LotR TCG Card Strategies - #21

Bree Gate
Rivendell Waterfall

Bree Gate says "While you can spot a ranger, the move limit is +1 for this turn." Rivendell Waterfall says "While you can spot a ranger at Rivendell Waterfall, the move limit is +1 for this turn." You probably picked up on the subtle difference in wording, the second one says "at Rivendell Waterfall", but both sites play exactly the same. (It's been hinted by the designers that there IS a reason for the different wording that's not apparent right now.) All you need to do is spot a Ranger at the site and your move limit is +1 for that turn. That means you can pick up a +1 if you start at either of these sites, or if you simply move past them during the turn.

Rivendell Waterfall is certainly easier to use than Bree Gate. Having a move limit +1 from that Sanctuary is very safe. You're making the extra move after healing, and a 3-site move lands you at another Sanctuary to heal again.

There's a good chance you can guarantee getting your Site 3 on the table, either if the opponent goes first, or if you simply stop at Site 2. Even if the opponent also stops at Site 2, you get to reconcile your hand twice and may draw a Pathfinder or a Thror's Map. Moving to your own Site 2 is a little more difficult, you have to get Pathfinder or the Map in your opening hand. However, Bree Gate is good for catching up to the opponent if they go first (so you play your Site 2). This is even useful outside of a dedicated Ranger deck, like in an Elf deck that can start with Arwen.

Ulaire Nelya will help you set up these sites. If you go first and stop at the opponent's site 2 or 3, you can replace the site with Nelya to get the bonus when you move from there on your next turn.

Is moving 3 or 4 sites in a turn really a good idea? Rangers have high strength already, and it gets better with their weapons. That gives you enough strength to beat the minions without relying on cards from your hand. So there's no need for more resources of your own as you move, you can go 3 sites without needing to draw cards. Usually after 2 sites the opponent is running out of minions. (as they draw more and more Free Peoples cards each Regroup Phase.) If you are strong enough to prevent the minions in play from following you, then it will actually get easier to move. 2 other Ranger cards, Gondor's Vengeance and Pursuit Just Behind, will also be useful here. Of course, the exact situation my change your mind. It's tough to rely on what the opponent is drawing. :-) Return to Index