Mouth of Sauron

[Kris]

Happy Independence Day, everyone.

I'll celebrate the 4th with another question about the year's most anticipated game. Mouth of Sauron: how does he differ from his Nazgul buddies? I assume he can't fly around the board like the Sauron airforce. But what are the requirements for his recruitment? What special abilities does he have?

[Francesco]

Kris said:

Happy Independence Day, everyone.
I'll celebrate the 4th with another question about the year's most anticipated game. Mouth of Sauron: how does he differ from his Nazgul buddies? I assume he can't fly around the board like the Sauron airforce. But what are the requirements for his recruitment? What special abilities does he have?

Naturally, the Mouth can't fly. He can enter play by using a Muster Die result if the Fellowship is in Mordor or all FP Nations are at war. As all Minions, he brings an additional die in play, and his leadership is higher than that of the average Nazgul. As the Messenger of the Dark Tower, he can change a Muster die result into an Army die result.

[Kris]

Thanks for the info.

He sounds useful, but also limited because of the recruitment requirements. May I ask the playtesters: how often did Mouth appear in their playtest games?

[Francesco]

Kris said:

He sounds useful, but also limited because of the recruitment requirements.

Your question resumes our design intentions pefectly!

[Veldrin]

How often did Mouth appear in their playtest games?

Since the extra Action die he provides when recruited is extremely useful he almost always enters the game as the Fellowship enters Mordor.

The Shadow often needs that extra die to reach the tenth Victory Ponit before the Ring is destroyed.

However, the other possibility to recruit him hardly ever happens, all Free Peoples' nation at war.

[glow=green,2,300]Veldrin[/glow]