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{{NavBar|The Two Towers|[[Main Page]]|[[Realms of the Elf-lords]]|[[Battle of Helm's Deep]]}}
{{NavBar|The Two Towers|[[Main Page]]|[[Realms of the Elf-lords]]|[[Battle of Helm's Deep]]}}
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[[File:LOTR-EN04S103.0_card.jpg|frame|right|{{Card|Treebeard, Earthborn}} interacted with the new [[Bouncing Hobbits]] archetype.|link=Treebeard, Earthborn (4R103)]]
Set 4, '''The Two Towers''' (or '''TTT''') is the second base set of the Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game, and the fourth expansion overall. It was released on November 6, 2002 (one month before the movie of the same name), as the first set of [[Towers Block]]. It introduced the Ents, the Riders of Rohan, Dunlendings, Southrons, and Easterlings. Overall, the set had little to no power creep, and was well-produced, making it easier to find sealed product than the [[Realms of the Elf-lords]] set that came immediately before it.


= Set Details =
== Notable Cards ==


The Two Towers is the second base set of the Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game, and the fourth expansion overall. It was released on November 6, 2002, as the first set of [[Towers Block]]. It introduced the Ents, the Riders of Rohan, Dunlendings, Southrons, and Easterlings. Overall, the set had little to no power creep, and was well-produced, making it easier to find sealed product.
* {{Card|The One Ring, Answer To All Riddles}}
* {{Card|Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark}}
* {{Card|Faramir, Son of Denethor}}
* {{Card|Grima, Wormtongue}}
* {{Card|Legolas, Dauntless Hunter}}


= Themes and mechanics =
== Starter Decks ==
* [[Starter_Decks/Towers_Block#TTT_Aragorn_Starter_Deck|Aragorn Starter Deck]]: {{C|Gondor}} / {{C|Dunland}}
* [[Starter_Decks/Towers_Block#TTT_Theoden_Starter_Deck|Rohan Starter Deck]]: {{C|Rohan}} / {{C|Isengard}}
* [[Starter_Decks/Towers_Block#TTT_Deluxe_Starter_Set|Deluxe Starter Set]]:  {{C|Gandalf}} / {{C|Shire}} / {{C|Raider}}


== New cultures ==
== Themes and Mechanics ==


This set introduced three new cultures: {{C|Raider}}, {{C|Dunland}}, and {{C|Rohan}}. It was also the first set to contain zero cards from already-established cultures: {{C|Moria}}, {{C|Wraith}}, and {{C|Sauron}}.
Like [[The Fellowship of the Ring]] before it, New Line disallowed certain concepts from being represented on cards which were considered "spoilers" for the film. The most famous of these was [[Gollum]], who wouldn't premier until the next set of [[Battle of Helm's Deep]].


== New loaded keywords ==
Rumor has it that Decipher originally tinkered with producing a brand new game rather than continue to extend the mechanics of the TCG, which which were tied closely to the events and structure of [[The Fellowship of the Ring]].  This would have been similar to what they did for Star Wars Episode 1, where its content was kept entirely within the [https://www.starwarsccg.org/young-jedi/ Young Jedi TCG] instead of the SWCCG (at first, anyway).  Whether or not those rumors have any truth to them, the TTT set struggled to implement mechanics which represented the plot of the film and book as well as FOTR had done before it.


The Two Towers introduced four new loaded keywords:
The most impactful new mechanic involves the split [[Ring-bound]] and [[Unbound]] labels for companions, which was an attempt to represent the story split between Frodo in Mordor and everyone else in Rohan.  Ring-bound companions (Ithilien [[Ranger]]s, Frodo, Sam, and later {{Smeagol}}) were part of Frodo's storyline, while unbound companions were off fighting in Rohan.  {{C|Raider}} cards would target and gain bonuses from fighting Ring-bound companions, while {{C|Isengard}} and {{C|Dunland}} cards would target unbound companions.
* Ambush, which appeared in the Southron subculture of the Raider culture
* Ring-bound, which retroactively applied to all versions of Frodo and Sam and was used to create the Ring-bound Ranger subculture in Gondor
* Unbound, which was never written as a keyword on any companions, but meant "not ring-bound"
* Unhasty, which appeared in this set only on the two versions of Treebeard


== New unloaded keywords ==
This mechanic endured, if only because having a shorthand of "unbound" instead of "(except the Ring-bearer)" was convenient for game design.  However, even with the number of culture-level designs around targeting specific subsets of individuals, you had the issue of a {{C|Rohan}} fellowship dragging Frodo with them as their [[Ring-bearer]], or a Ring-bound Ranger fellowship trekking through Rohan, which remained thematic issues that made TTT more ill-fitted to the game mechanics thematically than FOTR was.


The Two Towers introduced seven new unloaded keywords:
Also related to the Ring-bound/unbound split was the treatment of the site path--the [[Towers Block]] site path in general follows the "unbound" plotline, but various "ring-bound" conditions were included that offered flavor relating to Frodo's journey at specific sites.  These cards include:
* Battleground, on sites
* Easterling, on Raider minions
* Ent, a new race in the Gandalf culture
* Machine, on Isengard possessions
* Southron, on Raider minions
* Valiant, on Rohan companions
* Villager, on Rohan allies


== Other mechanics ==
* {{Card|Cliffs of Emyn Muil}}
* {{Card|Eastern Emyn Muil}}
* {{Card|Forests of Ithilien}}
* {{Card|Henneth Annun}}
* {{Card|Ruins of Osgiliath}}
* {{Card|Ithilien Wilderness}}


The Two Towers introduced several other new mechanics:
== New Cultures ==
* Site control and liberation
* Culture tokens
* Subtitles on possessions, artifacts, and conditions
* Mounts and the term "mounted"
* A new site path, which completely replaced the Fellowship of the Ring sitepath


= Card Comparisons =
This set introduced three new cultures:
* {{C|Raider}}, representing the evil nations of Men sworn to serve Sauron
* {{C|Dunland}}, a faction of evil Men influenced by Saruman (and only split off from Raider because Decipher thought that 2 [[Shadow]] cultures was too few)
* {{C|Rohan}}, the kingdom of horsemen led by {{Theoden}} and his heirs {{Eomer}} and {{Eowyn}}


== Reprinted cards ==
It was also the first set to contain zero cards from already-established cultures {{C|Moria}}, {{C|Ringwraith}}, and {{C|Sauron}}.


* The One Ring, The Ruling Ring'''* (previously 1C2)
== New [[Loaded Keywords]] ==
* Elven Bow* (previously 1C41)
* Pathfinder (previously 1C110)
* Others?


== Similar sites ==
The Two Towers introduced four new loaded keywords:
* [[Ambush]], which appeared in the Southron subculture of the {{C|Raider}} culture
* [[Ring-bound]], which retroactively applied to all versions of [[Frodo]] and [[Sam]] and was used to create the Ring-bound [[Ranger]] subculture in {{C|Gondor}}
* [[Unbound]], which was never written as a keyword on any companions, but meant "not ring-bound"
* [[Unhasty]], which appeared in this set only on the two versions of [[Treebeard]]


Because the Two Towers introduced a completely new site path, the set included some sites very similar to sites previously released in the Fellowship of the Ring block in order to enable the same strategies.
== New [[Unloaded Keywords]] ==


* Eastemnet Downs (punishes large fellowships, similar to East Road)
The Two Towers introduced seven new unloaded keywords:
* The Riddermark (allows you to play Aragorn from your draw deck, similar to The Prancing Pony)
* [[Battleground]], on sites
* White Mountains (similar game text to Dwarrowdelf Chamber)
* [[Easterling]], on {{C|Raider}} minions
* Hornburg Causeway (similar game text to Anduin Banks)
* [[Ent]], a new race in the {{C|Gandalf}} culture
* King's Room (similar game text to Silverlode Banks)
* [[Machine]], on {{C|Isengard}} possessions
* [[Southron]], on {{C|Raider}} minions
* [[Valiant]], on {{C|Rohan}} companions
* [[Villager]], on {{C|Rohan}} allies


= Notable Cards =
== Other mechanics ==
* {{Card|The One Ring, Answer To All Riddles}}
* {{Card|Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark}}
* {{Card|Faramir, Son of Denethor}}
* {{Card|Grima, Wormtongue}}
* {{Card|Legolas, Dauntless Hunter}}


= Starter decks =
The Two Towers introduced several other new mechanics:
* [[Site Control]] and liberation
* [[Culture Token]]s
* Subtitles on possessions, artifacts, and conditions (compare {{Card|Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn}} with {{Card|Ranger's Sword}}
* Allies with multiple home sites, rather than just 1
* [[Mount]]s and the pseudo-keyword "[[Mounted]]"
* A new site path, which completely replaced the [[Fellowship Block]] site path


===Aragorn Starter Deck===
== Reprinted cards ==
Gondor [Gondor] / Dunland [Dunland]


!Ring-bearer (2 cards)
* {{Card|4C2}}
* Frodo, Tired Traveller
** Previously: {{Card|1C2}}
* The One Ring, The Ruling Ring
* {{Card|4U62}}
** Previously: {{Card|1C41}}
* {{Card|4C129}}
** Previously: {{Card|1C110}}
* {{Card|4C207}}
** Previously: {{Card|1C158}}
* {{Card|4C306}}
** Previously: {{Card|1C299}}


Adventure Deck (9 cards)
== Similar sites ==
* [!1T] The Riddermark
* [!2T] Rohirrim Village
* [!3T] Westemnet Plains
* [!4T] White Rocks
* [!5T] Hornburg Courtyard
* [!6T] Hornburg Armory
* [!7T] Hornburg Causeway
* [!8T] Ring of Isengard
* [!9T] Orthanc Library
 
Free Peoples (24 cards)
* Aragorn, Wingfoot x2
* Gimli, Unbidden Guest x2 (starting)
* Legolas, Elven Comrade x2 (starting)
* Merry, Learned Guide x3
* Pippin, Woolly-footed Rascal x3
* Hobbit Sword x2
* Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn x2
* Best Company x2
* Severed His Bonds x2
* Swiftly and Softly x2
* Valor x2
 
Shadow (25 cards)
* Band of Wild Men x3
* Dunlending Brigand x3
* Dunlending Madman x3
* Dunlending Pillager x3
* Dunlending Robber x3
* Dunlending Savage x3
* Iron Axe x3
* Dark Fury x2
* Death to the Strawheads x2
 
===Theoden Starter Deck===
Rohan [Rohan] / Isengard [Isengard]
 
!Ring-bearer (2 cards)
* Frodo, Tired Traveller
* The One Ring, The Ruling Ring
 
Adventure Deck (9 cards)
* [1T] Horse-country
* [2T] Uruk Camp
* [3T] Throne Room
* [4T] Westemnet Hills
* [5T] Deep of Helm
* [6T] Hornburg Armory
* [7T] King's Room
* [8T] Wizard's Vale
* [9T] Palantir Chamber
 
Free Peoples (24 cards)
* Eomer, Sister Son of Theoden (starting)
* Eowyn, Lady of Rohan (starting)
* Rider of Rohan x3
* Theoden, Lord of the Mark x2
* Brego
* Heavy Chain x 3
* Herugrim x2
* Hobbit Sword x2
* Horse of Rohan x3
* An Honorable Charge x3
* Work for the Sword x3
 
Shadow (25 cards)
* Uruk Defender x2
* Uruk Fanatic x3
* Uruk Rear Guard x2
* Uruk Regular x2
* Uruk Stalker x3
* Uruk-hai Raiding Party x3
* Orthanc Warrior x3
* Broad-Bladed Sword x3
* Ferocity x2
* Still They Came x2
 
===Gandalf Deluxe Starter Set===
Gandalf [Gandalf] / Shire [Shire] / Raider [Raider]
 
!Ring-bearer (2 cards)
* Frodo, Tired Traveller
* The One Ring, The Ruling Ring


Adventure Deck (9 cards)
Because The Two Towers introduced a completely new site path, the set included some sites very similar to sites previously released in Fellowship Block in order to enable the same strategies.
* [1T] Western Emyn Muil
* [2T] Wold of Rohan
* [3T] Streets of Edoras
* [4T] White Rocks
* [5T] Hornburg Parapet
* [6T] Hornburg Armory
* [7T] King's Room
* [8T] Wizard's Vale
* [9T] Palantir Chamber


Free Peoples (24 cards)
* {{Card|Eastemnet Downs}} (punishes large fellowships, similar to {{Card|East Road}})
* Eomer, Sister-son of Theoden x2
* {{Card|The Riddermark}} (allows you to [[tutor]] [[Aragorn]] from your draw deck, similar to {{Card|The Prancing Pony}})
* Eowyn, Lady of Rohan x2
* {{Card|White Mountains}} (similar game text to {{Card|Dwarrowdelf Chamber}} and {{Card|Moria Lake}})
* Gandalf, The White Wizard (starting)
* {{Card|Hornburg Causeway}} (similar game text to {{Card|Anduin Banks}})
* Gimli, Unbidden Guest
* {{Card|King's Room}} (similar game text to {{Card|Silverlode Banks}})
* Legolas, Elven Comrade
* Sam, Samwise the Brave
* Hobbit Sword x2
* Sword of Rohan x2
* Have Patience x2
* Long I Fell x3
* Severed His Bonds x2
* Swiftly and Softly x2
* Under the Living Earth x3


Shadow (25 cards)
* Desert Soldier x3
* Desert Spearman x3
* Easterling Axeman x3
* Easterling Guard x2
* Easterling Infantry x2
* Easterling Lieutenant x3
* Southron Scout x3
* Gathering to the Summons x2
* Men of Rhun x2
* On the March x2


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

Latest revision as of 10:38, 8 January 2023

Realms of the Elf-lords
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Set Info
Index
Thumbs
Product
The Two Towers
ID4
NameThe Two Towers
CreatorDecipher
Release Date2002-11-06
Is Officialyes
PlatformsPaper • LotR-O • GEMP • mLOTRO • Tabletop Simulator • Lackey • gccg
Notes


Treebeard, Earthborn (4R103) interacted with the new Bouncing Hobbits archetype.

Set 4, The Two Towers (or TTT) is the second base set of the Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game, and the fourth expansion overall. It was released on November 6, 2002 (one month before the movie of the same name), as the first set of Towers Block. It introduced the Ents, the Riders of Rohan, Dunlendings, Southrons, and Easterlings. Overall, the set had little to no power creep, and was well-produced, making it easier to find sealed product than the Realms of the Elf-lords set that came immediately before it.

Notable Cards[edit]

Starter Decks[edit]

Themes and Mechanics[edit]

Like The Fellowship of the Ring before it, New Line disallowed certain concepts from being represented on cards which were considered "spoilers" for the film. The most famous of these was Gollum, who wouldn't premier until the next set of Battle of Helm's Deep.

Rumor has it that Decipher originally tinkered with producing a brand new game rather than continue to extend the mechanics of the TCG, which which were tied closely to the events and structure of The Fellowship of the Ring. This would have been similar to what they did for Star Wars Episode 1, where its content was kept entirely within the Young Jedi TCG instead of the SWCCG (at first, anyway). Whether or not those rumors have any truth to them, the TTT set struggled to implement mechanics which represented the plot of the film and book as well as FOTR had done before it.

The most impactful new mechanic involves the split Ring-bound and Unbound labels for companions, which was an attempt to represent the story split between Frodo in Mordor and everyone else in Rohan. Ring-bound companions (Ithilien Rangers, Frodo, Sam, and later Sméagol) were part of Frodo's storyline, while unbound companions were off fighting in Rohan. Raider cards would target and gain bonuses from fighting Ring-bound companions, while Isengard and Dunland cards would target unbound companions.

This mechanic endured, if only because having a shorthand of "unbound" instead of "(except the Ring-bearer)" was convenient for game design. However, even with the number of culture-level designs around targeting specific subsets of individuals, you had the issue of a Rohan fellowship dragging Frodo with them as their Ring-bearer, or a Ring-bound Ranger fellowship trekking through Rohan, which remained thematic issues that made TTT more ill-fitted to the game mechanics thematically than FOTR was.

Also related to the Ring-bound/unbound split was the treatment of the site path--the Towers Block site path in general follows the "unbound" plotline, but various "ring-bound" conditions were included that offered flavor relating to Frodo's journey at specific sites. These cards include:

New Cultures[edit]

This set introduced three new cultures:

  • Raider, representing the evil nations of Men sworn to serve Sauron
  • Dunland, a faction of evil Men influenced by Saruman (and only split off from Raider because Decipher thought that 2 Shadow cultures was too few)
  • Rohan, the kingdom of horsemen led by Théoden and his heirs Éomer and Éowyn

It was also the first set to contain zero cards from already-established cultures Moria, Ringwraith, and Sauron.

New Loaded Keywords[edit]

The Two Towers introduced four new loaded keywords:

  • Ambush, which appeared in the Southron subculture of the Raider culture
  • Ring-bound, which retroactively applied to all versions of Frodo and Sam and was used to create the Ring-bound Ranger subculture in Gondor
  • Unbound, which was never written as a keyword on any companions, but meant "not ring-bound"
  • Unhasty, which appeared in this set only on the two versions of Treebeard

New Unloaded Keywords[edit]

The Two Towers introduced seven new unloaded keywords:

Other mechanics[edit]

The Two Towers introduced several other new mechanics:

Reprinted cards[edit]

Similar sites[edit]

Because The Two Towers introduced a completely new site path, the set included some sites very similar to sites previously released in Fellowship Block in order to enable the same strategies.


Sets
Official Decipher Sets Promotional Promotional
Fellowship Block The Fellowship of the Ring • Mines of Moria • Realms of the Elf-lords
Towers Block The Two Towers • Battle of Helm's Deep • Ents of Fangorn
King Block The Return of the King • Siege of Gondor • Mount Doom
War of the Ring Block Shadows • Black Rider • Bloodlines
Hunters Block The Hunters • Rise of Saruman • Treachery & Deceit
Non-Block Sets Reflections • Expanded Middle-earth • The Wraith Collection • Age's End
Unreleased Sets The Great Eye • Shelob's Lair
Unofficial Fan Sets Player's Council PC Kitchen Sink (V0) • Shadow of the Past (V1)
The Hobbit Draft Game Main Deck • Shadow Packs • Supplementary Packs
mLOTRO MLOTRO Promo Cards • MLOTRO Reflections II
The Journey Continues The Journey Begins
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