Axe of the Azanulbizar Question

[Falenthal]

Well, 7 is a high Attribute: The Nazgul from Darkening, even one of the Spiders (Tauler, the Hunter) would be affected by the Axe. As would a Great Orc and most Trolls (not Chieftain or Mountain, but all the rest).

Against the Big Bosses, the group still needs to sweat for their victory.

[Glorelendil]

Well, 7 is a high Attribute: The Nazgul from Darkening, even one of the Spiders (Tauler, the Hunter) would be affected by the Axe. As would a Great Orc and most Trolls (not Chieftain or Mountain, but all the rest).

Against the Big Bosses, the group still needs to sweat for their victory.

I think this rule was partly just future-proofing, sort of insurance policy to avoid an as-yet-undesigned encounter being trivialized by a lucky Gandalf. "Oh, look, the Balrog is already Weary..."

[zedturtle]

Perhaps, but the Balrogs must be afraid of dogs. The hound of Mirkwood does not have an attribute restriction.

[Terisonen]

Balrogs are Angel of Death. Every person who's meet a Balrog is going to die. Durin VI, Feanor, Ecthelion, Gandalf... All dead.

[Indur Dawndeath]

GM: The Balrog targets the annoying dog with his Whip of Flame and Great Sword of Flame. Dodge this dog!
Player: Wait, you can't do that, it's a Virtue not a dog!
GM: Ok, the Balrog turns to you and attack. He rolls Eye of Sauron, you must roll protection TN30 and take 45 Endurance. Bye bye woodman. Instant kill!
Player: Wait, the dog jumps in front of my character and protects me. I am safe. No damage. And after the fight I'll apply a little first aid on the dog and it will be fine...
GM: That's a nice Virtue...

[Glorelendil]

Perhaps, but the Balrogs must be afraid of dogs. The hound of Mirkwood does not have an attribute restriction.

Yeah, fair point. Argues for the Axe to not have a level limitation.

Of course, by the time you get to the Balrog the Woodman may well have lost the dog for the session/adventure. But if the designers are worried about the Balrog being Weary, there's still a pretty decent chance for it.

[zedturtle]

Flame of Udûn

This adversary cannot be made Weary and is considered to also have the Great Size ability. At zero Endurance or Hate, it continues to make all tests as normal.

would solve any potential problems nicely.

[Angelalex242]

How 10 woodmen with maxed out doggies killed Durin's Bane before Gandalf got the chance.

Tolkien rolled over in his grave.

But yeah, I'd argue in favor of lifting the restriction. If the Dwarf gets lucky and wearies the big boss, well, he paid for that virtue and the chance to get lucky fair and square.

[Majestic]

Flame of Udûn

This adversary cannot be made Weary and is considered to also have the Great Size ability. At zero Endurance or Hate, it continues to make all tests as normal.

would solve any potential problems nicely.

I see your Palantir is working nicely.