The Way Into Mordor - Dwarves (7/18: Warfare That Suits a Dwarf)

[MR. Lurtzy]

Well, if that's what it means then it should stay at .

[Thranduil]

3.) Did I mention GOLD? :hey:

I like your sneaky methods! :hey:

•Not Left Behind
Condition • Support Area
Tale. Each time a Dwarf wins a fierce skirmish, you may choose one: exert that Dwarf to reinforce a token; or stack a card from hand here or on another condition that has a card already stacked on it.
If this condition is discarded from play or from a condition it is stacked on, you may heal each exhausted Dwarf.
"‘It was only a feeble blow and the cap turned it. It would take more than such an orc-scratch to keep me back.'"

I would make the first line more on these lines: 'Each time a Dwarf wins a skirmish, you may exert him to choose one: reinforce a token; or stack a card...' I just don't think it's useful enough requiring your opponent to play fierce minions.

The Score Is Reduced
Event • Regroup
Choose one: spot a tale and a Dwarf companion to heal that Dwarf and draw a card; or, if this card is stacked on a tale, discard it and add to heal a Dwarf up to 3 times.
"‘You truants might make amends by finding us some of the plunder that you spoke of. Food and drink would pay off some of my score against you.'"

I would remove the adding from the second option - it seems fine without it. But, I would like either both or neither abilities to work with tales - doing half and half doesn't sit well with me. Perhaps you could simply have it: 'Spot a tale to choose one:...'

•Gimli, Defender of Helm's Deep
Companion • Dwarf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Berethor
Damage +1.
While at a battleground, Gimli is strength +1.
While at a mountain site, Gimli is strength +1.
Assignment: Exert Gimli and add a threat to make a minion gain or lose fierce until the regroup phase.
"‘It does my heart good to be so close to the mountains...this is good quality rock.'"

This does make that last card more useful and some other cards about fierce skirmishes, but I still stand by my earlier point. But this card seems fine.

•Legolas, Defender of Helm's Deep
Companion • Elf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Berethor
While Legolas bears a unique hand weapon, he is damage +1.
Each time you play a or skirmish event, you may exert Legolas to make him strength +1. Then, if Legolas is at a battleground, you may heal him.
"‘This is a fight we cannot win. It will become a massacre.'"

Ah yes, I remember these guys. They're still good.

•Counting Game
Condition • Support Area
Tale. Each time a minion is killed or discarded in a skirmish involving Gimli, you may add a token here.
While the number of tokens here and the number of tokens on Scoring Game are each X, Legolas is strength +X (limit +5).
"‘Twenty-one! Now my count passes Master Legolas again.'"

•Scoring Game
Condition • Support Area
Tale. Each time a minion is killed or discarded in a skirmish involving Legolas (or as a result of Legolas' archery ability), you may add an token here.
While the number of tokens here and the number of tokens on Counting Game are each X, Gimli is strength +X (limit +5).
"‘I desired to tell Master Gimli that my tale is now thirty-nine.'"

I'm feeling that these cards are a little too similar to the Two Towers cards without being the same. I would reprint the originals (perhaps with a minor modification to make them more useful) or make entirely new cards. For example, the quotes you give are about Legolas' and Gimli's counts surpassing each other, so maybe a mechanic by which you get bonuses for the difference between the two numbers of tokens would be very interesting.

•Send Them To Me!
Condition
Strength +1
Bearer must be a unique Dwarf.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may reinforce a token or stack a card from hand on a condition that has a card already stacked on it.
Discard this condition at the end of the turn.
"‘Seventeen! Eighteen! Nineteen!...'"

I would reduce the cost and reduce the effect. I think I would make it and non-unique, bearer must be a Dwarf and no strength bonus.

Flint and Tinder
Event • Fellowship
Spot a pipeweed and a Dwarf to play a tale condition from your discard pile. Then you may discard a pipeweed from play or from a condition it is stacked on to place this event on top of your draw deck.
"‘But first—if you have finished eating—you shall fill your pipes and light up.'"

This is quite fun!

Breaking the Silence
Event • Response
Toil 1.
If a Shadow condition or Shadow event is played, spot a Dwarf who has resistance 5 or more and add a threat to return that condition to its owner's hand.
"‘The words of this wizard stand on their heads. In the language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying, that is plain. But we do not come here to beg.'"

I would increase the cost to I think (maybe with Toil 2 instead of Toil 1) - this is not something that Dwarves should find easy by any means.

Let Him Be
Event • Skirmish
Exert a Dwarf to make another companion (except the Ring-bearer) strength +X, where X is that Dwarf's resistance.
"‘Let him go, lad....'"

I think I would take the cost down to and prevent you exerting Gimli, BoG, who is after all has the most resistance bonuses of any Dwarf in the game.

Ai-oi!
Event • Skirmish
Make a Dwarf strength +2 (or +4 if in a fierce skirmish).
"‘Twenty-one!' cried Gimli. He hewed a two-handed stroke and laid the last Orc before his feet."

Nice and simple.

Where Is He?
Event • Regroup
Discard a condition to make an opponent wound a minion once for each token and card stacked on that condition.
"‘Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing.'"

Wording's a bit off here - it appears that you wound a minion for each token stacked on a condition, which is obviously impossible. '... wound a minion once for each token on that condition and each card stacked on that condition.' would be the easiest way to fix it.

It's good to be back!

Thranduil

[lem0nhead]

We were not plotting anything Mr Dwarf! Although freakily Thran was extremely close to where i was, Rhodes is a greek island, and i hear Thran was in mainland Greece. That right Thran?

Anyway its pure coincidence and any future subterranean movement, insurrections, rebellions or underground resistance are completely unassociated with my good self and my fellow reviewer!  :hey:

As Thran has been kind enough to sort out all your cards ive missed ill steal his format. Thanks mate!

•Not Left Behind
Condition • Support Area
Tale. Each time a Dwarf wins a fierce skirmish, you may choose one: exert that Dwarf to reinforce a token; or stack a card from hand here or on another condition that has a card already stacked on it.
If this condition is discarded from play or from a condition it is stacked on, you may heal each exhausted Dwarf.
"‘It was only a feeble blow and the cap turned it. It would take more than such an orc-scratch to keep me back.'"

With that last line i feel it needs to cost 3. Without it its beautifully balanced or with the change ditto.

The Score Is Reduced
Event • Regroup
Choose one: spot a tale and a Dwarf companion to heal that Dwarf and draw a card; or, if this card is stacked on a tale, discard it and add to heal a Dwarf up to 3 times.
"‘You truants might make amends by finding us some of the plunder that you spoke of. Food and drink would pay off some of my score against you.'"

Nice.

•Counting Game
Condition • Support Area
Tale. Each time a minion is killed or discarded in a skirmish involving Gimli, you may add a token here.
While the number of tokens here and the number of tokens on Scoring Game are each X, Legolas is strength +X (limit +5).
"‘Twenty-one! Now my count passes Master Legolas again.'"

Too similar might as well do a reprint.

•Scoring Game
Condition • Support Area
Tale. Each time a minion is killed or discarded in a skirmish involving Legolas (or as a result of Legolas' archery ability), you may add an token here.
While the number of tokens here and the number of tokens on Counting Game are each X, Gimli is strength +X (limit +5).
"‘I desired to tell Master Gimli that my tale is now thirty-nine.'"

Ditto.

•Send Them To Me!
Condition
Strength +1
Bearer must be a unique Dwarf.
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may reinforce a token or stack a card from hand on a condition that has a card already stacked on it.
Discard this condition at the end of the turn.
"‘Seventeen! Eighteen! Nineteen!...'"

Could cost 1 i think.

Flint and Tinder
Event • Fellowship
Spot a pipeweed and a Dwarf to play a tale condition from your discard pile. Then you may discard a pipeweed from play or from a condition it is stacked on to place this event on top of your draw deck.
"‘But first—if you have finished eating—you shall fill your pipes and light up.'"

Ok but doesnt seem massively useful.

Breaking the Silence
Event • Response
Toil 1.
If a Shadow condition or Shadow event is played, spot a Dwarf who has resistance 5 or more and add a threat to return that condition to its owner's hand.
"‘The words of this wizard stand on their heads. In the language of Orthanc help means ruin, and saving means slaying, that is plain. But we do not come here to beg.'"

You state return that condition but it also affects events. I think you should pick one though.

Let Him Be
Event • Skirmish
Exert a Dwarf to make another companion (except the Ring-bearer) strength +X, where X is that Dwarf's resistance.
"‘Let him go, lad....'"

Seems a tad too good. A strength +7 pump using gimli is excessive for 2.

Ai-oi!
Event • Skirmish
Make a Dwarf strength +2 (or +4 if in a fierce skirmish).
"‘Twenty-one!' cried Gimli. He hewed a two-handed stroke and laid the last Orc before his feet."

Fine.

Where Is He?
Event • Regroup
Discard a condition to make an opponent wound a minion once for each token and card stacked on that condition.
"‘Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing.'"

Cool could cost 2 though.



It's good to be back!

Yup youre darn right.

Thranduil
[/quote]

[DáinIronfoot]

I'll make some tweaks to the other cards in a minute. For now, I want to get new cards up before SoP leaves. He's logged in right now!

Alright, shifting from Helm's Deep Gimli to Three Hunter Gimli, though we may dabble a little in Helm's Deep again before the culture is over. But what better way to get into Gimli's hunter side than with the hunter himself? Enjoy!

•Gimli, Dwarf of Many Journeys
Companion • Dwarf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Aragorn
Damage +1. Hunter 1.
While you can spot Aragorn and Legolas, Gimli gains hunter 1.
Each time Gimli wins a skirmish, you may exert him to make a hunter companion damage +1 until the regroup phase.
"‘You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.'"

•Axe of Erebor, Walking-axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gimli.
He gains hunter 1 for each of the following that is assigned to a skirmish: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf.
"Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed."

Throwing Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Bearer must be a Dwarf. Bearer gains hunter 1.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
Archery: Discard this possession to exert a minion.

[sickofpalantirs]

I'll make some tweaks to the other cards in a minute. For now, I want to get new cards up before SoP leaves. He's logged in right now!
got me

Alright, shifting from Helm's Deep Gimli to Three Hunter Gimli, though we may dabble a little in Helm's Deep again before the culture is over. But what better way to get into Gimli's hunter side than with the hunter himself? Enjoy!

•Gimli, Dwarf of Many Journeys
Companion • Dwarf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Aragorn
Damage +1. Hunter 1.
While you can spot Aragorn and Legolas, Gimli gains hunter 1.
Each time Gimli wins a skirmish, you may exert him to make a hunter companion damage +1 until the regroup phase.
"‘You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.'"
maybe damage+1 or hunter 1...until the regroup phase

•Axe of Erebor, Walking Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gimli.
He gains hunter 1 for each of the following that is assigned to a skirmish: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf.
"Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed."
hum...I guess maybe just gorn and leggo but...IDK

Throwing Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Bearer must be a Dwarf. Bearer gains hunter 1.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
Archery: Discard this weapon to exert a minion.

fine

[menace64]

•Gimli, Dwarf of Many Journeys
Companion • Dwarf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Aragorn
Damage +1. Hunter 1.
While you can spot Aragorn and Legolas, Gimli gains hunter 1.
Each time Gimli wins a skirmish, you may exert him to make a hunter companion damage +1 until the regroup phase.
"‘You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.'"

While I admit that there's not much room for creativity with the hunter keyword, this card kind of escapes me. I'm ever-thoughtful of flavor, and this Gimli is lacking, I think. I understand the first bit about gaining another hunter, but that damage bonus part just doesn't quite work for me. However, not every card can be a perfect representation of the story (obviously), so don't change anything. By the way, I like the possibility of giving Legolas (or just about any Elf) a damage bonus.

•Axe of Erebor, Walking Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gimli.
He gains hunter 1 for each of the following that is assigned to a skirmish: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf.
"Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed."

I think the subtitle should be "Walking-axe", since 'walking' is directly describing the axe (hurray for compound modifiers!). Again, just a nitpick.
The text is clunky, but there's no better way to really write it. Trust me, I tried. 

Throwing Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Bearer must be a Dwarf. Bearer gains hunter 1.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
Archery: Discard this weapon to exert a minion.

Again, I would suggest a hypenated title. And I'm pretty sure this overshadows Hand Axe. Not only do you get the +1 strength most of the time, but you also get to spot another hunter in the fellowship. Then you can get a direct exertion. Oh well. Since it's got a twilight cost, it would appeal to different players. It's not easy to design a card in similar function to an older card without throwing the older card out the window. This is about as good as it gets.
Oh yeah, and the archery ability should say "discard this possession".

[lem0nhead]

•Gimli, Dwarf of Many Journeys
Companion • Dwarf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Aragorn
Damage +1. Hunter 1.
While you can spot Aragorn and Legolas, Gimli gains hunter 1.
Each time Gimli wins a skirmish, you may exert him to make a hunter companion damage +1 until the regroup phase.
"‘You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.'"

Its ok, feel a little bland and too specific but would be ok if left.

•Axe of Erebor, Walking Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gimli.
He gains hunter 1 for each of the following that is assigned to a skirmish: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf.
"Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed."

The axe has legs or what? Again ok but theres no fireworks.

Throwing Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Bearer must be a Dwarf. Bearer gains hunter 1.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
Archery: Discard this weapon to exert a minion.

Discard this possession. Apart from that its ok.

[FM]

•Gimli, Dwarf of Many Journeys
Companion • Dwarf
Strength: 6
Vitality: 3
Signet: Aragorn
Damage +1. Hunter 1.
While you can spot Aragorn and Legolas, Gimli gains hunter 1.
Each time Gimli wins a skirmish, you may exert him to make a hunter companion damage +1 until the regroup phase.
"‘You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you.'"

Kinda... meh. I would probably not play it, his signet is appealing to King in Exile, but then again, KiE is not a hunter, so...

•Axe of Erebor, Walking-axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gimli.
He gains hunter 1 for each of the following that is assigned to a skirmish: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf.
"Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed."

Gandalf? Really? Why?

Throwing Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Bearer must be a Dwarf. Bearer gains hunter 1.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
Archery: Discard this possession to exert a minion.

Hunters are good at killing, if you're throwing the axe, you should wound the prey, not exert it.

[DáinIronfoot]

Alright, tweaks made. Thanks, guys!

Continuing full bore at the hunter side of Gimli today, with some cards that make him particularly good when with his other...uh...Two Hunters.

•A Marvel Among the Three Kindreds / /
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
While Aragorn and Legolas each bear a ranged weapon and are each hunters, the fellowship archery total is +1.
While Legolas and Gimli each bear a hand weapon and are each hunters, they are each damage +1.
While Gimli and Aragorn each bear a weapon and are each hunters, they are each strength +1.

Very wordy, I know, but I didn't want such nice and FREE bonuses to be TOO easy.

Obviously, these Three Hunters are best when armed.

Quick As May Be (reprint)
Event • Maneuver
Spot a Dwarf companion and an Elf companion to wound a minion.
"‘I think, nonetheless, that we no longer need any trail to tell us which way to go.'"

One of my all-time favorites...I couldn't help but reprint it.

And in the same vein:

No Vain Pursuit
Event • Maneuver
Spot a Dwarf companion and a ranger to discard an exhausted or roaming minion.
"‘You are our guide, and you are skilled in the chase.'"

Yeah, it's not a card, but it fits, right? Besides, I already "finished" the culture, so....

[DáinIronfoot]

•Axe of Erebor, Walking-axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gimli.
He gains hunter 1 for each of the following that is assigned to a skirmish: Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf.
"Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed."

Gandalf? Really? Why?

Because this set has a Gandalf hunter and a few cards to try and tie him in with The Three Hunters.

Throwing Axe
Possession • Hand Weapon
Bearer must be a Dwarf. Bearer gains hunter 1.
This weapon may be borne in addition to 1 other hand weapon.
Archery: Discard this possession to exert a minion.

Hunters are good at killing, if you're throwing the axe, you should wound the prey, not exert it.

I'd love to, but I think that would be too powerful.

Thanks for continuing to review!

[FM]

•A Marvel Among the Three Kindreds / /
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
While Aragorn and Legolas each bear a ranged weapon and are each hunters, the fellowship archery total is +1.
While Legolas and Gimli each bear a hand weapon and are each hunters, they are each damage +1.
While Gimli and Aragorn each bear a weapon and are each hunters, they are each strength +1.
While you can spot Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and they are each hunters and unwounded, the move limit is +1.

I've played a bit with multi-cultural cards before, I like the idea! I love the flavor of the card, but I think it's weird to see Legolas gaining damage and Aragorn gaining strength. Perhaps the other way around? However, the idea of a possible damage +2 legolas makes me smile...

Quick As May Be (reprint)
Event • Maneuver
Spot a Dwarf companion and an Elf companion to wound a minion.
"‘I think, nonetheless, that we no longer need any trail to tell us which way to go.'"

Back when we had "small deck" tournaments in Tower Block, and no rares were allowed, I ALWAYS played wounding with "the Three Hunters" (believe it or not, it's what I called the deck back then), and Quick As May Be was a staple!

No Vain Pursuit
Event • Maneuver
Spot a Dwarf companion and a ranger companion to discard an exhausted or roaming minion.
"‘You are our guide, and you are skilled in the chase.'"

I think it's very funny how you can have Arwen and Gimli discard a minion with a Gondor card! Perhaps make it multicultural for as well?

[lem0nhead]

•A Marvel Among the Three Kindreds / /
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
While Aragorn and Legolas each bear a ranged weapon and are each hunters, the fellowship archery total is +1.
While Legolas and Gimli each bear a hand weapon and are each hunters, they are each damage +1.
While Gimli and Aragorn each bear a weapon and are each hunters, they are each strength +1.
While you can spot Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and they are each hunters and unwounded, the move limit is +1.

Its seems excessive on 1 card id chop the cost to 2 and drop the last line. or even just drop the last bit.


No Vain Pursuit
Event • Maneuver
Spot a Dwarf companion and a ranger companion to discard an exhausted or roaming minion.
"‘You are our guide, and you are skilled in the chase.'"

I dont think there are any ranger non-companions. Just say and a Ranger. Hmmm change roaming to something else imho.

[sickofpalantirs]

random thoguht that I don't want to forget...we are long overdo for the FPCA!

Alright, tweaks made. Thanks, guys!

Continuing full bore at the hunter side of Gimli today, with some cards that make him particularly good when with his other...uh...Two Hunters.

•A Marvel Among the Three Kindreds / /
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
While Aragorn and Legolas each bear a ranged weapon and are each hunters, the fellowship archery total is +1.
While Legolas and Gimli each bear a hand weapon and are each hunters, they are each damage +1.
While Gimli and Aragorn each bear a weapon and are each hunters, they are each strength +1.
While you can spot Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, and they are each hunters and unwounded, the move limit is +1.
I would cut the last ability

Obviously, these Three Hunters are best when armed.


No Vain Pursuit
Event • Maneuver
Spot a Dwarf companion and a ranger companion to discard an exhausted or roaming minion.
"‘You are our guide, and you are skilled in the chase.'"

fino

[DáinIronfoot]

Alright, I dropped the last ability from A Marvel Among the Three Kindreds and dropped the cost to . I suppose I can always create another card specifically for the move limit if I want to do that too.

Let's get back to some skirmishing.

Forget the Miles
Event • Skirmish
Make a Dwarf companion strength +2 (or +5 if the fellowship has moved more than once this turn).
"Stone-hard are the Dwarves in labour or journey...."

Just a cousin to cards like Final Shot and Hamstrung.

That One Counts As Mine!
Event • Skirmish
Toil 2.
Make a Dwarf strength +2. If that Dwarf wins this skirmish, you may take a skirmish event into hand from your discard pile.
"‘Bring your pretty face to my axe!'"

[lem0nhead]

Forget the Miles
Event • Skirmish
Make a Dwarf companion strength +2 (or +5 if the fellowship has moved more than once this turn).
"Stone-hard are the Dwarves in labour or journey...."

Fine but couldnt you have come up with something besides moving? Im just being pedantic now!

That One Counts As Mine!
Event • Skirmish
Make a Dwarf strength +2. If that Dwarf wins this skirmish, you may take a event into hand from your discard pile.
"‘Bring your pretty face to my axe!'"

Should it be , do you think? If so, maybe with some toil? Or with the second part requiring that Dwarf to exert or something?

Definately its very powerful, if you add toil id make it cost 3 toil 2.