In the Service of the Steward 1.0

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• 1.0

In the Service of the Steward, or Denethor, Resource Piñata

This is my take on the Gondor swarm archetype, using the newly spoiled cards from the first AP of the Dreamchaser cycle, Flight of the Stormcaller. This version has been modified slightly to go along side my Ithilien Rangers deck http://ringsdb.com/decklist/view/4293/rangers-of-ithilien-1.0

The deck's primary focus is to dump allies on to the board as fast as possible, like any good swarm deck should.

However the new cards from Flight of the Stormcaller are dripping with theme, and add some incredible new options to the Gondor trait, and Leadership in general. These new options allow this deck, and the brand new Leadership Denethor to act as 'banker' for the group, sending the resources of Gondor to those in need.

Opening Hand:

You ideally should have Steward of Gondor in the opening hand, but the new setup ability of Denethor will offset this if you don't draw in to it on turn 1, you'll be able to dig for it later with Heed the Dream if needs be. Starting with 4 leadership resources without additional card support is huge allowing you to drop 2-3 allies onto the board to fuel an early A Very Good Tale, or a single powerful ally, such as 'Faramir or Anborn on turn 1

At the Table:

Once you get the usual Gondor swarm cards in place, Citadel Custodian to fuel your A Very Good Tale, Visionary Leadership etc, the deck should be able to turn it's focus to questing or attacking effortlessly.

The resource acceleration in the deck should allow you to send much needed resources all across Middle Earth to aid your allies in the mustering of their own forces, with Denethor, Errand-rider and Pelargir Ship Captain you'll be able to shuttle a great number of resources around per turn, hopefully ensuring that your fellow players are not lacking for resources.

Heir of Mardil should go on Boromir, allowing his father to ready him at a whim, likely to press the attack again to keep your engaged enemies at bay.

Perhaps the most interesting card in the new pack Heed the Dream, is going to allow you to provide unprecedented tutoring support to either yourself or your fellow players. And as Denethor should be swimming pretty in a Scrooge McDuck level of resources, you should have no trouble pulling together the 3 resources to allow your target player to search their entire deck for the combo card they're looking for to rise to greatness.

Pippin's resources are likely going to be slowly accumulating as the cost curve of the Lore portion of the deck is incredibly low. But Pippin, ever the generous Hobbit, can send his resources to his new liege via Errand-rider or Pelargir Ship Captain, or if the battle is going poorly, he can assist the Warden of Healing as they tend to your wounded forces.

I feel the deck is a little weak defensively, relying more on chumping than empowering a single, bold defender of Minas Tirith. While Denethor defensive abilities are not to be sniffed at, without aid he's likely to succumb to the more aggressive of Sauron's agents. Perhaps a friendly Tactics player, could Heed the Dream of a Gondorian Shield for the Steward of Gondor?

Hero Conflicts: The sideboard has a bunch of heroes to sub out if there's a hero conflict at the table, some are more thematic than others. Obviously the only character you don't sub out is Denethor **

Sideboard:** The sideboard is pretty bare bones, stocking up on a few extra resource accelerating effects if you feel you need it. Deep Knowledge was hard to cut, but to take advantage of Pippin card draw, and the shadow nullification of Staff of Lebethron I wanted to avoid any unnecessary threat increase if I could help it.

Parting Gifts however, should probably be subbed in every time another player brings a Glóin deck to the table. Everyone knows that Dwarves can't be trusted with vast wealth, so play Parting Gifts to ensure that all that Dwarven treasure goes to the right causes, as only Denethor, accountant of Minas Tirith can.

Editor: Management accepts no responsibility for any face and/or d*ck punches received while employing this 'strategy'.