I really wanted to like Bilbo, but I just can't get over the fact that his starting threat is so high compared to his stats. Maybe they figured they had to raise his threat for an extra 3 points, because his ability doesn't require him to exhaust. I don't know. With all the other heroes it is very transparent (willpower+attack+defense+hipoints) , but for Bilbo they changed their formula. I don't think that it was a mistake...

Usually I take a flavorful card that maybe isn't the most powerful in the game anyday... But Bilbo hasn't convinced me yet. But who knows? Maybe I'm just freaked out but the massive wig he's wearing in the picture ;-)

Boromir will see some playtime - that I know already! Sure, his second ability is nothing you want to use very often, but imho his first ability alone is powerful enough to include him in a deck or two!

Consider this, you can only use Beravor's ability every other round and still get the same number of cards as for Bilbo's. In the other round she can quest for 2 as Bilbo can quest in two rounds, and she's less vulnerable, can even take undefended damage. But then, consider Unexpected Courage, and try it out in a game or two, if you then still prefer to play with Bilbo, you probably want to make things harder on yourself.

As for Boromir, as said above, it is the first ability that makes him great. The other is just an addition.

lleimmoen: my sentiments exactly on everything you just said. I wish he was more comparable game wise to the other Heroes, simply because it's Bilbo, and he is such a main character.

DurinIII said:

Glad. Haha. I so wish Glorfindel and Bilbo Baggins were better, they are my favourite characters, and it hurts I cannot see them shine in the game I enjoy so much.

They are my favorite characters next to Gloin and Gimli. I am quite a "purist" when it comes to who is in my fellowship. I am partial to The Fellowship of the Ring of the three.

lleimmoen said:

Hey my friend let me disagree with you about Glorifindel. i also use to think Gorifindel is useless but...... Since Rhosgobel come and my deck Gimly/Theodred/Eowyn cannon do nothing against this quest i start to build up another deck. But This new deck i wont to design to beat all Quests Including Rhosgobel. And i get this deck. Glofifindel/Theored/Eowyn. This deck is much better than my previous deck. And very important guy is Glorifindel. I have low starting threat 27 so i can manage the troll in Anduin. Now i change my mind to Glorifindel. He is good really good Hero.

Glaurung said:

Glad for you. And I see what you are saying, I have myself used Glorfindel to some good effect. He is certainly playable. My point is a bit different, and perhaps I did not express it right this time (although I had before), Glorfindel was one of the mightiest of this era, perhaps The Mightiest, especially as a warrior. He had defeated a Balrog, he scared off the Witch-king and later three of the Nazgul alone! Now, that should have translated into the stats. Well, he has got attack 3 and there are already five other heroes with that stat. He has got willpower 3 and Eowyn has 4, with a boosting ability and much lower threat. There is where my concerns lie. I would not mind if Glorfindel were 4/4/2 + 4 hp for the price of 14. He would be very hard to play but thematicaly much more correct.

One a side note, I hope there are card coming for him. Especially we should see Asfaloth!

lleimmoen said:

About Barlog in Gondolin im not really sure....... That was anohter Glorifindel no???? And he also die in this battle.

One a side note, I hope there are card coming for him. Especially we should see Asfaloth!

I am interested to see more cards come out that have a bonus to specific heroes. As of right now we have Celebrian's Stone for Aragorn, but not much else. I hope they use the larger expansions to provide these since they have more player cards in them. I would like to see Sting with a mechanic like "+1 to defense when defending against an orc. If bearer is a hobbit, +1 to attack."

For Boromir (who was the original topic) I would like to see his shield. It could give a plus to defense for everyone (maybe +1), but additional hit points if wielded by Boromir (+2).

Sorry to duck the Boromir discussion again but... I've been using Glorfindal and Bilbo very successfully in my two-fisted decks. Bilbo works great for me because his card draw ability swaps player every turn. Once the decks get going I use him as my chief defender by piling him up with Burning Brand, Dunedain Warnings and Protector of Lorien. Glorfindal I use for questing where his high hit points can absorb the nastier when revealed effects. I tend to then use Unexpected Courage on him to ready him for Attacking.

I like the look of Boromir, but can't see him replacing Legolas in my Leadership/Tactics deck.

Bilbo: Very strong hint about the appearance of Sting in the first Dead Marshes preview - this is good as so far i haven't played him at all.

Glorfindel: I'm not a good enough player to start with that high a threat usually but I've tried him to good effect a couple of times - just prefer Eowyn.

Boromir: really looking forward to playing with him - looking forward to more viable Gondor strategies in general.

Glaurung said:

It was the same Glorfindel who died indeed in the clash. He later left Mandos and returned to Middle-earth, either with the Istari or some time before them in the Third Age.

As good as Boromir's card is, I am a bit sad there is no combo with him and Horn of Gondor, it would seem natural as there is one with Aragorn and Celebrian's Stone. The attachment could have a response: If attached hero is Boromir, when a character leaves play, exhaust him to gain 1 additional resource to his pool.

It would not be too strong and work rather nicely with his ability to ready when need is dire.