This is, hands down, one of the best allies in the game; the best? It's certainly a contender. 2 resources for 2 of any one ability is really nice, but 2 for 2 is especially nice for .

Add on top of this the fact that you get a conditional +2, it starts to look more attractive. The response ability really pushes this card over the top though, giving you the ability to reliably quest with Pippin every round and only wait for his conditional attack bonus when you can be sure it'll trigger.

So really, it's 2 resources for 2 every turn, and an additional 2 on some turns, which is incredible value.

Any ally with 2 willpower and 2 hit points for 2 cost in tactics would be at least an 8/10 in my books, even with a blank text box. Pippin is simply the best deal you can get for questing output in the tactics ally pool, with only Meneldor through his ability coming even remotely close. His ability is also amazing however, often providing readying and decent attack against higher engagement cost enemies (who tend to be more difficult to deal with anyways).

The only real downside here is that the hero rewarding you most for engaging higher engagement cost enemies is lore Pippin, meaning tactics Pippin often gets crowded out by his lore compatriot in decks that would really profit from his ability. But otherwise, Pippin is an amazing ally who is a a contender to go into almost any non-Forth, The Three Hunters! tactics deck.

Rating: 9/10

Decks of mine using Pippin

All my card ratings