Dwarrowdelf

Overview

Hi everyone,

I've decided to share some of the decks me and my friend group play with for particular cycles. This fellowship is meant to be played by 2 players for a Dwarrowdelf Cycle. For more in-depth review of those decks check out their descrpitions :)

Each of those fellowships for each cycle contains two decks - one for players that I'm introducing to the game (Deck #1) and the other one for myself (Deck #2). Each of those Decks #1 is meant to represent the most fleshed out archetypes in the game, while Decks #2 are either some more niche archetypes or specific mechanics (think of Doomed keyword or Staging Area attack).

For additional flavour and some deckbuilding challenge I set up some rules regarding those decks:

Deck #1:

• most represented archetypes in the game, for each cycle they were chosen either for theme or what player cards were developed during this time (mostly both at once),
• strictly sticking to the theme,
• most powerful cards combination, while keeping in mind the rule above (so e.g. no Steward of Gondor in Silvan deck with , even though it is probably the most powerful card to include there),
• no card repetition (this means, that even though A Test of Will is no doubt really powerful and technicaly fits the theme of many decks, it can be only included in one of those Decks #1)

Deck #2:

• niche and underdeveloped archetypes in the game, for each cycle they were chosen either for theme, what player cards were developed during this time or what is the best approach to beat those particular quests,
• sticking to theme as much as possible (it was sometimes not possible to make a functional deck around a niche archetype while only including thematic cards),
• also the most powerful card combinations, while keeping in mind the rule above,
• no restriction on repetition (meaning even when previous Decks, either #1 or #2, used A Test of Will, it's possible to include them in every Deck #2 - I'm not a masochist. I hope.).

Also, while appreciating what this community can create but being a bit of a purist, I've decided to include ALeP cards only to a minimum, when it's either necessary to complete the archetype or it makes obvious thematic and mechanical sense.

Cycle

Dwarrowdelf cycle introduced a lot of staple player cards but did it deliver in its scenarios? Not quite, in my opinion it's the most boring cycle of them all. While not necessarly bad, and holding some nostalgia to it, it's just isn't as exciting as later additions to the game. Gameplay wise, it's more consistent comparing to previous cycle but there are still feels-bad or outright game-ending cards like Sudden Pitfall or Sleeping Sentry, to name a few. That's were Victory Display deck makes an effort, while Dwarf deck should do all the basic legwork. Here is quick overview for each scenario while using this fellowship:

1. Into the Pit (Difficulty 2/5) - the only scenario were threat might be a concern, otherwise nothing to write home about. Haldir of Lórien can snipe very well in the first stage.
2. The Seventh Level (Difficulty 2/5) - quite a lot of enemies, so it can make trouble, especially for Victory Display deck. But there is nothing stopping you from just rushing this, since there isn't any secondary win condition.
3. Flight from Moria (Difficulty 3/5) - dicey this one, really depends which quest stages you get and what cards you reveal. While playing serious you should never go with the Trapped by the Shadow (?) since most of the encounter deck are treacheries. WHile trying to get through the exit, load up the Dwarf with tools with Cram and Lembas to finish it quickly.
4. The Redhorn Gate (Difficulty 3/5) - nothing special here, Arwen's resources should mostly go to Victory Display deck. You can try to get rid of some Snowstorms as well.
5. Road to Rivendell (Difficulty 4/5) - this one is really painful, everyone knows that. Not only Sleeping Sentry is the main offender here but also there are a lot of other not-so-good effects. So apart from trying to get those card in the victory display this one should be beaten as quickly as possible.
6. The Watcher in the Water (Difficulty 3/5) - Henamarth Riversong can make second stage really easy but even then killing the Watcher with Dwarf army isn't the problem. It's mostly when you can't engage it due to all the Tentacle enemies, so I tend to aim for the first solution.
7. The Long Dark (Difficulty 2/5) - very mundane quest, nothing much to say here.
8. Foundations of Stone (Difficulty 3/5) - when playing serious try to hold on to item attachments till stages 4. Nameless enemies can make a number on Rossiel, since it's a new trait but they have VP point in themselves so after killing one, it should rather easier. I remember fondly when I discarded 8X enemy with Woodland Sentry.
9. Shadow and Flame (Difficulty 4/5) - definitely the hardest of the bunch, you really need to know what to do with those decks. Dwarf deck can hopefuly tank one attack from Barlog with Dáin Ironfoot, then it's chumping time. Erebor Battle Master make a really good work here, getting Durin's Bane to low HP. Victory Display deck on the other hand should stay low with Galadriel and build up Rossiel. Then again, she can defend up to max 8 so with some effects it might not be plausible. But during this time Haldir of Lórien should take care of little enemies no problem, so Dwarf deck can focus entirely on the Barlog.

Conlcusion

So this pretty much sums up the fellowship. Keep in mind it's designed for this particular cycle and with some rules that I stated at the beginning of the description. Feel free to try those decks out!