[UEP, failed] Rolled Down: on ring company only

[Thorsten the Traveller]

since Bandobras' attempt did not make it (yet), I thought I'd try another one...

Name: Rolled Down to the Sea on ring company only

Status: proposed

Proposal maintainer: Thorsten the Traveller

Category: Balance

Rolled Down to the Sea:
Unique. Opponent must discard a ring from his hand or from one of his companies if available. If no rings are available as such, he must reveal his hand to you.

Erratum:
Unique. [add:] Playable on a company containing a character bearing a ring. Opponent must discard a ring from his hand or from this company if available. [delete: If no rings are available as such, he must reveal his hand to you.]

Problem: Ringdecks see little play because of the destructive power of this card. There is no real way to defend against it other than have loads of rings ready (in hand) for discarding, so you can protect your important ring(s). Since this is unique and gold rings are many, in theory that shouldn't be a problem. However, if played multiple times per turn (using Mouth/Uvatha), holding on to several rings for discarding isn't an option (serious loss in cardmanagement).

Solution: make Rolled Down to the Sea only playable on a company that actually contains a ring, so that you can defend by bringing down the hazard limit and it will be more difficult to play Rolled Down twice or three times in one turn.

Pros:
-Rolled Down is hampered but not broken, if you have enough hazard limit you can still play it several times per turn. There are ways available to make sure you have enough hazard limit.
-Nobody can force the discard from The One Ring from hand anymore, because if you discard your played gold ring(s) from the company, Rolled Down can't be played anymore. Of course then you can't play The One yourself, but at least you don't have to recycle/redraw it.
-Other anti ring hazards will see more play if the power of Rolled Down is diminished.

Cons:
-Rolled Down can't be played for the hand revealing effect anymore. This is a side-effect and trick of the card, not its intended use. However, many people include Rolled Down straight in deck because they think that this secondary effect is worth it.
-One Ring decks get it a bit easier also. When moving to Mount Doom their hazard limit is increased though (to a minimum of 4, so Rolled/Mouth/Rolled is still possible there)

Discussion: Are One Ring decks so strong and popular that we must keep this powerful hazard the way it is, and in the process destroying everyone's dreams of ever playing a succesful Rings for Points/Tactics deck? Or will we finally see other hazards played against ring decks and not focuss solely on frantically recycling Rolled Down? Isn't the Roving Eye much cooler on a Dwarven Ring, than Rolled Down?

SUMMARY: YES=__, NO=__, TOTAL=__, %=__

Voting started at: 07-06-2008

Voting ends at: 07-07-2008

[Thorsten the Traveller]

So nobody's got any opinion on this one?  :? It must be nearly summer...

[Khamul the Easterling]

I agree.

To me this card's powers are (at least to some extent) too great.

[Nameless thing]

I am against the proposed change. Dunking is worth the current risk. It is a competitive strategy, just look at the standings of various tournaments.

[Thorsten the Traveller]

Overextended the voting period, only a bit  
But it's clear, this is a bridge too far, so UEP failed. People, thanks for voting, and we'll try something else next time!
cheers