Light & Shadow Block Review

[legolas3333]

question, shouldn't you clarify the staff's text so people couldn't play it on Saruman, Curinir?

[Cw0rk]

Both of these Isengard cards are great. I like them because they are creative.

But what are the repercussion of playing with top card revealed? I'm sure there are a few elves  who would use that. However, I just remembered that the elven cards from TT and ROTK are not available in standard format for this set.

[Thranduil]

question, shouldn't you clarify the staff's text so people couldn't play it on Saruman, Curinir?

The game only notices titles. It would be mentioned in the equivalent of Kralik's notes, but I don't think it's worth being on the actual card.

Based on Gandalf's staff, Curunir's Staff should read:

The twilight cost of each spell is -2.

Also, I think we mentioned this before, but by having all spells -2, both the and cultures benefit. I think this is what you meant, right?
-wtk

That is what I meant. And fair point.

But what are the repercussion of playing with top card revealed? I'm sure there are a few elves  who would use that. However, I just remembered that the elven cards from TT and ROTK are not available in standard format for this set.

Well, because of the foresee mechanic debuted in this block, the top card of the draw deck is often quite important. But it also allows the Shadow player to see every card that you draw.

Thrandiul

[Cw0rk]

question, shouldn't you clarify the staff's text so people couldn't play it on Saruman, Curinir?

The game only notices titles. It would be mentioned in the equivalent of Kralik's notes, but I don't think it's worth being on the actual card.

Yeah. I don't think it has to be mentioned as well. Dead Man of Dunharrow cannot wear Armor even if it says 'bearer must be a man'.

[legolas3333]

Better example: Ulaire Attea, the Easterling cannot bear an Easterling Polearm.
-wtk

WHAT?!?!?! HE CAN'T?!?!?!
jk
ok I see your point, just kind of weird to me to have a Saruman not named Saruman.

[Thranduil]

Better example: Ulaire Attea, the Easterling cannot bear an Easterling Polearm.
-wtk

WHAT?!?!?! HE CAN'T?!?!?!
jk
ok I see your point, just kind of weird to me to have a Saruman not named Saruman.

It's the same deal as Gollum and Sméagol. I just didn't want a companion version to stop the Shadow player from playing their minions.

[Thranduil]

L&S (12, 5/4/3)
Courage Renowned
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a companion strength +2 and resistance +1.
L C 128

•Éomer, Éadig
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 7
Each other companion with twilight cost is 3 or more is twilight cost is -1.
While Éomer is assigned to a skirmish, each other companion with resistance 3 or more is strength +1.
L C 129

•Éomer, Forthwith Banished
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 7
Unyielding. Valiant. Éomer's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
While you can spot a companion, Éomer's twilight cost is -1.
Each time Éomer wins a skirmish, you may wound a minion with strength less than his resistance.
L R 130

•Éowyn, Defender of the People
Companion • Man
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 7
Unyielding. Valiant (Éowyn's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
Éowyn is resistance +1 for each possession she bears.
L C 131

•Éowyn, Warrior of Rohan
Companion • Man
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 7
Knight. Valiant.
At the start of each skirmish involving Éowyn, you may return a possession from play to your hand to wound a minion she is skirmishing.
L R 132

•Grimbold, Warrior of Rohan
Companion • Man
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Knight.
At the start of each skirmish involving Grimbold, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a card, you may exert each minion Grimbold is skirmishing.
L U 133

Horse of Rohan (reprint)
Possession • Mount
To play, spot a Man.
Bearer must be a Man, Elf, or Wizard.
At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, each minion skirmishing bearer must exert.
L C 134

A Long Road
Event • Regroup
Spot 2 companions to foresee 2. Then, if those companions have resistance 3 or more, you may draw 2 cards. (To foresee 2, look at the top 2 cards of your draw deck; place any number of those cards on top of your draw deck in any order, and the rest beneath your draw deck in any order).
L U 135

Rohirrim Armor ***
Possession • Armor
Res: +1
Bearer must be a companion.
Skirmish: Play this possession from your hand on a companion with resistance 3 or more to prevent all wounds to that companion.
L U 136

•Théoden, Lord of the Rohirrim
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Each other companion is resistance +1.
Response: If another companion with resistance 3 or more is about to take a wound, exert Théoden to prevent that wound.
L C 137

•Théoden, Strength Renewed
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Unyielding. Valiant. (Théoden's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
While you can spot a companion, Théoden's twilight cost is -1.
Théoden's strength may not be reduced by Shadow cards.
L R 138

Valourous Companions
Event • Skirmish
Spot a companion to make an unbound companion strength +2 (and exert a minion that companion is skirmishing if he or she has resistance 3 or more).
L U 139


TW (4, 2/1/1)
Battle of the West-Fold
Event • Skirmish
Make a companion strength +2 (and damage +2 if skirmishing an minion).
T C 71

Charge of A Thousand Spears
Event • Maneuver
Tale.
To play, spot a companion.
Exert any number of companions with a total resistance of 10 or more to make each of those companions strength +3 and damage +1 until the regroup phase.
T R 72

•Elfhelm, Marshal of the East-Mark
Companion • Man
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Knight.
Each other companion (except in your starting fellowship) gains toil 1.
T C 73

•Háma, Doorwarden
Companion • Man
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Unyielding. (Háma's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
At the start of the maneuver phase, if Háma has resistance 3 or more, you may discard a Shadow possession borne by a minion.
T U 74


BL (8, 3/3/2)
•Éomer, Saviour of Helm's Deep
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 7
Knight. Valiant.
Regroup: Exert Éomer to play a companion from your hand. If that companion is a knight or valiant companion, you may discard a minion.
B U 77

•Haldir, Naith Leader
Companion • Elf
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Valiant.
While you can spot a valiant companion, Haldir's twilight cost is -1.
B C 78

•Herugrim (reprint)
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +2
Vit: +1
Bearer must be Théoden.
He is damage +1.
B U 79

•Merry, Rider of Rohan
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 5
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Valiant.
Maneuver: Exert Merry twice to exert a minion for each companion you can spot.
B R 80

Muster the Host ***
Condition • Support Area
Fellowship: Exert a companion and either a companion or a companion to add a token here.
Regroup: Remove a token here to draw a card.
B C 81

Old Alliance
Event • Skirmish
Toil 2.
Make a companion with resistance 5 or more strength +2 for each wound on each minion he or she is skirmishing.
B C 82

Rohirrim Armory ***
Event • Maneuver or Skirmish
Spot a companion with resistance 3 or more to foresee 2. Then reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a possession or artifact, you may play it. (To foresee 2, look at the top 2 cards of your draw deck; place any number of those cards on top of your draw deck in any order, and the rest beneath your draw deck in any order).
B U 83

•Shadowfax, Pride of Rohan
Possession • Mount
Bearer must be Gandalf.
At the start of each skirmish involving Gandalf, each minion skirmishing him must exert.
Skirmish: If Gandalf is not assigned to a skirmish, exert him twice to have him replace an unbound companion with resistance 6 or more in a skirmish.
B R 84

[legolas3333]

on eomer, forthwith banished, shouldn't the italicized text come directly after the keyword it is clarifying?

[Cw0rk]

These DCs are extremely well made.  The only issue I have with the rohan culture is that it doesn't include a single hand-weapon can be borne by your companions, except Herugrim.

[Thranduil]

These DCs are extremely well made.  The only issue I have with the rohan culture is that it doesn't include a single hand-weapon can be borne by your companions, except Herugrim.

Yeah a fair point. I'll probably replace the armor with a similar sort of sword or something.

How about:

Parrying Blade ***
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +2
Bearer must be a companion.
Skirmish: Play this possession from your hand on a companion with resistance 3 or more to discard a possession borne by a minion that companion is skirmishing.
L U

I also realised I needed a bit of possession discard for which I have not really included until then.

Thranduil

[Cw0rk]

Good idea, even if I liked the armor.

[Thranduil]

Okay the badly named Parrying Blade is going into the set instead of Rohirrim Armor. Looks like I don't even have to change the numbers!

Many of you may know that is my least favourite culture to design. Consequently, I tried to design as few actual cards as possible (as you'll see in Back to the Light). But I could not avoid doing justice in a set revolving around the One Ring, so hopefully I've done a reasonable job.

L&S (20, 8/6/6)
•Bilbo, Contented Hobbit
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Ring-bound.
To play, spot a card.
Each time the fellowship moves, you may reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a Free Peoples card, you may heal a companion that shares a culture with it.
"‘I was very comfortable here, and getting on with my book.'"
L R 143

•Bond of the Fellowship
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
To play, spot a companion.
Maneuver: Discard this condition to make each companion with resistance 8 or more strength +2 until the regroup phase.
"‘You'd have to send us home tied up in a sack to stop us!'"
L U 144

Brace of Rabbits
Possession
Bearer must be a companion.
Fellowship: Discard this possession to remove a burden.
L C 145

Daring Renowned
Condition • Support Area
Tale.
Skirmish: Discard this condition to make a companion strength and resistance +1 until the regroup phase.
L C 146

Faithful Companions
Event • Skirmish
Spot a companion to make a companion strength +2 (and remove a burden if he or she has resistance 8 or more).
L U 147

Fear of Discovery
Event • Response
Twilight.
If the Ring-bearer is about to put on The One Ring, exert 2 companions to remove 2 burdens. Then, if those companions have resistance 8 or more, the Ring-bearer does not put on The One Ring.
"He hardly dared to breathe, and yet the desire to get it out of his pocket became so strong that he began slowly to move his hand."
L R 148

•Frodo, Chosen by Fate
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
(Res): 10
Ring-bound.
Skirmish: If Frodo is the Ring-bearer, exert him X times to take off The One Ring, where X is the current region number.
"'Bilbo was meant to find the Ring, in which case you also were meant to have it. And that is an encouraging thought.'"
L R 149

•Frodo, Mr. Underhill
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
(Res): 10
Ring-bound.
In region 1, Frodo is strength +2.
In region 2, Frodo is strength +1.
"‘You'll have to leave the name of Baggins behind you, for that name is not safe outside the Shire.'"
L C 150

Get Out of Sight!
Event • Response
Stealth.
If a Shadow event is played, spot a companion and add a burden to cancel that event.
L U 151

Hobbit Sword (reprint)
Str: +2
Bearer must be a Hobbit.
L C 152

•Merry, The Magnificent
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Unyielding. Valiant. (Merry's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
While you can spot 4 companions with resistance 8 or more, Merry is strength +3 and defender +1.
L U 153

•Pippin, Thain of the Shire
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
Res: 8
Unyielding. Valiant. (Pippin's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
While you can spot 4 companions with resistance 8 or more, Pippin is strength +3 and cannot take wounds in skirmishes.
L U 154

Nine-Fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom (reprint)
Event • Skirmish
Tale.
Exert a character to remove a burden or 2 threats.
L C 155

Preparing for the Journey
Condition • Support Area
When you play this condition, you may foresee 1. (To foresee 1, look at the top 1 card of your draw deck; place it on top of or beneath your draw deck).
While you can spot 2 companions, each stealth card is twilight cost -1.
L U 156

•Sam, Master Gardner
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
Res: 10
Ring-bound.
Each companion with resistance 8 or more is strength +1.
While Sam is the Ring-bearer, he is resistance -5.
Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
L C 157

•Sam, The Stout-hearted
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
Res: 10
Ring-bound. Valiant. Unyielding. (Sam's resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
Sam cannot be affected by Shadow events that affect only one companion.
L R 158

Slipping Away
Event • Skirmish
Stealth.
Cancel a skirmish involving a companion with resistance 8 or more.
L C 159

•Sting, Ancient Blade
Possession • Hand Weapon
Str: +2
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
While bearer is skirmishing a minion with strength less than bearer's resistance, bearer is damage +1.
L R 160

Stand As One
Event • Skirmish
Unless the fellowship is in region 3, exert a companion 3 times (or a companion twice) to have that companion replace the Ring-bearer in a skirmish.
L R 161

Support in Fellowship
Event • Fellowship
Tale.
Spot a companion to heal each companion with resistance 8 or more.
L C 162


TW (12, 5/4/3)
Boundless Courage
Event • Skirmish
Make a companion strength +2 (and prevent that companion from being overwhelmed if he or she is skirmishing a or minion).
T C 85

Distraction
Event • Skirmish
Stealth. Toil 2.
Cancel a skirmish.
T U 86

Extraordinary Resistance
Event • Response
Twilight.
If a twilight card is played, exert a Ring-bearer to cancel and discard that card.
T U 87

•Farmer Maggot, Willing Conspirator
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 3
Res: 7
At the start of each skirmish involving Farmer Maggot, reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a card, you may remove a burden.
T C 88

•Fredegar Bolger, Willing Conspirator
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 3
Res: 7
At the start of each skirmish involving Fredegar Bolger, reveal the top card of your draw deck. If it is a card, you may return a stealth card from your discard pile to your hand.
T C 89

•Frodo, Under the Lidless Eye
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 5
Vit: 4
(Res): 10
Ring-bound. Twilight.
While the Ring-bearer is wearing The One Ring, each minion is strength +1 (or +2 if that minion is a twilight minion).
T U 90

Help of Many
Event • Fellowship
To play, spot a companion.
Exert any number of companions with resistance 15 or more to heal the Ring-bearer the same number of times and remove the same number of burdens (limit 4).
T R 91

•Mithril-Coat, Shiny Trinket
Artifact • Armor
Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit.
Each minion skirmishing bearer loses all game text keywords.
While bearer is assigned to a skirmish, each minion comes into play exhausted.
T R 92

•Protect the Ring-bearer
Condition • Support Area
While your Ring-bearer has resistance 8 or more, each other companion is unyielding. (The resistance of unyielding companions is not reduced by the number of burdens).
Each time the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, add a burden.
T R 93

•Sam, Frodo's Bodyguard
Companion • Hobbit
Str: 3
Vit: 4
Res: 10
Ring-bound.
Skirmish: Add 3 burdens to have Sam replace a Ring-bound companion in a skirmish.
Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
While Sam bears The One Ring, he is resistance -5.
T U 94

Stalwart Defence
Event • Maneuver
Exert your Ring-bearer not wearing The One Ring to make each other companion resistance +2 until the regroup phase.
T C 95

Uniting the Free Peoples
Condition • Companion
Res: +1
To play, spot a companion. Limit 1 per bearer.
Response: If you play a tale, exert bearer to make that card's twilight cost -1.
T C 96


BL (9, 3/3/3)
•Beregond, Friend to Pippin
Companion • Man
Str: 6
Vit: 3
Res: 6
Knight. Valiant.
Skirmish: Exert Beregond twice to make an unbound companion strength +1 for each or card in your discard pile.
B R 90

Bilbo's Legacy ?
Event • Fellowship
Tale. Toil 2.
Spot a companion with resistance 4 or more to draw 3 cards.
B C 91

•Boromir, Defender of the Halflings
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 5
Valiant.
At the start of the assignment phase, you may exert Boromir and another or companion to make Boromir defender +1 and unable to take more than 1 wound in a skirmish until the regroup phase.
B U 92

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 on top of your draw deck in any order and the rest beneath your draw deck in any order).
B R 93

•Faramir, Defender of the Halflings
Companion • Man
Str: 7
Vit: 3
Res: 7
Ring-bound.
At the start of the maneuver phase, you may exert Faramir and another or companion to remove a minion's game text until the regroup phase.
B U 94

•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, discard a Shadow card with twilight cost equal to or less than the revealed card.
B R 95

Old Forest Ent
Companion • Ent
Str: 8
Vit: 4
Res: 6
Unhasty. Unyielding. (This companion cannot be assigned to a skirmish by the Free Peoples player unless a Free Peoples card allows it to do so and its resistance is not reduced by the number of burdens).
Assignment: Exert another or [Gandaf] companion with resistance 6 or more to allow this companion to be assigned to a skirmish.
B C 96

Rise of the Ents
Condition • Support Area
While you can spot 2 companions with resistance 8 or more, each unhasty companion may be assigned to skirmishes.
Maneuver: Discard this condition and spot a companion to discard an engine from play.
B U 97

Song of the Shire (reprint)
Condition • Support Area
Fellowship: Exert a companion and either a companion or a companion to add a token here.
Skirmish: Remove a token here to prevent an unbound companion from being overwhelmed unless his or her strength is tripled.
B C 98

[Cw0rk]

Sam, The Stout-hearted has a pretty inovative gametext, but I'm not sure I understand it very well. Can you give actual exemples with cards?

The Sting +2 bonus looks a bit too high for me. I'd rather see +1.

Stand as One is pretty cool.

What happens with Boundless Courage if Frodo is facing Gollum and a Moria Scout?

Extraordinary Resistance sounds like Extraordinary Resilience.

Frodo, Under the Lidless Eye is awesome.

Sam, Frodo's Bodyguard can replace your RB at site 9? It sounds quite powerful.

Rise of the Ents = great.

[legolas3333]

for brace of rabbits.. why didn't you reprint brace of coneys

[Thranduil]

Sam, The Stout-hearted has a pretty inovative gametext, but I'm not sure I understand it very well. Can you give actual exemples with cards?

So you CAN'T use Abiding Evil on him, Whistling Death him, or Treachery him. You CAN Discovered conditions borne by him, Broken in Defeat the minion he is skirmishing, and kill him with Unseen Foe. Reasonably clear?

The Sting +2 bonus looks a bit too high for me. I'd rather see +1.

Yeah I was wondering the same. I think I want a slightly different bonus. Maybe limit the number of wounds he can take? Make him damage +1? Make Shadow events more expensive?

What happens with Boundless Courage if Frodo is facing Gollum and a Moria Scout?

Always with the difficult questions! I think Gollum's strength does not count to the total strength counted when you check overwhelming. But if the Moria Scout's strength was enough to overwhelm Frodo, then he would still die.

Extraordinary Resistance sounds like Extraordinary Resilience.

Check. Needs a new title.

Sam, Frodo's Bodyguard can replace your RB at site 9? It sounds quite powerful.

It is powerful. It could be too BA9, and I could conceivably remove region 3 from the ability.

for brace of rabbits.. why didn't you reprint brace of coneys

Because I wanted to reference companions not Hobbits. One of the things I was doing in Light & Shadow and The Twilight World was referencing by culture not race, in preparation for Back to the Light's culture-shifting.

Thranduil