I know Sam is a must in Fotr Block, but in a deck where I expect to choke and still be strong through Allies, the idea is kind of not need to use him at all (the idea is that them can´t actually PLAY the Balrog), and have the least number of comps possible. I would add him, if I had something to remove.
I think I can stick with the 1-copy-of-each-character version, though I fear a LOT not being able to start in
the Prancing Pony and play Aragorn. I'd be toast.