The Burden of the Shadow Becomes a More Pressing Matter

by Geoff Snider

Known by many names were the nine servants of Sauron: The Nazgûl, Black Riders, Ringwraiths, His terrible servants, shadows under His great shadow. Their mission to corrupt, capture and kill the Ring-bearer, and to take back what rightfully belonged to their master led them many leagues through Middle Earth, haunting the lands of Gondor, Rohan, Isengard, Hobbiton, Bree, and the Ettenmoors as they went... and finally the shores of Rivendell. At no place did they make their terrible presence known better than at the ruined Watchtower of Amon Sul. Weathertop; where Elendil watched for the coming of Gil-galad out of the west in the days of the Last Alliance. There the Nazgûl displayed their true forms before the Ring-bearer. And of the five that roamed the Weatherhills, we have seen only four.

Finally revealed in Realms of the Elf-lords is Úlairë Otsëa, Ringwraith in Twilight. Most obscure of the five, choosing to remain hidden until now, he completes the long-deficient coven of Frodo's twilight assailants. The unruly Blade Tip is Otsëa's specialty, and he brings a new level to the burden-adding strategy of the Nazgûl. Blade Tip has always been a card of some renown but has never fulfilled its original storyline intent. It is, strangely enough, never the Ring-bearer who receives it. One of his hapless companions always seems to take the Blade Tip for him, and is subsequently killed off by its infectious evil. Of course as a result, Frodo never takes on the burdens that were meant for him, and the Ringwraiths never achieve their full potential. Otsëa must merely win any skirmish to bring the Blade Tip's full power to bear upon Frodo.

Another key component to the burden-adding strategy of the Nazgûl is the new 'fortress card' Gates of the Dead City. Never having had the ability to appear in great numbers is the chief restriction of the Nazgûl. Their presence in the early game can be deadly due to their high power and awesome special abilities, but after the fellowship becomes more fortified and well equipped the Nazgûl tend to falter in their effectiveness. With a Blade Tip on the Ring-bearer (thanks to Otsëa), and in combination with other burden-adders like It Wants to be Found, Gates of the Dead City can easily cause as much, if not more damage, than several Nazgûl combined. The black riders are then free to work their wrath on the exhausted and overburdened companions of the fellowship, either eliminating them one by one in skirmishes with Úlairë Toldëa and Úlairë Attëa, or slaying them all at once with the likes of Úlairë Enquëa.

Addressing the core problem behind Nazgûl decks, yet fitting into the 'burden theme,' is The Ring Draws Them. For the 'nine,' any additional amount of twilight pool can make a great difference, no matter how small. Now four copies of Morgul Gates may be supplemented by two or three copies of The Ring Draws Them, setting the Nazgûl a bit closer to achieving their goal of combating the fellowship more efficiently. Another problem solver for the ringwraiths, They Will Never Stop Hunting You can put a serious handicap on any archery-based fellowship strategy. A lucky draw can completely exhaust Aragorn if he's unfortunate enough to be carrying a bow, and if combined with Relentless Charge, may prove his undoing.

Improve the efficiency of these living shadows at your own risk, for the gaze of the lidless eye is unflinching... and may turn towards you.

May 24, 2002