Question: Hummerhorns - Shadow effect.

By ChinaBlade2, in The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

Hi All,

This is a question regarding the Hummerhorns Shadow effect.
If the Shadow effect of this card eliminates the defender from its associated enemy – is that enemy’s attack now considered undefended, and does the Shadow effect now deal 2 damage instead of 1? I wouldn’t think so, because at the moment when the Shadow effect is revealed, the attack is being defended.
However, the card text states “Deal 1 damage to each character…” (which kills the defender) followed by (2 damage instead if this attack is undefended) – which is now the case.
If the card text were to read “…if this attack was undefended” then I would be clear on the matter and deal only the 1 damage.

Cheers.

ChinaBlade said:

Hi All,

This is a question regarding the Hummerhorns Shadow effect.
If the Shadow effect of this card eliminates the defender from its associated enemy – is that enemy’s attack now considered undefended, and does the Shadow effect now deal 2 damage instead of 1? I wouldn’t think so, because at the moment when the Shadow effect is revealed, the attack is being defended.
However, the card text states “Deal 1 damage to each character…” (which kills the defender) followed by (2 damage instead if this attack is undefended) – which is now the case.
If the card text were to read “…if this attack was undefended” then I would be clear on the matter and deal only the 1 damage.

Cheers.

The way I play it is that the Shadow effect checks to see if it is defended. If it is then it deals one damage to all your characters and if it isn't then it deals two. You don't go back an reevaluate if it was defended or not just because the effect killed the defender.

However after the Shadow effect is resolved the attack is now undefended and you need to choose your 'lucky' hero to absorb all the damage.

Thank you for this clarification - this is the way I have been playing it.

In one game, even just the +1 damage manage to wipe out 4 of my characters! Granted, my group was in very bad shape - but this card can be brutal!

Cheers.

ChinaBlade said:

Thank you for this clarification - this is the way I have been playing it.

In one game, even just the +1 damage manage to wipe out 4 of my characters! Granted, my group was in very bad shape - but this card can be brutal!

Cheers.

Yup, you can't escape from the Hummerhorns. You have to deal with them whether it comes up as a Enemy or a Shadow effect. That is one of the reasons I like Spirit. Hasty Stroke is sometimes a lifesaving card.

Does the Hummerhorns primary effect take place if you optionally engage them? The way it's worded seems like when you fail an engagement check.

Mestrahd said:

Does the Hummerhorns primary effect take place if you optionally engage them? The way it's worded seems like when you fail an engagement check.

Yes. "In all cases, the player is considered to have engaged the enemy and the enemy is considered to have engaged the player." page 16.

Hummerhorns suck, I suggest calling upon the aid of a great wizard to deal with them.

Apophenia said:

Hummerhorns suck, I suggest calling upon the aid of a great wizard to deal with them.

Or from the Rohirrim Dunhere, if he happens to be around.