Post by theimmortal on Jan 10, 2007 23:01:47 GMT 1
For those who don't already know, I generally don't like complicated house rules. But every now and then, something simple and elegant comes along that just feels like it would make the game *better*.
This is a change that my good opponent Ira has already basically suggested in another thread, but I am bringing to the forefront here.
In general, I like the Expansion Ents better than the original, but there is one problem. In the original game, the Ents were mainly a tool to threaten Saruman. He had to be careful not to leave Orthanc empty. Usually 3 guys or so was the standard guard in my games.
The Expansion Ents are supposed to be more versatile, as they are much better at threatening armies and defending Helm's Deep or even Lorien. However, this versatility is an illusion - they are good for hitting armies, but have become useless for threatening Saruman. This is because the el-cheapo defense of leaving a single Dunlending in the Fords of Isen makes Saruman completely immune to a single Ent card (and most games, that is all that is drawn).
This seems a little ridiculous. In the original game, leaving only a single guy on guard meant almost certain doom for Saruman. Now, a single guy is enough to protect him completely?
A very, very simple change makes the Ents as threatening as they were in the base game to Saruman again, while still maintaining their ability to hit armies big time.
If after an Ent attack, the defending Shadow army is completely eliminated, place the attacking Ent in the now-vacated region.
So now, most likely the one guy in the Fords gets stomped by the first Ent who then gets to place in the region, and the second moves into Orthanc, stomping Saruman. 1 guy is now a pretty paltry defense, although just like in the base game, it *may* thwart a single Ent card. Also just like in the base game, 3 guys will thwart a single Ent card most of the time, but not guaranteed, and 4 is very safe (well, not as safe as in the base game, but pretty darn safe).
I think this is a change for the better. Thoughts?
This is a change that my good opponent Ira has already basically suggested in another thread, but I am bringing to the forefront here.
In general, I like the Expansion Ents better than the original, but there is one problem. In the original game, the Ents were mainly a tool to threaten Saruman. He had to be careful not to leave Orthanc empty. Usually 3 guys or so was the standard guard in my games.
The Expansion Ents are supposed to be more versatile, as they are much better at threatening armies and defending Helm's Deep or even Lorien. However, this versatility is an illusion - they are good for hitting armies, but have become useless for threatening Saruman. This is because the el-cheapo defense of leaving a single Dunlending in the Fords of Isen makes Saruman completely immune to a single Ent card (and most games, that is all that is drawn).
This seems a little ridiculous. In the original game, leaving only a single guy on guard meant almost certain doom for Saruman. Now, a single guy is enough to protect him completely?
A very, very simple change makes the Ents as threatening as they were in the base game to Saruman again, while still maintaining their ability to hit armies big time.
If after an Ent attack, the defending Shadow army is completely eliminated, place the attacking Ent in the now-vacated region.
So now, most likely the one guy in the Fords gets stomped by the first Ent who then gets to place in the region, and the second moves into Orthanc, stomping Saruman. 1 guy is now a pretty paltry defense, although just like in the base game, it *may* thwart a single Ent card. Also just like in the base game, 3 guys will thwart a single Ent card most of the time, but not guaranteed, and 4 is very safe (well, not as safe as in the base game, but pretty darn safe).
I think this is a change for the better. Thoughts?
