A few Smaug-related cards I've come up with

[bibfortuna25]

My job gives me plenty of time to think and rattle ideas around in my head, so tonight I came up with a few cards you might like:


(10) *Smaug, The Golden [Smaug]

Minion - Dragon
STR 18 VIT 4 SIT 6

Damage +1. Fierce.
No more than 1 wound token may be placed on Smaug during any phase.
While skirmishing a Dwarf, Smaug is strength +3 and damage +1.

"'No blade can pierce me.'"

This card represents both Smaug's toughness and his hatred of the Dwarves. By not allowing multiple wound tokens per phase, this prevents him from being an archery sponge, but it also means you're not likely to kill him unless you can find multiple avenues of damage.


(10) *Smaug, Fire-Drake of the North [Smaug]

Minion - Dragon
STR 10 VIT 5 SIT 6

Damage +1. Fierce.
Smaug is strength +1 for each card in all player's support areas (even if inactive).

"The dragon's ire, more fierce than fire."

Here is a first for this game: a card that can spot inactive cards. Representing Smaug's insatiable greed, there is no theoretical limit to how strong he can get. This would really make gameplay interesting from both sides of your deck.


*Dragon's Hoard [Smaug]

Artifact - Support Area

Each site on the adventure path is a mountain.
Each time Smaug wins a skirmish, you may stack a card from the Free People's player's discard pile here. While you can spot 2 cards stacked here, Smaug is not roaming.
Shadow: Spot 4 cards stacked here to play Smaug from your discard pile.

"...filled with a great wealth that could not be guessed."


Not only does this card help the second version of Smaug get stronger (remember, even the inactive stacked cards boost his strength!), but it will let you replay him every turn once he's stolen enough loot!

[menace64]

I did a Smaug like yours a few years back for my Reflections Gold set!

*Smaug, Descendant of Ancalagon
Minion * Dragon
Strength-16
Vitality-3
Site Number-8
Damage +2. Fierce. When you play Smaug, discard all other minions. Other minions may not be played.
Smaug may take no more than 1 wound during each phase.
Maneuver: Exert Smaug to discard a possession borne by an unbound companion.
"Fire leaped through the dragon's jaws."
20R+34

And to go against it:

*Bard, The Bowman
Companion * Man
Strength-5
Vitality-3
Resistance-7
Archer. To play, spot a Man.
Assignment: Exert Bard and assign him to skirmish a minion with at least twice his strength to wound that minion.
"Now he shot with a great yew bow, till all his arrows but one were spent. The flames were near him. His companions were leaving him. He bent his bow for the last time."
20R12

*The Black Arrow
Possession * Support Area
To play, spot a Man.
Each Man skirmishing a wounded minion is strength +1.
Skirmish: Exert your Man to wound a minion he is skirmishing. Discard this possession.
"In it smote and vanished, barb, shaft and feather, so fierce was its flight."
20R13

[dmaz]

I like both versions in their own way

The Golden

Just for clarification (I think I'm interpreting this right), "any phase" means that Smaug can only take one wound in both normal and fierce skirmish, correct? He could be wounded in the first skirmish but if he were to lose the second skirmish he wouldn't take any resulting wounds.
The idea of only one wound per phase, conceptualizing that varying types of force are needed to take him down, which you and menace did, is unique and I think would have added depth to the game, were a minion such as this released.

Fire Drake of the North

Another cool version with a "concept". I think I like this one a little more Just  big juggernaut. HUGE possible strength, but no protection from wounding, like he's in berserk mode haha
Also neat that you could incorporate the inactive cards.

Dragon's Hoard

Really has the feel of achieving those concepts or ideas from the subject material in the actual action of the card, if that makes any sense. Like how Blade Tip and Goblin Swarms were, along with those other great Set 1 conditions. It captures quite well an aspect of the lore.
Also very fun that you get to choose which card to stack "I'm tired of your birthday present every single turn!"

[bibfortuna25]

Yeah, he could take a wound in both a regular skirmish and a fierce skirmish. He could also take extra wounds via Bow of the Galadhrim or Knight's Mount or something. Also take note that it says "wound token," so if he gets exerted by a horse, then he won't take a wound if he loses the fight.