Interesting card ideas (strong Ring-bearer, new ring, and corrupted companions)

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

I'm not sure how balanced these are (I'm also not sure about the quotes), but I thought the concepts were worth posting:

•Tom Bombadil, Bearer of Trinkets
Companion
Strength: 14
Vitality: 9
Ringed Resistance: 15
Ring-bearer. Defender +1.
The One Ring's game text does not apply.
Each time the fellowship moves, discard The One Ring and lose the game; you may exert 3 other companions (or 2 other companions if you can spot 8 burdens) to prevent this.
"'He would not take it unless we begged him, and then he would just lose it or throw it away. Such things have no hold on Bombadil.'"

Note: The idea is that instead of the fellowship protecting a weak Ring-bearer, here you have a strong Ring-bearer that needs to keep the fellowship alive.


•The One Ring, Trifle that Sauron Fancies
The One Ring
Strength: +2
Vitality: +2
Each time the fellowship moves, exert a companion with resistance 6 or higher or add 2 threats.
Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound in a skirmish, he or she wears The One Ring until the regroup phase. While wearing The One Ring, each time he or she is about to take a wound in a skirmish, add a burden instead.
"'"It is the least of rings, but a show of your earnestness. Give it to me, and the three rings of the Dwarf lords of old shall be yours."'"

Note: I just thought this subtitle was too good to pass up.
EDIT: As ket reminded me, I forgot the text to put it on (just the standard Ruling Ring text).


Tried to Take the Ring
Condition
Resistance: +3
Response: If a companion with 0 resistance exerts, play this condition from hand on that companion to suspend the current phase and begin a skirmish phase involving bearer and the Ring-bearer. During that skirmish, bearer is a minion (but is still a companion), may not be spotted or exerted as a cost for any Free Peoples action, and special abilities on bearer or Free Peoples cards borne by bearer may not be used. When that skirmish ends, resume the current phase.
"'It should have been mine. Give it to me!'"

Curse You and All the Halflings!
Event • Skirmish
Make a character bearing a card strength +2. If that character is a companion skirmishing the Ring-bearer, add a burden.
"'You would betray us all! You would take it to him!'"

Note: These cards, of course, are based on Boromir trying to take the Ring. A bit hard to use, perhaps, but potentially powerful in a deck that reduces companions' resistance. The resistance bonus on Tried to Take the Ring is so you can't freely use it multiple times on the same companion (which is also why it is a condition rather than an event).

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

This Ring makes you aforementioned Tom Bombadil nearly unstoppable with a strength and vitality bonus.

Yeah, the idea behind Tom Bombadil was that he himself is pretty unstoppable, but you have to keep 3 other companions alive or you lose when you move. You can bid 8 to reduce the number of companions you need, but then you'll trigger all sorts of burden-adding cards.

Too many stipulations, and I don't quite understand who gains control of the companion. I.e., does the character become someone the Shadow player then controls?

I thought it would be used in a combo (similar to Return to Its Master). As for control, the text canceling special abilities, spotting, etc., was designed to prevent either player from "controlling" the character, although either can play pumps on him.

Like my earlier point, there are far too many stipulations in the above card to make something like that work.

The idea was it could be a pump card (usable by possession-bearing [men] minions) that would also help in the skirmishes caused by the previous card.

Thanks for the input, by the way. I see your point about the title vagueness; maybe I should have been more specific.

[Thranduil]

•Tom Bombadil, Bearer of Trinkets
Companion
Strength: 14
Vitality: 9
Ringed Resistance: 15
Ring-bearer. Defender +1.
The One Ring's game text does not apply.
Each time the fellowship moves, discard The One Ring and lose the game; you may exert 3 other companions (or 2 other companions if you can spot 8 burdens) to prevent this.
"'He would not take it unless we begged him, and then he would just lose it or throw it away. Such things have no hold on Bombadil.'"

You don't need to discard The One Ring - the whole concept is bizarre as it never leaves the in play zone for any other reason. Simply "Each time the fellowship moves, you lose the game unless you exert 3 other companions." I like the idea, definitely the best Bombadil RB I've ever seen - really captures the flavour of Tom really not caring about the Ring. However, I would suggest the parentheses are just confusing and unnecessary.

•The One Ring, Trifle that Sauron Fancies
The One Ring
Strength: +2
Vitality: +2
Each time the fellowship moves, exert a companion with resistance 6 or higher or add 2 threats.
Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound in a skirmish, he or she wears The One Ring until the regroup phase. While wearing The One Ring, each time he or she is about to take a wound in a skirmish, add a burden instead.
"'"It is the least of rings, but a show of your earnestness. Give it to me, and the three rings of the Dwarf lords of old shall be yours."'"

"... 6 or more" is the usual wording. Fun stuff. But Trifle That Sauron fancies suggests to me that it should be helping minions get on the field and/or assign to the Ring-bearer.

Tried to Take the Ring
Condition
Resistance: +3
Response: If a companion with 0 resistance exerts, play this condition from hand on that companion to suspend the current phase and begin a skirmish phase involving bearer and the Ring-bearer. During that skirmish, bearer is a minion (but is still a companion), may not be spotted or exerted as a cost for any Free Peoples action, and special abilities on bearer or Free Peoples cards borne by bearer may not be used. When that skirmish ends, resume the current phase.
"'It should have been mine. Give it to me!'"

Why does it grant a resistance bonus? Regret for trying to take the Ring?

I would take this angle (which seems to me clearer):

Tried to Take the Ring
Event • Response
If a companion with resistance 0 exerts, put this card into play as a minion with strength and vitality equal to that companion's strength and vitality respectively. Immediately begin a skirmish phase between this minion and that companion, suspending the current phase until the skirmish is resolved.

Basically, why I'm trying to avoid is turning the companion into a minion, because that seems confusing. This way, you have another card that represents that companion (you could probably do this as a condition as well, to be honest, and it might work better) without actually physically being that companion. The MTG equivalent would be to "Put a token that's a copy of that companion onto the battlefield under your control."

Curse You and All the Halflings!
Event • Skirmish
Make a character bearing a card strength +2. If that character is a companion skirmishing the Ring-bearer, add a burden.
"'You would betray us all! You would take it to him!'"

Why don't you make it more general? "If that character is skirmishing the Ring-bearer..." seems fine to me, and it means it can work outside of the tiny bounds of the card above.

Thranduil

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

You don't need to discard The One Ring - the whole concept is bizarre as it never leaves the in play zone for any other reason. Simply "Each time the fellowship moves, you lose the game unless you exert 3 other companions." I like the idea, definitely the best Bombadil RB I've ever seen - really captures the flavour of Tom really not caring about the Ring. However, I would suggest the parentheses are just confusing and unnecessary.

Yeah, I wanted to have the flavor of him actually throwing the Ring away, but I guess you're right that it is unconventional and not strictly necessary. Good idea about the simplification.

"... 6 or more" is the usual wording. Fun stuff. But Trifle That Sauron fancies suggests to me that it should be helping minions get on the field and/or assign to the Ring-bearer.

Yeah, I was thinking about the fact that the Nazgul used that wording to downplay its importance. Good point about the wording, though.

Why does it grant a resistance bonus? Regret for trying to take the Ring?

Yeah, that was my flavor explanation, but it was really just so that you couldn't keep using it on the same companion unless you got his resistance down even further.

I would take this angle (which seems to me clearer):

Tried to Take the Ring
Event • Response
If a companion with resistance 0 exerts, put this card into play as a minion with strength and vitality equal to that companion's strength and vitality respectively. Immediately begin a skirmish phase between this minion and that companion, suspending the current phase until the skirmish is resolved.

Basically, why I'm trying to avoid is turning the companion into a minion, because that seems confusing. This way, you have another card that represents that companion (you could probably do this as a condition as well, to be honest, and it might work better) without actually physically being that companion. The MTG equivalent would be to "Put a token that's a copy of that companion onto the battlefield under your control."

Hmm...sort of like Alatar Deceived, etc.? I guess that is simpler (although it loses the chance to actually see Boromir skirmishing Frodo). Of course, then you could spam multiple copies for the same exertion, though maybe making it a unique condition with a limit once/turn would help.

Why don't you make it more general? "If that character is skirmishing the Ring-bearer..." seems fine to me, and it means it can work outside of the tiny bounds of the card above.

Yeah, I guess that works.

Thanks for the input!

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

Given, your suggestions, I've updated the cards as follows

•Tom Bombadil, Bearer of Trinkets
Companion
Strength: 14
Vitality: 9
Ringed Resistance: 15
Ring-bearer. Defender +1.
The One Ring's game text does not apply.
Each time the fellowship moves, exert 3 other companions or the Ring-bearer is corrupted.
"'He would not take it unless we begged him, and then he would just lose it or throw it away. Such things have no hold on Bombadil.'"

Note: The idea is that instead of the fellowship protecting a weak Ring-bearer, here you have a strong Ring-bearer that needs to keep the fellowship alive.
Revision Note: I guess throwing the Ring away is sort of being corrupted, in a backwards sort of way (I went with "the Ring-bearer is corrupted" over "lose the game" because that's how it is in other cards, e.g., The Irresistible Shadow).


•The One Ring, Trifle that Sauron Fancies
The One Ring
Strength: +2
Vitality: +2
Each time the fellowship moves, exert a companion with resistance 6 or more or add .
Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound in a skirmish, he or she wears The One Ring until the regroup phase. While wearing The One Ring, each time he or she is about to take a wound in a skirmish, add a burden instead.
"'"It is the least of rings, but a show of your earnestness. Give it to me, and the three rings of the Dwarf lords of old shall be yours."'"

Note: I just thought this subtitle was too good to pass up.
Revision Note: As ket reminded me, I forgot the text to put it on (just the standard Ruling Ring text). I also changed the threats to twilight so as to incorporate both Thraunduil's flavor and mine .


One Easily Corrupted
Minion
Strength: 0
Vitality: 0
Site: 1
This minion may not be played except by its special ability and has the same strength, vitality, race, and keywords as the companion who was spotted for its ability.
Response: If a companion with resistance 0 exerts, spot that companion and play this minion from hand to suspend the current phase, and begin a skirmish phase involving this minion and the Ring-bearer. During that skirmish, the spotted companion may not be spotted or exerted. At the end of that skirmish, discard this minion.
"'Yet hope remains...while the Fellowship is true.'"

Curse You and All the Halflings!
Event • Skirmish
Make a minion strength +2. If that character is skirmishing the Ring-bearer, add a burden.
"'You would betray us all! You would take it to him!'"

Note: These cards, of course, are based on Boromir trying to take the Ring. A bit hard to use, perhaps, but potentially powerful in a deck that reduces companions' resistance.
Revision Note: Hopefully these are a bit more usable. One Easily Corrupted is still a little wordy, but I'm not sure how to shorten it without affect the gameplay.

Thanks for the advice, all, keep it coming!

[jdizzy001]

the bombadil idea is great

[FM]

One Easily Corrupted
Minion
Strength: 0
Vitality: 0
Site: 1
This minion may not be played except by its special ability and has the same strength, vitality, race, and keywords as the companion who was spotted for its ability.
Response: If a companion with resistance 0 exerts, spot that companion and play this minion from hand to suspend the current phase, and begin a skirmish phase involving this minion and the Ring-bearer. During that skirmish, the spotted companion may not be spotted or exerted. At the end of that skirmish, discard this minion.
"'Yet hope remains...while the Fellowship is true.'"

Is it just me or does someone hates Boromir, Son of Denethor? If this was, indeed, the idea behind this card, AWESOME thinking!

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

I like where the cards are going now...but I think you have to make "One Easily Corrupted" unique. Otherwise, I'll play four or something along those lines.

I thought about that, but because it suspends the phase and is discarded before the phase resumes, it will be discarded before you can play another one.

•One Easily Corrupted
Condition • Support Area
This condition may not be discarded by Free Peoples' cards.
Each time a companion with resistance 0 exerts, this condition becomes a fierce, one vitality minion with a strength equal to that of the exerted companion. This condition may only be assigned to skirmish the Ring-Bearer. This card is still a condition.

Now, here's my thought behind this...as a condition, the Free Peoples' player can see it and knows that it is "lurking," similar to the evil thoughts of characters like Boromir and Galadriel which "lurked" over the fellowship.
-wtk

Yeah, I like this. It also solves the uniqueness problem. I should probably add "who cannot take wounds" to make it similar to Alatar Deceived or maybe just have its vitality equal that of the exerted companion. I did kind of like the immediacy of suspending the current phase, though.

Edit: Your skirmish event is on point. Simple, not bound to any culture...maybe a little good in Ninja , but still. I like that card the most so far!
-wtk

Thanks!

the bombadil idea is great

Thanks, jdizzy.

Is it just me or does someone hates Boromir, Son of Denethor? If this was, indeed, the idea behind this card, AWESOME thinking!

Thanks, but I was actually just thinking more along the lines of what happened to Boromir in general; the copied companion can't exert to help the FP player because he's the one trying to take the Ring. Now that you mention it, though, it would be pretty good against Boromir, SoD.

So...here's a question. Let's say I have a companion fighting the Ring-Bearer. Let's go with...

Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms against Madril, Faramir's Aide.

Isildur wins that skirmish. Do I wound my Madril? I guess my problem is that I don't want my companions wounding each other. I understand if the wounds/burdens only go one way (towards the Ring-Bearer) but if you get a weak character exhausted and force him into the Ring-Bearer's extended sword, well, you are out a companion.

I don't know what I think about that.
-wtk

Yeah, the companions-fighting-companions oddities were one of the reasons why I decided to just make it a minion or condition, although it would be realistic for the "corrupted" companion to take a wound if he loses. But with the update, the targeted companion wouldn't take wounds.

[Sam, Great Elf Warrior]

You can respond infinitely to any action. If you have four of those in hand, you can respond, suspend everything for the skirmish, then respond again as you wish.
-wtk

Yes, but the time the skirmish ends and you can respond a second time, the first minion will already be discarded (since you discard it at the end of the skirmish), so uniqueness won't stop you from playing another.

Anyway, here's the new version (which is a condition to avoid the uniqueness problem):
•One Easily Corrupted
Condition • Support Area
Response: If a companion with resistance 0 exerts, make this card a [men] minion with the same strength, vitality, race, and keywords as the exerted companion, suspend the current phase, and begin a skirmish phase involving this minion and the Ring-bearer. During that skirmish, the exerted companion is not in play. At the end of that skirmish, discard this condition.
"'Yet hope remains...while the Fellowship is true.'"

Note: I reduced the cost because it's no longer a surprise, and thus harder to play, since the FP player will no longer willingly exert the companion, requiring the Shadow player to make sure that he exerts.

[Elrohir]

Response: If a companion with resistance 0 exerts, make this card a  minion with the same strength, vitality, race, and keywords as the exerted companion, suspend the current phase, and begin a skirmish phase involving this minion and the Ring-bearer. During that skirmish, the exerted companion is not in play. At the end of that skirmish, discard this condition.
"'Yet hope remains...while the Fellowship is true.'"

If a  corrupted companion exerts
with the same values

uff... delete the whole text, and try to make a new one with a similar sense. If you have the original text in front of you, it has a great influence on your edited card.

[legolas3333]

i like it, except maybe make it free peoples player exerts a companion... I'm sensing some brokeness with rapid reload.

[Elrohir]

You have been reading Thranduil's dream cards too much!

Up until this point, only the Ring-Bearer can be corrupted.

Also, "with the same values..." would not make sense from a playability standpoint. What constitutes values? Twilight cost? Strength? Vitality? Race? Culture? Game-Text? Signet? Resistance? Site number?

There are too many variables to just say "values."
-wtk

good point!