Gloin is a nice, low threat-cost hero with a pretty unique ability.

  "Response: After Gloin suffers damage, add 1 resource to his resource pool for each point of damage he just suffered."

First, note that while every other hero with built-in, reusable resource acceleration is limited to once per round, his ability is unlimited, so Gloin can take on as many resources as he can withstand damage. This means he can be a great way to get extra resources throughout the course of the game, assuming you can keep the dwarf healed and or give him enough extra hit points through attachments that he can take on some hurt.

There are a few caveats, however:

1. The resources go on him, so if you want to spread the wealth to other spheres, you need an Errand-rider, a song of your choice, or a leadership event card like Parting Gifts, which lets you transfer any number of resources over to another hero for a nice cost of zero.
2. Damage can be hard to predict and control unless you are running a quest with archery or encounter cards that deal direct damage on a fairly regular basis.
3. Healing all but demands some access to lore, especially if you want reusable healing like self preservation or warden of healing. This can limit deck building options if you want to make the most of his ability.
4. As when trying building up damage on his son, Gimli, there is always a risk that an untimely encounter or shadow card effect will kill Gloin and take all those extra resources with him.

That being said, he definitely has his good points:

1. Like I said, his ability is unlimited!!!!
2. He has access to all sorts of leadership buffs to improve upon his low stats, including Heir of Mardil to take advantage of his Noble trait for some repeatable readying.
3. He carries the Dwarf trait, which gives access to the incredible dwarven synergy, as well as any number of great cards that only work with dwarves, including those that raise hit points.
4. He's got that awesome beard!!!

So yeah, there's many a good reason to use him. You just might want to get those coins off of him as fast as you can and include a Fortune or Fate just in case!

Glóin is for me the best dwarf in the core set. His ability is great, when you are able to handle damages (for example Citadel Plate, Daughter of the Nimrodel, Self Preservation, Protector of Lórien or Glorfindel). His stats are also very good, beside the defense, which is funny cause I usually use him as defender. Nice artwork. Verdict: 5/5.

Maybe the strangest hero of them all, Glóin is a very curious card to rate since he is basically his own archetype to an extent that goes beyond any other hero in the game. Even Caldara, also her own archetype, is more traditional in the sense that she only really provides some good allies once per game. Glóin changes you whole approach towards enemies, damage and the encounter deck as a whole.

There tend to be two types of Glóin decks: Decks that use him more "conventionally" as a damage soak to tank and heal or decks that use him degenerately (for instance alongside Treebeard and Vigilant Guard as a combo engine). Both are really good, but both also have their weaknesses as well: The former can be prone to shadow pressure and attachment hate, the latter can certainly be a game-breaking combo-juggernaut, however there are usually more consistent and airtight combo options available, rendering the Glóin-combo-engine often superfluous (even if entertaining and certainly workable).

Those weaknesses and his very boxed-in playing style lead to Glóin missing out on top marks, however make no mistake, in terms of sheer abusability, he is likely the most "broken" hero on this list.

Rating: 9/10

Decks of mine using Glóin

All my card ratings