Hunter

Sprinting Gimli is base 6 strength, but will be 9 against most minions․

Hunter X is a numeric Loaded Keyword that gives the Hunter character X bonus strength while skirmishing a non-hunter character.

Note the particular way this is worded; while this is often styled as an always-on bonus that is "canceled out" in the presence of another hunter, in actuality the bonus is activated only in the presence of a non-hunter. Thus, if a hunter Companion skirmishes 2 different minions, one with hunter and one without, the hunter bonus will turn on for the companion due to the non-hunter's presence (but the hunter minion will be out of luck, as they are not skirmishing a non-hunter themselves).

Hunter is a particularly controversial keyword that is often lambasted as emblematic of the Power Creep of Hunters Block, a block that for better or worse shares the same name. Detractors will underline the "pay to play" nature of the keyword, noting that a meta rife with hunter decks will force players to provide their own hunters lest they be left behind, meaning that the keyword is a form of forced obsolescence that makes older versions of hunter characters too weak to compete.

In reality, most characters who bear the keyword are appropriately costed for it, such as Gimli, Eager Hunter (15C5) shown to the right/above, who trades game text for a conditional +3 strength, which is in the ballpark of nearly every strength-based Gimli ever printed (albeit most have conditional +2 bonuses rather than +3). A handful of cards however were printed that have hunter on top of their other abilities, abilities which in turn punish the use of non-hunter minions, and it is these bad apples who spoil the bunch, namely Aragorn, Thorongil (15R55) and Uglúk, Ugly Fellow (15R172) . The well has been thoroughly poisoned in this case however, and hunter continues to have a poor reputation.

Rules Entries

From the Comprehensive Rules:

This keyword has the form of "Hunter X" where "X" is the strength bonus the character receives when skirmishing a character that does not have the hunter keyword.

- hunter section

List of Cards with Hunter

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	Gimli, Eager Hunter (15C5)	Dwarven	Companion • Dwarf	Damage +1. Hunter 3. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +3.)
	Gimli, Sprinter (18R1)	Dwarven	Companion • Dwarf	Damage +1. Hunter 1 (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Each time Gimli wins a skirmish, you may add a threat to wound a minion (or wound a hunter minion twice).
	Legolas, Fleet-footed Hunter (15S18)	Elven	Companion • Elf	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Regroup: Exert 2 hunter companions to draw a card.
	Legolas, of the Woodland Realm (15R19)	Elven	Companion • Elf	Archer. Hunter 1(While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.). Archery: Exert Legolas to make the fellowship archery total +1 for each hunter minion you can spot.(Limit +3)
	Aragorn, Swift Hunter (15S54)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Skirmish: Exert Aragorn to make a hunter companion strength +1.
	Aragorn, Thorongil (15R55)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 2. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +2.) Maneuver: Add a threat to exert a non-hunter minion with strength less than Aragorn's.
	Damrod, Dunadan of Gondor (15U57)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) At the start of each fellowship phase, you may add to heal a ranger.
	Dúnedain of the South (15C59)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Each time this companion wins a skirmish, you may make a ranger strength +2 until the regroup phase.
	Gondorian Prowler (15U61)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. When this companion is in your starting fellowship, he is twilight cost –1. Skirmish: Remove a token or exert a Man to make the site number of a minion +2.
	Mablung, Ranger of Ithilien (15U63)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Skirmish: Exert Mablung to wound a roaming minion he is skirmishing.
	Madril, Defender of Osgiliath (15R64)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. While you can spot 2 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.
	Silent Traveler (15C69)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) At the start of each skirmish involving this companion and a roaming minion, you may reinforce a token.
	Unyielding Ranger (15C71)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) This companion is strength +1 for each roaming minion you can spot.
	Madril, Loyal Lieutenant (17S30)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. While you can spot a roaming minion, your conditions cannot be discarded from play by Shadow cards. Maneuver: Exert 2 rangers to make a minion site number +2 until the regroup phase.
	Ranger of the White Tree (17S33)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 1. When this is in your starting fellowship and you can spot an unbound companion with cost 3 or more, his twilight cost is -2. Maneuver: Exert this companion and spot a roaming minion to make him defender +1 until the start of the regroup phase.
	Aragorn, Heir to the Throne of Gondor (18R38)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Hunter 2. While you can spot 3 Free Peoples cultures, Aragorn is defender +1. While you can spot 2 Shadow cultures, Aragorn is defender +1.
	Faramir, Captain of Ithilien (18R48)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Hunter 2. If Faramir is in your starting fellowship, his twilight cost is -1. Maneuver: Exert Faramir to heal a companion with resistance 5 or more.
	Éomer, Horsemaster (15R123)	Rohan	Companion • Man	Valiant. Hunter 2. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +2.) While you can spot a Man, Éomer’s twilight cost is -1. Skirmish: Discard a card from hand to make Éomer strength +2.
	Gamling, The Old (15S126)	Rohan	Companion • Man	Valiant. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) To play, spot a Man. While you can spot 3 hunters, Gamling is strength +3.
	Hunting Herdsman (15C83)	Men	Minion • Man	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) This minion is strength +3 for each follower you can spot.
	Gorbag, Filthy Rebel (15R109)	Orc	Minion • Orc	Hunter 3. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +3.) When you play Gorbag, you may discard a card from the top of the Free Peoples player’s deck for each hunter character you can spot.
	Grishnákh, Treacherous Captain (17R71)	Orc	Minion • Orc	Hunter 2. While you can spot an minion, each Orc gains hunter 1 (if that minion is Ugluk, each Orc gains an additional hunter 1). Shadow: Exert Grishnákh twice to play an hunter minion from your draw deck.
	Orkish Breeder (18C87)	Orc	Minion • Orc	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Shadow: Exert this minion to play an hunter at twilight cost -2.
	Orkish Headsman (18C89)	Orc	Minion • Orc	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) This minion is strength +3 for each companion in the dead pile (limit +6).
	Pit Troll (19P22)	Orc	Minion • Troll	Hunter 2. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +2.) To play, spot an Orc. When you play this minion, add 2 threats. The Free Peoples player may exert the Ring-bearer to prevent this.
	Chasing Uruk (15C157)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Each time this minion wins a skirmish, you may spot 4 hunters (or Uglúk) to control a site.
	Following Uruk (15U160)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1. Each time this minion wins a skirmish, you may exert a companion not assigned to a skirmish.
	Mauhúr, Relentless Hunter (15S164)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Assignment: Exert Mauhúr to assign him to a non-hunter character (except the Ring-bearer).
	Searching Uruk (15U168)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1.(While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Searching Uruk is strength +1 for each other hunter you can spot.
	Seeking Uruk (15C169)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) During a fierce skirmish involving this minion, it is strength +1 for each hunter you can spot.
	Tracking Uruk (15S171)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.)
	Uglúk, Ugly Fellow (15R172)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 3. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +3.) At the start of each skirmish involving Uglúk, each non-hunter skirmishing Uglúk must exert.
	White Hand Guard (17C126)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) Skirmish: Exert this minion to make an hunter minion strength +2.
	White Hand Scout (17C130)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Damage +1. Hunter 2. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +2.) The roaming penalty for each minion you play is -1.
	White Hand Taskmaster (17R132)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) When you play this minion, you may spot another minion to add a threat for each Free Peoples culture you can spot.
	Shagrat, Tower Captain (18R122)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Damage +1. Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) While you can spot 7 possessions, Shagrat is fierce and cannot take wounds (except during skirmish phases). ​

List of Cards that Interact with the Hunter Keyword

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	The One Ring, The Ring of Doom (15R1)	The One Ring	The One Ring	While wearing The One Ring, the Ring–bearer gains hunter 3, and each time he or she is about to take a wound in a skirmish, add a burden instead. Skirmish: Add a burden to wear The One Ring until the regroup phase.
	Run Until Found (18U2)	Dwarven	Condition • Support Area	When you play this condition, place a token here. Skirmish: Discard this condition from play or remove a token from here to make a companion gain hunter 1.
	Still Twitching (19P3)	Dwarven	Condition	Bearer must be a companion. Bearer gains Hunter 2. Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may transfer this condition to another companion. At the end of each turn, if bearer did not win a skirmish this turn, discard this condition from play.
	Elven Guardian (17S7)	Elven	Companion • Elf	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) While this companion is skirmishing a wounded minion, he is strength +2. Maneuver: Exert this companion to heal another hunter.
	Orophin, Silvan Elf (17S11)	Elven	Companion • Elf	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) While Orophin is skirmishing a wounded minion, he is strength +3. Archery: Exert another hunter and add a threat to wound a minion.
	Rúmil, Silvan Elf (17S12)	Elven	Companion • Elf	Hunter 1. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) While you can spot a wounded minion, Rúmil is strength +1 and gains archer. Archery: Exert another hunter and add a threat to wound a minion.
	Aragorn, Defender of Rohan (17R93)	Rohan	Companion • Man	Valiant. While the Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish, each companion gains hunter 1.
	For Death and Glory (17U97)	Rohan	Condition • Support Area	While the Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish, each minion skirmishing a companion loses hunter and is unable to gain hunter. Skirmish: Exert a companion to make that companion gain hunter 1 until the start of the regroup phase.
	Saruman, Instigator of Insurrection (17R37)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	Saruman cannot be assigned to a skirmish. While you can spot 6 companions, each minion gains hunter 2. Response: If a hunter minion is about to take a wound, exert Saruman to prevent that.
	Ravaging Wild Man (15C91)	Men	Minion • Man	While you can spot a hunter, this minion gains hunter 1. Each time this minion wins a skirmish, you may exert 2 Men to discard a follower.
	Grishnákh, Treacherous Captain (17R71)	Orc	Minion • Orc	Hunter 2. While you can spot an minion, each Orc gains hunter 1 (if that minion is Ugluk, each Orc gains an additional hunter 1). Shadow: Exert Grishnákh twice to play an hunter minion from your draw deck.
	Pull of the Ring (18R133)	Ringwraith	Event • Assignment	Remove a burden to choose one: assign a minion to a companion who has resistance 0; or have a minion lose fierce and gain hunter 2.
	Charging Uruk (15C156)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. During a fierce skirmish involving this minion, it is strength +3 and gains hunter 1 (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.).
	Hunting Uruk (15C161)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	While this minion is at a battleground site, he gains hunter 1 (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.)
	Lurtz’s Sword, Mighty Longsword (15R163)	Uruk-hai	Possession • Hand Weapon	Bearer must be an Uruk-hai. Bearer gains hunter 1 (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +1.) If bearer is Lurtz, he is fierce.
	Pursuing Uruk (15C167)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. During a fierce skirmish involving this minion, he gains hunter 4.
	Sentry Uruk (15R170)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	To play, spot an minion. While you can spot a fierce minion, this minion is fierce. While you can spot a hunter, this minion gains hunter 1. While you can spot a character that is damage +1, this minion is damage +1.
	White Hand Butcher (17C122)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Hunter 6. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +6.)
	White Hand Destroyer (17R124)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Fierce. This minion gains hunter 3 for each site you control.
	White Hand Warrior (17C136)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Uruk-hai	Damage +1. Hunter 4. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +4.) Each time this minion is assigned to a non-hunter companion, you may heal a hunter. ​

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