Beregond and the Bowmen (Ranged Tactics) 1.0

• Versions
• 2.0
• 1.0

Intro and Concept

A mono-tactics deck, designed to be played with a Théoden deck in a mono-tactics fellowship. I don't think this deck would work very well solo.

I've got the first 2 cycles, HoN, EaAD, TMV and the first 4 Lotr Saga boxes, which explains why some cards might be absent. I think I've got most of the best Tactics cards I have available between this and the other deck.

I really wanted Beregond in either deck, as he is the best hero defender I have in tactics. I also really like Legolas, for access to Hands Upon the Bow and the extra progress is really helpful to offset the weak willpower. Brand son of Bain is there as a quester, as he has 3 willpower with Théoden. I did consider Thalin, Háma and even Elladan but I've never used Brand son of Bain and it can be nice to have another Ranged hero.

I have tried to balance out the costs of cards between this and its paired deck, I ended up going event heavy with this deck simply due to Hands Upon the Bow requiring control of a Ranged character. I wanted to use Snowmane and Herugrim with Théoden so one deck had to have Songs of Travel. I chose this deck to have the Spirit cards because The Eagles Are Coming! acts as card draw, which means this deck had slightly better draw than the other. I also felt I could get away with having mainly eagles as allies in this deck, as Beregond should be ready to defend.

For detail on scenarios I've played see the Fellowship description.

This deck is weak on location control, and questing can become an issue. Combat has been good, as you might expect from a Tactics heavy deck.

Strategy

As mentioned, Brand son of Bain is the main quester. I don't think I've ever quested with Legolas but he can quest for 2 willpower (with Théoden) in an emergency. The Eagles of the Misty Mountains are usually used to help quest, and the same for the Envoys of Pelargir

The other deck tries to engage most enemies and then Beregond and Legolas can help defend and attack respectively. If this deck does need to engage enemies, then the Vassal of the Windlord can help attack, as well as Landroval. Winged Guardian can help defend, and if they are not needed for questing, the Eagles of the Misty Mountains are good for combat.

I usually play the Song of Travel on Legolas as he should not be at risk of dying. The Envoy of Pelargir can give him resources if I need more spirit resources. The Books of Eldacar are usually for recycling Feint or Hands Upon the Bow, but can be used for any event I need really. I have found Hands Upon the Bow and Hail of Stones can help with questing, to clear out high threat enemies before the quest resolution. Hail of Stones is great if I have a lot of cheap Eagles who aren't needed for combat. Behind Strong Walls is nice for Beregond if there are several strong enemies. Unexpected Courage is usually played on Brand son of Bain or Beregond, the other deck can usually manage with Boromir and Théoden can get Snowmane. Horn of Gondor has not been very useful as of yet, as Beregond usually defends rather than allies, and I have a lot of restricted attachments that are higher priority.

Gandalf is mainly there for extra willpower, and I usually use his ability for threat reduction or card draw. Landroval is good for saving Merry or Brand son of Bain from direct damage treacheries.

Changes

Horn of Gondor is first on the list of cards to remove, and I might want to take out some event for more allies. I have thought about Light of Valinor for Legolas for an extra 2 willpower. I don't want to include too many spirit cards though as the deck doesn't have great card draw and I could be left with too many useless cards in hand.

I might also replace Brand son of Bain with Thalin for some quests, especially the Heirs of Numenor quests.

Any feedback is welcome!