View source for Brace of Coneys (4C298)

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{{LegacyCardInfoBox
| TLHHImage=LOTR04298
| WikiImage=LOTR04298
| SetNum=04
| CardNum=298
| SetName=The Two Towers
| Side=Free Peoples
| Culture=Shire
| Twilight=1
| FullCardType=Possession
| Stat1Name=
| Stat1=
| Stat2Name=
| Stat2=
| Stat3Name=
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| GameText=Bearer must be a Ring-bound Hobbit. Fellowship: Discard this possession to remove a burden.
| Lore=“‘He let them stew for close on an hour, testing them now and again with his fork, and tasting the broth.'”
| Rarity=C
| Notes=
}}


= General Strategy =

An extremely reliable card for burden removal, Brace of Coneys may be played on Frodo, Sam, or any companion Bilbo. Because it is a possession it can be played even when there are no burdens on the Ring-bearer and used when needed, rather than an event that may clog your hand if it is not immediately useable. Brace of Coneys has no additional cost or requirements to remove a burden as items such as Narya or Gandalf's Pipe do, and is rarely the target of possession discard. Brace of Coneys may be played on Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer or Frodo, Mr. Underhill for free, making it a good choice in decks which are using that copy of Frodo.

While the popular choice for burden removal, Sam, Son of Hamfast, is able to remove 3 burdens in one turn with only one copy of a card, there are some key advantages which Brace of Coneys has over him. Sam's greatest downside is that the Free Peoples player must find room for him in the fellowship, pushing another companion out or risking any of the big fellowship cards such as Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul from targeting a more important companion. Because of this he is often killed soon after being played, which in later sets can be a serious liability if the Free Peoples have many threats. Though multiple copies of Son of Hamfast will make him more reliable for removing burdens as needed, if he should die the extra copies in the draw deck become dead cards whereas Brace of Coneys can always be played. Sam, Son of Hamfast also prohibits the Free Peoples player from using another copy of Sam such as Great Elf Warrior. 

Since Brace of Coneys may be borne by any Ring-bound Hobbit, if Sam is anticipated to have to take The One Ring after Frodo's death it can be played on or transferred to him and remain useful. Removing a burden is the effect of Brace of Coneys and not the cost, so it may be discarded at any time during the fellowship phase even if there are no burdens on the Ring-bearer. This is a good tactic if the Shadow player is able to benefit from it more than the Free Peoples player. While more common in later blocks such as when playing against corsairs (who often play and replay [[lotr08057|Corsair Marauder]]) or the [Men] culture (which often plays Pavise),  in The Two Towers Vengeance in particular can make quick work of a Ring-Bearer with too many cards attached regardless of typical Ring-bearer protection.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =

=== Strong Versus... ===

* Shadow sides which add burdens
* Fellowships using Shire Countryside

=== Weak Versus... ===

* Uruk-Hai Trackers, who often play Vengeance and may surprise the Ring-Bearer with an overwhelm
* Corsairs, [Sauron] Uruk-Hai, and other shadow sides which benefit from Free Peoples' possessions

= Example Decks =

* Decklists or links to decks that use this card.

= Rules and Clarifications =

* Clarify existing rules if needed.
* Link to rules discussions on TLHH.

= Extra Information =

* Add other information regarding printing, rarity, trivia, etc.