Boomed and Trumpeted (6U24)
 Naith Warband (6R23)
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Crack Into Rubble (6U25) 
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Boomed and Trumpeted (6U24) is a 
Gandalf Event from the Ents of Fangorn set. Its counterpart is Long Slow Wrath (6C112)
, which swaps the affected and spotted races. Boomed and Trumpeted is usually valued for its damage bonus on strong companions rather than its strength bonus, while Long Slow Wrath is usually valued for its strength bonus on weak companions rather than its damage bonus.
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Strategy[edit]
Gameplay Strategy[edit]
Ents have the highest base strength of all companions, mostly 8 or 10 strength with Treebeard coming in at 12. With Ent Moot (6C29)
and Enraged (6R26)
they have the strength to win most skirmishes from the start. Treebeard, Guardian of the Forest (6C37)
can turn those wins into kills, but he is limited in how often he can do so and may be himself be killed by Úlairë Enquëa, Lieutenant of Morgul (1U231)
or Hate (1R250)
because of it. Boomed and Trumpeted allows Ent decks to knock minions off the table without relying too much on Treebeard while tipping the scale in their favor against the highest strength minions. Before Shadows only Merry and Pippin are unbound hobbits; the Free Peoples will want to spot them both to make the most of this event. Decks that rely on discarding Hobbits and replaying them with Knocked on the Head (4C308)
will have to plan their skirmishes accordingly.
In Expanded this card can be used to its fullest potential -- War of the Ring block added the first non-unique Hobbit companion and 3 new unique unbound Hobbits, allowing a Fellowship to consist of the Ring-bearer, an Ent, and 7 unbound Hobbits. Even a weaker Ent like Quickbeam, Bregalad (6C33)
could become a monstrous companion of 15 or more strength and damage +7 in such a setup, though the deck will have many other shortcomings to address. Such a damage bonus would be excessive regardless: only Shelob has so much vitality, and Shelob, Her Ladyship (10R23)
will surely prevent the Ent from skirmishing anyway.
Only companions can be Ring-bound or unbound: allies are neither and cannot be spotted for this event. Also keep in mind that Huorn (9R25)
is a Tree rather than an Ent so this card will do nothing for it.
Deckbuilding Strategy[edit]
The damage bonus puts minions away and makes double-moving easier, something large fellowships are already inclined to do. This is also one of only two skirmish events for Ents - the other is Roused (6C34)
- until War of the Ring block. This gives Boomed and Trumpeted solid standing in any Ent deck which relies on unbound Hobbits (i.e., decks with Treebeard, Guardian of the Forest (6C37)
. If you expect to lean on your Free Peoples to win with any regularity, including this card to some degree will go a long way. On the other hand, if you have built your Free Peoples to simply survive long enough to achieve a Shadow kill you may wish to leave this card out in favor of card drawing.
Strengths and Weaknesses[edit]
Synergizes With...[edit]
- Treebeard, Guardian of the Forest (6C37)
, whose high strength and reliance on unbound Hobbits make this card a perfect match
- Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor (1U70)
, epecially after A Wizard Is Never Late (1R87)
is no longer needed - Skinbark, Fladrif (6R35)
or Kept Safe (6C111)
, which ensure unbound Hobbits die on the Free Peoples' terms
Strong Versus...[edit]
- High-vitality minions with too much strength to overwhelm outright
- Big fierce minions such as Uruk Vanguard (4R200)
or The Witch-king bearing The Pale Blade (1R221)
, which have more strength than most Ents bearing both Ent Moot (6C29)
and Enraged (6R26)
and can inflict serious damage even after losing the first skirmish
Weak Versus...[edit]
- Nothing; it is a free event with a good effect
