Saruman's Power (1U136)
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Saruman's Power (1U136) is a Isengard Event from the Fellowship of the Ring set.
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Strategy
The Shadow version of Sleep, Caradhras, Saruman's Power is the most powerful tool for condition removal available to Shadow players. For the cost of [2] and the exertion of an [Isengard] minion, Saruman's Power discards every active condition, including the Shadow player's own Shadow conditions as well as the Free Peoples player's Free Peoples conditions. With the double-edged effect of discarding the Shadow player's own Shadow conditions, playing this card in condition-heavy Shadow is not ideal. That said, [Isengard] condition Saruman's Ambition can reduce the cost of this event, making it even more potent for its cost. With such a powerful effect, Saruman's Power remains relevant in all formats, even ones where [isengard] itself is not prominent.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strong Versus...
- Condition-based Free Peoples, including:
* Dauntless Hobbits (Escape, Fearing the Worst, A Talent for Not Being Seen) * Trust Me As You Once Did * [Gondor] Knights * [Rohan] Army (We Left None Alive, Arrow-Slits, Thundering Host) * [Dwarven] condition * Shadowplay Hobbits * Expanded Hobbits
- Saruman's Ambition can reduce the twilight cost of this event; however, the event will discard the condition
- Versatile splash event with splash minions like Grima or Saruman, Black Traitor as well as [Isengard] Uruk-Hai, Orc, or Man
- Best in decks that do not rely on many conditions, such as [Isengard] Wargs or Uruk beatdown
Weak Versus...
- Foul Creation
- Decks that do not rely upon conditions
- Condition shielding, such as Pippin, Friend to Frodo or Gimli, Feared Axeman
Rulings
- This card affects active conditions only, so it won't affect your free peoples conditions or your opponent's Shadow conditions.