The Best Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Bombs in Limited

The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth MTG (Universes Beyond) set introduces an interesting mix of existing mechanics and abilities (most notably historic and sagas), integrated with newer lore-based mechanics such as The One (Ringbearer) and Amass Orcs. This creates a rather unintuitively straightforward build dynamic in Limited, very much supported by a solid list of great picks you can more or less easily assess.

Tier 1 Bombs

The main obligatory picks when they happen to pop up. Most likely the primary build-around choice, especially with complementary components on hand.

Saruman of Many Colors

Rarity: Mythic Rare

Discard-type ward costs are often treated as instant 2-for-1s. But they are generally more devastating if the card only accepts specific card types for the discard requirement. Apart from that, casting two spells for an extra free spell isn't exactly a tall order either, and could easily spiral out of control for your opponents if they can't deal with it quickly.

Sauron, the Dark Lord

Rarity: Mythic Rare

While sacrificing legendary stuff isn't as difficult to do in this set, it is still quite a painful cost for its ward ability. Worse, even if your opponent does manage to take it out, Amass Orcs is already triggered the moment they casted the removal spell. And yes, we are not even talking about its actual ability yet, which allows a potential infinite refresh of resources depending on how you roll.

Witch-king of Angmar

Rarity: Mythic Rare

A very stable five-power-five-mana flyer that impedes your opponent's offensive streak, even at the cost of a single attack. Its protection ability is also nice, though practically you only get to use it once if you're the one that's always on the offensive.

There and Back Again

Rarity: Rare

Admittedly, if your current board state is significantly inferior to your opponent, the first two effects of this saga wouldn't really help your situation at all. However, if you can last until the third effect, the card gives you an amazing 6/6 hasty flyer that pukes a ton of Treasure tokens when it dies. And that alone, is already worth its bomb status.

Radagast the Brown

Rarity: Mythic Rare

A very solid four-mana creature that instantly provides its main effect the moment it arrives. Granted, that immediately removes Avatars and Wizards from the list. But most of the time, you should be able to get another creature card when it lands. After that, it's just an avalanche of more and more creature cards added to the hand. You will eventually whiff, of course. But four out of five times, you'll always get a bonus creature after casting one while this is on the field.

Andúril, Flame of the West

Rarity: Mythic Rare

Five (total) mana for two 1/1 Spirit tokens with flying. Already a good deal right? Now imagine generating them every turn, plus a nice boost in stats. Then add the fact that this equipment can easily land on a legendary creature in this set. As such, those Spirit tokens are already attacking instead of just being tapped. It's an automatic bomb. No questions asked.

Tier 2 Bombs

These cards are generally good picks for complementing the cards that you have already chosen or got. Can also be specific build-arounds if you get a bit luckier.

Flowering of the White Tree - a very efficient Anthem-effect that provides a bit more bonus for legendaries.

Gandalf the White - a very welcome instant blocker, surprises with a trigger doubler, and speeds up eligible spells afterward.

Rangers of Ithilien - a cheap creature steal effect with wide pluses and potentially triple advantages.

Sauron, the Necromancer - solid menacing body generating menacing tokens. The tokens are also permanent if it becomes the ringbearer.

Fall of Gil-galad - very absurd value for its absolutely cheap cost, saga typing notwithstanding.

Aragorn, the Uniter - gives all sorts of extras depending on the color of the spell you cast. Can get crazy with multi-colored spells.

Shelob, Child of Ungoliant - great cost for its stats, but it also has protection and many bonuses for specific build-arounds.

Elrond, Master of Healing - does nothing by itself, but its effect is open enough that it pluses on both offense and defense effects easily.

Horn of Gondor - is it the new Pack Rat? Well no. But it's close, in the way that it steamrolls if left unchecked for a few turns.

Tier 3 'Bombs'

Here are the rest of the other high-picks in Limited.

Uncommon 'Bombs'

These are be the appropriate high-rated picks for certain uncommons:

Common 'Bombs'

These are the best commons that should be an easy/instant pick if color/theme appropriate:

For the complete list with individual ratings and explanations, check out our The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-Earth Limited Ratings page.