Dwarven Bracers (2U3): Difference between revisions
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= Strategy = | = Strategy = | ||
Dwarven Bracers, along with {{Card|Hand Axe}} and {{Card|Dwarven Axe}}, is at the core of Dwarven decks in Fellowship block. The strength boost and life-saving response on Dwarven Bracers make it a shoe-in. Even {{Card|Dwarf Guard}} reaches a respectable 8 strength with all 3, a single event often all it takes to overcome most minions. Should one of these beefed up companions lose a skirmish, Dwarven Bracers gives the Free Peoples player an opportunity to trade strength for vitality in a pinch. | |||
When there are multiple Dwarves bearing a copy, the Free Peoples player is able to put their main fighter in much riskier situations and simply transfer an extra copy next turn if need be to mitigate the long-term cost of losing the strength bonus. Without that luxury, choosing to put a companion in a situation where discarding Dwarven Bracers might be necessary can be a tough call -- particularly when keeping Bracers means allowing another companion to die. Bracers may be worth holding onto when there is healing around the corner, one point of strength is the difference between a win or a loss (for example, 10 strength defeats many of the Uruk-hai in Fellowship block), another companion can take a wound without risk of dying, or an expendable companion is already nearing the end of their use. Otherwise, losing Bracers is often the least harmful outcome. | |||
The exact number of copies depends on how many Dwarves you have and what the primary use is. A small deck with just Gimli may not benefit from more than a single copy, while a deck with several Dwarves could go up to 4 without much trouble. As with any card, be careful not to sacrifice deck space for extra Dwarven Bracers needlessly: those slots could instead be used for other strength boosts or healing, which in turn can keep a copy of Dwarven Bracers on the table longer and prevent needing a replacement at all. | |||
= Strengths and Weaknesses = | = Strengths and Weaknesses = |
Revision as of 11:59, 18 December 2021
Disquiet of Our People (2C2) | Back to Mines of Moria Index |
Endurance of Dwarves (2U4) |
Dwarven Bracers (2U3) is a Dwarven Possession from the Mines of Moria set. It is the sole member of the "bracers" class.
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Strategy
Dwarven Bracers, along with Hand Axe (2C10) and Dwarven Axe (1C9) , is at the core of Dwarven decks in Fellowship block. The strength boost and life-saving response on Dwarven Bracers make it a shoe-in. Even Dwarf Guard (1C7) reaches a respectable 8 strength with all 3, a single event often all it takes to overcome most minions. Should one of these beefed up companions lose a skirmish, Dwarven Bracers gives the Free Peoples player an opportunity to trade strength for vitality in a pinch.
When there are multiple Dwarves bearing a copy, the Free Peoples player is able to put their main fighter in much riskier situations and simply transfer an extra copy next turn if need be to mitigate the long-term cost of losing the strength bonus. Without that luxury, choosing to put a companion in a situation where discarding Dwarven Bracers might be necessary can be a tough call -- particularly when keeping Bracers means allowing another companion to die. Bracers may be worth holding onto when there is healing around the corner, one point of strength is the difference between a win or a loss (for example, 10 strength defeats many of the Uruk-hai in Fellowship block), another companion can take a wound without risk of dying, or an expendable companion is already nearing the end of their use. Otherwise, losing Bracers is often the least harmful outcome.
The exact number of copies depends on how many Dwarves you have and what the primary use is. A small deck with just Gimli may not benefit from more than a single copy, while a deck with several Dwarves could go up to 4 without much trouble. As with any card, be careful not to sacrifice deck space for extra Dwarven Bracers needlessly: those slots could instead be used for other strength boosts or healing, which in turn can keep a copy of Dwarven Bracers on the table longer and prevent needing a replacement at all.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Synergizes With...
- Durin III, Dwarven Lord (9R+3) and Thrarin, Smith of Erebor (12U15) , which typically get as many possessions as the Free Peoples can play on them
- Self-exhausting companions such as Gimli, Son of Gloin (1R13) , Gimli, Counter of Foes (8C5) , or Úri, Dwarven Lord (9R11) , which often put themselves at risk of getting killed
- Gandalf's Cart (1U73) , which can stow extra bracers away to be brought out when needed
- Recursion such as Armor of Khazâd (17U1) , Well-equipped (11R14) , and Honoring His Kinfolk (13C6)
Strong Versus...
- Wound-oriented strategies which don't depend on skirmish wins, especially direct wounding such as Hate (1R250) or Red Wrath (7U157) that could otherwise take out a key companion
- Fierce minions or minions with damage bonuses
Weak Versus...
- Gríma, Wormtongue (4R154) , since in order to stay below 3 cards on a companion the Free Peoples player will typically have a hand weapon and then pick between Hand Axe (2C10) and access to Flurry of Blows (2C5) or Dwarven Bracers and wound prevention.
Rulings
The response action of this card will not "stack" with the passive text of Gimli's Helm (1R15) to prevent all wounds -- Dwarven Bracers will prevent the first, meaning a wound was never taken for Gimli's Helm to prevent any subsequent wounds.
Alternate Versions
Portrait | Name | Game Text |
---|---|---|
Dwarven Bracers (12U5) | Bearer must be a Dwarf.
Response: If bearer is about to take a wound, discard this possession to prevent that wound. |