What does "the ring tempts you" mean? I really hate this new way of phrasing cards like they're a digital product and the program will handle it instead of explaining what the fuck it means.
I looked up the mechanics today and it makes me want to throw up.
The first time the Ring tempts you during a game, you get an emblem named The Ring. There's a printed helper card you can keep in your command zone to remind you that you have The Ring and what it does. The Ring starts with only its first ability at the top, but it may gain the other abilities one at a time as it tempts you further.
Each time the Ring tempts you, two things happen. First, you choose a creature you control to become your Ring-bearer. If you have a Ring-bearer, you may choose to have that creature remain your Ring-bearer, or you may choose another creature you control to carry that burden. Ring-bearer is a new designation; it's not a creature type or an ability. The creature you choose remains your Ring-bearer until you choose another one, it leaves the battlefield, or another player gains control of it. Each player has their own Ring-bearer (and their own The Ring), and you can never have more than one Ring-bearer.
Second, The Ring gains its next ability, if it can. Once The Ring has all four of its abilities, it has reached its full power and won't gain additional abilities as the Ring tempts you in the future. Notably, The Ring will gain its next ability even if you didn't control any creatures as the Ring tempted you, meaning you didn't choose a Ring-bearer.
Spells and abilities may refer to your Ring-bearer. Most obviously, The Ring itself has abilities that affect your Ring-bearer. It immediately becomes legendary and can't be blocked by creatures with greater power. In time, The Ring's other abilities will provide valuable combat bonuses. Other cards, including Sauron, the Necromancer, refer to your Ring-bearer.
No joke, this is the fucking Ring.
