exhausted companion in the fellowship (limit 3).

#4
Underground. At the start of the regroup phase, the Free Peoples player may add 2 threats to take an enduring character into hand from his or her draw deck.

#5
Underground. Each time a companion is played here, any Shadow player may place him or her in the dead pile.

#7
Battleground. Shadow: Exert 2 Orcs to play an engine from your draw deck or discard pile (and if that engine is Grond, discard a fortification).

#8
At the end of the first assignment phase here, exert each unassigned companion.

#9
Response: If a fortification is transferred to your besieger, remove a threat to discard  that fortification.


So...it looks like only 1, 2, 5, 8, and 9 would really fit onto a site card.
-wtk

[TelTura]

that could be modified, though.  fontsize is the obvious (and lousy) solution, but more space could conceivably be added to the game text area....besides, no doubt most of these are rough "idea sketches" rather than honed cards anyway.

Nah, I think 2 lines is about right... but it's amazing what you can do with fonts!

not when you're out of characters....ket's right, the post area is much wider than the game text area of a site.

[sharkey]

Okay, that is right. Hmm... font size and more text box rooms seems like what would have to happen. It's a good thing there would be V-cards, where it would be a lot easier to make those changes.

Edit: Thanks for doing that research, ket!

[chompers]

I am not sure the cards or font sizes should be altered if v-cards were ever actually made. I tend to agree with ket, the text should fit in the space provided by existing templates and i think if you were inclined if is a fair criteria to base your vote.

[ket_the_jet]

Coincidentally, I did not use it as a basis for judgement.

I will say, for the third round in a row my card should be the most obvious based upon everything I have posted thusfar!
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

If we pay attention... which we don't.

[Thranduil]

besides, no doubt most of these are rough "idea sketches" rather than honed cards anyway.

I think this is the key point. I don't pretend that me giving comments is enough to produce finished perfect cards at the end of each round. Obviously if it were to be released, it would go to several other developers, then go through a series of playtesting before release. Any of these issues about space would be smoothed over during those processes.

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

But this isn't such a bg problem at all, isn't it?
I mean, when you take a look at Watcher in the Water, Many-Tentacled Creature and toher "new" cards, the font size is slightly different, compared with the others.

[Thranduil]

I just need 2 more votes before we move onto the next round.

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

I mean, when you take a look at Watcher in the Water, Many-Tentacled Creature and toher "new" cards, the font size is slightly different, compared with the others.

Of course it is not a problem, but I am a fan of set-consistency and overall realism. The template and format of site cards would have to be considerably changed to fit another line or two of game-text and overly-specific or powerful sites are a problem as well.

Anyways, as for the actual Return of the King themes, bravo to anyone who had a site 3K that added threats, a site 4K that removed burdens, or a site 7K that dealt with six companions. Oh, wait. No one did that.
-wtk

[Witchkingx5]

Anyways, as for the actual Return of the King themes, bravo to anyone who had a site 3K that added threats, a site 4K that removed burdens, or a site 7K that dealt with six companions. Oh, wait. No one did that.
-wtk

Sure someone did that... let me think a little... wasn't that... Decipher?

[Anvar]

3
7
2

[MR. Lurtzy]

3
1
7

Very tough to find anything good in this round.

[Witchkingx5]

3
1
7

Very tough to find anything good in this round.

You think so?
I think there are some really cool ideas out there.

[MR. Lurtzy]

Yeah, I really only liked 3.

[Witchkingx5]

3 is a very nice idea and will win the contest, if I counted correctly.

[Thranduil]

Well now we've had all the votes. I also think that, for a difficult round, there was some great stuff.

And our winners for this round are:

1) L3333 (#3)
2) Wkx5 (#7)
3) Anvar (4)

Also TelTura was 1 point behind Anvar, so honourable mention there.

So let's throw some at all of them before moving into the next round.

For this round, I want to try something which we have not really done as yet.



So a rare ally. She's okay - not amazing, but not terrible. But as you all know, allies ceased to be after King block. So for this round, I want Léowyn to be something else.

Let's restate the rules. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture. As I mentioned above, in this round I specifically do not want an ally. I'm good with follower or companion, but changing her type is the whole point of this round..
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. I think companion or follower is broad enough for you to do essentially what you want, though perhaps not as much a warrior. So I suggest looking around some strategies, see what holes you can fill in, or think about new takes on old strategies, or any of these. The flavour is fairly open - to me this seems like a mechanical round.
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this:

•Léowyn (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Res: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 239

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, and so the deadline should be midnight GMT on Monday 22nd February. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

Congratulations, Lego!

So, I'm already working on a second card...

[ket_the_jet]

God damnit, Thranduil. First of all, Leowyn is awesome as a card. Secondly, she's not the type of character that is companion-worthy. Even as a 5-3 companion she would seem out of place and is unlikely to be played as a companion weaker than that.

Which basically leaves reprinting her as an ally or making her a follower. I suspect you would prefer the latter.

Well, I'm going to chalk this one up as another loss...unless you guys like this:

•Leowyn, Rohirrim Ring-Bearer
Strength 10, Vitality 5, Ringed-Resistance 15
Valiant. Villager.
While Leowyn is the Ring-Bearer, she may not be overwhelmed.
While Leowyn is mounted, she may not be wounded.
While Leowyn bears a hand weapon, each time a burden is added by a Shadow card, remove a burden.
7 V 239

How about that to fill a hole in the culture?
-wtk

[Thranduil]

God damnit, Thranduil. First of all, Leowyn is awesome as a card.

I didn't say she was bad. And that still doesn't stop us making a virtual version of her - it's a creative exercise taking the same flavour and throwing it in a different direction. Also, post-Shadows she is outdated (as an ally).

Secondly, she's not the type of character that is companion-worthy. Even as a 5-3 companion she would seem out of place and is unlikely to be played as a companion weaker than that.

What about Rosie Cotton, Barmaid? I think there is room for her to be a companion (lots of characters are companions even though they may seem a little out of place taking the Ring to Mordor). If you'd rather, you can make Déor instead, who could work better as a companion and perhaps has a slightly different flavour. I only chose Léowyn because she is rare.

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

Rosie Cotton, Barmaid fits into the culture as a companion a lot better than Leowyn would in . She helps Sam and is, I would consider, among the most important minor characters (oxymoron, I suppose the way that is worded) in The Lord of the Rings. Even though she does not appear much in the books (and less in the films), she continually shows up as an inspiration for Sam to continue fighting on the same way that characters like Aragorn lust for Arwen.

I suppose the point of that is a 2-3 companion fits in with the a lot better than a 4-3 would fit in with .

Even within , Leowyn was out of place, seemingly looking into the party from the outskirts. In fact, who is it that determined Leowyn was, in fact, female? And even so, I don't think there was ever a scene where Eomer stated he was fighting for Leowyn, beloved of Rohan!
-wtk

[ket_the_jet]

Also, I already called dibs on making Leowyn 's beloved Ring-Bearer you bastards.
-wtk

[ket_the_jet]

•Leowyn, Rohirrim Housewife
Companion • Man
Strength 4, Vitality 2
Exert Leowyn to search your deck for Lembas, Lembas Bread, Brace of Coneys, and Salt of the Shire. You may discard Leowyn to have your opponent make you a sandwich.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

Rosie Cotton, Barmaid fits into the culture as a companion a lot better than Leowyn would in . She helps Sam and is, I would consider, among the most important minor characters (oxymoron, I suppose the way that is worded) in The Lord of the Rings. Even though she does not appear much in the books (and less in the films), she continually shows up as an inspiration for Sam to continue fighting on the same way that characters like Aragorn lust for Arwen.

I suppose the point of that is a 2-3 companion fits in with the a lot better than a 4-3 would fit in with .

Even within , Leowyn was out of place, seemingly looking into the party from the outskirts. In fact, who is it that determined Leowyn was, in fact, female? And even so, I don't think there was ever a scene where Eomer stated he was fighting for Leowyn, beloved of Rohan!
-wtk

Yes, Léowyn was a minor character. I was referencing more the mechanical point of having weak companions in a fellowship (though I agree with you that this does fit better in the culture - which is not to say there isn't room for it in ) and also the flavour point of having someone who never left their home take the Ring to Mordor. And it's not like Léowyn (generic character though she is) was doing nothing - it seems as though she was at Helm's Deep and is in the picture celebrating the defeat of Saruman in Meduseld. And if you don't like her as a companion, then what's wrong with a follower?

And like I said, the whole point to this contest is the creative exercise. I also offered Deor if you'd prefer.

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

My issue with her as a follower is that it does not fit into the Return of the King set. I understand your arguments as to why that doesn't matter, but I'm going to stick with my convictions as such.

Unless some other people volunteer to do Deor or have a Leowyn ally, looks like my card may be very obvious come next Tuesday.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

My issue with her as a follower is that it does not fit into the Return of the King set. I understand your arguments as to why that doesn't matter, but I'm going to stick with my convictions as such.

Unless some other people volunteer to do Deor or have a Leowyn ally, looks like my card may be very obvious come next Tuesday.
-wtk

How about this for a Léowyn companion? Fits the flavour, makes sense, have a look:

•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Str: 2
Vit: 2
Res: 8
To play, spot a companion.
At the start of each of your turns, you may heal a companion with resistance less than Léowyn's.
7 V 239

I think there are lots of avenues you could take with this card - that's just one small example that I thought of in about 2 minutes.

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

The more I think about it, Deor and Leowyn already addressed two major holes in the were healing (can't think of anything beyond I Am Here and Rohirrim Shield and the 6-2 Theoden) and winning skirmishes ( has the worst skirmish events...Deor somewhat addressed that).

Personally, I would have loved to take a card like White Hot Fury and finally give the strength +2 (conditional +4) pump they always needed!
-wtk

Edit: Wind In His Face may have been a better choice than White Hot Fury as I was largely going off memory for that card.

[ket_the_jet]

My issue with her as a follower is that it does not fit into the Return of the King set.

•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Str: 2
Vit: 2
Res: 8
To play, spot a companion.
At the start of each of your turns, you may heal a companion with resistance less than Léowyn's.
7 V 239

I think there are lots of avenues you could take with this card - that's just one small example that I thought of in about 2 minutes.

I understand your point and don't expect you to change this week's card choice on my account. I am just expressing my thoughts that the direction this dream card set is hardly what I expected. Sure, I looked at the other winners in other rounds and saw the same thing...I suppose I just hoped that this set would be a little more...pure to the set.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

I realised you wouldn't like my card pretty much the second I posted it. But there are many other things you could do.

•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Str: 2
Vit: 2
Sig: Théoden
Villager.
Each time you liberate a site, you may spot 2 companions (or 2 companions with the Théoden signet) to draw 2 cards.

The more I think about it, Deor and Leowyn already addressed two major holes in the were healing (can't think of anything beyond I Am Here and Rohirrim Shield and the 6-2 Theoden) and winning skirmishes ( has the worst skirmish events...Deor somewhat addressed that).

And there are also different holes. What's to stop you making her the +2/+4 pump in companion form? Or play on the underdeveloped cards which strip cards from Shadow players' hands, like Morning Came? Or deal with possession recursion for the pre-Swordrack era?

Thranduil

[legolas3333]

And there are also different holes. What's to stop you making her the +2/+4 pump in companion form? Or play on the underdeveloped cards which strip cards from Shadow players' hands, like Morning Came? Or deal with possession recursion for the pre-Swordrack era?

Thranduil

or... remake her exactly the same! only a companion!

[MR. Lurtzy]

Why all the bitching?

[TelTura]

one man's bitching is another man's observational complaint.  I think he means a fair point; let him express his opinion if he wants.

[ket_the_jet]

one man's bitching is another man's observational complaint.  I think he means a fair point; let him express his opinion if he wants.

Haha...thanks for the back-up. But I've ridden solo through debates with half this site...I'll survive a little prodding from everyone.

But a few beers or not, I definitely read your comment and smiled.
-wtk

[Cw0rk]

I have to agree Leowyn is a very good card. However, it sounds like a fun challenge. May the most original submission win.

[Cw0rk]

February 23rd now, can't wait to see your submissions guys.

[sharkey]

Yep! Can't wait to see what people thought up!

[Thranduil]

I apologise for the slight delay on posting these entries - I've been away and tired and busy; such is life.

But we can now get down to some pretty exciting business. Great ideas floating round, in particular one which I will post below.

As usual please vote for your favourite 3 in order and have your votes before next Tuesday 2nd March.

Good luck!


WitchKingx5
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Resistance: +1
Aid - Exert a companion.
Each time you transfer this to a companion (except a companion), exert bearer twice.
While the Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish, bearer is strength +1 for each skirmish event in your discard pile.
7 V 239

Anvar
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Aid -
Each time you transfer Léowyn to a companion, you make an opponent place a random card from his or her hand beneath his or her draw deck.
Regroup: If an opponent has no cards in hand and Léowyn is borne by a companion, transfer her to your support area to make each companion strength +3 until the end of the turn.
7 V 239

Designers note: to complement the theme of cards in king block that never really came together - His Golden Shield, Knights of His House, Morning Came, Stern People and Wind in His Face.

Sharkey
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 3
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 5
To play, spot 3 Men.
The Ring-bearer cannot be assigned to skirmish.
If Léowyn is killed, add 3 burdens.
7 V 239

legolas3333
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
To play spot a Man.
You may play Léowyn any time you could play a maneuver event.
When you play Léowyn, heal a companion.
At the start of the regroup phase you may reveal a card at random from an opponent's hand; if it is a Free Peoples card, you may return Léowyn to your hand.
7 V 239

Designer's Note: ties in to the "play in the(non-fellowship phase) cards from RotK block, as well as the random cards under draw deck and the healing she originally had.

ket_the_jet
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Resistance: 4
Valiant.
While Léowyn bears The One Ring, she is resistance +X, where X is the number of Free People's mounts you can spot.
While Léowyn is mounted, she cannot be overwhelmed unless her strength is tripled.
7 V 239

c10ckw0rk
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Skirmish: If Léowyn is assigned to a skirmish, discard 2 cards and spot another valiant Man to have that Man replace Léowyn in this skirmish.
"...when they saw the king they cried with glad voices: 'Théoden King! Théoden King!"
7 V 239

Sam, Great Elf Warrior
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Resistance: +2
Aid - add a threat.
When you transfer Léowyn to a companion, you may play a possession from your discard pile on that companion.
The Rohirrim rallied to defend their homes from the encroaching shadow.
7 V 239

Thranduil
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Resistance: +1
Villager. Aid - exert a companion.
Bearer gains the Théoden signet and valiant.
"...when they saw the king they cried with glad voices: 'Théoden King! Théoden King!"
7 V 239

Sweet_Stuff
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Vitality: +1
Aid -
Skirmish: If bearer is a companion, exert bearer to make him or her strength +2. If he or she wins this skirmish, you may heal him or her.
7 V 239

TelTura
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 5
Villager.
Léowyn does not gain strength bonuses from weapons.
Skirmish: Exert Léowyn and spot an unassigned, mounted companion who has not skirmished at this site to add that companion's strength to another skirmishing companion.
The cry went up among the villagers, 'Wargs!'.
7 V 239


***********************************************

This is a bonus entry - please DON'T vote for it (for 2 reasons: first, it disobeys the rules of the contest by changing culture and subtitle, and secondly the person who entered it retracted it and entered a different card).

But, I thought it was innovative and cool and fun enough to post anyway! Enjoy!

c10ckw0rk
•Léowyn, Unferth's Secret Lover (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Site: 3
Each time the Free Peoples player assigns a man to skirmish a companion bearing a condition, wound that companion.
"Love is blind."
7 V 239

[TelTura]

6
8
4


and it's good to see that super-minor characters are getting a little loving sideplot now...

[Cw0rk]

1
2
7

I would have voted for 8 as well if I could.

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

2
8
6

[legolas3333]

2
9
8

[sharkey]

2
4
9

[ket_the_jet]

10
4
6
-wtk

[TelTura]

what?  no complaints?  no bellyaching?  no card-by-card review?  no sarcastic remarks that none of these cards would be worthy to wipe one's behind on? 

...ket, you feeling okay?

[ket_the_jet]

one man's bitching is another man's observational complaint.  I think he means a fair point; let him express his opinion if he wants.

Make up your mind.
-wtk

[TelTura]

hey, it is made up.  I defend my right to #$&*@! about lack of bitching...or, erm, rather, to submit an observational complaint that there is an absence of regular controversal debate.

[ket_the_jet]

It is worth noting that Thranduil edited my original comment.

Regardless, there were some good ideas this round. Even though I would never put any of the companion versions into my decks (and don't play Standard so wouldn't use any of the follower versions), there were some nice ideas this round.

I still prefer the original Leowyn of course, but anyways...
-wtk

[Witchkingx5]

#1
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Resistance: +1
Aid - Exert a companion.
Each time you transfer this to a companion (except a companion), exert bearer twice.
While the Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish, bearer is strength +1 for each skirmish event in your discard pile.
7 V 239

Quiet amusing idea, but you actually don't use many skirmish events in Rohan Decks.

#2
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Aid -
Each time you transfer Léowyn to a companion, you make an opponent place a random card from his or her hand beneath his or her draw deck.
Regroup: If an opponent has no cards in hand and Léowyn is borne by a companion, transfer her to your support area to make each companion strength +3 until the end of the turn.
7 V 239

Designers note: to complement the theme of cards in king block that never really came together - His Golden Shield, Knights of His House, Morning Came, Stern People and Wind in His Face.

Well, I like this one cus'I like the "remove or discard" theme of Rohan whic is actally not playable, but could have been.

#3
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 3
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 5
To play, spot 3 Men.
The Ring-bearer cannot be assigned to skirmish.
If Léowyn is killed, add 3 burdens.
7 V 239

Uhhh, something like Rosie Cotton, Barmaid 2.0 with adding Burdens when leowyn fights/ gets killed and protecting a specific person. I'm not sure if this one's totally crap or waaay overpowered. Just would need a playtest, but I'm pretty sure she's not balanced, though.

#4
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
To play spot a Man.
You may play Léowyn any time you could play a maneuver event.
When you play Léowyn, heal a companion.
At the start of the regroup phase you may reveal a card at random from an opponent's hand; if it is a Free Peoples card, you may return Léowyn to your hand.
7 V 239

Designer's Note: ties in to the "play in the(non-fellowship phase) cards from RotK block, as well as the random cards under draw deck and the healing she originally had.

I like Leowyn as she is, play her in my Rohan Deck (Bloodlines Standard, which is a very nice format for Rohan culture!), but I think the chance is a bit too high, your opponent will play most of his shadow cards, so there will be too many Freeps cards left. If making her a bit more expensive was an option (Thranduil!), this one would be ver cool.

#5
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Resistance: 4
Valiant.
While Léowyn bears The One Ring, she is resistance +X, where X is the number of Free People's mounts you can spot.
While Léowyn is mounted, she cannot be overwhelmed unless her strength is tripled.
7 V 239

The potential of this card is nearly endless, thus it's overpowered. Why the #$&*@! should have Leowyn got the Ring, btw?

#6
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Skirmish: If Léowyn is assigned to a skirmish, discard 2 cards and spot another valiant Man to have that Man replace Léowyn in this skirmish.
"...when they saw the king they cried with glad voices: 'Théoden King! Théoden King!"
7 V 239

I don't know why I should play that card, it's just... boring, does nothing really strong, like the white rider or somethng like that. Something about the wording: Why should there be:"(...) and spot another valiant man(...)" even if she isn't valiant?

#7
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Resistance: +2
Aid - add a threat.
When you transfer Léowyn to a companion, you may play a possession from your discard pile on that companion.
The Rohirrim rallied to defend their homes from the encroaching shadow.
7 V 239

Simple but cool. I like it.

#8
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Resistance: +1
Villager. Aid - exert a companion.
Bearer gains the Théoden signet and valiant.
"...when they saw the king they cried with glad voices: 'Théoden King! Théoden King!"
7 V 239

I love signets  and aso giving somebody an unloaded keyword, referring to Boromir, Steward's Heir which is an awesome card cus' it fits in most Gondor Decks. Nice to use with I am here and Horn of the Mark.

#9
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Vitality: +1
Aid -
Skirmish: If bearer is a companion, exert bearer to make him or her strength +2. If he or she wins this skirmish, you may heal him or her.
7 V 239

Pretty cool, maybe a bit too strong, as you can pump most companions +6, and cards like Rohirrim Army +8.

#10
•Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 3
Resistance: 5
Villager.
Léowyn does not gain strength bonuses from weapons.
Skirmish: Exert Léowyn and spot an unassigned, mounted companion who has not skirmished at this site to add that companion's strength to another skirmishing companion.
The cry went up among the villagers, 'Wargs!'.
7 V 239

Why not gaining strength bonuses? As I understood this one, it's about exerting Leowyn and then choosing 2 other companions, isn't it? Anyway, interesting idea.


***********************************************

#####
•Léowyn, Unferth's Secret Lover (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Site: 3
Each time the Free Peoples player assigns a man to skirmish a companion bearing a condition, wound that companion.
"Love is blind."
7 V 239

Hahaha, I like it, and wasn't it ket who made this guy, uh?

Maybe some of my comments were too hard, but anyway, those are my favorites:

7
8
2

Witchkingx5

[ket_the_jet]

witchking-I did not make Leowyn, Unferth's Secret Lover.
-wtk

[Anvar]

6
8
1

[Cw0rk]

I'm the one who turned Leowyn into a Isengard minion.

[Beregond25]

1
10
2

[Not a Zombie]

1
2
7

[Thranduil]

I'm the one who turned Leowyn into a Isengard minion.

Shame - I was going to try and keep the suspense going a bit!

I also tried to persuade you to submit again it as a minion, but never mind.

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

1) #2
2) #4
3) #7

I'll post results and the next round later today.

Thranduil

[Cw0rk]

Ok so voting has ended I guess. I'd like to reply to a comment made on my submission:

#6
 •Léowyn (V)
Companion • Man
Strength: 4
Vitality: 2
Skirmish: If Léowyn is assigned to a skirmish, discard 2 cards and spot another valiant Man to have that Man replace Léowyn in this skirmish.
"...when they saw the king they cried with glad voices: 'Théoden King! Théoden King!"
7 V 239

I don't know why I should play that card, it's just... boring, does nothing really strong, like the white rider or somethng like that. Something about the wording: Why should there be:"(...) and spot another valiant man(...)" even if she isn't valiant?

Reasons why someone would play this card:
- Assign big Eomer, TMoR to a skirmish and Leowyn as well. Big Eomer destroys the minion and then, you can have Eomer beat another minion. Basicly it's like being defender +1 but you resolve each skirmish separately.
- A (1) companion is also easy to burn with Gandalf's SftF.
You are right for the valiant thing, I should have written 'spot a valiant man'.

[ket_the_jet]

I liked your idea, c-work...third best.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

So our winners for this round appear to be:

1) Anvar (#2)
2) Wkx5 (#1)
3) Thranduil (#8)

So a to all of them as we move into the next round.

This one is a title which is just incredibly rich with flavour and sounds incredibly cool, and the card itself is a bit of a let-down. Meet Black Numenorean:



So there is a huge amount of backstory evoked with that simple title, some of which you can find at that link. And he's okay, but he could be a lot more. And that is our task.

Let's restate the rules of the contest. Any particular comments I will underline.

So your card should:

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost, culture. For this round, I'm not that bothered about type or sub-type - choose whatever you think is appropriate. I'm being nebulous deliberately as you have to decide for yourself what flavour angle you are taking.
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. So last round I felt was a mechanics-driven round, and this one looks to me like a flavour-driven round. What flavour does the concept Black Númenorean suggest to you?
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own.

Your card should therefore look quite like this:

Black Númenorean (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: X
Vitality: Y
Resistance/Site Number: +Z
Game text.
Lore Text.
8 V 49

I like to leave a week for entries to come on, so I expect to see your stuff by Tuesday 9th March. As normal, if you are signed up for this contest but have not submitted me an entry, I will be PMing you nearer the deadline.

Good luck!

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

Seems as I'll be always second with my cards....

Anyway, seems as there are many ideas coming up to my mind...

[Thranduil]

Ah... apparently i said the deadline was yesterday. I've been a bit out of it apparently, and I didn't notice...

But, looking at my PM inbox, I only have 6 submissions. This means for once I'll have to actually carry out my usual threat of pestering you lot with PMs until you give me something good!

Consequently, due to my incompetence, I'm going to extend the deadline until Friday 12th.

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

Before the voting even starts, I am voting for 7, 5, 8.

Unless voting actually will start, in which case I will make my decision when the cards become available.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

[Cw0rk]

It doesn't really matter if the contest is a bit late, it's not as if our lifes depended on it.

[Thranduil]

Sorry, been a very busy weekend. The entries will come up later today.

Until then, I'm voting for #5 three times.

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Again many many apologies for the delayed state of this round. I will be sure to fire my secretary - he's obviously quite useless.

And now some cards! I enjoyed seeing this round. Some great ideas for a really flavour-packed card title, and I think all the entries are fantastic.

That said, I need everyone to vote for their favourite 3 as usual. The voting deadline for this round will be a week today, so Monday 22nd.

#1
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Enduring. Fierce.
While you can spot a token, this minion is a corsair.
While you cannot spot a token, this minion loses Man and gains Nazgûl.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

#2
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 10
Vitality: 2
Site: 4
While you can spot a Man, this minion is fierce.
While you can spot a Man, this minion is damage+1.
This minion is strength +1 for each companion you can spot.
The Men of Númenor were settled far and wide...Many became enamoured of the Darkness and the black arts.
8 V 49

#3
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 8
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair
While you can spot another Man, this minion is strength +2 and damage +1.
While you can spot a Free Peoples Man, this minion is strength +2 and damage +1.
While you can spot Denethor, Faramir, Boromir, or Aragorn, this minion is strength +3 and fierce.
"Black with hate, they swore destruction upon that other remnant, the Elendil."
8 V 49

#4
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair. Fierce.
When you play this minion, you may reinforce a token for each Free Peoples follower you can spot.
While you can spot a companion, this minion is damage+ 1.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

#5
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 10
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Ambush . Corsair. Easterling. Enduring. Fierce. Southron. Toil 1.
"After the fall of Sauron, their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth…"
8 V 49

#6
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 5
Vitality: 2
Site: 4
Corsair.
When you play this minion you may spot a possession, a besieger or a Nazgûl to gain initiative until the end of the turn.
Shadow: Exert this minion to add .
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

Designer's Note: My biggest problem with Corsairs is that they should have been a great support culture but a weak culture on their own. I.e., they should have filled in holes for other groups weaknesses but not functioned together very well. I imagine one guy with a cost who may add back and discard a condition, a guy with a cost who may discard a possession and add back...I don't know. That is kind of how I would have made Corsairs.

#7
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair.
While you can spot a ranger companion, minions cannot be discarded (except during the regroup phase).
While you can spot a knight comapnion, minions cannot be exerted by Free Peoples cards.
Skirmish: Discard a card from hand to make this minion strength +2.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

#8
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair. Enduring.
Skirmish: Heal this minion to reinforce 2 tokens.
"... corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

#9
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Each companion (except the Ring-bearer) skirmishing a Man is resistance -2.
Each Man minion skirmishing a companion with resistance 0 is strength +2.
Skirmish: If this minion is skirmishing a companion with resistance 0, exert this minion to wound that companion.
Even of the Men of Westernesse many fell sway to Sauron's deceptions.
8 V 49

#10
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Corsair. Fierce.
While you can spot a or minion, this minion's twilight cost is -2.
Assignment: Exert this minion to assign it to a companion. That companion may exert to prevent this.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

[legolas3333]

3 love the flavor of this one

10 this one too

1 ok i guess, i just don't see how you can lose a race.

[ket_the_jet]

Number 10 was the best to me. It covered the and support better than number 6. He kind of has game text, but I don't mind that.

Number 4 seems a little underpowered to me, but I like him.

I'm not a big fan of resistance-based stuff, but 9 was well-balanced and gets my third place vote.



Number 3 is cheaper and (in most cases) stronger than the Witch-King. Isn't that already Corsairs' problem?
-wtk

[TelTura]

1
10
9


#8 needs a "shadow cards may not exert this minion during the skirmish phase" clause, `a la the "thrall of the one" nazgul cards, else you could have some rediculous loops.

...
1 ok i guess, i just don't see how you can lose a race.

well, it's easy when you think of the concept, he's not so much losing one as gaining another, man to nazgul...I suppose it wouldn't make sense for many transitions, like uruk-hai to hobbit, or dwarf to wizard....but...hey, elf to orc, or ent to troll....that could be a particularly evil (and technically canon) effect....hmm.

[Cw0rk]

5-6-8

[Cw0rk]

Lets bump this thread. Votes are needed guys.

[sharkey]

I'm not really impressed by any of these cards, sorry. But then again, I've never been a fan of anyway.

[Not a Zombie]

All seem wrong power wise, so I'll vote based on flavor

3
5
10

[ket_the_jet]

I'm not really impressed by any of these cards, sorry. But then again, I've never been a fan of anyway.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't "vont" this round!
-wtk

[Cw0rk]

All seem wrong power wise, so I'll vote based on flavor

What do you mean? Too good or too weak? It think most cards are alright.

[Thranduil]

I'm not really impressed by any of these cards, sorry. But then again, I've never been a fan of anyway.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't "vont" this round!
-wtk

Well done ket! You spotted my intentional mistake.

Your reward is the satisfaction of a job well done.

All seem wrong power wise, so I'll vote based on flavor

You should try to avoid voting on power level in general. As I have said several times, obviously before print these cards would go through a more extensive development process and power level would be fixed then. Vote primarily on concepts.

[sharkey]

I'm not really impressed by any of these cards, sorry. But then again, I've never been a fan of anyway.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't "vont" this round!
-wtk

Yeah it kinda does

I think none of them have the "Corsair" flavor, or are too weak. Mostly the first.

Actually, I vont for 0. The original.

[MR. Lurtzy]

I thought this was one of the better rounds.

[ket_the_jet]

Well done ket! You spotted my intentional mistake.

The joke is above my sense of humor, it seems.
-wtk

Yeah it kinda does

I sucked it up and voted for some #$&*@! in previous rounds that Abbie Hoffman wouldn't find worth getting on stage to rant about.

You can say why you hate the cards and why they aren't worth voting for, but just supply three numbers.

I think they relatively hit Corsairs well, or they were intentionally not supposed to. Keep in mind the Mouth of Sauron was a Black Numenorean and so was Ulaire Attea (at least). So from there, we can gather that the character could have had , , or of course, support.

There are cards that deal with possessions, cards that deal with tokens, cards that are enduring...these are all Corsair game-type things.
-wtk

[Cw0rk]

I'm not really impressed by any of these cards, sorry. But then again, I've never been a fan of anyway.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't "vont" this round!
-wtk

Yeah it kinda does

I think none of them have the "Corsair" flavor, or are too weak. Mostly the first.

Actually, I vont for 0. The original.

Maybe you haven't read the link posted by Thranduil talking about how some of the Nazguls are Black Numenorean. I agree that a few of them don't have the corsair flavor, but most of them does.

[lem0nhead]

That doesn't mean you shouldn't "vont" this round!
-wtk

Ive edited the title, to avoid more embarassment for Thran and the fact its doing my nut in!

[Thranduil]

That doesn't mean you shouldn't "vont" this round!
-wtk

Ive edited the title, to avoid more embarassment for Thran and the fact its doing my nut in!

Cheers lem0n! I was willing to let it stay...

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Come on guys! There's a minimum of 5 more votes that need to be done by Monday! (Admittedly one of them is mine...)

Thranduil

[sharkey]

10

4

9

[Anvar]

8
5
10

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

8
3
7

[Witchkingx5]

I'm still not sure, but seems as I'll write a big review tomorrow.

So until then!

[Thranduil]

Deadline is TODAY! I still need votes from 3 people, but luckily one of them is myself!

1) #1 (Man becoming a Nazgûl is too much to resist!)
2) #7 (really opens some fascinating deck options - I love cards like that)
3) #6 (again opens up many deckbuilding ideas)

Those people who have not yet voted will soon be PMed!

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

#1
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Enduring. Fierce.
While you can spot a token, this minion is a corsair.
While you cannot spot a token, this minion loses Man and gains Nazgûl.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

This guy is really cool, I always thought that LotR TCG is missing something, namely Multiculutural cards!

#2
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 10
Vitality: 2
Site: 4
While you can spot a Man, this minion is fierce.
While you can spot a Man, this minion is damage+1.
This minion is strength +1 for each companion you can spot.
The Men of Númenor were settled far and wide...Many became enamoured of the Darkness and the black arts.
8 V 49

Interesting, but i think he's not playable enough and doesn't fit into the Corsair Strategy at all.

#3
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 8
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair
While you can spot another Man, this minion is strength +2 and damage +1.
While you can spot a Free Peoples Man, this minion is strength +2 and damage +1.
While you can spot Denethor, Faramir, Boromir, or Aragorn, this minion is strength +3 and fierce.
"Black with hate, they swore destruction upon that other remnant, the Elendil."
8 V 49

Like the one before, doesn't fit into the strategy and depends too much on the situation.

#4
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair. Fierce.
When you play this minion, you may reinforce a token for each Free Peoples follower you can spot.
While you can spot a companion, this minion is damage+ 1.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

Oh man, the first sentence is cool, but guys, why are all of your DC only strong if your opponent play Rohan or Gondor?

#5
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 10
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Ambush . Corsair. Easterling. Enduring. Fierce. Southron. Toil 1.
"After the fall of Sauron, their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth…"
8 V 49

Cool. Simple and cool. I like it.

#6
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 5
Vitality: 2
Site: 4
Corsair.
When you play this minion you may spot a possession, a besieger or a Nazgûl to gain initiative until the end of the turn.
Shadow: Exert this minion to add .
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

I also love this one very much cus' of it's simplicity and he's so different to the others, strong, and very well balanced.

Designer's Note: My biggest problem with Corsairs is that they should have been a great support culture but a weak culture on their own. I.e., they should have filled in holes for other groups weaknesses but not functioned together very well. I imagine one guy with a cost who may add back and discard a condition, a guy with a cost who may discard a possession and add back...I don't know. That is kind of how I would have made Corsairs.

And I'd have liked it like that.

#7
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair.
While you can spot a ranger companion, minions cannot be discarded (except during the regroup phase).
While you can spot a knight comapnion, minions cannot be exerted by Free Peoples cards.
Skirmish: Discard a card from hand to make this minion strength +2.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

Another one, guys, did you all copied that idea?

#8
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Corsair. Enduring.
Skirmish: Heal this minion to reinforce 2 tokens.
"... corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

Interesting, I'm no sure when compined with cards like Red Wrath, but simple and fits into the culture very well.

#9
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Each companion (except the Ring-bearer) skirmishing a Man is resistance -2.
Each Man minion skirmishing a companion with resistance 0 is strength +2.
Skirmish: If this minion is skirmishing a companion with resistance 0, exert this minion to wound that companion.
Even of the Men of Westernesse many fell sway to Sauron's deceptions.
8 V 49

Nice to see some cards with resistance, but I'm not sure if this one isn't too strong at all, I mean, combined with Beasterlings, this one is waay overpowered.

#10
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Corsair. Fierce.
While you can spot a or minion, this minion's twilight cost is -2.
Assignment: Exert this minion to assign it to a companion. That companion may exert to prevent this.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

Aaah! Another one! Stop it, guys, stop it!
Uff, it was the last one...

And now, my final judgement:

5
6
1

I hope I didn't hurt you with my ratings,

Dominik (aka Witchkingx5)

[MR. Lurtzy]

Oh man, the first sentence is cool, but guys, why are all of your DC only strong if your opponent play Rohan or Gondor?

The reason why I, and many others did this was because it was flavorful and made sense for who the Black Númenóreans were. Clearly you don't get it, so read this... it will explain:
http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Black N%C3%BAmen%C3%B3reans

Anyways, I'll vote for


2
4
9

[TelTura]

Oh man, the first sentence is cool, but guys, why are all of your DC only strong if your opponent play Rohan or Gondor?

it seems to me that that's more or less how corsairs should roll...black with hate against the descendants of Elendil and Eorl who fraternized with the Elves and pushed them out of their lands.  Could care less about the dwarves, and supersticiously afraid of the elves, but not as furious against them.  Hobbits and wizards they have no clue about.  That means that against those cultures their strength is simply the sum of their skill and weapons, but against the hated bloodlines, hereditary wrath comes into play.  Stratigically?  probably weak, as you say.  Canonically?  Right on the money.

[Witchkingx5]

I see your point, but hey would die against Elves or Dwarves, they won't be playable at all, then.

[Cw0rk]

Voting is over now. My guess is that #6 was made by ket.

[Witchkingx5]

Voting is over now. My guess is that #6 was made by ket.

I also think so. The comment is written in ket's style.

[ket_the_jet]

It clearly was; however, I wrote that comment to Thranduil when discussing the card's build in general. I did not expect (or want) it to appear here, but it's okay.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

It clearly was; however, I wrote that comment to Thranduil when discussing the card's build in general. I did not expect (or want) it to appear here, but it's okay.
-wtk

I thought it was kind of helpful, so I left it in! I certainly wouldn't have really understood what you were talking about without.

Results will be posted later today.

[ket_the_jet]

It makes me look like a hypocrite after my bitching about the comments early in the program.
-wtk

[Thranduil]

It makes me look like a hypocrite after my bitching about the comments early in the program.
-wtk

Well now the world knows why it was there, and so it's fine!

Now to bring you the winners for this round:

1) MR. Lurtzy (#10) & Thranduil (#5)
2) Cw0rk (#1)
3) TelTura (#3)

Honourable mention to Witchkingx5 (#8) who was a very close 4th. And a to all of those as we move into the next round!

I believe that perhaps more than one person has said to me at one point over the contest that we should do some X-listed cards. I told them to watch and wait, and here we are! So we're doing a card with a cool title and a nice picture that hopefully we can do quite a lot with, that in its own context was fairly alright, but was completely broken when it was part of Fruit Loops (hilarious deck which you can check out here - the deck that discards every condition & minion, removes all threats, heals all companions, draws the entire deck and makes the move limit +infinite).

The card is of course:



Let me restate the rules for this contest. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

Your card should:

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost and culture - type and sub-type are up for grabs. Don't worry about its uniqueness dot: that is about the limit of a correction that you could do with a V-slip (or maybe you want to attach a functionality to a unique event?).
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate.
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. The original card was part of a mechanical cycle. Maybe there is a different mechanical cycle you'd like to make your V card part of? Or think about the title or the picture - what sort of flavour do they put across? It's quite open, but I think that's good!
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own, it doesn't really matter.

So you're card should look quite a lot like this:

(•)Steadfast Champion
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Resistance/Site: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 49

I like to leave a week for entries to come in, so the deadline will be at midnight GMT on Tuesday 30th. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

You mean:
•Steadfast Champion

Right?
-wtk

[Thranduil]

You mean:
•Steadfast Champion

Right?
-wtk

Yeah sorry. Wasn't careful enough with my cutting and pasting. Corrected.

Thranduil

[legolas3333]

here's my entry
•Steadfast Champion
Event • Whenever
Heal all companions 10 times, make the move limit infinite, discard all minions, shadow conditions and shadow possessions, discard every player's draw deck except your own, discard every player's hand except your own, play every site, remove all threats, liberate all controlled sites, and, just for good measure, feel free to remove all burdens.

[Thranduil]

here's my entry
•Steadfast Champion
Event • Whenever
Heal all companions 10 times, make the move limit infinite, discard all minions, shadow conditions and shadow possessions, discard every player's draw deck except your own, discard every player's hand except your own, play every site, remove all threats, liberate all controlled sites, and, just for good measure, feel free to remove all burdens.

Looks good. Significantly cuts down on the ridiculous complexity Fruit Loops involves.

Thranduil

[Cw0rk]

here's my entry
•Steadfast Champion
Event • Whenever
Heal all companions 10 times, make the move limit infinite, discard all minions, shadow conditions and shadow possessions, discard every player's draw deck except your own, discard every player's hand except your own, play every site, remove all threats, liberate all controlled sites, and, just for good measure, feel free to remove all burdens.

Nice, it would make the game faster in Open.

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

Mordor Fiend
Minion • Orc
Strength: 9
Vitality: 3
Site: 6
Shadow: If you cannot spot another minion and there are 3 or fewer twilight tokens, the Ring-bearer is corrupted.

[Thranduil]

Great job streamlining guys! How about this:

•Galadriel, Lady Redeemed (V)
Companion • Elf
Str: 3
Vit: 3
In your starting fellowship, Galadriel's twilight cost is -3.
When you play Galadriel, ask each opponent whether they are playing Terrible as the Dawn. If no one is, you win the game.

[Not a Zombie]

Haha, these are great.

•Erkenbrand's Horn (V)
Possession • Horn
Bearer must be a man.
Fellowship: Play every free peoples card from your draw deck.
Skirmish: Make every companion infinite strength until the regroup phase.

[Witchkingx5]

So here's mine:

Demoralized (V)
Type: Condition • Support Area
To play, spot an minion.
I you have 3 or 4 Demoralized (V) in play, show your opponent Rapid Reload, Rallying Orc or Mountain Troll to laugh at him and make him pay you a drink. Cheers!

[Thranduil]

Having checked my calendar, I noticed that I gave a deadline that I could not possibly check up on!

And so, henceforth the deadline will be extended to Thursday 2nd.

Sorry about this folks – that was me not thinking.

Thranduil

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

How about this for a non-broken version:
•Steadfast Champion
Condition
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Each minion gains this ability:
"Assignment: Assign this minion to Gandalf."
At the start of the regroup phase, you may discard this condition to discard a minion and heal a companion 3 times.
7 V 49

[Thranduil]

To be honest, I've always thought that it was the Treebeard that was actually the problem. Decipher just needed to learn that regroup recursion is very powerful (cf. Gothmog and that Orc that adds burdens) as it circumvents many cards' intended functionalities (Dark Ways, Orcs etc.). Regroup recursion like that basically shouldn't happen, or should be much better guarded.

[Witchkingx5]

Yep, and like the Rule of 4 doesn't apply in regroup and things like that, which was a gap in the rulebook many players used for broken Decks (fruit loops and similar). When talking about this, I remember a game of Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG when one player said:
"Strong cards are those that break the rules. But even stronger are those that use certain gaps of the game."

[Thranduil]

Okay here we go! Some very interesting slightly mind-blowing ideas going on here. Let's take a look!

I want all votes done by next Saturday 10th, but I'm aware it's Easter and holidays and stuff so there might be a slight extension.

In the meantime, vote for your favourite 3 as usual.

Cw0rk
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Each minion gains this ability:
"Assigment: Assign this minion to Gandalf."
Regroup: Discard this condition to heal Gandalf and discard all conditions.
7 V 49

ket_the_jet
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
Bearer must be a Wizard.
At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, reveal a Wizard from your hand to make bearer strength +3.
7 V 49

Sweet and Sour Sauce
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
Bearer must be Gandalf.
At the start of each fellowship phase, you may exert bearer and search your discard pile for a card named "Gandalf" to make him gain all game text on that card until the end of the turn. Remove that card from the game or discard this condition.
"...he was trying to recall every memory... and considering anxiously the next course he should take."
7 V 49

Sharkey
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Each minion gains this ability: "Assignment: Assign this minion to Gandalf."
Regroup: Discard this condition to search a player's draw deck for up to 6 Shadow cards; place those cards in that player's discard pile. That player shuffles his or her deck.
7 V 49

legolas3333
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
Bearer must be Gandalf.
While Gandalf is mounted, he is strength +2 (and damage +1 if he bears Shadowfax)
7 V 49

Sam, Great Elf Warrior
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
To play spot Gandalf. Plays on a companion.
Bearer is defender +2 and may not be overwhelmed unless his strength is tripled.
Each minion gains this ability: "Assignment: Assign this minion and up to one other minion to bearer."
At the start of the regroup phase, you may discard this condition to heal bearer 3 times.
7 V 49

Anvar
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
To play spot Gandalf.
Bearer must be an unbound companion.
Bearer is strength +1 for each Free Peoples culture you can spot.
7 V 49

MR. Lurtzy
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition • Support Area
While bearing Shadowfax, each time Gandalf wins a skirmish, you may discard a condition or remove a threat.
At the start of the regroup phase, you may spot X shadow conditions to remove .
"...all fled before his face. All save one. There waiting, silent and still in the space before the Gate, sat Gandalf upon Shadowfax..."
7 V 49

Thranduil
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition • Support Area
Maneuver: If there are more minions than companions, exert Gandalf twice to make this condition become a valiant Man companion until the start of the regroup phase that has 6 strength, 3 vitality, 6 resistance and cannot bear other cards. This card is still a condition.
Gandalf's power was to inspire bravery in even the most ordinary people.
7 V 49

[ket_the_jet]

Once again, I am caught wishing I could vote for my own.

7, although I wish the bearer was a Wizard or just Gandalf instead of making it universal.
1
8

4 and 6 are both horribly overpowered and under-cost.
-wtk

[legolas3333]

1, 3, 4, and 9 seem overpowered 1 because it discards all conditions, 3 because of Gandalf., Leader Of Men 4 because 4 of those will kill the opponent's deck balance and 9 because it breaks the rule of 9

2 is an interesting idea, I just wouldn't use it

5 goes with the picture, but doesn't work on the original flavor.

6 has too many abilities, either the healing or the prevention of overwhelming would have to go to make it even out.

7 I like it, nice and simple

8 I like it but the second ability should be removed.

so my votes go to

8
7
2

[Cw0rk]

2-5-9

[sharkey]

Okay, I want to do a quick review of these cards, for fun. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but I also want to be honest.

Number 1: It seems a bit underpowered to me. I would rather play Sleep, Carahdaras. However, I do see the benefit of having it functional in the regroup phase. Seems situational to me.

Number 2: Seems a little bit powerful, but I do like it. It does not quite seem correctly worded, maybe a "may" would help.

Number 3: I love the flavor on this one. However, I would have to check and make sure this would not do anything game-breaking.

Number 4: Seems a little bit powerful, especially against Ninja Gollum decks and the like. Might have a place, may not. Also interesting that it can hit your won deck.

Number 5: Seems good in a Rohan deck, and also goes with the art. The effect is good, but not anything special. I like it.

Number 6: Very powerful, and a fun card to mess with your opponent, since Gandalf does have a lot of "Discard a minion Gandalf is skirmishing" effects.

Number 7: Hmmm.... Goes well with Friend to the Shirefolk. A very Gandalf card.

Number 8: Useful and very powerful. A good card that could see some play, but a lot Like Palando.

Number 9: I like this version of some of the other condition/minions. My problem with it is what happens if it is killed, which seems like what it would be mostly used for.

Anyways, everyone did a good job. I've going to vote for:

3
7
9

[ket_the_jet]

To be honest, I've always thought that it was the Treebeard that was actually the problem.

I read this a few days ago and could have sworn I responded to this. You are absolutely right...Treebeard is the problem.

I remember when Treebeard was previewed, it took about two minutes for players to say, "Hey, what about a loop with Steadfast Champion?!"
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

Once again, I am caught wishing I could vote for my own.

Seriously, every round I think about this.

[TelTura]

3
7
8

3 just blows me away...overpowered?  possibly.  but the concept (linked with the lore!) fills me with fanboy giddiness.

[Not a Zombie]

1, 3, 4, and 9 seem overpowered 1 because it discards all conditions, 3 because of Gandalf., Leader Of Men 4 because 4 of those will kill the opponent's deck balance and 9 because it breaks the rule of 9

Just to re-iterate, we are not voting on power level here, but flavor.

[Anvar]

9
3
8

[Not a Zombie]

4
6
1

[legolas3333]

1, 3, 4, and 9 seem overpowered 1 because it discards all conditions, 3 because of Gandalf., Leader Of Men 4 because 4 of those will kill the opponent's deck balance and 9 because it breaks the rule of 9

Just to re-iterate, we are not voting on power level here, but flavor.

Well I  just won't vote for a card that would allow you to discard your opponent's shadow side

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

1
5
2

[Thranduil]

It occurs to me that there are only 2 votes left, the natural pair of MR. Lurtzy and some guy Thranduil who's always the last the vote - really bugs me.

So yeah my votes go for

1) #7
2) #3
3) #2

And please Lurtzy can you vote as soon as possible!

Thranduil

[MR. Lurtzy]

3
2
5

[Thranduil]

Sorry for the delay, but now I'm ready to face the world once more!

I can give you the results for round 8. Unfortunately, choosing the card for round 9 has turned out to be a tricky business (I know what the final round 10 is going to be), so I will not post the next round right now, but as soon as possible.

Our winners:

1) Sweet_Stuff (#3)

2) Anvar (#7)

3) ket_the_jet (#2) AND MR. Lurtzy (#8)

So a to them in the meantime. Hopefully the new round will be up later today or tomorrow. I will also replace the innocuous numbers with real people's names (or usernames, I suppose...).

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

Right - I have now worked out what our 9th card is going to be. Essentially I realised there was one culture in particular missing from all that we've done so far: . And I was looking around to see which card would be the best to choose, and it was a close call between several different options. And I think it's going to be a choice between:



So there's nothing particularly wrong with either of these cards. They're just unimpressive and unused, and I know we can do a great job revamping.

Let me restate the rules for this contest. You should make either one (not both) of the above cards. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

Your card should:

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost and culture. Characters and followers, FP and Shadow, are all fair game for this round.
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate.
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. There is a lot of scope this round. What's the sort of Gollum/Sméagol you've always wanted to design? Is there something you think he should do that he doesn't? Or maybe there's another card or sub-strategy that you thought never got the love it deserved. Or back to flavour basics - what do their subtitles suggest to you about what they do? Or their lore texts? Or the picture? What's he thinking?
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own, it doesn't really matter.

So your Sméagol card should look quite a lot like this:

•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Resistance/Signet: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 72

or your Gollum card would look like this:

•Gollum, Vile Creature (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Site: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 59


I like to leave a week for entries to come in, so the deadline will be at midnight GMT on Tuesday 20th. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[TelTura]

(2) •Gollum, Vile Creature (V)
Minion
Strength: 5
Vitality: 3
Site: 2
Response: If Frodo wears the One Ring, exert Gollum twice to bite it off his finger.  Gollum then becomes the Ring-Bearer and at the end of the regroup phase falls into Mt. Doom.
"Mine!  Mine!  Mine!"
7 V 59



and with the template you posted, Smeagol/Gollum doesn't have a sub-type.

[MR. Lurtzy]

He should be site 3.

[Thranduil]

Well we have a round populated with Sméagols this time round. I posted the option for either as I didn't want to limit creativity, but it seems like we were all on the same wavelength!

So guys, please vote for your favourite 3 as usual, and have your votes in by next Tuesday 27th.

#1
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
Regroup: If you have initiative, place Sméagol on top of your draw deck to make the move limit +1 until the end of the turn (limit +1).
"'Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!'"
7 V 72

#2
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
Maneuver: Discard Sméagol and add to make the move limit +1 and play the fellowship's next two sites. Each opponent may play a minion from his or her draw deck.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

#3
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
While you can spot Frodo and Sam, the move limit is +1.
Each time Sméagol is assigned to a skirmish, the first Shadow player may replace the fellowship's current site with a site from his or her adventure deck.
"We scare him off, we're lost! We can't do this by ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide."
7 V 72

#4
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
Regroup: Spot 2 Ring-Bound Hobbits and add a burden to make the move limit +1 (limit +1).
While you cannot spot 4 companions, each time the fellowship moves, you may add two threats to discard a minion (or 2 minions if you can spot an Orc).
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

#5
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Follower
Aid - add a burden.
To play, spot a or card.
Regroup: Exert bearer 3 times and transfer Sméagol to your support area to wound each minion and make the move limit for this turn +1. Each Shadow player may take up to 3 Shadow cards into hand from his or her discard pile.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

#6
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)  
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
Maneuver: Discard Sméagol to discard a minion from play. The first Shadow player may discard 2 minions to prevent that.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

#7
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 5
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
Each time you move during the regroup phase, remove a burden.
Regroup: If Sméagol is unwounded, exert him twice and discard 3 cards from hand to make the move limit +1 for this turn.
"'Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once.'"
7 V 72

#8
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 5
Ring-bound To play, add a burden.
Fellowship: Add a threat to play Sméagol from your discard pile.
Regroup: Discard Sméagol to wound a minion.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

Designer's Note: Designed to interact with the whole discarding Sméagol subtheme that never really played out well enough for a deck.

#9
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
Fellowship: If the fellowship is at any site 3 or any site 6, exert Sméagol to play the fellowship's next site.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

[Cw0rk]

2-5-8

I think that there are a lot of overpowered cards here.

[Not a Zombie]

wow, we all like the move limit I guess...

[legolas3333]

1-4-7

I'm not hating or anything but i really don't see potential for #6

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

Well we have a round populated with Sméagols this time round. I posted the option for either as I didn't want to limit creativity, but it seems like we were all on the same wavelength!

Well, I suppose "Hurried Guide" offers more flavor potential than "Vile Creature" (which is pretty generic).

8-3-7

[Cw0rk]

Vile Creature is also a pretty good card while Hurried Guide needs to be improved.

[Cw0rk]

This thread needs more votes.

[Witchkingx5]

7
2
5

[Thranduil]

Yes the deadline was supposed to be today but we still need 5 votes before we continue. I will be sending PMs!

[Anvar]

4
1
7

[Not a Zombie]

6
9
5

[ket_the_jet]

6
3
2

Sorry I haven't been around recently. I've been swamped with work and have been out of town the past few weekends.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

1
3
8

[Thranduil]

8
3
9

Close round this one. Which gives us the following winners:

...

Bear with me. Some issues with totalling

...

So a to all of those while I prepare the next round...

Thranduil

[Cw0rk]

Thranduil, I didn't vote for myself. My DC is #1. I voted 2-5-9.

[Cw0rk]

Oops. I'll vote 5-6-8.

[Thranduil]

Okay, so now the updates winner's list:

1) Anvar (#8) & Sweet & Sour (#3)
2) Sam Great Elf Warrior (#1) & Witchkingx5 (#6)
3) Minion of the White Whale (#7)


I do very much apologise for the confusion!

But let's give a to all of our winners! The next round will probably get posted tomorrow or Sunday.

Thranduil

[Not a Zombie]

I like these rankings better

[Smeagollum]

I would vote for nr 2. Just only for playing 2 aites and not walking through
2nd option is nr 1. 3rd would be nr 6 (ultimate 6th comp.) But just read that my vote won't matter anyway But these would be my choise.

[MR. Lurtzy]

So... what's round 10 going to be?

[Thranduil]

I've been really busy unfortunately, and I also feel like activity at the moment is quite low. I will post the next round sometime this week hopefully.

Thranduil

[MR. Lurtzy]

 

[Witchkingx5]

This topic somehow died....

[Anvar]

I'm sure Thranduil will get back to it when he has a chance.

Anvar

[Thranduil]

I will indeed! Just been very busy.

[MR. Lurtzy]

 

[ket_the_jet]

How long has it been? Big "who cares" at this point.
-wtk

[MR. Lurtzy]

I don't have much confidence in Thanduil, but at least I can hope.

[Thranduil]

I don't have much confidence in Thanduil, but at least I can hope.

You don't have confidence? This is the first time I've ever really let this contest down. I've delayed a couple of days, maybe a week in the past, but never this long. I'm hurt!

So anyway.... I look back and realise the 9th round began on the 13th April. My excuse is going to be exams. So there!

And waiting a month has not in any way reduced my excitement for this round and the final results of the contest!



I was always disappointed that there was no unified strategy for these two and their lackeys – not even one that represented their antagonism. Very unimpressive. (Of course I chose the RotK Gorbag over the MD one because he is much less cool.)

For the FINAL ROUND, I thought we could make both cards so that we have a chance to truly show off what we envisage the Cirith Ungol strategy to look like.

Let me restate the rules for this contest. You should make both of the above cards. Any particular comments I have will be underlined below.

Your card should:

1) Have the same title (with a (V) attached to the end)
2) Have the same twilight cost and culture.
3) Have whatever attributes or attribute modifiers you think appropriate.
4) Have a different text, maybe similar, but could also be on completely different lines. What I want you to focus on is how you think the two halves of the Cirith Ungol garrison should work (or perhaps, how they shouldn't?). Then see if you can embody your ideas on these two cards so that just looking at them will immediately give readers a sense of the strategy.
5) Have a lore which you want, it's really up to you - you can keep the same lore or put in your own, it doesn't really matter.

So your cards should look quite a lot like this:

•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Site Number: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Type • Sub-type
Strength: +X
Vitality: +Y
Site Number: +Z
Game text.
"Lore text."
10 V 99


I like to leave a week for entries to come in, so the deadline will be at midnight GMT on Friday 4th June. A few days before, if you've said that you want to participate and haven't given me an entry, I will be pestering you via PM, so do get them in as quickly as possible!

Entries should be submitted to me by PM (or email if you prefer).

So all that remains for me to say now is, good luck!

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

Finally! I'm working on it!

[Cw0rk]

By the way, you have given Shagrat and Gorbag the culture in your previous post.

I'm working on them now.

[Thranduil]

By the way, you have given Shagrat and Gorbag the culture in your previous post.

You are right! I was making a subtle artistic point. Or something. Or perhaps it was a mistake in the cutting and pasting. Who really knows?

[chompers]

By the way, you have given Shagrat and Gorbag the culture in your previous post.

You are right! I was making a subtle artistic point. Or something. Or perhaps it was a mistake in the cutting and pasting. Who really knows?

Bring on some culture orcs!

[Thranduil]

Now here we go voting into the FINAL ROUND!

Please vote for your favourite 2 in this round (due to being only 6 and this being the FINAL ROUND and all).

Voting deadline is Tuesday 15th June.

#1
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 4
Each time you play a Orc or Uruk-hai, you may exert Gorbag to exert the Ring-bearer.
"If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it."
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Damage+1
Shadow: Spot X wounds on the Ring-bearer and exert Shagrat to play a Orc or Uruk-hai from hand; its twilight cost is -X.
"If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken."
10 V 99

#2
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 4
While you can spot a Uruk-Hai, Gorbag is strength +4.
While you can spot Shagrat, Gorbag is damage +1.
"If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it."
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-Hai
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Damage +1.
While you can spot 2 Orcs (or Gorbag), each Uruk-Hai is enduring.
"If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken."
10 V 99

#3
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 4
When you play Gorbag, you may spot X wounds on the Ring-bearer to make X Orcs or Uruk-hai fierce until the regroup phase.
"If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it."
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-Hai
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Damage +1.
When you play Shagrat, you may spot X possessions to make X Orcs or Uruk-hai damage +1 until the regroup phase.
"If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken."
10 V 99

#4
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
When you play Gorbag, if you can spot Shagrat, they both gain fierce until the regroup phase.
Manuever: Exert Gorbag twice to reveal the top 10 cards from your opponent's draw deck. If an artifact is revealed in this way, you may add 3 burdens.
"‘If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it.'"
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
While you can spot Gorbag, each of your minions are damage +1.
If Gorbag is discarded, each Uruk-hai is strength +3 and may not take wounds until the regroup phase.
"‘If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken.'"
10 V 99

#5
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 10
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 4
While you can spot a Free Peoples possession each Orc you play is twilight cost -1.
While you can spot a Free Peoples artifact each Uruk-hai you play is twilight cost -1.
"‘If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it.'"
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Damage +1.
Each time you play an Uruk-hai, you may discard a possession.
Each time you play a Orc, you may remove to discard an artifact.
"‘If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken.'"
10 V 99

#6
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Enduring.
Each time you play a Uruk-hai, wound Gorbag and exert the Ring-bearer.
"‘If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it.'"
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Damage +1. Enduring.
Each time you play a Orc, wound Shagrat and discard 2 cards from hand.
"‘If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken.'"
10 V 99

[legolas3333]

1
3

[Cw0rk]

2
6

[ket_the_jet]

Mine
3
6
-wtk

[Cw0rk]

Can participant #6 message me and explain me what is the benefit of discarding 2 cards from your hand when you play a orc?

[ket_the_jet]

I presumed that it meant discarding your opponent's hand. That said, I would just play the Orcs then Shagrat.
-wtk

[Cw0rk]

I presumed that it meant discarding your opponent's hand. That said, I would just play the Orcs then Shagrat.
-wtk

If it would have been 'discard from the opponent's hand' I would have voted for them.

[Thranduil]

The designer of #6 was worried that a strength 13 damage +1 enduring vitality 3 guy for was too good, so I suggested giving him a drawback like discarding cards from hand (which is not always a drawback, I should add, given that it helps you cycle).

Thranduil

[stimpy]

I haven't read all the posts, but I think I read before that I'm allowed to vote even if I didn't participate in the card designs. If that's not true, please ignore.

1
6

[Thranduil]

I haven't read all the posts, but I think I read before that I'm allowed to vote even if I didn't participate in the card designs. If that's not true, please ignore.

1
6

It's VERY true! Thanks.

Thranduil

[Cw0rk]

The designer of #6 was worried that a strength 13 damage +1 enduring vitality 3 guy for was too good, so I suggested giving him a drawback like discarding cards from hand (which is not always a drawback, I should add, given that it helps you cycle).

Thranduil

This is pretty logical, can I change my vote?

[Thranduil]

This is pretty logical, can I change my vote?

Sure. So you're changing 2 & 5 to...

Thranduil

[MR. Lurtzy]

2
1

[Not a Zombie]

4

5

[Cw0rk]

This is pretty logical, can I change my vote?

Sure. So you're changing 2 & 5 to...

Thranduil

OK I've just changed my previous post.

[Thranduil]

We just need mine and Anvar's votes!

I think I'll vote later as I'm still deliberating...

[Not a Zombie]

 

[Anvar]

4
1

Sorry for the long delay - packing up one's life and moving country takes a while...

[Thranduil]

5
1

This makes this round's winner, by a LONG way, Sweet & Sour Sauce (#1)! Very impressive.

In a while, I will do the postludes and tie up the contest.

Thranduil

[Not a Zombie]

 

[MR. Lurtzy]

 

[Witchkingx5]

 

[Thranduil]

Let's not mention the 2 months it took me to finish off this contest... Suffice to say the ninja pandas that have held me hostage for so long finally let their guard down and I was able to punch my way out.

Anyway, here are the winners of each round so that we can see what our virtual set looks like. And so I can increase tension up to the top 3!

ROUND 1 – Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
sickofpalantirs
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength: 8
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 7
Fellowship: Play an artifact on a companion to heal that companion (and if that companion is Aragorn, you may take a event from your discard pile into hand).
"'They will answer to the King of Gondor."'
7 V 21

ket_the_jet
•Elrond, Elven Lord (V)
Companion • Elf
Strength 8
Vitality 4
Signet: Gandalf
When you play Elrond (except in your starting fellowship), you may reveal the top 10 cards of your draw deck. You may play each artifact revealed. Shuffle your draw deck.
"'Onen i-estel Edain.'"
7 V 21

ROUND 2 – The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Sweet_Stuff
•The Witch-King, Black Captain (V)
Minion • Nazgûl
Strength: 14
Vitality: 4
Site: 3
Enduring
Shadow cards may not exert The Witch-King during a skirmish phase.
Skirmish: Heal The Witch-King to play a Orc from hand; its twilight cost is -1, and is fierce and damage+1 until the regroup phase.
'Send forth all legions.'
8 V 84

ROUND 3 – Anduril, King's Blade (V)
Thranduil
•Andúril, King's Blade
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +1
Vitality: +1
Resistance: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn.
While Aragorn is resistance 9 or more, he is strength +2.
While Aragorn is resistance 7 or more, he is defender +1.
While Aragorn is resistance 5 or more, he is damage +1.
"… for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war on the marches of Mordor."
7 V 80

MR. Lurtzy
•Andúril, King's Blade (V)
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength: +2
Vitality: +1
Bearer must be Aragorn. He is damage +1.
Each time Aragorn wins a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a card, you may heal a companion.
"The Sword of Elendil was forged anew by Elvish smiths… for Aragorn son of Arathorn was going to war upon the marches of Mordor."
7 V 80

ROUND 4 – Library of Orthanc (V)
c10ckw0rk
•Library of Orthanc (V)
Condition • Support Area
Saruman's twilight cost is -1 for each Free Peoples card stacked on a condition.
Maneuver: Exert Saruman to make your opponent discard the top card of his or her draw deck. If it is a tale or a spell, you may stack it here.
9 V 39

ROUND 5 – Sites
legolas3333
•City Of The Dead (V)
Underground.
When the fellowship moves to this site in the regroup phase, the Free Peoples player may draw a card for each exhausted companion in the fellowship (limit 3).
8 V 118

ROUND 6 – Leowyn (V)
Anvar
•Léowyn (V)
Follower
Aid -
Each time you transfer Léowyn to a companion, you make an opponent place a random card from his or her hand beneath his or her draw deck.
Regroup: If an opponent has no cards in hand and Léowyn is borne by a companion, transfer her to your support area to make each companion strength +3 until the end of the turn.
7 V 239

ROUND 7 – Black Numenorean (V)
Thranduil
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 10
Vitality: 3
Site: 4
Ambush . Corsair. Easterling. Enduring. Fierce. Southron. Toil 1.
"After the fall of Sauron, their race swiftly dwindled or became merged with the Men of Middle-earth…"
8 V 49

MR. Lurtzy
Black Númenorean (V)
Minion • Man
Strength: 12
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Corsair. Fierce.
While you can spot a or minion, this minion's twilight cost is -2.
Assignment: Exert this minion to assign it to a companion. That companion may exert to prevent this.
"...corrupted by Sauron, and who hated above all the followers of Elendil."
8 V 49

ROUND 8 – Steadfast Champion (V)
Sweet and Sour Sauce
•Steadfast Champion (V)
Condition
Bearer must be Gandalf.
At the start of each fellowship phase, you may exert bearer and search your discard pile for a card named "Gandalf" to make him gain all game text on that card until the end of the turn. Remove that card from the game or discard this condition.
"...he was trying to recall every memory... and considering anxiously the next course he should take."
7 V 49

ROUND 9 – Smeagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Sweet & Sour Sauce
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.
While you can spot Frodo and Sam, the move limit is +1.
Each time Sméagol is assigned to a skirmish, the first Shadow player may replace the fellowship's current site with a site from his or her adventure deck.
"We scare him off, we're lost! We can't do this by ourselves, Sam. Not without a guide."
7 V 72

Anvar
•Sméagol, Hurried Guide (V)
Companion
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Resistance: 5
Ring-bound To play, add a burden.
Fellowship: Add a threat to play Sméagol from your discard pile.
Regroup: Discard Sméagol to wound a minion.
"Wake up! Wake up! Wake up, sleepies! We must go, yes, we must go at once!"
7 V 72

ROUND 10 – Gorbag/Shagrat
Sweet & Sour Sauce
•Gorbag, Lieutenant of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Orc
Strength: 11
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 4
Each time you play a Orc or Uruk-hai, you may exert Gorbag to exert the Ring-bearer.
"If there's any game, me and my lads must be in it."
7 V 180

•Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (V)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 13
Vitality: 3
Site Number: 6
Damage+1
Shadow: Spot X wounds on the Ring-bearer and exert Shagrat to play a Orc or Uruk-hai from hand; its twilight cost is -X.
"If you think I'm so damaged that it's safe to flout me, you're mistaken."
10 V 99

I can now reveal the FINAL SCORES!

3rd
In 3rd place was

Legolas3333

with 81 points. Expertly done, and the winner of round 5 with a colossal 33 points!

2nd
In 2nd place was

Sweet & Sour Sauce

with 118 points. Also the winner of rounds 2, 8, 9 and 10.

1st
In 1st place was

Anvar

with 137 points, and the winner of rounds 6 and 9.

I did promise prizes to the top 3. So if S&S, L3333 and Anvar would like to PM me as soon as possible, I will discuss prizes!


The only thing that remains is to thank everyone who participated and to thank them profusely! To all those who gave me cards and who voted, you are all just fantastic.

And I also apologise for my long periods of absence, and I will try to avoid that with these long-term commitments in future.

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

Congrats Roni! Have a from myself!

[Anvar]

Woo!

I'd like to thank my manager, my friends, my family, anyone I've ever met...

[Witchkingx5]

You're welcome!