Most of you seems to forget that these Saga expansions are "meant" to be playable with core set, but without anything else. So it was guite obvious that we would get Pippin, Sam and Merry, because they are not in the Core set. (I forget Frodo of cource allso, but he is the "new" extra hero, so there has to be new version of him allso).

We have Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf in the core set, so it is not nesessary to make new versions of them. It may be possible that we get them allso, but it is not nesessary. Boromir is must, because he is not in core set. Let see just when he will be released.

All in all I am guite happy what I have seen so far, and my Hobbit frency friend will be happy too! He will get his Hobbit deck at last!

Personally I think the heroes for the next box would be(rounding out the fellowship):

Aragorn (we can't NOT get another version of him in these expansions...it's gonna happen), Legolas, Gimli, then the last spot be occupied by any one of the following: Elrond, Haldir (my pipe dream), Celeborn, Galadriel, or Arwen (I'd think she's least likely since her book part is so small despite being an important character)

I dig all of it except for 4 attack on a Hobbit. Sam looks great. Surprised at his own wrath, maybe.

Also, using Merry to ready Beorn is a patently illegal move, yes?

Also, using Merry to ready Beorn is a patently illegal move, yes?

He means the ally version of Beorn, and I think it is totally legal.

You're right. I obviously didn't read very carefully. Thanks for pointing that out!

I feel really annoyed when I hear people complain about something that others put a lot of work and time into.

I got quite annoyed reading this. I'll be quick to say (for like a zillionth time) that this is my all time favourite game, and I am very grateful to have got it. However, these boards are for opinions about the product. I don't think they're meant with a slogan: PLEASE GLORIFY OUR EFFORTS OR REMAIN SILENT.

On a related note, do you visit internet much? Have you ever been to IMDB for instance? I only go there for reference but I have glanced over the boards a few times. Boy, do not go there if this annoys you, or you might be up for a heart attack. Because there are films that people put much, much more time and effort into (than ffg, hardly comparable even) and yet the majority of the boards show up only to troll. I think trolling is quite rare (if even existent) on these boards, for which I am quite glad. But I think people are entitled to dislike what they are offered, no matter how much work has been put into it. Of course, you can get annoyed by it, and of course you may share that feeling with others, but doing so seems quite naive to me.

Most of you seems to forget that these Saga expansions are "meant" to be playable with core set, but without anything else. So it was guite obvious that we would get Pippin, Sam and Merry, because they are not in the Core set. (I forget Frodo of cource allso, but he is the "new" extra hero, so there has to be new version of him allso).

We have Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf in the core set, so it is not nesessary to make new versions of them. It may be possible that we get them allso, but it is not nesessary. Boromir is must, because he is not in core set. Let see just when he will be released.

Great call about Pippin. But I don't understand why we saw him at Amon Din. Shocking to get him twice within a few months.

I am not sure we will see another Boromir. I would like that because I am totally bias and he is my favourite character but it seems unlikely to get a third copy of him, or is it?

Who will be the fourth Hobbit? Fatty or Bilbo? I think we need a more active Bilbo even though it makes little sense. I feel what we got in Mirkwood cycle was an older Bilbo and now might get a younger one? Fatty as an ally perhaps? Barliman is. How about Barliman Butterbar, Farmer Maggot, Fatty Bolger and Folco Boffin as allies?

And to finally comment on the cards previewed. I really like them in general. I like the art for Merry, especially the surrounding. It seems very film-inspired, not only the facial features but the whole scene.

The fact none of these are Spirit has me hoping we shall see cards outside that sphere to counter treacheries or even lower threat (Lore has got that already). It is pure speculation but I would like that very much.

Yes, we definitely need more options to cancel treacheries. That's one of the main problems with building mono-sphere, is that you don't get access to key cards in other spheres. Hopefully we'll see more in the near future.

I love these three new Hobbits. Finally some low cost heroes to boost the secrecy keyword (at least a couple of supply cards would be nice, FFG; though there should be some to support the Hobbits, right?). Mirlonde/Pippin/Frodo should make an interesting deck.

As for the spheres, I am not as picky as others. I don't mind if a sphere doesn't fit completely. Sam seems to be ok, Merry too. And Pippin - well he is curious and likes to explore his "wisdom" ("What happens when I watch into that crystal ball?" - "Oh!"). He is clearly the Hobbit version of a scientist, so yeah, I think lore is a good choice for him.

Yes, we definitely need more options to cancel treacheries. That's one of the main problems with building mono-sphere, is that you don't get access to key cards in other spheres. Hopefully we'll see more in the near future.

That's why I love "A Good Harvest". One of the best cards they published so far.

Same for Merry, a tactics hero with 6 threat and 2 WP (3 with theoden)...pretty welcome...and he has a very cool and thematic ability.

It is thematically appropriate that Merry can ride with Rohan and be an important contributor through his willpower, and his combat ability becomes important because of how he aides other characters (and not his own strength).

ok ... when I can buy it ?

i forgot to mention, i really hope that black rider gives us more secrecy...we need more secrecy cards as this is the perfect expansion for it!!!

the whole of the first book of the fellowship is based on secrecy and indeed so is the 2nd book.

ok ... when I can buy it ?

I don't think we've gotten an update since Q3 of this year so really anytime between now and September...although I don't think it'll be in the immediate future since they usually give us a heads up in an article like "coming to retailers in just a few short weeks!!!!!!!"

i forgot to mention, i really hope that black rider gives us more secrecy...we need more secrecy cards as this is the perfect expansion for it!!!

the whole of the first book of the fellowship is based on secrecy and indeed so is the 2nd book.

Wiil be cool but something tell me secrecy is done.

ok ... when I can buy it ?

I don't think we've gotten an update since Q3 of this year so really anytime between now and September...although I don't think it'll be in the immediate future since they usually give us a heads up in an article like "coming to retailers in just a few short weeks!!!!!!!"

I did notice that this was moved up above Blood of Numenor however. I have a feeling that this may come out at Gen Con

i forgot to mention, i really hope that black rider gives us more secrecy...we need more secrecy cards as this is the perfect expansion for it!!!

the whole of the first book of the fellowship is based on secrecy and indeed so is the 2nd book.

Wiil be cool but something tell me secrecy is done.

if that is true that that is very dissapointing. the designers are great at coming up with fresh ideas and so on, but i think secrecy needs to have much more time spent on it...its barely more than an idea at the moment

rich

I agree. I mean, just look at The Steward's Fear. In just one pack, Outlands became a viable deckbuilding option. They could easily just feel one adventure pack with all secrecy cards. Not that it would be enough, but it would definitely bolster secrecy's strength. I would be curious to know why they haven't given it more attention.

indeed, and not just for the playability, but the theme...i mean it is the ongoing theme throughout the fellowship as i say...thats 2 saga packs i would dedicate to secrecy.

how many of use actually play secrecy? i am at the moment as i have just built a great deck with a friend but apart from the line up we chose there isnt really any more choice than that....you are basically forced to use glorfindel. the hobbits will help of course but unless secrecy gets more options it is going to just fall out of memory...which is a shame as it is one of the best developments i think

rich

To all of those saying we'll see new heor versions of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, etc. Really? Why? This is supposed to be played with the core set, and there you have pretty decent versions of these characters. I don't see why would they make new versions of them. However, I'm pretty darn sure we'll see them as new ally cards, that's for sure.

On an unrelated note, while I like Merry and how he works with the hobbits, I don't see how he suposedly works with Rohan as some of you have said. In fact I don't think he works with them at all. Yeah, he's a low threat tactics hero to use with Theoden, but he's pretty much only good with other hobbit heroes, so I just don't see myself using him in a non-hobbit deck.

I agree. I mean, just look at The Steward's Fear. In just one pack, Outlands became a viable deckbuilding option. They could easily just feel one adventure pack with all secrecy cards. Not that it would be enough, but it would definitely bolster secrecy's strength. I would be curious to know why they haven't given it more attention.

In my opinion designers see secrecy can be very unbalanced in the future and will ve more and more difficult keepna good balance with this mechanic.

Im pretty sure if spirit Glorifindel was a secrecy hero with text: if you control another 2 heroes discard Glorifindel from play then yes. But they was not really serious about it. And then caleb come and things start to change. Will be no secrecy.

To all of those saying we'll see new heor versions of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, etc. Really? Why? This is supposed to be played with the core set, and there you have pretty decent versions of these characters. I don't see why would they make new versions of them. However, I'm pretty darn sure we'll see them as new ally cards, that's for sure.

I hope that you're right about that - I'd love to get some of them as allies. While I like the hero versions, being able to add some of these characters to decks where I use other heroes would be great.

They did similar things with the dwarf allies that had previously been heroes in the hobbit boxes, so its not unprecedented.

yes i think it is likely we shall see ally versions of the hunters, if not as heroes. it will be strange indeed to have 3 aragorns in my decks

rich

I think between two or maybe even one player should be able to have all the members of the fellowship in play.

On an unrelated note, while I like Merry and how he works with the hobbits, I don't see how he suposedly works with Rohan as some of you have said. In fact I don't think he works with them at all. Yeah, he's a low threat tactics hero to use with Theoden, but he's pretty much only good with other hobbit heroes, so I just don't see myself using him in a non-hobbit deck.

Merry will quest for three with Théoden. That's pretty good for 6 threat. Other tactics boosters and attachments could help him out.

I dig all of it except for 4 attack on a Hobbit. Sam looks great. Surprised at his own wrath, maybe.

Well, let's keep in mind that the 4-strength attack will ONLY be possible while using him for the saga quests. In the "normal" core/expansion/AP quests, at best he would be able to get to 3 attack (with two other hobbit heros).

On top of that, so far much of the new hobbit "stuff" (abilities, events, etc) seems to be preventing conflict... such as the event that prevents all engaged enemies from attacking... the caveat to that card is that you also cannot attack the enemies in return... So I think his impressive attack abilities will be limited by a) regular encounters outside the sagas, b) some of the natural mechanics of playing other hobbits anyways.

And they had to give you SOMETHING to be able to attack with if you don't get any of those hobbit "escape/evade" cards or abilities into play... Right now, he seems to be the only option.