The Way Into Mordor - Isengard (12/31: Token Machine Stuff)

[FM]

You don't really get what I'm saying. YOu don't need to reprint all of them, you basically reprint ONE with the new wording, to show that that full text, now, "reads" berserk X. Cleaver does not need to give the keyword because of the old ones, unless you want it to give to other minions. THEN it's fine. Otherwise, there's no need, even with no reprint those berserkers would still have berserk X in their updated rules text, for example.

[lem0nhead]

Berserk Stormer
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 7
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1. Berserker 2. (This character is strength +2 for each wound on each character in its skirmish.)
To play, spot 2 Uruk-hai (or another berserker).
Regroup: Discard this minion and 2 other minions to take control of a site.
"Some of the Riders were driven back, further and further into the Deep, falling and fighting as they gave way, step by step, towards the caves."

Meh think hes ok.

•Berserk Assaulter
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 12
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1. Berserker 1. (This character is strength +1 for each wound on each character in its skirmish.)
While exhausted, Berserk Assaulter is fierce.
Skirmish: Remove 3 tokens from a machine to make a berserker strength +3.
"The defence was swept away."

Cool i like him.

[Thranduil]

Berserk Stormer
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 7
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1. Berserker 2. (This character is strength +2 for each wound on each character in its skirmish.)
To play, spot 2 Uruk-hai (or another berserker).
Regroup: Discard this minion and 2 other minions to take control of a site.
"Some of the Riders were driven back, further and further into the Deep, falling and fighting as they gave way, step by step, towards the caves."

Meh. I hate site control. This guy's fine.

•Berserk Assaulter
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 12
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1. Berserker 1. (This character is strength +1 for each wound on each character in its skirmish.)
While exhausted, Berserk Assaulter is fierce.
Skirmish: Remove 3 tokens from a machine to make a berserker strength +3.
"The defence was swept away."

Cool. Maybe combine some tokens with site control like Uruk Village Assassin.

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

Cool. Maybe combine some tokens with site control like Uruk Village Assassin.

A fun idea! I'll have to do something like that...although there IS this previously-spoiled card:

•Greatness of Their Army
Condition
Strength +1
Bearer must be an Uruk-hai.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may choose one: discard an ally; add an token on a machine; or remove an token to take control of a site.
"‘How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless hate?'"

For now, though, it's time for some skirmish events. I have shockingly few of them so far for this culture (only 2 thus far). Time to fix that.

First Assault
Event • Response
If a berserker wins a skirmish, make that berserker participate in an additional assignment and skirmish phase and assign that berserker to an unassigned companion (except the Ring-bearer).
The berserkers' attacks were so sudden and fierce that many fell to their long blades before being able to mount any kind of proper counterattack.

Figured I'd get the most potentially controversial one out of the way first.

Over The Walls
Event • Response
If an Uruk-hai berserker wins a skirmish, discard that berserker and another Uruk-hai to take control of a site.
"‘The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away....'"

Technically, I already used that lore, but I liked it so much for this card that I went back and redid the lore for the card that already had it. Ah, if only Big D had had that kind of power...and hadn't screwed up so much in the first place!

Roared Like a Sea
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +2 (or enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker).
"Before the wall's foot the dead and broken were piled like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the enemy came on."

Someone suggested putting berserker and enduring together. I figured I'd oblige, in a roundabout way.

Ever Higher They Rose
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +1 for each machine you can spot.
"Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up....and Orcs sprang up them like apes in the dark forests of the South."

Just to show they're not ALL berserker-centric.

[menace64]

•Greatness of Their Army
Condition
Strength +1
Bearer must be an Uruk-hai.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may choose one: discard an ally; add an token on a machine; or remove an token to take control of a site.
"‘How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless hate?'"

Just fine and dandy, although I'd like to see it non-unique with a 'limit 1 per minion' clause. It would add to the 'army' feel.

First Assault
Event • Response
If a berserker wins a skirmish, assign that berserker to an unassigned companion (except the Ring-bearer).
The berserkers' attacks were so sudden and fierce that many fell to their long blades before being able to mount any kind of proper counterattack.

That's nasty. I like nasty cards and think this one is fine, but if you want it to be a little more balanced make it cost .

Over The Walls
Event • Skirmish
If a berserker wins a skirmish, discard that berserker and another Uruk-hai to take control of a site.
"‘The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away....'"

My first reaction was to make it cost . But is fine.
Also, it should be a response if you want to keep the wording as-is.

Roared Like a Sea
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +2 (and enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker).
"Before the wall's foot the dead and broken were piled like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the enemy came on."

I'd rather it be strength +2 or enduring if it's a berserker.

Ever Higher They Rose
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +1 for each machine you can spot.
"Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up....and Orcs sprang up them like apes in the dark forests of the South."

'Tis fine.

[sickofpalantirs]

Cool. Maybe combine some tokens with site control like Uruk Village Assassin.

A fun idea! I'll have to do something like that...although there IS this previously-spoiled card:

•Greatness of Their Army
Condition
Strength +1
Bearer must be an Uruk-hai.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may choose one: discard an ally; add an token on a machine; or remove an token to take control of a site.
"‘How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless hate?'"
fine

First Assault
Event • Response
If a berserker wins a skirmish, assign that berserker to an unassigned companion (except the Ring-bearer).
The berserkers' attacks were so sudden and fierce that many fell to their long blades before being able to mount any kind of proper counterattack.
hmm...wouldn't it be something about started a skirmish phase between them?


Over The Walls
Event • Response
If an Uruk-hai berserker wins a skirmish, discard that berserker and another Uruk-hai to take control of a site.
"‘The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away....'"
fine 

Roared Like a Sea
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +2 (and enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker).
"Before the wall's foot the dead and broken were piled like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the enemy came on."
fine

Ever Higher They Rose
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +1 for each machine you can spot.
"Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up....and Orcs sprang up them like apes in the dark forests of the South."

I'd put a limit on it. +7 maybe?

[Elf_Lvr]

•Greatness of Their Army
Condition
Strength +1
Bearer must be an Uruk-hai.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may choose one: discard an ally; add an token on a machine; or remove an token to take control of a site.
"‘How shall any tower withstand such numbers and such reckless hate?'"

I remember this. It's cool.

First Assault
Event • Response
If a berserker wins a skirmish, assign that berserker to an unassigned companion (except the Ring-bearer).
The berserkers' attacks were so sudden and fierce that many fell to their long blades before being able to mount any kind of proper counterattack.

SoP's right, I don't think there'd be any sort of skirmish between the two characters, unless of course there were other fierce minions.

That said, it's mean, but self-assigning is a classic way to kill people, and Uruks are a beat-down shadow, after all.

Over The Walls
Event • Response
If an Uruk-hai berserker wins a skirmish, discard that berserker and another Uruk-hai to take control of a site.
"‘The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away....'"

Make it cost . Discarding two guys is already a big cost - it opens up a double easily enough. Plus, a lot of cool events and abilities have such high costs already that it makes a lot of them unplayable together. Uruks need a few tricks, and this would be a cool card for it. It's hard to surprise an opponent when you count out 14 twilight and then only play for 8 or 9 of it. 

Roared Like a Sea
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +2 (and enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker).
"Before the wall's foot the dead and broken were piled like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the enemy came on."

Cruel. I love it. Though perhaps Menace's suggestion holds merit.

Ever Higher They Rose
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +1 for each machine you can spot.
"Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up....and Orcs sprang up them like apes in the dark forests of the South."

*grumble*More high costing events...*grumble*

It's a cool card, and well-costed, but yet again expectable.

[Thranduil]

First Assault
Event • Response
If a berserker wins a skirmish, assign that berserker to an unassigned companion (except the Ring-bearer).
The berserkers' attacks were so sudden and fierce that many fell to their long blades before being able to mount any kind of proper counterattack.

That's cool. It's too expensive, though - I don't think I'd play it. Quite a lot of your berserkers are fierce right?

Over The Walls
Event • Response
If an Uruk-hai berserker wins a skirmish, discard that berserker and another Uruk-hai to take control of a site.
"‘The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away....'"

Sure, but I would never pay any twilight if I'm already discarding 2 of my minions. Should be .

Roared Like a Sea
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +2 (and enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker).
"Before the wall's foot the dead and broken were piled like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the enemy came on."

Rather, I think I'd make it "or enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker" and make it cost - Shadow events that cost twilight are not very useful.

Ever Higher They Rose
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +1 for each machine you can spot.
"Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up....and Orcs sprang up them like apes in the dark forests of the South."

Again, this could be . And it definitely should not have a limit because it significantly limits the fun of the card.

Thranduil

[lem0nhead]

First Assault
Event • Response
If a berserker wins a skirmish, assign that berserker to an unassigned companion (except the Ring-bearer).
The berserkers' attacks were so sudden and fierce that many fell to their long blades before being able to mount any kind of proper counterattack.

Oooooh i like it, i might say exert him to assign though. Then its a double edged sword, it can either give him a strength bonus or he may not have the vitality to do it.

Over The Walls
Event • Response
If an Uruk-hai berserker wins a skirmish, discard that berserker and another Uruk-hai to take control of a site.
"‘The Deeping Wall is taken, lord, and all the defence swept away....'"

Two guys for one site? Meh ok i guess.

Roared Like a Sea
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +2 (and enduring if that Uruk-hai is a berserker).
"Before the wall's foot the dead and broken were piled like shingle in a storm; ever higher rose the hideous mounds, and still the enemy came on."

Well youd only really use this in a berserker deck so its gonna make one immense so maybe should cost 2.

Ever Higher They Rose
Event • Skirmish
Make an Uruk-hai strength +1 for each machine you can spot.
"Hundreds of long ladders were lifted up....and Orcs sprang up them like apes in the dark forests of the South."

Cool.

[DáinIronfoot]

While working on cards, I was combing around for good lore and ran across a familiar exchange from the Two Towers film that I think works very well for some fun. Seemed as a good a place as any to finally incorporat some resistance hate into the Uruks.

So Much Death
Condition • Support Area
Resistance -2
Response: If an unbound companion loses a skirmish involving an Uruk-hai, exert that Uruk-hai to transfer this condition from your support area to that companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time another companion of bearer's culture loses a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must exert bearer or add a burden.
"‘Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread....'"

Softening those companions up a bit, knocking down their resistance and laying on some exertions.

Lost In Despair
Condition
Resistance -3
To play, exert an Uruk-hai. Bearer must be an unbound companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time the Free Peoples player assigns bearer to a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must add or exert a companion.
"‘They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes.'"

More softening, especially in terms of resistance.

Frightened
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk-hai and spot a companion in the dead pile to exert each companion with resistance 3 or less.
"‘And they should be....they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!'"

And now...the bomb! Of course, this works equally well with resistance Uruks and makes for a very nasty surprise.

[Elf_Lvr]

So Much Death
Condition
Resistance -2
Response: If an unbound companion loses a skirmish involving an Uruk-hai, exert that Uruk-hai to transfer this condition from your support area to that companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time another companion of bearer's culture loses a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must exert bearer or add a burden.
"‘Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread....'"

I think it needs "Condition • Support Area," since it begins in your support area. It's a Worry-ish card. I like it.

Lost In Despair
Condition
Resistance -3
To play, exert an Uruk-hai. Bearer must be an unbound companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time the Free Peoples player assigns bearer to a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must add or exert a companion.
"‘They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes.'"

It's good. I might up the cost or lower the resistance drop.

Frightened
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk-hai and spot a companion in the dead pile to exert each companion with resistance 3 or less.
"‘And they should be....they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!'"

Awesome.

[lem0nhead]

So Much Death
Condition • Support Area
Resistance -2
Response: If an unbound companion loses a skirmish involving an Uruk-hai, exert that Uruk-hai to transfer this condition from your support area to that companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time another companion of bearer's culture loses a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must exert bearer or add a burden.
"‘Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread....'"

Flippin heck, thats not nice!

Lost In Despair
Condition
Resistance -3
To play, exert an Uruk-hai. Bearer must be an unbound companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time the Free Peoples player assigns bearer to a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must add or exert a companion.
"‘They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes.'"

Its a horrible nasty card and there is no way the freeps can prevent it! I think it needs a way of avoiding it like above, rather than just slapping it on a comp and laughing manically.

Frightened
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk-hai and spot a companion in the dead pile to exert each companion with resistance 3 or less.
"‘And they should be....they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!'"

Nice i likey.

[Thranduil]

So Much Death
Condition • Support Area
Resistance -2
Response: If an unbound companion loses a skirmish involving an Uruk-hai, exert that Uruk-hai to transfer this condition from your support area to that companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time another companion of bearer's culture loses a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must exert bearer or add a burden.
"‘Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread....'"

It seems fine to me. Is corruption a realistic strategy with your cards?

Lost In Despair
Condition
Resistance -3
To play, exert an Uruk-hai. Bearer must be an unbound companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Each time the Free Peoples player assigns bearer to a skirmish, the Free Peoples player must add or exert a companion.
"‘They're frightened. You can see it in their eyes.'"

This seems fine - adding is useless in the assignment phase unless the Shadow player happens to have cards to use it.

Frightened
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk-hai and spot a companion in the dead pile to exert each companion with resistance 3 or less.
"‘And they should be....they cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!'"

Yeah, fair enough. A nice card to build a deck around.

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

Is corruption a realistic strategy with your cards?

No, but that's not really the point anyway. The goal is not to corrupt (which is better left to and and others, and makes more sense with them too), but to lower the resistance of companions OTHER than the Ring-bearer, and then beat them up with cards like Frightened.

I was never actually a fan of the resistance hate that dabbled in during the War of the Ring block, but it's grown on me. So much so that I am bringing it back (in a limited fashion, at least) for Uruks. Today, we focus on the Uruks that can lower resistance...and after this, we will see what other nasty things they can do to resistance-weakened companions.

Orthanc Desecrator
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 8
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Damage +1.
Each unbound companion skirmishing an minion is resistance -2 for each site you control.
Each village and battlefield conquered by the advancing horde further weakened the hearts of Rohan's defenders.

A natural pairing that I was surprised Decipher never tied in with resistance hate. Seems to make perfect sense to me....

Orthanc Decimator
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 10
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1.
Each unbound companion is resistance -2 for each condition he or she bears.
While capable of killing in a single blow, the Uruk-hai were just as able to wear down opponents in drawn out combat.

Yet another natural pairing with the plethera of conditions you can slap on companions, in this set especially.

•Suppressing Uruk (reprint)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 11
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1.
While there is a companion in the dead pile, each unbound companion is resistance -4.
Few fighters are skilled enough to outstrip the natural instincts of the Uruk-hai.

Here's one pairing Decipher DID get right, and since dead pile stuff is already a theme with these guys, I figured I'd bring this guy back in a new (old) culture. After all, why remake what is already a perfect card for my purposes? Just pair this guy with Frightened and WHAMO! Though the lore is rather...bleh. Might have to change that....

[Elf_Lvr]

Orthanc Desecrator
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 9
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1.
Each unbound companion skirmishing an minion is resistance -2 for each site you control.
Each village and battlefield conquered by the advancing horde further weakened the hearts of Rohan's defenders.

I might reduce his strength in favor of another vitality. This is a guy you wouldn't want to die too easily.

Orthanc Decimator
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 10
Vitality: 3
Site: 5
Damage +1.
Each unbound companion is resistance -2 for each condition he or she bears.
While capable of killing in a single blow, the Uruk-hai were just as able to wear down opponents in drawn out combat.

Awesome.

•Suppressing Uruk (reprint)
Minion • Uruk-hai
Strength: 11
Vitality: 2
Site: 5
Damage +1.
While there is a companion in the dead pile, each unbound companion is resistance -4.
Few fighters are skilled enough to outstrip the natural instincts of the Uruk-hai.

When Decipher "reprinted" cards into different cultures, they usually just changed the name - Goblin Scavengers / Scavenging Goblins, for example. It seems sort of dumb sometimes, but since changing a culture makes it different than a straight-out reprint, you may want to consider something like that instead.

Anyways, it's a fair choice to use as a "reprinted" card.