Ring-bearer

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

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; Gondor, Elven, Dwarven, and Gollum could all dispense with any 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 Rohan to have a Ring-bearer.

Rules Entries

From the Comprehensive Rules:

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).

- Ring-bearer and The One Ring section

From the Comprehensive Rules:

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

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir (1R289)	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)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer (resistance 10). Fellowship: Exert another companion who has the Frodo signet to heal Frodo.
	Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer (2C102)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bound. Ring-bearer (resistance 10). The cost of each artifact, possession, and tale played on Frodo is -1.
	Frodo, Courteous Halfling (4R301)	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)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer (resistance 10). Fellowship: Play a Ring-bound companion to remove a burden.
	Frodo, Master of the Precious (5U111)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer (resistance 10). Fellowship: Add a burden to play Sméagol from your discard pile.
	Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples (7C317)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer (resistance 10). Ring-bound. Each time the fellowship moves, you may add to remove a threat.
	Frodo, Wicked Masster! (7R318)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer (resistance 10). Ring-bound. Skirmish: At sites 6 to 8, add 4 burdens to wound a minion skirmishing Frodo.
	Gimli, Bearer of Grudges (9R+4)	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)	Elven	Companion • Elf	While Galadriel bears an artifact or The One Ring, she is resistance +1 for each companion you can spot.
	Sméagol, Bearer of Great Secrets (9R+30)	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)	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)	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 knight is strength +1.
	Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled (9R+49)	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 . Regroup: Add a burden to play a tale.
	Frodo, Resolute Hobbit (10P121)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer (resistance 12).
	Frodo, Protected by Many (11S164)	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)	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 cards from hand.
	Sam, Bearer of Great Need (13R156)	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)	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)	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 Man roaming until the end of the turn.
	Frodo, Little Master (19P28)	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)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bound. Ring-bearer (resistance 10). The cost of each artifact, possession, and tale played on Frodo is -1.
	Frodo, Mr. Underhill (0W25)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bearer.​

Cards That Interact With the Ring-Bearer

Free Peoples

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	Mysterious Wizard (1C78)	Gandalf	Event	Spell. Skirmish: Make Gandalf strength +2 (or +4 if there are 4 or fewer burdens on the Ring-bearer).
	Extraordinary Resilience (1C287)	Shire	Event	Response: If the Ring-bearer is about to heal, remove a burden instead.
	Power According to His Stature (1R308)	Shire	Event	Skirmish: Add 1 burden to wound each minion skirmishing the Ring-bearer.
	Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	Elven	Possession	To play, exert an Elf. Bearer must be the Ring-bearer. Bearer’s resistance is +2.
	Meant to Be Alone (3C109)	Shire	Event	Fellowship: Spot a Hobbit companion (except the Ring-bearer) to reveal a card at random from an opponent’s hand. Remove , where X is the twilight cost of the card revealed.
	Merry, Learned Guide (4C310)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Skirmish: Exert the Ring-bearer to discard Merry. Any Shadow player may remove to prevent this.
	Sam, Frodo's Gardener (4R315)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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 knight is strength +1.
	Scroll of Isildur (9R36)	Gondor	Artifact • Support Area	Tale. To play, spot a Man. The Ring-bearer is resistance +1 for each artifact you can spot (limit +3). Fellowship: Discard this artifact to play a ring from your discard pile.
	Brave and Loyal (10U105)	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)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Ring-bound. Sam is strength +1 for each companion you can spot. Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).
	Fallen Lord (11U6)	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)	Gandalf	Condition	To play, spot a 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)	Gondor	Companion • Man	Ranger. Skirmish: Exert Faramir to make him strength +1 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.
	Home and Hearth (12C122)	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)	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)	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 cards from hand.
	Halbarad, Ranger of the North (14R9)	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 card from hand to heal a companion.
	Pippin, The Short One (15C151)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Each 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)	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)	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 Man roaming until the end of the turn.
	Éowyn, Northwoman (17R96)	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)	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 skirmish event, you may reinforce an token.
	Precise Attack (18C101)	Rohan	Event • Archery	Discard a 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)	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)	Shire	Companion • Hobbit	Fellowship. Ring-bound. While Sam bears The One Ring, he is resistance -4. While you can spot 3 companions, Sam is strength +2. Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer.
	Sam, Lover of Trees (0W13)	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)	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

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	Caradhras Has Not Forgiven Us (1R123)	Isengard	Event	Spell. Weather. Maneuver: Exert a minion and spot 5 companions to discard an exhausted companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Cruel Caradhras (1R124)	Isengard	Event	Spell. Weather. Maneuver: Exert a minion to make the opponent choose to either exert the Ring-bearer or add a burden.
	Greed (1R125)	Isengard	Condition	To play, spot an Uruk-hai. Maneuver: Spot 6 companions and remove to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Saruman's Reach (1R137)	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)	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)	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 minion you spot. Add a burden for each Shadow card discarded in this way.
	Worry (1U162)	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)	Moria	Event	Assignment: Spot 5 minions to make the Free Peoples player assign the Ring-bearer to a skirmish.
	Fool of a Took! (1R170)	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 minion. Take the revealed cards into hand.
	Frenzy (1C171)	Moria	Event	Assignment: Assign an exhausted companion (except the Ring-bearer) to skirmish a Orc.
	Lost to the Goblins (1R189)	Moria	Event	Response: If the Ring-bearer exerts or takes a wound, discard a card from the top of your draw deck for each minion you spot. For each Shadow card discarded in this way, add a burden (limit 3 burdens).
	All Veils Removed (1R204)	Ringwraith	Event	Skirmish: Make a Nazgûl strength +2 (or +5 if the Ring-bearer wears The One Ring).
	Beauty Is Fading (1R205)	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)	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)	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)	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)	Ringwraith	Condition	Search. Each time you play a Nazgûl, you may exert a Hobbit (except the Ring-bearer).
	Return to Its Master (1R224)	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)	Ringwraith	Event	Response: If Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, exert a Nazgûl to add 2 burdens.
	Úlairë Enquëa, Lieutenant of Morgul (1U231)	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)	Ringwraith	Minion • Nazgul	Fierce. Assignment: Spot 4 burdens to assign a companion (except the Ring-bearer) to skirmish Úlairë Toldëa.
	Despair (1R243)	Sauron	Event	Maneuver: If the total number of burdens and companions in the dead pile is at least 12, spot a Orc to corrupt the Ring-bearer.
	Hate (1R250)	Sauron	Event	Maneuver: Exert a Orc to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	A Host Avails Little (1U251)	Sauron	Event	Search. Maneuver: Spot a Orc and 6 companions to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Do this once for each companion over 5.
	The Irresistible Shadow (1R252)	Sauron	Condition	To play, exert a 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)	Sauron	Minion • Orc	Maneuver: Remove to exert a Hobbit (except the Ring-bearer).
	The Ring's Oppression (1C273)	Sauron	Event	Response: If a Orc kills a companion, add 1 burden (or 3 if the Ring-bearer wears The One Ring).
	Thin and Stretched (1R279)	Sauron	Condition	To play, exert a 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)	Isengard	Event	Response: If the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, spot an minion to make the Free Peoples player discard the top 5 cards of his or her draw deck.
	Resistance Becomes Unbearable (2U79)	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)	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)	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)	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)	Ringwraith	Event	Skirmish: Spot a twilight Nazgûl and the Ring-bearer wearing The One Ring to add 3 burdens.
	Southern Spies (2C91)	Sauron	Event	Response: If the Ring-bearer puts on The One Ring, spot a minion to make the Free Peoples player discard his or her hand.
	Verily I Come (2R94)	Sauron	Condition	To play, exert a 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)	Isengard	Minion • Orc	While you can spot another 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)	Isengard	Minion • Orc	Regroup: Exert Orc Overseer twice to exhaust a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Orthanc Berserker (3R66)	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)	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 minion to a companion (except the Ring-bearer). That companion may exert to prevent this.
	Úlairë Otsëa, Ringwraith in Twilight (3U86)	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)	Sauron	Minion • Orc	Regroup: Exert this minion to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Orc Slayer (3U97)	Sauron	Minion • Orc	Regroup: Exert this minion to wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Many Riddles (4U159)	Isengard	Condition	Search. To play, exert an tracker. Plays on a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Assignment: Exert an tracker and remove to assign that tracker to bearer. Bearer may exert to prevent this.
	Desert Lord (4R219)	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)	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)	Raider	Event	Regroup: Exert a 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)	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)	Raider	Minion • Man	Southron. Ambush . 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)	Raider	Minion • Man	Southron. Archer. Ambush . 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)	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)	Gollum	Event	Response: If Gollum wins a skirmish, wound a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Desertion (6U61)	Isengard	Condition	To play, spot an Man. Plays on a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Assignment: Assign an minion with less strength than bearer to skirmish bearer. Discard this condition.
	Fires and Foul Fumes (6R62)	Isengard	Event	Regroup: Discard 4 Orcs to wound a companion 4 times (except the Ring-bearer).
	Trample (6R82)	Raider	Event	Maneuver: Spot a mounted Man to discard a companion (except the Ring-bearer). The Free Peoples player may add to prevent this.
	Úlairë Lemenya, Winged Hunter (6U86)	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)	Raider	Condition • Support Area	To play, spot 2 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)	Raider	Event • Regroup	Spot 2 Men to discard a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Southron Leader (7R166)	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)	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 .
	Called (7U174)	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)	Ringwraith	Possession • Hand Weapon	Bearer must be a Orc. While you can spot 2 wounds on the Ring-bearer, bearer is damage +1.
	Morgul Brawler (7U187)	Ringwraith	Minion • Orc	While the Ring-bearer is exhausted, this minion is strength +3, fierce and damage +1.
	Morgul Brute (7R188)	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)	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)	Ringwraith	Minion • Orc	While you can spot 2 wounds on the Ring–bearer, this minion is strength +4 and fierce.
	Morgul Mongrel (7C194)	Ringwraith	Minion • Orc	While you can spot 3 wounds on the Ring–bearer, this minion is fierce and damage +1.
	Morgul Whelp (7U202)	Ringwraith	Minion • Orc	While you can spot a wound on the Ring–bearer, this minion is strength +6.
	Put Forth His Strength (7R205)	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)	Ringwraith	Condition • Support Area	Response: If your minion wins a skirmish, place a token here (limit 1 per site). Regroup: Spot 3 tokens here to exhaust the Ring–bearer. Discard this condition.
	Úlairë Enquëa, Faster Than Winds (7U212)	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)	Ringwraith	Event • Skirmish	Make a Orc strength +2 (or +4 if you spot 2 wounds on the Ring-bearer).
	The Witch-king, Morgul King (7R221)	Ringwraith	Minion • Nazgul	Fierce. When you play The Witch-king, you may remove a threat to take a card into hand from your discard pile. The Ring-bearer cannot take threat wounds.
	Mordor Assassin (7R284)	Sauron	Minion • Orc	Response: If a companion is overwhelmed during a skirmish involving a Orc, remove a threat to assign this minion to the Ring-bearer (even if the Ring-bearer is already assigned).
	Called Away (8R93)	Sauron	Condition • Support Area	Regroup: Discard a 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)	Gollum	Minion	Shadow: Exert Gollum twice to exert the Ring-bearer. Shadow: Remove a burden to add . Skirmish: Remove a burden to add . Regroup: Remove a burden to add . Regroup: Exert Gollum twice to wound the Ring-bearer.
	Gorbag, Covetous Captain (10R59)	Ringwraith	Minion • Orc	For each wound on the Ring-bearer, each Orc is strength +1.
	Ten Times Outnumbered (10C66)	Ringwraith	Event • Skirmish	Make a Orc strength +2 for each wound on the Ring-bearer.
	Wielding the Ring (11U105)	Men	Condition	To play, spot a minion. Bearer must be a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Undisciplined (11R141)	Orc	Event • Assignment	Toil 3. (For each character you exert when playing this, its twilight cost is –3.) Assign an minion to a companion (except the Ring-bearer).
	Shapes Slowly Advancing (11R217)	Ringwraith	Condition • Support Area	Regroup: Discard your Nazgûl from play to add a token here. The Free Peoples player may return a companion to hand to prevent the placement of that token. When you can spot 4 tokens on this condition, the Ring-bearer is corrupted.
	The Beckoning Shadow (12R83)	Orc	Condition • Support Area	To play, exert an 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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	Men	Minion • Man	When you play this, you may spot another 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)	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)	Men	Minion • Man	Maneuver: Exert Mûmak Commander twice to exert a companion twice (except the Ring-bearer).
	Pursuing Horde (15U88)	Men	Condition	To play, spot a Man. Bearer must be a companion (except the Ring-bearer). Limit 1 per companion. Each time the fellowship moves, add .
	Tower Troll (15R117)	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)	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)	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.
	Guided by One Purpose (V1_31)	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 creature to the Ring-bearer. The Free Peoples player may exert the Ring-bearer twice to prevent this.
	Ringwraith in Twilight (V1_40)	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)	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)	Sauron	Condition • Support Area	The site number of each minion is -1 for each burden you can spot. Each minion with site number of 1 or less is strength +1. When the Ring-bearer takes off The One Ring, discard this condition.​

Sites

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

The One Ring

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	The One Ring, Isildur's Bane (1R1)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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)	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.​