Reflections II - Complete List

[Thranduil]

wait, what if you did something along the lines of Aragorn, WTG, like extra bonuses if the RB is the only companion you can spot

I can tell you the reason I was not so keen on any of the Likes to Be Alone models: because I think solo (or low companion) decks are not as much fun for the Shadow player as big companion fellowships. It's always fun to be able to play what's in your hand, and solo decks stop Shadow players from doing this. I think it should be a legitimate strategy - many people like playing solo decks, and good for them; the mark of a good TCG is versatility - but I don't think it's something I need to actively encourage. This is the same reason I wasn't sure about the Selfish Ring (again it encourages you not to play other companions).

I can also tell you why I didn't like the Preventing Potential models: because it's very easy to build around them so that they no longer matter. If it's one of the card draw ones, just build a deck that doesn't draw cards. If it's the event/condition one, build a deck that doesn't play events/conditions. This might well be fine, but I wanted something that would always impact the game and so I was restricted to effects that trigger off something that always happens, so I looked at moving on.

So my question, would you play this Ring?


•The One Ring, Borne With Great Haste
The One Ring
Str: +1
Vit: +1
Res: +1
At the end of your turn, if the fellowship did not move more than once that turn, add 2 burdens.
Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound in a skirmish, make him or her wear The One Ring until the regroup phase.
While the Ring-bearer is wearing The One Ring, each time he or she is about to take a wound in a skirmish, add a burden instead.
"'The Ring is already at work in the Fellowship...'"
R2 R+ 1

[Not a Zombie]

If it had a bigger strength or resistance bonus, then most definitely. As it is, I still might play it.

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

I'd probably take TRoD/AtAR instead because the bonus is bigger and they're more flexible, and putting it on once leaves you no closer to corruption than single-moving once, and putting it one three times leaves you no closer to corruption than single-moving twice (not to mention that you have one less burden to be spotted).

Maybe if I had a deck that I was really confident could move quickly and enough healing to skip site 6 (or the ability to triple to 6), or if I expected my Ring-bearer to skirmish a lot, although if my Ring-bearer was skirmishing a lot I'd probably still want AtAR/TRoD for the extra strength and just throw in more burden removal.

[ket_the_jet]

I suppose your sets have decent burden removal. I don't see a problem with the Ring as it stands.
-wtk

[legolas3333]

well it is better than the binding ring...

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

The purpose of the binding ring is to pull your rings. Unless you have a burden-heavy meta, it's useful in ring decks, especially since its ability is pretty cheap when you're up against a deck that doesn't really use burdens.

Which, actually, makes it interesting inasmuch as it lacks functionality as a One Ring, but makes up for it by having a function like a normal card (pulling rings from your draw deck).

[TelTura]

So my question, would you play this Ring?

•The One Ring, Borne With Great Haste
....

I once took a look at the likes of Gandalf, Defender of the West, and Gandalf, Mithrandir, thinking "wtf?  why would I want to play a Gandalf that punishes me?" and only then was it brought to my attention that those gandalfs are strength 9 and 10, respectively.  Would I pay such a cost for a cost 4, strength 10, uber-useable companion?  sure, under the right circumstances.  I'm with L-3333, perhaps if you gave it a solid strength or vitality boost (+3 strength, or, +2 vitality and +2 strength when wearing it) would certainly make it playable.  Large payout, large risk. 

[ket_the_jet]

Personally, I think that the way the card is built, it fits the theme. If a larger strength, resistance, or vitality bonus is included, solo Ring-Bearer decks will likely become more prominent.

I like this Ring, Thran, and I would probably use it in two of my decks. Considering sites 1-3 is usually a "gimme," I would likely stop at four, run through five, and hopefully have the resistance to make it to nine at my leisure.
-wtk

[chompers]

If you want to encourage the player to run i would change the attributes. Perhaps ...

Str +2
Vit 0
Res 0

If you want to try and stop Solo decks abusing it - you could trigger it off other companions such as:

Exert another companion to wear the One Ring ... or similar ... while earing the ring bearer is strength +2 ?

Good luck with the card - as it stands i wouldn't use it until a better player showed me a reason to use it. I like what you are trying to achieve

[legolas3333]

I like the ring now actually...

[dalkilthur]

I think this ring is balanced and, as Thranduil states, doesn't boost solo decks. The disadvantage is hard, but it is the only ring that boosts every stat on your bearer. I think this is a good ring for ARB. I'm looking forward to the rest of the set!

[Thranduil]

Argument is fantastic! The fact that you are divided about it probably means it's absolutely fine! Have a all of you, and do keep expressing your opinions!

I may throw another cog into the mix a little bit later.

Thranduil

[Thranduil]

This set is going to be flashy. I'm apologising in advance, but it's still going to happen!

But, this post is not going to be as flashy as I had planned because the card I was going to post I am no longer happy with in the slightest. Such is life.

But, I can still find something exciting in my repertoire. Try this for size:

•Army of the Dead
Companion • Wraith
Str: 9
Vit: 5
Res: 0
Defender +1. Enduring 3. Toil 2. (Army of the Dead is strength +3 for each wound on him).
To play, add 3 threats.
"'... for in the gloom the Shadow Host seemed to grow stronger and more terrible to look upon.'"
R2 R+ 29

Literally, size.

So I said what I'm dealing with in this set are some of the backstories of LotR (as seems to be the purpose of Reflections-type sets). The Army of the Dead is a very important backstory in the book that gets a fair amount of screen time in the film, and so you can be assured of seeing more Wraiths and more Corsairs in the future. Plus, mechanically I could not have an enduring themed set and leave out the favoured standard-bearers of the mechanic, even though this guy is somewhat less useful with RotK rotated out (put I'm sure he's a card those expanded players would love).

Thranduil

[ket_the_jet]

I don't see any problem with this guy size, cost, or power-wise.
-wtk

[legolas3333]

looks good, sort of like a companion tom bombadil