John85 said:

i agree- though we seem to be a minority. love the art, but magali is better at elves

richsabre said:

I agree 100% on 'Magali is better at elves".

boardgamegeek.com/thread/887207/picked-this-up-tonight-spoilers

Full spoiler list on BGG

some great cards there- you know what im going to say though……pictures anyone?

 My biggest concern with the article is the fact that it implies that these new mechanics (battle/siege) are only for one expansion + cycle.

Which means that the previous mechanics (secrecy) are also only for one cycle - which is okay in the case of battle/siege, which can be applied as it makes sense. But secrecy is the kind of deck building concept that needs constant support throughout the life of the game to maintain (or arguably to become) viable.

We really need secrecy keyworded cards to be released at a reasonable rate (2-3 per cycle, + 1 per expansion perhaps) to make it a viable compared to just having 3 heroes. Otherwise it will become increasingly poor.

Alternatively more fetch cards (that are cheap) might make it work better, even just a cost 0 or 1 card that said, search your deck for a secrecy keyword card and put it into your hand. (This would enable you to increase the hit rate on important cards before you go over 20 threat).

Edit: On the other hand I really like the look of this expansion + cycle, I think it will be great, but I was hoping for more sustained support rather than bursts of support for one theme then another.

 Sounds like a good set……… Very gooooooooood seeeet!!!

What i like about HON: encounter cards is quite powerful but players cards is quite balanced and less power then before. which is good, cose we have already a lot powerful players cards from the last sets. sounds like this will be a good challenge for advanced players also.Also i really like the idea of Battle and siege questing.  Cannot wait!

Rapier said:

As i say  before we need to forget about secrecy for now. Maybe is coning again in the future but not in this cycle.

If I read the article correctly, we will be seeing the box set next week!!!

 Another cost 1 ally! Fun! He can lament with the Snowborn Scouts about always being cannon fodder. :(

Actually, it looks like a useful ally, so maybe not so much with the dying for the Errand-riders. SoG plus the cheap Errand-riders allows for some really nice resource manipulation, which really looks to be a Gondorian theme. Which is awesome.

 Actually, Gondor looks like it's all about resources. The new Boromir requires them, Blood of Numenor gets better the more resources you have, two attachments give resources from Gondor, characters reduce in cost via other characters being in play, you can move resources around, or just get them straight up through an event, plus the Master of Lore can help cut costs for lore cards. Very, very nicely done theme, and we haven't even got one of the APs yet.

monkeyrama said:

Yeah, several of those cards have really nice synergies with the new Boromir and the Blood of Numenor attachment. Also, take a look at the Envoy of Pelargir--it's essentially a 1/1/0/1 for 1 resource in a Gondor deck. If you're using Boromir (which you are), it's 2 attack for 1 resource. That's crazy good.

 Love the new Boromir and the artwork. Absolutely love Magali's work and even though the character doesn't look as rugged as I've always imagined him, I love the pose of him high up in the white city looking across the plains. Granted I was really looking forward to a hero Faromir, but I guess I can wait. Looking forward to the new deck compilations this set will require

Pharmboys2013 said:

I suspect you'll only be waiting for one of the AP packs.

Rapier said:

I bet your are right. Faramir might make it in Steward's Fear, though Denethor would be nicely thematic. I guess Denethor will be hero #4 who get a second copy. We should have a thread about what sphere the hero Faramir shall be. Maybe Lore to go with the new Rangers? Spirit is a stern candidate also…

 I agree that thematically Denethor makes the most sense for the first AP obviously but I can def see Faramir being in the 2nd. I can see him tracking enemies through the forest; or at least I'm hoping we won't have to wait more than 2 APs for a fan favorite