Dream-Chaser One Deck (solo progression thematic) 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

Deck Idea A deck that is purpose built to beat all the scenarios in the Dream-Chaser campaign solo, using only cards released until the Dream-Chaser cycle, no saga cards and one Core set.

I refuse to play Ents, Mounts, Northern Trackers and some other stuff that don't make thematic sense on a ship in the Dream-Chaser campaign, so no Asfaloth or Treebeard here. Many scenarios are definitely harder without location control in the staging area.

I think the thematic feel of the deck works for the Dream-Chaser campaign - Three Noldor and two Istari go sailing with a bunch of Outlands and Gondor allies. A pretty powerful crew, theme-wise. :-) Pelargir Shipwright and Envoy feel right at home, and I like it when Anfalas Herdsmen take sailing tests with the Coast of Anfalas in staging f.ex.

My goal was to build a deck that beats the most difficult scenarios twice in a row (Raid on the Grey Havens, Flight of the Stormcaller, A Storm on Cobas Haven and City of Corsairs). This deck has managed that. I've fiddled a lot with the deck and this is the final version. Previous versions of the deck has beaten all of the other scenarios at least twice in a row. Since the other scenarios are easier, I'm sure this final version would beat them as well, I just can't be bothered to go back. :-) Piloting the deck is fun, the scenarios and the deck have interesting decision points.

I didn't play in Campaign mode as I think the campaign cards make the scenarios easier as a whole. I also found the campaign a bit meh.

Deck Contents The deck relies on the Outlands allies to generate late game stats. If the game goes long, it's hard to lose. Galadriel, Arwen and Mirror-Harp finds and pays for everything.

Most scenarios require a lot of . The heroes have 10 (with Nenya) and the Outlands allies have 30 if they're all in play. Before the Outlands swarm is assembled, Shipwrights are great. They can also defend once against most of the Corsair enemies or take some archery damage.

The defining scenarios for deck building are Raid on the Grey Havens, Flight of the Stormcaller and City of Corsairs:

• Raid on the Grey Havens requires good early (Fair and Perilous, Saruman, discounted Ithilien Lookout), chump defenders (Envoy of Pelargir) and a way to stop Sahir and Na'Asiyah later (Forest Snare and Gandalf).
• Flight of the Stormcaller requires a way to handle Swift Raider from turn 2 (consecutive Gandalfs or Sarumans).
• City of Corsairs requires dropping threat below 20 on turn 1 (Elrond's Counsel, Gandalf, Galadhrim's Greeting).

Some cards that are required for the above scenarios are dead cards in some of the others. Forest Snare and Galadhrim's Greeting almost never get played outside those two specific scenarios, and are instead chucked to Arwen's ability.

Deck Musings Deck MVP has to go to Saruman, apart from being awesome in general - In Raid on the Grey Havens, putting an enemy out of play to reduce Aflame damage. In Flight of the Stormcaller, putting Swift Raider out of play to avoid its forced ability. In Storm on Cobas Haven, putting an enemy guarding an objective out of play to allow progress to the next quest stage. Great stuff.

I put A Test of Will and Minas Tirith Lampwright in the sideboard as they were probably closest to making the cut. Two copies of Ithilien Lookout is closest to going out. Both would be better than the Lookout in Flight of the Stormcaller, f.ex. But looking at the scenarios as a whole, I ended up picking the Lookout.

Have you made a progression One Deck for the Dream-Chaser Campaign? Please share in the comments!