Light & Shadow - Complete Card List

[DáinIronfoot]

Eh, it DOES seem a bit clunky. But I still like it....

At least go with the region thing. Gives him quite a bit more flavor than an all-the-time 3 exertions.

[Thranduil]

Wow, I was not expecting such a huge amount of conversation on these issues! It's great, I'm going to give every person who was arguing a !

Now a few words:

1) On the Ring, I will consider your comments very carefully and think about what to do. I will come back to it in due course.
2) On Frodo, I gave the option for using him as the Ring-bearer because I now think that all RBs should follow the model of the ARBs - look at Bearer of Quality, for example, whose text is only useful if he's the Ring-bearer, but he still is not the RB by default. This is why I put this Frodo (and all other Frodos that I'm going to make in the near future) in this format.

As for his text, though I love your ideas, DI, this set is about clean and simple design and so I don't want anything clunky except on maybe a few select rares. The region thing might also reduce simplicity by too much, I'll have to think about that. Rest assured that I will return to this stuff (and post new cards shortly) and I take my hat off to all those who commented on it. Thanks guys!

Of course, more comments are always welcome

Thranduil

[Gate Troll]

As for Frodo, I think with the lore you've chosen Dain's idea for Frodo gaining the Ring would be awesome but not practical. That would ruin corruption decks forever... Oh, look, my Isildur died... Frodo has the Ring! Oh, look, my Frodo died... Sam has the Ring!

Hmmmm...hadn't thought about using Sam as a third layer. Perhaps, if you go with my suggestion, prohibit the Ring from being transferred from Frodo once he has it?

Something like this, perhaps:

•Frodo, Chosen By Fate
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Ringed Resistance: 10
Ring-bound.
Skirmish: If Frodo is the Ring-bearer, exert him X times to take off The One Ring, where X is the current region number.
Response: If the Ring-bearer is killed, make Frodo the Ring-bearer (resistance 5); no other companion may be the Ring-bearer until the end of the game.
"'Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.'"
R

I think the response ability works. The first part doesn't HAVE to specify OTHER Ring-bearers, because if Frodo already IS the Ring-bearer and is killed, then obviously the response ability can't trigger, so it covers only other Ring-bearers anyway (saving us lengthy "If Frodo is not the Ring-bearer and..." type text.

The second part prevents Sam (or anyone else) from then becoming Frodo's Ring-bearing backup; once Frodo gets the Ring, that's it...no more transferring it after that.

Yes, he's rather complicated now, but I also think very cool. Versatility is awesome.

First part is great, the second part sucks. Actually, I really like the first part. Thran should consider it.
The second part... not so great. 

[Thranduil]

I think it's time for another 2 cards here. I will update them with lores as soon as I have access to a copy of the Lord of the Rings (which will be in a few hours).

In many ways, this set is about Gandalf and so it seems like a reasonable place to start. Here are the 2 copies of Gandalf in the set. The second one is based on a crazy card I made in the Never-ending DC threat - weird strategy, but let me know what you think!

•Gandalf, Agent of the Valar
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Unyielding (Gandalf's resistance is not modified by the number of burdens).
Each other unbound companion is resistance +2.
"They came therefore in the shape of Men, though they were never young and aged only slowly, and they had many powers of mind and hand."
L C 30

•Gandalf, Mover of All
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's strength, Shadow events may not be played.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's vitality, he cannot take wounds.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's resistance, burdens may not be added by Shadow cards.
"'For... this is his victory.'"
L R 31

[DáinIronfoot]

•Gandalf, Agent of the Valar
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Defender +1.
Each other unbound companion is resistance +2.
C

No issues here, though I'm not thrilled about the subtitle. Perhaps just simply Olórin? That's how he was known among the Valar, after all....

•Gandalf, Mover of All
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's strength, Shadow events may not be played.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's vitality, he cannot take wounds.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's resistance, burdens may not be added by Shadow cards.
R

Again, not thrilled about the subtitle. Perhaps Disturber of the Peace? I think resistance 7 would be better here as well, especially since having the lower resistance would help in this case. He's certainly very interesting, and I'd certainly consider using him for at least the benefits of potentially negating his own wounds.

[FM]

Nice, I liked them both! Specially, of course, the second one, since I'm all for crazy design. If even go as far as throwing in a line that if the number matches all his 3 attributes added together (19 is not easy to pull off), you'd skip the Shadow phase and remove (so they don't get a free DOUBLE, only a free MOVE)!

[sickofpalantirs]

and up the strength and lower the resistance on that Gandalf, or alternatively knock the strength down 2, give him the option of upping it 3 if their are 5 twilight or whatever.

wait...if you had gandalfs staff/glamdring etc. that would effect it right?

[lem0nhead]

•Gandalf, Agent of the Valar
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Defender +1.
Each other unbound companion is resistance +2.
C

Even for a common he seems unreasonably good. I know its basic but still really useful.

•Gandalf, Mover of All
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's strength, Shadow events may not be played.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's vitality, he cannot take wounds.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's resistance, burdens may not be added by Shadow cards.
R

Really ace idea, no idea whether id use him as seems risky. Also the resistance bonus is quite hard to achieve and not worth it really.

[Thranduil]

Perhaps just simply Olórin? That's how he was known among the Valar, after all....

It's a good idea, but I try to make my DC sets consistent and I already have a Gandalf, Olórin!

I think resistance 7 would be better here as well, especially since having the lower resistance would help in this case. He's certainly very interesting, and I'd certainly consider using him for at least the benefits of potentially negating his own wounds.

I was very keen on the idea that all 3 of this Gandalf's stats should be different to make the deck design even more entertaining. On the other hand, it might be better at strength 8 resistance 7 as SoP suggested. What do you think?

Even for a common he seems unreasonably good. I know its basic but still really useful.

I'm building this set as if it were to go on sale (I know there doesn't seem to be any point, but it's an intellectual exercise!) so there will be some ace commons and some useless rares. My problem with this card was that with just the resistance bonus, I didn't think he was worth it so he needed something else. Is there something better you think?

Thanks for all the reviews guys!

Thranduil

[Gate Troll]

•Gandalf, Agent of the Valar
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Defender +1.
Each other unbound companion is resistance +2.
C

The defender +1 is what really catches my eye. The ability is kind of meh. 

•Gandalf, Mover of All
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's strength, Shadow events may not be played.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's vitality, he cannot take wounds.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's resistance, burdens may not be added by Shadow cards.
R

Never was a huge fan of Gandalf getting such-and-such bonus from twilight.
I suppose it works though. And, I gotta say, it does have a lot of flavor. 

[Anvar]

•Gandalf, Agent of the Valar
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Defender +1.
Each other unbound companion is resistance +2.
"They came therefore in the shape of Men, though they were never young and aged only slowly, and they had many powers of mind and hand."
L C 30

G for Grand! G for Grand!
I think he's very good, but then he is now competing with Leader of the Company, who is also stupidly good, so I think he's okay.

•Gandalf, Mover of All
Companion • Wizard
Str: 7
Vit: 4
Res: 8
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's strength, Shadow events may not be played.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's vitality, he cannot take wounds.
While the number of twilight tokens is equal to Gandalf's resistance, burdens may not be added by Shadow cards.
"'For... this is his victory.'"
L R 31

This card is certainly wacky, but it seems like it might be lots of fun. Reminds me of Jack Wilgress from Wars. All his stats do need to be different (at least initially - the fun challenge would be to try to get them to match up to each other for multiple effects) and since I don't think str 8 is justified, he needs to have resistance 8 or 6. 8 seems the more reasonable.

Great stuff, though I'm not sure I really get the theme. Do you have any set keywords or mechanics that tie the set together?

Anvar

[Thranduil]

Great stuff, though I'm not sure I really get the theme. Do you have any set keywords or mechanics that tie the set together?

I actually decided against using any new keywords because one of the things I want to do with this set is explore already existing simple design space, which I think there's a lot of. This might turn into a block, though, in which case there might be a new keyword in the second set. As for mechanics, the overriding themes are resistance and wearing The One Ring.

Now some cards which are currently designed with the Mover of All in mind. I'm not sure if that's going to stay that way or not, but never mind.

•Gandalf's Staff, Wizard's Device
Artifact • Staff
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
At the start of the maneuver phase, you may add to take a spell into hand from your discard pile.
"'I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves or Men or Orcs...'"
L R 32

•Glamdring, Gleaming Cold and White
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage +1.
Each time Gandalf wins a skirmish, you may add or remove up to .
"From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming. Glamdring glittered white in answer."
L R 33

•Narya, Hidden Fire
Artifact • Ring
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Response: If a Shadow card is about to add any number of twilight tokens, discard a card from hand to prevent that.
"'I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame or Anor.'"
L R 40

I know there's some debate on what the lore on that Narya is actually referring to, but I'm going to assume for the purposes of this card that he's talking about his ring!

[Elrohir]

I like your "Gandalf, Mover of all" best  This is a real great card!

[FM]

•Gandalf's Staff, Wizard's Device
Artifact • Staff
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
At the start of the maneuver phase, you may add to take a spell into hand from your discard pile.
"'I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves or Men or Orcs...'"
L R 32

Wicked cool, I like it a lot!

•Glamdring, Glowing Cold and White
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage +1.
Each time Gandalf wins a skirmish, you may remove up to .
"From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming. Glamdring glittered white in answer."
L R 33

Again, REALLY nice, although it might be a bit over the top, IS a lot to remove (and I'm afrain it might turn it into a choke machine and nothing else), and decks that tend to focus around a character will usually have that character winning quite a few skirmishes. Perhaps you could remove a random amount?

•Narya, Hidden Fire
Artifact • Ring
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Response: If a Shadow card is about to add any number of twilight tokens, exert Gandalf to prevent that.
"'I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame or Anor.'"
L R 40

I think this might be too powerful without a cap. I think you could have Narya turn spells into other spells? Like, discarding a spell to get this effect?

[DáinIronfoot]

•Gandalf's Staff, Wizard's Device
Artifact • Staff
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
At the start of the maneuver phase, you may add to take a spell into hand from your discard pile.
"'I once knew every spell in all the tongues of Elves or Men or Orcs...'"
L R 32

Niftiness.

•Glamdring, Glowing Cold and White
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage +1.
Each time Gandalf wins a skirmish, you may remove up to .
"From out of the shadow a red sword leaped flaming. Glamdring glittered white in answer."
L R 33

Yeah, is a bit much. Perhaps have the amount removed somehow reliant on the minion defeated? Going off their cost or printed vitality or something, perhaps.

•Narya, Hidden Fire
Artifact • Ring
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Response: If a Shadow card is about to add any number of twilight tokens, exert Gandalf to prevent that.
"'I am the servant of the Secret Fire, wielder of the flame or Anor.'"
L R 40

FM's idea is pretty cool, but this is balanced as is, I think.