Index -> Glossary -> Resistance

Resistance

Resistance is indicated on companions and allies by an icon of a white number on a black stone in the lower-left corner of the card. Many characters were printed before Resistance became a standard attribute (many have a signets where this icon would be) and in that case, the companion's Resistance is 6 or whatever is written in any game text in that character's card. Allies default to Zero Resistance. If the Black Stone icon has a gold ring around it, that means this companion may be a Ring-bearer and placed in your deck as such.

For Standard and War Of The Ring Block games
Resistance represents a companion or ally's ability to resist the influence of The One Ring. As the Ring-bearer acquires Burdens, all companions and allies lose a point of Resistance -- one per Burden. If the Ring-bearer's Resistance goes to zero, that Ring-bearer is corrupted and the game is lost. If any other companion or ally goes to zero Resistance, there is no immediate consequence. However, many Free Peoples cards require a high Resistance to use and many powerful Shadow cards can wreak havoc on companions and allies with low Resistance.

For Fellowship, Tower and King Block games
Resistance represents a particular Ring-bearer's ability to resist the influence of The One Ring. A Ring-bearer may be given a number of burdens up to the number of his resistance before being corrupted. If a player's Ring-bearer is corrupted, that player immediately loses the game.