The Way Into Mordor - Shire (9/30: Well-earned Comfort & Wonderful Folk)

[DáinIronfoot]

Well, once again, I have rushed through another culture () without a planned endpoint and suddenly realized I am practically done. I wouldn't make a very good novelist...my endings would always seem rushed.

Anyway, I have very little material left to do for Sméagol (or Gollum, for that matter) in this set, so before I dive into the last couple cards, I think it's time to launch the culture that is most directly tied to in this set and the next. That's right, it's time for those lovable, hairy-footed little Hobbits. Since we're following up on Sméagol, we'll start with an emphasis on the Ring-bound Frodo and Sam and then slowly transition over to the unbound Merry and Pippin as we go along (and revisit some old themes from , , and other cultures).

For now, as I said, let's get to the last two true members of the Fellowship Of The Ring after their breaking at Amon Hen. Enjoy!

•Frodo, Bearer of Pity
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Ringed Resistance: 8
Ring-bound.
Frodo is resistance +1 for each and tale you can spot (limit +4).
While Frodo bears The One Ring or a card (except a possession), each other Ring-bound companion is strength +1 and resistance +1.
"‘We are going to Mordor, of course. And you know the way there, I believe.'"

Not entirely sure why I decided to make a Frodo that was an optional Ring-bearer, but I knew I wanted to do one at SOME point, even if it was just for the heck of it. And this seemed as good a time as any.

Obviously, he's best with lots of tales, able to get up the resistance level of Resolute Hobbit with a little bit of work. He fits well with Hobbits, Sméagol, and/or other Ring-bound companions (like RB rangers). He's also THE best match with my infamous and rather controversial condition Hold To Your Purpose from the last set ("While Frodo is the Ring-bearer, each companion with the Frodo signet is Ring-bound.") Overall, he's a very versatile little Hobbit which can benefit several fellowships even without bearing The Ring, and that is always a good thing. I think this is my favorite self-made Frodo. But that may just be me....

•Sam, The Stouthearted
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound.
Regroup: Exert Sam to discard a Shadow condition borne by a companion (or each Shadow condition borne by that companion if he or she is Ring-bound).
Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
"‘‘I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad?...And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?''"

Again, best with other R-B companions, but versatile enough that he's worth tossing in many decks. Just like most of the old-school Sams.

One other little thing: notice he doesn't specify "resistance 5" in his "if Frodo is killed" text. That's right...this version gets to have 6 resistance if he ends up with the Ring. Not a huge difference, but it adds a little oomph for tossing him in with Frodo. I had considered adding in "If Frodo is killed while bearing The One Ring" or something, but since the official LOTR TCG rulebook has already been tweaked to cover this (so that Frodo, Frenzied Fighter's death wouldn't break the game somehow), I didn't see the need to re-cover it here. If you disagree, though, speak up and I'll definitely listen.

[Thranduil]

•Frodo, Bearer of Pity
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Ringed Resistance: 8
Ring-bound.
Frodo is resistance +1 for each and tale you can spot (limit +4).
While Frodo bears The One Ring or a card (except a possession), each other Ring-bound companion is strength +1 and resistance +1.
"‘We are going to Mordor, of course. And you know the way there, I believe.'"

I'd prefer his first ability as "While you can spot a and a tale, Frodo is resistance +2" - just so that he then goes to his usual 10, and I don't like limits (as we all know! ) I might make his second line more like BoW, BoH etc. and make it "While Frodo bears The One Ring or an artifact...", and I think that would be good, simple and aesthetically pleasing.

That said, I think I'd prefer to have a simpler card overall, again much like a lot of the ARBs from Reflections which do their "bearing the Ring or an artifact thing" and that's it (apart from any skirmish penalties) and just leave him at his usual resistance 10 with only the second line. I like him, he's a good card, but I'm in general a believer of making cards that do only 1 thing - cards that do more than 1 I think should be the exception rather than the norm.

•Sam, The Stouthearted
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound.
Regroup: Exert Sam to discard a Shadow condition borne by a companion (or each Shadow condition borne by that companion if he or she is Ring-bound).
Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
"‘‘I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad?...And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?''"

Love the subtitle (though I'm not sure whether it was intentional or coincidence)! Yeah, he seems fair enough.

One other little thing: notice he doesn't specify "resistance 5" in his "if Frodo is killed" text. That's right...this version gets to have 6 resistance if he ends up with the Ring. Not a huge difference, but it adds a little oomph for tossing him in with Frodo.

I think this is a bit confusing - taking a standard ability and changing it subtly without drawing attention to it seems a bit too misleading to me. It's so much clearer if all Sams do essentially the same thing.

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

No more reviews? Awwww. And here I've got a couple nifty conditions all ready to go. But I can hardly move on with just one review....

[lem0nhead]

Sorry DI, I have been sporadic at best with my reviews recently. My TLHH time is getting more and more reduced by the week as I am busy at work, and busy preparing for my son at home. In 2 months that time will be drastically reduced even further as you my friend, are testament to....

•Frodo, Bearer of Pity
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Ringed Resistance: 8
Ring-bound.
Frodo is resistance +1 for each and tale you can spot (limit +4).
While Frodo bears The One Ring or a card (except a possession), each other Ring-bound companion is strength +1 and resistance +1.
"‘We are going to Mordor, of course. And you know the way there, I believe.'"


Yeah he seems ok.

•Sam, The Stouthearted
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound.
Regroup: Exert Sam to discard a Shadow condition borne by a companion (or each Shadow condition borne by that companion if he or she is Ring-bound).
Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
"‘‘I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad?...And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?''"

Sweet.

[FM]

•Frodo, Bearer of Pity
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Ringed Resistance: 8
Ring-bound.
Frodo is resistance +1 for each and tale you can spot (limit +4).
While Frodo bears The One Ring or a card (except a possession), each other Ring-bound companion is strength +1 and resistance +1.
"‘We are going to Mordor, of course. And you know the way there, I believe.'"

He seem's fair enough, although I think you could cut the hindrance on his second ability to allow him to spread the love at least when bearing a hand weapon. Kind of encouragins his fellows by stepping up to the fight, you know?

•Sam, The Stouthearted
Companion • Hobbit
Strength: 3
Vitality: 4
Signet: Frodo
Ring-bound.
Regroup: Exert Sam to discard a Shadow condition borne by a companion (or each Shadow condition borne by that companion if he or she is Ring-bound).
Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
"‘‘I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad?...And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?''"

I like him

[DáinIronfoot]

Okay, I've only got a quick minute, so there's no time to go into a lot of detail on these. But I think it's safe to say they might blow your mind. Enjoy!

EDIT: Okay, well now I have some more time, and since there are no replies yet, I guess I'll supply some comments now.

I Shall Go
Condition
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit. Limit 1 per bearer.
While bearer has resistance 7 or more, he cannot be overwhelmed unless his strength is tripled.
Each time the fellowship moves, exert bearer or discard this condition.
"His face was grim and set, but resolute. He was filthy, haggard, and pinched with weariness, but he cowered no longer, and his eyes were clear."

The films don't do quite the justice to Frodo that the novels do. In the films, his will seems to break down sooner, and he loses some of the dignity and resoluteness he has in the novels, especially in The Two Towers. The scene depicted in the lore, I think, is his defining moment, when he shows how determined he is to see the quest through, even if it means a suicidal charge past an army of Orcs and evil Men through the Black Gate, in full view of Sauron himself. Such a scene deserves a powerful card, I think. I hope I Shall Go captures that well while still being balanced.

What Comes After Must Come
Condition • Support Area
This condition's twilight cost is -3 for each unbound companion you can spot.
Response: If the fellowship moves to any site 9 (or Mount Doom), spot an unbound companion and discard each unbound companion to remove all threats, remove up to 4 burdens, and heal the Ring-bearer twice.
"‘I said so, because I purpose to enter Mordor, and I know no other way. Therefore I shall go this way. I do not ask anyone to go with me.'"

Ditto here. The Ring-bearer charges ahead, knowing that only he can see this whole thing through. I tried really hard to make this a high-risk, high-reward card and still keep it balanced, which is tough to do considering the awesome reward. It's not easy to toss in with WTG thanks to the high cost; it's not easy to toss in with tons of unbound companions because, while dirt cheap then, it requires lots of companion discarding; it's not easy to toss into a Ring-bound heavy fellowship because it requires a few unbound companions to work well. So this is best with a mix of Ring-bound and unbound companions, which is what I was going for, or for the big risk-taker that forges ahead with just the Ring-bearer, alone and unaided. Worth the payoff? You tell me.

[Thranduil]

I Shall Go
Condition
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
While bearer has resistance 7 or more, he cannot be overwhelmed unless his strength is tripled.
Each time the fellowship moves, exert bearer or discard this condition.
"His face was grim and set, but resolute. He was filthy, haggard, and pinched with weariness, but he cowered no longer, and his eyes were clear."

Solid card.

What Comes After Must Come
Condition • Support Area
This condition's twilight cost is -3 for each unbound companion you can spot.
Response: If the fellowship moves to any site 9 (or Mount Doom), spot an unbound companion and discard each unbound companion to remove all threats, remove up to 4 burdens, and heal the Ring-bearer twice.
"‘I said so, because I purpose to enter Mordor, and I know no other way. Therefore I shall go this way. I do not ask anyone to go with me.'"

I understand the Mount Doom flavour here, but I think you should make this card work for the "mechanical" end of the journey - it doesn't make game sense for this ability to trigger at site 4, for example.  And shouldn't it discard the condition as well? But it looks good - I can't really fault the flavour: it is indeed a huge cost for a massive payoff, and looks like it could have some fun deck-building potential. Of course, you could start an Ent fellowship, play this for free from your draw deck with Sméagol, Damned Gate-Stream and that card that plays conditions from your draw deck, then gradually kill off all the unimportant companions for the win. Is that too powerful? Not sure. Perhaps it could be -2 for each?

Thranduil

[DáinIronfoot]

Glad you like WCAMC overall. :whew:

I had considered the Ent scenario, but really, there's not much way of preventing that since you could STILL make it free even at -2 per (or even less in Expanded with Bregalad and the Towers Ents!). I figured once you get into the range of 3 unbound companions was around the time it should be very low cost (or, as it worked out, free), since that means you'll either have a tiny fellowship once you cut bait with the unbound guys OR, with several Ring-bound guys, just be adding lots of twilight as you move down the path anyway.

I'd consider taking it to -2 per, but I really like the flavor of as the cost as well. I'll chew on it and see what other reviewers say.

Thanks for the review, buddy!

[FM]

I Shall Go
Condition
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
While bearer has resistance 7 or more, he cannot be overwhelmed unless his strength is tripled.
Each time the fellowship moves, exert bearer or discard this condition.
"His face was grim and set, but resolute. He was filthy, haggard, and pinched with weariness, but he cowered no longer, and his eyes were clear."

Really good, borderline awesome, I think, with healing shenanigans, while also crippling corruption BAD, so I think it should either be unique or have a limit of 1 per bearer.

What Comes After Must Come
Condition • Support Area
This condition's twilight cost is -3 for each unbound companion you can spot.
Response: If the fellowship moves to any site 9 (or Mount Doom), spot an unbound companion and discard each unbound companion to remove all threats, remove up to 4 burdens, and heal the Ring-bearer twice.
"‘I said so, because I purpose to enter Mordor, and I know no other way. Therefore I shall go this way. I do not ask anyone to go with me.'"

I'm not sure it's THAT risky, specially with ARBs.

[sickofpalantirs]

limit 1 per bearer on the first, uberly powerful on the RB...but I guess its ok. 

the second one is schweet.  and just so you know, I probably won't be on tomorrow or Sunday.

[DáinIronfoot]

No Juicy Fruit? Awww....

Glad WCAMC was so popular...I was worried it was too powerful. Thanks, guys!

Lem0n, if you have a dissenting opinion, please share. But otherwise, we're moving on to some possessions. Enjoy!

•Sting, Blade of Beleriand
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may make another Ring-bound companion strength +1 and resistance +1 until the regroup phase.
"Sting flashed out, and the sharp elven-blade sparkled in the silver light, but at its edges a blue fire flicked."

The resistance bonus is odd, I know, but it seemed appropriate since Sting's two major appearances in The Two Towers (the taming of Sméagol and the ill-fated trek through Shelob's lair) are two of Frodo's defining moments as the bearer of The Ring. That also inspired the win-skirmish trigger text here.

•Sam's Sword
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Bearer must be Sam.
While skirmishing a or twilight minion, Sam gains hunter 2.
Skirmish: Exert Sam twice (or once is he has resistance 7 or more) to make him strength +1 for each Ring-bound companion you spot.
"...he laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword; and as he did so, he thought of the darkness of the barrow whence it came."

Merry and Pippin both get card versions of their own swords AND daggers, and Sam only manages to weasel his way onto a couple versions of Sting? That ain't right. I couldn't let that injustice go any longer.

The initial strength is low, yes, but that's partly because I intend to make a "may bear this in addition to 1 other hand weapon" version in the next set, so this is kind of planning ahead. The skirmish ability is directly inspired by similar text on Merry's Sword and Pippin's Sword, kind of tying the three together a bit (even if you'd likely never see them all in the same deck!).

Lebethron Stave
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Resistance +1
To play, spot a ranger. Bearer must be a Ring-bound ranger or Hobbit.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
"‘They are made of the fair tree lebethron, beloved of the woodwrights of Gondor, and a virtue has been set upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under the Shadow into which you go!'"

You may have no idea what the heck this thing is. That's okay...until I dove more into the text of The Two Towers, I didn't either.

Faramir gives both Frodo and Sam one of these walking/fighting staffs as they part ways. They're not mentioned much afterwards, but in one memorable scene, Sam actually breaks his in two over Gollum's head while fighting him in Shelob's lair, using it as an effective (until it snaps, anyway) second weapon to parry Gollum's blows. I would presume the rangers of Ithilien use them in a similar fashion, so I opted to make it handy little secondary weapon for your RB rangers and Hobbits. It makes for a nice way of tying together Faramir's RB rangers and Hobbits, which is something I was definately going for in this set (as you'll see in more detail soon, especially with our second version of Sam). You like?

[sickofpalantirs]

No Juicy Fruit? Awww.... :cry:

Glad WCAMC was so popular...I was worried it was too powerful. Thanks, guys!

Lem0n, if you have a dissenting opinion, please share. But otherwise, we're moving on to some possessions. Enjoy!

•Sting, Blade of Beleriand
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may make a Ring-bound companion strength +1 and resistance +1 until the regroup phase.
"Sting flashed out, and the sharp elven-blade sparkled in the silver light, but at its edges a blue fire flicked."
fine.

•Sam's Sword
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Bearer must be Sam.
While skirmishing a or twilight minion, Sam is strength +2.
Skirmish: Exert Sam twice (or once is he has resistance 7 or more) to make him gain hunter 1 for each Ring-bound companion you spot.
"...he laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword; and as he did so, he thought of the darkness of the barrow whence it came."
hunter blugh.  could you use the ability multiple times to make him have even more hunter? or does it not work that way? I think its pretty powerful regardless

Lebethron Stave
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Resistance +1
To play, spot a ranger. Bearer must be a Ring-bound Man or Hobbit.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
"‘They are made of the fair tree lebethron, beloved of the woodwrights of Gondor, and a virtue has been set upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under the Shadow into which you go!'"

Gollum must have a tough head...wow...thats powerful on isildur and boromir...Toss 2 of these on them...IDK...I guess its ok.

[DáinIronfoot]

•Sam's Sword
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Bearer must be Sam.
While skirmishing a or twilight minion, Sam is strength +2.
Skirmish: Exert Sam twice (or once is he has resistance 7 or more) to make him gain hunter 1 for each Ring-bound companion you spot.
"...he laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword; and as he did so, he thought of the darkness of the barrow whence it came."

hunter blugh.  could you use the ability multiple times to make him have even more hunter? or does it not work that way? I think its pretty powerful regardless

Yeah, you could use the skirmish ability any number of times in the same skirmish, as long as Sam has excess vitality to exert with. Should I limit it to once (or maybe twice) per skirmish, perhaps?

[Thranduil]

•Sting, Blade of Beleriand
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may make a Ring-bound companion strength +1 and resistance +1 until the regroup phase.
"Sting flashed out, and the sharp elven-blade sparkled in the silver light, but at its edges a blue fire flicked."

The resistance bonus may be flavourfully justified, but I think it makes the card too powerful. In fact, I'm not sure that the resistance +1 to a Ring-bound companion until the regroup phase isn't too powerful given that you could use it at site 9 to avoid corruption. I'd prefer "Bearer must be Frodo" (or at least Ring-bearer), without the resistance bonus and with "Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may make another Ring-bound..."

•Sam's Sword
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Bearer must be Sam.
While skirmishing a or twilight minion, Sam is strength +2.
Skirmish: Exert Sam twice (or once is he has resistance 7 or more) to make him gain hunter 1 for each Ring-bound companion you spot.
"...he laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword; and as he did so, he thought of the darkness of the barrow whence it came."

I agree with SoP's sentiment - blech, hunter! It doesn't make sense on Sam, apart from my natural dislike of the keyword. Make it strength +1 and that would be fine. To be honest, I think there's too much on this card anyway, and I think you should only have one ability or the other and a base strength +2. Right now this card seems fairly ugly!

Lebethron Stave
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Resistance +1
To play, spot a ranger. Bearer must be a Ring-bound Man or Hobbit.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
"‘They are made of the fair tree lebethron, beloved of the woodwrights of Gondor, and a virtue has been set upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under the Shadow into which you go!'"

Wow, I completely never realised that there were such things! And it seems to me that what this card is doing is providing a RB resistance bonus, not tying together rangers and Hobbits. If you want to do that, then you need to make it less attractive for a Ring-bearer, say without the resistance bonus.

Thranduil

[FM]

•Sting, Blade of Beleriand
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may make a Ring-bound companion strength +1 and resistance +1 until the regroup phase.
"Sting flashed out, and the sharp elven-blade sparkled in the silver light, but at its edges a blue fire flicked."

Simple and elegant.

•Sam's Sword
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Bearer must be Sam.
While skirmishing a or twilight minion, Sam is strength +2.
Skirmish: Exert Sam twice (or once is he has resistance 7 or more) to make him gain hunter 1 for each Ring-bound companion you spot.
"...he laid his hand upon the hilt of his sword; and as he did so, he thought of the darkness of the barrow whence it came."

Not sure where the hunter associates with Ring-bound COMPANIONS, he only hunts down frodo.

Lebethron Stave
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +1
Resistance +1
To play, spot a ranger. Bearer must be a Ring-bound Man or Hobbit.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
"‘They are made of the fair tree lebethron, beloved of the woodwrights of Gondor, and a virtue has been set upon them of finding and returning. May that virtue not wholly fail under the Shadow into which you go!'"

Ring-bound hobbit would fit the flavor better.