Cameson's Revised Core Deck 3.0

• Versions
• 3.0
• 2.0
• 1.0

Shout out to TheGameLocker for inspiration for this deck! See a similar deck at https://ringsdb.com/decklist/view/36224/minimumpurchasegandalfelrondpowerdeckrco-2.0.

Because I only have access to cards from the Revised Core Set and Expansions, (I treat Messenger of the King as a rule and not a card I have to own to play with) I have to make do without certain cards like Imladris Stargazer or Gildor Inglorion to manage the top cards of my deck. But I have fallen in love with this deck. Elrond and Gandalf are so powerful, and once Elrond has Vilya and Steward of Gondor, you can churn out a bunch of expensive allies and powerful cards with ease. But this is not all I love about this deck.

First, when Gandalf and Elrond get the "readying" attachments, they are unstoppable. Shadowfax, of course, goes on Gandalf, and the copies of Unexpected Courage can be divided up among Gandalf and Elrond as needed. But a neat combo I've discovered is the use of the Ranged keyword and Rúmil. If you had Legolas, all copies of Greenwood Archer, and Shadowfax on Gandalf (who then gains Ranged), Rúmil can then deal 4 damage to an enemy engaged with you when he comes into play. I don't use this every game, but it can be nice to have. Also Henamarth Riversong, the card I personally believe to be the most underrated in the game, is key to maximizing the efficiency of your tableau during the Quest Phase so that you can see what is coming.

Second, threat remains low in most games. Bilbo's threat balances out the combined 27 threat of Elrond and Gandalf. Elrond's Counsel and The Galadhrim's Greeting can then lower your threat incredibly low, even below 20. It isn't common to end the game with a threat below 25, which can be nice for most games. Boromir also benefits from this low threat.

Third, quests that require the use of a "captive" don't hurt this deck much. Since Elrond will gain the icon with Vilya, losing Bilbo in quests like Escape from Dol Goldur and the Uruk-Hai isn't much of a problem. Not applicable in most quests, but nice to have.

Finally, and most importantly, this is a Vilya deck. Bilbo brings Wizard Pipe into hand to be played on Gandalf. Gléowine and Daeron's Runes provide card draw to expand your options. With the current expansions I own, my selection of expensive allies is nice, but not amazing. I would love to have Jubayr or Firyal, but who know if we'll ever get these cards in Revised Expansions. But regardless, if you own Elves of Lorien and the Saga Expansions, this deck should work for you and provide you with ideas for exploring deckbuilding.