cause gandalf costs four...

and frodo’s cloak works to remove burdens and heal frodo. i add burdens with followers and exert frodo with his game text. also, with Shire Countryside, i can heal another companion when i remove burdens.

Minions:

Grima, Betrayer of Rohan (Take him out. You won’t be winning any skirmishes so his ability won’t trigger very often -1)
Archer of Harad x3
Crazed Hillman x2 (There is no way to make this minion surive until the fierce skirmish -3)
Crooked Townsman x2 (You will most likely not be swarming the opponents fellowship. The only purpose he serves is to be equipped with a bow -5)
Southron Murderer x 3
Easterling Standard-Bearer x2 (Instead of focusing on winning skirmishes you should focus on finishing off the opponent in the archery phase -7)
Fletcher of Harad
The Mouth of Sauron, Messenger of Mordor x2
Corsair Champion
Voice of the Desert, Southron Troop x2
Legion of Harad x3 (This minion could be replaced with something more efficient -10)


conditions:

Howdah x3
Caravan From the South x3
Countless Companies


Possessions:

Long Battle Bow x3
Pavise x3


Events:

Elevated Fire x3

secondly I don’t want another companion to worry about and shire countryside doesn’t work when I use a hobbit’s game text to remove burdens...

You’re kind of slim on the companion count already, especially because Rosie Cotton is one of your companions. She’ll pile on those burdens really fast.