Just one question: Since this is a "Minions" card, would you be able to spot "more than 1 minion" or does it still count as 1 minion? How would this kind of mechanic work with a card like Brand, King of Dale? Okay, that was two questions...
Yes, it counts as two minions that happen to share the same card...in this case, a Wizard AND a Man.
Let me post the full mechanic explanation....
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A dual-character card, such as Saruman & Gríma, is a single card that represents two characters. This means that if a card requires you to spot characters, you may spot either character on that card or spot both. In the case of Saruman & Gríma, a card requiring you to spot two
![[Isengard]](https://lotrtcgdb.com/forums/Smileys/classic/isengard.png "Isengard")
minion would be satisfied by this one dual-character card, since it represents two distinct characters even though it is a single card. Similiarly, you could spot a Wizard, a Man, or both. However, because it IS a single card, the two characters are considered to be "joined at the hip", per se. Anything that happens to one of the characters on a dual-character card automatically happens to the other. For example, if one character is killed, the other character also dies. If you have Merry & Pippin in play and a card that targets Pippin is played, Merry is affected also. If a card allows you to play one of the characters on a dual-character card for a reduced cost, both characters on that card are played at the reduced cost. And so on.
On a dual-character card, the two characters represented have a single strength, vitality, and signet/resistance/site. Strength is considered to be the combined variables of those characters, though in some cases it may be higher or lower than the actual combination of those characters' strength from the game. Merry & Pippin, who are normally 3 strength individually, combine for a total of 6 strength on their dual-character card. Legolas & Gimli, however, who are both 6 strength by themselves, combine for only 11 rather than 12. Also note that, since these numbers are combined, any card that boosts one character's strength automatically boosts the other's. If a
Dwarven Axe is played on Gimli from Legolas & Gimli, for example, they now combine for 13 strength rather than 11. If the
Bow of the Galadhrim is then played on Legolas, with its strength +1 boost, Legolas & Gimli now combine for a total of 14 strength, and of course special abilities from BOTH weapons may be used by this single card.
Vitality, unlike strength, is typically
not a combined number for dual-character cards. For Boromir & Faramir, who normally both have a vitality of 3 by themselves, the dual-character card also has a vitality of only 3. The reason vitality is not combined while strength is lies in how a dual-character card acts in battle. If (a "single-character card" version of) Boromir were to skirmish an Orc, his strength would be matched against that Orc, and if it were lower than the Orc's strength, he would lose, thus taking a wound. If Faramir were to somehow join that same battle, he would add his strength to Boromir's, and that combined strength would be matched against that Orc. If their combined strength was
still lower, both would lose and both would take a wound. Thus on a dual-character card, the strength is combined and the vitality is not...just as it works if those characters are acting independently.
Twilight cost IS typically combined (thus, as you might have guessed, dual-character cards tend to be quite pricey), though like strength, it may be higher or lower than one would expect. Note again that cards that reduce twilight cost (or increase it, for that matter) apply to both characters on a dual-character card. Cards that lower the twilight cost of Hobbits by 1, for instance, would reduce Merry & Pippin's cost by 2, not just 1, since both individual characters fit the condition (being a Hobbit). A card doing the same for Elves would only the reduce the cost by 1 for Legolas & Gimli; Legolas, as an Elf, qualifies, while Gimli, as a Dwarf, clearly does not.
In the case of companions, the signet or resistance number applies to both companions on a dual-character card. If another signet is added--such as with the
Horn of the Mark--or the resistance number is changed, this change applies to both companions. For minions, the site number is also the same for both on a dual-character card. Both minions are roaming if played before their site, thus counting as two roaming minions even though it is one card. If another card has an effect on roaming minions, such as a strength addition or subtraction, it is applied to both minions. For example, if
Advance Captain were to be played and that shadow player had a dual-character roaming
![[Sauron]](https://lotrtcgdb.com/forums/Smileys/classic/sauron.png "Sauron")
Orc, that dual-character card would receive a combined
damage +2, not a single
damage +1. This is also true of strength and
defender bonuses, but not vitality, since again, that is not a combined number. A card boosting all minions' vitality by 1 would only add one vitality to our dual-character
Orc, not two. The addition of keywords such as
ranger,
archer,
valiant, and
enduring also apply only once (unless explicitly noted otherwise), since the combined characters are considered to be a single ranger or archer and, in the case of enduring, take wounds together and have combined strength that is boosted when they take a wound.
Dual-character cards are obviously very powerful, but there are a number of serious risks to consider as well. As mentioned before, cards that affect one character on such a card affect both. In some cases, such as cards that allow you to discard a character rather than place it in the dead pile, this is a good thing. In such a case, both characters would be discarded together. However, with a card that does something nasty if two unbound Hobbits can be spotted, Merry & Pippin definitely qualify. Or worse still, if a card kills or discard a character on a dual-character card (and you don't WANT it discarded this time!), you lose both characters at once. Ouch. Cards that let the opponent discard a card from your hand sound particularly nasty now, as you lose two characters if they pick a dual-character card. Double ouch.
Dual-character cards can be an interesting and, played properly, powerful addition to both sides of the table. Just understand that with their appeal comes new hazards, also. Play with dual-characters at your own risk!
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Hope that helps.
In light of lem0n's review, I think I will take the cost of Saruman & Gríma down to
![[5]](https://lotrtcgdb.com/forums/Smileys/classic/5.png "5")
. I'd rather that than allow them to skirmish. I will also allow them to take archery fire and save your other
minions from it, making this like a super-powered
Rabble-rouser. Better?
Topic: The Way Into Mordor - Isengard (12/31: Token Machine Stuff) (Read 112322 times)