Arwen, Daughter of Elrond (1R30)
Ancient Enmity (1U29) | Back to Fellowship of the Ring Index |
Asfaloth (1U31) |
Arwen, Daughter of Elrond (1R30) is a Elven Companion from the Fellowship of the Ring set.
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Strategy[edit]
This version of Arwen is the most commonly used in Fellowship Block, and a staple of Elven decks in that format, especially "Super Friends" Elven/ Gondor decks. These decks usually run her in the starting fellowship, particularly alongside Legolas, Greenleaf (1R50) . Because of her card text and strong exclusive possession, she's one of the best early-game skirmishers that only costs 2 twilight, and the best Elven skirmisher companion in Fellowship Block. In that format, she chiefly competes with Gimli, Son of Gloin (1R13) as a 2-cost disposable skirmisher to help protect the Fellowship at early sites.
Her base strength is fairly low, and her card text only increases her strength against Nazgul, when Wraith is hardly the most common Shadow culture in this block. (It still helps against decks that splash Úlairë Enquëa, Lieutenant of Morgul (1U231) .) However, she can bear Gwemegil (1R47) , one of the best hand weapons in the entirety of Fellowship Block, and one of the few hand weapons available to Elven characters in that block. Gwemegil is almost always good for at least +3 strength on its own when necessary, and doubles as a useful tool to help cycle useless cards out of your hand. Like all Elves, she can also bear Asfaloth (1U31) for more strength, although card's discard clause often makes it too awkward to bother including.
Arwen, Daughter of Elrond is also useful for her synergy with Gondor cards. She serves as an elf for The Last Alliance of Elves and Men (1R49) , a Ranger for cards like No Stranger to the Shadows (1U108) and the PC-errata version of Flaming Brand (2R32) , and has an Aragorn signet to benefit from Aragorn, King in Exile (1P365) . The Super Friends deck, focused on Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Greenleaf (1R50) , and Daughter of Elrond along with a pile of Elven allies, is a common deck archetype in Fellowship Block.
Regardless of your deck, using Arwen is fairly straightforward. She's a cheap, disposable skirmisher, generally the first to take wounds and the first to be allowed to die. Your main concern is making sure you get her Gwemegil before your opponent can play any minions that are too large, because her low base strength is prone to being overwhelmed without help. Unless your opponent is playing a Wraith Shadow or you're playing a pure Elven deck, it's unlikely that she'll be your best skirmisher for very long, so don't feel bad expending her to fend off the Balrog, or to enable a key late-game double move.
Daughter of Elrond is the most popular version of Arwen until formats that include Return of the King. Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8) is slow to set up, and Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7) only offers a small protection against wounds on the Ring-bearer, which are fairly rare. After Fellowship Block, she loses her uniqueness somewhat, as The Two Towers introduces Elven Sword (4C64) , a strong hand weapon any Elf can use. Then, after set 7, she drops off completely, because Arwen, Fair Elf Maiden (7R16) serves essentially the same purpose while also being more versatile for any deck that doesn't specifically need a ranger. Most dangerous Nazgul are fierce anyway. Even if you need a 2-cost starting Elf companion focused specifically on Nazgul for some reason, Glorfindel, Revealed in Wrath (9R+16) is much stronger.
In a vacuum, Daughter of Elrond is worse than Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood (1U51) , who does the same thing but also inflicts an archery wound each turn. However, Daughter of Elrond is usually played alongside stronger versions of Legolas, such as Legolas, Greenleaf (1R50) , or in decks with ranger synergies, like Super Friends.
Strengths and Weaknesses[edit]
Synergizes With...[edit]
- Gwemegil (1R47) . There's little reason to play her without her sword.
- Ranger support cards, especially No Stranger to the Shadows (1U108)
- Aragorn signet support cards, particularly Aragorn, King in Exile (1P365)
- Large decks, or decks that are prone to clogging up your hand with unplayable cards.
Strong Versus...[edit]
Weak Versus...[edit]
- Non-Nazgul beatdown, particularly Isengard. Uruk-hai can overwhelm her early in the game, and win skirmishes later in the game.
Alternate Personas[edit]
Portrait | Name | Game Text |
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Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7) | Ranger.
Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound, discard 3 cards from hand to prevent that wound. | |
Arwen, Lady Undomiel (3R8) | While you can spot 3 allies whose home is site 3, each minion skirmishing Arwen is strength -3. | |
Arwen, Evenstar of Her People (6U13) | Skirmish: Exert an Elf to make a minion skirmishing Arwen strength –1. | |
Arwen, Fair Elf Maiden (7R16) | While skirmishing a fierce minion, Arwen is strength +3. | |
Arwen, Echo of Luthien (10U5) | Skirmish: Discard a card from hand to discard the bottom card of your draw deck. If the bottom card was an card, each minion skirmishing Arwen is strength –3. | |
Arwen, Queen of Elves and Men (10R6) | Each minion skirmishing Arwen is strength –2 for each wounded minion you can spot. | |
Arwen, Staunch Defender (11U15) | Each minion skirmishing Arwen is strength –1 for each forest site on the adventure path. | |
Arwen, Reflection of Luthien (13S9) | While the fellowship is at a forest site, each of your other companions is resistance +1.
Skirmish: Exert Arwen to make a minion she is skirmishing strength –1 for each other companion assigned to a skirmish. | |
Arwen, She-Elf (15R11) | While you can spot Aragorn, Arwen is strength +1 and resistance +2.
Skirmish: Remove an token to make a minion skirmishing Arwen strength -2. | |
Arwen, Royal Maiden (19P6) | Ranger.
While you can spot 2 followers, each minion skirmishing Arwen is strength –2. Maneuver: Add 3 threats to reconcile your hand. | |
Arwen, Maiden of Rivendell (0P63) | Ranger. Skirmish: Exert Arwen to make a minion skirmishing an Elf strength -2.
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