Smeagol, Slinker (5R29) - Revision history

Teltura: reducing extra space at the top of each article

2022-12-01T01:57:01Z

reducing extra space at the top of each article

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:57, 1 December 2022
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	Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.		Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.

	{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}		{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}

	{{QueryCardCategories\|5R29}}</noinclude>		{{QueryCardCategories\|5R29}}</noinclude>
	= Strategy =		= Strategy =

Teltura: mass editing card pages to make inclusion for reprints snazzier

2022-11-19T05:43:18Z

mass editing card pages to make inclusion for reprints snazzier

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:43, 19 November 2022
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	__NOTOC__		<noinclude>__NOTOC__
	{{NavBar\|5R29\|[[Battle of Helm's Deep Index]]\|[[Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)\|Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)]]\|[[We Must Have It (5C30)\|We Must Have It (5C30)]]}}		{{NavBar\|5R29\|[[Battle of Helm's Deep Index]]\|[[Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)\|Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)]]\|[[We Must Have It (5C30)\|We Must Have It (5C30)]]}}
	{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}		{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}
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	{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}		{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}

	{{QueryCardCategories\|5R29}}		{{QueryCardCategories\|5R29}}</noinclude>
	= Strategy =		= Strategy =
	== Gameplay Strategy ==		== Gameplay Strategy ==

Phallen Cassidy: Added some adventure path concerns

2022-10-07T14:11:52Z

Added some adventure path concerns

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 7 October 2022
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	Since he may never end up taking wounds in a skirmish, he is often left with excess vitality compared to other versions of Smeagol. {{Card\|Follow Smeagol}} is essentially free [[site manipulation]] in these cases, denying opponents their favorable sites while giving your Shadow the leg up even as you lead the way down the adventure path. {{Card\|Frodo, Son of Drogo}} is a relatively unpopular Ring-bearer, but he provides a way for Frodo to transfer Sting's exertions to Smeagol and maximize the Free Peoples' effectiveness. This is especially true if several copies of The Shire Countryside are in play and some of the healing from it or Not Listening would be wasted otherwise.		Since he may never end up taking wounds in a skirmish, he is often left with excess vitality compared to other versions of Smeagol. {{Card\|Follow Smeagol}} is essentially free [[site manipulation]] in these cases, denying opponents their favorable sites while giving your Shadow the leg up even as you lead the way down the adventure path. {{Card\|Frodo, Son of Drogo}} is a relatively unpopular Ring-bearer, but he provides a way for Frodo to transfer Sting's exertions to Smeagol and maximize the Free Peoples' effectiveness. This is especially true if several copies of The Shire Countryside are in play and some of the healing from it or Not Listening would be wasted otherwise.

	Smeagol already adds a burden to play, and Slinker relies heavily on adding burdens to skirmish. Decks built around him must be cautious with their opening bids, as without having the right cards to start with a normally safe bid ~~of 3~~ can quickly turn into 5 burdens going into site 3, opening the door for {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}} to showing and kill a companion. At the same time, Slinker decks rely heavily on tricks and often need to get ahead of opponents early so they can reliably rearm in the more harrowing later sites. When it is necessary to have 5 burdens, remember that Enquea can typically only kill companions with 3 vitality or less while Hobbits and Smeagol have 4 vitality. As long as the Ring-bearer is the only wounded companion, you can stall long enough to drop back below 5 burdens before another copy of Enquea can finish anyone off.		Smeagol already adds a burden to play, and Slinker relies heavily on adding burdens to skirmish. Decks built around him must be cautious with their opening bids, as without having the right cards to start with a normally safe bid can quickly turn into 5 burdens going into site 3, opening the door for {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}} to showing and kill a companion. At the same time, Slinker decks rely heavily on tricks and often need to get ahead of opponents early so they can reliably rearm in the more harrowing later sites. When it is necessary to have 5 burdens, remember that Enquea can typically only kill companions with 3 vitality or less while Hobbits and Smeagol have 4 vitality. As long as the Ring-bearer is the only wounded companion, you can stall long enough to drop back below 5 burdens before another copy of Enquea can finish anyone off.

			On the Towers adventure path, there are two sites to avoid. {{Card\|Cavern Entrance}} will absolutely ruin a deck built around Slinker, and even though it doesn't prevent {{Card\|Don't Follow the Lights}} from being played directly (it is a response event, not a skirmish event) it will prevent Smeagol from having any hope of winning a skirmish in the first place. {{Card\|Palantir Entrance}} will gobble up the burdens added to survive sites 7 and 8, empowering a swarm deck to kill the Ring-bearer directly. {{Card\|Follow Smeagol}} or {{Card\|Get On and Get Away}} are essential in preventing Cavern Entrance, and may be used to keep Palantir Entrance off the table too.

			In Movie block, all site 4s use burdens as fuel for harmful Shadow effects. Between Slinker's need to add burdens and players inability to get through enough cards so early in the game to remove them, this can be devastating. {{Card\|7U341}} gives any minion the power of {{Card\|Morgul Brute}}, making it almost impossible for the Free Peoples player to win any skirmishes and potentially guaranteeing an overwhelm on an unprepared companion. {{Card\|Pelennor Prairie}} will tear through the Free People's support area, forcing players to get rid of the conditions that make Slinker's ability sustainable. {{Card\|Osgiliath Fallen}} is typically manageable thanks to high Hobbit vitality and Slinker's ability, while the effects of {{Card\|City of the Dead}} and {{Card\|Pelennor Plain}} may worth a relief from the burdens (though they have the highest Shadow numbers). Going second to play a relatively harmless site may give the cover necessary to set up, and also ensures that you don't run into {{Card\|Steward's Tomb}}. However, doing so will often require a difficult double move later in the game to reach site 9 first. A deck built to win with the Shadow and a favorable site 6 can help overcome these deficiencies.

	== Deckbuilding Strategy ==		== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
	To build a deck entirely around Slinker requires at least 20 cards, with the remainder usually taken up by gear and tricks to be utilized by Hobbits. But since Smeagol doesn't cost any twilight, a deck which is already removing burdens quickly (typically Hobbit shennanigans but occasionally {{C\|Gandalf}} cards) may not need the full kit to get the full value out of him and can always include him in the starting fellowship. Still, unless his strength or wound prevention fills a particular need, {{Card\|Smeagol, Poor Creature}} is often preferred as the designated speed bump even when the Free Peoples has plenty of burden removal, since he helps a deck get through cards and set up faster.		To build a deck entirely around Slinker requires at least 20 cards, with the remainder usually taken up by gear and tricks to be utilized by Hobbits. But since Smeagol doesn't cost any twilight, a deck which is already removing burdens quickly (typically Hobbit shennanigans but occasionally {{C\|Gandalf}} cards) may not need the full kit to get the full value out of him and can always include him in the starting fellowship. Still, unless his strength or wound prevention fills a particular need, {{Card\|Smeagol, Poor Creature}} is often preferred as the designated speed bump even when the Free Peoples has plenty of burden removal, since he helps a deck get through cards and set up faster.

	In Towers he ~~generally~~ fills the need for a strong skirmisher in an otherwise all-Hobbit ~~deck~~, often seen alongside {{Card\|Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit}}~~. This deck may operate~~ with or without Merry and Pippin. In Movie, {{Card\|Sam, Great Elf Warrior}} is a substantial enough upgrade that the deck almost always starts with all 4 Hobbits and Smeagol. {{Card\|Sam, Samwise the Brave}} is occasionally used to ensure that the Shadow player can't interfere with the flow of burdens, important when playing against dedicated corruption decks.		Because of all the burdens he can add, some version of Sam is often required to keep burdens manageable or take The Ring in case Frodo needs to die to clear them out. In Towers he fills the need for a strong skirmisher in otherwise all-Hobbit decks, often seen alongside {{Card\|Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit}} but with or without Merry and Pippin. Some decks will instead rely on {{Card\|Sam, Son of Hamfast}} as their primary burden removal, using the [[Hobbit Hospital]] to keep him (and all the other Hobbits) healthy. In Movie, {{Card\|Sam, Great Elf Warrior}} is a substantial enough upgrade that the deck almost always starts with all 4 Hobbits and Smeagol. {{Card\|Sam, Samwise the Brave}} is occasionally used to ensure that the Shadow player can't interfere with the flow of burdens, important when playing against dedicated corruption decks.

	= Strengths and Weaknesses =		= Strengths and Weaknesses =
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	== Strong Versus... ==		== Strong Versus... ==

	* ~~Uruk-hai~~, which ~~have little care for burdens~~ and ~~can have their damage bonuses soaked up~~ by ~~Smeagol~~		* Beatdown decks, which play just one or two minions each site and are easily handled by Slinker
	* ~~Southrons,~~ which ~~often try to~~ wound ~~companions directly~~ in ~~skirmishes~~		* Decks which wound characters in a skirmish, particularly any {{Card\|Raider}} deck leaning on {{Card\|Red Wrath}}

	== Weak Versus... ==		== Weak Versus... ==

			* {{Card\|Saruman's Snows}} or {{Card\|Cavern Entrance}} / {{Card\|11S232}}, which turn Smeagol back into a useless, snivelling wretch
	* Easterlings, which will only grow in strength with the burdens from Smeagol		* Easterlings, which will only grow in strength with the burdens from Smeagol
	* {{Card\|Warg}} decks, which force the Free Peoples to add many burdens before being able to increase Smeagol's strength at all		* {{Card\|Warg}} decks, which force the Free Peoples to add many burdens before being able to increase Smeagol's strength at all
	* {{C\|Isengard}} Orcs, which typically have too much strength to overwhelm and too much vitality to kill in skirmishes		* {{C\|Isengard}} Orcs, which typically have too much strength to overwhelm and too much vitality to kill in skirmishes
	* {{Card\|Morgul Brute}}, who can immediately remove burdens to gain the upper hand again		* {{Card\|Morgul Brute}}, who can immediately remove burdens to gain the upper hand again
			* {{Card\|Palantir Chamber}} in Towers, which can quickly assemble a swarm and overwhelm the Ring-bearer if burdens have stacked up
			* Site 4 on the King adventure path, especially {{Card\|7U341}} and {{Card\|Pelennor Prairie}} (though the burden removal may be appreciated, if you can weather the effects)
			* {{Card\|Steward's Tomb}} / {{Card\|18U139}}, which denies opportunities to remove burdens at the point where the deck often needs it the most

	= Rulings =		= Rulings =

Phallen Cassidy: some rarranging

2022-10-07T02:59:40Z

some rarranging

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:59, 7 October 2022
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	{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}		{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}

	[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set. Despite representing a scrawny, diminutive creature, Slinker is one of the most capable skirmishers in the game. This has been controversial for some, who have argued that a character like Smeagol should never be able to win skirmishes against imposing a figures like The Witch-king, and that allowing such a thing to happen is one of the breaking points for the game's narrative.		[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set. Despite representing a scrawny, diminutive creature, Slinker is one of the most capable skirmishers in the game. This has been controversial for some, who have argued that a character like Smeagol should never be able to win skirmishes against imposing figures like The Witch-king, and that allowing such a thing to happen is one of the breaking points for the game's narrative.

	Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.		Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.
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	= Strategy =		= Strategy =
	== Gameplay Strategy ==		== Gameplay Strategy ==
	Slinker's ability makes him extremely flexible: he is capable of surviving almost any skirmish, but whether he wins or loses depends on how much the Free Peoples player is willing to pay. A ~~natural fit~~ with {{Card\|Sting, Baggins Heirloom}}, decks with him typically include {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}} to address the necessary burden removal and healing. {{Card\|Frodo's Cloak}} can heal remove 1 burden and up to 5 exertions (1 from the cloak itself and 4 from all copies of The Shire Countryside) in the middle of a skirmish, the cost of making Smeagol strength +12. If Frodo is fully healed with no burdens and armed with Sting and {{Card\|The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles}}, Smeagol ~~can~~ exceed 30 strength and ''overwhelm'' even the most troubling minions. {{Card\|Don't Follow The Lights}} makes this unnecessary most of the time -- simply assign the weakest minion to Smeagol, do the minimum necessary to win that skirmish, and discard the strongest minion as a result. {{Card\|Not Listening}} refunds burdens (and ~~wounds, with~~ The Shire Countryside) ~~after winning so that The Fellowship can keep rolling on~~. {{Card\|Poor Wretch}} adds some extra base strength to mitigate the number of burdens Slinker will need to add, and ~~allows~~ the ~~Free Peoples player~~ to get rid of higher vitality minions when preparing for a double move.		Slinker's ability makes him extremely flexible: he is capable of surviving almost any skirmish, but whether he wins or loses depends on how much the Free Peoples player is willing to pay. A fully healed Frodo with no burdens and armed with {{Card\|Sting, Baggins Heirloom}} and {{Card\|The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles}} is all Smeagol needs to exceed 30 strength and ''overwhelm'' even the most troubling minions. {{Card\|Don't Follow The Lights}} makes this unnecessary most of the time -- simply assign the weakest minion to Smeagol, do the minimum necessary to win that skirmish, and discard the strongest minion as a result. {{Card\|Not Listening}} refunds the burdens after winning, which allows {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}} to heal back the exertions from Sting. {{Card\|Frodo's Cloak}} can heal remove 1 burden and up to 5 exertions (1 from the cloak itself and 4 from all copies of The Shire Countryside) in the middle of a skirmish, the cost of making Smeagol strength +12. {{Card\|Poor Wretch}} adds some extra base strength to mitigate the number of burdens Slinker will need to add, and the damage bonus is a way to get rid of higher vitality minions when preparing for a double move.

	While it's possible to manage all of Smeagol's skirmishes on strength alone, {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} can still offer a great benefit on many fronts. Most obviously, it's an alternative way to win skirmishes against minions with 1 vitality and a welcome reprieve from all the burdens and exertions. It also can act as a sort of damage bonus, reducing minions to 1 vitality so that the skirmish victory can kill them. which may be the only way to put away minions without needing to overwhelm them or discard them with Don't Follow the Lights. Further, it provides a big edge over {{C\|Ringwraith}} decks, particularly those with {{Card\|Morgul Brute}} whose an ability makes it the only minion the Free Peoples player may be outright unable to beat in a skirmish otherwise. Lastly, it's an opportunity to cycle through extra cards which often a necessity when so much of the deck's success depends on having the right events in hand and removing burdens before the Shadow player can capitalize on them. Doing so gives the Free Peoples the necessary control to remove yet another burden with {{Card\|A Light in His Mind}} as well.		While it's possible to manage all of Smeagol's skirmishes on strength alone, {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} can still offer a great benefit on many fronts. Most obviously, it's an alternative way to win skirmishes against minions with 1 vitality and a welcome reprieve from all the burdens and exertions. It also can act as a sort of damage bonus, reducing minions to 1 vitality so that the skirmish victory can kill them. which may be the only way to put away minions without needing to overwhelm them or discard them with Don't Follow the Lights. Further, it provides a big edge over {{C\|Ringwraith}} decks, particularly those with {{Card\|Morgul Brute}} whose an ability makes it the only minion the Free Peoples player may be outright unable to beat in a skirmish otherwise. Lastly, it's an opportunity to cycle through extra cards which often a necessity when so much of the deck's success depends on having the right events in hand and removing burdens before the Shadow player can capitalize on them. Doing so gives the Free Peoples the necessary control to remove yet another burden with {{Card\|A Light in His Mind}} as well.

	Since he may never end up taking wounds in a skirmish, he is often left with excess vitality compared to other versions of Smeagol. {{Card\|Follow Smeagol}} is essentially free [[site manipulation]] in these cases, denying opponents their favorable sites while giving your Shadow the leg up even as you lead the way down the adventure path. {{Card\|Frodo, Son of Drogo}} is a relatively unpopular Ring-bearer, but he provides a way for ~~Slinker~~ to ~~safely "take back"~~ exertions ~~from Sting~~ and maximize the Free Peoples' effectiveness. This is especially true if several copies of The Shire Countryside are in play and some of the healing from it or Not Listening would be wasted otherwise.		Since he may never end up taking wounds in a skirmish, he is often left with excess vitality compared to other versions of Smeagol. {{Card\|Follow Smeagol}} is essentially free [[site manipulation]] in these cases, denying opponents their favorable sites while giving your Shadow the leg up even as you lead the way down the adventure path. {{Card\|Frodo, Son of Drogo}} is a relatively unpopular Ring-bearer, but he provides a way for Frodo to transfer Sting's exertions to Smeagol and maximize the Free Peoples' effectiveness. This is especially true if several copies of The Shire Countryside are in play and some of the healing from it or Not Listening would be wasted otherwise.

	Smeagol already adds a burden to play, and Slinker relies heavily on adding burdens to skirmish. Decks built around him must be cautious with their opening bids, as without having the right cards to start with a normally safe bid of 3 can quickly turn into 5 burdens going into site 3, opening the door for {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}} to showing and kill a companion. At the same time, Slinker decks rely heavily on tricks and often need to get ahead of opponents early so they can reliably rearm in the more harrowing later sites. When it is necessary to have 5 burdens, remember that Enquea can typically only kill companions with 3 vitality or less while Hobbits and Smeagol have 4 vitality. As long as the Ring-bearer is the only wounded companion, you can stall long enough to drop back below 5 burdens before another copy of Enquea can finish anyone off.		Smeagol already adds a burden to play, and Slinker relies heavily on adding burdens to skirmish. Decks built around him must be cautious with their opening bids, as without having the right cards to start with a normally safe bid of 3 can quickly turn into 5 burdens going into site 3, opening the door for {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}} to showing and kill a companion. At the same time, Slinker decks rely heavily on tricks and often need to get ahead of opponents early so they can reliably rearm in the more harrowing later sites. When it is necessary to have 5 burdens, remember that Enquea can typically only kill companions with 3 vitality or less while Hobbits and Smeagol have 4 vitality. As long as the Ring-bearer is the only wounded companion, you can stall long enough to drop back below 5 burdens before another copy of Enquea can finish anyone off.

	== Deckbuilding Strategy ==		== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
	To build a deck entirely around Slinker requires at least 20 cards, with the remainder usually taken up by gear and tricks to be utilized by Hobbits. ~~However,~~ since he doesn't cost any twilight ~~he can slot into any deck~~, ~~and sometimes players can benefit from splashing Slinker to help get through the first sites and die when the going gets rough later. A~~ deck which is already removing burdens quickly (typically Hobbit shennanigans but occasionally {{C\|Gandalf}} cards) may not need the full kit to get the full value out of him. {{Card\|Smeagol, Poor Creature}} ~~may still be~~ preferred as the designated speed bump even when the Free Peoples has plenty of burden removal ~~though~~, since he helps a deck get through cards faster ~~and draw what it really needs~~.		To build a deck entirely around Slinker requires at least 20 cards, with the remainder usually taken up by gear and tricks to be utilized by Hobbits. But since Smeagol doesn't cost any twilight, a deck which is already removing burdens quickly (typically Hobbit shennanigans but occasionally {{C\|Gandalf}} cards) may not need the full kit to get the full value out of him and can always include him in the starting fellowship. Still, unless his strength or wound prevention fills a particular need, {{Card\|Smeagol, Poor Creature}} is often preferred as the designated speed bump even when the Free Peoples has plenty of burden removal, since he helps a deck get through cards and set up faster.

	In Towers he generally fills the need for a strong skirmisher in an otherwise all-Hobbit deck, often seen alongside {{Card\|Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit}}. This deck may operate with or without Merry and Pippin. In Movie, {{Card\|Sam, Great Elf Warrior}} is a substantial enough upgrade that the deck almost always starts with all 4 Hobbits and Smeagol. {{Card\|Sam, Samwise the Brave}} is occasionally used to ensure that the Shadow player can't interfere with the flow of burdens, important when playing against dedicated corruption decks.		In Towers he generally fills the need for a strong skirmisher in an otherwise all-Hobbit deck, often seen alongside {{Card\|Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit}}. This deck may operate with or without Merry and Pippin. In Movie, {{Card\|Sam, Great Elf Warrior}} is a substantial enough upgrade that the deck almost always starts with all 4 Hobbits and Smeagol. {{Card\|Sam, Samwise the Brave}} is occasionally used to ensure that the Shadow player can't interfere with the flow of burdens, important when playing against dedicated corruption decks.
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	* {{Card\|Warg}} decks, which force the Free Peoples to add many burdens before being able to increase Smeagol's strength at all		* {{Card\|Warg}} decks, which force the Free Peoples to add many burdens before being able to increase Smeagol's strength at all
	* {{C\|Isengard}} Orcs, which typically have too much strength to overwhelm and too much vitality to kill in skirmishes		* {{C\|Isengard}} Orcs, which typically have too much strength to overwhelm and too much vitality to kill in skirmishes
	* {{Card\|Morgul Brute}}, who can immediately remove ~~the~~ burdens to gain the upper hand again		* {{Card\|Morgul Brute}}, who can immediately remove burdens to gain the upper hand again

	= Rulings =		= Rulings =
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	= See Also =		= See Also =
	==Merrick_H's Super Smeagol deck==		==Merrick_H's Super Smeagol deck==
	~~Built for~~ [[King Standard]]~~, but legal for [[Towers Standard]].~~ [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=7994.msg77969 Click here for the full decklist.]		Format: [[King Standard]] ([https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=7994.msg77969 Click here for the full decklist])

	Free Peoples Draw Deck:		Free Peoples Draw Deck:
	* 1x {{Card\|Smeagol, Slinker}}		* 1x {{Card\|Smeagol, Slinker}}

Phallen Cassidy at 21:40, 5 October 2022

2022-10-05T21:40:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:40, 5 October 2022
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	{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}		{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}

	[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set. Despite representing a scrawny, diminutive creature, Slinker is one of the most capable skirmishers in the game. This has been controversial for some, ~~arguing~~ that a ~~characters~~ like Smeagol should never be able to win skirmishes against as imposing figures as The Witch-king and that allowing such a thing to happen is one of the breaking points for the game's narrative.		[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set. Despite representing a scrawny, diminutive creature, Slinker is one of the most capable skirmishers in the game. This has been controversial for some, who have argued that a character like Smeagol should never be able to win skirmishes against imposing a figures like The Witch-king, and that allowing such a thing to happen is one of the breaking points for the game's narrative.

	Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.		Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.

Phallen Cassidy: Created

2022-10-05T21:38:59Z

Created

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 5 October 2022
Line 3:		Line 3:
	{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}		{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}

	[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set.		[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set. Despite representing a scrawny, diminutive creature, Slinker is one of the most capable skirmishers in the game. This has been controversial for some, arguing that a characters like Smeagol should never be able to win skirmishes against as imposing figures as The Witch-king and that allowing such a thing to happen is one of the breaking points for the game's narrative.

			Reframing Slinker and other powerful versions of Smeagol may help alleviate these concerns: Smeagol distracted, avoided, and saved Frodo from many threats while guiding him into Mordor. Rather than Slinker's skirmishes representing the physical prowess of a character like Aragorn, they are conceptually closer to the acts of stealth which kept The Ring hidden and enemies off of their trail. Each burden added represents the toll his guidance and ultimate betrayal caused Frodo -- relying on Smeagol too heavily will appropriately be a Fellowship's downfall.

	{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}		{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}
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	= Strategy =		= Strategy =
	== Gameplay Strategy ==		== Gameplay Strategy ==
	''In this ~~section~~, ~~describe:~~''		Slinker's ability makes him extremely flexible: he is capable of surviving almost any skirmish, but whether he wins or loses depends on how much the Free Peoples player is willing to pay. A natural fit with {{Card\|Sting, Baggins Heirloom}}, decks with him typically include {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}} to address the necessary burden removal and healing. {{Card\|Frodo's Cloak}} can heal remove 1 burden and up to 5 exertions (1 from the cloak itself and 4 from all copies of The Shire Countryside) in the middle of a skirmish, the cost of making Smeagol strength +12. If Frodo is fully healed with no burdens and armed with Sting and {{Card\|The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles}}, Smeagol can exceed 30 strength and ''overwhelm'' even the most troubling minions. {{Card\|Don't Follow The Lights}} makes this unnecessary most of the time -- simply assign the weakest minion to Smeagol, do the minimum necessary to win that skirmish, and discard the strongest minion as a result. {{Card\|Not Listening}} refunds burdens (and wounds, with The Shire Countryside) after winning so that The Fellowship can keep rolling on. {{Card\|Poor Wretch}} adds some extra base strength to mitigate the number of burdens Slinker will need to add, and allows the Free Peoples player to get rid of higher vitality minions when preparing for a double move.

			While it's possible to manage all of Smeagol's skirmishes on strength alone, {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} can still offer a great benefit on many fronts. Most obviously, it's an alternative way to win skirmishes against minions with 1 vitality and a welcome reprieve from all the burdens and exertions. It also can act as a sort of damage bonus, reducing minions to 1 vitality so that the skirmish victory can kill them. which may be the only way to put away minions without needing to overwhelm them or discard them with Don't Follow the Lights. Further, it provides a big edge over {{C\|Ringwraith}} decks, particularly those with {{Card\|Morgul Brute}} whose an ability makes it the only minion the Free Peoples player may be outright unable to beat in a skirmish otherwise. Lastly, it's an opportunity to cycle through extra cards which often a necessity when so much of the deck's success depends on having the right events in hand and removing burdens before the Shadow player can capitalize on them. Doing so gives the Free Peoples the necessary control to remove yet another burden with {{Card\|A Light in His Mind}} as well.

			Since he may never end up taking wounds in a skirmish, he is often left with excess vitality compared to other versions of Smeagol. {{Card\|Follow Smeagol}} is essentially free [[site manipulation]] in these cases, denying opponents their favorable sites while giving your Shadow the leg up even as you lead the way down the adventure path. {{Card\|Frodo, Son of Drogo}} is a relatively unpopular Ring-bearer, but he provides a way for Slinker to safely "take back" exertions from Sting and maximize the Free Peoples' effectiveness. This is especially true if several copies of The Shire Countryside are in play and some of the healing from it or Not Listening would be wasted otherwise.

	* ''General usage''		Smeagol already adds a burden to play, and Slinker relies heavily on adding burdens to skirmish. Decks built around him must be cautious with their opening bids, as without having the right cards to start with a normally safe bid of 3 can quickly turn into 5 burdens going into site 3, opening the door for {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}} to showing and kill a companion. At the same time, Slinker decks rely heavily on tricks and often need to get ahead of opponents early so they can reliably rearm in the more harrowing later sites. When it is necessary to have 5 burdens, remember that Enquea can typically only kill companions with 3 vitality or less while Hobbits and Smeagol have 4 vitality. As long as the Ring-bearer is the only wounded companion, you can stall long enough to drop back below 5 burdens before another copy of Enquea can finish anyone off.
	* ''Unorthodox or ~~subtle usage''~~
	* ''Common pitfalls of ~~using this card''~~

	== Deckbuilding Strategy ==		== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
	'~~'In this section~~, ~~describe:''~~		To build a deck entirely around Slinker requires at least 20 cards, with the remainder usually taken up by gear and tricks to be utilized by Hobbits. However, since he doesn't cost any twilight he can slot into any deck, and sometimes players can benefit from splashing Slinker to help get through the first sites and die when the going gets rough later. A deck which is already removing burdens quickly (typically Hobbit shennanigans but occasionally {{C\|Gandalf}} cards) may not need the full kit to get the full value out of him. {{Card\|Smeagol, Poor Creature}} may still be preferred as the designated speed bump even when the Free Peoples has plenty of burden removal though, since he helps a deck get through cards faster and draw what it really needs.

	* ''Cards and ~~strategies this card works well~~ with''		In Towers he generally fills the need for a strong skirmisher in an otherwise all-Hobbit deck, often seen alongside {{Card\|Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit}}. This deck may operate with or without Merry and Pippin. In Movie, {{Card\|Sam, Great Elf Warrior}} is a substantial enough upgrade that the deck almost always starts with all 4 Hobbits and Smeagol. {{Card\|Sam, Samwise the Brave}} is occasionally used to ensure that the Shadow player can't interfere with the flow of burdens, important when playing against dedicated corruption decks.
	* ''Cards and ~~strategies this card works particularly well or poorly against~~''
	* ''Alternate cards you might consider picking instead of ~~this one~~, ~~depending on the situation, including alternate version of characters''~~

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

	* ''~~List friendly cards that work well with this card''~~		* {{Card\|Not Listening}}
			* {{Card\|Don't Follow the Lights}}
			* {{Card\|Poor Wretch}} (particularly for the damage bonus)
			* {{Card\|Frodo, Son of Drogo}}
			* {{Card\|Sting, Baggins Heirloom}}
			* {{Card\|Frodo's Cloak}}
			* {{Card\|Brace of Coneys}}

	== Strong Versus... ==		== Strong Versus... ==

	* ~~''List enemy cards this card does well against''~~		* Uruk-hai, which have little care for burdens and can have their damage bonuses soaked up by Smeagol
			* Southrons, which often try to wound companions directly in skirmishes

	== Weak Versus... ==		== Weak Versus... ==

	* '~~'List enemy or friendly cards~~ to ~~avoid playing this card with''~~		* Easterlings, which will only grow in strength with the burdens from Smeagol
			* {{Card\|Warg}} decks, which force the Free Peoples to add many burdens before being able to increase Smeagol's strength at all
			* {{C\|Isengard}} Orcs, which typically have too much strength to overwhelm and too much vitality to kill in skirmishes
			* {{Card\|Morgul Brute}}, who can immediately remove the burdens to gain the upper hand again

	= Rulings =		= Rulings =
	~~''In this section'':~~

	* ''Put quotes from the CRDs and Comprehensive Rules here that reference this card specifically by name''
	* ''Also put quotes if a particular rule commonly affects the outcome of a card in a subtle manner (such as quoting the [[Rule of 4]] for {{Card\|8R20}})''
	* ''Link to rules discussions on TLHH''

	= Alternate Personas =		= Alternate Personas =
Line 47:		Line 54:

	= See Also =		= See Also =
	* '~~'Add links to the wayback machine (or wiki archival links)~~ for ~~official Decipher articles regarding~~ the ~~card'~~'		==Merrick_H's Super Smeagol deck==
	* ~~''Link~~ to ~~decks that use this card''~~		Built for [[King Standard]], but legal for [[Towers Standard]]. [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=7994.msg77969 Click here for the full decklist.]
	~~[[Category:Cards That Need Work]]~~		Free Peoples Draw Deck:
			* 1x {{Card\|Smeagol, Slinker}}
			* 1x {{Card\| Boromir, Son of Denethor}}
			* 1x {{Card\| Merry, Friend to Sam}}
			* 1x {{Card\| Blade of Gondor}}
			* 2x {{Card\| Brace of Coneys}}
			* 3x {{Card\| Frodo's Cloak}}
			* 2x {{Card\| Hobbit Sword}}
			* 2x {{Card\| Sting, Baggins Heirloom}}
			* 4x {{Card\| Nasty}}
			* 4x {{Card\| Not Listening}}
			* 2x {{Card\| Power According to His Stature}}
			* 4x {{Card\| Poor Wretch}}
			* 1x {{Card\| The Saga of Elendil}}
			* 4x {{Card\| The Shire Countryside}}

Teltura: Fixing the generated stinger using the culture icon rather than the full culture name + icon

2021-10-14T08:30:39Z

Fixing the generated stinger using the culture icon rather than the full culture name + icon

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:30, 14 October 2021
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	{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}		{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}

	[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{CI\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set.		[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set.

	{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}		{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}

IstariBot: IstariBot mass importing articles from the old DokuWiki instance.

2021-10-12T12:30:11Z

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← Older revision		Revision as of 12:30, 12 October 2021
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	__NOTOC__		__NOTOC__
			{{NavBar\|5R29\|[[Battle of Helm's Deep Index]]\|[[Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)\|Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)]]\|[[We Must Have It (5C30)\|We Must Have It (5C30)]]}}
			{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}

	{{~~NavBar\|Lotr05029~~\|Battle of Helm's Deep ~~Index\|Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)\|Smeagol, Slinker (5R29T)}}~~		[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{CI\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set.

	{{~~LegacyCardInfoBox~~		{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}
	\| ~~SetNum=05~~
	~~\| CardNum=029~~
	~~\| SetName=Battle of Helm's Deep~~

	\| ~~Side~~=~~Free People~~		{{QueryCardCategories\|5R29}}
			= Strategy =
			== Gameplay Strategy ==
			''In this section, describe:''

	~~\| Culture=Gollum~~		* ''General usage''
			* ''Unorthodox or subtle usage''
			* ''Common pitfalls of using this card''

	~~\| Twilight~~=0		== Deckbuilding Strategy ==
			''In this section, describe:''

	~~\| FullCardType=Companion~~		* ''Cards and strategies this card works well with''
			* ''Cards and strategies this card works particularly well or poorly against''
	~~\| Stat1Name=Strength~~		* ''Alternate cards you might consider picking instead of this one, depending on the situation, including alternate version of characters''
	~~\| Stat1=3~~

	~~\| Stat2Name=Vitality~~
	~~\| Stat2=4~~

	~~\| Stat3Name=Resistance~~
	~~\| Stat3=6~~

	~~\| Signet=[[Frodo Signet\|Frodo]]~~

	~~\| GameText=Ring-bound. To play, add a burden. Skirmish: Add a burden to make Smeagol strength +2~~ and ~~take no wounds.~~

	~~\| Lore=~~''~~"'... that it is my fate to receive help from~~ you, ~~where I least looked for it~~, ~~and your fate to help me whom you long pursued with evil purpose.'"~~''

	~~\| Rarity=R~~
	~~\| Notes=~~
	}}

	~~= General Strategy =~~

	~~In this section, describe:~~

	* Deck design strategy.
	* Gameplay considerations.

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

	~~=== Strong Versus... ===~~		* ''List friendly cards that work well with this card''

	* ~~Add~~ cards ~~and explanations here.~~

	~~=== Weak Versus... ===~~

	* Add cards and explanations here.

	= ~~Example Decks~~ =		== Strong Versus... ==

	* ~~Decklists or links to decks that use~~ this card.		* ''List enemy cards this card does well against''

	= ~~Rules and Clarifications~~ =		== Weak Versus... ==

	* ~~Clarify existing rules if needed.~~		* ''List enemy or friendly cards to avoid playing this card with''
	* Link to ~~rules discussions on TLHH.~~

	= ~~Extra Information~~ =		= Rulings =
	~~== Other Versions of Smeagol ==~~		''In this section'':

	* ~~[[lotr00018\|Old Noser (P)]]~~		* ''Put quotes from the CRDs and Comprehensive Rules here that reference this card specifically by name''
	* ~~[[lotr05028\|Old Noser]]~~		* ''Also put quotes if a particular rule commonly affects the outcome of a card in a subtle manner (such as quoting the [[Rule of 4]] for {{Card\|8R20}})''
	* [[lotr06045\|Poor Creature]]		* ''Link to rules discussions on TLHH''
	* [[lotr07071\|Always Helps]]
	* [[lotr07072\|Hurried Guide]]
	* [[lotr08027\|Slippery Sneak]]
	* [[lotr09030\|Bearer of ~~Great Secrets]]~~
	* [[lotr11051\|Scout and Guide]]
	* [[lotr11f06\|Scout and Guide (~~F)]]~~
	* [[~~lotr13055\|Simple Stoor~~]]
	* [[lotr15049\|Wretched and Hungry]]
	* [[lotr15f08\|~~Wretched and Hungry (F~~)]]
	* ~~[[lotr19011\|Pitiable Guide]]~~

	== ~~Other Prints of Smeagol, Slinker ==~~		= Alternate Personas =
			{{AlternateVersionTable\|5R29}}

	* ~~[[lotr05029t\|Battle of Helm~~'~~s Deep~~ (T)]]		= See Also =
			* ''Add links to the wayback machine (or wiki archival links) for official Decipher articles regarding the card''
			* ''Link to decks that use this card''
			[[Category:Cards That Need Work]]

imported>IstariBot: IstariBot mass importing articles from the old DokuWiki instance.

2020-08-23T11:09:32Z

IstariBot mass importing articles from the old DokuWiki instance.

New page

__NOTOC__

{{NavBar|Lotr05029|Battle of Helm's Deep Index|Smeagol, Old Noser (5C28)|Smeagol, Slinker (5R29T)}}

{{LegacyCardInfoBox
| SetNum=05
| CardNum=029
| SetName=Battle of Helm's Deep

| Side=Free People

| Culture=Gollum

| Twilight=0

| FullCardType=Companion

| Stat1Name=Strength
| Stat1=3

| Stat2Name=Vitality
| Stat2=4

| Stat3Name=Resistance
| Stat3=6

| Signet=[[Frodo Signet|Frodo]]

| GameText=Ring-bound. To play, add a burden. Skirmish: Add a burden to make Smeagol strength +2 and take no wounds.

| Lore=''"'... that it is my fate to receive help from you, where I least looked for it, and your fate to help me whom you long pursued with evil purpose.'"''

| Rarity=R
| Notes=
}}

= General Strategy =

In this section, describe:

* Deck design strategy.
* Gameplay considerations.

= Strengths and Weaknesses =

=== Strong Versus... ===

* Add cards and explanations here.

=== Weak Versus... ===

* Add cards and explanations here.

= Example Decks =

* Decklists or links to decks that use this card.

= Rules and Clarifications =

* Clarify existing rules if needed.
* Link to rules discussions on TLHH.

= Extra Information =
== Other Versions of Smeagol ==

* [[lotr00018|Old Noser (P)]]
* [[lotr05028|Old Noser]]
* [[lotr06045|Poor Creature]]
* [[lotr07071|Always Helps]]
* [[lotr07072|Hurried Guide]]
* [[lotr08027|Slippery Sneak]]
* [[lotr09030|Bearer of Great Secrets]]
* [[lotr11051|Scout and Guide]]
* [[lotr11f06|Scout and Guide (F)]]
* [[lotr13055|Simple Stoor]]
* [[lotr15049|Wretched and Hungry]]
* [[lotr15f08|Wretched and Hungry (F)]]
* [[lotr19011|Pitiable Guide]]

== Other Prints of Smeagol, Slinker ==

* [[lotr05029t|Battle of Helm's Deep (T)]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:30, 14 October 2021
Line 3:		Line 3:
	{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}		{{CardTabs\|Gollum}}

	[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{CI\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set.		[[{{ROOTPAGENAME}}]] is a {{C\|Gollum}} [[Companion]] from the [[Battle of Helm's Deep]] set.

	{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}		{{CardInfobox\|5R29}}