Does the original defensive powerhouse still hold up in a modern card-pool? While I consider Erkenbrand a better defender in higher player counts (due to his unmatched shadow control) and spirit Beregond (after the release of Inner Strength) a better one in lower ones, tactics Beregond still comes in second in whatever player count for my money.

The reasons for that are very simple. His built-in sentinel keyword, ultra-focused stat-line (with an amazing defense of 4 while having a robust pool of hit points) and useful resource acceleration make for pretty much the complete package. Especially when you factor in some of the tailormade in-sphere attachments for him (chiefly Gondorian Shield of course, but also Raven-winged Helm, Raiment of War or Spear of the Citadel).

And while tactics remains the only sphere that has no attachments to either control shadow cards or ready defenders, which is a a downside when comparing him to the aforementioned other defensive options, you can just mix spheres to give him cards like Armored Destrier or Unexpected Courage easily (especially since his resource acceleration means that one tactics hero is often sufficient). Beregond has always been one of the best defensive solutions in the game and still is, overall holding up extremely well.

Rating: 8.5/10

Decks of mine using Beregond

All my card ratings

I am very critical of heroes needing to spend a resource for their ability in general, however Grimbeorn the Old might be the most notable exception to that rule. His ability means he will not only be a very decent sentinel defender, but also a potent attacker anywhere on the board, thus giving him a unique form of pseudo-ranged.

The fact he uses pretty much all of his (conveniently very focused) stats makes him a prime target for attachments boosting both of these aspects, like Raiment of War or Captain of Gondor. I also really like to combine him with Strength and Courage, meaning he will be able to kill even bigger enemies early on through his ability. And if you boost his attack high enough, Firefoot is then extremely useful to maybe prevent another enemy attack outright through killing something in the current defense window.

There still is the issue of him being quite expensive and therefore putting you in the unfortunate spot of balancing to buy attachments for him or using his ability, with you often not able to do both, however even then he remains either an elite defender or great attacker, if not both. A fantastic hero and all-round combat juggernaut!

Rating: 8/10

Decks of mine using Grimbeorn the Old

All my card ratings

Having been one of the very best heroes for a long time, his very understandable errata slowed Boromir down considerably. That being said though, he remains great, even if not game-breaking. A very easily triggered, built-in ready coupled with great combat stats is not something that should be underestimated, especially since Boromir's stats are conveniently easy to boost, with cards like Gondorian Shield, Captain of Gondor, Warrior Sword, Shining Shield, Valiant Sword or Raiment of War being just a few of the amazing options out there.

And even outside of the combat phase, his ready has a lot of uses. My favorite one is probably Peace, and Thought, but there are also for example Palantir (a very underestimated card), Captain's Wisdom, Hail of Stones and a host of encounter cards requiring an exhaust. Even his willpower can be used if needed, especially after flipping Forth, The Three Hunters! with him as one of your heroes (making him one of my very favorite heroes to play with the contract).

His second ability is something I rarely if ever use, but all in all, Boromir, while not being broken anymore, is still extremely consistent from the get-go through his versatility, providing a considerable output and having many good attachments available. I still like him a lot!

Rating: 8/10

Decks of mine using Boromir

All my card ratings

I swapped Boromir and Legolas back and forth, they are extremely close together for me, even if filling very different roles. Boromir shines through his versatility more than anything else, being extremely helpful for whatever you need in combat, whereas Legolas focuses solely on one thing but oh boy, does he do that thing well.

The archetypical ranged attacker from the onset of the game, Legolas has (ironically) defended that spot admirably through the lifespan of the LCG. His stats give you exactly what you need from an attacker - 3 attack with ranged for a very reasonable starting threat cost of 9. There are certainly other heroes that bring those kind of stats, however what is truly unique about Legolas is his access to many in-sphere attack boosting attachments and events pretty much tailormade for him, with Bow of the Galadhrim, Rivendell Blade or Hands Upon the Bow some notable standouts. Having access to Rohan Warhorse is of course something every attacker loves as well.

Add to that his ability, which can either be very useful gravy or be built around to be game-warping. When combining him with the likes of Merry or Hour of Wrath, he can clear out one or even multiple quest stages by himself in the combat phase (especially when he also has Blade of Gondolin attached), something no other hero can do as easily.

Legolas started out being really good and has remained so ever since. He excels in his role as an attacker through his focused stat-line and keyword, with many great options to further boost him and an ability that can have potentially quest-winning upside. In lower player counts I rarely find room for a dedicated attacker, but in higher ones or the right 2-player fellowship, you will seldom regret running him.

Rating: 8/10

Decks of mine using Legolas

All my card ratings

Even after 9 cycles and 8 saga expansions, Thalin has successfully retained his place as THE direct damage hero. And during the release of all those products, the archetype has certainly increased in strength, getting another key piece as recently as the last cycle with Reckless Attack (and, to a smaller extent, Westfold Lancer).

True, Thalin and his archetype are by no means suited to all situations, being quite hard to make work in solo and suboptimal for quests that either have enemies with toughness or a lot of hit points (like Trolls). But the threshold here is much higher than many people give it credit for - even enemies with 5 or 6 hit points are nowadays quite easily killable through direct damage before they ever get the chance to attack between cards like Thalin, Argalad (who, when run alongside Thalin, opens up Unlikely Friendship), Anborn, Goblin-cleaver, Reckless Attack, Spear of the Citadel, Descendant of Thorondor, Gandalf or Gondorian Spearman.

Another fantastic thing about him is that he defeats 1 hit point enemies like Eastern Crows before their effects trigger, preventing surge or any nasty when revealed effects. His 1 willpower for 9 threat is certainly very unspectacular, even if boost-able by the likes of Dáin Ironfoot, however the fact that he often equals 2-3 free damage per round is quite awesome.

Rating: 7.5/10

Decks of mine using Thalin

All my card ratings