Signets
Signet
Mechanics and History
Signets are used to signify groups of characters that work well together, even reaching across cultural boundaries. Indeed, some cards with the same signet can all be viewed as if they were labeled with a unifying Unloaded Keyword such as Ranger or Besieger. It is thus no coincidence that the four signets center around particularly important characters, with those Characters or cards unique to them activating various signet abilities. Usually, however, (and this is true of Unloaded Keywords in general) signets are not something to be overly concerned about unless there is a particular signet-targeting ability that is going to be exploited.
Three of the signets (Aragorn, Gandalf, and Frodo) were introduced in the very beginning with the release of Fellowship of the Ring, while Theoden was introduced in The Two Towers (naturally). Particularly general wording in the rulebooks suggests that more were planned, but following the end of the Movie block signets were dropped entirely, their space replaced with an icon indicating personal Resistance instead.
Below are four cards each bearing one of the four signets in their lower left-hand corner. From left to right: Gandalf, Aragorn, Frodo, and Theoden:
[[lotr01012|Template:http://lotrtcgwiki.com/wiki/ media/cards:lotr01012.jpg?200]]
[[lotr04270|Template:http://lotrtcgwiki.com/wiki/ media/cards:lotr04270.jpg?200]]
And here are four of their counterparts, cards that can activate to benefit (or be benefited by) those with particular signets:
[[lotr01365|Template:http://lotrtcgwiki.com/wiki/ media/cards:lotr01365.jpg?200]]
[[lotr04275|Template:http://lotrtcgwiki.com/wiki/ media/cards:lotr04275.jpg?200]]
It should be noted that there is no rule stopping a character from boosting himself with a signet-targeting ability, such as if Theoden, Lord of the Mark were to grant himself Defender +1 using Forth Eorlingas! above. Indeed, most signet abilities have at least the option of boosting the signet's avatar, so if one of the four signet characters is a major part of your deck's strategy, these abilities can be used to great effect.
Post-Shadows
As noted above, following Movie block Companions were no longer printed with any signets at all, and no more cards having costs or effects affecting only signeted cards were made. However, there is a curious case in that some cards were reprinted in later sets, notably Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith and Pippin, Hobbit of Some Intelligence. Both of these cards have the new Resistance icon in place of a signet, but since they are word-for-word reprints of an earlier card, it was ruled that they both have the Gandalf signet of the originals. They are therefore unique in being the only signeted cards not actually bearing the signet on the card itself.From the Comprehensive Rules 4.0:
Some Free Peoples character cards have a signet, found in the lower left corner of the card. Cards with the same signet generally give bonuses to each other and work well in the same deck.
Each signet is based around an important character in the story. The available signets are Aragorn, Frodo, Gandalf, and Théoden.
List of Signet-Targeting Abilities
| ||| ^ Aragorn Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Game Text ^ | 1P365 | Aragorn, King in Exile | Companion • Man |Ranger. At the start of each of your turns, you may heal another companion who has the Aragorn signet. | 2R36 | No Mere Ranger | Event |Skirmish: Exert Aragorn to make another companion strength +2 (or +3 if that companion has the Aragorn signet). | 3U47 | Voice of Rauros | Event |Maneuver: Exert Aragorn to make each companion with the Aragorn signet damage +1 until the regroup phase. | 4U123 | Hard Choice | Event |Fellowship: Spot Aragorn to heal a companion who has the Aragorn signet twice. | 5R41 | These Are My People | Event |Fellowship: Exert Aragorn twice to play any number of possessions from your discard pile onto companions with the Aragorn signet. | 6U116 | Westfold | Site |Fellowship: Exert Aragorn twice to play a companion with the Aragorn signet from your draw deck. | 8C31 | At His Command | Event • Skirmish |Exert Aragorn to make an unbound companion with the Aragorn signet strength +1 for each threat you spot. | ||| ^ Gandalf Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Game Text ^ | 1P364 | Gandalf, The Grey Wizard | Companion • Wizard |Fellowship: Exert Gandalf to play a companion who has the Gandalf signet. The twilight cost of that companion is -2. | 2C23 | Gandalf's Wisdom | Condition |Plays to your support area. The twilight cost of each possession or artifact played on Gandalf or a character who has the Gandalf signet is -1. | 3U35 | Trust Me as You Once Did | Condition |Plays to your support area. Skirmish: Exert Gandalf to make a companion strength +1 for each companion with the Gandalf signet you can spot (limit +3). | 4U96 | Keep Your Forked Tongue | Event |Skirmish: Spot Gandalf and 3 twilight tokens to prevent all wounds to a companion who has the Gandalf signet. | 5R16 | Down From the Hills | Event |Spell. Maneuver: Exert Gandalf 3 times to make an unbound companion with the Gandalf signet strength +5, defender +1, damage +2, and unable to take wounds until the regroup phase. | 6U117 | Meduseld | Site |Sanctuary. Fellowship: Exert 3 companions with the Gandalf signet to play an unbound companion from your dead pile. | 8U16 | Let Us Not Tarry | Event • Skirmish |Exert Gandalf to make a minion skirmishing an unbound companion strength -1 for each Gandalf signet you spot.
| ||| ^ Frodo Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Game Text ^ | 1C290 | Frodo, Son of Drogo | Companion • Hobbit |Ring-bearer (resistance 10). Fellowship: Exert another companion who has the Frodo signet to heal Frodo. | 2U98 | Dear Friends | Event |Fellowship: Exert a companion to place a Free Peoples card from your discard pile beneath your draw deck (or 2 Free Peoples cards if that companion has the Frodo signet). | 3U107 | Frodo's Pipe | Possession • Pipe |Bearer must be Frodo. Fellowship: Discard a pipeweed possession and spot X pipes to heal a companion with the Frodo signet X times. | 4U312 | Mind Your Own Affairs | Event |Skirmish: Spot Frodo and add a burden to wound a minion skirmishing a companion who has the Frodo signet. | 5R113 | No Use That Way | Event |Skirmish: Add 3 burdens to wound a minion skirmishing a companion who has the Frodo signet twice. | 6U115 | Rocks of Emyn Muil | Site |Fellowship: Play a companion with the Frodo signet to remove a burden. | 8C114 | Straining Towards Us | Event • Regroup |Exert Frodo to remove (1) for each Frodo signet you spot. | ||| ^ Theoden Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Game Text ^ | 4U275 | Forth Eorlingas! | Event |Maneuver: Exert Theoden to make a companion who has the Theoden signet defender +1 until the regroup phase. | 5R84 | I Am Here | Event |Fellowship: Exert Theoden twice to heal every other companion with the Theoden signet twice. | 6U118 | Hornburg Hall | Site |Sanctuary. Fellowship: Spot 3 companions with the Theoden signet and discard your hand to draw 4 cards. | 8C90 | No Living Man | Event • Skirmish |Exert Theoden to exert a minion for each Theoden signet you spot. | 9R45 | Horn of the Mark | Possession |Bearer must be Merry or Pippin. Bearer gains the Theoden signet. Response: If bearer wins a skirmish, exert him to discard each minion involved in that skirmish.
List of Characters Bearing Signets
| ||| ^ Aragorn Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Signet ^ | 0P15 | Legolas, Son of Thranduil (P) | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 0P23 | Aragorn, Captain of Gondor (P) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 0P24 | Legolas, Elven Stalwart (P) | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 0P25 | Denethor, Wizened Steward (P) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 0P32 | Gandalf, Mithrandir (P) | Companion • Wizard | Aragorn | 0P35 | Faramir, Captain of Gondor (P) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 0P39 | Eowyn, Sister-daughter of Theoden (P) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 0D16D | Arwen, Maiden of Rivendell (D) | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 1U12 | Gimli, Dwarf of Erebor | Companion • Dwarf | Aragorn | 1R30 | Arwen, Daughter of Elrond | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 1R30T | Arwen, Daughter of Elrond (T) | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 1R96 | Boromir, Lord of Gondor | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 1R96T | Boromir, Lord of Gondor (T) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 1C303 | Merry, From O'er the Brandywine | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 1C311 | Sam, Son of Hamfast | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 1P365 | Aragorn, King in Exile | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 2C102 | Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 2C102T | Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer (T) | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 2C110 | Pippin, Mr. Took | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 2P122 | Gandalf, The Grey Pilgrim | Companion • Wizard | Aragorn | 2M2M | Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer (M) | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 3P121 | Legolas, Son of Thranduil | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 4R48 | Gimli, Lockbearer | Companion • Dwarf | Aragorn | 4R73 | Legolas, Dauntless Hunter | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 4R73T | Legolas, Dauntless Hunter (T) | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 4R116 | Faramir, Captain of Gondor | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 4C266 | Eomer, Sister-son of Theoden | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 4R271 | Eowyn, Sister-daughter of Theoden | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 4C292 | Theoden, Son of Thengel | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 4P364 | Aragorn, Wingfoot | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 4P364T | Aragorn, Wingfoot (T) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 4M2M | Legolas, Dauntless Hunter (M) | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 5U111 | Frodo, Master of the Precious | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 5U115 | Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 6U13 | Arwen, Evenstar of Her People | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 6R30 | Gandalf, Mithrandir | Companion • Wizard | Aragorn | 6R113 | Merry, Impatient Hobbit | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 6R114 | Pippin, Hastiest of All | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 6M3M | Merry, Impatient Hobbit (M) | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 7R7 | Gimli, Feared Axeman | Companion • Dwarf | Aragorn | 7R25 | Legolas, Fearless Marksman | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 7C81 | Aragorn, Captain of Gondor | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 7R85 | Denethor, Steward of the City | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 7C86 | Denethor, Wizened Steward | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 7R227 | Eomer, Skilled Tactician | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 7R227T | Eomer, Skilled Tactician (T) | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 7C229 | Eowyn, Restless Maiden | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 7C317 | Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 7R324 | Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 7R324T | Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver (T) | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 7C326 | Sam, Needer of Vittles | Companion • Hobbit | Aragorn | 8C10 | Legolas, Elven Stalwart | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 8R15 | Gandalf, Leader of Men | Companion • Wizard | Aragorn | 8R15T | Gandalf, Leader of Men (T) | Companion • Wizard | Aragorn | 8R38 | King of the Dead, Oathbreaker | Companion • Wraith | Aragorn | 8R38T | King of the Dead, Oathbreaker (T) | Companion • Wraith | Aragorn | 8C41 | Oathbreaker | Companion • Wraith | Aragorn | 8R43 | Shadow Host | Companion • Wraith | Aragorn | 8U45 | Sleepless Dead | Companion • Wraith | Aragorn | 8R92 | Theoden, Tall and Proud | Companion • Man | Aragorn | 10U5 | Arwen, Echo of Luthien | Companion • Elf | Aragorn | 10R28 | Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith | Companion • Man | Aragorn
| ||| ^ Frodo Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Signet ^ | 0P13 | Legolas, Greenleaf (P) | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 0P16 | Faramir, Son of Denethor (P) | Companion • Man | Frodo | 0P18 | Smeagol, Old Noser (P) | Companion | Frodo | 0P27 | Frodo, Resolute Hobbit (P) | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 1R50 | Legolas, Greenleaf | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 1R50T | Legolas, Greenleaf (T) | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 1R72 | Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk | Companion • Wizard | Frodo | 1R72T | Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk (T) | Companion • Wizard | Frodo | 1U97 | Boromir, Son of Denethor | Companion • Man | Frodo | 1C290 | Frodo, Son of Drogo | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 1R302 | Merry, Friend to Sam | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 1C306 | Pippin, Friend to Frodo | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 1R310 | Sam, Faithful Companion | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 2P121 | Gimli, Dwarf of the Mountain-race | Companion • Dwarf | Frodo | 2M4M | Gimli, Dwarf of the Mountain-race (M) | Companion • Dwarf | Frodo | 3U7 | Arwen, Elven Rider | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 3R38 | Aragorn, Heir to the White City | Companion • Man | Frodo | 3M1M | Arwen, Elven Rider (M) | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 4C117 | Faramir, Son of Denethor | Companion • Man | Frodo | 4R301 | Frodo, Courteous Halfling | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 4R301T | Frodo, Courteous Halfling (T) | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 4C310 | Merry, Learned Guide | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 4C314 | Pippin, Woolly-footed Rascal | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 4R315 | Sam, Frodo's Gardener | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 5C28 | Smeagol, Old Noser | Companion | Frodo | 5R29 | Smeagol, Slinker | Companion | Frodo | 5R29T | Smeagol, Slinker (T) | Companion | Frodo | 6C45 | Smeagol, Poor Creature | Companion | Frodo | 7R71 | Smeagol, Always Helps | Companion | Frodo | 7C72 | Smeagol, Hurried Guide | Companion | Frodo | 7R91 | Faramir, Wizard's Pupil | Companion • Man | Frodo | 7R327 | Sam, Resolute Halfling | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 8R27 | Smeagol, Slippery Sneak | Companion | Frodo | 8P121 | Merry, Noble Warrior | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 8P122 | Pippin, Guard of Minas Tirith | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo | 10R6 | Arwen, Queen of Elves and Men | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 10R6T | Arwen, Queen of Elves and Men (T) | Companion • Elf | Frodo | 10R25 | Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar | Companion • Man | Frodo | 10R25T | Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar (T) | Companion • Man | Frodo | 10P121 | Frodo, Resolute Hobbit | Companion • Hobbit | Frodo
| ||| ^ Gandalf Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Signet ^ | 0P12 | Gimli, Son of Gloin (P) | Companion • Dwarf | Gandalf | 0P14 | Aragorn, Ranger of the North (P) | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 0P19 | Theoden, King of the Golden Hall (P) | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 0P26 | Gandalf, Defender of the West (P) | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 0P28 | Arwen, Fair Elf Maiden (P) | Companion • Elf | Gandalf | 0P49 | Eomer, Keeper of Oaths (P) | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 0P51 | Radagast, The Brown (P) | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 0P67 | Frodo, Mr. Underhill (P) | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 0D17D | Gandalf, Stormcrow (D) | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 1R13 | Gimli, Son of Gloin | Companion • Dwarf | Gandalf | 1R13T | Gimli, Son of Gloin (T) | Companion • Dwarf | Gandalf | 1U51 | Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood | Companion • Elf | Gandalf | 1R89 | Aragorn, Ranger of the North | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 1R89T | Aragorn, Ranger of the North (T) | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 1R289 | Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 1R307 | Pippin, Hobbit of Some Intelligence | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 1P364 | Gandalf, The Grey Wizard | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 2C104 | Merry, Horticulturalist | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 2C114 | Sam, Proper Poet | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 2M3M | Sam, Proper Poet (M) | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 3R8 | Arwen, Lady Undomiel | Companion • Elf | Gandalf | 3P122 | Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 4C49 | Gimli, Unbidden Guest | Companion • Dwarf | Gandalf | 4C74 | Legolas, Elven Comrade | Companion • Elf | Gandalf | 4C90 | Gandalf, The White Wizard | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 4C90T | Gandalf, The White Wizard (T) | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 4C109 | Aragorn, Heir of Elendil | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 4C302 | Frodo, Tired Traveller | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 4R311 | Merry, Unquenchable Hobbit | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 4R313 | Pippin, Just a Nuisance | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 4C316 | Sam, Samwise the Brave | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 5C93 | Theoden, King of the Golden Hall | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 5P122 | Eowyn, Daughter of Eomund | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 6R92 | Eomer, Rohirrim Captain | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 6P121 | Faramir, Ithilien Ranger | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 7R16 | Arwen, Fair Elf Maiden | Companion • Elf | Gandalf | 7C36 | Gandalf, Defender of the West | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 7R255 | Theoden, Rekindled King | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 7R318 | Frodo, Wicked Masster! | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 7C320 | Merry, Rohirrim Squire | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 7C323 | Pippin, Sworn to Service | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 7P364 | Aragorn, Driven by Need | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 8C5 | Gimli, Counter of Foes | Companion • Dwarf | Gandalf | 8C34 | Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 8C87 | Eomer, Keeper of Oaths | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 9R+26 | Radagast, The Brown | Companion • Wizard | Gandalf | 10R72 | Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 10P122 | Sam, Great Elf Warrior | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 10P122T | Sam, Great Elf Warrior (T) | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf | 12U43 | Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith | Companion • Man | Gandalf | 12R127 | Pippin, Hobbit of Some Intelligence | Companion • Hobbit | Gandalf
| ||| ^ Theoden Signet ^^^^ | ||| ^ # ^ Card ^ Type ^ Signet ^ | 0P17 | Eowyn, Lady of Rohan (P) | Companion • Man | Theoden | 0P29 | Eowyn, Dernhelm (P) | Companion • Man | Theoden | 0P45 | Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark (P) | Companion • Man | Theoden | 0P46 | Gimli, Skilled Defender (P) | Companion • Dwarf | Theoden | 0P47 | Aragorn, Defender of Free Peoples (P) | Companion • Man | Theoden | 4R89 | Gandalf, Greyhame | Companion • Wizard | Theoden | 4R267 | Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark | Companion • Man | Theoden | 4C270 | Eowyn, Lady of Rohan | Companion • Man | Theoden | 4P365 | Theoden, Lord of the Mark | Companion • Man | Theoden | 5R7 | Gimli, Skilled Defender | Companion • Dwarf | Theoden | 5P121 | Legolas, Archer of Mirkwood | Companion • Elf | Theoden | 6R50 | Aragorn, Defender of Free Peoples | Companion • Man | Theoden | 6M2M | Aragorn, Defender of Free Peoples (M) | Companion • Man | Theoden | 7C6 | Gimli, Faithful Companion | Companion • Dwarf | Theoden | 7C26 | Legolas, Nimble Warrior | Companion • Elf | Theoden | 7R37 | Gandalf, Manager of Wizards | Companion • Wizard | Theoden | 7C90 | Faramir, Stout Captain | Companion • Man | Theoden | 7R228 | Eowyn, Dernhelm | Companion • Man | Theoden | 7U254 | Theoden, Leader of Spears | Companion • Man | Theoden | 7R321 | Merry, Swordthain | Companion • Hobbit | Theoden | 7R321T | Merry, Swordthain (T) | Companion • Hobbit | Theoden | 7P365 | Eomer, Valiant Warchief | Companion • Man | Theoden
