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Though Wielder of the Flame was released in Fellowship block, it remains the only card in the game capable of granting defender +1 to any companion - including many with no other way to gain the bonus. For some unbound companions with the Gandalf signet, the single alternative is the far costlier Down From the Hills. Considering this, only requiring the Free Peoples to spot Gandalf and add is an incredibly small price to pay. Many players give rightful attention to the balancing caveat and figure that, adding 1 for the event cost, if just 2 twilight are left in the maneuver phase the effect could fizzle out. But because Shadow players are rarely able to view an opponent's hand and will try to make the most out of the twilight available, the built-in prevention tends to merely keep the Free Peoples player from making too much out of an opponent's bad hand or pressing the advantage a large Fellowship already has: numerous expendable companions. Since Wielder of the Flame is a spell, it synergizes perfectly with fellow Mines of Moria card Gandalf's Staff.
As the Free Peoples player is always allowed to take the first action in a phase, Wielder of the Flame can be used before twilight-adding effects such as Trample to ensure the Shadow player cannot afford to prevent it. Similarly, the Free Peoples player can elect to pass if he or she suspects that an opponent will use some twilight in the Maneuver phase and play Wielder of the Flame afterwards. Note that the Free Peoples is never forced to use a defender bonus, and it may be useful to bluff a Shadow player into removing (3) for an effect the Free Peoples doesn't need and make moving in the Regroup phase a little safer or keep the Shadow player from using events or abilities.
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