Madril, Defender of Osgiliath (15R64)
 Mablung, Ranger of Ithilien (15U63)
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No Quicker Path (15C65) 
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| Set: | The Hunters | ||
| Kind: | Free Peoples | ||
| Culture: | Gondor | ||
| Twilight: | 2 | ||
| Card Type: | Companion • Man | ||
| Strength: | 5 | ||
| Vitality: | 3 | ||
| Resistance: | 6 | ||
| Game Text: | Ranger. Hunter 1. While you can spot 2 [GONDOR] rangers, Madril is twilight cost -2. At the start of the maneuver phase, each minion is site number +1 for each threat you can spot until the start of the regroup phase. | ||
| Lore: | “‘For that is the ruin of Osgiliath...'” | ||
| Rarity: | R | ||
| Notes: | Lists: SXL | ||
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General Strategy
Madril, DoO is one of the more controversial cards released by Decipher; while he’s not hated quite as much as GLR, he still has one of the most potent abilities ever released. Since the Free Peoples player can have up to 9 threats, it’s possible for him to make any and all minions roam for the entire game all on his own. On top of this, he also makes them roam from the start of the maneuver phase, making cards like What are They? and Ithilien Blade significantly more powerful, as they will then work all the way through the game. Madril can also be played in your Starting Fellowship for free without too much difficulty, as it’s quite easy to get 2 [gondor] rangers out because the [gondor] culture has so many discounts already (Faramir, CoG; Halbarad; Gondorian Prowler; Ranger of the White Tree etc.) There are several disadvantages to using Madril, DoO. You often need 6 or more companions to get enough threats for him to be effective, but this leaves you vulnerable to large fellowship hate. Ulaire Enquea, LoM is the least of your worries with Ithilien Blade, but cards like Ulaire Enquea, Sixth of the Nine Riders; Greed and The Number Must Be Few are far more problematic. You also often need healing to recover from using Ithilien Blade, as well as condition discard. Finally, some sites such as Anduin Banks can also be a problem, which means you may need some site manipulation.
In order to counter Madril, you need to either negate his ability, kill him, or reduce the punishment you take from being roaming all the time. Because he makes threats a good thing, any threat removal you have can be helpful. Cards such as Mumak Commander, GatS and Ulaire Enquea, LoM can wound Madril in the maneuver phase, which helps you to kill him, but you must beware of Free Peoples maneuvers that can save him, such as from Ithilien Blade and Faramir, CoI. If your shadow can do damage to the Fellowship despite Madril's text (Often with either extreme site manipulation or cards that do something when played, such as Saruman, BT; White Hand Invader; Grima, SoaM), then you may at least be able to slow the opponent's fellowship down enough to run to the end. Some corruption strategies may also be effective, as Madril's ability doesn't relate to this, and your opponent may be caught unawares as a result.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strong Versus...
- Archery
- Strength-based minions
- Expensive minions
Weak Versus...
- The Balrog, Demon of Might (Skips Maneuver Phase)
- Ships of Great Draught (Removes all threats prior to the Maneuver Phase)
- Greed (Can kill Madril)
- A Host Avails Little
- Final Strike (Gollum can cancel Ithilien Blade)
- Corsair Marauder (Can discard Ithilien Blades)
- Minions that prevent roaming or decrease the site number of minions (Grishnakh, Orc Captain; Orc Patrol; Bill Ferny, Swarthy Sneering Fellow)
- Deceived Wizards, who have no site numbers, so they cannot be made roaming.
Example Decks
- The Ultimate Madril - http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,8525.0.html
