LotR Saga - Black Riders - Hobbits 5.0

• Versions
• 5.0
• 4.0
• 3.0
• 2.0
• 1.0

Heavily thematic Hobbit deck for The Black Riders. Can partner with More Hobbits or an Aragorn deck (eg this one) for multiplayer.

Theme

The deck is locked in both place and time - so no Staff of Lebethron, because it's from Ithilien, and no Gandalf because Gandalf's Delay, etc. Halbarad represents the Dunédain protecting the Shire. You could pick almost any other Dunédain, although Sarn Ford Sentry would probably be the most thematic alternative. Gildor Inglorion, Elrond and Wandering Exile represent the Wandering Companies and influence of Imladris, although Elrond is really there because Condition removal is so important. Your alternative is a passing Miner of the Iron Hills on his way to Ered Luin. There are a host of other potential thematic inclusions, such as Gildor's Counsel, that didn't make it even into the excessively large Sideboard.

Key pieces

• Dagger of Westernesse goes on Merry.
• Hobbit Cloak and Self Preservation go on Sam Gamgee, along with Taste it Again!.
• Red Book of Westmarch goes on Pippin to pay for the more expensive Lore cards.
• Fast Hitch is useful on both Merry and Sam Gamgee, but is also outstanding on Rosie Cotton as it gives you flexibility to boost whatever you need later in the turn.
• NB: Red Book of Westmarch will boost Rosie's , allowing her to boost Merry and Sam even more.

Options and Sideboard:

• Gaffer Gamgee and Feint is potential over-insurance but can be worth it. Red Book of Westmarch does make an every-turn Gaffer possible late game.
• A Shadow of the Past punishes swarm decks on Stage 2. Swapping out some allies for Radagast's Cunning and Secret Paths is an option - although so is simply disposing of your hunters.
• Explorer's Almanac helps with location management in The Old Forest. The Evening Star can also do this.
• Leave No Trace, Out of the Wild and Scout Ahead are your other The Old Forest location management options - in this case, they pump your victory display.
• None Return is extremely helpful for managing Nazgûl in A Shadow of the Past and A Knife in the Dark.
• If you're playing solo, Tireless Hunters is critical to get rid of Bill Ferny in A Knife in the Dark. Hail of Stones could do it, and is also useful against Nazgûl but will probably take too long.
• Hobbit-sense can set up a game-winning Ford of Bruinen in Flight to the Ford.
• Halfling Bounder comes into its own if you go for Sidequests. Some quests reward delaying - some really don't. The quest guides on Visions are the best place for detailed analysis of this (and any other) aspect.
• This deck doesn't put much effort into maintaining Secrecy, so Resourceful isn't often worth it. It is worth considering alongside a Spirit multiplayer deck, however, such as that linked above.