This is part of my "cycle progression" playthrough, where I get access to all of the cards from a cycle at once, in addition to the prior cycles. For the Against the Shadows (AtS) cycle, that includes the core (Core), Shadows of Mirkwood (SoM), Khazad-dum (KD), and The Hobbit (TH).
During setup, put Alcaron's Scroll on Gimli.
First turn, quest with Glorfindel to engage the Harbor Thug during questing, lowering the threat you need to overcome. Then, take an undefended attack with Gimli to drop the scroll, then attack back with your + .
From there, use Vassal of the Windlord for cheap battle questing. Get ready for the shift to normal questing in Stage 3 with Sword that was Broken, Faramir, and CelebrÃan's Stone.