Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311)
Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310) | Back to Fellowship of the Ring Index |
Sorry About Everything (1C312) |
Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311) is a Shire Companion from the Fellowship of the Ring set.
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Strategy[edit]
One of the most common "splash" approaches to burden removal, Son of Hamfast can exert to remove a burden during the Fellowship Phase. A "play him, exert him three times, then throw him in front of the Balrog" approach is incredibly common in almost any eligible format, as few cards are available to cultures that so easily remove burdens at a relatively low cost.
Some strategies focus on keeping Sam, Son of Hamfast alive, particularly with dangerous self-corrupting Alternate Ring-bearers, such as Gimli, Bearer of Grudges (9R+4) or Boromir, Bearer of Council (9R+31) . Any corruption or burden based strategy must make Sam, Son of Hamfast a target, whether by directed wounding, or Helpless (2U76) , a bane of Sam. It is worth noting that Sam, Son of Hamfast has access to several Shire healing cards and can be healed by Aragorn, King in Exile (1P365) or Hard Choice (4U123) , by the nature of his Signet.
In decks running Frodo as a ring-bearer, Sam, Son of Hamfast is the obvious splash option. If Frodo absorbs too many burdens quickly, such as against Easterling Lieutenant (4C228) and Vision From Afar (4R259) , or takes burdens as Archery or Threat wounds quickly, Frodo can be the sacrificed pawn and Sam can take the Ring. While trading off a lower Resistance than Frodo offers, Sam can continuously remove his burdens each Fellowship phase, as long as he kept healed.
Strengths and Weaknesses[edit]
Strong Versus...[edit]
- Corruption strategies
- "Beasterling" strategies which rely on as few as 2 burdens
Weak Versus...[edit]
- Effects which hinder or prevent Sam's ability (Helpless (2U76) , Throw Yourself in Next Time (2U71) or You Bring Great Evil (1C283) )
- Assignment abilities, such as those of Saruman, Servant of the Eye (3C69) , Orc Assassin (1U262) or Frenzy (1C171) (if Exhausted)
- Directed wounding, such as Hate (1R250)
Alternate Personas[edit]
Portrait | Name | Game Text |
---|---|---|
Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310) | Fellowship: Play Bill the Pony from your draw deck.
Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5). | |
Sam, Proper Poet (2C114) | Maneuver: Exert Sam twice to make him defender +1 until the regroup phase.
Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5). | |
Sam, Frodo's Gardener (4R315) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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) | 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). | |
Sam, Great Elf Warrior (10P122) | Ring-bound.
Sam is strength +1 for each companion you can spot. Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5). | |
Sam, Steadfast Friend (11U172) | Ring-bound. Each other companion is resistance +1. | |
Sam, Bearer of Great Need (13R156) | 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. | |
Sam, Innocent Traveler (15U153) | 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. | |
Sam, Loyal Friend (19P32) | 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, Of Bagshot Row (V1_54) | 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). |