The Last Homely House
Middle-Earth => Chamber of Mazarbul => Topic started by: DáinIronfoot on August 12, 2008, 08:21:41 AM
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[9]•The Balrog, Quenched [Moria]
Minion • Balrog
Strength: 14
Vitality: 5
Site: 4
Fierce.
At the start of the maneuver phase, you may discard all other minions to choose an unbound companion with strength 7 or higher. Until the regroup phase, only that companion can be assigned to skirmishes.
Response: If a player reconciles while the fellowship is at an underground site, return this minion to its owner’s hand.
“‘...but now he was a thing of slime, stronger than a strangling snake.’”
As you may or may not remember, this was the winning entry to the first round of my original DC Contest (http://lotrtcgdb.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=5647) over at CC, submitted by WeyounsLastClone. You can suggest tweaks as you see fit, but for now this is just a placeholder for a [Moria] thread I'll be posting a few more cards in this week. I figured now was a good time to do it as a nice contrast to the current theme of the [Gandalf] thread (http://lotrtcgdb.com/forums/index.php?topic=471.135).
There won't be much to [Moria] in this set, obviously, but what IS here will be powerful. :twisted:
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He IS unusual, but kinda cool.
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coolio.
now I see why it won ;)
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A couple fun cards for our new Balrog to play with, starting with an idea inspired directly by the DC Contest where WLC's Balrog emerged the victor. None of them may have won, but there were a number of cards that tied The Balrog in with...site control?! ??? Thing is, they actually made sense, and I LOVED the idea, so here's a card inspired by them. Enjoy! :)
[4] Secret Ways [Moria]
Event • Regroup
While the fellowship is at a mountain or underground site, this event's twilight cost is -2.
Exert The Balrog and discard each other minion to make the Free Peoples player choose to move again (if the move limit allows). You may play the fellowship’s next site (replacing opponent's site if necessary).
“‘...too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.’”
And now, just a fun support card to help Ol' Balgy more viable in a set otherwise lacking in [Moria] stuff. This is like Durin's Tower on steroids. :twisted:
[2]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each unique [Moria] minion skirmishing a companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
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[4] Out He Sprang [Moria]
Event • Regroup
While the fellowship is at a mountain or underground site, this event's twilight cost is -2.
Exert The Balrog and discard each other minion to make the Free Peoples player choose to move again (if the move limit allows). You may play the fellowship’s next site (replacing opponent's site if necessary).
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm: too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.’”
Cool.
[3]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each [Moria] minion skirmishing a unique companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile; its twilight cost is -1 for each wounded companion you can spot.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
Wow that first line is both random and crazy, how about each unique moria minion.
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[3]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each unique [Moria] minion skirmishing a companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile; its twilight cost is -1 for each wounded companion you can spot.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
Wow that first line is both random and crazy, how about each unique moria minion.
Doh! I think that's what I meant to do and ended up putting the "unique" in the wrong place. :P Fixed now. :gp:
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[4] Out He Sprang [Moria]
Event • Regroup
While the fellowship is at a mountain or underground site, this event's twilight cost is -2.
Exert The Balrog and discard each other minion to make the Free Peoples player choose to move again (if the move limit allows). You may play the fellowship’s next site (replacing opponent's site if necessary).
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm: too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.’”
Love the card, but I don't get the title. He isn't springing up, he is already there - in fact he is sticking around for another site.
[3]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each unique [Moria] minion skirmishing a companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile; its twilight cost is -1 for each wounded companion you can spot.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
Not sure I'm in favour of such a card for the Balrog. Seems a bit too easy to play the Balrog every site. How about returning the Balrog to your hand in the Regroup phase instead?
Love the ideas here - very creative.
Anvar
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[4] Out He Sprang [Moria]
Event • Regroup
While the fellowship is at a mountain or underground site, this event's twilight cost is -2.
Exert The Balrog and discard each other minion to make the Free Peoples player choose to move again (if the move limit allows). You may play the fellowship’s next site (replacing opponent's site if necessary).
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm: too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.’”
Love the card, but I don't get the title. He isn't springing up, he is already there - in fact he is sticking around for another site.
Grabbed the title from the text of The Two Towers. If you have a better suggestion, I'm all ears. PLEASE give me a better one, because I'm not a big fan of the current title either. :-X
[3]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each unique [Moria] minion skirmishing a companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile; its twilight cost is -1 for each wounded companion you can spot.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
Not sure I'm in favour of such a card for the Balrog. Seems a bit too easy to play the Balrog every site. How about returning the Balrog to your hand in the Regroup phase instead?
Well, The Balrog from this set has an ability like you're suggesting already, if you check him out. I'd rather cut the draw deck part than the discard pile part, since the whole "theme" of the card is Ol' Balgy coming back when he was supposedly already vanquished.
Any other suggestions on how to improve it?
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A couple fun cards for our new Balrog to play with, starting with an idea inspired directly by the DC Contest where WLC's Balrog emerged the victor. None of them may have won, but there were a number of cards that tied The Balrog in with...site control?! ??? Thing is, they actually made sense, and I LOVED the idea, so here's a card inspired by them. Enjoy! :)
[4] Out He Sprang [Moria]
Event • Regroup
While the fellowship is at a mountain or underground site, this event's twilight cost is -2.
Exert The Balrog and discard each other minion to make the Free Peoples player choose to move again (if the move limit allows). You may play the fellowship’s next site (replacing opponent's site if necessary).
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm: too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.’”
cut cost to 3 IMSO
[3]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each unique [Moria] minion skirmishing a companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile; its twilight cost is -1 for each wounded companion you can spot.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
limit -4 maybe?
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If you're going to make a strategy based on the Balrog as Out He Sprang does and presumably others you'll be making, he needs to come out more or less every site. That said, I think I'd just prefer a card costing [1] or [2] for Battle of the Peak playing The Balrog with no reduction. I think reductions should be on different cards, not the same ones that play him.
Thranduil
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[4] Out He Sprang [Moria]
Event • Regroup
While the fellowship is at a mountain or underground site, this event's twilight cost is -2.
Exert The Balrog and discard each other minion to make the Free Peoples player choose to move again (if the move limit allows). You may play the fellowship’s next site (replacing opponent's site if necessary).
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm: too well he knew them all. Ever up now we went, until we came to the Endless Stair.’”
Mean. Nice card.
[3]•Battle of the Peak [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Each unique [Moria] minion skirmishing a companion with strength 7 or higher is damage +1.
Shadow: Discard this condition to play The Balrog from your draw deck or discard pile; its twilight cost is -1 for each wounded companion you can spot.
“‘But what would they say in song? Those that looked up from afar thought that the mountain was crowned with storm.’”
I think I'd agree with Thran, here.
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Okay, I reduced the cost of Battle of the Peak to [2] and dropped the cost reduction for Ol' Balgy.
Anyone have a better title suggestion for Out He Sprang, or do most of you fine folks think it's alright as is?
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Just from your lore: Secret Ways?
Thranduil
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Sounds very [Gollum] that does :P
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Just from your lore: Secret Ways?
Done. :gp: Trimmed down the lore a bit, too...I'm funny about having the title come from the lore of the same card.
Okay, in direct response to the revised Battle of the Peak:
(0) Through Fire and Water [Moria]
Event • Response
If The Balrog is played, make its twilight cost -1 for each mountain and underground site on the adventure path.
“‘From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth.’”
If you think that's a little too good, I could give it a low twilight cost, cap the reduction, and/or change it to a simple Shadow event that simply plays Ol' Balgy at the reduced cost (rather than pairing with any other cards that plays him). Your call, reviewers! :-?
[1] Burst Into New Flame [Moria]
Event • Skirmish
Make a unique [Moria] minion strength +1 for each twilight token you can spot (limit +5).
“‘A great smoke rose about us, NOLINKvapour and steam.’”
Originally had this as a Balrog-only event, but opted to include other unique minions if the Shadow player is so inclined. Since using as much twilight as possible it key to most [Moria] strategies (and especially the typically-expensive Balrog), this goes against the culture's very foundation...hence the potentially big payoff. :twisted:
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(0) Through Fire and Water [Moria]
Event • Response
If The Balrog is played, make its twilight cost -1 for each mountain and underground site on the adventure path.
“‘From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth.’”
I think this is fine because it's a response event.
[2] Burst Into New Flame [Moria]
Event • Skirmish
Make a unique [Moria] minion strength +1 for each twilight token you can spot (limit +6).
“‘A great smoke rose about us, NOLINKvapour and steam.’”
I would prefer this to cost [1] with a limit of +5 to mimic the [Gandalf] event with the same ability.
Thranduil
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[2] Burst Into New Flame [Moria]
Event • Skirmish
Make a unique [Moria] minion strength +1 for each twilight token you can spot (limit +6).
“‘A great smoke rose about us, NOLINKvapour and steam.’”
I would prefer this to cost [1] with a limit of +5 to mimic the [Gandalf] event with the same ability.
You know I'm a sucker for thematic stuff like that. ;) Consider it done.
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Thran has it covered.
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(0) Through Fire and Water [Moria]
Event • Response
If The Balrog is played, make its twilight cost -1 for each mountain and underground site on the adventure path.
“‘From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth.’”
The only bad thing is it combos with Power and Terror for a really easy free Balrog.
If you think that's a little too good, I could give it a low twilight cost, cap the reduction, and/or change it to a simple Shadow event that simply plays Ol' Balgy at the reduced cost (rather than pairing with any other cards that plays him). Your call, reviewers! :-?
If the Power and Terror thing seems OP to you, then you might change it to a Shadow event that plays the Balrog from a specific location, and give it a small twilight cost. I'm not sure if it's SO bad that it warrants changing, though. Up to you.
[1] Burst Into New Flame [Moria]
Event • Skirmish
Make a unique [Moria] minion strength +1 for each twilight token you can spot (limit +5).
“‘A great smoke rose about us, NOLINKvapour and steam.’”
Awesome. Although having it work for only the Balrog would increase the tie-in to that [gandalf] event, since it only works for Gandalf himself.
Personally, I'd be a big fan of some cards that played the Balrog, maybe not at a reduction (like the condition you posted earlier) paired with a condition that decreases his twilight cost under certain circumstances (low resistance, # of companions, certain site, certain TYPE of site, etc.)
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I'll play with the last batch a bit, but for now let's get to what will probably be our last [Moria] cards for this set. Hopefully you'll find them fun. :) Enjoy!
(0) Foundations of Stone [Moria]
Event • Response
If The Balrog is about to be discarded or killed, place it beneath your draw deck instead.
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm....’”
The advantage of trimming down the lore I initially used for Secret Ways is that I get to reuse the trimmed-out portion here. It's the simple things in DC-making life. ;)
[2] Darken the Light of Day [Moria]
Event • Shadow
Reveal the bottom card of your draw deck. If that card is a [Moria] minion, take it into hand and add a burden. Otherwise, discard it or discard a [Moria] card from hand or from play.
“‘Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things.’”
And this one completes the mini-cycle. Yes, there are other ways to get Ol' Balgy back after he's killed/discarded, but this one comes with a burden on the side, hopefully making the extra time and effort worth it. :up:
[2]•Without Escape [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Skirmishes involving The Balrog cannot be cancelled.
Assignment: Discard this condition to assign The Balrog to a companion with strength 7 or more. The Free Peoples player may add 2 burdens to prevent this.
“‘The tower behind was crumbled into dust, the window gone; the ruined stair was choked with burned and broken stone.’”
And now you see we have an actual burden threat going with our Balrog. Let a companion potentially be killed, or add a couple more burdens and risk more later from cards like Must Do Without Hope and a handful of Balrog-burden-adders from my last set, The Road Ahead (http://lotrtcgdb.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=4717)? :twisted:
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I'll play with the last batch a bit, but for now let's get to what will probably be our last [Moria] cards for this set. Hopefully you'll find them fun. :) Enjoy!
[1] Foundations of Stone [Moria]
Event • Response
If The Balrog is about to be discarded or killed, place it beneath your draw deck instead.
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm....’”
evil ...very evil...
[2] Darken the Light of Day [Moria]
Event • Shadow
Reveal the bottom card of your draw deck. If that card is a [Moria] minion, take it into hand and add a burden. Otherwise, discard it or discard a [Moria] card from hand or from play.
“‘Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things.’”
fine
[2]•Without Escape [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Skirmishes involving The Balrog cannot be cancelled.
Assignment: Discard this condition to assign The Balrog to a companion with strength 7 or more. The Free Peoples player may add 2 burdens to prevent this.
“‘The tower behind was crumbled into dust, the window gone; the ruined stair was choked with burned and broken stone.’”
canceled....fine
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Foundations of Stone should probably be (0) - you're paying a lot for the Balrog in itself so i don't think you need to pay extra for hand clog.
Thranduil
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All good, Dain!
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I've only seen the one Balrog so far in this thread (Slime 'Rog). Is there a burden-centric version too? I think one is warranted.
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(0) Foundations of Stone [Moria]
Event • Response
If The Balrog is about to be discarded or killed, place it beneath your draw deck instead.
“‘Thus he brought me back at last to the secret ways of Khazad-dûm....’”
A lot to expect you to keep this in your hand but its ok.
[2] Darken the Light of Day [Moria]
Event • Shadow
Reveal the bottom card of your draw deck. If that card is a [Moria] minion, take it into hand and add a burden. Otherwise, discard it or discard a [Moria] card from hand or from play.
“‘Far, far below the deepest delving of the Dwarves, the world is gnawed by nameless things.’”
Sound.
[2]•Without Escape [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
Skirmishes involving The Balrog cannot be cancelled.
Assignment: Discard this condition to assign The Balrog to a companion with strength 7 or more. The Free Peoples player may add 2 burdens to prevent this.
“‘The tower behind was crumbled into dust, the window gone; the ruined stair was choked with burned and broken stone.’”
Wow that first line should make this cost 3 for sure.
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I've only seen the one Balrog so far in this thread (Slime 'Rog). Is there a burden-centric version too? I think one is warranted.
Not exactly, but I do have plenty of Balrog burdening stuff from my previous set, The Road Ahead. A refresher:
(Keep in mind these are all old, already-reviewed cards, so I'm not necessarily looking for comments unless you really want to.) ;)
[1]•Shadow and Flame [Moria]
Condition • Support Area
To play, spot a [Moria] card.
Each time the Free Peoples player draws a card (except during the fellowship or regroup phase), you may reveal The Balrog from your hand to make the Free Peoples player add [2] or a burden. Limit once per phase.
“‘You fear to go into those mines. The dwarves delved too greedily and too deep. You know what they awoke in the darkness of Khazad-dûm....’”
[1] Our Grief Is Great [Moria]
Event • Regroup
Exert The Balrog twice (or spot 4 [Moria] minions) to add a burden for each unique companion you can spot in the dead pile.
“Frodo heard Sam at his side weeping, and then he found that he himself was weeping as he ran. Doom, doom, doom the drum-beats rolled behind, mournful now and slow; doom!”
[2] Weight of the Dead [Moria]
Event • Regroup
You may discard a [Moria] minion to play this event during your Shadow phase.
Spot a [Moria] minion and a companion in the dead pile to add X burdens, where X is that companion’s twilight cost. The Free Peoples player may add [X] to prevent that.
“‘You carry a heavy burden, Frodo....’”
I also "reprinted" Must Do Without Hope, so between all those, you have a decent shot at all-out Balrog corruption. :twisted:
And WITH those burdens....
[1]•NOLINKThe Balrog's Sword, Stabbing Tongue of Fire [Moria]
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength +3
Bearer must be The Balrog.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon and may be played any time you could play a skirmish event.
At the start of each skirmish involving The Balrog, you may remove a burden or discard this weapon to wound each companion in that skirmish.
“From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming.”
[2] Dark As A Cloud [Moria]
Event • Skirmish
Spot The Balrog to remove X burdens (limit 3). For each burden removed in this way, add [2] and make The Balrog strength +3.
“...it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it.”
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[1]•NOLINKThe Balrog's Sword, Stabbing Tongue of Fire [Moria]
Artifact • Hand Weapon
Strength +3
Bearer must be The Balrog.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon and may be played any time you could play a skirmish event.
At the start of each skirmish involving The Balrog, you may remove a burden or discard this weapon to wound each companion in that skirmish.
“From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming.”
Pretty sure that lore has been used. :-? Cool.
[2] Dark As A Cloud [Moria]
Event • Skirmish
Spot The Balrog to remove X burdens (limit 3). For each burden removed in this way, add [2] and make The Balrog strength +3.
“...it was like a great shadow, in the middle of which was a dark form, of man-shape maybe, yet greater; and a power and terror seemed to be in it and to go before it.”
Wow thats an insane pump. Fine though.
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ALL those cards were from The Road Ahead...should have been more specific. #-o Thanks for the comments anyway! :gp:
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Ooooh sorry lol.
Good job i didnt complain about them then isnt it!