Travelers of Middle-Earth:

The Nine Walkers

A fan-made hero expansion for the Lord of the Rings LCG

Greetings, friends and strangers!

Many tales are told of Middle-Earth and its brave inhabitants. J.R.R. Tolkien and Fantasy Flight Games have given us great stories, but even more are left untold, waiting to be imagined. Today I hope to inspire some more stories, by giving you my first (of hopefully more) custom hero expansion . This expansion focuses on the original nine members of the Fellowship of the Ring, and how they were transformed by their journey.

There are several reasons why this is a hero-only expansion, but two stand out. Firstly, since heroes are (almost) never shuffled into decks, these will be easy for any player to use, not requiring decks to be sleeved or using a specialized printing service. Secondly, the heroes you decide to use have a large impact on the game, usually without requiring specific decks. Because of this, I hope this expansion is as accessible as it can be, allowing anyone with any small amount of interest to try it.

Now without further ado, on to the content!

The Cards

Everyone's favourite wizard is of course an important member of the fellowship. Gandalf is no longer a neutral hero, but because of his leadership role in the company, he is of the Leadership sphere. Gandalf's ability represents the fact that he knows the dangers of the journey and is well prepared for it.

His hit points were reduced by 1 in order reduce his threat by 1, he is not yet the powerful wizard that he will be. The ability is inspired by Gandalf's Delay. Everyone's favourite wizard is of course an important member of the fellowship. Gandalf is no longer a neutral hero, but because of his leadership role in the company, he is of the Leadership sphere. Gandalf's ability represents the fact that he knows the dangers of the journey and is well prepared for it.His hit points were reduced by 1 in order reduce his threat by 1, he is not yet the powerful wizard that he will be. The ability is inspired by Gandalf's Delay.

Gimli is not only a fierce attacker, but also a mighty defender and a fearless quester. To emphasize his other strengths, his new ability allows him to quest and defend when needed, but when the other heroes start hogging the glory of battle, Gimli is ready to jump in again and do his share of the fighting. Gimli is not only a fierce attacker, but also a mighty defender and a fearless quester. To emphasize his other strengths, his new ability allows him to quest and defend when needed, but when the other heroes start hogging the glory of battle, Gimli is ready to jump in again and do his share of the fighting.

Boromir is of course most well known for his sacrifice, saving the Hobbits and giving his own life in doing so. His new once-per-game ability gives him one turn of extreme battle prowess, which can make the final stage of Journey Along the Anduin seem like a breeze.

Should Boromir fall during his last resolve, your score will take a big hit, but if you manage to have him survive until the end of the round (and not win the game before that), his honour is remembered by his former companions and 1 point is actually subtracted from your score! Boromir is of course most well known for his sacrifice, saving the Hobbits and giving his own life in doing so. His new once-per-game ability gives him one turn of extreme battle prowess, which can make the final stage of Journey Along the Anduin seem like a breeze.Should Boromir fall during his last resolve, your score will take a big hit, but if you manage to have him survive until the end of the round (and not win the game before that), his honour is remembered by his former companions and 1 point is actually subtracted from your score!

Sam has been pushed to the edge by the harrowing journey he did not expect to ever undertake, being just a gardener. But as Frodo remarks when the two ponder on the stories people will tell of them later, Samwise the Brave is the reason Frodo got as far as he did.

Sam was always one of the best questers, and is now certainly one of the best questers in the Tactics sphere, but his ability also makes him one of the best defensive options in a Hobbit deck. Sam has been pushed to the edge by the harrowing journey he did not expect to ever undertake, being just a gardener. But as Frodo remarks when the two ponder on the stories people will tell of them later, Samwise the Brave is the reason Frodo got as far as he did.Sam was always one of the best questers, and is now certainly one of the best questers in the Tactics sphere, but his ability also makes him one of the best defensive options in a Hobbit deck.

Pippin is the most curious of all Hobbits, when there's something to discover, he's the first to go looking for it. Not only that, but when he is among his kind, they somehow follow his lead and he gets them all involved in the trouble he's looking for. Pippin is the most curious of all Hobbits, when there's something to discover, he's the first to go looking for it. Not only that, but when he is among his kind, they somehow follow his lead and he gets them all involved in the trouble he's looking for.

Merry, more than his cousin Pippin, was changed by their journey. He enlisted in Rohan's service as a squire and has had a taste of battle. Being a Hobbit, his strengths still do not lie with combat directly, but he will gladly assist where possible. His greatest strength lies in questing, and allowing his more combat-savvy allies to quest as well, handing them sword and shield as soon as they need it. Merry, more than his cousin Pippin, was changed by their journey. He enlisted in Rohan's service as a squire and has had a taste of battle. Being a Hobbit, his strengths still do not lie with combat directly, but he will gladly assist where possible. His greatest strength lies in questing, and allowing his more combat-savvy allies to quest as well, handing them sword and shield as soon as they need it.

The Ring has been heavy around Frodo's neck and he is just about ready to give in. He knows the dangers, but sometimes, it just seems to be an easy way out. And in very rare cases, it might even be better than the alternative. Especially when alternative is having to fight an enemy you are not prepared for, or having another high threat location added to an already flooded staging area. Still, Frodo should be careful and not abuse the Ring of Power too much, as its effects can be deadly. The Ring has been heavy around Frodo's neck and he is just about ready to give in. He knows the dangers, but sometimes, it just seems to be an easy way out. And in very rare cases, it might even be better than the alternative. Especially when alternative is having to fight an enemy you are not prepared for, or having another high threat location added to an already flooded staging area. Still, Frodo should be careful and not abuse the Ring of Power too much, as its effects can be deadly.

So far, the game has focused mostly on Legolas's combat abilities. And they are of course impressive, but a large part of his role in the fellowship is seeing and hearing danger approach from miles away, and making sure the party is prepared to face what's coming.

He functions like a more flexible (and less reliable) version of Beravor, adding 1 willpower to the quest as well as allowing multiple players to draw cards. In a four player game with a surge-heavy quest, this easily adds up. In addition, he is still a great attacker when you need one. So far, the game has focused mostly on Legolas's combat abilities. And they are of course impressive, but a large part of his role in the fellowship is seeing and hearing danger approach from miles away, and making sure the party is prepared to face what's coming.He functions like a more flexible (and less reliable) version of Beravor, adding 1 willpower to the quest as well as allowing multiple players to draw cards. In a four player game with a surge-heavy quest, this easily adds up. In addition, he is still a great attacker when you need one.

Finally, Aragorn, the rightful king who has so long denied his heritage, is ready to embrace it. One of the most versatile heroes, he will not be sphereless for long, as you will probably play either Sword that was Broken, Celebrían's Stone or Ring of Barahir on the first turn. Not only do these cost no resources, you also do not need a resource match. In addition, he is the perfect candidate for Horn of Gondor and Steward of Gondor, so you'll have no shortage of resources for your various spheres. Throw in a Song of Battle as well and there's really nothing he can't do. Finally, Aragorn, the rightful king who has so long denied his heritage, is ready to embrace it. One of the most versatile heroes, he will not be sphereless for long, as you will probably play either Sword that was Broken, Celebrían's Stone or Ring of Barahir on the first turn. Not only do these cost no resources, you also do not need a resource match. In addition, he is the perfect candidate for Horn of Gondor and Steward of Gondor, so you'll have no shortage of resources for your various spheres. Throw in a Song of Battle as well and there's really nothing he can't do.

Rule Clarifications

Does Gimli still receive the +2 if he is not exhausted?

Yes, based on the same ruling for Sam Gamgee (The Black Riders #2). Yes, based on the same ruling for Sam Gamgee (The Black Riders #2).

Can I cancel the damage dealt to Frodo or Sam?

Technically you could, but since the damage is part of the cost for the effect, canceling the damage will cancel the effect as well.

Can I attach Gandalf's Staff/Mirror of Galadriel/... to Aragorn?

No, these specify the character they should be attached to and Aragorn is not a valid target. Even though you technically do not "play" the cards, you still cannot attach them to Aragorn.

Does Pippin get +1 if there is no active location?

No, there has to be an active location for there to be no progress tokens on it. No, there has to be an active location for there to be no progress tokens on it.

Does Frodo cancel "when revealed" effects and keywords?

No, but you can cancel these with other cards before triggering Frodo's effect.

If I bring Boromir back with Fortune or Fate or Landroval, can I use his ability a second time?

No, this was ruled illegal for Aragorn (The Watcher in the Water #53), so still only once per game.

Downloads

Pdf for home printing: A4, US Letter

Separate images with bleed margins: zip

Acknowledgements