This deck is part of Mormegil’s Deckbox, an effort to create an extensive catalogue of decks for the different archetypes, themes and playing styles available to players. Click here to check out the whole project.
Preferred Player Count: 1-4
Rating:
Premise
The saga version for my thematic Fellowship deck (though unfortunately only playable in the first 6 saga Lord of the Rings quests because later on Frodo and Aragorn are locked out of being played together). Building a thematic deck for this contract is both easy (since it is clear which characters to put into your deck) and tricky (since you need ways to get all of them onto the table). Aragorn needed to be one of your heroes (with no ally versions existing of him), for the second hero slot I quickly settled for Gandalf. I choose the grey wizard because he partially gets around the problem of playing off-sphere allies, because he can tutor allies to ensure a quick fellowship forming (through Word of Command) and because he really makes the deck jell through his amazing draw and resource acceleration (with Gandalf's Staff).
How To Play
Starting off, you want to see some resource acceleration. Having Gandalf's Staff in your opening hand is hugely valuable, as is Steward of Gondor (either together with Wizard Pipe or A Good Harvest). Once you get resources going, play down your powerful attachments (most go on Gandalf) and allies to start forming your Fellowship of the Ring! Word of Command is hugely important for this deck, early on to find the pieces for a quick Steward of Gondor, later on for finding the allies.
Considerations
In higher player counts, running Desperate Alliance to give other players your Aragorn is often hugely impactful. It can also allow you to run the underappreciated 10th member of the Fellowship in Bill the Pony (by giving one of your heroes away in the planning phase and thus being able to play one more ally). Dúnedain Remedy is a tech card since this deck lacks healing, with only Magic Ring helping you out in that regard. A Burning Brand can help deal with nasty shadow effects, Banner of Elendil is another cool and thematic card that just didn't make the cut since the deck is not quite swarmy enough. I prefer Black Riders Frodo Baggins here, however the other options are also in sideboard if you want to swap them.
Enjoy!!!