I love the new hero version of Elfhelm. He is a subtle hero that will never be the key component in a broken power lineup, but encourages and rewards fun and unique deckbuilds, especially with more players. Here are a few observations from playing with him so far.

1) It is important to realize the Elfhelm actually buffs two things: mounts and color fixing. Theoretically if each of your heroes is 3 color with a mount Elfhelm can provide +9 in total stat buffs just solo. Amarthiul and Aragorn (with Celebrian Stone or STWB) are great to combo with Elfhelm because they color fix so easily. Other candidates need songs, which is easy enough, but it's better when you already want to color fix anyway.

2) Elfhelm provides the only global defense buff in the game. Defense buffs in general are very rare. This makes him excellent in siege quest situations and it makes Erkenbrand and Amarthiul (again) great candidates for his buff. Unfortunately the way that defense works he will rarely benefit from his own buff because it is to risky to use him to block unless you are using him against small enemies. For this reason he himself needs color fixing as well as a mount to get any use from his own ability, which feels like more work than it is worth. The biggest benefit to Elfhelm is obviously the armored destrier which every defender naturally wants anyway, especially in leadership.

3) Legolas is significantly better with 4 attack and you normally already want to give him Arod or Rohan Warhorse, making him an obvious combo choice even without color fixing.

4) Glorfindel has a mount called Asfalof, which is pretty good. If you can give ol' Glorfindel LOV he can quest for 4 and be ready for attack. With song of battle, he might just be one of the best heroes in the game. Perhaps Elfhelm can finally unlock his potential.

5) It feels so wrong putting mounts on Dwarves, but if you can stomach the travesty Oin turns out to be pretty good with Elfhelm. It probably won't happen much because anybody running Oin will be using a Dwarf build.

As the cardpool grows Elfhelm will become better and better. More mounts, more color fixing options, and more ready effects to utilize all the state buffs will make Elfhelm a hero like Caldara, a hero that will shine brighter in the cycles to come.

Nice analysis. I totally agree and have enjoyed my games with Elfhelm so far. Amarthiul has become a beast with Armored Destriers, and I got to see Aragorn(T) pull off the trifecta with StwB, Celebrian's Stone, and an Armored Destrier. In that game with Aragorn we also had Hobbit Ponies on Merry and Sam and Asfaloth on Glorfindel.

Like you said, I've been tempted to add more songs into my decks to maximize his effects. I love it when they introduce a new card that opens up new ways to play with old cards.

Wish I could say I've had time to use him. But I love what he does for Rohan Warhorse in particular. It is such a good card but it hurts to give a restricted slot up with no attack boost on a dedicated attack, in some decks.

4) Glorfindel has a mount called Asfalof, which is pretty good. If you can give ol' Glorfindel LOV he can quest for 4 and be ready for attack. With song of battle, he might just be one of the best heroes in the game. Perhaps Elfhelm can finally unlock his potential.

Finally

is a hero with an icon a hero of that sphere? I guess i didn't think so. EG: Aragorn w/ Celebrian's Stone is not a spirit hero, he's still a Ld hero (or tactics or lore or fellowship).

If true, that does make EH a bit more interesting. I'm still not really convinced yet, I'd have to see him in action.

is a hero with an icon a hero of that sphere? I guess i didn't think so. EG: Aragorn w/ Celebrian's Stone is not a spirit hero, he's still a Ld hero (or tactics or lore or fellowship).

If true, that does make EH a bit more interesting. I'm still not really convinced yet, I'd have to see him in action.

Yes, heroes given an icon are of that sphere. I see a Love of Tales + Elfhelm deck in the works.

I think he is a great splash into Rohan decks where the colour fixing seems quite natural. If you play a Leadership-Tactics-Spirit, you might often have too much of the former two and not enough Spirit. You can even go without Tactics and only have a few cards like the Charge or Forth Éorlingas and Song of Battle to boost attack (with Spirit Éowyn, the potentially irrelevant cards can be discarded easily when needed).

4) Glorfindel has a mount called Asfalof, which is pretty good. If you can give ol' Glorfindel LOV he can quest for 4 and be ready for attack. With song of battle, he might just be one of the best heroes in the game. Perhaps Elfhelm can finally unlock his potential.

Really funny, except the horse is called Asfaloth. But I did already experiment with the two in coop. And wonder what? Glorfindel felt as a pretty decent hero then.

Seriously, isn't the stats of 2/2/2 a bit "boring"? As if the designers couldn't decide which way do develop Elfthelm excactly.... :/

Almost none of the heroes could do all three actions. So at least one of the three stats will never be used - so worthless. Isn't it???

Seriously, isn't the stats of 2/2/2 a bit "boring"? As if the designers couldn't decide which way do develop Elfthelm excactly.... :/

Almost none of the heroes could do all three actions. So at least one of the three stats will never be used - so worthless. Isn't it???

I think the word you are looking for is flexibility. Plenty of heroes have 2/2/2 stats and are still quite good, including Beravor, Erestor, and Mablung. Plus, if you give Elfhelm Snowmane and an Armored Destrier, he will be able to quest, attack, and defend in the same turn.

is a hero with an icon a hero of that sphere? I guess i didn't think so. EG: Aragorn w/ Celebrian's Stone is not a spirit hero, he's still a Ld hero (or tactics or lore or fellowship).

If true, that does make EH a bit more interesting. I'm still not really convinced yet, I'd have to see him in action.

It's the same wording as Burning Brand (lore hero), which you can give to anyone with a Song of Wisdom.

is a hero with an icon a hero of that sphere? I guess i didn't think so. EG: Aragorn w/ Celebrian's Stone is not a spirit hero, he's still a Ld hero (or tactics or lore or fellowship).

If true, that does make EH a bit more interesting. I'm still not really convinced yet, I'd have to see him in action.

Yes, heroes given an icon are of that sphere. I see a Love of Tales + Elfhelm deck in the works.

Just wait until we see a new errata for Elfhelm or LoT lol.

If a hero has 2 mounts, does he get 2 buffs from Elfhelm (a tactics hero with 2 mounts gets 2 more attacks)?

If a hero has 2 mounts, does he get 2 buffs from Elfhelm (a tactics hero with 2 mounts gets 2 more attacks)?

OK, that's what I thought, just wanted to be sure.

Thanks for the heads up!