Well we got a fresh news article; however, it's not the area of focus I was anticipating. I have yet to purchase or play through any of the Nightmare Scenarios, but some of these new ones look really great (the artwork in particular is crazy!) So, I might have to look into them a bit more.
its a good experience if you want to be humbled ha, but yes artwork is as always superb
I know this is jumping ahead but what heroes from either Rohan or the Silvan/Noldor factions is everyone looking to see in the ring maker cycle, myself I hope to see Grimbold as a tactics hero.
I want Gamling, but probably he'll be in the saga expansions.
Gamlimg is a pretty cool Rohan character and if he did come out he would probably be leadership sphere as he lead some forces.
He may come out in saga but remember that FFG has made duplicates in the past so we might get 2 copies.
too soon for a new Theoden? jkjk (but really FFG...a Rohan-centric leadership Theoden is what we all want)
From the Rohan side I'd like to see Erkenbrand, wouldnt mind a new Eowyn either
Silvan wise I hope we get a Haldir featuring the art that was originally spoiled, would be cool to see Galadriel or Celeborn too
I think Celeborn would be cool as he is an overlooked elf, I'm curious as to what ability he could have maybe he pairs well with galadriel or he might be a Dain or Boromir type character but for the Noldor.
Since it's called "The Ringmaker Cycle" I really wonder if we won't see Galadriel. (I believe it was actually Celebrimbor who made all of the rings except for The One Ring, but I doubt we'll see him.). The real wild card is what they plan to do with the third saga expansion, but I think Erkenbrand and Haldir are a given. I want an Arwen at some point, but this might not be the right place.
We will almost certainly get an Arwen in the saga boxes perhaps even in the next one since it will be Rivendell.
too soon for a new Theoden? jkjk (but really FFG...a Rohan-centric leadership Theoden is what we all want)
I don't think it is too soon. Pippin says hello.
I think Theoden as an ally would make a lot of sense. They did it for Denethor, why not Theoden? They could even bundle him with the highly anticipated "Snowmane" card that would give him a big boost (like Vilya for Elrond) and would also apply to the hero version. This would make the hero version much more palatable to a lot of players.
Ah i'm so excited for both Voice of Isengard and the Road Darkens, hopefully we'll be getting a RD article/announcement soon 
I think Theoden as an ally would make a lot of sense. They did it for Denethor, why not Theoden? They could even bundle him with the highly anticipated "Snowmane" card that would give him a big boost (like Vilya for Elrond) and would also apply to the hero version. This would make the hero version much more palatable to a lot of players.
Agreed. They have to make a Theoden specific attachment as an incentive to use the hero version.
too soon for a new Theoden? jkjk (but really FFG...a Rohan-centric leadership Theoden is what we all want)
I don't think it is too soon. Pippin says hello.
HaHa, I think black riders was a bit of an exception given that it was a saga expansion. I don't doubt at all that'll we'll see another Theoden in the first or second Two Towers box but I would be surprised (albeit pleasantly) if we got a new one in this cycle.
The ally idea is interesting, hopefully they could find a balanced idea for it so it doesn't make its equivalent hero not as significant (like ally vs hero Faramir) but also isn't so weak or burdened that it's never played compared to the hero (like ally vs hero Denethor)
I would like to see a leadership hero with a skill that only apply(or work) if all your heroes are leadership (because the outland one is not really an equivalent to Theoden, Caldara and mirlonde).
With the release of Grima I have to say I am surprised but I do like him, good willpower, low threat, 2 good traits if the cycle works out well and a ability I love. With master of lore and him you can play high cost allies like gildor and haldir for really cheap or with grima you can play events or other cheap cost items for free if master of lore is on the board.
Also a worthy mention Grima is the only Lore Rohan hero to date so far.
Great mono lore deck would be Lore Aragorn, Grima, Mirlonde all to cordinate around Doomed.
Bravo, FFG.
All the people (myself included) were thinking about another Rohan character liker Erkenbrand or maybe an elf. And they gave us a Rohan character indeed!
100% surprised about Gríma as a hero, but 100% pleased. He's a good reductor, like Master of Lore and also plays with the doomed keyword of this Expansion.
Since it's called "The Ringmaker Cycle" I really wonder if we won't see Galadriel.
“The lore of the Elven-rings, great and small, is his province. He has long studied it, seeking the lost secrets of their making; but when the Rings were debated in the Council, all that he would reveal to us of his ring-lore told against my fears." -Gandalf, FotR
While I'd love to see Galadriel, I'm not sure of a connection here. The "Ring-maker" is Saruman through and through, and I can't wait to explore the ring (rings? ) that he crafted. Great thread on Saruman's obsession with Rings and the brief mention of his ring in the literature:
http://forum.barrowdowns.com/showthread.php?t=18286
Lots of great theories!
"For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!" -Gandalf quoting Saruman, FotRSince it's called "The Ringmaker Cycle" I really wonder if we won't see Galadriel.
“The lore of the Elven-rings, great and small, is his province. He has long studied it, seeking the lost secrets of their making; but when the Rings were debated in the Council, all that he would reveal to us of his ring-lore told against my fears." -Gandalf, FotR
While I'd love to see Galadriel, I'm not sure of a connection here. The "Ring-maker" is Saruman through and through, and I can't wait to explore the ring (rings?
Lots of great theories!
They still haven't revealed a single Spirit card for this set. Other than Lore (thanks to Strider), Spirit is the only sphere that really has the ability to absorb a bunch of Doomed cards. What is FFG hiding? Hopefully something amazing.
Edited by joezim007They still haven't revealed a single Spirit card for this set. Other than Lore (thanks to Strider), Spirit is the only sphere that really has the ability to absorb a bunch of Doomed cards. What is FFG hiding? Hopefully something amazing.
An interesting bit about this is that they specifically mention in the newest preview article (I'd quote it but I'm on my phone and can't accurately copy it) that this expansion only contains Rohan and Isengard traited cards...so I'd wager that the spirit cards are Rohan themed to continue the path originally set with all the spirit Rohan characters during the shadows of mirkwood cycle, or are just non-specific cards altogether
I know that Saruman made his own ring, but it wasn't really a Ring of Power. Anyway, we'll see.
"For I am Saruman the Wise, Saruman Ring-maker, Saruman of Many Colours!" -Gandalf quoting Saruman, FotRSince it's called "The Ringmaker Cycle" I really wonder if we won't see Galadriel.
“The lore of the Elven-rings, great and small, is his province. He has long studied it, seeking the lost secrets of their making; but when the Rings were debated in the Council, all that he would reveal to us of his ring-lore told against my fears." -Gandalf, FotR
While I'd love to see Galadriel, I'm not sure of a connection here. The "Ring-maker" is Saruman through and through, and I can't wait to explore the ring (rings?
Lots of great theories!
It wasn't a ring of power but still a magic ring. There were many magic rings in middle earth besides the rings of power, like the many lesser rings that Celebrimor made as practice for the others, and Saruman made a ring of his own, so I hope we see more rings in the Ring maker cycle.
They still haven't revealed a single Spirit card for this set. Other than Lore (thanks to Strider), Spirit is the only sphere that really has the ability to absorb a bunch of Doomed cards. What is FFG hiding? Hopefully something amazing.
Indeed... For now we have the following cards revealed:
You forgot Keys of Orthanc, which I believe is #10. Assuming they continue in the sphere pattern, #7 is either a Spirit ally or a Leadership/Lore attachment. #9 should be a Spirit attachment. I also bet that both Spirit and Tactics will get Doomed events, so that makes 14 cards, assuming that there isn't also a neutral event.
Edited by joezim007