Agree. The question now is what will their spheres be?

I'm guessing Spirit for Legolas and Lore for Gimli. Those are just hunches though and could be convinced by a rational argument.

As an aside it has always bothered me that Gimli's Willpower is higher than Legolas'. It was Legolas who entered Dunharrow first after all.

I think they'll be Leadership and Lore. My main reason for this is I am expecting Faramir and Smeagol as the heroes for the next set, and Spirit is the only sphere I can see for Smeagol (*maybe* Lore), leaving Tactics for Faramir.

Agree. The question now is what will their spheres be?

I'm guessing Spirit for Legolas and Lore for Gimli. Those are just hunches though and could be convinced by a rational argument.

As an aside it has always bothered me that Gimli's Willpower is higher than Legolas'. It was Legolas who entered Dunharrow first after all.

I would actually think the opposite for the spheres. I see Gimli maybe taking spirit and Legolas being Lore. I may be mixing my movies up with the novels so if I miss the mark I apologize but at least with Legolas he definitely takes on his more "scout" esque nature at this point in the story (seeing the Uruk's in the distance for instance). As for Gimli, he is the only character of the three who is the least suited for such a chase and still manages to keep going which is a big thematic trait to the spirit sphere.

I could be wrong... who knows! Either way I'm pumped to see newer versions of some very awesome characters.

It's strange considering the reason they included fatty in the BR was to give each sphere a hero to satisfy all players, but now we only get 2 heroes... My guess is Lore for Legolas and Spirit for Gimli.

Yeah I'm definitely bummed by only getting 2 heroes as this box had potential for so many cool hero choices especially for Rohan but now it looks like we won't even get one Rohan hero

This box really should have had 4 and the next one could have had only had 1 or 2 since there's less characters in that half of the book. Oh well I'm sure these 2 heroes will be epic and maybe Legolas and Gimli will actually have some direct synergy!

Here is another spoiler picture via Cardboard of the Rings from Gencon. We at least know that Gandalf gains ranged and sentinel.

What of Gandalf the White?

I don't think we'll see the hero version of him until RotK but i hope they make an ally version of him for ToS.

My theory is we won't get a specific Gandalf the White character, we'll get a "Sent Back" boon that allows you to pull a hero from the dead hero list and gives some kind of bonus. Gandalf may have survived some people's run through the Moria.

I'm looking forward to seeing what they will do with new versions of Gimli and Legolas. Though trying not to get too excited in an effort to manage my expectations.

My theory is we won't get a specific Gandalf the White character, we'll get a "Sent Back" boon that allows you to pull a hero from the dead hero list and gives some kind of bonus. Gandalf may have survived some people's run through the Moria.

The problem with that is that thematically the Valar wouldn't just resuscitate Mablung or Fatty Bolger... No, thematically, the only hero that could be sent back is an Istari hero, so I think we'll get a "The White Wizard" boon that we can use to pull a dead Istari hero plus bonus of course. With that said, I could still see a generic hero resuscitation for compatibility reasons.

Gaining ranged and sentinel is an impressive boon(literally), but not worth of cost mark of 3 on an unique card. I wonder what else it does...

My theory is we won't get a specific Gandalf the White character, we'll get a "Sent Back" boon that allows you to pull a hero from the dead hero list and gives some kind of bonus. Gandalf may have survived some people's run through the Moria.

The problem with that is that thematically the Valar wouldn't just resuscitate Mablung or Fatty Bolger... No, thematically, the only hero that could be sent back is an Istari hero, so I think we'll get a "The White Wizard" boon that we can use to pull a dead Istari hero plus bonus of course. With that said, I could still see a generic hero resuscitation for compatibility reasons.

I like that idea, i still hope to see a Gandalf (the white) version card in this box, be it ally or hero.

Personally, I think that Legolas could fit into either Spirit or Lore, and Gimli could fit into Spirit or maybe Leadership. Considering that the Three Hunters card readies three heroes committed to the quest, I think it's a little more likely that Legolas will be in Spirit, with a bigger focus on willpower instead of attack; it would also allow him and Haldir to coexist in peace. That would leave Gimli to Leadership or Lore. But I can't see him being in Lore... He doesn't spout out too many poems throughout the books, and he's clearly more oriented towards fighting than to reading books. A plausible explanation for him to be in Leadership could be how he "led" a group of dwarves to Helm's Deep after the War of the Ring and started a colony there. He must have had some capability of being a leader.

Not sure about their stats or effects. Maybe Gimli will get a higher defense instead of attack and Legolas some sort of questing power?

Anyway, there's my rant. Very excited!

One other small point... The Aragorn hero doesn't contribute to threat, and the current versions of Legolas & Gimli total 20 threat. Jus' sayin'...

One other small point... The Aragorn hero doesn't contribute to threat, and the current versions of Legolas & Gimli total 20 threat. Jus' sayin'...

That's a valid (and pretty darn awesome) fact.

One thing which just occured to me because it's running along the top of the site's front page is that I really like the art on the front of the box.

Just a random thought which doesn't really matter much.

Gaining ranged and sentinel is an impressive boon(literally), but not worth of cost mark of 3 on an unique card. I wonder what else it does...

Also, I would hate to see a Spirit Legolas. Spirit already has too many heroes with 3 attack. It is supposed to be the willpower sphere.

One other small point... The Aragorn hero doesn't contribute to threat, and the current versions of Legolas & Gimli total 20 threat. Jus' sayin'...

That's a valid (and pretty darn awesome) fact.

One thing which just occured to me because it's running along the top of the site's front page is that I really like the art on the front of the box.

Just a random thought which doesn't really matter much.

Yeah the art is really epic for Helms Deep.

The Background art on this page on the left is epic as well. Honestly don't think it could get any better, so excited for that quest!! http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_npm_sec.asp?eidm=258&esem=1&epmi=s

Maybe Gandalf the white can be ptetty powerful ally ith response : to play Gandalf the white Discard Gandalf hero from play.

Gaining ranged and sentinel is an impressive boon(literally), but not worth of cost mark of 3 on an unique card. I wonder what else it does...

Pretty sure it is a neutral attachment, not a boon. I'd also be shocked if that was all it did so I'm really looking forward to seeing what else it does.

Also, I would hate to see a Spirit Legolas. Spirit already has too many heroes with 3 attack. It is supposed to be the willpower sphere.

That's why I said "literally". You know the meaning of a word "boon", don't you?

Speaking of Spirit Legolas, spirit has only two 3 attack heroes, which is not awfully lot. It's not supposed to be ONLY willpower sphere, it's also a progress sphere, threat reduction sphere, encounter cancellation sphere and all that kind of stuff. I can see importance of Legolas becoming the spirit in one little thingy - he has printed Ranged. If they add a good spirit ability - even better.

Unlike TBR and TRD, the Fellowship hero (Aragorn) obviously won't be carrying the One Ring.

As it is the text of the One Ring that allows you to use Fellowship heroes as an "extra" or "fourth" hero, this means that, unless there is rulebook/campaign card text to state that Aragorn does not count against the hero limit, he will count as one of your three.

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

Thats a bit dodgy.... for the first quest it massively offsets the fact two heroes will be captives and more than likely unusable for the majority of or the whole quest so seems pretty awesome but for the second and third quest you simply have to use him but can't use three other heroes? Thats super retarded in my opinion and will require very very specific deck building as you'll have one less hero generating resources that can be used to play player cards (other than fellowship ones)..... He can ready a hero for two resources (every second turn) which is pretty powerful but this in no way offsets the massive drawbacks this would mean. Also he has 0 threat cost... so you would easily be able to use secrecy... but again only have two heroes generating usable/valuable resources..

Just strange... I for one really really hope there are specific rules in the box that allow Aragorn to be a fourth hero or somehow still allow you to use three heroes for the second and third quest.

Also if this is the case and you play with more than one player or deck EVERY player would only be able to use two heroes as they would need to be able to receive control of Aragorn when they beome the first player.......

Super super dodgy....

Come on, Aragorn is going to be an "extra" hero. It clearly states the first player gains control, meaning he passes just like Frodo. Of course there's going to be a card or campaign effect that puts him into play and doesn't count towards the 3. Stick it on the "You are playing in Campaign Mode" and problem solved- which I'm sure is the case.

No reason to freak out over nothing, there's no way Aragorn isn't going to be "extra" just like Bilbo and Frodo before him. Y'all crazy.

No reason to freak out over nothing, there's no way Aragorn isn't going to be "extra" just like Bilbo and Frodo before him. Y'all crazy.

Except that the three hunter are three ...

Except that the three hunter are three ...

But they don't limit you to playing with just Legolas and Gimli. They wouldn't completely change the rules just so Aragorn would be counted as one of three.

No reason to freak out over nothing, there's no way Aragorn isn't going to be "extra" just like Bilbo and Frodo before him. Y'all crazy.

Except that the three hunter are three ...

That's the worst argument I have ever heard