These word were uttered by Gandalf the White when Aragorn, son of Arathorn, took the throne of Gondor in The Return of the King, by J. R. R. Tolkien – and, now, the same words can be said about all of Tolkien’s works, for, as you no doubt know (and have probably experienced), the first of three live-action movies has been released chronicling the fantastic quest laid about by Papa Tolkien so many years ago.
Since the original release of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, many adaptations of the story have graced the public. Never one to stand up to peer pressure, I’ve taken it upon myself to bring to you yet another version of LotR: The Magic version. Below you’ll find your favorite and not-so-favorite characters that we’ve all grown to love and/or hate – in Magic card form. So as we all rejoice in the fantastic movie (which I’ve just returned from seeing), let’s spread the joy to other aspects of the story as well.
Frodo Baggins, Unlikely Hero
2WW
Creature – Hobbit Legend
When Frodo attacks, choose a basic land type. Frodo gains that landwalk ability until end of turn and gets a Quest counter if this land type has not been chosen yet.
When there are five Quest counters on Frodo, Frodo gains,”Tap: Destroy target permanent. It cannot be regenerated.”
2/2
Samwise Gamgee, Faithful Companion
2WG
Creature – Hobbit Legend
Samwise cannot attack unless another creature is also attacking.
When Samwise attacks, all creatures you control gain +3/+3 until end of turn.
1/1
Legolas, Elvish Champion
4GG
Creature – Elf Legend
Legolas does not tap to attack.
If Legolas blocks or is blocked, destroy the creature blocking or blocked by Legolas at end of combat.
Tap: Deal six damage to target attacking or blocking creature.
Tap: Deal six damage to target player. Use this ability only if Legolas has attacked this turn and has not been blocked.
0/6
Gimli, Dwarven Champion
4RR
Creature – Dwarf Legend
Haste, Trample
Gimli’s power and toughness are each equal to half the number of permanents you control.
*/*
Boromir, Protector of Gondor
1WR
Creature – Hero Legend
Haste
Tap, sacrifice: Gain control of target artifact or creature. A creature taken in this way has haste. At end of turn, sacrifice that permanent.
4/4
Strider, Outcast Ranger
2WGR
Creature – Hero Legend
Whenever a creature you control goes to your graveyard from play, put a Royalty counter on Strider. When Strider has three Royalty counters, Strider gains +3/+3 and trample and gains the ability,”WGR: Target creature is unblockable this turn.”
4/4
Gandalf the Grey
2WUR
Creature – Wizard Legend
R, Tap: Destroy target creature. It cannot be regenerated.
W, Tap: Regenerated target creature.
U, Tap: Target creature cannot be blocked this turn.
2/4
Saruman the White
WUBB
Creature – Wizard Legend
During your upkeep, put a Greed counter on Saruman.
Tap: Gain X life, where X equals 8 minus the number of Greed counters on Saruman.
Tap: You and target opponent each lose X life, where X is equal to 8 minus the number of Greed counters on Saruman.
Tap, remove a Greed counter from Saruman: Target opponent gains X life, where X is equal to the number of Greed counters on Saruman.
Tom Bombadil, Ancient Druid
5G
Creature – Druid Legend
If Tom Bombadil would go to the graveyard from play, instead leave Tom in play.
G: Regenerate target creature.
GG: Target creature gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
G, Tap: Target creature gets a +1/+1 counter.
1/1
Elrond, Ruler of Rivendell
GWU
Creature – Elf Legend
G, Tap: Put a land from your hand or graveyard into play.
W, Tap: Target creature gains protection from the color of your choice until end of turn.
U, Tap: Tap target artifact, creature, or land.
1/3
Uruk-Hai
RRRRR
Creature – Orc
During your upkeep, search your library for an Orc card and put it into play.
3/3
Nazgul
BBBBBB
Creature – Wraith
During your upkeep, if Nazgul is in the graveyard and there are at least three creatures above it in the graveyard, return Nazgul to play.
Tap: Destroy target non-Legend creature. It cannot be regenerated.
Tap, sacrifice three Nazguls: Remove all creatures all opponents control from the game.
4/1
Aquatic Gatekeeper
UUUUU
Creature – Gatekeeper
Tap: Destroy target attacking creature.
Tap, sacrifice a land: Destroy target creature.
1/4
Ent
GGGGG
Creature – Treefolk
Trample
During your upkeep, put a Decision counter on Ent.
Ent cannot attack unless another Ent is attacking. Ent cannot attack unless there are at least three Decision counters on it.
15/15
Hobbit
WWWWW
Creature – Halfling
During your upkeep, put a Meal counter on each Halfling.
Remove a Meal counter: Put into play X white 0/1 Hobbit tokens, where X is equal to the number of Hobbit tokens in play.
Rohan
Legendary Land
Tap: Add R to your mana pool.
Tap: Put a red 2/1 Knight token into play. This token has haste. At end of turn, sacrifice the token.
Mordor
Legendary Land
Tap: Add B to your mana pool.
Tap: Destroy target creature with power greater than 3. It cannot be regenerated.
Isengard
Legendary Land
Tap: Add U to your mana pool.
Tap: Counter target spell unless the spell’s caster pays an additional 1.
Lothlorien
Legendary Land
Tap: Add G to your mana pool.
Tap: Creatures you control gain protection from the color of your choice until end of turn. These creatures cannot attack this turn.
Rivendell
Legendary Land
Tap: Add W to your mana pool.
Tap: All players gain life equal to the number of creatures they control. Creature cannot attack this turn.
The One Ring
6
Legendary Artifact
When The One Ring comes under your control, gain control of all creatures. During your upkeep, sacrifice a creature. If The One Ring would be put into the graveyard from play, instead target opponent gains control of it.
Palantir
4
Artifact
When Palantir comes into play, draw a card.
All opponents play with their hands face up.
During each player’s upkeep, reveal the top card of that player’s library.
So, there it is – a different take on the Lord of the Rings, which really is as good as everyone says it is. I hope you all enjoyed this Magical look at Middle Earth almost as much as I enjoyed watching its goings-on in the Silver Screen. Until next time!