Firyal leads the way (slightly modified) 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

Introduction / Deck-idea:

I have always loved to play mono- because of its utility, quest-power and threat-control. With Galadriel and Nenya, I could also splash some -cards like healing, Asfaloth with Glorfindel and so on.

Moreover, Firyal has become a staple for me in those decks. One might argue that she is simply one of the strongest allies in the game. The only drawback is her high cost and the fact that in my decks she relied heavily on Nenya (or Stand and Fight), while at the same time I mostly tried to mulligan for Light of Valinor or Elven-Light to get the core-deck running.

Well, the printing of Messenger of the King solves these problems. You get her incredible ability from the very start of the game, along with the same as Glorfindel. You even get deeper access to and are not dependent on any particular card in your opening hand, so you are much more flexible in your mulligan-decisions.

A quick overview of the cards:

• Ethir Swordsman + Anfalas Herdsman form a small outland-package for some decent quest-power.
• Northern Tracker and Rhovanion Outrider help with locations and can often take part in combat due to Galadriel's ability.
• The bigger allies deal with enemies, while the constant threat-reduction gives us time to build up.
• The side-quests help us to stay on early quest stages longer and synergize with Riders of Rohan / Thalion.
• The events provide card-draw, protection and recycling.

Strategy / Opening hand / Matchups:

In general, when playing solo, this deck works well against scenarios which

a) don't put too much time-pressure on you

b) don't force you to engage tougher enemies early.

In my opening hand, I always like to see the usual Test of Will, just in case, Elven-Light for Arwen, or Elrond's Counsel. But Nenya, Treebeard (if you have the time to play him) or Gather information (to find anything missing) are welcome, too. As mentioned above, the deck doesn't have any particular engine or key-cards. You can adapt to the scenario. For example, in sailing-adventures you need a large number of small allies early, while in others location-control or getting a defender on the board asap is more important.

The plan is usually to take it slowly, deal with locations and possibly some side-quests first, build up your board-state and only advance to the next stage(s) when you are ready to deal with what may come. "Anduin-playstyle", you might say. Note that Galadriel keeps your threat at a constant level, and you even have ways to reduce it further, if necessary.

In scenarios in which you have to rush, you might want to exchange some sideboard-cards for the side-quests. And in combat-heavy scenarios, playing two-handed is recommended.

Changes to earlier version:

There are just 2 additions to the sideboard in comparison to the original deck: In two specific scenarios (The Redhorn Gate / The Road to Rivndell), Arwen is an objective-ally, so I use Eowyn instead. And as Light of Valinor becomes useless, I swap it with ally-Glorfindel.

Note that MotK doesn't work in scenarios with captured heroes, like Escape from Mount Gram. So having an additional "regular" hero available in the sideboard comes in handy. Also, in The Strong Arm of Mordor, Firyal is available as an objective-hero, so you might remove her ally-version there.

Successful playtesting:

All solo, except for those marked with "(*)" = 2-handed alongside a combat-dedicated partner-deck:

• Passage through Mirkwood (normal + Nightmare)
• Journey along the Anduin (normal + Nightmare)
• Escape from Dol Guldur (Galadriel as prisoner)
• The Oath
• The Caves of Nibin-Dum

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• The Hunt for Gollum
• Conflict at the Carrock
• A Journey to Rhosgobel
• The Hills of Emyn Muil
• The Dead Marshes
• Return to Mirkwood

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• Into the Pit
• The 7th Level
• Flight from Moria
• The Redhorn Gate
• Road to Rivendell
• The Watcher in the Water
• The Long Dark
• Foundations of Stone
• Shadow and Flame

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• Peril in Pelargir
• Into Ithilien (*)
• The Siege of Cair Andros (*) (Jubayr as MotK)
• The Steward's fear
• The Druadan Forest
• Encounter at Amon Din
• Assault on Osgiliath
• The Blood of Gondor
• The Morgul Vale

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• The Fords of Isen
• To Catch an Orc
• Into Fangorn
• The Dunland Trap
• The Three Trials (*)
• Trouble in Tharbad
• The Nin-in-Eilph
• Celebrimbor's Secret
• The Antlered Crown

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• Intruders in Chetwood
• The Weather-Hills
• Deadman's Dyke (*)
• The Wastes of Eriador
• Escape from Mount Gram
• Across the Ettenmoors
• The Treachery of Rhudaur
• The Battle of Carn Dum (*) (3rd attempt, Jubayr as MotK)
• The Dread Realm

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• Voyage across Belegaer
• The Fate of Numenor
• Raid on the Grey Havens (*)
• Flight of the Stormcaller
• The Thing in the Depths
• Temple of the Deceived
• The Drowned Ruins
• A Storm on Coba's Haven
• The City of Corsairs (8th attempt with some luck)

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• Escape from Umbar
• Desert Crossing
• The Long Arm of Mordor
• The Mumakil
• Race across Harad (*)
• Beneath the Sands
• The Black Serpent
• The Dungeons of Cirith Gurat (*)
• The Crossings of Poros

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• Journey up the Anduin
• Lost in Mirkwood
• The King's Quest
• The Withered Heath
• Roam across Rhovanion
• Fire in the Night (*)
• The Ghost of Framsburg
• Mount Gundabad (*)
• The Fate of Wilderland (*)

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• The River Running
• Danger in Dorwinion
• The Temple of Doom (*) (2nd attempt)
• Wrath and Ruin (*)
• The City of Ulfast
• Challenge of the Wainriders (*) (Jubayr as MotK)
• Under the Ash Mountains (*)
• The Land of Sorrow (*)
• The Fortress of Nurn (*) (Jubayr as MotK, easy mode only after several futile attempts - got sick and tired of this one, tbh)

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• The Massing at Osgiliath (*)
• The Battle of Lake-Town (*)
• The Ruins of Belegost (*)
• Murder at the Prancing Pony
• The Stone of Erech
• Hunt for the Dreadnaught (standard mode)
• The Nine are Abroad

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• Ambush at Erelas
• The Battle for the Beacon
• The Horse Lord's Ire (*)
• The Aldburg Plot (*)
• Fire on the Eastemnet (*)
• The Gap of Rohan
• The Glittering Caves (*)
• Mustering of the Rohirrim (*)
• Blood in the Isen (*)

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• We must away, ere Break of Day (*)
• Over the Misty Mountains Grim (*)
• Dungeons Deep and Caverns Dim (3rd attempt)
• Flies and Spiders (2nd attempt)
• The Lonely Mountain
• The Battle of the Five Armies (*)

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• The Lord of the Rings campaign: completed, see Fellowship and Quest Logs for details.