LOTR-TCG Wiki - User contributions [en]

Gimli's Pipe (3U2)

2025-12-08T09:55:49Z

Rono: article added

<noinclude>__NOTOC__
{{NavBar|3U2|[[Realms of the Elf-Lords Index]]|[[Book of Mazarbul (3R1)|Book of Mazarbul (3R1)]]|[[Mines of Khazad-Dum (3R3)|Mines of Khazad-Dum (3R3)]]}}
{{CardTabs|Dwarven}}

[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Dwarven}} [[Possession]] from the [[Realms of the Elf-Lords]] set.
{{CardInfobox|3U2}}
{{QueryCardCategories|3U2}}</noinclude>
= Strategy =
== Gameplay Strategy ==
Of all the pipe possessions available, Gimli's pipe is perhaps the most peculiar. Aside from being able to exert Gimli for no reason, it is the only pipe that does not come with an effect it can provide on its own. However, where any other pipe still only counts as one, this one can count for two, three or possibly even more. As such, it can be especially useful for support outside of dedicated pipe decks, alongside just one or two other pipes, freeing space for other strategies, while still enabling a potent use of one's pipeweed.

Its ability comes at the expense of Gimli's vitality, though, making its use rather limited and risky. Right off the bat, it clashes with the ability of the popular {{Card|1R13}} and synergizes rather poorly with the healing effects of {{Card|1U91}} and {{Card|3U107}}. While on paper it can work well with burden removing {{Card|1U74}}, the utility of such burden removal is rather situational, not to mention needlessly clumsy next to alternatives like {{Card|1C311}} or {{Card|1C39}}.

This leaves only two other pipes that can reasonably benefit from Gimli's exertion – {{Card|1U285}} and {{Card|1U292}}.

== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
In combination with {{Card|1U292}}, Gimli's Pipe presents an interesting choking alternative to {{Card|2R97}}. With the two pipes in play, discarding pipeweed alone, the player can remove {{Twilight|2}}. Any exertion on top of that can remove {{Twilight|1}} more, similarly to {{Card|2R97}}. Further capitalizing on the choking aspect, {{Card|2P121}} is a natural bearer for the pipe. Alternatively, errated {{Card|1U12}} can be allowed to use his ability multiple times per turn.

{{Card|1U285}} offers different kind of synergy, one that practically asks for the inclusion of Gimli's Pipe. Whereas a full-blown pipe deck cannot provide much space for tales, a deck with focus on {{Card|1U285}} and Gimli's pipe can.

Whatever the use case is, cards that can keep Gimli healthy will increase the effect his pipe can have on the game and protect Gimli from dangers posed by minions and wounding cards like {{Card|1R250}}. Perhaps of special note here is the oft overlooked {{Card|1C10}}, whose downside becomes much easier to stomach, provided one immediately puts the regained vitality to good use. The fact that it costs 0 twilight also means it doesn't take away from the twilight removal done with {{Card|1U292}}.

There are other options too. When paired with {{Card|1U285}} and some {{C|Dwarven}} tales, {{Card|3R3}} can be used to great, albeit delayed effect, appropriate for a more restrained use of the pipe's ability. Likewise, {{Card|1U12}} can be slowly healed with {{Card|1P365}}. Meanwhile, {{Card|2P121}} can be brought to full health quickly with {{Card|3U107}} at the cost of more pipeweed.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =
== Synergizes With... ==

* {{Card|1U285}}
* {{Card|1U292}}
* {{Card|1C10}}

== Strong Versus... ==

* nothing in particular

== Weak Versus... ==

* direct wounding (e.g. {{Card|1R250}})
* possibly {{Card|1R123}}

Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8)

2025-12-07T12:12:21Z

Rono: fixed header for alternate personas

<noinclude>__NOTOC__
{{NavBar|3R8|[[Realms of the Elf-Lords Index]]|[[Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)|Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)]]|[[Beren and Luthien (3U9)|Beren and Luthien (3U9)]]}}
{{CardTabs|Elven}}

[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Elven}} [[Companion]] from the [[Realms of the Elf-Lords]] set.
{{CardInfobox|3R8}}
{{QueryCardCategories|3R8}}</noinclude>
= Strategy =
== Gameplay Strategy ==
Taking her limited use in the Fellowship block into account, Arwen, Lady Undómiel is scary in two different ways. On one hand, she has the potential to be among the most fearsome skirmishers of the format, making her scary to any Shadow player unprepared to deal with her. On the other, failure to activate and maintain her ability turns her into a liability, making her inclusion a scary prospect to the Free Peoples player.

The inherent problem with Arwen's ability is that it asks for a rather sofisticated setup, and that it does not scale with that setup (unlike e.g. {{Card|2R7}}). She is either a great warrior, or she is in a role, that would be better served by virtually anyone else (or in fact herself as {{Card|1R30}} or {{Card|3U7}}). Since player is very unlikely to have the three allies on the first or even second turn, she makes for an uncompelling choice of a starting companion, yet she still asks for deck built to some extent around her, which in turn makes her hardly compelling altogether.

Still, the point stands, that in the right deck, Lady Undómiel can be an exceedingly powerful companion. Once her ability is active, she essentially applies {{Card|1R83}} to any minion skirmishing her. As to what the "right" deck entails may not be straightforward. A player may be tempted to look for synergies primarily among elves and site 3 {{C|Elven}} allies in particular. While the elven culture is needed to enable Arwen's ability, it cannot make best use of her by itself.

The one key to unlocking Lady Undómiel's full potential is hinted at in her Gandalf signet. Her ability applies to each minion assigned to her. With a simple '''defender +1''' bonus, she can take on two minions, lowering their combined strength by 6. Against weaker enemies, this basically nullifies an entire minion. Against stronger ones, it can mean the difference between receiving a wound and being overwhelmed.

'''Defender''' bonuses are entirely foreign to the elven culture and neither dwarves nor Gondor, let alone Shire can help. {{C|Gandalf}} culture provides the only solution.

== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
As it happens, Fellowship block offers only one card able to make Arwen '''defender +1''' in {{Card|2U28}}. Battle of Helm's Deep later introduced the only other card capable of providing the same bonus – the costly but powerful {{Card|5R16}}, which Arwen technically can be a beneficiary of, courtesy of her signet. Either way, Gandalf is needed. Fortunately, {{Card|2P122}} offers another component Lady Undómiel needs to be effective – card draw. Drawing is essential, as player needs to draw into her, 3 {{C|Elven}} site 3 allies and possibly {{Card|2U28}} as well. To unleash her even faster, one may opt to include {{C|Gandalf}} drawing tricks like {{Card|1R81}} and {{Card|1C82}}.

The signet itself offers valuable synergy with {{Card|3U35}}, which may provide a strength bonus without reliance on dedicated {{C|Elven}} pumps and with help from {{Card|1R83}} alone she already overwhelms otherwise troublesome foes like {{Card|1R143}}.

Arwen can be equipped with the formidable {{Card|1R47}}, which under right circumstances can make Lady Undómiel particularly devastating; and her trusty steed {{Card|1U31}}. If drawn before her, Asfaloth can be a bit easier to manage, provided a player can find space in their deck for site 6 allies as well, though doing so may be difficult. For storing Lady Undómiel's possessions, use of {{Card|1U73}} is recommended.

Finally, Lady Undómiel needs her people to fight for. A player may want to include as many as possible and there are not that many to begin with. Her father Elrond is the obvious first choice, be it as {{Card|1R40}} or {{Card|3R13}}. Of the two, Lord of Rivendell arguably fares a bit better here, as his spotting requirement should pose no obstacle and he bolsters card draw immensely. {{Card|3U20}} and {{Card|3U25}} offer further boost to her already powerful ability against most minions of the Fellowship block and should be counted in as well.

Naturally, ally-targeting Shadow cards can stop Lady Undomiel dead in her tracks, as does the ubiquitous {{Card|1U353}}, which in itself may warrant some sort of site manipulation via cards like {{Card|2C26}}, {{Card|1R318}} or perhaps {{Card|1C110}}.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =
== Synergizes With... ==

* {{Card|1R40}}
* {{Card|2U28}}
* {{Card|3U35}}
* {{Card|1R47}}
* {{Card|3U20}}
* {{Card|3U25}}
* {{Card|3R15}}
* card drawing

== Strong Versus... ==

* minions in general
* {{Card|1R143}}
* swarm (with {{Card|2U28}})

== Weak Versus... ==

* {{Card|1U353}}
* {{Card|2C88}}
* {{Card|1R212}}
* {{Card|2R93}}
* inclusion in the starting fellowship
* mill

= Alternate Personas =
{{AlternateVersionTable|3R8}}

Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8)

2025-12-07T12:09:17Z

Rono: fixed missing card link

Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8)

2025-12-03T14:39:14Z

Rono: fixed incorrect card reference on line 29 (Durin's Secret was referenced, should be Speak Friend' and Enter)

<noinclude>__NOTOC__
{{NavBar|3R8|[[Realms of the Elf-Lords Index]]|[[Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)|Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)]]|[[Beren and Luthien (3U9)|Beren and Luthien (3U9)]]}}
{{CardTabs|Elven}}

[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Elven}} [[Companion]] from the [[Realms of the Elf-Lords]] set.
{{CardInfobox|3R8}}
{{QueryCardCategories|3R8}}</noinclude>
= Strategy =
== Gameplay Strategy ==
Taking her limited use in the Fellowship block into account, Arwen, Lady Undómiel is scary in two different ways. On one hand, she has the potential to be among the most fearsome skirmishers of the format, making her scary to any Shadow player unprepared to deal with her. On the other, failure to activate and maintain her ability turns her into a liability, making her inclusion a scary prospect to the Free Peoples player.

The inherent problem with Arwen's ability is that it asks for a rather sofisticated setup, and that it does not scale with that setup (unlike e.g. {{Card|2R7}}). She is either a great warrior, or she is in a role, that would be better served by virtually anyone else (or in fact herself as {{Card|1R30}} or {{Card|3U7}}). Since player is very unlikely to have the three allies on the first or even second turn, she makes for an uncompelling choice of a starting companion, yet she still asks for deck built to some extent around her, which in turn makes her hardly compelling altogether.

Still, the point stands, that in the right deck, Lady Undómiel can be an exceedingly powerful companion. Once her ability is active, she essentially applies {{Card|1R83}} to any minion skirmishing her. As to what the "right" deck entails may not be straightforward. A player may be tempted to look for synergies primarily among elves and site 3 {{C|Elven}} allies in particular. While the elven culture is needed to enable Arwen's ability, it cannot make best use of her by itself.

The one key to unlocking Lady Undómiel's full potential is hinted at in her Gandalf signet. Her ability applies to each minion assigned to her. With a simple '''defender +1''' bonus, she can take on two minions, lowering their combined strength by 6. Against weaker enemies, this basically nullifies an entire minion. Against stronger ones, it can mean the difference between receiving a wound and being overwhelmed.

'''Defender''' bonuses are entirely foreign to the elven culture and neither dwarves nor Gondor, let alone Shire can help. {{C|Gandalf}} culture provides the only solution.

== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
As it happens, Fellowship block offers only one card able to make Arwen '''defender +1''' in {{Card|2U28}}. Battle of Helm's Deep later introduced the only other card capable of providing the same bonus – the costly but powerful {{Card|5R16}}, which Arwen technically can be a beneficiary of, courtesy of her signet. Either way, Gandalf is needed. Fortunately, {{Card|2P122}} offers another component Lady Undómiel needs to be effective – card draw. Drawing is essential, as player needs to draw into her, 3 {{C|Elven}} site 3 allies and possibly {{Card|2U28}} as well. To unleash her even faster, one may opt to include {{C|Gandalf}} drawing tricks like {{Card|1R81}} and {{Card|1C82}}.

The signet itself offers valuable synergy with {{Card|3U35}}, which may provide a strength bonus without reliance on dedicated {{C|Elven}} pumps and with help from {{Card|1R83}} alone she already overwhelms otherwise troublesome foes like {{Card|1R143}}.

Arwen can be equipped with the formidable {{Card|1R47}}, which under right circumstances can make Lady Undómiel particularly devastating; and her trusty steed {{Card|1U31}}. If drawn before her, Asfaloth can be a bit easier to manage, provided a player can find space in their deck for site 6 allies as well, though doing so may be difficult. For storing Lady Undómiel's possessions, use of {{Card|1U73}} is recommended.

Finally, Lady Undómiel needs her people to fight for. A player may want to include as many as possible and there are not that many to begin with. Her father Elrond is the obvious first choice, be it as {{Card|1R40}} or {{Card|3R13}}. Of the two, Lord of Rivendell arguably fares a bit better here, as his spotting requirement should pose no obstacle and he bolsters card draw immensely. {{Card|3U20}} and {{Card|3U25}} offer further boost to her already powerful ability against most minions of the Fellowship block and should be counted in as well.

Naturally, ally-targeting Shadow cards can stop Lady Undomiel dead in her tracks, as does the ubiquitous {{Card|1U353}}, which in itself may warrant some sort of site manipulation via cards like {{Card|2C26}}, {{Card|1R318}} or perhaps {{Card|1C110}}.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =
== Synergizes With... ==

* {{Card|1R40}}
* {{Card|2U28}}
* {{Card|3U35}}
* {{Card|1R47}}
* {{Card|3U20}}
* {{Card|3U25}}
* {{Card|3R15}}
* card drawing

== Strong Versus... ==

* minions in general
* Troop of Uruk-Hai
* swarm (with {{Card|2U28}})

== Weak Versus... ==

* {{Card|1U353}}
* {{Card|2C88}}
* {{Card|1R212}}
* {{Card|2R93}}
* inclusion in the starting fellowship
* mill

= Rulings = Alternate Personas =
{{AlternateVersionTable|3R8}}

Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8)

2025-12-01T11:12:33Z

Rono:

<noinclude>__NOTOC__
{{NavBar|3R8|[[Realms of the Elf-Lords Index]]|[[Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)|Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)]]|[[Beren and Luthien (3U9)|Beren and Luthien (3U9)]]}}
{{CardTabs|Elven}}

[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Elven}} [[Companion]] from the [[Realms of the Elf-Lords]] set.
{{CardInfobox|3R8}}
{{QueryCardCategories|3R8}}</noinclude>
= Strategy =
== Gameplay Strategy ==
Taking her limited use in the Fellowship block into account, Arwen, Lady Undómiel is scary in two different ways. On one hand, she has the potential to be among the most fearsome skirmishers of the format, making her scary to any Shadow player unprepared to deal with her. On the other, failure to activate and maintain her ability turns her into a liability, making her inclusion a scary prospect to the Free Peoples player.

The inherent problem with Arwen's ability is that it asks for a rather sofisticated setup, and that it does not scale with that setup (unlike e.g. {{Card|2R7}}). She is either a great warrior, or she is in a role, that would be better served by virtually anyone else (or in fact herself as {{Card|1R30}} or {{Card|3U7}}). Since player is very unlikely to have the three allies on the first or even second turn, she makes for an uncompelling choice of a starting companion, yet she still asks for deck built to some extent around her, which in turn makes her hardly compelling altogether.

Still, the point stands, that in the right deck, Lady Undómiel can be an exceedingly powerful companion. Once her ability is active, she essentially applies {{Card|1R83}} to any minion skirmishing her. As to what the "right" deck entails may not be straightforward. A player may be tempted to look for synergies primarily among elves and site 3 {{C|Elven}} allies in particular. While the elven culture is needed to enable Arwen's ability, it cannot make best use of her by itself.

The one key to unlocking Lady Undómiel's full potential is hinted at in her Gandalf signet. Her ability applies to each minion assigned to her. With a simple '''defender +1''' bonus, she can take on two minions, lowering their combined strength by 6. Against weaker enemies, this basically nullifies an entire minion. Against stronger ones, it can mean the difference between receiving a wound and being overwhelmed.

'''Defender''' bonuses are entirely foreign to the elven culture and neither dwarves nor Gondor, let alone Shire can help. {{C|Gandalf}} culture provides the only solution.

== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
As it happens, Fellowship block offers only one card able to make Arwen '''defender +1''' in {{Card|2U28}}. Battle of Helm's Deep later introduced the only other card capable of providing the same bonus – the costly but powerful {{Card|5R16}}, which Arwen technically can be a beneficiary of, courtesy of her signet. Either way, Gandalf is needed. Fortunately, {{Card|2P122}} offers another component Lady Undómiel needs to be effective – card draw. Drawing is essential, as player needs to draw into her, 3 {{C|Elven}} site 3 allies and possibly {{Card|2U28}} as well. To unleash her even faster, one may opt to include {{C|Gandalf}} drawing tricks like {{Card|1R81}} and {{Card|1C82}}.

The signet itself offers valuable synergy with {{Card|3U35}}, which may provide a strength bonus without reliance on dedicated {{C|Elven}} pumps and with help from {{Card|1R83}} alone she already overwhelms otherwise troublesome foes like {{Card|1R143}}.

Arwen can be equipped with the formidable {{Card|1R47}}, which under right circumstances can make Lady Undómiel particularly devastating; and her trusty steed {{Card|1U31}}. If drawn before her, Asfaloth can be a bit easier to manage, provided a player can find space in their deck for site 6 allies as well, though doing so may be difficult. For storing Lady Undómiel's possessions, use of {{Card|1U73}} is recommended.

Finally, Lady Undómiel needs her people to fight for. A player may want to include as many as possible and there are not that many to begin with. Her father Elrond is the obvious first choice, be it as {{Card|1R40}} or {{Card|3R13}}. Of the two, Lord of Rivendell arguably fares a bit better here, as his spotting requirement should pose no obstacle and he bolsters card draw immensely. {{Card|3U20}} and {{Card|3U25}} offer further boost to her already powerful ability against most minions of the Fellowship block and should be counted in as well.

Naturally, ally-targeting Shadow cards can stop Lady Undomiel dead in her tracks, as does the ubiquitous {{Card|1U353}}, which in itself may warrant some sort of site manipulation via cards like {{Card|1R71}}, {{Card|1R318}} or perhaps {{Card|1C110}}.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =
== Synergizes With... ==

* {{Card|1R40}}
* {{Card|2U28}}
* {{Card|3U35}}
* {{Card|1R47}}
* {{Card|3U20}}
* {{Card|3U25}}
* {{Card|3R15}}
* card drawing

== Strong Versus... ==

* minions in general
* Troop of Uruk-Hai
* swarm (with {{Card|2U28}})

== Weak Versus... ==

* {{Card|1U353}}
* {{Card|2C88}}
* {{Card|1R212}}
* {{Card|2R93}}
* inclusion in the starting fellowship
* mill

= Rulings = Alternate Personas =
{{AlternateVersionTable|3R8}}

Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8)

2025-12-01T09:12:51Z

Rono: whole new entry

<noinclude>__NOTOC__
{{NavBar|3R8|[[Realms of the Elf-Lords Index]]|[[Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)|Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7)]]|[[Beren and Luthien (3U9)|Beren and Luthien (3U9)]]}}
{{CardTabs|Elven}}

[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Elven}} [[Companion]] from the [[Realms of the Elf-Lords]] set.
{{CardInfobox|3R8}}
{{QueryCardCategories|3R8}}</noinclude>
= Strategy =
== Gameplay Strategy ==
Taking her limited use in the Fellowship block into account, Arwen, Lady Undómiel is scary in two different ways. On one hand, she has the potential to be among the most fearsome skirmishers of the format, making her scary to any Shadow player unprepared to deal with her. On the other, failure to activate and maintain her ability turns her into a liability, making her inclusion a scary prospect to the Free Peoples player.

The inherent problem with Arwen's ability is that it asks for a rather sofisticated setup, and that it does not scale with that setup (unlike e.g. {{Card|2R7}}). She is either a great warrior, or she is in a role, that would be better served by virtually anyone else (or in fact herself as {{Card|1R30}} or {{Card|3U7}}). Since player is very unlikely to have the three allies on the first or even second turn, she makes for an uncompelling choice of a starting compsnion, yet she still asks for deck built to some extent around her, which in turn makes her hardly compelling altogether.

Still, the point stands, that in the right deck, Lady Undómiel can be an exceedingly powerful companion. Once her ability is active, she essentially applies {{Card|1R83}} to any minion skirmishing her. As to what the "right" deck entails may not be straightforward. A player may be tempted to look for synergies primarily among elves and site 3 {{C|Elven}} allies in particular. While the elven culture is needed to enable Arwen's ability, it cannot make best use of her by itself.

The one key to unlocking Lady Undómiel's full potential is hinted at in her Gandalf signet. Her ability applies to each minion assigned to her. With a simple '''defender +1''' bonus, she can take on two minions, lowering their combined strength by 6. Against weaker enemies, this basically nullifies an entire minion. Against stronger ones, it can mean the difference between receiving a wound and being overwhelmed.

'''Defender''' bonuses are entirely foreign to the elven culture and neither dwarves nor Gondor, let alone Shire can help. {{C|Gandalf}} culture provides the only solution.

== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
As it happens, Fellowship block offers only one card able to make Arwen '''defender +1''' in {{Card|2U28}}. Battle of Helm's Deep later introduced the only other card capable of providing the same bonus – the costly but powerful {{Card|5R16}}, which Arwen technically can be a beneficiary of, courtesy of her signet. Either way, Gandalf is needed. Fortunately, {{Card|2P122}} offers another component Lady Undómiel needs to be effective – card draw. Drawing is essential, as player needs to draw into her, 3 {{C|Elven}} site 3 allies and possibly {{Card|2U28}} as well. To unleash her even faster, one may opt to include {{C|Gandalf}} drawing tricks like {{Card|1R81}} and {{Card|1C82}}.

The signet itself offers valuable synergy with {{Card|3U35}}, which may provide a strength bonus without reliance on dedicated {{C|Elven}} pumps and with help from {{Card|1R83}} alone she already overwhelms otherwise troublesome foes like {{Card|1R143}}.

Arwen can be equipped with the formidable {{Card|1R47}}, which under right circumstances can make Lady Undómiel particularly devastating; and her trusty steed {{Card|1U31}}. If drawn before her, Asfaloth can be a bit easier to manage, provided a player can find space in their deck for site 6 allies as well, though doing so may be difficult. For storing Lady Undómiel's possessions, use of {{Card|1U73}} is recommended.

Finally, Lady Undómiel needs her people to fight for. A player may want to include as many as possible and there are not that many to begin with. Her father Elrond is the obvious first choice, be it as {{Card|1R40}} or {{Card|3R13}}. Of the two, Lord of Rivendell arguably fares a bit better here, as his spotting requirement should pose no obstacle and he bolsters card draw immensely. {{Card|3U20}} and {{Card|3U25}} offer further boost to her already powerful ability against most minions of the Fellowship block and should be counted in as well.

Naturally, ally-targeting Shadow cards can stop Lady Undomiel dead in her tracks, as does the ubiquitous {{Card|1U353}}, which in itself may warrant some sort of site manipulation via cards like {{Card|1R71}}, {{Card|1R318}} or perhaps {{Card|1C110}}.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =
== Synergizes With... ==

* {{Card|1R40}}
* {{Card|2U28}}
* {{Card|3U35}}
* {{Card|1R47}}
* {{Card|3U20}}
* {{Card|3U25}}
* {{Card|3R15}}
* card drawing

== Strong Versus... ==

* minions in general
* Troop of Uruk-Hai
* swarm (with {{Card|2U28}})

== Weak Versus... ==

* {{Card|1U353}}
* {{Card|2C88}}
* {{Card|1R212}}
* {{Card|2R93}}
* inclusion in the starting fellowship
* mill

= Rulings = Alternate Personas =
{{AlternateVersionTable|3R8}}

Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310)

2025-11-24T22:11:08Z

Rono: Expanded, added synergies, some parts rewritten

<noinclude>__NOTOC__
{{NavBar|1R310|[[Fellowship of the Ring Index]]|[[Rosie Cotton, Hobbiton Lass (1U309)|Rosie Cotton, Hobbiton Lass (1U309)]]|[[Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311)|Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311)]]}}
{{CardTabs|Shire}}

[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Shire}} [[Companion]] from the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] set.
{{CardInfobox|1R310}}
{{QueryCardCategories|1R310}}</noinclude>
= Strategy =

Referencing a card that would not be released until the Realms of the Elf-lords expansion (although a promotional copy was also available), Sam, Faithful Companion can tutor the site Shadow number reducing {{Card|3U106}} from the draw deck. At first glance, this makes Faithful Companion a suitable option for choke strategies, although there may be more to this hobbit than meets the eye.

With two copies of {{Card|3U106}} in the draw deck, the Free Peoples player can usually ensure having one available for sites 2-4 and 7-9 (as long as they are not both drawn very early). Alternatively, a player may opt to rely on {{Card|1R284}} or {{Card|2U98}} to recycle Bill after it has been discarded. In either case, to get the most out of Faithful Companion's ability a player should include him in the starting fellowship (or tutor him via {{Card|1U322}}) and then keep him alive at least to site 6.

In the Fellowship block, Faithful Companion thus stands in stark contrast to the other two incarnations of Sam, namely burden-removing {{Card|1C311}} and minion-attracting {{Card|2C114}}. While the other two come into their own through self-sacrifice, there is a subtle boon to Faithful Companion's ability in that it comes at no cost to vitality, making him prime candidate for use with {{Card|2R112}} in the given format.

Living up to his subtitle, this Sam is best utilized when kept alive through most of the journey, which in turn makes his potential to carry the Ring after Frodo's death arguably more meaningful and possible investment into {{Card|1C299}} and/or {{Card|1U309}} more enticing.

Through {{Card|3U106}}, Faithful Companion is complemented by {{Card|2P121}}, as together the two of them can reduce the shadow number for essentially the entire site path. Gimli may turn the inclusion of an underground site 4, which would normally hinder the potency of Sam's ability, into an advantage, not only saving more twilight, but also giving the Free Peoples player more time, if needed, to recycle their discarded Bill before moving to site 7.

The Frodo signet is of note, as Sam himself can exert for the aforementiond {{Card|2U98}}, recycling two cards instead of one, or to heal {{Card|1C290}}. It also allows access to healing via {{Card|3U107}}. Later sets introduced skirmish wounding with {{Card|4U312}} and {{Card|5R113}}, but also {{Card|4R315}} and {{Card|7R327}}, who generally offer more with the same signet.

Note that with {{Card|3U106}} being X-listed in Movie Block, Sam, Faithful Companion is only usable in Fellowship Block, Towers Standard and Expanded formats.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =
== Synergizes With... ==

* {{Card|2U98}} or {{Card|1R284}}
* {{Card|1U322}}
* {{Card|2R112}}
* {{Card|2P121}}
* {{Card|1U309}}
* Shadow stacking

== Strong Versus... ==

* Expensive minions
* Wounding
* Frodo being killed
* Corruption

== Weak Versus... ==

* Formats where {{Card|3U106}} is X-listed
* Site 1 that is not {{Card|1U322}} while being in the draw deck
* {{Card|2U76}}
* Underground sites (unless paired with {{Card|2P121}})

= Alternate Personas =
{{AlternateVersionTable|1R310}}

= See Also =
== Decks ==

'''Fellowship Block "A Promise" Choke Deck by ket_the_jet'''

'''Starting Fellowship'''
Ring-bearer: Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir
Ring: The One Ring, Isildur's Bane
1x Gimli, Dwarf of the Mountain-race
1x Sam, Faithful Companion

'''Free Peoples Draw Deck'''
1x Aragorn, Ranger of the North
1x Thrarin, Dwarven Smith
1x Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit
1x Bounder
1x Filibert Bolger, Wily Rascal
1x Rosie Cotton, Hobbiton Lass
1x Dwarven Armor
1x Dwarven Axe
1x Gimli's Helm
1x Hand Axe
2x Bill the Pony
1x Hobbit Sword
1x Sting
1x Mithril-coat
2x Hobbit Intuition
2x Hobbit Stealth
1x Greatest Kingdom of My People
2x Till Durin Wakes Again
4x A Promise
1x A Talent for Not Being Seen
1x Consorting With Wizards
1x O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
1x There and Back Again
2x Three Monstrous Trolls

Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310)

2025-10-24T17:32:00Z

Rono: Corrected the original reference to Mines of Moria as the set Bill the Pony was released with. A couple stylistic edits.