Saruman, Agent of the Dark Lord (12S144)
 Quelling Force (12C143)
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Shingle in a Storm (12C145) 
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Saruman, Agent of the Dark Lord (12S144) is a 
Uruk-hai Minion from the Black Rider set.
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Strategy[edit]
Like Rabble-Rouser, Agent of the Dark Lord has the ability to boost the strength of his underlings, but he has several advantages over Rabble-Rouser, chief among them being the ability to boost his own strength. Since most of the post-shadows versions of Saruman can be assigned to a skirmish naturally, the fact that he can pump himself makes him much more dangerous, essentially featuring as one of the tank minions, rather than as a support minion. AotDL can also use several [uruk-hai] weapons (Isengard Siege Bow, Weapon of Opportunity, Isengard Sword) that will increase his vitality or strength, getting more uses out of his ability and making him a better fighter. Saruman also benefits from many [uruk-hai] events and conditions, such as Defensive Rush, Fury of the Evil Army, Shingle in a Storm, Ghastly Wound, Broken in Defeat and You Do Not Know Fear. Since he no longer has text that limits his skirmishing potential, Saruman's Staff is less useful than it once was (Though it can still provide Fierce and Damage + 1) and the new Staff of Saruman, Fallen Istar's Stave was released as an alternative (Gives Saruman extra strength, even more vitality for his ability, and allows the player to return him to hand under certain conditions). Like all of the versions of Saruman that can skirmish, this Saruman gets a lot of bonuses from Throne of Isengard. He also works very well with the Deceived Wizards, as he is good at winning skirmishes and has built in healing.
AotDL’s second ability is useful because it allows him to exert multiple times to pump a fellow minion, and then heal himself when that minion kills the companion they’re skirmishing, giving him more exertions for future skirmishes. Because he is a lurker, his skirmish will normally resolve last, giving him the opportunity to assist each other [uruk-hai] minion, even if he himself will lose his skirmish.
Strengths and Weaknesses[edit]
Strong Versus...[edit]
- Strong companions (Durin III; Treebeard, Enraged Shepherd; Aragorn, Thorongil) as his ability helps to defeat them
- Weak companions, as his ability can easily allow overwhelms
- Low vitality companions, as he and other [uruk-hai] minions have easy access to damage bonuses
Weak Versus...[edit]
- Throne of the Golden Hall
- A New Light
- Ithilien Blade
- Wounding Decks
Alternate Personas[edit]
| Portrait | Name | Game Text |
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Saruman, Keeper of Isengard (3R68)
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Saruman may not take wounds during the archery phase and may not be assigned to a skirmish.
Uruk-hai are fierce. Response: If an Uruk-hai is about to take a wound, exert Saruman to prevent that wound. |
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Saruman, Servant of the Eye (3C69)
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Saruman may not take wounds during the archery phase and may not be assigned to a skirmish.
Assignment: Exert Saruman to assign an |
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Saruman, Rabble-rouser (4R33)
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Saruman may not be assigned to a skirmish.
Each time the fellowship moves, the Free Peoples player must exert a companion for each |
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Saruman, Black Traitor (4R173)
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Saruman may not take wounds during the archery phase and may not be assigned to a skirmish.
When you play Saruman, you may discard a condition. Shadow: Exert Saruman to play Saruman’s Staff from your discard pile. |
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Saruman, Master of Foul Folk (5R56)
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Saruman may not take wounds during the archery phase and may not be assigned to a skirmish.
Each time the fellowship moves, you may heal each Shadow: Exert Saruman to play an |
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Saruman, Of Many Colours (12R54)
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Damage +1. Fierce. Lurker. (Skirmishes involving lurker minions must be resolved after any others.) When you play Saruman, name a culture. Each companion of the named culture is strength –1. |
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Saruman, Instigator of Insurrection (17R37)
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Saruman cannot be assigned to a skirmish.
While you can spot 6 companions, each minion gains hunter 2. Response: If a hunter minion is about to take a wound, exert Saruman to prevent that. |
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Saruman, Servant of Sauron (17R38)
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Aid -  . (At the start of the maneuver phase, you may remove to transfer this to a minion.)
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may exert a companion. |
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Saruman, Coldly Still (17S48)
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Each  minion bearing a possession is strength +2.
Skirmish: Exert Saruman to play a |
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Saruman, Curunir (17S115)
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Each time an hunter wins a skirmish, heal a different minion.
Skirmish: Exert Saruman twice to make a companion lose the hunter keyword until the start of the regroup phase. |
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Saruman, Master of the White Hand (17R116)
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Each companion is resistance -1.
Skirmish: Exert Saruman to discard a condition borne by a companion skirmishing an |
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Saruman, Many-coloured Wizard (0D20)
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Damage +3. Fierce. Assignment: Exert Saruman to assign him to an unbound companion. Skirmish: Exert Saruman to make him strength +1. |
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Saruman, Many-coloured Wizard (0W20)
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Saruman, Instigator of Insurrection (0W36)
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Saruman cannot be assigned to skirmish an unwounded character.
While you can spot 6 companions, all minions gain hunter 2. Response: If a hunter minion is about to take a wound, exert Saruman to prevent that. |
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Saruman, Fell Voice (V1_30)
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While you cannot spot a weather, Saruman may not take wounds in the archery phase and may not be assigned to a skirmish.
While at a site bearing a weather, each Response: If the fellowship moves from a site bearing a weather, discard this minion to exert each companion. |
