Wizard

Wizards are immortal spirits who adopted the guise of wise men to aid the races of Middle-Earth in their struggle against Sauron. In this game, they are a race that only appears as a handful of unique characters, although two of them are main characters of Lord of the Rings and thus have many different versions. Five wizards appear in Lord of the Rings:

• Gandalf, the Grey Wizard, and later White Wizard, a wise wanderer. Every version of Gandalf is a Free Peoples companion, and he is the main character of Gandalf culture.
• Saruman, the White Wizard, a treacherous scholar. Saruman is the leader of Isengard, and appears as a minion in four different Shadow cultures, as well as once as Saruman, Servant of Sauron (17R38) , a Follower with no race keyword. (Followers do not have race keywords.)
• Radagast, the Brown Wizard, a friend to animals who does not appear in the Lord of the Rings films. He is represented by three cards, two of which are wizards: Radagast, The Brown (9R+26) , a Free Peoples wizard companion, Radagast Deceived (13R80) , a Shadow condition that briefly turns into a wizard minion, and Radagast, Tender of Beasts (13R38) , a Free Peoples follower.
• Alatar and Pallando, the Blue Wizards, who are only briefly mentioned in the Lord of the Rings novels and do not appear in the films. They are represented by cards representing their distant influence: Alatar Deceived (13R78) and Pallando Deceived (13U79) , Shadow conditions that briefly turns into wizard minions, and Alatar, Final Envoy (13U28) and Pallando, Far-travelling One (13R37) , Free Peoples followers.

While Lord of the Rings aficionados might note that the wizards are actually Maiar in the guise of men, in this game "wizard" is considered as a separate race from Maia. The only character with the race of Maia in this game is Sauron himself. Cards which affect wizards do not affect Sauron, and no card mentions Maia by name.

Interactions

There are both Free Peoples and Shadow wizard cards, so this leads to some unusual interactions. Some cards can interact with both Free Peoples and Shadow wizards, including Perspective (18U25) , Alatar Deceived (13R78) , Pallando Deceived (13U79) , Radagast Deceived (13R80) , Staff of Saruman, Fallen Istar's Stave (13R81) , and Throne of Isengard (17R39) .

Possession and artifact cards that say "Bearer must be a wizard" without specifying a culture or card type can be played on your opponent's wizard characters, although this is almost impossible with Free Peoples cards and rarely useful with Shadow cards. These cards include Wizard Staff (2C29) , Brego (4U263) , Horse of Rohan (4C283) , Shadowfax, Roaring Wind (13R40) , and Staff of Saruman, Fallen Istar's Stave (13R81) . All of these cards can be transferred from Gandalf or Radagast to a minion version of Saruman (or vice versa!) by Strange-looking Men (11R100) .

These cards all either interact with all wizards, or with all Gandalf culture wizards; cards that interact with Gandalf or Saruman by name have not been included. All cards below are Gandalf culture Free Peoples cards or Isengard culture Shadow cards unless otherwise noted.

See Also

• Wizards on Tolkien Gateway

List of Cards with the Wizard Race

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk (1R72)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Gandalf is strength +1 for each of these races you can spot in the fellowship: Hobbit, Dwarf, Elf, and Man.
	Gandalf, The Grey Wizard (1P364)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Fellowship: Exert Gandalf to play a companion who has the Gandalf signet. The twilight cost of that companion is -2.
	Gandalf, The Grey Pilgrim (2P122)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	At the start of each of your turns, you may draw a card.
	Gandalf, Greyhame (4R89)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Fellowship: If the twilight pool has fewer than 2 twilight tokens, add to play a character from your discard pile.
	Gandalf, The White Wizard (4C90)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	While you can spot 3 twilight tokens, Gandalf is strength +3.
	Gandalf, Mithrandir (6R30)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Damage +1. Each time the fellowship moves, wound Gandalf.
	Gandalf, Defender of the West (7C36)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	While you cannot spot 3 companions of the same culture, Gandalf is strength –2.
	Gandalf, Manager of Wizards (7R37)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Skirmish: Place 3 cards from hand on top of your draw deck to make a minion skirmishing an unbound companion strength –3. Any Shadow player may place 3 cards from his or her hand on top of his or her draw deck to prevent this.
	Gandalf, Leader of Men (8R15)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	When Gandalf is in your starting fellowship, his twilight cost is -2.
	Radagast, The Brown (9R+26)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	The move limit is +1. Each time the fellowship moves during the regroup phase, each opponent may discard 2 cards from hand to draw 2 cards.
	Gandalf, Leader of the Company (11S33)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	While Gandalf is in region 1, each other companion is strength +2. While Gandalf is in region 2, each companion is strength +1. While Gandalf is in region 3, he is strength +2.
	Gandalf, The White Rider (12R27)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Skirmish: If Gandalf is not assigned to a skirmish, exert him and another unbound companion skirmishing a minion to make Gandalf strength +3 and have him replace that companion in that skirmish.
	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.
	Gandalf, Powerful Guide (15R29)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	To play, spot 2 Hobbits. Each time you play a spell, you may add a burden to wound a minion. At the start of each skirmish involving Gandalf, you may draw a card and then discard a card from your hand.
	Gandalf, Returned (17R17)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	When you play Gandalf (except in your starting fellowship), you may play a possession on him from your draw deck or discard pile. Each time Gandalf wins a skirmish, you may reinforce a Free Peoples token.
	Gandalf, Wise Guide (19P8)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Fellowship. Response: If an event is played, exert Gandalf twice to cancel that event.
	Gandalf, Stormcrow (0P64)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard
	Gandalf, Stormcrow (0D17)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	Damage +3. Defender +3. Skirmish: Exert Gandalf to make a companion strength +1.
	Gandalf, Stormcrow (0W17)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard
	Gandalf, Returned (0W32)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	When you play Gandalf (except in your starting fellowship), you may play a possession on him from your draw deck or discard pile. Each time Gandalf wins a skirmish, you may reinforce a Free Peoples token.
	Gandalf, Powerful Guide (0W38)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	To play, spot 2 Hobbits. Each time you play a spell, you may add a burden to wound a minion. At the start of each skirmish involving Gandalf, you may draw a card and then discard a card from your hand.
	Gandalf, Olorin (V1_14)	Gandalf	Companion • Wizard	At the start of your fellowship phase, you may spot 2 allies and exert Gandalf to shuffle a or card from your discard pile into your draw deck. While you can spot 3 allies, Gandalf is strength +2. While you can spot Elrond, Galadriel, and Celeborn, Gandalf is strength +2.
	Saruman, Rabble-rouser (4R33)	Dunland	Minion • Wizard	Saruman may not be assigned to a skirmish. Each time the fellowship moves, the Free Peoples player must exert a companion for each Man you can spot. Skirmish: Exert Saruman to make a Man strength +2.
	Saruman, Keeper of Isengard (3R68)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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.
	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.
	Saruman, Black Traitor (4R173)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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.
	Saruman, Master of Foul Folk (5R56)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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 Orc twice. Shadow: Exert Saruman to play an possession from your discard pile.
	Saruman, Of Many Colours (12R54)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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.
	Saruman, Instigator of Insurrection (17R37)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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.
	Saruman, Many-coloured Wizard (0D20)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	Damage +3. Fierce. Assignment: Exert Saruman to assign him to an unbound companion. Skirmish: Exert Saruman to make him strength +1.
	Saruman, Many-coloured Wizard (0W20)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard
	Saruman, Instigator of Insurrection (0W36)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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.
	Saruman, Fell Voice (V1_30)	Isengard	Minion • Wizard	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 minion is strength +2. Response: If the fellowship moves from a site bearing a weather, discard this minion to exert each companion.
	Saruman, Coldly Still (17S48)	Men	Minion • Wizard	Each minion bearing a possession is strength +2. Skirmish: Exert Saruman to play a possession from your discard pile.
	Saruman, Agent of the Dark Lord (12S144)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Wizard	Lurker. (Skirmishes involving lurker minions must be resolved after any others.) Skirmish: Exert Saruman to make an  minion strength +2. Each time a companion is killed, you may heal Saruman.
	Saruman, Curunir (17S115)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Wizard	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.
	Saruman, Master of the White Hand (17R116)	Uruk-hai	Minion • Wizard	Each companion is resistance -1. Skirmish: Exert Saruman to discard a condition borne by a companion skirmishing an minion. ​

List of Cards that Interact with the Wizard Race

Portrait	Card Name	Culture	Card Type	Game Text
	Wizard Staff (2C29)	Gandalf	Possession • Staff	Bearer must be a Wizard. Skirmish: Exert bearer twice to make a minion strength -3.
	Wizard Staff (7C52)	Gandalf	Possession • Staff	Bearer must be a Wizard. Skirmish: Exert bearer twice to make a minion strength –3.
	Sent Back (9R27)	Gandalf	Condition • Support Area	Skirmish: Discard this condition to discard each minion skirmishing a Wizard. Place that Wizard in your dead pile. Fellowship or Regroup: Play a Wizard (even if another copy of that Wizard is in your dead pile).
	Borne Far Away (10R14)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	Spot your Wizard to exchange a companion in hand with a companion in your dead pile or discard pile.
	Gathering Wind (10C16)	Gandalf	Event • Maneuver	Exert your Wizard and choose a number. Make each minion with that twilight cost strength –2 until the regroup phase.
	Out of the High Airs (10R17)	Gandalf	Event • Response	If the fellowship moves during the regroup phase, exert your Wizard to discard each minion.
	The Art of Gandalf (11U28)	Gandalf	Possession • Support Area	To play, spot a Wizard. Regroup: Stack a spell from hand here. Fellowship: Discard a card from hand to take a card stacked here into hand.
	Ease the Burden (11U29)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	Exert a Wizard to remove a burden (or 2 burdens if the fellowship is at a dwelling site).
	Final Account (11C31)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	To play, exert a Wizard. Discard 2 cards from hand to take a Free Peoples card and a Shadow card from your discard pile into hand.
	G for Grand (11S32)	Gandalf	Condition • Support Area	While you can spot a Wizard, each companion who has resistance 6 or more is strength +1.
	Gandalf's Staff, Ash-staff (11R34)	Gandalf	Artifact • Staff	Bearer must be a Wizard. If bearer is Gandalf, he gains muster. (At the start of the regroup phase, you may discard a card from hand to draw a card.) Each time bearer wins a skirmish, choose a Shadow player who must wound a minion.
	Inspiration (11C36)	Gandalf	Event • Skirmish	Spot a Wizard to reveal your hand and make a minion strength –3 for each companion in your hand (or –4 for each if the fellowship is at a battleground site).
	New Authority (11U37)	Gandalf	Condition • Support Area	To play, spot a Wizard. Each time a Shadow card adds a burden, you may remove . Response: If a minion uses its special ability, discard this condition to cancel the effect of that special ability.
	New-awakened (11U38)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	Spell. Toil 2. (For each character you exert when playing this, its twilight cost is –2.) Spot a Wizard to discard 2 conditions from play.
	Prolonged Struggle (11C39)	Gandalf	Event • Skirmish	Exert a Wizard and spot 2 companions who each have resistance 7 or more to wound a minion that Wizard is skirmishing twice.
	Discoveries (12R26)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	Spell. Toil 3. (For each character you exert when playing this, its twilight cost is –3.) Spot a Wizard and X other companions to examine the top X cards of your draw deck. Replace those cards in any order.
	Introspection (12U29)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	Spell. Choose one: Spot a Wizard to choose an opponent who must discard one of his or her conditions from play; or spot a Wizard at a battleground site to discard a condition from play.
	Salve (12C32)	Gandalf	Condition	Spell. To play, spot a Wizard. Bearer must be a companion. Limit 1 per bearer. Response: If bearer is about to take a wound that would kill him or her, discard this condition to prevent that wound.
	Traveled Leader (12C34)	Gandalf	Event • Maneuver,Regroup	Spot a Wizard to replace a site in the fellowship’s current region with a site from your adventure deck.
	Shadowfax, Roaring Wind (13R40)	Gandalf	Possession • Mount	Bearer must be a Wizard. When you play Shadowfax, you may reinforce a token. Skirmish: Remove 2 tokens to wound a minion skirmishing bearer.
	Traveler’s Homestead (13R42)	Gandalf	Condition • Support Area	To play, spot a Wizard. When you play this, add X tokens here, where X is the current region number. Maneuver: Discard this from play or remove 2 tokens from here to discard a Shadow condition from play.
	A New Light (17U15)	Gandalf	Event • Fellowship	Spell. Spot a Wizard to return a minion to its owner's hand from its owner's discard pile. Reveal that Shadow player's hand and discard a minion from his or her hand.
	Gwaihir, The Windlord (17R20)	Gandalf	Follower	Aid - Add a threat. (At the start of the maneuver phase, you may add a threat to transfer this to a companion.) If bearer is a Wizard, each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may exert a minion (if that minion is a Wizard, wound it instead).
	Scintillating Bird (17R23)	Gandalf	Condition • Support Area	Spell. Fellowship: Exert your Wizard and choose an opponent to name either Free Peoples or Shadow. Reveal the top three cards of your deck. If you revealed at least two of the chosen card type, take those cards into hand, otherwise, discard those cards.
	Shadowfax, Greatest of the Mearas (17R24)	Gandalf	Possession • Mount	Bearer must be a Wizard. Discard all other possessions on bearer and bearer may not bear a hand weapon. Fellowship: Add a threat to remove a burden.
	Drawn to Full Height (18C19)	Gandalf	Event • Skirmish	Spell. Spot a Wizard to make a minion lose all strength bonuses from possessions.
	One-Upsmanship (18U23)	Gandalf	Event • Maneuver	Spell. Spot 2 pipeweed cards to remove a burden for each Wizard you can spot.
	Perspective (18U25)	Gandalf	Condition • Support Area	Maneuver: Add 2 threats and spot a Wizard to prevent a Shadow player from using special abilities on Shadow cards until the regroup phase.
	Radagast's Herb Bag (18R26)	Gandalf	Possession	Bearer must be a Wizard. Each time you play a spell, you may exert bearer to wound a minion.
	Stern Words (19P9)	Gandalf	Condition	To play, spot a Wizard. Bearer must be a companion. Each time bearer wins a skirmish, you may transfer this condition to another companion.
	Brego (4U263)	Rohan	Possession • Mount	To play, spot a Man. Bearer must be a Man, Elf, or Wizard. When you play Brego, you may heal bearer. At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, each minion skirmishing bearer must exert.
	Horse of Rohan (4C283)	Rohan	Possession • Mount	To play, spot a Man. Bearer must be a Man, Elf, or Wizard. At the start of each skirmish involving bearer, each minion skirmishing bearer must exert.
	One of You Must Do This (3C63)	Isengard	Event	Maneuver: Exert an minion to make the Free Peoples player exert X companions, where X is the number of these races you can spot in the fellowship: Dwarf, Elf, Man, and Wizard.
	Alatar Deceived (13R78)	Isengard	Condition • Support Area	Each time a Wizard wins a skirmish, this condition becomes a fierce, damage +1 Wizard minion until the start of the regroup phase that has 11 strength and 1 vitality, and cannot take wounds or bear other cards. This card is still a condition.
	Pallando Deceived (13U79)	Isengard	Condition • Support Area	At the start of the maneuver phase, you may exert a Wizard to make this condition a fierce Wizard minion until the start of the regroup phase that has 10 strength and 1 vitality, and cannot take wounds or bear other cards. This card is still a condition.
	Radagast Deceived (13R80)	Isengard	Condition • Support Area	Each time a Wizard heals, this condition becomes a fierce Wizard minion until the start of the regroup phase that has 12 strength and 1 vitality, and cannot take wounds or bear other cards. This card is still a condition.
	Staff of Saruman, Fallen Istar's Stave (13R81)	Isengard	Artifact • Staff	Bearer must be a Wizard. Regroup: If Saruman is the only minion you can spot, discard this artifact from play to return him to your hand.
	Throne of Isengard (17R39)	Isengard	Artifact • Support Area	Each time you play Saruman, spot a minion. That minion is fierce until the start of the regroup phase. Each Wizard is strength +3 and damage +1.
	Massing in the East (3U92)	Sauron	Event	Regroup: Exert a minion to discard a card from the top of the Free Peoples player’s draw deck for each of these races you can spot in the fellowship: Dwarf, Elf, Man, and Wizard.
	Pinnacle of Zirakzigil (11S255)	Site	Site	Mountain. At the start of your fellowship phase, you may exert 3 companions to play a Wizard from your dead pile. ​

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