Custom Templates

[MarcinS]

Getting a bit ahead, but if the second edition was to be implemented as an online game, I'd like to suggest some rule changes.

The effect timing rules of LotR do not translate very well to online experience. As an example - if you exert your minion to do some effect and the game pauses, you immediately know your opponent has Unheeded in his or her hand. This problem doesn't really exist in paper game, as you back up stuff, if your opponent wants to respond to an effect, but in an online gameplay you have to play (and be able to play) an effect, as it happens.

To avoid revealing this kind of information (very valuable) in an online gameplay, we could adopt the Magic: the Gathering timing rules. It should be possible (I already did an investigation) to have timing rules of Magic and gameplay (phases, story, etc) of LotR.

[menace64]

Once you think each template is finished, I'd really like to see them next to the first ones you uploaded. You know, for awesome.

[Hobbiton Lad]

The Shadow templates are now complete. The original post has been updated.

[menace64]

The new Sauron template is so good that I think it overshadows (haha) all the other evil templates. Is it just me, or did you pull a lot of the gold colors out of Fallen Realms? I really liked it last time I saw it, and now it just seems flat.

Also, would anybody be against the creation of an Ent culture? Maybe call it the Fangorn culture?

[LOTRFreak15]

That sounds like a good idea Menace. Making them be their own thing would be sweet. My favorite shadow one is Sauron. I just love how it looks. Amazing.

[Not a Zombie]

I guess the keyword means he can't be assigned to skirmishes or take wounds in the archery phase, kinda like a shadow unhasty and like most versions of him

[Hobbiton Lad]

Is it just me, or did you pull a lot of the gold colors out of Fallen Realms? I really liked it last time I saw it, and now it just seems flat.

This is intentional. I wanted more of a faded brass look rather than pure gold. These are fallen realms -- they should look a little flat. Their luster and vibrance is mostly gone, and I wanted the template to reflect that.

I guess the keyword means he can't be assigned to skirmishes or take wounds in the archery phase, kinda like a shadow unhasty and like most versions of him

Correct! Not quite the same as unhasty though, because unhasty companions still participate in the archery phase. Specifically, the cunning keyword means, "This minion does not participate in archery fire or skirmishes."

Also, would anybody be against the creation of an Ent culture? Maybe call it the Fangorn culture?

Right now I'm not really in favor of this. My reasons are twofold:

1) There are already seven Free Peoples cultures. Adding an eighth would, in my opinion, represent a bit of overkill.

2) There are seven Shadow cultures. Adding an eighth Free Peoples culture would upset the symmetry between the two sides and would likely prompt me to look at creating an eighth Shadow culture. Frankly, I'm not sure there's anything left to put into a new Shadow culture, so I'm loathe to upset the balance by introducing a new FP culture.

[hsiale]

Specifically, the cunning keyword means, "This minion does not participate in archery fire or skirmishes."

Is there really a need to introduce a loaded keyword? Probably this will be only for Saruman and maybe a few other oddities, leaving the full text makes people have to learn one rule less. The only thing I see is improved by this change is better wording for Saruman's Staff, but I don't think it's enough reason.





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[Hobbiton Lad]

Specifically, the cunning keyword means, "This minion does not participate in archery fire or skirmishes."

Is there really a need to introduce a loaded keyword? Probably this will be only for Saruman and maybe a few other oddities, leaving the full text makes people have to learn one rule less. The only thing I see is improved by this change is better wording for Saruman's Staff, but I don't think it's enough reason.

I've read a lot of material on design theory, and one of the most important concepts that comes up again and again is the idea of, "If you have to say something a lot, say it with a symbol or keyword."

So many versions of Saruman have this gametext. Frankly, it takes up way too much real estate on the card and limits the creative aspect of card creation because of space limitations. I want to be able to create new and interesting versions of Saruman w/o having to deal with losing so much space to an ability that pops up again and again.

Also, I can see other minions having this keyword. Gollum, Grima, and Bill Ferny immediately come to mind.

[Hobbiton Lad]

The Site template has been posted. Original post updated.

[MarcinS]

Do the sites have to be horizontal?

[hsiale]

Sites need little game text and a landscape picture. This fits way better onto a horizontal card.

[Hobbiton Lad]

And finally, The One Ring is templated. Original post updated.

[MarcinS]

Sites need little game text and a landscape picture. This fits way better onto a horizontal card.

I believe it's the other way around - because sites are horizontal, they can have only very little text.

[menace64]

This is intentional. I wanted more of a faded brass look rather than pure gold. These are fallen realms -- they should look a little flat. Their luster and vibrance is mostly gone, and I wanted the template to reflect that.

Makes sense, but doesn't change my opinion that the newer look is boring. Nothing pops on the template!