Ring-bearer

From LOTR-TCG Wiki

Your Ring-bearer is a companion who you place on the table before your starting fellowship, bearing the One Ring. He or she is the key component of your deck, as all strategies rely on killing or corrupting the Ring-bearer, and you only win if your Ring bearer is alive at the regroup phase at site 9.

Alternate Ring-bearers[edit]

At the game's initial release with Fellowship of the Ring, the only playable Ring-bearer was Frodo, and if Sam was in play when he died, the One Ring would pass to Sam and you would continue on with Sam as your Ring-bearer. This remained true until the release of Reflections, when 6 new Alternate Ring-bearers (or ARBs) became available. Alternate Ring-Bearers represented what would happen if Frodo had given or had the One Ring taken by someone else. These ARBs typically have lower resistance than Frodo, but compensated by having higher strength or powerful effects.

The primary impact this has was to permit true monoculture decks to exist; Culture Gondor.svg Gondor, Culture Elven.svg Elven, Culture Dwarven.svg Dwarven, and Culture Gollum.svg Gollum could all dispense with any Culture Shire.svg Shire cards used to keep Frodo alive.

Once Bloodlines was released, two new alternate Ring-bearers were made of Sam and Gandalf, allowing every Free Peoples culture except Culture Rohan.svg Rohan to have a Ring-bearer.

Rules Entries[edit]

You may choose any character with the ringed resistance icon, or any version of Frodo, to be your Ring-bearer. You may choose any version of The One Ring. These two cards are not part of your draw deck (they do not count against your total of Free Peoples cards).

One Free Peoples character always begins the game as your Ring-bearer. (See building your deck.) He bears The One Ring for you, much as when Frodo carried the Ring in his pocket or on a chain around his neck.

If a character other than Frodo is your Ring-bearer, you cannot play any version of Frodo with the Ring-bearer keyword during the game.

While wearing The One Ring, your Ring-bearer can perform all normal actions such as moving and skirmishing. He may defend against attacking minions as usual.

The Ring-bearer cannot be discarded or returned to your hand, and skirmishes involving the Ring-bearer cannot be cancelled.

- Ring-bearer section


List of Ring-Bearers[edit]

Portrait Card Name Culture Card Type Game Text
Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir (1R289) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

At the start of each of your turns, you may heal a Hobbit ally.

Frodo, Son of Drogo (1C290) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

Fellowship: Exert another companion who has the Frodo signet to heal Frodo.

Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer (2C102) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound. Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

The cost of each artifact, possession, and Culture Shire.svg tale played on Frodo is -1.

Frodo, Courteous Halfling (4R301) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

While you can spot 3 unbound companions, Shadow cards may not discard cards from your hand or from the top of your draw deck.

Frodo, Tired Traveller (4C302) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

Fellowship: Play a Ring-bound companion to remove a burden.

Frodo, Master of the Precious (5U111) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

Fellowship: Add a burden to play Sméagol from your discard pile.

Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples (7C317) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

Ring-bound.

Each time the fellowship moves, you may add Twilight 3.svg to remove a threat.

Frodo, Wicked Masster! (7R318) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

Ring-bound.

Skirmish: At sites 6King block.svg to 8King block.svg, add 4 burdens to wound a minion skirmishing Frodo.

Gimli, Bearer of Grudges (9R+4) Culture Dwarven.svg Dwarven Companion • Dwarf Damage +1.

While Gimli is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 2 burdens or 2 threats.

While Gimli is damage +X, he is resistance +X.

Galadriel, Bearer of Wisdom (9R+14) Culture Elven.svg Elven Companion • Elf While Galadriel bears an artifact or The One Ring, she is resistance +1 for each Culture Elven.svg companion you can spot.
Sméagol, Bearer of Great Secrets (9R+30) Culture Gollum.svg Gollum Companion Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.

Each time the fellowship moves, place an unbound companion in the dead pile.

Regroup: If Sméagol is the Ring-bearer, add 2 burdens to discard each minion.

Boromir, Bearer of Council (9R+31) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man While Boromir is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 3 burdens or wound him twice.

Each time Boromir wins a skirmish, discard each minion he is skirmishing.

Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms (9R+33) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man While Isildur is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 2 burdens or exert 3 companions.

While Isildur bears The One Ring or an artifact, each Culture Gondor.svg knight is strength +1.

Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled (9R+49) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Each time the fellowship moves, if the twilight pool has 2 or fewer twilight tokens, add 2 burdens or add Twilight 3.svg.

Regroup: Add a burden to play a Culture Shire.svg tale.

Frodo, Resolute Hobbit (10P121) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer (resistance 12).
Frodo, Protected by Many (11S164) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer. Ring-bound. At the start of the regroup phase, you may exert Frodo to make him gain muster until the end of the regroup phase. (At the start of the regroup phase, you may discard a card from hand to draw a card.)
Gandalf, Bearer of Obligation (13R33) Culture Gandalf.svg Gandalf Companion • Wizard While Gandalf is the Ring-bearer, each time the fellowship moves, add 3 burdens unless you spot 2 other companions and discard 2 Culture Gandalf.svg cards from hand.
Sam, Bearer of Great Need (13R156) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Sam is resistance +1 for each Hobbit you can spot.

Regroup: Exert Sam and transfer a follower he is bearing to your support area to discard a minion from play.

Frodo, Weary From the Journey (15C144) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer. Ring-bound.

While skirmishing a minion of strength 8 or less, Frodo is strength +2.

Faramir, Bearer of Quality (17R28) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man While Faramir is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 2 burdens or 2 threats.

Skirmish: While Faramir is the Ring-bearer, you may wound Faramir to make a minion skirmishing a Culture Gondor.svg Man roaming until the end of the turn.

Frodo, Little Master (19P28) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Fellowship. Ring-bearer. Ring-bound.

While you cannot spot 4 threats, Shadow cards cannot discard cards from your hand or from the top of your draw deck.

Frodo, Mr. Underhill (0P67) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound. Ring-bearer (resistance 10).

The cost of each artifact, possession, and Culture Shire.svg tale played on Frodo is -1.

Frodo, Mr. Underhill (0W25) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bearer.


Cards That Interact With the Ring-Bearer[edit]

Free Peoples[edit]

Portrait Card Name Culture Card Type Game Text
Mysterious Wizard (1C78) Culture Gandalf.svg Gandalf Event Spell.

Skirmish: Make Gandalf strength +2 (or +4 if there are 4 or fewer burdens on the Ring-bearer).

Extraordinary Resilience (1C287) Culture Shire.svg Shire Event Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to heal, remove a burden instead.
Power According to His Stature (1R308) Culture Shire.svg Shire Event Skirmish: Add 1 burden to wound each minion skirmishing the Ring-bearer.
Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Fellowship: Play Bill the Pony from your draw deck.

Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Fellowship: Exert Sam to remove a burden.

Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

O Elbereth! Gilthoniel! (2R108) Culture Shire.svg Shire Condition Tale. Bearer must be the Ring-bearer.

Skirmish: Discard this condition to take off The One Ring or to cancel a skirmish involving the Ring-bearer and a Nazgûl.

Sam, Proper Poet (2C114) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Maneuver: Exert Sam twice to make him defender +1 until the regroup phase.

Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Arwen, Elven Rider (3U7) Culture Elven.svg Elven Companion • Elf Ranger.

Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound, discard 3 cards from hand to prevent that wound.

Phial of Galadriel (3U24) Culture Elven.svg Elven Possession To play, exert an Elf. Bearer must be the Ring-bearer.

Bearer’s resistance is +2.

Meant to Be Alone (3C109) Culture Shire.svg Shire Event Fellowship: Spot a Hobbit companion (except the Ring-bearer) to reveal a card at random from an opponent’s hand. Remove Twilight x.svg, where X is the twilight cost of the card revealed.
Merry, Learned Guide (4C310) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Skirmish: Exert the Ring-bearer to discard Merry. Any Shadow player may remove Twilight 2.svg to prevent this.
Sam, Frodo's Gardener (4R315) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Fellowship: Play Sam’s Pack from your draw deck.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Sam, Samwise the Brave (4C316) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Response: If a Shadow card is about to add any number of burdens, spot Frodo and exert Sam to prevent this.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit (5U115) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

While you can spot Frodo and Sméagol, Sam may not be overwhelmed unless his strength is tripled.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Sam, Needer of Vittles (7C326) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Fellowship: Play a Hobbit companion to remove a burden.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Sam, Resolute Halfling (7R327) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Fellowship: If you have initiative, discard a card from hand to heal Sam.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Saved From the Fire (8R20) Culture Gandalf.svg Gandalf Event • Fellowship Spot Gandalf and place a companion (except the Ring-bearer) in the dead pile to take 3 cards from that companion's culture into hand from your draw deck. Shuffle your draw deck.
Gimli, Bearer of Grudges (9R+4) Culture Dwarven.svg Dwarven Companion • Dwarf Damage +1.

While Gimli is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 2 burdens or 2 threats.

While Gimli is damage +X, he is resistance +X.

Sméagol, Bearer of Great Secrets (9R+30) Culture Gollum.svg Gollum Companion Ring-bound. To play, add a burden.

Each time the fellowship moves, place an unbound companion in the dead pile.

Regroup: If Sméagol is the Ring-bearer, add 2 burdens to discard each minion.

Boromir, Bearer of Council (9R+31) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man While Boromir is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 3 burdens or wound him twice.

Each time Boromir wins a skirmish, discard each minion he is skirmishing.

Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms (9R+33) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man While Isildur is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 2 burdens or exert 3 companions.

While Isildur bears The One Ring or an artifact, each Culture Gondor.svg knight is strength +1.

Scroll of Isildur (9R36) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Artifact • Support Area Tale. To play, spot a Culture Gondor.svg Man.

The Ring-bearer is resistance +1 for each Culture Gondor.svg artifact you can spot (limit +3).

Fellowship: Discard this artifact to play a ring from your discard pile.

Brave and Loyal (10U105) Culture Shire.svg Shire Event • Skirmish If a Hobbit companion is not assigned to a skirmish, exert that Hobbit to have him or her replace a companion (except the Ring-bearer) in a skirmish.
Sam, Great Elf Warrior (10P122) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound.

Sam is strength +1 for each Culture Shire.svg companion you can spot.

Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).

Fallen Lord (11U6) Culture Dwarven.svg Dwarven Event • Skirmish Exert the Ring-bearer and a Dwarf to make that Dwarf strength +X, where X equals that Dwarf's resistance.
Watch and Wait (12R35) Culture Gandalf.svg Gandalf Condition To play, spot a Culture Gandalf.svg companion.

Bearer must be a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Limit 1 per bearer.

Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may remove a burden.

Faramir, Dunadan of Gondor (12R47) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man Ranger.

Skirmish: Exert Faramir to make him strength +1 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.

Home and Hearth (12C122) Culture Shire.svg Shire Condition • Support Area Each time you play a Hobbit, you may remove a burden. Then, if the fellowship is at dwelling site, heal the Ring-bearer.
Long Live the Halflings (12R124) Culture Shire.svg Shire Condition • Support Area To play, spot a Hobbit.

Skirmish: If your Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish, discard this condition to make each companion who has resistance 7 or more strength +2 until the regroup phase.

Gandalf, Bearer of Obligation (13R33) Culture Gandalf.svg Gandalf Companion • Wizard While Gandalf is the Ring-bearer, each time the fellowship moves, add 3 burdens unless you spot 2 other companions and discard 2 Culture Gandalf.svg cards from hand.
Halbarad, Ranger of the North (14R9) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man Ranger.

While the Ring-bearer has resistance 9 or more, Halbarad’s twilight cost is –1.

At the start of the maneuver phase, you may discard a Culture Gondor.svg card from hand to heal a Culture Gondor.svg companion.

Pippin, The Short One (15C151) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Each Culture Shire.svg follower is twilight cost –1.

Skirmish: If Pippin is skirmishing a hunter minion, exert the Ring-bearer to make Pippin strength +2.

Sam, Innocent Traveler (15U153) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Ring-bound. While Sam bears the One Ring, he is resistance –4.

Maneuver: If Sam is bearing a follower, exert him to heal another Hobbit.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer.

Faramir, Bearer of Quality (17R28) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man While Faramir is the Ring-bearer, at the start of each skirmish involving him, add 2 burdens or 2 threats.

Skirmish: While Faramir is the Ring-bearer, you may wound Faramir to make a minion skirmishing a Culture Gondor.svg Man roaming until the end of the turn.

Éowyn, Northwoman (17R96) Culture Rohan.svg Rohan Companion • Man While the Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish, Éowyn cannot take wounds while skirmishing.

Assignment: Exert Éowyn and assign a minion to the Ring-bearer to make that minion lose all keywords and unable to gain keywords until the regroup phase.

Galadriel's Silver Ewer (18R11) Culture Elven.svg Elven Artifact • Support Area To play, spot Galadriel or Celeborn.

While Galadriel is the Ring-bearer, she is strength +2 and resistance +2.

Each time you play an Culture Elven.svg skirmish event, you may reinforce an Culture Elven.svg token.

Precise Attack (18C101) Culture Rohan.svg Rohan Event • Archery Discard a Culture Rohan.svg possession from play to choose one: Wound an unwounded minion; exert a minion; or discard a Shadow card the Ring-bearer is bearing.
Aragorn, Well-traveled Guide (19P12) Culture Gondor.svg Gondor Companion • Man Fellowship. Ranger.

While the Ring-bearer is the only other companion you can spot, Aragorn is an archer, defender +1, and can take no more than 1 wound each skirmish.

Sam, Loyal Friend (19P32) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Fellowship. Ring-bound.

While Sam bears The One Ring, he is resistance -4.

While you can spot 3 Culture Shire.svg companions, Sam is strength +2.

Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer.

Sam, Lover of Trees (0W13) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Triumph - At the start of the fellowship phase you may remove 3 burdens.

Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (Resistance 5).

Sam, Of Bagshot Row (V1_54) Culture Shire.svg Shire Companion • Hobbit Each time a companion with the Frodo signet wins a skirmish, you may exert Sam or add a burden to heal that companion.

Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).​


Shadow[edit]

Portrait Card Name Culture Card Type Game Text
Caradhras Has Not Forgiven Us (1R123) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Event Spell. Weather.

Maneuver: Exert a Culture Isengard.svg minion and spot 5 companions to discard an exhausted companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Cruel Caradhras (1R124) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Event Spell. Weather.

Maneuver: Exert a Culture Isengard.svg minion to make the opponent choose to either exert the Ring-bearer or add a burden.

Greed (1R125) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Condition To play, spot an Uruk-hai.

Maneuver: Spot 6 companions and remove Twilight 2.svg to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Saruman's Reach (1R137) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Event Search.

Maneuver: Exert an Uruk-hai to make the opponent choose to either exert 2 companions or make the Ring-bearer put on The One Ring until the regroup phase.

Traitor's Voice (1U142) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Condition Search. To play, spot an Uruk-hai.

While the Ring-bearer is exhausted or you can spot 5 burdens, the move limit for this turn is -1 (to a minimum of 1).

Uruk Spy (1R155) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Minion • Uruk-hai Response: If the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, exert this minion. Discard a card from the top of your draw deck for each Culture Isengard.svg minion you spot. Add a burden for each Shadow card discarded in this way.
Worry (1U162) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Condition To play, exert an Uruk-hai.

Each time an Uruk-hai wins a skirmish, the opponent must choose to either exert the Ring-bearer or add a burden.

The End Comes (1R169) Culture Moria.svg Moria Event Assignment: Spot 5 Culture Moria.svg minions to make the Free Peoples player assign the Ring-bearer to a skirmish.
Fool of a Took! (1R170) Culture Moria.svg Moria Event Shadow: Spot a Hobbit (except the Ring-bearer) to reveal cards from the top of your draw deck until you reveal one that is not a Culture Moria.svg minion. Take the revealed cards into hand.
Frenzy (1C171) Culture Moria.svg Moria Event Assignment: Assign an exhausted companion (except the Ring-bearer) to skirmish a Culture Moria.svg Orc.
Lost to the Goblins (1R189) Culture Moria.svg Moria Event Response: If the Ring-bearer exerts or takes a wound, discard a card from the top of your draw deck for each Culture Moria.svg minion you spot. For each Shadow card discarded in this way, add a burden (limit 3 burdens).
All Veils Removed (1R204) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Skirmish: Make a Nazgûl strength +2 (or +5 if the Ring-bearer wears The One Ring).
Beauty Is Fading (1R205) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Maneuver: Exert a Nazgûl to discard a Free Peoples possession or Free Peoples condition. If you can spot no such card, discard an ally or companion (except the Ring-bearer) instead.
Blade Tip (1U209) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition Response: If your Nazgûl wins a skirmish, transfer this condition from your support area to the losing character. Limit 1 per character. Wound bearer at the start of each fellowship phase. (If bearer is the Ring-bearer, add a burden instead.)
Frozen by Fear (1U213) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Skirmish: Make a Nazgûl strength +2 (or +3 if the Ring-bearer is assigned to a skirmish that has not resolved).
In the Ringwraith's Wake (1R214) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Response: If a Nazgûl wins a skirmish, the Free Peoples player chooses to either exert the Ring-bearer or add a burden.
The Nine Servants of Sauron (1U219) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition Search.

Each time you play a Nazgûl, you may exert a Hobbit (except the Ring-bearer).

Return to Its Master (1R224) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Response: If the Ring-bearer wears The One Ring at the end of a skirmish phase, cancel all remaining assignments and assign a Nazgûl to skirmish the Ring-bearer; The One Ring’s game text does not apply during this skirmish.
The Twilight World (1R228) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Response: If Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, exert a Nazgûl to add 2 burdens.
Úlairë Enquëa, Lieutenant of Morgul (1U231) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Fierce.

Maneuver: Spot 6 companions (or 5 burdens) and exert Úlairë Enquëa to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Úlairë Toldëa, Messenger of Morgul (1R236) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Fierce.

Assignment: Spot 4 burdens to assign a companion (except the Ring-bearer) to skirmish Úlairë Toldëa.

Despair (1R243) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Event Maneuver: If the total number of burdens and companions in the dead pile is at least 12, spot a Culture Sauron.svg Orc to corrupt the Ring-bearer.
Hate (1R250) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Event Maneuver: Exert a Culture Sauron.svg Orc to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
A Host Avails Little (1U251) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Event Search.

Maneuver: Spot a Culture Sauron.svg Orc and 6 companions to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Do this once for each companion over 5.

The Irresistible Shadow (1R252) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Condition To play, exert a Culture Sauron.svg Orc. Plays to your support area.

If you can spot 5 burdens and the Free Peoples player has no cards in his or her draw deck, the Ring-bearer is corrupted.

Morgul Skirmisher (1U257) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Minion • Orc Maneuver: Remove Twilight 3.svg to exert a Hobbit (except the Ring-bearer).
The Ring's Oppression (1C273) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Event Response: If a Culture Sauron.svg Orc kills a companion, add 1 burden (or 3 if the Ring-bearer wears The One Ring).
Thin and Stretched (1R279) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Condition To play, exert a Culture Sauron.svg Orc. Plays on the Ring-bearer.

Add a burden at the end of each turn during which bearer was not assigned to a skirmish (and another companion was).

Too Much Attention (2R45) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Event Response: If the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, spot an Culture Isengard.svg minion to make the Free Peoples player discard the top 5 cards of his or her draw deck.
Resistance Becomes Unbearable (2U79) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Maneuver: Exert a twilight Nazgûl to exert the Ring-bearer.

If the Ring-bearer is then exhausted, he puts on The One Ring until the regroup phase.

Úlairë Enquëa, Ringwraith in Twilight (2U83) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Twilight.

Each time Úlairë Enquëa wins a skirmish, you may exert him to wound the Ring-bearer once (or twice if you spot 5 burdens).

Úlairë Nelya, Ringwraith in Twilight (2R84) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Twilight.

While you can spot 2 burdens or 2 wounds on the Ring-bearer, Úlairë Nelya is fierce and damage +1

The Witch-king, Lord of the Nazgul (2R85) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Twilight.

Return to Its Master may not be played.

Each time The Witch-king wins a skirmish, you may exert him to wound the Ring-bearer twice.

Wraith-world (2R86) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event Skirmish: Spot a twilight Nazgûl and the Ring-bearer wearing The One Ring to add 3 burdens.
Southern Spies (2C91) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Event Response: If the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, spot a Culture Sauron.svg minion to make the Free Peoples player discard his or her hand.
Verily I Come (2R94) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Condition To play, exert a Culture Sauron.svg Orc. Plays on the Ring-bearer.

Each time the Free Peoples player draws a card (or takes a card into hand) during the fellowship phase, add a burden.

Isengard Warrior (3U61) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Minion • Orc While you can spot another Culture Isengard.svg Orc, no player may use archery special abilities.

Regroup: Exert this minion and spot 3 wounds on the Ring-bearer to exert every companion.

Orc Overseer (3R65) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Minion • Orc Regroup: Exert Orc Overseer twice to exhaust a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
Orthanc Berserker (3R66) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Minion • Uruk-hai Damage +1.

Maneuver: Spot 5 burdens and exert Orthanc Berserker twice to exhaust a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Saruman, Servant of the Eye (3C69) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Minion • Wizard Saruman may not take wounds during the archery phase and may not be assigned to a skirmish.

Assignment: Exert Saruman to assign an Culture Isengard.svg minion to a companion (except the Ring-bearer). That companion may exert to prevent this.

Úlairë Otsëa, Ringwraith in Twilight (3U86) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Twilight.

Each time Úlairë Otsëa wins a skirmish, you may exert him to transfer Blade Tip from your support area to the Ring-bearer.

Morgul Slayer (3R93) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Minion • Orc Regroup: Exert this minion to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
Orc Slayer (3U97) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Minion • Orc Regroup: Exert this minion to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
Many Riddles (4U159) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Condition Search. To play, exert an Culture Isengard.svg tracker.

Plays on a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Assignment: Exert an Culture Isengard.svg tracker and remove Twilight 2.svg to assign that tracker to bearer.

Bearer may exert to prevent this.

Desert Lord (4R219) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron. Archer.

Archery: Exert Desert Lord to exert a companion (except the Ring-bearer); Desert Lord does not add to the minion archery total.

Elite Archer (4U232) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron. Archer.

Archery: Exert this minion to exert a companion (except the Ring-bearer); this minion does not add to the minion archery total.

New Fear (4R240) Culture Raider.svg Raider Event Regroup: Exert a Culture Raider.svg Man to add a burden for each companion over 4. The Free Peoples player may discard 2 companions (except the Ring-bearer) to prevent this.
Southron Bowman (4C248) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron. Archer.

Archery: Exert this minion to exert a companion (except the Ring-bearer); this minion does not add to the minion archery total.

Southron Commander (4U249) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron. Ambush Twilight 1.svg.

Assignment: Spot 6 companions to assign this minion to the Ring-bearer. The Free Peoples player may discard an unbound companion to prevent this.

Southron Troop (4R256) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron. Archer. Ambush Twilight 1.svg. To play, spot a Southron.

Assignment: Spot 7 companions to assign this minion to the Ring-bearer. The Free Peoples player may make you discard a companion (except the Ring-bearer) to prevent this.

Vision From Afar (4R259) Culture Raider.svg Raider Event Assignment: Assign an Easterling to the Ring-bearer. The Free Peoples player may add a burden to prevent this.
You’re a Liar and a Thief (6C47) Culture Gollum.svg Gollum Event Response: If Gollum wins a skirmish, wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
Desertion (6U61) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Condition To play, spot an Culture Isengard.svg Man. Plays on a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Assignment: Assign an Culture Isengard.svg minion with less strength than bearer to skirmish bearer. Discard this condition.
Fires and Foul Fumes (6R62) Culture Isengard.svg Isengard Event Regroup: Discard 4 Culture Isengard.svg Orcs to wound a companion 4 times (except the Ring-bearer).
Trample (6R82) Culture Raider.svg Raider Event Maneuver: Spot a mounted Culture Raider.svg Man to discard a companion (except the Ring-bearer). The Free Peoples player may add Twilight 4.svg to prevent this.
Úlairë Lemenya, Winged Hunter (6U86) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Regroup: Exert Úlairë Lemenya and discard 3 cards from hand to return a companion (except the Ring-bearer) to owner’s hand.
Bold Men and Grim (7R129) Culture Raider.svg Raider Condition • Support Area To play, spot 2 Culture Raider.svg Men and add a threat. Each time a companion is about to be killed, you may remove a threat to discard a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Discard this condition at the start of the regroup phase.

Fierce in Despair (7R148) Culture Raider.svg Raider Event • Regroup Spot 2 Culture Raider.svg Men to discard a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
Southron Leader (7R166) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron.

Archery: Spot 4 Free Peoples cultures and either exert this minion or remove a threat to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Suzerain of Harad (7R170) Culture Raider.svg Raider Minion • Man Southron. Archer.

While you have initiative, the Ring-bearer may not take wounds during the archery phase and this minion is ambush Twilight 8.svg.

Called (7U174) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition • Support Area Assignment: Remove 5 threats to assign a Nazgûl to a companion (except the Ring-bearer). The Free Peoples player may discard that companion.
Morgul Axe (7C186) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Possession • Hand Weapon Bearer must be a Culture Ringwraith.svg Orc.

While you can spot 2 wounds on the Ring-bearer, bearer is damage +1.

Morgul Brawler (7U187) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc While the Ring-bearer is exhausted, this minion is strength +3, fierce and damage +1.
Morgul Brute (7R188) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc When you play this minion, you may spot a Nazgûl to add a burden. The Free Peoples player may wound the Ring–bearer to prevent this.

Skirmish: Remove a burden to make this minion strength +3.

Morgul Destroyer (7U190) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc When you play this minion, you may spot a Nazgûl to add 2 threats. The Free Peoples player may wound the Ring–bearer to prevent this.

Skirmish: Remove a threat to make this minion strength +3.

Morgul Hound (7C192) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc While you can spot 2 wounds on the Ring–bearer, this minion is strength +4 and fierce.
Morgul Mongrel (7C194) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc While you can spot 3 wounds on the Ring–bearer, this minion is fierce and damage +1.
Morgul Whelp (7U202) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc While you can spot a wound on the Ring–bearer, this minion is strength +6.
Put Forth His Strength (7R205) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition • Support Area To play spot a Nazgûl.

Shadow: If you have initiative and there are 3 characters in the dead pile, spot 3 burdens, 3 threats and a Nazgûl to corrupt the Ring–bearer.

Stronghold of Minas Morgul (7R206) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition • Support Area Response: If your Culture Ringwraith.svg minion wins a skirmish, place a Culture Ringwraith.svg token here (limit 1 per site).

Regroup: Spot 3 Culture Ringwraith.svg tokens here to exhaust the Ring–bearer. Discard this condition.

Úlairë Enquëa, Faster Than Winds (7U212) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Fierce.

While you can spot 6 companions, Úlairë Enquëa is Damage +1.

Each time a companion is killed, you may exert Úlairë Enquëa to exert the Ring–bearer.

War Long Planned (7C220) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event • Skirmish Make a Culture Ringwraith.svg Orc strength +2 (or +4 if you spot 2 wounds on the Ring-bearer).
The Witch-king, Morgul King (7R221) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Fierce.

When you play The Witch-king, you may remove a threat to take a Culture Ringwraith.svg card into hand from your discard pile.

The Ring-bearer cannot take threat wounds.

Mordor Assassin (7R284) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Minion • Orc Response: If a companion is overwhelmed during a skirmish involving a Culture Sauron.svg Orc, remove a threat to assign this minion to the Ring-bearer (even if the Ring-bearer is already assigned).
Called Away (8R93) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Condition • Support Area Regroup: Discard a Culture Sauron.svg minion, spot a companion (except the Ring-bearer), and remove X burdens, where X is that companion's vitality, to return that companion to its owner's hand.
Gollum, Dark as Darkness (9R+28) Culture Gollum.svg Gollum Minion Shadow: Exert Gollum twice to exert the Ring-bearer.

Shadow: Remove a burden to add Twilight 1.svg. Skirmish: Remove a burden to add Twilight 2.svg. Regroup: Remove a burden to add Twilight 3.svg.

Regroup: Exert Gollum twice to wound the Ring-bearer.

Gorbag, Covetous Captain (10R59) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Orc For each wound on the Ring-bearer, each Culture Ringwraith.svg Orc is strength +1.
Ten Times Outnumbered (10C66) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event • Skirmish Make a Culture Ringwraith.svg Orc strength +2 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.
Wielding the Ring (11U105) Culture Men.svg Men Condition To play, spot a Culture Men.svg minion.

Bearer must be a companion (except the Ring-bearer).

Undisciplined (11R141) Culture Orc.svg Orc Event • Assignment Toil 3. (For each Culture Orc.svg character you exert when playing this, its twilight cost is –3.) Assign an Culture Orc.svg minion to a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
Shapes Slowly Advancing (11R217) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition • Support Area Regroup: Discard your Nazgûl from play to add a Culture Ringwraith.svg token here. The Free Peoples player may return a companion to hand to prevent the placement of that token. When you can spot 4 Culture Ringwraith.svg tokens on this condition, the Ring-bearer is corrupted.
The Beckoning Shadow (12R83) Culture Orc.svg Orc Condition • Support Area To play, exert an Culture Orc.svg minion.

If you can spot 5 burdens, and the Free Peoples player has no cards in his or her draw deck, the Ring-bearer is corrupted.

Dark Temptation (12R163) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition • Support Area Each time you play a Nazgûl, you may heal the Ring-bearer twice to add a burden.
In the Ringwraith’s Wake (12U165) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Event • Response If a Nazgûl wins a skirmish, the Free Peoples player chooses to either exert the Ring-bearer or add a burden.
The Witch-king, Black Lord (12R183) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Fierce.

The Witch-king is twilight cost –1 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.

Each time a companion is played, you may reveal this card from hand to exert the Ring-bearer.

Trap Is Sprung (13R57) Culture Gollum.svg Gollum Event • Regroup To play, discard Gollum from play. Heal the Ring-bearer to add a burden. If the fellowship is not in region 1, you may repeat this for each other wound on the Ring-bearer.
Dunlending Patriarch (13U88) Culture Men.svg Men Minion • Man When you play this, you may spot another Culture Men.svg minion to make this minion twilight cost –1 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.

While each companion is wounded, this minion is fierce.

Gollum, Hopeless (15R43) Culture Gollum.svg Gollum Minion At the start of each skirmish involving Gollum, he is strength +X until the end of that skirmish, where X is the Ring-bearer’s strength.
Mûmak Commander, Giant Among the Swertings (15R86) Culture Men.svg Men Minion • Man Maneuver: Exert Mûmak Commander twice to exert a companion twice (except the Ring-bearer).
Pursuing Horde (15U88) Culture Men.svg Men Condition To play, spot a Culture Men.svg Man.

Bearer must be a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Limit 1 per companion.

Each time the fellowship moves, add Twilight 1.svg.

Tower Troll (15R117) Culture Orc.svg Orc Minion • Troll For each companion over 5, this minion is damage +1.

Assignment: Exert this minion twice to assign it to a companion (except the Ring-bearer). If you cannot spot 6 companions, the Free Peoples player may exert a companion to prevent this.

Mauhúr, Relentless Hunter (15S164) Culture Uruk-hai.svg 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).

Pit Troll (19P22) Culture Orc.svg Orc Minion • Troll Hunter 2. (While skirmishing a non-hunter character, this character is strength +2.)

To play, spot an Culture Orc.svg Orc.

When you play this minion, add 2 threats. The Free Peoples player may exert the Ring-bearer to prevent this.

Guided by One Purpose (V1_31) Culture Moria.svg Moria Condition • Support Area Each time a tentacle wins a skirmish, you may stack it here.

Assignment: Spot 4 tentacles stacked here and discard this condition to assign a Culture Moria.svg creature to the Ring-bearer. The Free Peoples player may exert the Ring-bearer twice to prevent this.

Ringwraith in Twilight (V1_40) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Minion • Nazgul Twilight.

This minion is strength +1 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.

At the start of the maneuver phase, you may exert this minion to make it fierce until the regroup phase. The Free Peoples player may exert the Ring-bearer to prevent this.

Their Eyes Fell Upon Him (V1_41) Culture Ringwraith.svg Ringwraith Condition • Support Area To play, spot a twilight Nazgul.

Each time the fellowship moves, you may spot a wound on the Ring-bearer to draw a card (or 2 cards if the Ring-bearer is exhausted).

I See You (V1_46) Culture Sauron.svg Sauron Condition • Support Area The site number of each Culture Sauron.svg minion is

-1 for each burden you can spot.

Each Culture Sauron.svg minion with site number of

1 or less is strength +1.

When the Ring-bearer takes off The One Ring, discard this condition.​


Sites[edit]

Portrait Card Name Culture Card Type Game Text
Caverns of Isengard (5U120) Culture Site.svg Site Site Underground. The Free Peoples player wins the game only if the Ring-bearer survives until Shadow players reconcile.
Narchost (7U362) Culture Site.svg Site Site Shadow: Spot 8 burdens to make the Ring-bearer wear The One Ring until the regroup phase.​


The One Ring[edit]

Portrait Card Name Culture Card Type Game Text
The One Ring, Isildur's Bane (1R1) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring Response: If bearer is about to take a wound, he wears The One Ring until the regroup phase.

While wearing The One Ring, each time the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound, add two burdens instead.

The One Ring, The Ruling Ring (1C2) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring Response: If bearer is about to take a wound in a skirmish, he wears The One Ring until the regroup phase.

While wearing The One Ring, each time the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound during a skirmish, add a burden instead.

The One Ring, Answer To All Riddles (4R1) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring While wearing The One Ring, the Ring-bearer is strength +2, and each time he 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.

The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry (7R2) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring Maneuver: Add a burden to wear The One Ring until the regroup phase.

While wearing The One Ring, each time the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound, add a burden instead.

The One Ring, The Binding Ring (9R+1) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring Fellowship: Add 2 burdens to play a ring from your draw deck.

Maneuver: Exert bearer to wear The One Ring until the regroup phase.

While wearing The One Ring, each time the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound, add a burden instead.

The One Ring, The Ring of Rings (11R1) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to take a wound, he or she wears The One Ring until the regroup phase. While the Ring-bearer is wearing The One Ring, each time he or she is about to take a wound, add a burden instead.
The One Ring, The Ring of Doom (15R1) Culture The One Ring.svg 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.

The One Ring, The Great Ring (19P1) Culture The One Ring.svg The One Ring The One Ring While wearing The One Ring, each time bearer is about to take a wound, add a burden instead.

Maneuver: Wear The One Ring until the regroup phase. Skirmish: Add a burden to make the Ring-bearer strength +3.​