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= Set Details =


Battle of Helm's Deep is the first expansion of the Two Towers block, and the fifth set overall. It was released on March 12, 2003 and included many of the block's core concepts that Decipher wasn't able to release before The Two Towers movie came to theaters. The table below describes the distribution of cards in booster packs; it does not include the two starter-only companions, nor the alternate-image rares included in starter decks.
Set 5, '''Battle of Helm's Deep''' (or '''BOHD''') is the first expansion of [[Towers Block]], and the fifth set overall. It was released on March 12, 2003 and included many of the block's core concepts that Decipher wasn't able to release before The Two Towers movie came to theaters.  


| ^ Common ^ Uncommon ^ Rare ^ Total ^
== Notable Cards ==
^ Dunland [Dunland] | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4
^ Dwarven [Dwarven] | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5
^ Elven [Elven] | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5
^ Gandalf [Gandalf] | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6
^ Gollum [Gollum] | 4 | 3 | 3 | 10
^ Gondor [Gondor] | 7 | 3 | 3 | 13
^ Isengard [Isengard] | 8 | 9 | 9 | 26
^ Raider [Raider] | 4 | 1 | 4 | 9
^ Rohan [Rohan] | 7 | 4 | 5 | 16
^ Sauron [Sauron] | 6 | 5 | 5 | 16
^ Shire [Shire] | 1 | 3 | 3 | 7
^ Sites | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3
^ Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 120


= Themes and mechanics =
* {{Card|Evil-smelling Fens}}
* {{Card|Gollum, Stinker}}
* {{Card|Citadel of the Stars}}
* {{Card|Grima, Chief Counselor}}
* {{Card|Dead Marshes}}
* {{Card|Sting, Baggins Heirloom}}
 
== Starter Decks ==
For this set, Decipher decided to experiment with removing the 3 random Rare cards that normally came in a [[Starter Deck]], and replacing them with fixed Alternate Image "rares" which thematically suited the deck.  While the power level of the decks as playable specimens increased, the perceived value of these decks took a nosedive as there was no longer any reason for collectors to buy more than one.  Decipher tried once more with [[Ents of Fangorn]], and after that restored the random rares with [[The Return of the King]] and all following sets.
 
* [[Starter_Decks/Towers_Block#BoHD_Eowyn_Starter_Deck|{{Eowyn}} Starter Deck]]: {{C|Rohan}} / {{C|Isengard}}
* [[Starter_Decks/Towers_Block#BoHD_Legolas_Starter_Deck|Legolas Starter Deck]]: {{C|Elven}} / {{C|Raider}}


== Cultures ==
== Cultures ==


This set contained the release of the {{C|Gollum}} culture, as Decipher was not licensed to spoil images of Smeagol/Gollum before The Two Towers released in theaters. It also marked the re-introduction of the {{C|Sauron}} culture, which had been absent in the base set.
This set contained the debut of the {{C|Gollum}} culture, as Decipher was not licensed to spoil images of {{Smeagol}}/Gollum before The Two Towers released in theaters. This culture broke new ground by being the first (and so far, only) culture to have both [[Free Peoples]] ''and'' [[Shadow Alignment|Shadow]] cards, centrally the inclusion of both the [[Minion]] Gollum and the [[Companion]] {{Smeagol}}.  Mechanically, this captured the internal struggle of the character perfectly; not only could {{Smeagol}} help the Fellowship while Gollum attacked it, but you could even assign {{Smeagol}} to skirmish Gollum, and watch his internal war play out on the table.  


== New loaded keywords ==
BOHD also marked the re-introduction of the {{C|Sauron}} culture, which had been absent in the base set.
 
Battle of Helm's deep did not introduce any new loaded keywords.


== New unloaded keywords ==
== New unloaded keywords ==


* Knight
* [[Knight]], a new subculture for {{C|Gondor}} representing the soldiers of Minas Tirith.
* Fortification
* [[Fortification]], a type of condition representing defensive structures.  While it is used a bit by {{C|Rohan}}, this is really a {{C|Gondor}} staple.
* Warg-rider
* [[Warg-rider]], a subculture of {{C|Isengard}} [[Orc]]s which can ride [[Warg]] [[Mount]]s.


== Other mechanics ==
== Other mechanics ==


* Uruk-hai Berserkers
* [[Uruk-hai]] [[Berserker]]s, which prefer to be close to exhaustion and have ways of self-exerting to enable that.
* Widely expanded the number of cards with or referencing the Machine and Valiant keywords
* Widely expanded the number of cards with or referencing the [[Machine]] and [[Valiant]] keywords
* Mumakil and Warg mounts
* Mumakil and [[Warg]] mounts
* {{C|Sauron}} Trackers that lower site numbers rather than roaming costs
* {{C|Sauron}} [[Tracker]]s that lower site numbers rather than roaming costs
 
= Card Comparisons =
 
== Reprinted cards ==
 
== Functional reprints ==
 
== Strictly better ==
 
== Strictly worse ==
 
= Starter decks =
 
===Eowyn Starter Deck===
Rohan [Rohan] / Isengard [Isengard]
 
(''This deck contained no random rares'')
 
!Ring-bearer
* Frodo, Tired Traveller (2 cards)
* The One Ring, The Ruling Ring
 
Adventure Deck (9 cards)
* [1T] Horse-country
* [2T] Plains of Rohan Camp
* [3T] Stables
* [4T] Westemnet Hills
* [5T] Helm's Gate
* [6T] Hornburg Armory
* [7T] King's Room
* [8T] Nan Curunir
* [9T] Palantir Chamber
 
Free Peoples (25 cards)
* Eowyn, Daughter of Eomund x2 (starting)
* Household Guard x3
* Elite Rider x3 (starting)
* Hobbit Sword x2
* Rohirrim Bow x3
* Rider's Mount x3
* Rider's Spear x3
* Rohirrim Helm
* Thundering Host
* Work for the Sword x3
* Severed His Bonds
 
Shadow (24 cards)
* Foul Horde
* Isengard Flanker x4
* Isengard Rider x3
* Warg-rider x4
* Warg-master x3
* Warg x3
* War-warg x3
* Wolf-voices x3
 
===Legolas Starter Deck===
Elf [Elf] / Raider [Raider]
 
(''This deck contained no random rares'')


!Ring-bearer (2 cards)
* Frodo, Tired Traveller
* The One Ring, The Ruling Ring


Adventure Deck (9 cards)
* [1T] Plains of Rohan
* [2T] Wold of Rohan
* [3T] Barrows of Edoras
* [4T] White Rocks
* [5T] Hornburg Parapet
* [6T] Hornburg Armory
* [7T] Hornburg Causeway
* [8T] Wizard's Vale
* [9T] Palantir Chamber


Free Peoples (25 cards)
----
* Balglin, Elven Warrior
* Gimli, Unbidden Guest (starting)
* Legolas, Archer of Mirkwood x2 (starting)
* Lorien Swordsman x3
* Elven Bow x3
* Elven Sword x3
* Hobbit Sword x2
* Break the Charge
* Baruk Khazad
* Khazad Ai-menu x2
* Quick as May Be x2
* Severed His Bonds
* Valor x3


Shadow (24 cards)
* Army of Haradrim
* Desert Soldier x2
* Desert Spearman x3
* Desert Warrior x2
* Southron Marcher x3
* Southron Traveler x3
* Southron Runner x3
* Mumak x3
* Whirling Strike
* On the March x3


{{Set Table}}
{{Set Table}}

Latest revision as of 08:19, 8 January 2023

The Two Towers
Back to Main Page
Ents of Fangorn


Battle of Helm's Deep
ID5
NameBattle of Helm's Deep
CreatorDecipher
Release Date2003-03-12
Is Officialyes
PlatformsPaper LotR-O GEMP mLOTRO Tabletop Simulator Lackey gccg
Notes


Set 5, Battle of Helm's Deep (or BOHD) is the first expansion of Towers Block, and the fifth set overall. It was released on March 12, 2003 and included many of the block's core concepts that Decipher wasn't able to release before The Two Towers movie came to theaters.

Notable Cards[edit]

Starter Decks[edit]

For this set, Decipher decided to experiment with removing the 3 random Rare cards that normally came in a Starter Deck, and replacing them with fixed Alternate Image "rares" which thematically suited the deck. While the power level of the decks as playable specimens increased, the perceived value of these decks took a nosedive as there was no longer any reason for collectors to buy more than one. Decipher tried once more with Ents of Fangorn, and after that restored the random rares with The Return of the King and all following sets.

Cultures[edit]

This set contained the debut of the Gollum culture, as Decipher was not licensed to spoil images of Sméagol/Gollum before The Two Towers released in theaters. This culture broke new ground by being the first (and so far, only) culture to have both Free Peoples and Shadow cards, centrally the inclusion of both the Minion Gollum and the Companion Sméagol. Mechanically, this captured the internal struggle of the character perfectly; not only could Sméagol help the Fellowship while Gollum attacked it, but you could even assign Sméagol to skirmish Gollum, and watch his internal war play out on the table.

BOHD also marked the re-introduction of the Sauron culture, which had been absent in the base set.

New unloaded keywords[edit]

Other mechanics[edit]

  • Uruk-hai Berserkers, which prefer to be close to exhaustion and have ways of self-exerting to enable that.
  • Widely expanded the number of cards with or referencing the Machine and Valiant keywords
  • Mumakil and Warg mounts
  • Sauron Trackers that lower site numbers rather than roaming costs




Sets
Official Decipher Sets Promotional Promotional
Fellowship Block The Fellowship of the RingMines of MoriaRealms of the Elf-lords
Towers Block The Two TowersBattle of Helm's DeepEnts of Fangorn
King Block The Return of the KingSiege of GondorMount Doom
War of the Ring Block ShadowsBlack RiderBloodlines
Hunters Block The HuntersRise of SarumanTreachery & Deceit
Non-Block Sets ReflectionsExpanded Middle-earthThe Wraith CollectionAge's End
Unreleased Sets The Great EyeShelob's Lair
Unofficial Fan Sets Player's Council PC Kitchen Sink (V0)Shadow of the Past (V1)
The Hobbit Draft Game Main DeckShadow PacksSupplementary Packs
mLOTRO MLOTRO Promo CardsMLOTRO Reflections II
The Journey Continues The Journey Begins