Journey in the Dark Solo Progression 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

DECK NAME - Something Unexpected

https://youtu.be/o9To1uqhMNY

“This hobbit was a very well-to-do hobbit, and his name was Baggins. The Bagginses had lived in the neighbourhood of The Hill for time out of mind, and people considered them very respectable, not only because most of them were rich, but also because they never had any adventures or did anything unexpected: you could tell what a Baggins would say on any question without the bother of asking him. This is a story of how a Baggins had an adventure, and found himself doing and saying things altogether unexpected."

OVERVIEW - The inclusion of Bilbo in this iconic quest feels quite unexpected for an aged hobbit. Journey in the Dark is definitely a race to try and make as much progress as possible before the Balrog enters the game, but stage 2B sometimes forces us to slow down. Utilizing quite a lot of card draw, we will try and rush the quest and potentially win before the Balrog enters play (I've won it in 8 rounds before). Usually wins in 10 rounds meaning we only have to endure 2-4 Balrog attacks.

HEROES

• Bilbo Baggins - extra card draw is clutch
• Pippin - response is helpful if we are forced to deal with an early Orc-chieftain, and he pushes the engagement cost of lowest enemy to 38
• Sam Gamgee - attach Steward of Gondor and Tome of Atanatar; only attach Tome if you know you'll play Sneak Attack/Gandalfin questing immediately afterward
• Frodo Baggins - use his ability against Orc-chieftain

STRATEGY

• SETUP - Steward of Gondor, Henamarth Riversong, or card draw
• STAGE 1 - if you have Henamarth Riversong play him round 1; don't commit to the quest blind in round 1 unless you have an ally that can quest in case along with Sam and Pippin; using Henamarth you'll know what to commit in future rounds; if you get an early Orc-chieftain Frodo Baggins will protect you until you can Sneak Attack Gandalf in; keep your below 35; leave enemies in staging for now; don't progress until around round 5-6 when you've got tools out and ready; insure Frodo is ready and has a resource before moving on
• STAGE 2 - use Gandalf to snipe enemies in staging in order to meet the demand of 2b
• STAGE 3 - very normal for Balrog to enter play when moving ahead to stage 3; more than enough chumps available to quest for the win in 3 rounds; don't attack the Balrog; not needed to win
• Anfalas Herdsman - lots of for damage soak
• Envoy of Pelargir - transfer resources from Bilbo and Pippin to Sam
• Galadhrim Minstrel - some really good events to grab with her response
• Henamarth Riversong - very important to know when to quest all out or hold back
• Master of the Forge - only included to insure round 2 Steward of Gondor; otherwise not necessary to play; great fuel for Daeron's Runes or can chump
• Tome of Atanatar - allows for 9 total plays of Sneak Attack
• Sneak Attack/Gandalf - shouldn’t have to lower thanks to Pippin; use for his direct damage ability and potentially early card draw
• Pretty straightforward. Enjoy!