Back to the Light - Review

[sickofpalantirs]

Okay, the rest of the culture for today then - and these are actually in !


Brief Respite
Event • Maneuver or Regroup
Spot a companion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a stealth card, you may heal a companion 3 times. (To foresee 2, look at the top 2 cards of your draw deck; place any number of those cards beneath your draw deck in any order, and the rest on top of your draw deck in any order).
B R 93
I'd like an option to remove twilight instead perhaps.

•Phial of Galadriel, A Light in Dark Places
Artifact
Res: +1
To play, spot an character. Bearer must be the Ring-bearer.
Skirmish: Discard this artifact to reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a Free Peoples card, you may discard a Shadow card with twilight cost equal to or less than the revealed card.
B R 95

fine.

[Thranduil]

Well that was an uninspiring response. Let's move on to the culture. And here is all of it that hasn't so far been posted. It also appears to be uninspiring, but luckily afterward we'll be moving to a much more interesting culture.

Browbeat
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk minion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a Shadow card, you may make an unbound companion resistance -X until the regroup phase, where X is the twilight cost of the revealed card. (To foresee 2, look at the top 2 cards of your draw deck; place any number of those cards beneath your draw deck in any order, and the rest on top of your draw deck in any order).
B C 99

Fury of Isengard
Condition • Support Area
Shadow: Exert an minion and either an or minion to add an token here.
Skirmish: Remove an token here to exert an unbound companion.
B U 100

Marked
Condition • Unbound Companion
Str: -1
Res: -1
Search.
To play, exert an or tracker minion.
Bearer may not use his or her special abilities.
B R 104

Isengard Scourer
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 11
Vit: 3
Sit: 5
Ambush . Damage +1. Tracker.
When you play this minion, you may foresee 2.
B C 102

Isengard Searcher
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 7
Vit: 2
Sit: 5
Damage +1. Tracker.
While you can spot a companion with resistance 3 or less, this minion is an aggressor. (For each aggressor minion assigned to a skirmish, each Shadow card is twilight cost -1).
B C 103

[legolas3333]

Well that was an uninspiring response. Let's move on to the culture. And here is all of it that hasn't so far been posted. It also appears to be uninspiring, but luckily afterward we'll be moving to a much more interesting culture.

Browbeat
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk minion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a Shadow card, you may make an unbound companion resistance -X until the regroup phase, where X is the twilight cost of the revealed card. (To foresee 2, look at the top 2 cards of your draw deck; place any number of those cards beneath your draw deck in any order, and the rest on top of your draw deck in any order).
B C 99

make it cost and no exertion

Fury of Isengard
Condition • Support Area
Shadow: Exert an minion and either an or minion to add an token here.
Skirmish: Remove an token here to exert an unbound companion.
B U 100

hmm ok i guess...

Marked
Condition • Unbound Companion
Str: -1
Res: -1
Search.
To play, exert an or tracker minion.
Bearer may not use his or her special abilities.
B R 104

i would say the ability is enough, it would be better if you dropped eitehr the str -1 or res -1

Isengard Scourer
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 11
Vit: 3
Sit: 5
Ambush . Damage +1. Tracker.
When you play this minion, you may foresee 2.
B C 102

fine

Isengard Searcher
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 7
Vit: 2
Sit: 5
Damage +1. Tracker.
While you can spot a companion with resistance 3 or less, this minion is an aggressor. (For each aggressor minion assigned to a skirmish, each Shadow card is twilight cost -1).
B C 103

fine

[ket_the_jet]

Browbeat
Event • Maneuver
Exert an Uruk minion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a Shadow card, you may make an unbound companion resistance -X until the regroup phase, where X is the twilight cost of the revealed card. (To foresee 2, look at the top 2 cards of your draw deck; place any number of those cards beneath your draw deck in any order, and the rest on top of your draw deck in any order).
B C 99

Seems fine. My understanding is that minions use resistance a lot, so that's good. And unlike L3333, I like it as a exertion event.

Fury of Isengard
Condition • Support Area
Shadow: Exert an minion and either an or minion to add an token here.
Skirmish: Remove an token here to exert an unbound companion.
B U 100

Skirmish exerting before damage + minions...dastardly!

Marked
Condition • Unbound Companion
Str: -1
Res: -1
Search.
To play, exert an or tracker minion.
Bearer may not use his or her special abilities.
B R 104

Very cool. is a fair price for a great benefit.

Isengard Scourer
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 11
Vit: 3
Sit: 5
Ambush . Damage +1. Tracker.
When you play this minion, you may foresee 2.
B C 102

Neat.

Isengard Searcher
Minion • Uruk-hai
Str: 7
Vit: 2
Sit: 5
Damage +1. Tracker.
While you can spot a companion with resistance 3 or less, this minion is an aggressor. (For each aggressor minion assigned to a skirmish, each Shadow card is twilight cost -1).
B C 103

Seems fine.

Sorry it took me a few days to get back to you on this batch.
-wtk

[/quote]

[Thranduil]

I do believe that these are 2 cards that i forgot earlier, and so I'll post them now before we move onto the culture:

A Difficult Burden (SH)
Event • Maneuver
Toil 2.
Spot a card to make the Free Peoples player choose to add 2 burdens or discard 3 cards from their hand.
B U 35

Swift Strike
Event • Skirmish
Search. Toil 2.
Exert a minion to foresee 2. Then, reveal the top card of your draw deck. It it is a Shadow card, you may wound a skirmishing companion with resistance 6 or less.
B U 114

[ket_the_jet]

A Difficult Burden (SH)
Event • Maneuver
Toil 2.
Spot a card to make the Free Peoples player choose to add 2 burdens or discard 3 cards from their hand.
B U 35

Very cool. I like this one quite a bit as and play together very naturally.

Swift Strike
Event • Skirmish
Search. Toil 2.
Exert a minion to foresee 2. Then, reveal the top card of your draw deck. It it is a Shadow card, you may wound a skirmishing companion with resistance 6 or less.
B U 114

There may be some exceptions in Shadows and Beyond (and Hobbitses are Dead is one I can think of) but I thought wasn't supposed to have synergy with ?
-wtk

[Thranduil]

In what sense "supposed"? I don't really see an issue with and . Obviously Gollum doesn't like the Nazgûl and is trying to avoid them, but his actions (as helped along by the Ring) leads Sam and Frodo to Cirith Ungol, for example. I can see what you mean, but I would interpret that flavour as Sméagol having a particular hatred for but not Gollum.

Anyway, I'm really bored of that stuff. Now is the time for cool cards!

Let's start with the culture with these guys:

•Úlairë Enquëa, Black Shadow
Minion • Nazgûl
Str: 11
Vit: 4
Sit: 3
Ambush . Fierce.
B C 115

•Úlairë Otsëa, Black Marshal
Minion • Nazgûl
Str: 9
Vit: 3
Sit: 3
Aggressor. Fierce. (For each aggressor assigned to a skirmish, each Shadow card's twilight cost is -1).
Each time Úlairë Otsëa wins a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a minion, you may play it as if from hand; it is fierce until the regroup phase.
B R 116

Dead Watcher
Minion • Wraith
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Sit: 6
Skirmish: Exert this minion to play a minion from your hand. If that minion is a or minion, you may make an unbound companion strength -2 until the regroup phase.
B U 109

[legolas3333]

In what sense "supposed"? I don't really see an issue with and . Obviously Gollum doesn't like the Nazgûl and is trying to avoid them, but his actions (as helped along by the Ring) leads Sam and Frodo to Cirith Ungol, for example. I can see what you mean, but I would interpret that flavour as Sméagol having a particular hatred for but not Gollum.

Anyway, I'm really bored of that stuff. Now is the time for cool cards!

Let's start with the culture with these guys:

•Úlairë Enquëa, Black Shadow
Minion • Nazgûl
Str: 11
Vit: 4
Sit: 3
Ambush . Fierce.
B C 115

hmm i wish he was stronger but he is a common

•Úlairë Otsëa, Black Marshal
Minion • Nazgûl
Str: 9
Vit: 3
Sit: 3
Aggressor. Fierce. (For each aggressor assigned to a skirmish, each Shadow card's twilight cost is -1).
Each time Úlairë Otsëa wins a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a minion, you may play it as if from hand; it is fierce until the regroup phase.
B R 116

nice

Dead Watcher
Minion • Wraith
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Sit: 6
Skirmish: Exert this minion to play a minion from your hand. If that minion is a or minion, you may make an unbound companion strength -2 until the regroup phase.
B U 109

i think you shoud change it to be more like easterling scout and last days and co, If that minion is a or minion it's twilight cost is -2 and it is Fierce.

[ket_the_jet]

•Úlairë Enquëa, Black Shadow
Minion • Nazgûl
Str: 11
Vit: 4
Sit: 3
Ambush . Fierce.
B C 115

Hmm...an ambush Nazgul? Very cool. has never really had good pumps (at least, in Movie Block) but there were a few that were cost...this alleviates the price.

I think some extra text would be fine, but it doesn't have to be big. Like, while you can spot 6 companions, this minion's twilight cost is -1.

•Úlairë Otsëa, Black Marshal
Minion • Nazgûl
Str: 9
Vit: 3
Sit: 3
Aggressor. Fierce. (For each aggressor assigned to a skirmish, each Shadow card's twilight cost is -1).
Each time Úlairë Otsëa wins a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a minion, you may play it as if from hand; it is fierce until the regroup phase.
B R 116

This, with the Enquea from this set, makes pumps usable!

Dead Watcher
Minion • Wraith
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Sit: 6
Skirmish: Exert this minion to play a minion from your hand. If that minion is a or minion, you may make an unbound companion strength -2 until the regroup phase.
B U 109

This guy is interesting...is that minion fierce? Either way, this guy would be great at preventing double moves if you have the leftover twilight (and card-drawing abilities during the maneuver/archery/assignment/skirmish phases).
-wtk

[Thranduil]

I will have to think about the Dead Watcher a bit more, but for now let's post some more cards.

Barrow-Wight Creeper
Minion • Wraith
Str: 5
Vit: 1
Sit: 3
Ambush .
When you play this minion, you may foresee 1.
B C 107

Duplicitous Minions
Condition • Support Area
Shadow: Exert a minion and either an or minion to add a token here.
Skirmish: Remove a token here to make an unbound companion resistance -2 until the regroup phase.
B C 111

Drift into Twilight
Event • Response
Twilight.
If a burden is added, spot a card in twilight to add an additional burden.
B U 110

Hosts of Minas Morgul
Event • Maneuver or Skirmish
Search.
Spot a minion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck; if it is a Shadow card, you may exert the Ring-bearer twice.
B C 112

•Seeking the Ring
Condition • Support Area
Twilight.
To play, spot a card in play or in your discard pile.
Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1.
Each time a corrupted companion loses a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase.
B R 113

[FM]

Barrow-Wight Creeper
Minion • Wraith
Str: 5
Vit: 1
Sit: 3
Ambush .
When you play this minion, you may foresee 1.
B C 107

Fair. Most likely wouldn't be played outside Limited formats, but fair.

Duplicitous Minions
Condition • Support Area
Shadow: Exert a minion and either an or minion to add a token here.
Skirmish: Remove a token here to make an unbound companion resistance -2 until the regroup phase.
B C 111

Seriously? Is it really that important that it requires cross-culture shadows and 2 exertions for one activation? And a common card doing that? I think that sort of thing is best left to uncommons. Common cards should be more straightforward so as to introduce players to game mechanics.

Drift into Twilight
Event • Response
Twilight.
If a burden is added, spot a card in twilight to add an additional burden.
B U 110

What the heck? Didn't get it.

Hosts of Minas Morgul
Event • Maneuver or Skirmish
Search.
Spot a minion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck; if it is a Shadow card, you may exert the Ring-bearer twice.
B C 112

Now this is a little overpowered. I'd make it cost only one, but just reveal, thus making that minion on top more playable.

•Seeking the Ring
Condition • Support Area
Twilight.
To play, spot a card in play or in your discard pile.
Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1.
Each time a corrupted companion loses a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase.
B R 113

I think it needs rewording. If you want the Shadow player to perform both actions if the condition for the second is met, then it should read: "Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1. If that companion was corrupted, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase". If you DON'T want him to perform both actions, it should read: "Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1. If that companion was corrupted, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck instead. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase.

[ket_the_jet]

Barrow-Wight Creeper
Minion • Wraith
Str: 5
Vit: 1
Sit: 3
Ambush .
When you play this minion, you may foresee 1.
B C 107

Don't see the problem with that card's mechanics as a common.

Duplicitous Minions
Condition • Support Area
Shadow: Exert a minion and either an or minion to add a token here.
Skirmish: Remove a token here to make an unbound companion resistance -2 until the regroup phase.
B C 111

Maybe name it "Duplicity?"

Drift into Twilight
Event • Response
Twilight.
If a burden is added, spot a card in twilight to add an additional burden.
B U 110

For this, I like the title, "Succumb to the Shadow." It makes being corrupted sound more active than just drifting. Also, do you mean spot a "twilight card?"

Hosts of Minas Morgul
Event • Maneuver or Skirmish
Search.
Spot a minion to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck; if it is a Shadow card, you may exert the Ring-bearer twice.
B C 112

I know a lot of decks this would fit into! How are Hosts stealth, though?

•Seeking the Ring
Condition • Support Area
Twilight.
To play, spot a card in play or in your discard pile.
Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1.
Each time a corrupted companion loses a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase.
B R 113

This is one of the most powerful cards in the set thusfar. Forced Ring-wearing is dangerous to have and an underused mechanic; however, this card does it a little too easily, I think. Then again, I don't know how easy it is to corrupt a companion!
-wtk

[/quote]

[Thranduil]

Seriously? Is it really that important that it requires cross-culture shadows and 2 exertions for one activation? And a common card doing that? I think that sort of thing is best left to uncommons. Common cards should be more straightforward so as to introduce players to game mechanics.

It's not supposed to be very good - I can see it being used in limited where (I have a strong suspicion) resistance reducers are very important to have and you'll likely be playing multiculture anyway. It's just built around the Song of the Shire NtFH cycle which is also common in its original printing. My justification really is that multiculture is a core mechanic of this set, but I can understand what you mean.

For this, I like the title, "Succumb to the Shadow." It makes being corrupted sound more active than just drifting. Also, do you mean spot a "twilight card?"

Your title is certainly better - as I say, most of these names are basically playtest holders. And while I do mean "twilight card", I've been trying out a more flavourful way of saying it by using the term "card in twilight". Do we like it?

Now this is a little overpowered. I'd make it cost only one, but just reveal, thus making that minion on top more playable.

I'd like to keep the foreseeing - it's part of a cycle. What if it exerted the Ring-bearer once? Or only triggered off minions? Or both?

I think it needs rewording. If you want the Shadow player to perform both actions if the condition for the second is met, then it should read: "Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1. If that companion was corrupted, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase". If you DON'T want him to perform both actions, it should read: "Each time a companion loses a skirmish, you may foresee 1. If that companion was corrupted, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck instead. If it is a twilight card, the Ring-bearer puts on the The One Ring until the regroup phase.

You're probably right about the wording, but actually I think the card I posted is wrong! I was much cleverer than this I think. I do believe the card should be:

•Seeking the Ring
Condition • Support Area
Search.
To play, spot a card in play or in your discard pile.
Each time a companion loses a skirmish, foresee 1.
Each time a corrupted companion loses a skirmish, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If that card is in twilight, the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring until the regroup phase.
B R 113

This way the mandatory/optional timing tells you that you can foresee, then reveal.

I'm also not sure the power level is that high - wearing the Ring is essentially a combo strategy as you need stuff like the Twilight World to really abuse it. It is also one of the block's main themes.

Thranduil

[Witchkingx5]

What about saying "twilight minion, twilight condition" and so on?

Witchkingx5

[Thranduil]

Well I'm trying out "minion in twilight" and "condition in twilight" and "Nazgûl in twilight" and such things just to see if it works. I have to say that I'm not convinced, but I wanted to know what you guys thought!

Thranduil