The spirit of Middle-Earth's peoples clears for burgling 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

Absolutely my favorite deck to play right now against demanding scenarios - It has brilliant tricks, surprises, theme, and variation and is damn solid!

Having started out with Seastan's brilliant Caldara deck and played around with some variations, I settled on this for my tabletop Caldara deck originating from my urge to put The Burglar's Turn to good use. That certainly is done.

• Gameplay

  • Mulligan for Imrahil is my usual approach. If you don't get him in opening hand, there is a good chance to pick him up from the growing discard pile with Stand and Fight, Knight of Belfalas or Dwarven Tomb :-) - Depending on the game you may want him in play before sending Caldara on her way.
  • With digging, you get into Glorfindel and Elven-light sooner or later, and that helps a good foundation to keep the army standing well enough. The Burgling kind of comes like an added bonus giving it an edge to conquer harder scenarios.
  • The amount of allies and recurring capabilities means you can afford to lose some, and later in the game, I tend to gather 2-4 extra resources every round + a welcomed Hidden Cache once in a while.
  • The Dunedain Pathfinder is great for finding places to burgle, especially in solo, and it has also helped me to get a chump block in a pinch with Stand and Fight while adding a location for next turn to target with trackers and outriders.
  • In every game I played, Will of the West was very important towards the end, so make sure to keep track of the disposition of that and the tombs, and don't discard the last chance to Dáin or something. Maybe add 1 extra copy to worry less about that.

• Battles fought:

  • I beat Siege of Annuminas solo with it in 2nd try - after a loss with a most terrible starting hand.
  • Battle of Carn Dúm at 1st try!
  • Conflict at the Carrock Nightmare 2nd try - Man, that was a great game. Took down all the trolls at excactly 34 threat, did caldara same turn at combat after discarding to Dáins defend and was able to sustain and get the upper hand to free Grimbeorn.
  • I made some quest logs.

• Sideboard

  • Just a bit of inspiration for cards to switch in for fun or for teching - there are many cool cards that can fit without messing with the core of the decks function. - I haven't tried all the listed cards yet...
  • Háma would probably be a brilliant addition if you know you are facing many hard enemies in early game.
  • Another nice thing is that all allies have 2+ hp - except the wardens. In some scenarios the Imladris Caregiver might be better - and overall better late in the game, i think.
  • Reforged may be a good fit if you are facing much attachment hate.
  • What goes then? Some suggestions for making room: Power of Orthanc, Ride Them Down, Shadows Give Way, 1xElrond's Counsel, The Free Peoples, Gather Information, Linhir Sea-captain, 1x Derufin, maybe the Hidden Cache's but i would miss 'em...

• Burgling

  • I am very satisfied with the loot deck that I have ended up with.
  • Armor and Readying for the Ironfoot. (except raiment better go on elfhelm, erebor guard or glorfindel - or indeed Jubayar if he is there)
  • Preferably, weapons go on Imrahil, though in my win against Annuminas they actually landed on Arwen because of Caldara timing - definitely the most battle ready Arwen i have ever played :-p
  • Miruvor + Ring of Thrór is an AWESOME combo if you are lucky to get it! 3 readies a round from that if needed...
  • Other loot cards I have considered:
  • 1x Lembas (TiT)
  • 1x Athelas
  • 1x Citadel Plate
  • 1x Ent Draught/Squire's helm
  • 1x The Red Arrow
  • 1x Celebrían's Stone (Core)
  • 1x Silver Circlet
  • 1x The Arkenstone (TWH)
  • The Stone of Elostirion

Though designed to work solo, I assume it would shine in multiplayer (Though Glorfindel and Arwen may give potential problems...), but be prepared to make room for allies on the table!

Linhir Sea-captain remains to really prove himself, but he has some merit here by being Gondor for recurring and enabling an extra action from e.g. Arwen that got looted weapons when Caldara was in play. Often the 3 resources can match, and in a dire situation the extra actions can give important defense action. He somewhat saved me in Carrock Nightmare or helped at least.

The many peoples: It occurred to me how many different peoples and kinds that are brilliantly represented here in one mutual goal, which makes it a great thematic fit for big battle scenarios. I wish there were spirit beornings though, but they are of course too hardcore fighters for that. Wilyador can be added to represent the eagles... :-) Would be good for multiplayer at least.

I love how multipurpose the deck is despite being mono spirit.

I hope some at this great site come up with suggestions for even more fun with this deck. And if someone plays the deck, I wish you prosperous burgling wherever you venture!