Inspired by Caleb Grace

Questlogs using this decklist
None.
Fellowships using this decklist
None.
Derived from
None. Self-made deck here.
Inspiration for
None yet.
Card draw simulator
Odds: 0% – 0% – 0% more
The gameplay simulator is an experimental feature and is currently only available for those that support RingsDB development on Patreon.
Gameplay simulator
Round
0
Threat
0
Hand
In Play
Deck
Discard Pile
Log a Quest
Play on DragnCards

Card Talk 1188

For as long as I have been playing this game, I have avoided making many decks with Glorfindel and Éowyn. Maybe it's because they were overused when they came out, maybe they represented "power creep," but whatever the unconscious reason, I was just never drawn to it. But two things have slowly been eating away at my resistant. First, the Bond of Friendship contract and my penchant for low threat decks and a few interviews with the illustrious designer of the game, Caleb Grace, where he first has said how much he likes to use Thurindir to get The Storm Comes out, and then this one where he pretty much told me he used this hero line up to play test the contract. Finally, I have decided to put this deck together. Maybe it's not to honor him, because I'm not sure my deck building skills rival many in the community, but at least to thank him for always interacting with our community despite having moved on from it more than 3 years ago. Kudos, Caleb.

So the idea here is to use Thurindir to pull out The Storm Comes so you can play the 4 cost allies each round. The deck is pretty powerful, but it does lack healing so some tweaking to add more of that may help. Early defense can also be an issue, but typically I've been successful despite it. I guess Balin could be switched out, but as a solo deck, using him for shadow control can be vital. Saving deck space there helps get some of the other necessities into the deck.

Also, if you're looking for some mods, switching out a Booming Ent for maybe an Honour Guard would help, but then the Ent Draught becomes harder to get out. So there's a trade off that happens. Raiment of War can go on Glorfindel or Defender of Rammas, and I've done both. Steward of Gondor goes on Balin to help with shadow control.

Lastly, you can definitely pull out a different side quest with Thurindir, but I have found that I have been pretty successful clearing it in either the first or second round, so that helps getting out those 4 cost allies.

Enjoy!

7 comments

Dec 12, 2022 FolcoBoffin 305

I actually just listened to your interview with Caleb Grace today and I was also interested in his deck idea. It looks like a lot of fun, and I really like the wide variety of cards used in the deck. Awesome job!

Dec 12, 2022 Marctimmins89 105

Cool looking deck. I love how contracts push the limits of deckbuilding.

Dec 12, 2022 doomguard 1963

so sidequestheay, i would take 2 Halfling Bounder and 2 Rider of Rohan

would replace the 2 Elven Jeweler and #the road goes ever on and Ent Draught

then 2 Legacy Blade for the Wellinghall Preserver (they are epensvie)

or 2 o the ld-allies i would put in the Errand-rider, then there is more flexibility for resspecially with the Steward of Gondor

would replace 1 Vigilant Dúnadan with Legolas more carddraw is needed

Dec 12, 2022 LEGOlas 129

What about using Erkenbrand or Denethor instead of Balin?

Dec 12, 2022 Card Talk 1188

@doomguard I'm sure you're right about many of the switches. I was having fun playing with all the side quests and can use different ones depending on the quest. The one I may do right now is Legolas for the Vigilant Dúnadan. The other one that looks good is Rider of Rohan for Elven Jeweler, except I like the idea of being able to cheat the Jeweler in during any phase, not just during the planning phase.

@FolcoBoffin. Erkenbrand is a suitable replacement for Balin if you are sticking with the main idea of hero dealing with shadow cancellation, but you would likely need to retool to add more healing options. Denethor is also a legitimate sub, with the same cost, but gives you the extra resources, so you could start off pretty strong, for sure. But again, you'd have to retool a little to use Denethor as your main defender, like adding Gondorian Shield.

Dec 12, 2022 Marctimmins89 105

Raiment of War and Ent Draught would keep Erkenbrand in action for a fair while.

Dec 12, 2022 Card Talk 1188

@Marctimmins89 It would. Provide you get it out. But solo, you probably don't have that many shadows you would absolutely have to cancel. So likely a one-for-one switcheroo is doable. The good thing about adding healing to the deck is that if Erkenbrand is ready to go, it could be used to target a different, maybe more injured, character or hero.