Solo into Mirkwood and Moria 1.0

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• 1.0

First things first: This is obviously based on Xanalor's fantastic "Back to Basics" deck (http://ringsdb.com/decklist/view/951/back-to-basics-a-killer-deck-using-cards-from-1-core-set-1.0), which helped me getting started with this game and which showed me many of the strong combos and synergies. So with more packs (up to and including "Shadow and Flame") and a second core set I thought about adding to his deck and it wasn't an easy task.

I used the second core set to add more copies of the quintessential cards (especially Henamarth Riversong, Unexpected Courage and Sneak Attack) and took a look at the "best" cards of the expansions.

Warden of Healing replaces Lore of Imladris and I feel like this should work in most cases. Getting a big heal is nice but usually means you are in trouble anyway (if a hero is damaged) so you should rather deal with the source of the damage or consider chump blocking. Forest Snare will help out or you sneak in Gandalf and/or Beorn. Just in case I placed Lore of Imladris on the sideboard as a reminder for certain quests where you feel like you need big heals.

The only other addition is Daeron's Runes simply because it gives you even more card draw. I then thought about taking out Gléowine but he is just too reliable to be left out. You could remove Daeron's Runes if you wanted to force a 50-card deck though this shouldn't be necessary. There are many more great cards (A Burning Brand) which I considered but ultimately didn't add since similar cards are already present (Hasty Stroke in this case) and also are more flexible.

Celebrían's Stone was in this deck before I got the second core set and it adds to Éowyn's questing prowess because why not. With Faramir in play you absolutely don't need it. A third copy of Steward of Gondor is an option although I don't like including three copies of unique cards (Gandalf being the exception for obvious reasons). Everything else on the sideboard are additional copies of existing cards.

I tried to find a substitute for Miner of the Iron Hills in case I don't need his ability for a certain quest and I couldn't find one. It still is a good ally for the cost of only 2 resources who can take a punch and help attacking too. The only similar ally is Erebor Hammersmith and well...he's already here. Include a third copy if you want, he is fantastic even without using his ability.

All in all this is not a specialized deck but a deck to tackle every quest and usually succeeding when doing so. "Escape from Dol Guldur" could be an exception cough cough; "Return to Mirkwood" is also pretty tough and probably the most horribly designed quest for solo players I have yet experienced. It is a challenge for sure but NOT fun. While using the "Back to Basics" deck I found it very difficult to deal with "A Journey to Rhosgobel" when I didn't get Lore of Imladris in my first few turns to heal Wilyador with and I feel like Warden of Healing should help a lot more (at least in the first stage). You might need both.

Another issue could arise from enemies who can only be attacked and defended against by ranged characters. Two of these can be encountered during this quest (Mirkwood Flock and Black Forest Bats, though eagles can attack them too) and another one in "Foundations of Stone" (Moria Bats). You have four/five options with this deck:

1. Take the damage undefended
2. Deal damage with Gandalf's ability
3. Forest Snare
4. Keep your threat low with Gandalf and The Galadhrim's Greeting
5. During the Rhosgobel quest, attack with Wilyador (only 1 attack power)

Moria Bats usually come so late in the "Foundations of Stone" quest that they shouldn't be an issue since you just race to the finish line anyway. For the other two enemies you might consider putting Haldir of Lórien, Silverlode Archer or even Dúnedain Wanderer into your deck (Dúnedain Cache if you like attachments). Most other enemies can be dealt with easier and the occasional Troll will step into a Forest Snare or meet Gandalf/Beorn.

When in doubt and especially in "Shadow and Flame": Rush the quest with Éowyn's and Faramir's abilities and all/most your characters committed to the quest.