I realize that many of you might not even have VoI yet, so you might want to experiment with building some decks with the new player cards before checking this out. This is a pretty fun deck that does really well on the first two Scenarios in VoI, but struggles some on the last one, surprisingly.

I really like the thematic direction this deck took, other than The Dwarf Bofur (spirit), but he plays a critical role in the deck strategy. With a starting threat of 30, and no threat reduction other than Gandalf, which he is used mostly for card draw, this deck is designed to engage and destroy enemies early and often. Deck strategy below.

Hero (3)
Prince Imrahil (AJtR) x1
Eowyn (Core) x1
Eomer (VoI) x1

Ally (30)
Errand-rider (HON) x3
Faramir (Core) x3
Squire of the Citadel (TBoG) x3
Snowbourn Scout (Core) x3
Bofur (TRG) x3
Minas Tirith Lampwright (EaAD) x3
Vassal of the Windlord (TDM) x3
Westfold Horse Breeder (VoI) x3
Westfold Outrider (VoI) x3
Gandalf (Core) x3

Attachment (8)
Gondorian Shield (TSF) x3
Horn of Gondor (Core) x3
Rohan Warhorse (VoI) x2

Event (12)
Sneak Attack (Core) x3
Valiant Sacrifice (Core) x3
A Test of Will (Core) x3
Hasty Stroke (Core) x3


Deck strategy:

The key cards to look for in the opening hand are Horn of Gondor, Bofur, or Faramir, and some low cost chump blockers. Of course, it's rare to get all them all in the opening hand, and since the deck is not great on card draw I have included 3 copies of each of the key cards in the deck.

Horn of Gondor should go on Imrahil, since he has the highest cost card Faramir to pay for, as well as a number of other cards. Early on if you do not have Bofur in hand yet you will be using chump blockers to take advantage of Imrahil and Eomer response which are pretty potent attack team, that can crush most enemies. Once Boffur is in the mix use him to trigger their abilites after quest phase when he leaves play. At this point it may not be necessary to use chumps, and this is why Gondorian Shield is in the deck, since Imrahil can start to defend more if Eomer is able to finish off the enemy on his own, or a few enemies with Rohan Warhorses attached. Now that allies are no longer being destroyed they become valuable questers with Faramir's ability to rally most of these 0 willpower chumps to victory.

That's the main way the deck works, and I am sure there is lots of ways to make the deck better, so I look forward to your comments and suggestions, and I hope you are all enjoying the VoI scenarios too.

Got VoI today. Does this deck crush the 1st and 2nd quests? You know how it is when you get brand new quests and you beat them no problem in 3 rounds. So would you consider using it for my debut on the quests? Or should I go more theme/interesting mechanics, and a bit less power? I have my modified version of Caldara deck built right now so maybe I'll use that.

Never have used MT Lampwright. I'll give him a run in this deck though. Feel like Westfold horsebreaker would fit nicely in this deck but not sure what I would take out........ I don't see how feint would be getting much use in this deck.

Nice deck,

Khamul

Just played the 2nd scenario and it took 17 rounds to win, so it should not crush it, and it is possible to not win. It is likely that you will not, just because you would be getting familiar with the nuances of the deck and the scenarios. The deck does really well on the first scenario, because it is not strong on card draw, and does not need a lot of cards to do well. The Third scenario would be a lot easier if the deck were modified to include a lot more questing power, but I liked challenge of staying with the same deck.

Feint comes in handy, i was running horse breaker in the deck, and it started out heavily towards all spirit Rohan allies, with Horn of Gondor going one Eowyn. But she could not keep up with the demands of paying for the allies. That's when I realized that playing Bofur each round was like having a permeant horse breaker, since it readied Imrahil, gave Eomer 5 attack, and contributed 2 will to the quest. It was absolutely the best use of her resource each round, just make sure you have a spare for test of will or Hasty Stroke. Then I had to figure out how to deal with the loss in questing power, and that's when Faramir filled the void, and it all fell into place.

See what you come with for sure, since it's fun to experience the quests through your personal playstyle first, or try what I put together. Either way I think you will have a blast.

On a side note I decided to try this against JAtA starting with the dread 30 threat and the hill troll. After a few losses I was able to get a victory, and was able to dispatch the Hill Troll first round with an Eagle, Eomer, Eowyn, Imrahil, and the unsung hero Snowbourn Scout taking the hit. Finished at threat 48. Damage from treachery cards and little threat reduction made this very difficult after removing the troll.

For those of you who have one core set, and you want to try the deck use 2 Steward of Gondor in place of the 2 Horn of Gondor, and then you have 5 events to replace with cards of your choice. The westfold outrider would be a good choice. I am working getting him into the deck now too.

Removed 3x Feint for Westfold Outrider. The 2 attack come in handy every now and then, his ability can also be very useful too.

This deck now does very well on all 3 scenarios, but the ay are always close matches the tension if these scenarios is perfect. Even though I win i feel like I just made it. Time Mechanic is great addition to the game.

The key to the third scenario with this deck is Spirit Bofur, since he will be used to ready Imrahil and give Eomer 5 attack, sine allies are rarely leaving play, it is the best way to ensure you will be able to deal with the trees. Westfold Outrider's 2 attack helps finish of some of the 9 hp enemies in the first go.

For those of you who have one core set, and you want to try the deck use 2 Steward of Gondor in place of the 2 Horn of Gondor, and then you have 5 events to replace with cards of your choice. The westfold outrider would be a good choice. I am working getting him into the deck now too.

The would be 4 events - One of each. I could easily make changes to the deck with my one core. I don't think it would get any worse. Might even get a bit better.

Oh by the way, in my own version of your Caldara deck I included Lay of Nimrodel. Man that's a powerful card. I put resourceful on Eowyn and spend from just the pools of Glorf and Caldara. The only cards I ever pay for are FF, Arwen, maybe a stargazer and an ocasional ToW or HS. I get Emery for free as a blocker/feint and maybe 2 resources from Hidden Cache. After questing like crazy and blowing through all the stages, avoiding most enemy's along the way, I get to the last stage and use Lay of Nimrodel to give Eowyn 8-11 Willpower for 1 resource. I beat Massing and got really close on Stone of Erech but only put up 8/14 progress before getting killed by the King.

For those of you who have one core set, and you want to try the deck use 2 Steward of Gondor in place of the 2 Horn of Gondor, and then you have 5 events to replace with cards of your choice. The westfold outrider would be a good choice. I am working getting him into the deck now too.

The would be 4 events - One of each. I could easily make changes to the deck with my one core. I don't think it would get any worse. Might even get a bit better.

Oh by the way, in my own version of your Caldara deck I included Lay of Nimrodel. Man that's a powerful card. I put resourceful on Eowyn and spend from just the pools of Glorf and Caldara. The only cards I ever pay for are FF, Arwen, maybe a stargazer and an ocasional ToW or HS. I get Emery for free as a blocker/feint and maybe 2 resources from Hidden Cache. After questing like crazy and blowing through all the stages, avoiding most enemy's along the way, I get to the last stage and use Lay of Nimrodel to give Eowyn 8-11 Willpower for 1 resource. I beat Massing and got really close on Stone of Erech but only put up 8/14 progress before getting killed by the King.

If you put SoG on Eowyn and put Lay of Nimrodel in the deck. She will be questing powerhouse since she has very little to do with her resources. Drop in your Dwarven tomb to get an extra play out of it. You might be able to drop Faramir out of the deck and include more spirit Rohan allies, to pick up the questing. Lot's of options. I tried to keep SoG out of the deck, and play the little used Horn instead, since it fit the deck design better, but it is tempting to go SoG route.

Gondorian Shield is the other card that you could consider dropping, but i like to have the option of Imrahil defending a higher attack enemy if needed.