[Thematic Campaign] To Mordor

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Description

For our complete run-through, see:

  1. The Hobbit Saga
  2. Core Set & Shadow of Mirkwood Cycle
  3. Khazad-Dûm & Dwarrowdelf Cycle
  4. Heirs of Númenor & Against the Shadow Cycle
  5. The Voice of Isengard & Ring-Maker Cycle
  6. The Lost Realm & Angmar Awakened Cycle
  7. The Grey Havens & Dream-chaser Cycle
  8. The Sands of Harad & Haradrim Cycle
  9. The Wilds of Rhovanion & Ered Mithrin Cycle
  10. A Shadow in the East & Vengeance of Mordor Cycle
  11. Thematic Campaign ~ From Bag-End to Rivendell
  12. Thematic Campaign ~ Fly you Fools!
  13. Thematic Campaign ~ A Red Sun Rises
  14. Thematic Campaign ~ To Mordor
  15. Thematic Campaign ~ The Battle of the Pelennor Fields
  16. Thematic Campaign ~ The Hour of Doom Hangs Still
  17. Thematic Campaign ~ We Wants It, We Needs It

So this is where it starts being tricky as far as theme goes, because Sam & Frodo are supposed to be on their own now. That's why I opted for a Grey Wanderer Sam Gamgee deck, and a deck featuring the benediction of the Rangers or Ithilien and Lorien. A first, I had Faramir (or even Faramir) in the line-up, but I couldn't exactly find a deck that worked. So the inclusion of Haldir of Lórien is the first real thematic concession I'm making. However, again, seeing the Rangers of Ithilien in the Dead Marshes is still a bit too far north than they should be... but hey, no choice!

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Some Good in this World

This deck also plays Dard and the Mithril Shirt, as well as Brace of Coneys (after Passage of the Marshes. It plays very simply, the goal being to buff up Sam Gamgee as quickly as possible, because he can do it all by himself after that against Orc and middle-sized enemies. Strider is of course the go-to attachment, but if you have it in your starting hand, going for Hobbit Cloak, Dagger of Westernesse or Fast Hitch depending on the scenario is very interesting.

Sideboard:

Fear No More

Also plays a copy of Brace of Coneys (after Passage of the Marshes). You can also play Glamdring boon in the last scenario with Orcs (Shelob's Lair) This deck was designed to accompany Frodo up to Mount Doom. It pilots as a Forth, The Three Hunters! with the principal goal of having Mablung as your defender, Haldir of Lórien as your attacker and Damrod as your quester (so it kinda doesn't matter what your put on Damrod to flip the contrat, usually a Round Shield and Ranger Spear is enough).

Damrod is an interesting hero to play with Forth, The Three Hunters!. Its built-in cost reduction carries on even on side-B of the contract, so you're still kinda drowning in resources AND he gives you a bit of card draw that really helps with getting the deck rolling, as F3H decks weakness is the card draw.

Sideboard:

  • For Journey to the Cross-roads switch Ranger Spikes (useless in that scenario) to Ithilien Pit (very useful in that scenario).
  • Take No Notice was included as a sort of "threat reduction" to be able to benefit a bit more from Haldir of Lórien ability, but it hasn't been used finally.

Run-through

  • Passage of the Marshes: 1/3: the first two defeats had more to do with bad playing on our part and trying to discover what was the best strategy early on in the scenario. eb995fe34d0893f26349e0bd966f2b0e.jpg
  • Journey to the Cross-roads: 1/2: the first loss by reaching the maximum number of enemies under The Black Gate. We finally finished the scenario with 3 enemies: Haradrim Soldier, Captain of Harad and an Oliphaunt. 1*bbwj_HrzIOxp1mAi_5VBeQ.jpeg
  • Shelob's Lair: 1/1

Campaign Pool

+1 starting threat for each player (change of heroes at the beginning of The Uruk-hai).

From The Passing of the Grey Company onwards: +2 starting threat for each player (choice at the end of The Passage of the Marshes).

Other Boons:

Burdens:

Captives: Pippin and Legolas

Enemies under the Black Gate:

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