Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311)

Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310)

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Sorry About Everything (1C312)

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Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311) is a Shire Companion from the Fellowship of the Ring set.

EN Revision 2 (PC) EN Revision 1 (PC) EN Nonfoil First Edition EN Foil First Edition DE Nonfoil First Edition DE Foil First Edition FR Nonfoil First Edition FR Foil First Edition IT Nonfoil First Edition IT Foil First Edition ES Nonfoil First Edition ES Foil First Edition PL Nonfoil First Edition PL Foil First Edition PT Nonfoil First Edition PT Foil First Edition ZH Nonfoil First Edition ZH Foil First Edition

Revision 2 · Player's Council · 2023-06-07 Collection Info Title Sam Subtitle Son of Hamfast Unique Yes Collectible No Set 1 - The Fellowship of the Ring Rarity C - Common Card Number 311 Language EN - English Revision 2 (Player's Council) Release Date 2023-06-07 Notes Lists: EXL Sam, Sam, Sam. Even with his X-List nerf, he has remained the most popular burden-stripping splash option, showing up in 7 out of the top 10 decks in the May qualifiers. We knew at the time that we made the original errata that it wouldn’t be enough, but we felt like we had to wait until there were more burden-removal options for more cultures before we could feel comfortable taking him further. With the introduction of Gilraen's Memorial (V1_22) and the errata to LOTR-EN07E256.1 also removing burdens, that time might well be now. Sam will now exert twice per burden removed, but like Dauntless Hunter, the second exertion is paid after the fact, which goes unpaid if he is exhausted. This means that upon playing him, at most 2 burdens can be removed without additional healing, unless played in a Shire-heavy deck. Gameplay Info Playable Yes Culture Shire Side Free Peoples Card Type Companion Race Hobbit Twilight Cost 2 Strength 3 Vitality 4 Resistance 5 Signet Aragorn Game Text Fellowship: Exert Sam and another companion to remove a burden. Then, exert Sam again unless you can spot 2 allies (or Rosie Cotton). Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5). Lore “‘Oh, I've never held a girl's hand before. I... I think I might just have myself another ale.'” Technical Info Wiki Base Card ID LOTR-EN01S311.0 Wiki Release ID LOTR-EN01S311.2 TLHH ID LOTR01311 GEMP ID 1_311 LOTRO Hex ID 47 37 F4 LOTRO Image ID 01_311 Revision 1 · Player's Council · 2021-03-20 Collection Info Title Sam Subtitle Son of Hamfast Unique Yes Collectible No Set 1 - The Fellowship of the Ring Rarity C - Common Card Number 311 Language EN - English Revision 1 (Player's Council) Release Date 2021-03-20 Notes Lists: EXL Decipher Notes: This card has been on our X-List radar for quite some time. The deck lists turned in by the top 16 players of each major event this year were a perfect example of why – in every case, at least 15 of them were stocking one or more copies of Sam. He is simply too versatile, offering huge benefits regardless of Free Peoples strategy, and regardless of who your Ring-bearer is. And he’s even better if your Ring-bearer happens to be Frodo. With Shadows, the need to address Sam became even more pressing. With resistance becoming an important feature of all companions (not just Ring-bearer) and it being directly tied to burdens, Sam easily undermined a large number of Shadow cards in the set, and made many Free Peoples cards too reliable (and thus, too strong). Sam is tricky, because not only is he approximately the best burden removal option, for many cultures he represents almost the only burden removal option, as many cultures plain do not have access to native anti-corruption options. Sam probably deserves to be nerfed more than he is, but it's not possible to do so reasonably until other burden options have been added to more cultures in the future. Full article here. Gameplay Info Playable Yes Culture Shire Side Free Peoples Card Type Companion Race Hobbit Twilight Cost 2 Strength 3 Vitality 4 Resistance 5 Signet Aragorn Game Text Fellowship: Exert Sam and another companion to remove a burden. Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5). Lore “‘Oh, I've never held a girl's hand before. I... I think I might just have myself another ale.'” Technical Info Wiki Base Card ID LOTR-EN01S311.0 Wiki Release ID LOTR-EN01S311.1 TLHH ID LOTR01311 GEMP ID 1_311 LOTRO Hex ID 47 37 F4 LOTRO Image ID 01_311 First edition · Decipher Collection Info Title Sam Subtitle Son of Hamfast Unique Yes Collectible Yes Set 1 - The Fellowship of the Ring Rarity C - Common Card Number 311 Language EN - English Revision 0 Notes Lists: EXL Gameplay Info Playable Yes Culture Shire Side Free Peoples Card Type Companion Race Hobbit Twilight Cost 2 Strength 3 Vitality 4 Resistance 5 Signet Aragorn Game Text Fellowship: Exert Sam to remove a burden. Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5). Lore “‘Oh, I've never held a girl's hand before. I... I think I might just have myself another ale.'” Technical Info Wiki Base Card ID LOTR-EN01S311.0 TLHH ID LOTR01311 GEMP ID 1_311 LOTRO Hex ID 47 37 F4 LOTRO Image ID 01_311

Translations DE - German Card Name Sohn des Hamfast Game Text Gemeinschaft. Strenge Sam an, um eine Lastmarke zu entfernen. Reaktion: Wenn Frodo stirbt, wird Sam Ringträger (Resistenz 5). Lore "Oh, ich hielt noch nie die Hand eines Mädchens...ich denke, lieber werd' ich noch'n Bier trinken.“ FR - French Card Name Fils de Hamfast Game Text Compagnie : Affaiblissez Sam pour retirer un point-fardeau. Réponse : Si Frodon meurt, faites de Sam le Porteur de l’Anneau (résistance 5). Lore “‘Oh, je n'ai jamais tenu la main d'une fille auparavant. Je ... Je pense que je devrais seulement reprendre une choppe.'” IT - Italian Card Name Figlio di Hamfast Game Text Compagnia: Sforza Sam per rimuovere un segnalino fardello. Risposta: Se Frodo muore, fai diventare Sam il Portatore dell’Anello (resistenza 10). Lore “‘Oh, io non ho mai sostenuto la mano di una ragazza prima. Io ... Io penso che potrei prendermi un'altra birra chiara.'” ES - Spanish Card Name Hijo de Hamfast Game Text Comunidad: Esfuerza a Sam para quitar una carga. Respuesta: Si Frodo muere, haz a Sam el Portador del Anillo (Resistencia 5). Lore “Oh, nunca le sujete antes la mano a una chica. Yo... Creo que me tomare otra cerveza.” PL - Polish PT - Portuguese ZH - Chinese

Strategy

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

Strong Versus...

• Corruption strategies
• "Beasterling" strategies which rely on as few as 2 burdens

Weak Versus...

• 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

Portrait	Name	Game Text
	Sam, Faithful Companion (1R310)	Fellowship: Exert Sam to take a item into hand from your draw deck (limit once per turn). Response: If Frodo dies, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).
	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 spot Frodo to heal that companion. Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).
	Sam, Of Bagshot Row (V1_54)	Each time a companion with the Frodo signet wins a skirmish, heal that companion. Response: If Frodo is killed, make Sam the Ring-bearer (resistance 5).
	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).
	Sam, Undaunted (V3_115)	Ring-bound. Frodo is resistance +2. Maneuver: If you cannot spot more than 4 companions, add a burden to choose condition or possession, then choose odd or even. Hinder all Shadow support cards with a type and twilight cost matching your choice. Limit once per turn. ​