Editing Return to Its Master (1R224)

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{{NavBar|Lotr01224|Fellowship of the Ring Index|Relentless Charge (1U223)|Sword of Minas Morgul (1U225)}}


{{LegacyCardInfoBox
| TLHHImage=LOTR01224
| WikiImage=LOTR01224
| SetNum=01
| CardNum=224
| SetName=Fellowship of the Ring
| Side=Shadow
| Culture=Wraith
| Twilight=0
| FullCardType=Event
| Stat1Name=
| Stat1=
| Stat2Name=
| Stat2=
| Stat3Name=
| Stat3=
| Stat4Name=
| Stat4=
| GameText=Response: If the Ring-bearer wears The One Ring at the end of a skirmish phase, cancel all remaining assignments and assign a Nazgul to skirmish the Ring-bearer; The One Ring's game text does not apply during this skirmish.
| Lore=“‘The Riders made straight for you....”'
| Rarity=R
| Notes=This card creates a skirmish in addition to regular and fierce skirmishes. 
}}


= General Strategy =

!Return to Its Master sets up a unique victory condition for the shadow player. By putting the Ring-bearer in a skirmish with a Nazgul and negating the text of The One Ring (meaning it cannot turn wounds into burdens), there is a very high chance the Ring-bearer will be killed, especially if they are exhausted.

In order to be used reliably, Return to Its Master requires the shadow player to force the Ring-bearer to put the ring on. The most common way of doing this is via Resistance Becomes Unbearable, which goes hand in hand with this card. There are other methods however. Saruman's Reach, along with several other cards can also make the Ring-bearer wear The One Ring. Additionally, using effects that focus on wounding the Ring-bearer (Ulaire Enquea, Ringwraith in Twilight; Southron Assassin; Bill Ferny, Swarthy Sneering Fellow; Howl of Harad) can often pressure the Free Peoples player to have the Ring-bearer wear The One Ring regardless. The Witch King, Lord of the Nazgul would be perfect for this role, but he has a specific clause which prevents Return to Its Master being played.

!Return to Its Master does require that Nazgul survive through to skirmishes. There are a variety of support cards that can help with this, from wound prevention (His Terrible Servants), to strength boosts (Nazgul Sword, Threshold of Shadow) or even specific counter cards (Relentless Charge, Too Great and Terrible).

Sam can take the ring after Frodo's death, which can weaken this card somewhat. Helpless however, counters this.

The Twilight World and Wraith-World can be similarly used to punish wearing The One Ring via burdens instead of wounds.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =

=== Strong Versus... ===

* Most fellowships, if executed correctly

=== Weak Versus... ===

* Very high strength Ring-Bearers
* Any Sam that can take The One Ring after Frodo's death
* Ring-Bearer support effects (Frodo, Son of Drogo; Arwen, Elven Rider)

= Example Decks =

* Twilight-Threat Nazgul with Gollum - http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,5909.0.html