Banner of the White Tree (3R39)
Aragorn, Heir to the White City (3R38) | Back to Realms of the Elf-Lords Index |
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Banner of the White Tree (3R39) is a Gondor Event from the Realms of the Elf-Lords set.
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Strategy[edit]
A versatile and powerful event, Banner of the White Tree provides a strength +3 bonus along with a defender bonus to any Gondor companion, for the cost of an exertion. Both effects last until the regroup phase, making the companion more likely to survive 1 or 2 skirmishes against multiple minions, or to win 1 or 2 skirmishes against a single big beast (like the Balrog or the Witch King bearing The Pale Blade (1R221) ). Skirmish events like Swordarm of the White Tower (1C116) or Sentinels of Númenor (2C37) increase even more the chances of defeating any enemy.
However, the exertion cost supposes more risks of being killed from wounds in skirmish, in regards of other defender bonus events like Elendil's Valor (1C103) and Valiant Man of the West (1R118) . Damage bonuses and wounding/exerting effects (pre or mid skirmish) are the main threat.
With the release of King Block, this event found new powerful uses and synergies. Gondor Wraiths get the usual benefits of strength and defender bonuses, but due to their Enduring keyword the exertion passes from being a cost to being a true advantage: strength +5. Also, the Reflections Gondor artifact Sapling of the White Tree (9R35) covers the risk that Gondor Men have to carry when exerting to play this event.
Strengths and Weaknesses[edit]
Strong Versus...[edit]
- Swarm strategies
- “Sacrificial lamb” strategy against multiple minions
Weak Versus...[edit]
- Pre-skirmish wounding and exerting (Hate, Orthanc Berserker, Desert Lord)
- Mid-skirmish wounding (Orc Soldier, Mordor's Strength, Red Wrath)
- Hand-clog