Editing Seeing Stone of Orthanc (9R38)
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{{NavBar|9R38|[[Reflections Index]]|[[Seeing Stone of Minas Anor (9R37)|Seeing Stone of Minas Anor (9R37)]]|[[Library of Orthanc (9R+39)|Library of Orthanc (9R+39)]]}} | {{NavBar|9R38|[[Reflections Index]]|[[Seeing Stone of Minas Anor (9R37)|Seeing Stone of Minas Anor (9R37)]]|[[Library of Orthanc (9R+39)|Library of Orthanc (9R+39)]]}} | ||
{{CardTabs|Gondor}} | {{CardTabs|Gondor}} | ||
[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Gondor}} [[Artifact]] from the [[Reflections]] set. | [[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C|Gondor}} [[Artifact]] from the [[Reflections]] set. | ||
{{CardInfobox|9R38}} | {{CardInfobox|9R38}} | ||
{{QueryCardCategories|9R38}} | |||
{{QueryCardCategories|9R38}} | |||
= Strategy = | = Strategy = | ||
'''Seeing Stone of Orthanc''' is paradoxically a very weak, situational card, but also a staple of {{C|Gondor}} decks in [[Movie Block]]. It's chiefly played as part of a whole package of {{C|Gondor}} [[artifact]]s, to strengthen {{Card|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} and {{Card|Scroll of Isildur}}. | '''Seeing Stone of Orthanc''' is paradoxically a very weak, situational card, but also a staple of {{C|Gondor}} decks in [[Movie Block]]. It's chiefly played as part of a whole package of {{C|Gondor}} [[artifact]]s, to strengthen {{Card|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} and {{Card|Scroll of Isildur}}. | ||
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The Stone isn't very strong on its own. Drawing cards in the [[Regroup Phase]] is only useful if you're about to make a [[double move]], since otherwise you [[Reconcile|reconcile]] and refill your hand anyway. Even in those circumstances, it's weak: {{C|Gondor}} culture generally does not play a great many cards after the [[Fellowship Phase]] in [[Movie Block]] (or later [[format]]s) as it is. Removing [[Twilight (Cost)|twilight]] in preparation for a [[double move]] is generally more useful, but a [[threat]] is a very high price to pay. Regaining [[initiative]] against a Shadow deck that wants initiative but doesn't run a card that grants initiative regardless of your hand size{{--}}most common with {{C|Sauron}} decks running {{Card|Tower of Barad-dur}} and minions like {{Card|Orc Archer Troop}} and {{Card|Orc Stalker}}{{--}}can be useful but is very situational. The Seeing Stone can also fix your hand size to activate the game text on {{Card|Derufin}}. When it does get used, it's usually discarding the Seeing Stone to remove two twilight on a do-or-die double move. | The Stone isn't very strong on its own. Drawing cards in the [[Regroup Phase]] is only useful if you're about to make a [[double move]], since otherwise you [[Reconcile|reconcile]] and refill your hand anyway. Even in those circumstances, it's weak: {{C|Gondor}} culture generally does not play a great many cards after the [[Fellowship Phase]] in [[Movie Block]] (or later [[format]]s) as it is. Removing [[Twilight (Cost)|twilight]] in preparation for a [[double move]] is generally more useful, but a [[threat]] is a very high price to pay. Regaining [[initiative]] against a Shadow deck that wants initiative but doesn't run a card that grants initiative regardless of your hand size{{--}}most common with {{C|Sauron}} decks running {{Card|Tower of Barad-dur}} and minions like {{Card|Orc Archer Troop}} and {{Card|Orc Stalker}}{{--}}can be useful but is very situational. The Seeing Stone can also fix your hand size to activate the game text on {{Card|Derufin}}. When it does get used, it's usually discarding the Seeing Stone to remove two twilight on a do-or-die double move. | ||
What makes the Seeing Stone actually useful is the fact that it's a {{C|Gondor}} [[artifact]] that is almost always free. (It's almost never worth playing at the cost of two threats.) It increases the strength of {{Card|Elendil, the Tall}} or {{Card|Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms}} while [[bear]]ing {{Card|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}}, and increases the [[resistance]] of the [[ring-bearer]] when {{Card|Scroll of Isildur}} is in play. (Later [[format]]s add two new noteworthy Narsil bearers: {{Card|Elendil, High-King of Gondor}} and {{Card|Isildur, Sword-bearer}}.) Elendil, the Tall can also discard it to [[liberate]] a site. Narsil and Scroll of Isildur are useful cards on their own that benefit from other useful cards like {{Card|The Shards of Narsil}}, {{Card|Ring of Barahir}}, {{Card|Anduril, Flame of the West}}, {{Card|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and {{Card|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, so it's easy to include the Seeing Stone and possibly its counterpart {{Card|Seeing Stone of Minas Anor}}. | What makes the Seeing Stone actually useful is the fact that it's a {{C|Gondor}} [[artifact]] that is almost always free. (It's almost never worth playing at the cost of two threats.) It increases the strength of {{Card|Elendil, the Tall}} or {{Card|Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms}} while [[bear]]ing {{Card|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}}, and increases the [[resistance]] of the [[ring-bearer]] when {{Card|Scroll of Isildur}} is in play. (Later [[format]]s add two new noteworthy Narsil bearers: {{Card|Elendil, High-King of Gondor}} and {{Card|Isildur, Sword-bearer}}.) Elendil, the Tall can also discard it to [[liberate]] a site. Narsil and Scroll of Isildur are useful cards on their own that benefit from other useful cards like {{Card|The Shards of Narsil}}, {{Card|Ring of Barahir}}, {{Card|Anduril, Flame of the West}}, {{Card|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and {{Card|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, so it's easy to include the Seeing Stone and possibly its counterpart {{Card|Seeing Stone of Minas Anor}}. This {{C|Gondor}} artifact package is common in {{Card|Noble Leaders}} and [[Elfman]] decks in [[Movie Block]], and sometimes appears in [[Token Tanks]] or other {{Card|Stewards' Legacy}} decks in [[Expanded]] and [[Standard]]. | ||
= Strengths and Weaknesses = | = Strengths and Weaknesses = |