The Way Into Mordor - Dunland (12/2: A Conscript and More Plunder)

[DáinIronfoot]

Okay, I tweaked all three cards from the last batch (if you can remember back that far! ). Let me know how they are now.

But to avoid delaying new stuff even longer, we move on!

Hardy and Bold
Condition • Support Area
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a Man strength +1 for each of the following that is true: he is at a mountain, battleground, or plains site; he is skirmishing a wounded character; he is bearing a possession; you control a site.
"In the foothills of the western side of the Misty Mountains lived the remnants of the people that the Rohirrim later called the Dunlendings: a sullen folk, akin to the ancient inhabitants of the White Mountain valleys...."

I know not everyone likes these types of conditions, but I do, and I thought it only fair that Movie Block Shadow cultures get them too. The conditions here all seemed to fit old (and continued) staples, with the exception of the wounded character bit. Since these new Dunlendings have a bit of directed wounding (and access to fierce in some cases), I thought that would make for a perfect slightly-tricky-to-get fourth and final strength boost. Really, the others are pretty easy for Dunlendings old AND new to come by.

A Secret Folk
Condition • Support Area
Each time the fellowship moves, discard this condition.
Regroup: Discard a Man to add for each Man you can spot.
"Only in Dunland did Men of this race hold to their old speech and manners...unfriendly to the Dúnedain, hating the Rohirrim...."

Simple but effective double move deterant. Or a lethal combo with fan favorite No Retreat.

[Elf_Lvr]

Hardy and Bold
Condition • Support Area
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a Man strength +1 for each of the following that is true: he is at a mountain, battleground, or plains site; he is skirmishing a wounded character; he is bearing a possession; you control a site.
"In the foothills of the western side of the Misty Mountains lived the remnants of the people that the Rohirrim later called the Dunlendings: a sullen folk, akin to the ancient inhabitants of the White Mountain valleys...."

Make it cost , like all the other conditions like this.

A Secret Folk
Condition • Support Area
Each time the fellowship moves, discard this condition.
Regroup: Discard a Man to add for each Man you can spot.
"Only in Dunland did Men of this race hold to their old speech and manners...unfriendly to the Dúnedain, hating the Rohirrim...."

Alright, I guess.

[Thranduil]

Hardy and Bold
Condition • Support Area
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a Man strength +1 for each of the following that is true: he is at a mountain, battleground, or plains site; he is skirmishing a wounded character; he is bearing a possession; you control a site.
"In the foothills of the western side of the Misty Mountains lived the remnants of the people that the Rohirrim later called the Dunlendings: a sullen folk, akin to the ancient inhabitants of the White Mountain valleys...."

Yeah it's fine. I personally never use these conditions, but the concept is good. Are the other Shadow ones , though? This one should match their twilight costs.

A Secret Folk
Condition • Support Area
Each time the fellowship moves, discard this condition.
Regroup: Discard a Man to add for each Man you can spot.
"Only in Dunland did Men of this race hold to their old speech and manners...unfriendly to the Dúnedain, hating the Rohirrim...."

Although this title is technically not used on a previous card, it effectively is (Secret Folk) and hence I would change it to something else. Nevertheless, the card seems fine.

Thranduil

[lem0nhead]

Hardy and Bold
Condition • Support Area
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a Man strength +1 for each of the following that is true: he is at a mountain, battleground, or plains site; he is skirmishing a wounded character; he is bearing a possession; you control a site.
"In the foothills of the western side of the Misty Mountains lived the remnants of the people that the Rohirrim later called the Dunlendings: a sullen folk, akin to the ancient inhabitants of the White Mountain valleys...."

Alll those seem relatviely easy to achieve for +4 from a condition not even an event. Still i guess its fine.

A Secret Folk
Condition • Support Area
Each time the fellowship moves, discard this condition.
Regroup: Discard a Man to add for each Man you can spot.
"Only in Dunland did Men of this race hold to their old speech and manners...unfriendly to the Dúnedain, hating the Rohirrim...."

That name has been used before more or less. This could cost 0 easily.

[sickofpalantirs]

Okay, I tweaked all three cards from the last batch (if you can remember back that far! ). Let me know how they are now.

But to avoid delaying new stuff even longer, we move on!

Hardy and Bold
Condition • Support Area
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a Man strength +1 for each of the following that is true: he is at a mountain, battleground, or plains site; he is skirmishing a wounded character; he is bearing a possession; you control a site.
"In the foothills of the western side of the Misty Mountains lived the remnants of the people that the Rohirrim later called the Dunlendings: a sullen folk, akin to the ancient inhabitants of the White Mountain valleys...."
I think he is a skirmishing a wounded character should be changed to man

A Secret Folk
Condition • Support Area
Each time the fellowship moves, discard this condition.
Regroup: Discard a Man to add for each Man you can spot.
"Only in Dunland did Men of this race hold to their old speech and manners...unfriendly to the Dúnedain, hating the Rohirrim...."

fine.

[DáinIronfoot]

You know what? Raising a newborn is not necessarily hard work, but it IS very time-consuming. This includes time I might normally be sleeping. My internal clock just doesn't know what to make of things anymore.

I explain this for two reasons: first, to try and rationalize yet another extended absense after seemingly being back to regular activity last time I posted, and second, to also explain why I am posting DCs at 3:00am. My poor internal clock....

Anyway, I'd LIKE to think I'm back to a somewhat regular schedule again (Thanksgiving being a bit of an exception, of course), but I thought the same thing LAST time too, and we all know how THAT worked out. So I'll post several DCs this time around. Hopefully it will be a more normal gap between these and the next cards, but in case it's not, then the unusually large number should help tide you over. That and the turkey we'll all be stuffed with in a few hours....

Hillman Elder
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each site you control.
This minion gains hunter 1 for each plains site you control.
This minion is damage +1 for each dwelling site you control.
Dunland's hatred of Rohan seemed only to grow with each passing generation.

Obviously a close cousin to the popular Dunlending Elder. How's it stack up?

Hillman Pillager
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
Each time you take control of a site (except during the Shadow phase), you may discard a Free Peoples condition or Free Peoples possession.
"Thus the Rohirrim earned the hatred of the Dunlendings...."

could really use a minion like this, methinks. Too powerful, though?

Hillman Attacker
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 2
Site: 3
While skirmishing a Man, this minion is strength +4 and damage +1.
"They had little love for Gondor, though hardy and bold enough...."

Ah, your standard specific-race-hate minion. At least he's one of those rare 2-vitality Dunlendings if you run into a Man-free FP deck, so he's NEVER exactly useless....

Hillman Vagrant
Minion • Man
Strength: 6
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
While this minion is roaming, it is strength +3.
While this minion is at a plains site, it is strength +3.
"Dunland and Dunlending are the names that the Rohirrim gave to them, because they were swarthy and dark-haired...."

The roaming isn't likely to trigger often, though it certainly makes a nice counter to ranger strategies and such, eh? Hopefully you CAN control the other trigger a bit, throw out some plains, and still turn him into a respectable /9/1 minion, which isn't bad at

[lem0nhead]

Hillman Elder
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each site you control.
This minion gains hunter 1 for each plains site you control.
This minion is damage +1 for each dwelling site you control.
Dunland's hatred of Rohan seemed only to grow with each passing generation.

It stacks up insanely. Its either really poor if the sites arent going right or really sick cos you could be stupid damage. Not sure what make of it really.

Hillman Pillager
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
Each time you take control of a site, you may discard a Free Peoples condition or Free Peoples possession.
"Thus the Rohirrim earned the hatred of the Dunlendings...."

No i think its cool.

Hillman Attacker
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 2
Site: 3
While skirmishing a Man, this minion is strength +4 and damage +1.
"They had little love for Gondor, though hardy and bold enough...."

Cool but the fact he is good against men doesnt make his 2 vitality good... rohan horseys?

Hillman Vagrant
Minion • Man
Strength: 6
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
While this minion is roaming, it is strength +3.
While this minion is at a plains site, it is strength +3.
"Dunland and Dunlending are the names that the Rohirrim gave to them, because they were swarthy and dark-haired...."

Fair enough.

[Thranduil]

Hillman Elder
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each site you control.
This minion gains hunter 1 for each plains site you control.
This minion is damage +1 for each dwelling site you control.
Dunland's hatred of Rohan seemed only to grow with each passing generation.

Perhaps something less flashy: "While you control a plains site, this minion gains hunter 2. While you control a dwelling site, this minion is damage +1."

Hillman Pillager
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
Each time you take control of a site, you may discard a Free Peoples condition or Free Peoples possession.
"Thus the Rohirrim earned the hatred of the Dunlendings...."

Does seem a little bit good. How about removing a bit of twilight? Or perhaps just spotting enough Men.

Hillman Attacker
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 2
Site: 3
While skirmishing a Man, this minion is strength +4 and damage +1.
"They had little love for Gondor, though hardy and bold enough...."

This is the sort of guy who deserves a vertical cycle. He's alright, though I probably wouldn't use him.

Hillman Vagrant
Minion • Man
Strength: 6
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
While this minion is roaming, it is strength +3.
While this minion is at a plains site, it is strength +3.
"Dunland and Dunlending are the names that the Rohirrim gave to them, because they were swarthy and dark-haired...."

He seems fine.

Thranduil

[Elf_Lvr]

Hillman Elder
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each site you control.
This minion gains hunter 1 for each plains site you control.
This minion is damage +1 for each dwelling site you control.
Dunland's hatred of Rohan seemed only to grow with each passing generation.

Awesome.

Hillman Pillager
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
Each time you take control of a site, you may discard a Free Peoples condition or Free Peoples possession.
"Thus the Rohirrim earned the hatred of the Dunlendings...."

I don't know. With stuff like Freca, he could get sorta crazy. Maybe limit it to a certain phase that the site is controlled in. For example, skirmish.

Hillman Attacker
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 2
Site: 3
While skirmishing a Man, this minion is strength +4 and damage +1.
"They had little love for Gondor, though hardy and bold enough...."

The 2 vit. makes him a little better. I'd say he's okay.

Hillman Vagrant
Minion • Man
Strength: 6
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
While this minion is roaming, it is strength +3.
While this minion is at a plains site, it is strength +3.
"Dunland and Dunlending are the names that the Rohirrim gave to them, because they were swarthy and dark-haired...."

Hah. Site 2 bomb! A 12 strength guy for at site 2 seems a little good, and with 's events, it wouldn't be hard to kill pretty much anyone. But I'd really have to see it played to see if it'd consistently do that. I think it's probably fine.

[DáinIronfoot]

Excluded the Shadow phase from the Pillager's ability. Good call. Anything else?

Today we have a sampling of various sides to go with that leftover turkey you know you'll be digging out for lunch (or dinner...or both!). Enjoy!

•United By Hatred
Condition • Support Area
While you can spot an or minion, each minion is strength +1.
While you can spot a or minion, each minion gains ambush .
While you can spot a or minion, each minion gains this ability:
"Skirmish: Exert this minion to wound a companion he is skirmishing."
"...hatred remained unappeased in their descendants, causing them to join with any enemies of Númenor...."

Been wanting to make a card like this for a while. More than likely you won't really use it except with , but there's certainly some nice incentive for potential splashing with others....

•Blinded By Hatred
Condition • Support Area
When you play this condition, you may add a token here for each minion in the discard pile.
Response: If a minion is killed, remove X tokens from here (where X is that minion's twilight cost) to make a minion strength +2 or fierce until the regroup phase.
"...Saruman had told them that the men of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive."

Could be truly brutal with the sheer number of Dunlendings you can throw out (and thus end up with in your discard pile). I know a few minions I've made encourage using fewer, strong Dunlendings, but this one is obviously all about the swarm.

Pillaged
Event • Maneuver
Spot X Men (minimum 1) to discard a Free Peoples possession or condition with a twilight cost of X or less.
"...they became openly hostile, raiding the herds and studs of the Rohirrim in Westfold."

Wild Man Raid, reimagined. I think they're different enough to each have their uses without negating the other. They work well together in the same deck, too.... *hint hint, wink wink*

[Thranduil]

•Bitter Enemies
Condition • Support Area
While you can spot an or minion, each minion is strength +1.
While you can spot a or minion, each minion gains ambush .
While you can spot a or minion, each minion gains this ability:
"Skirmish: Exert this minion to wound a companion he is skirmishing."
"...hatred remained unappeased in their descendants, causing them to join with any enemies of Númenor...."

Very entertaining, but this card is promoting friendship between Shadow cultures not enmity and so the title seems a bit off. "United by Hatred" is a more accurate description of it, I think.

•Blinded By Hatred
Condition • Support Area
When you play this condition, you may add a token here for each minion in the discard pile.
Response: If a minion is killed, remove X tokens from here (where X is that minion's twilight cost) to make a minion strength +2 or fierce until the regroup phase.
"...Saruman had told them that the men of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive."

I feel like this card does not need to have such a complicated ability. Why not: "Skirmish: Remove X tokens from here to make a minion with twilight cost X strength +2 or fierce until the regroup phase." That said, I think the ability is a little too strong right now. With the potential huge token addage, I would be inclined to make is strength +1 per X tokens and no fierce option.

Pillaged
Event • Maneuver
Spot X Men (minimum 1) to discard a Free Peoples possession or condition with a twilight cost of X.
"...they became openly hostile, raiding the herds and studs of the Rohirrim in Westfold."

If you have to spot a minimum of 1 Man, then you can't discard anything with a twilight cost of . Is this intentional?

Thranduil

[lem0nhead]

•Bitter Enemies
Condition • Support Area
While you can spot an or minion, each minion is strength +1.
While you can spot a or minion, each minion gains ambush .
While you can spot a or minion, each minion gains this ability:
"Skirmish: Exert this minion to wound a companion he is skirmishing."
"...hatred remained unappeased in their descendants, causing them to join with any enemies of Númenor...."

Could cost 1 i think.

•Blinded By Hatred
Condition • Support Area
When you play this condition, you may add a token here for each minion in the discard pile.
Response: If a minion is killed, remove X tokens from here (where X is that minion's twilight cost) to make a minion strength +2 or fierce until the regroup phase.
"...Saruman had told them that the men of Rohan were cruel and burned their captives alive."

Erm ok i reckon.

Pillaged
Event • Maneuver
Spot X Men (minimum 1) to discard a Free Peoples possession or condition with a twilight cost of X.
"...they became openly hostile, raiding the herds and studs of the Rohirrim in Westfold."

Yeah coolio, to address Thran's issue (which i think you intended) you could say with a cost of x or lower?

[DáinIronfoot]

Tweaked the last batch. And now for something completely different, gleaned from some obscure Tolkien texts.

Dunlending Rider
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
When this minion is played, you may play a mount from your draw deck.
"In its van were some Dunlending-horsemen...."

That's right, boys and girls...mounted Dunlendings. A small theme, to be sure, but one that could be fun. This guy helps set things up...

Dunlending Horseman
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each mounted minion you can spot.
"The horsemen and wolfriders fell on the horse-herds...and slew or dispersed them."

...and this one reaps the benefits. Note that he can spot ANY mounted minions, too, so he pairs nicely with our Warg-riders.

Pillaged Steed
Possession • Mount
Strength +1
Bearer must be a Man.
At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, each Free Peoples character skirmishing bearer must exert.
Unlike most of their plunder, the Dunlendings did not destroy most of the fine Rohirrim horses they came across, but made them their own.

Turning Rohirrim steeds against the FP player...with a typical mount ability. Insult to injury, that is!

[Thranduil]

Dunlending Horseman
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
When this minion is played, you may play a mount from your draw deck.
"In its van were some Dunlending-horsemen...."

Fair enough. This is from the Battle of the River Isen in Unfinished Tales, right?

Dunlending Dragoon
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each mounted minion you can spot.
"The horsemen and wolfriders fell on the horse-herds...and slew or dispersed them."

I think he should spot a Man to play, or possibly a or minion. But he's fair enough. Dragoon perhaps sounds a bit too organised.

Pillaged Steed
Possession • Mount
Strength +1
Bearer must be a Man.
At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, each Free Peoples character skirmishing bearer must exert.
Unlike most of their plunder, the Dunlendings did not destroy most of the fine Rohirrim horses they came across, but made them their own.

I think this needs to cost definitely - exerting Free Peoples characters is a lot better than exerting Shadow characters and definitely offsets the usual reduction for Shadow possessions. I like it though!

Thranduil

[Elf_Lvr]

Dunlending Horseman
Minion • Man
Strength: 7
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
When this minion is played, you may play a mount from your draw deck.
"In its van were some Dunlending-horsemen...."

I've read the mount below. This guy looks fine.

Dunlending Dragoon
Minion • Man
Strength: 9
Vitality: 1
Site: 3
This minion is strength +1 for each mounted minion you can spot.
"The horsemen and wolfriders fell on the horse-herds...and slew or dispersed them."

Dragoon... now there's a minion title that isn't used often. I'll need to remember that. But Thran's right, it's a little odd for .

Anyways, the minion looks nice. He'd be wicked fun to splash in Wargs, Wargs, or even decks.

Pillaged Steed
Possession • Mount
Strength +1
Bearer must be a Man.
At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, each Free Peoples character skirmishing bearer must exert.
Unlike most of their plunder, the Dunlendings did not destroy most of the fine Rohirrim horses they came across, but made them their own.

Drop the strength bonus or increase cost to .