Temptation:
Does your favorite character possess an incorruptible soul?

by Geoff Snider

The One Ring. Gandalf refused to take it. Of all in Middle Earth, he alone seemed worthy of its power, but cowered before it. Frightened of what it could do to him, he allowed its passage to an unsuspecting and innocent hobbit! Boromir, when he saw it, was stricken by a desire to wield the Ring in defense of his homeland. Finally overcome with madness, he drove Frodo from the Fellowship in an attempt to take it. Lashing out at both his good friend and then his heir, Bilbo was utterly consumed by its power. Galadriel knew the Ring's potential, and even dared to consider what power she could wield with it. Even Aragorn's legacy was besmirched by its power. He dreaded the Ring, and how he would react when tempted by its gravities.

'Temptation' cards are a new theme that Realms of the Elf-lords introduces to The Lord of the Rings™ TCG. Many main characters felt the pull of the Ring's power, and these new cards endeavor to represent their situations.

The new anti-Gandalf card is Too Great and Terrible. After the onset of 'Flaming Brand syndrome' brought on by Mines of Moria, the Nazgûl lost their ability to easily overwhelm companions. Now they're hard pressed to win a skirmish, especially when Gandalf is in the fellowship because of Servant of the Secret Fire. Sleep, Caradhras is another Gandalf card to watch out for while playing Nazgûl. It can, all at once, cancel your nifty Shadow conditions like Blade Tip, Black Breath, Drawn to its Power, and Gates of the Dead City. Too Great and Terrible can now force the free peoples player to discard all these powerful cards just to keep Gandalf alive, allowing the Nazgûl to once again work their evil on the fellowship.

Stopping Bilbo with Why Shouldn't I Keep It may not be at the top of everyone's wish list, but for a Sauron Orc deck with Orc Bowmen and Under the Watching Eye it might become a necessity. Bilbo Baggins, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit can dismantle entire condition-reliant strategies, while Bilbo Baggins, Retired Adventurer can cycle powerful events like Power According to his Stature back for later use.

For anyone who's ever played the Balrog or Cave Troll, only to be thwarted by Boromir, Lord of Gondor wearing Armor, there's Such a Little Thing. Boromir's powers may be great, but the vices of the One Ring are greater and should not be trifled with. Distract Boromir with the ring and he'll fail one way or another.

Galadriel, fair Galadriel... alas, your days of staring into the Mirror are numbered (evil grin). How many times has an entire legion of elf allies sitting back in Lothlorien on Barcaloungers laughed at you while dismantling your hand? Tempt Galadriel with Terrible as the Dawn, and watch the elves head for the hills. Of course if there are too many elves, then it may take a couple uses of Terrible as the Dawn, but eventually the job will get done.

Last on the list of personalities to be tempted is Aragorn. Most decks revolve around him in one way or another. Many pile card after card on him until he becomes an unstoppable wall of minion-killing fury. Others use him strictly to heal their companions with the Aragorn Signet. Both are powerful strategies and become even better when played together. Can You Protect Me From Yourself? takes away Aragorn's comfort zone, making him weak and vulnerable while not totally destroying him. Is the price of two burdens too great? Can Frodo bear to see Aragorn reduced to a single wound? Isengard will make great use of this card, and in concert with Worry, the Ring-bearer may be in some serious danger.

These cards play a great new 'meta-game' role in LotR:TCG, forcing players to rely less heavily on single companions for their winning strategy. If Gandalf decks become too prevalent in the tournament scene, then Too Great and Terrible may rear its head, and likewise with Aragorn and Can You Protect Me From Yourself. "We need to keep them on their toes!" say the game designers, and I wholeheartedly agree!

May 28, 2002