[Padster]

Sorry, but as I write this I can see it turning into a long post.  Anyone managing to get through it and giving constructive feedback, I will buy a pint if ever I meet you.

I developed a number of First Age cards (the basis of which would be to play one of the three Kings of the Eldar: Ingwe, Finwe or Elwe) a few years ago (Characters, Allys, Events, Hazards, Items, etc), after an analysis of the Third Age cards we have available to us.  I'd like to run the Characters I developed by you all to see what you think, but first I'd like to take about the Third Age characters to set the scene.

The key variable, as far as I can tell, for Third Age characters is MIND.  You'll all say "Well! Duh!" to yourselves, of course.  I know it is obvious.  But MIND discriminates between characters, much more than, say, Marshalling Points.  This is what the Third Age Hero Characters look like:

RANGES

[Bandobras Took]

Way back in the early days of METW, when I was thinking up dream cards for Steve Hess, I found somebody who had posted the actual formula ICE was using for character attribute balance.

As I recall, a character's mind related directly to the balance between direct influence, skills, prowess, and body.

I wish I'd written it down and saved it through decades . . .

[Thorsten the Traveller]

Geez, impressive list, where to start?

Good statistical work seems like. I do think there needn't be that many high minders. E.g. Beren, Dior, Hurin etc. should not have mind higher than Elrond imo. Of course in 1st Age Elrond was a mere infant, but I mean as 3rd Age reference, which you obviously use. I don't see any Man character ever having more than 10 mind, no matter their importance in history. They just don't live long enough to aquire the knowledge and powers. And Cirdan should not be underestimated in first age.

All in all, I would keep Feanor/Fingolfin/Finarfin at 12, Turgon/Fingon and Maedhros at 11 (perhaps Durin also, but who knows anything about him anyway?), and the rest lower than that.

Adjusting the rest of stats accordingly, you seem to have that figured. However, I find that not all stats need be applied so mathematically, if characters can also make good use of some cool ability they have. It can compensate for lower M/DI or P/B ratio.

If you include Elves that remained in Valinor, they also need something to do there of course   , or you want them diverting from the march and end up somewhere else? And on another note, who knows how high these Elves developed there in Valinor (Elmo/Olwe)? so what about their mind?

What's the GI of the 3 Lords?

There are never enough women in Middle Earth, where's Galadriel, and Idril, and Aredhel? Melian perhaps also, would be weird to have her as ally only, if you can play Elwe.

Do you use/know the MSE tool for easier card production?

[Dirhaval]

I like the idea of First Age; its an unexplored CCG realm. I will not venture into much of active FA CCG generation, just a reader of the story

My opinion is to actually beef-up more of the characters. Some of these elves came from Aman! Galadriel is a 9 mind, but she is more of a homebody  And the weapons too.  I would suggest having an Aiglos like weapon a major item and leave Ringil a greater item, but more powers in the hands of one of the three Eldar elves.  These are offset by several Balrogs still alive, dragons too.  And don't forget Shelob siblings north of Doriath. I can be happy if you make 8 others who live above ground. So thats 8+1+4 (in underdeeps). = 13 total.

Dirhavel              Other Edain     Edain      Third        0    1    3    0    4    7    2

Thank you!.  How about making a special ability for Dirhavel.  May tap to cancel any effect to eliminate character. (You know it is fated this fellow survived to write down the history of ME

What about the avatar for FA?
The seven sons of Feanor and Feanor will make 8 for "dark."


-Bill