While a majority of the companions released in The Two Towers sacrificed archery for skirmish strength, Lorien Swordsman has the benefit of both. Though at a modest 6 strength even with Elven Sword, his game text along with the heavy wounding Elves are able to access turn him into a very efficient fighter. He is able to contribute to the archery total with an Elven Bow, and finish off minions whose vitality allows them to survive the Archery Phase.

Because Horse of Rohan may be borne by an Elf, a mounted Lorien Swordsman can be particularly dangerous and guarantee at least one wound in a skirmish against minions with a vitality greater than one. Unlike the similar companion Elite Rider, Lorien Swordsman's ability is more effective the more a minion is wounded and has easy access to events such as Sword Wall. He also has access to the Elves' strength reducing abilities which, combined with his passive text, can overwhelm some minions outright. Blades Drawn in particular is a natural fit for decks which rely on Lorien Swordsman, enabling him to overwhelm even Nazgul (An exhausted Witch King will have a strength of 2) without using skirmish events.

When facing Lorien Swordsman, the shadow player will often elect to kill off minions in the Archery Phase and keep one or two minions healthy rather than spread the wounds. This may be problematic if Lorien Swordsman if the fellowship's only fighter, as he is nearly helpless against unwounded minions. Because he reduces a minion's strength rather than adding to his own, his low base strength may require additional skirmish events to keep an enduring minion or a minion with very high strength from overwhelming him. Skirmish healing abilities effectively become strength buffs against Lorien Swordsman, and the Free Peoples should be cautious assigning him when playing against Wargs (who often use Wolf Voices) or if a condition such as Scaling Ladder or Surging Up is in a Shadow player's support area.

• Wounded minions

• Unwounded minions
• Skirmish healing
• Enduring minions

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