polychrotid wrote:
Forced: After Hummerhorns engages you, deal 5 damage to a single hero you control.
I think the Forced effect means that there is no opportunity to take actions between the engagement and the dealing of the damage. It can be a terrible card, but there are several ways to deal damage to enemies in the staging are (e.g., Hail of Stones, Gandalf, Infighting, Descendant of Thorondir, Dunhere, for example). Also, Frodo can soak up that damage as threat.
Good luck
Indeed, there is no way to play an action between the engagement and the damage dealing by the Hummerhorns.
How to deal with Hummerhorns:
- Take the hit, lose a hero. Maybe play the spirit card to bring back a hero from the discard pile.
- Increase the hit points of one of your heroes above five. (Citadel plate, boots, ring mail) Then take the hit and survive.
- Take the hit on frodo and increase your threat by 5.
- Deal damage to Hummerhorns while it is still in the staging area (see post above)
- Win the game before Hummerhorns engage you.
Some of these ways are more preferable than others.