The Wrath of the Valar 1.0

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• 1.0

Then Yavanna was glad, and she stood up, reaching her arms towards the heavens, and she said: 'High shall climb the trees of Kementári, that the Eagles of the King may house therein!' But Manwë rose also, and it seemed that he stood to such a height that his voice came down to Yavanna as from the paths of the winds. 'Nay,' he said, 'only the trees of Aulë will be tall enough. In the mountains the Eagles shall house, and hear the voices of those who call upon us. But in the forests shall walk the Shepherds of the Trees.'

Above all the horns of his host it was heard in the woods that Yavanna brought forth in Valinor; for there Oromë would train his folk and his beasts for the pursuit of the evil creatures of Melkor

Wisest of the Maiar was Olórin. He too dwelt in Lórien, but his ways took him often to the house of Nienna, and of her he learned pity and patience.

Curunír was the eldest and came first, and after him came Mithrandir and Radagast [...] Radagast was the friend of all beasts and birds.

The Silmarillion - J.R.R. Tolkien

This deck features the heralds of four of the Valar: Manwë (eagles), Yavanna (tree-shepherds), Oromë (beasts) and Nienna (mentor of Olórin); all leaded by two of the Maiar: Olórin (Mithrandir / Gandalf) and Aiwendil (Radagast), two of the three remaining Istari in Middle Earth.

I usually enjoy the sneaky ways of the game, but when I walk upon gruesome enemies hard to beat, I grab this deck and crush everyone who opposes the power of Ilúvatar.

Almost every ally is expensive, so I like to start with a mulligan for Treebeard or Radagast to help gathering resources. All of the Gandalf's attachments are amazingly helpful: Gandalf's Staff comes in very handy to get an extra resource; Shadowfax gives him an extra action per round; Narya gives you the chance to make those two 4 or 5-cost allies worth it; the Wizard Pipe combined with the Flame of Anor let you get rid of an extra copy of Radagast or an expensive ally you can't play at the moment to ready him and attack with up to 8 .

The starting threat level is obviusly a handicap if it wasn't for Beorn, who will defend the attacks in the first couple rounds, nevertheless try to get the Favor of the Valar as soon as possible if you are facing lots of "Doomed" encounter cards.

All copies of Support of the Eagles go on Quickbeam, so he can defend with up to 13 or more when needed, or to attack with up to 16 or more (obviously, with the right eagle allies on the table).

I enjoyed this one game when I was standing before the Gates of Durin and with the Watcher in the Water attacking with several tentacles. Frodo wasn't there, so Gandalf couldn't find the words to open the gate. Discarding to try and find the right word wasn't an option. Turning his back he led a final attack and destroyed the Watcher in the Water for good, all for the Valar's enjoyment...

Please, any suggestions to improve this deck are welcomed, but keeping in mind that I enjoy doing thematic decks!