C – core set M – Shadows of Mirkwood cycle M1 – Hunt for Gollum M2 – Conflict at the Carrock M3 – Journey to Rhosgobel M4 – Hills of Emyn Muil M5 – Dead Marshes M6 – Return to Mirkwood K – Khazad-dûm deluxe D – Dwarrodelf cycle D1 – Redhorn Gate D2 – Road to Rivendell D3 – Watcher in the Water D4 – Long Dark D5 – Foundations of Stone D6 – Shadow and Flame H – The Hobbit saga H1 – Over Hill and Under Hill H2 – On the Doorstep N – Heirs of Númenor deluxe S – Against the Shadow cycle S1 – Steward’s Fear S2 – Drúadan Forest S3 – Encounter
at Amon Dîn S4 – Assault on Osgiliath S5 – Blood of Gondor S6 – Morgul Vale
Longevity, Healing and Safety
Beorn (H1) has the most hit
points out of any hero; it is impossible to heal him but possible to revive
him.
Landroval (M3) can save a hero
that was just destroyed, Beorn, for instance.
In its ally form, Beorn (C)
is also worth mentioning, having one more hit point than any hero outside of
Beorn.
When you have a hero that does
much fighting but you’re afraid he might not survive it, and you have another
hero who can take hits in the first hero’s stead, you might as well attach Song of Mocking (M5) to the second one.
Defence strength and the number of hit points often determine a
successful defender, Ring Mail (D4)
boosts both of those attributes. It can only be targeted on Dwarves or Hobbits,
however.
Citadel Plate (C) increases the
number of hit points of the attached hero by 4; and it costs 4 as well.
Hardy Leadership (D6) is a strong
boost for Dwarves in terms of hit points, especially for Erebor Record-keepers
or Zigil Miners that only have 1 initially.
Frodo Baggins (M2) is equipped with
a very unique ability to keep him out of trouble (could it be the Ring?); it
allows for a number of strategies, whether it being inclination to let more
attacks undefended, or defending with much more safety.
Elrond (D6) amplifies any
healing effect that wasn’t already maximal.
Glorfindel (C) might not have
the most potent healing ability but he remains the only hero with one.
Anfalas Herdsman (S1) could actually be considered into any Lore deck, since an ally costing 1 with 2 hit points is a rare deal, in an Outlands deck, however, he is the absolute must. One should often play him before all the others, just to keep the lot safe.
When one wishes to have a healing ally in his deck, he should not
overlook Warden of Healing (D4).
He’s great at keeping several characters as fresh as they were upon their
arrival.
If it were not for Warden of Healing, Daughter of the Nimrodel (C) would still probably be unchallenged
as far as healing heroes goes; she would not heal an ally though, and she
cannot do more than a hero at a time unless one finds a special trick.
Dori (H1) can make sure no hero dies
of an unlucky shadow effect, undefended attack, etc. He is a bit costly and
unique but certainly worth considering even outside a Dwarven deck.
Healing Herbs (D5) present a way to
heal all damage from a character, one just needs a Lore hero ready for it.
Worth noting is that with Master of the Forge, Healing Herbs are relatively
easy to find at a proper moment, without the need of having several copies in a
deck. One would be surprised to learn the Elven Master could find plants in a
vicinity of his forge.
There is a great similarity between Daughter of the Nimrodel and Self Preservation (C) coming both from
the dark ages of the core set. There are little nuances when the former or
latter is preferable, but in general they both suffer in comparison to Warden
of Healing.
Similar to Healing Herbs in its effect, Lore of Imladris (C) is also able to heal all damage from any
character, it is more costly but one doesn’t need to keep a Lore hero ready to
use it, plus, being event, it has a timing benefit.
One could argue that Beorn’s
Hospitality (C) was a bit questionable at first but it was most welcome in
the end; something that is hard to say about this costly event that only takes
care of damage on one of the player’s heroes. With Lore resources hardly ever
overflowing, it is hard to find a place for this card in a deck, unless one has
a strategy about it, and tricks to play it cheaper (Elrond’s hospitality
perhaps?).
Rounding
down the Hobbit story line threads, Gandalf’s cousin and Beorn’s neighbor Radagast (M3) is next. Not much he can
currently do with his resources, healing Eagles is formidable but not much
helpful as far as the game goes.
An interesting option arrives in the shape and form of White Tower Watchman (S2). Undefended attacks have never been this safe before; one needs a mono-sphere deck to use the ability, however.