Denethor

Ally. Cost: 4. 3   1   2   3  

Gondor. Noble.

Denethor gets -1 for each damaged hero you control.

Discard Denethor if his is 0 or less.

"Denethor is of another sort, proud and subtile, a man of far greater lineage and power, though he is not called a king." Gandalf, The Return of the King
Magali Villeneuve

Encounter at Amon Dîn #57. Leadership.

Denethor
Reviews

Surprisingly this ally, costly as it is, can found itself quite at home in a 2-heroes deck (or even a 1-hero one for those crazy people who attempt it :D) since at least it avoids its most negative effect. It can also be marginally successful in a Visionary Leadership Fellowship, but I don't think it's worth the trouble. Any way I think the greatest cost of this ally is having to give up playing its very good heroes versions.

Now that we have Grey Wanderer decks around I think this could be a decent ally to include since its drawback is fairly limited, but I guess there are still better choices. — Alonewolf87 1908
I think the best use is in a Lothriel deck for early willpower, you are unlikely to have taken damage on the first turn. — NERD 789

The best thing that can be said for this card is that it is a fantastic fit for the theme. Denethor becomes increasingly depressed by hero injuries until he commits suicide.

But that's not very good value for four. He starts at 3 willpower, which is good for his cost, but won't stay there without healthy heroes or willpower boosts that could've enhanced other heroes. He has neglible attack and at 2/3 is too fragile to be a repeat defender without help (that you probably wouldn't want to give a suicidal ally). Even in a Gray Wanderer deck, if the lone hero is damaged he becomes a 2 wp quester for 4 cost with no positive abilities whatsoever. In fact, he's the only 4-cost unique ally in the game who doesn't have some sort of positive ability.

One of the very worst choices for Messenger of the King