MTG: You Have My Sword – LotR Cards I Can’t Wait For
Middle-Earth is full of heroes; there’s a few I really want to join my EDH army.
The latest Universes Beyond set is right around the corner, and even with little information, it’s shaping up to be a banger. From single-print serialized cards to genre-shattering reprints, the Lord of the Rings set is going to be a must-buy for serious collector’s and casual players alike. While we’ve already seen several of the major players of the books in card form, there are a few powerful dramatis persona that are yet to have a preview. I’m really hoping they’ll have cards to fit their presence on the page and screen.
Eomer
Rohan is my favorite kingdom in Middle-Earth, and Eomer is one of their strongest champions. He was integral in the defense of Helm’s Deep, he was a mighty general, and he was loyal to his king almost to a fault. We know we’re getting Eowyn thanks to the Commander deckbox previews; it stands to reason that Eomer will be included. Whether we see him in the set proper or just as an additional legendary in the precon remains to be seen. Either way, I imagine him as a Green-White or Green-Black creature with trample and some sort of buff effect.
The Witch-King
Sauron’s mightiest general, the Witch-King is a force of evil and destruction that cannot be ignored. Had the wording of his powers been different, Gondor would have fallen. He defeated Gandalf, killed King Theoden, and nearly slew Frodo before his journey had even begun. He’s the perfect secondary general for the Mordor precon, and he’ll probably become the more popular option. Of course, there’s no guarantee he’ll get a card at all, but that would be a waste. He’s the leader of the scariest things in Middle-Earth; he has to be there.
Shelob
Speaking of horrifying monsters, we need the queen of Cirith Ungol to make her way to Magic. The big lady was terrifying in the films, and as the daughter of Ungoliath, one of the most powerful forces in Middle-Earth, she has to make an appearance. Spiders are a huge part of MTG, and adding in a Spider Horror/Spider Avatar would be incredible. She should have deathtouch or a similar effect, or the ability to tap down creatures she damages. She just needs to watch out for Hobbits…they sting.
Sting
One of the most famous swords in all Middle-Earth, Sting saved the life of its bearers on multiple occasions. Able to detect Orcs and blessed with Elven magic, it was a fine blade. Sting rose above its humble start to show just how powerful Hobbits can be. Passed from Bilbo to Frodo before being wielded by Sam, the sword tasted the blood of all manner of dark creatures. As an equipment, the possibilities are endless. My thoughts would be to bestow either first strike or ward, as well as a power buff. Only time will tell what this humble blade will bring to the table.
What cards are you looking forward to?