QUEST: A SHADOW OF THE PAST.
Heroes: Beravor, Haldir of Lorien and Idraen & Aragorn (Tactics), Halbarad and Hama.
I was writing a full game report but (again) got sick of writing up the same thing each turn. The two decks worked well (Hama is invaluable in keeping the big threats at bay) and the quest was completed in 10 turns. I added The Ring Draws Them and Mr. Underhill to the campaign log.
GAME: THE OLD FOREST.
I used the same heroes as last time in a practice game to work the kinks out of the two decks. Things went surprisingly well, once again the Outlands allies quested like crazy and I motored through to stage 3 when everythinng went wrong.
With dead allies littering the forest I was stuck in a position where the only Hero in a position to defend deck A was Hirluin (as the only Deck A hero with more than 1 wound remaining). I gambled on getting a shadow card which didn't raise attack since I had 2 of Anfalas Herdsman in play. Unfortunately I drew a bad enough card combo to kill him. Legolas proceeded to kill a Grasping Root and his bonus progress won the game.
In the end I managed to eke out a win but the death of Hirluin leaves me with a large amount of rebuilding for deck A and a difficult choice of which hero to replace Hirluin with.
GAME: INTRUDERS IN CHETWOOD.
I opted to go back to playing true solo, using a deck containing Aragorn (Lore), Frodo Baggins and Glorfindel for 24 threat and a opening hand containing A Test Of Will, Gandalf (Core), Light Of Valinor, Northern Tracker, Will of The West and Wingfoot.
Quest set-up consisted of adding Iarion under my control and adding Orc War Party and Shrouded Hills to the staging area.
Turn One started with adding a resource to each of my heroes and drawing Warden Of Healing before I paid 1 from Aragorn to play Wingfoot on him and paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light Of Valinor on him.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Frodo, Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Iarion before I drew Angmar Marauder, which readied Aragorn thanks to Wingfoot. I committed 8 against 7 threat so 1 progress was added to stage 1B.
I opted to travel to Shrouded Hills, then optionally engaged the Angmar Marauder.
The Angmar Marauder made a undefended attack against Frodo, drawing Sudden Assault for no effect before the attack raised my threat to 27 and Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Angmar Marauder.
I ended the turn by readying all my cards and raising my threat to 29.
Turn Two began with adding a resource to all my heroes before I drew Unexpected Courage.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Frodo, Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Iarion before I drew Weight Of Responsibility, which forced me to draw Rugged Country. I committed 8 willpower against 5 threat so 3 progress was added to Shrouded Hills.
After skipping travelling, engaging and combat I readied all my cards and raised my threat to 31.
Turn Three began with my adding a resource to all my heroes before I drew Galadhrim Minstrel. I proceeded to pay 2 from Aragorn to play Galadhrim Minstrel (who added Elrond's Counsel to my hand) and paid 2 each from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Northern Tracker.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion and Northern Tracker (adding 1 resource to Rugged Country) before I drew Angmar Captain (which readied Aragorn). I played Elrond's Counsel to add 1 willpower to Aragorn and lower my threat to 28. I committed 9 against 8 threat so 1 progress was added to Shrouded Hills.
After skipping travel I opted to engage Angmar Captain, who attacked Frodo, drawing Angmar Orc for 1 extra attack so my threat was raised to 32. Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked the Angmar Captain for 4 damage.
At the end of the round I readied all my cards before I raised my threat to 34.
Turn Four began with adding a resource to my heroes and drew Westfold Horse-Breeder before I paid 1 from Frodo to play Westfold Horse-Breeder (who added Asfaloth to my hand) before paying 1 each from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Unexpected Courage on Aragorn.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker (adding 1 resource to Rugged Country) and Westfold Horse-Breeder before I drew Chetwood Forest. I committed 9 against 8 threat so 1 progress was added to Shrouded Hills, exploring it.
After skipping the travel and encounter phases I exhausted Unexpected Courage to ready Aragorn before the Angmar Captain attacked Frodo, drawing Angmar Orc for 1 extra damage so the attack raised my threat to 38 before Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Angmar Captain.
I ended the turn by readying my cards and raising my threat to 40.
Turn Five began with adding a resource to my heroes before I drew Elrond's Counsel, paid 2 from Aragorn to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Chetwood Forest and Rugged Country, exploring Rugged Country) and Westfold Horse-Breeder. I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Chetwood Forest and explore it and played Elrond's Counsel to add 1 willpower to Aragorn and reduce my threat to 37 before I drew Surprising Speed, which raised my threat to 38 and surged to Angmar Marauder (which readied Aragorn). I committed 9 against 6 so another 3 progress was added to stage 1B.
After skipping travelling I engaged the Angmar Marauder who attacked Frodo, drawing Pressing Needs for no effect. The attack raised my threat to 39 before Aragorn and Glorfindel killed the Angmar Marauder.
At the end of the turn I readied my cards before raising my threat to 41.
Turn Six began with adding a resource to each hero before I drew Northern Tracker, paid 2 each from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Northern Tracker.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker x2 and Westfold Horse-Breeder before I drew Rugged Country. I committed 10 against 5 threat so 5 progress was added to stage 1B.
After skipping travel I opted to engage the Orc War Party, who attacked Frodo, drawing Angmar Captain for no effect so the attack raised my threat to 45 before I exhausted Unexpected Courage to ready Aragorn before Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked the Orc War Party, inflicting 3 damage before I exhuasted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Rugged Country.
At the end of the turn I readied my cards before raising my threat to 46. I then used Aragorn's ability to drop my threat to 24.
Turn Seven began with adding a resource to each hero and drawing Arwen Undomiel before I paid 1 from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Arwen Undomiel.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Frodo), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker x2 (adding 2 progress to Rugged Countty, exploring it) and Westfold Horse-Breeder before I drew Angmar Marauder (who readied Aragorn). I committed 12 against 3 threat so 9 progress was added to stage 1B.
After skipping the travel and encounter phases the Orc War Party attacked Frodo, drawing Orc Ambush for no effect so the attack raised my threat to 27 before Aragorn and Glorfindel killed the Orc War Party.
At the end of the turn I readied my cards and raised my threat to 29.
Turn Eight began with adding a resource to each hero before I drew Ranger of Cardolan and paid 3 from Aragorn and 1 from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Gandalf (Core), adding 4 damage to the Angmar Marauder in the staging area and killing it.
I opted to commit Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Aragorn), Frodo, Galadhrim Minstrel, Gandalf, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker x2 and Westfold Horse-Breeder before I drew Lost In The Wilderness, which took my deck away. I committed 19 willpower against 0 threat so 19 progress was added to stage 1B, more than enough to explore stage 1B and end the game.
At the end of the game my score was:
Finished Turns (7): 70.
Total Threat: 29.
Total Score: 99.
I keep a spreadsheet of my victories and losses, so I've got a record of almost every game I've ever played... right now it's sitting at 355, and I've been playing for just over two years. So 200 a year is not in my league and this is a goal I can root for -- go for it silverthorn!
Any possibility of sharing that spreadsheet?
GAME: THE WEATHER HILLS.
My hero line-up was Aragorn (Lore), Frodo Baggins and Glorfindel (Spirit) with 24 threat and a opening hand (after a mulligan) containing Fast Hitch, Gandalf (Core), Light Of Valinor, Song Of Wisdom, Warden of Healing and Westfold Horse-Breeder.
Set-up for the quest consisted of creating the Orc deck, making Exposed Ridge the active location and adding Weathered Hilltop and Hunting The Orcs to the staging area.
Turn One began with adding a resource to each of my heroes before I drew Ethir Swordsman.
Glorfindel paid 1 to play Light Of Valinor on himself and Frodo paid 1 to play Westfold Horse-Breeder, whose ability did nothing but reshuffle my deck before Aragorn paid 1 to play Fast Hitch on Frodo.
Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Ruins of Arnor. I committed 6 willpower against 3 threat so 3 progress was added to Exposed Ridge, exploring it. I drew Concealed Orc-Camp from the Orc deck and added it to the staging area.
I travelled to Ruins Of Arnor.
At the end of the turn I readied my cards and raised my threat to 25.
Turn Two began with adding a resource to my heroes before I drew another Westfold Horse-Breeder.
Frodo and Glorfindel paid 1 each to play Ethir Swordsman.
Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Cornered Orc. I committed 8 against 5 threat so 3 progress was added to Ruins of Arnor, exploring it. I drew Angmar Captain from the Orc deck and added it to the staging area.
I travelled to Weathered Hilltop.
I opted to engage Cornered Orc, who immediately attacked Aragorn. The shadow card was Exposed Ridge, for no effect. The attack did no damage.
The Cornered Orc attacked Frodo. The shadow card was another Exposed Ridge, for no effect. The attack did no damage.
Glorfindel attacked and killed the Cornered Orc, adding 1 counter to Hunting The Orcs.
At the end of the turn I readied everything before raising my threat to 26.
Turn Three began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew Favour Of The Valar.
Glorfindel paid 1 to play Westfold Horse-Breeder, whose ability added Asfaloth to my hand before Aragorn paid 2 to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel and paid 1 from Frodo to play Song Of Wisdom on Frodo.
Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder x2 committed to the quest before I drew Tragic Discovery and raised my threat to 27. I committed 9 against 5 threat and added 4 progress to Weathered Hilltop.
I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Concealed Orc-Camp, exploring it.
I opted to engage the Angmar Captain.
The Angmar Captain made a undefended attack on Frodo. The shadow card was Bitter Wind, which inflicted 1 damage on Frodo before the attack raised it to 32.
Aragorn, Frodo and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Angmar Captain, adding 1 token to Hunting The Orcs.
At the end of the turn I readied my cards and raised my threat to 33.
Turn Four began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew Self-Preservation.
Aragorn and Frodo paid 1 each to play Warden of Healing.
Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Westfold Horse-Breeder x2 committed to the quest before I drew Make Camp, which surged to Ancient Causeway. Asfaloth exhausted to add 2 progress to Ancient Causeway, exploring it and raising my threat to 35. I committed 9 against 0 in the staging area so 9 progress was added to Weathered Hilltop, exploring it. I drew Angmar Orc from the Orc deck and discarded one of the Westfold Horse-Breeders before adding the Angmar Orc to the staging area.
I opted to engage the Angmar Orc.
The Angmar Orc attacked Frodo. The shadow card was Cornered Orc, which added 1 attack so my threat increased to 36.
Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Angmar Orc, adding a token to Hunting The Orcs.
At the end of the turn I readied my cards then raised my threat to 37.
Turn Five began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew A Test Of Will.
Aragorn, Frodo and Glorfindel paid 1 each to play Favour Of The Valar.
Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Glorfindel (without exhausting), Warden of Healing and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to Make Camp before I drew Sheltered Valley. I committed 9 against 2 threat so 7 progress explored Make Camp and healed the damage on Frodo before sending Make Camp to the victory display.
I travelled to the Sheltered Valley, then exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress.
I ended the turn by readying everything and raising my threat to 38.
Turn Six began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew Galadhrim Minstrel.
Aragorn and Frodo paid 1 each to play Galadhrim Minstrel, whose ability added Elrond's Counsel to my hand.
Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Warden Of Healing and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest and I played Elrond's Counsel to add 1 willpower to Frodo and lower my threat to 35 before I drew Cold From Angmar, which raised my threat to 36 and was attached to stage 1B. I committed 10 against 0 threat so 10 progress explored Sheltered Valley. I drew Angmar Marauder and added it to the staging area.
I opted to engage the Angmar Marauder.
The Angmar Marauder attacked Frodo. The shadow card was Cold From Angmar, for no effect and the attack raised my threat to 37.
Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Angmar Marauder, adding 1 token to Hunting The Orcs and completing it. I flipped Hunting The Orcs for Savage Counter-Attack and added the 4 counters to it.
I moved to stage 2 and shuffled the encounter discard pile and Orc deck into the main encounter deck and added Orc Ambush (which added a Angmar Marauder engaged with me) and Amon Forn to the staging area.
I travelled to Amon Forn.
The Cornered Orc attacked Frodo. The shadow card was Angmar Marauder, which added 4 attack so my threat increased to 42.
Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Cornered Orc.
I ended the turn by readying everything and raising my threat to 43.
Turn Seven began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew Wingfoot.
Aragorn paid 1 to play Wingfoot on himself and exhausted Asfaloth to add 2
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Warden of Healing and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to Orc Ambush before I drew Concealed Orc-Camp and Tragic Discovery, which raised my threat to 47. I committed 12 against 2 threat so 6 progress explored Amon Forn and sent it to the victory display before 4 progress explored Orc Ambush and sent it to the victory display. I exhausted Asfaloth to explore Concealed Orc Camp.
At the end of the turn I readied everything and used Aragorn's ability to lower my threat back to 24 before raising it to 25.
Turn Eight began with adding resources before I drew Ranger Of Cardolan.
Frodo and Glorfindel paid 2 each to play Ranger Of Cardolan.
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Ranger Of Cardolan, Warden of Healing and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Weathered Hilltop and Ancient Causeway. I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Ancient Causeway, exploring it and raising my threat to 27. I committed 14 against 1 so 13 progress was added to stage 2B.
At the end of the turn I readied all my cards and raised my threat to 28.
Turn Nine began with adding resources before I drew Northern Tracker.
Aragorn and Glorfindel paid 2 and Frodo paid 1 to play Gandalf, lowering my threat to 23.
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Ethir Swordsman, Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Galadhrim Minstrel, Gandalf, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Ranger Of Cardolan, Warden of Healing and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I removed 1 counter from Savage Counter-Attack and drew Cornered Orc. I committed 18 against 3 so 15 progress was added to stage 2B, exploring it and ending the quest.
My final score was:
Complete turns (8): 80.
Total Threat: 23.
Total VP: 23.
Total Score: 80.
GAME: DEADMAN'S DIKE.
My hero line-up was Aragorn (Lore), Frodo Baggins and Glorfindel (Spirit) with 24 threat and a post-mulligan opening hand containing A Test Of Will, Galadhrim Minstrel, Gandalf (Core), Light Of Valinor, Song Of Travel and Warden Of Healing.
Set-up for the quest consisted of putting Iarion into play as a ally, putting Fornost Square into the staging area, putting a Baleful Shade into play engaged with me and drawing Norbury Tombs and adding it to staging area.
Turn One began with adding a resource to each of my heroes before I drew Wingfoot.
Glorfindel paid 1 to play Light Of Valinor on himself and Aragorn paid 1 to play Wingfoot on himself.
Aragorn (naming Location for Wingfoot), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Iarion committed to the quest before I drew another Norbury Tombs (readying Aragorn). I committed 6 against 5 threat so 1 progress was added to stage 1B.
I travelled to Norbury Tombs.
The Baleful Shade attacked Frodo. I discarded Wingfoot from the top of my deck for no effect and the shadow card was Cursed Dead, adding +1 attack so the attack raised my threat to 25.
Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Baleful Shade.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards, discarded Self-Preservation and raised my threat to 26.
Turn Two commenced with adding resources before I drew Arwen Undomiel.
Frodo and Glorfindel paid 1 each to play Arwen Undomiel.
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding +1 defence to Frodo), Glorfindel and Iarion committed to the quest before I drew Heavy Curse and added it to stage 1B. I committed 8 against 4 threat so 4 progress was added to Fornost Square, exploring it.
The Fellowship travelled to Norbury Tombs, adding Cursed Dead to the staging area.
I opted to engage the Cursed Dead.
The Cursed Dead attacked Frodo. The shadow card was Fornost Square, for no effect and the attack raised my threat to 27.
Glorfindel attacked and killed the Cursed Dead.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards, discarded A Test Of Will and raised my threat to 28.
Turn Three began with the addition of resources and drawing Westfold Horse-Breeder.
Frodo paid 1 each to play Westfold Horse-Breeder, whose ability added Asfaloth to my hand before Aragorn paid 2 to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel.
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding +1 defence to Frodo), Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Broken Battlements (with 3 time counters attached). I committed 9 against 4 threat so 5 progress was added to Norbury Tombs, exploring it and reshuffling my whole discard pile back into my deck.
The Fellowship travelled to Broken Battlements, discarding Boots From Erebor.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards, discarded Light Of Valinor, removed 1 time counter from Broken Battlements and raised my threat to 29.
Turn Four began with adding resources before I drew Northern Tracker.
Frodo and Glorfindel paid 2 each to play Northern Tracker.
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding +1 defence to Frodo), Frodo, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Norbury Tombs) and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Haunted Keep. I committed 12 against 5 threat so 6 progress was added to Broken Battlements, exploring it before 1 progress was added to stage 1B.
Asfaloth exhausted to add 2 progress to Haunted Keep.
The Fellowship travelled to Haunted Keep.
I ended the turn by refreshing all my cards, discarding Warden of Healing and raising my threat to 30.
Turn Five began with adding resources and drawing another Gandalf (Core).
Aragorn paid 2 to play Galadhrim Minstrel, whose ability added Elrond's Counsel to my hand.
Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding +1 defence to Frodo), Frodo, Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Norbury Tombs) and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Terror Of The North. I discarded Ranger Of Cardolan and 2x Arwen Undomiel so 2 threat was added. I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Haunted Keep, exploring it. I committed 13 against 4 threat so 9 progress was added to stage 1B, exploring it.
Stage 2 added Thaundir to the staging area (refreshing Aragorn) and drew Dark Sorcery, which raised my threat to 32 and discarded Arwen Undomiel.
I was forced to engage Thaundir.
Thaundir made a undefended attack on Frodo. The shadow card was Heavy Curse, for no effect. The attack raised my threat to 38.
Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked Thaurdir, inflicting 2 damage.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards, discarded The Galadhrim's Greetings and raised my threat to 39.
Turn Six began with adding resources before I drew Ethir Swordsman.
Aragorn paid 1 and Frodo and Glorfindel paid 2 each to play Gandalf, who added 4 damage to Thaurdir.
Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Iarion, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Norbury Tombs) and Westfold Horse-Breeder committed to the quest before I drew Fornost Square. I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to Norbury Tombs, exploring it and reshuffling The Galadhrim's Greetings, 3x Arwen Undomiel and Ranger Of Cardolan back into my deck. I committed 7 against 1 threat so 6 progress was added to stage 2B.
Thaurdir attacked Frodo. The shadow card was Cursed Dead, adding +1 attack so the attack raised my threat to 44.
Aragorn, Gandalf and Glorfindel attacked Thaurdir, inflicting 6 more damage.
At the end of the turn I refrshed everything, discarded Gandalf and Fast Hitch (which added a token to Fornost Square) and raised my threat to 45.
Turn Seven started with adding resources before I drew Song Of Wisdom.
Frodo and Glorfindel paid 1 each to play Ethir Swordsman.
With the possibility completing the quest this turn I went all in, committing everyone to the quest before I drew Restless Evil, which would hopefully have no effect. I then played Elrond's Counsel to add 1 willpower and lower my threat to 42. I committed 12 against 2 threat so 10 progress was added to stage 2B, exploring it and winning the game.
At the end of the game my final score was:
Finished Turns (6): 60
Total Threat: 42.
Total Score: 102.
GAME: THE WASTES OF ERIADOR.
My deck's heroes were Aragorn (Lore), Frodo Baggins and Glorfindel with 24 threat and a opening hand containing A Good Harvest, Fast Hitch, Galadhrim Minstrel, Gather Information, Henamarth Riversong and Light Of Valinor.
Set-up for the quest consisted of setting Pack Leader apart, making Shrouded Hills the active location, putting the Time card into play Daybreak side up and put Amarthiul into play under my control before I drew Biting Wind and discarded it.
Turn One began with adding a resource to each of my heroes before I drew A Test Of Will.
I paid 1 from Aragorn to play Fast Hitch on Frodo before paying 1 from Frodo to play Light Of Valinor on Glorfindel.
I committed Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch) and Glorfindel (without exhausting before I drew Rugged Country.
I committed 7 willpower against 2 threat so 5 progress was added to Shrouded Hills, exploring it.
The Fellowship travelled to Rugged Country.
I ended the turn by refreshing my cards before I flipped the Time objective to Nightfall, raised my threat to 25 and drew Sudden Darkness, which raised my threat to 29 before I completed turn one by raising my threat to 30.
Turn Two began with adding a resource to each of my heroes before I drew Northern Tracker.
I paid 1 from Aragorn to play Henamarth Riversong, then exhausted him to look at the top card of the encounter deck, Bloodthirsty Warg, and return it to the top of the encounter deck.
Forewarned, I committed Frodo (refreshing with Fast Hitch) and Glorfindel (without exhausting) before I drew Bloodthirsty Warg.
I committed 5 willpower against 2 threat so 3 progress explored Rugged Country.
I opted to engage the Bloodthirsty Warg, who attacked Frodo. The shadow card was North Downs, which gave it +1 attack, which raised my threat to 33 before Amarthiul, Aragorn and Glorrfindel attacked and killed the Bloodthirsty Warg.
I ended the turn by refreshing my cards and flipping the time objective to Daybreak before raising my threat to 34.
Turn Three began with adding a resource to each hero before I drew another Light Of Valinor.
I paid 2 each from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Northern Tracker.
I exhausted Henamarth Riversong to look at the top card of the encounter deck, North Downs, and returned it to the encounter deck.
I committed Amarthiul, Aragorn, Frodo Baggins (refreshing with Fast Hitch), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Northern Tracker before I drew North Downs.
I committed 12 willpower against 1 threat so 11 progress was added to stage 1B.
I ended the turn by refreshing my cards, flipping the time objective to Nightfall and raising my threat to 35 before I drew Northern Warg and raised my threat to 36.
Turn Four began with my heroes gaining a resource before I drew Arwen Undomiel.
I paid 2 from Aragorn to play Galadhrim Minstrel, who added Elrond's Counsel to my hand, and paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Arwen Undomiel.
I exhausted Henamarth Riversong to look at the top card of the encounter deck, Freezing Blast, and returned it to the encounter deck.
I committed Arwen Undomiel (adding her defence to Frodo Baggins), Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Northern Tracker (who added 1 progress to North Downs) before I drew Freezing Blast, which raised my threat to 38.
I committed 6 willpower against 5 threat so no progress was made.
I opted to travel to North Downs.
I engaged the Northern Warg, who attacked Frodo Baggins. The shadow card was another North Downs, which added 1 attack so the attack raised my threat to 39 before Aragorn and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Northern Warg.
At the ened of the turn I refreshed my cards before flipping the time objective to Daybreak and raising my threat to 40.
Turn Five began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew Westfold Horse-Breeder.
I paid 1 from Frodo to play Westfold Horse-Breeder, who added Asfaloth to my hand, then played A Good Harvest and paid 1 each from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel.
I exhausted Henamarth Riversong to look at the top card of the encounter deck, Rugged Country, and returned it to the top of the encounter deck before I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to the active North Downs.
I committed Aragorn, Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Frodo), Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting), Northern Tracker and Westfold Horse-Breeder before I drew Rugged Country.
I committed 16 against 2 threat so 1 progress explored North Downs and 13 progress was added to stage 1B, more than enough to explore it.
Stage 2 shuffled the encounter discard pile into the deck and drew another Northern Warg and added it to the staging area.
I opted to travel to Rugged Country.
I engaged the Northern Warg, who attacked Frodo Baggins. The shadow card was Bloodthirsty Warg for no effect so the attack did no damage before Amarthiul and Glorfindel killed the Northern Warg.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards before flipping the time objective to Nightfall, which forced me to discard the Westfold Horse-Breeder and draw Biting Wind, which did nothing before I raised my threat to 41.
Turn Six began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew Unexpected Courage.
I paid 1 each from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Unexpected Courage on Aragorn before I exhausted Henamarth Riversong to look at the top card of the encounter deck, Biting Wind, and returned it to the top of the encounter deck.
I committed Frodo and Glorfindel (without exhausting) before I drew Biting Wind, which raised my threat to 42.
I committed 5 willpower against 0 threat so 3 progress explored Rugged Country.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards and flipped the time objective to Daybreak (I drew Sword That Was Broken to my hand) before raising my threat to 43.
Turn Seven began with adding resources to my heroes before I drew A Good Harvest.
I played A Good Harves and paid 1 each from Aragorn, Frodo and Glorfindel to play Sword That Was Broken on Aragorn before I exhausted Henamarth Riversong to look at the top card of the encounter deck, Freezing Blast, and return it to the top of the encounter deck.
I committed Aragorn (refreshing with Unexpected Courage), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Frodo), Frodo Baggins (readying with Fast Hitch), Galadhrim Minstrel, Glorfindel (without exhausting) and Northern Tracker before I drew Freezing Blast, which raised my threat to 45.
I committed 17 against 0 threat so 17 progress explored stage 2.
Stage 3 added Pack Leader to the staging area.
I was forced to engage Pack Leader, who attacked Frodo and exhausted Amarthiul. The shadow card was Shrouded Hills for no effect so the attack raised my threat to 48.
At the end of the turn I refreshed all my cards and used Aragorn's ability to drop my threat back to 24 before flipping the time objective to Day and raising my threat to 25.
Turn Eight began with adding a resource to each of my heroes before I drew Gandalf (Core).
I paid 3 from Aragorn and 1 from Frodo and Glorfindel to play Gandalf (Core), who reduced my threat to 20.
I committed Aragprm (readying with Unexpected Courage), Frodo (readying with Fast Hitch) and Glorfindel (without exhausting) before drawing Cold From Angmar, which raised my threat to 21.
I committed 10 willpower against 4 threat so 6 progress was added to stage 3B, allowing me to damage Pack Leader.
I opted to engage the Pack Leader, who attacked Frodo. The shadow card was Warg's Den, for no effect so the attack raised my threat to 24 before Amarthiul, Aragorn, Gandalf, Glorfindel and Northern Tracker attacked and killed the Pack Leader, winning the game.
At the end of the game my total score was:
Completed Turns (7): 70.
Total Threat: 24.
Total Score: 94.
GAME: PASSAGE THROUGH MIRKWOOD (PROGRESSION).
Heroes: Denethor, Eowyn and Legolas.
I decided to try all the quests in the game only using cards available at the time the quest came out. This quest was a slog thanks to the obvious low amount of cards available but I managed to get a win in first time with the deck.
GAME: JOURNEY DOWN THE ANDUIN (PROGRESSION).
Heroes: Denethor, Eowyn and Legolas.
If I thought the last quest was a slog this one was ridiculous. I managed to slog out a win after 19 completed rounds (and a score of 221).
GAME: ESCAPE FROM DOL GOLDUR (PROGRESSION).
Heroes: Denethor, Eowyn and Legolas.
It took me 14 (or more, I gave up keeping count) attempts to beat Dol Goldur solo with just cards from the Core set. I hit lucky with Legolas being the captive and three Treachery on the objectives. I managed to complete the game, although Denethor was killed on the way. At least I can progress from here now.
GAME: HUNT FOR GOLLUM (PROGRESSION)
Heroes: Denethor, Eowyn and Gimli.
Swapping out Legolas for Gimli seems to have improved the deck somewhat. I managed a first attempt win with minimal problems.
GAME: CONFLICT AT THE CARROCK (PROGRESSION).
Heroes: Aragorn (Leadership), Denethor and Eowyn.
This deck worked well sincegood early draws left me with Denethor with 3 Dunedain Warnings, 3 Unexpected COurages and a Burning Brand so he could defend all day long against the trolls while Aragorn and Grimbeorn killed them.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGA CAMPAIGN #1: THE SHADOW OF THE PAST (ATTEMPT ONE)
I decided to give the saga campaign another go (since I think two box sets have come out since the last time).
Deck #1 was Beravor, Eleanor and Idraen, with 28 threat and a opening hand containing A Burning Brand, Henamarth Riversong, Self-Preservation, Song Of Wisdom and Warden of Arnor.
Deck #2 was Aragorn (Tactics), Halbarad and Sam Gamgee with 30 threat and a opening hand containing Celebrian's Stone, Defender Of Rammas, Dunedain Warning, Galadhon Archer and Ranger Summons.
Set-Up for the quest consisted of adding a Black Rider to the staging area and making Bag End the active location before putting Gandalf's Delay into play. I then added Frodo Baggins (with Mr Underhill and The One Ring), under the control of deck #1.
Turn One began with deck #1 becoming first player before each hero gained a resource, deck #1 drew Fast Hitch and deck #2 drew Guardian Of Arnor.
During planning deck #1 paid 1 from Idraen to play Warden of Arnor on her and paid 1 from Beravor to play Fast Hitch on Sam Gamgee. Deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad to play Dunedain Warning on him and paid 1 from Sam Gamgee to play Ranger Summons, shuffling a Ranger Of The North into the encounter deck.
I committed Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Idraen and Sam Gamgee to the quest before deck #1 drew Stock Road (which Warden of Arnor added 1 progress to) and deck #2 drew Black Rider, which Frodo Baggins exhausted the One Ring and paid 1 to reshuffle back into the encounter deck before drawing Pathless Country. I commuted 9 willpower against 9 threat so no progress was made.
At the end of the turn I refreshed all cards before raising deck #1's threat to 29 and deck #2's to 31.
Turn Two began with deck #2 becoming first player before each hero gained a resource, deck #2 drew Galadhon Archer and deck #1 drew Wingfoot.
During planning deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad and Sam Gamgee to play Celebrian's Stone on Aragorn and paid 2 from Aragorn to play Defender Of Rammas. Deck #1 paid 1 from Beravor to play Song Of Wisdom on Idraen before paying 1 from Idraen to play Wingfoot on Aragorn.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Idraen and Sam Gamgee before deck #2 drew Ranger Of The North (which attached to deck #2 and added 2 progress to Stock Road, exploring it) and deck #1 drew Evil Crow (which readied Aragorn). I committed 13 willpower against 8 threat so 3 progress explored Bag End (sending it to the victory display and allowing deck #2 to draw Sneak Attack and Honour Guard) and 1 progress explored stage 1B. Stage 2 added another Black Rider to the staging area.
The fellowship opted to travel to Pathless Country.
Deck #2 engaged the Evil Crow (which readied and buffed Sam Gamgee) who attacked the Defender Of Rammas. The shadow card was The Ring Draws Them for no effect so the attack did no damage before Aragorn attacked and killed the Evil Crow. Aragorn's ability triggered to force a Black Rider to engage deck #2. After readying Sam Gamgee with Fast Hitch, Halbarad, Ranger of the North and Sam Gamgee attacked the Black Rider, doing 2 damage.
At the end of the turn I refreshed everything before deck #2's threat increased to 32 and deck #1's increased to 30.
Turn Three began with deck #1 becoming first player before each hero gained a resource, deck #1 drew The Evening Star and deck #2 drew Gondorian Shield.
During planning deck #2 paid 1 from Aragorn to play Gondorian Shield on Halbarad.
I committed Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Halbarad (without exhausting), Idraen and Sam Gamgee before deck #1 drew Green Hill Country (which gained a progress from Warden Of Arnor) and deck #2 drew Black Steed, which I added to the Black Rider engaged with deck #2. I committed 11 willpower against 6 threat so 3 progress explored Pathless Country and 2 progress was added to stage 2B.
After the Fellowship travelled to Green Hill Country, the Black Rider attacked Defender Of Rammas. The shadow card was Green Hill Country so the attack overkilled the Defender of Rammas.
After readying Sam with Fast Hitch Aragorn, Halbarad, Ranger Of The North and Sam Gamgee attacked and killed the Black Rider. Aragorn's ability forced the Black Rider in the staging area to engage deck #2.
At the end of the turn I readied everything before deck #1's threat increased to 31 and deck #2 increased to 33.
Turn Four began with deck #2 becoming first player before I added a resource to each hero, deck #2 drew Gandalf (Core) and deck #1 drew The Evening Star.
During planning deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad and 2 from Sam to play Guardian Of Arnor. Deck #1 paid 1 from Idraen to play Henamarth Riversong and paid 1 from Idraen and 2 from Beravor to play Self-Preservation on Halbarad.
Deck #1 exhausted Henamarth Riversong, who looked at the top card of the deck, Stock-Brook, and returned it to the top of the deck.
I committed Aragorn (naming Location for Wingfoot), Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Halbarad (without exhausting), Idraen and Sam Gamgee before deck #2 drew Stock-Brook (which replaced Green Hill Country as active location, gained a progress from Warden Of Arnor and readied Aragorn) and deck #1 drew Lure Of The Ring, which exhausted the One Ring and surged to Pathless Country. I committed 15 against 5 threat so 4 progress explored Stock-Brook and sent it to the victory display before 6 progress was added to stage 1B. Deck #2 used Fast Hitch to ready Sam Gamgee.
After the Fellowship travelled to Green Hill Country deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad to Sneak Attack Gandalf into play, who added 4 damage to the Black Rider before the Black Rider attacked Gandalf. The shadow card was Hunting for the Ring, for no effect so the attack did 1 damage. Aragorn, Halbarad, Ranger Of The North and Sam Gamgee attacked and killed the Black Rider before Gandalf returned to deck #2's hand.
I ended the turn by refreshing everything before deck #2's threat increased to 34 and deck #1's increased to 32.
Turn Five began with deck #1 becoming first player before I added a resource to each hero, deck #1 drew Arwen Undomiel and deck #2 drew Nalth Guide.
During planning deck #1 paid 2 from Eleanor to play Arwen Undomiel. Deck #2 paid 2 from Aragorn to play Honour Guard and paid 1 each from Halbarad and Sam Gamgee to play Nalth Guide (who made it so that Sam Eleanor could quest without exhausting).
Henamarth Riversong exhausted to look at the top card of the encounter deck, Lure Of The Ring, and return it to the top of the encounter deck.
I committed Aragorn (naming Treachery for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Halbarad), Beravor, Eleanor (without exhausting), Frodo Baggins, Idraen, Nalth Guide and Sam Gamgee before deck #1 drew Lure Of The Ring (which forced deck #1 to exhaust the One Ring but readied Aragorn), which surged to Evil Crow before deck #2 drew Rode Like A Gale, which surged to Bamfurlong (which gained a progress from Warden Of Arnor). I committed 17 willpower against 6 threat so 2 progress was added to Green Hill Country, exploring it and 9 progress was added to stage 2B, exploring it. Stage 3 added Buckleberry Ferry and another Black Rider to the staging area.
After the Fellowship travelled to Bamfurlong the Evil Crow engaged deck #2 (readying and buffing Sam Gamgee) and attacked the Guardian of Arnor. The shadow card was Black Rider, for no effect, and the attack did no damage. Aragorn struck back and killed the Evil Crow, then used his ability to force the Black Rider to engage deck #2. where Halbarad, Ranger Of The North and Sam Gamgee attacked it, inflicting 3 damage.
At the end of the turn I refreshed everything, then raised deck #1's threat to 33 and deck #2's to 35.
Turn Six began with deck #2 becoming first player and each hero gaining a resource before deck #2 drew another Gondorian Shield and deck #1 drew Northern Tracker.
Moving onto the planning phase deck #1 paid 4 from Eleanor to play Northern Tracker.
Henamarth Riversong exhausted to look at the top card of the encounter deck, The Marish, before returning it to the top of the deck.
I committed Aragorn (naming Location for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Guardian Of Arnor), Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Idraen, Nalth Guide, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Pathless Country and Buckleberry Ferry) and Sam Gamgee before deck #2 drew The Marish (which added 1 progress from Warden Of Arnor) and deck #1 drew Black Steed (which was added to the Black Rider engaged with deck #2). I committed 17 willpower against 8 threat so 1 progress explored Bamfurlong.
Deck #1 paid 2 from Beravor to play The Evening Star to add 2 progress to Pathless Country (exploring it and readying Idraen), then paid 2 from Idraen to play another The Evening Star to add 2 progress (twice) to The Marish to explore it.
With no more locations in play the Fellowship travelled to The Buckleberry Ferry.
The Black Rider attacked the Guardian Of Arnor. The shadow card was Have You Seen Baggins for no effect so the attack did 2 damage. In response, Aragorn, Halbarad, Ranger Of The North and Sam Gamgee attacked and killed the Black Rider.
I ended the turn by refreshing everything before I raised deck #2's threat to 36 and deck #1's to 34.
Turn Seven began with deck #1 becoming first player and each hero gaining a resource before deck #1 drew The Evening Star and deck #2 drew Galadriel.
During planning deck #2 paid 2 from Halbarad and 1 from Sam Gamgee to play Galadriel, who played Sword That Was Broken on Aragorn.
Moving onto the quest phase (and knowing that a big push will be needed to complete the game this turn) I committed everyone to the quest before deck #1 drew Gildor Inglorion and deck #2 drew Green Hill Country. I committed a grand total of 34 willpower against 2 threat. Oddly enough, 32 progress was enough to explore Buckleberry Ferry and win the game.
At the end of the game I chose to add The Ring Draws Them and Mr. Underhill to the Campaign Pool.
After playing this (and beating my head against the brick wall which is the Old Forest) I realised that I forgot to do the Hide 3 test to travel to Buckleberry Ferry. The ridiculous thing is that I don't think it's the first time I've done it in a written up quest attempt.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGA CAMPAIGN #2: THE OLD FOREST (ATTEMPT THREE)
After two attempts ended in early location locks I opted to change the two decks.
Deck #1 was Beravor, Eleanor and Idraen, with 28 threat and a opening hand containing Arwen Undomiel, Miner Of The Iron Hills, Northern Tracker, Song Of Travel, Warden of Arnor and Wingfoot.
Deck #2 was Aragorn (Tactics), Halbarad and Sam Gamgee with 30 threat and a opening hand containing Arod, Defender Of Rammas, Ranger Summons, Steward Of Gondor, Sword That Was Broken and Weather Hills Watchman.
Set-Up for the quest consisted of putting Frodo Baggins (with Mr Underhill and The One Ring) into play under the control of deck #1, adding Misleading Path and Wall of Trees to the staging area, deck #1 drawing Song Of Wisdom and deck #2 drawing Dunedain Hunter before advancing to Choked With Brambles. I then attached Old Bogey-Stories to Sam Gamgee.
Turn One began with deck #2 becoming first player and each hero gaining a resource before deck #2 drew Sword That Was Broken and deck #1 drew Escort From Edoras.
During planning deck #2 paid 1 each from Halbarad and Sam Gamgee to play Steward Of Gondor on Idraen, then paid 1 from Aragorn to play Arod on himself and played Dunedain Hunter, who brought a Army Of Flies into play engaged with deck #2.
After exhausting Steward Of Gondor to add 2 resources to Idraen, deck #1 paid 3 from Idraen and 1 from Eleanor to play Northern Tracker, then paid 1 from Beravor to play Wingfoot on Aragorn.
Moving to the quest phase I committed Aragorn (naming Location for Wingfoot), Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Idraen, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Wall of Trees and Misleading Path) and Sam Gamgee to the quest before deck #2 drew Deep Gulley (which readied Aragorn) and deck #1 drew Ending And Failing (raising deck #1's threat to 30 and deck #2's to 32). I committed 12 against 5 threat so 3 progress explored Wall of Trees, sending it to the victory display, and the rest of the progress explored Choked With Brambles. The new stage 2B was Closing In Around Them.
The Fellowship had no choice but to travel to Misleading Path.
The Army of Flies attacked Halbarad, drawing Lost Of Witless for a shadow card so the attack did no damage. Aragorn attacked and killed the Army Of Flies, exhausting Arod to add 1 progress to Misleading Path, exploring it before the turn ended with everything readying before deck #2's threat increased to 33 and deck #1's increased to 31.
Turn Two began with deck #1 becoming first player and each hero gaining a resource before deck #1 drew Warden of Healing and deck #2 drew Honour Guard.
During planning deck #1 exhausted Steward Of Gondor to add 2 resources to Idraen before paying 1 from Eleanor and Idraen to play Arwen Undomiel, paying 1 from Idraen to play Song Of Wisdom on Idraen and paying 1 each from Beravor and Idraen to play Warden Of Healing.
Deck #2 paid 1 each from Halbarad and Sam Gamgee to play Weather Hills Watchman, who pulled a Dunedain Warning into deck #2's hand.
I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Halbarad), Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Idraen, Northern Tracker (adding 1 progress to Deep Gulley), Sam Gamgee and Weather Hills Watchman before deck #1 drew two Deep Gulleys and deck #2 drew Wall of Trees. I committed 16 against 8 threat so 4 progres explored the Wall of Trees, sending it to the victory display and the rest of the progress explored stage 2B. The new stage 2B was Shifting Trees.
The Fellowship travelled to the partially explored Deep Gulley before I ended the turn by refreshing all cards, raising deck #1's threat to 32 and deck #2's to 34 before Shifting Trees discarded one of the Wall OF Trees from the victory display.
Turn Three began with deck #2 becoming first player and each hero gaining a resource before deck #2 drew Feint and deck #1 drew Northern Tracker.
During planning deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad to play Dunedain Warning on Halbarad then paid 2 from Aragorn to play Defender Of Rammas.
Deck #1 exhausted Steward of Gondor to add 2 resources on Idraen before paying 3 from Idraen and 1 from Eleanor to play Northern Tracker
Moving onto the quest phase I committed Aragorn (naming Enemy for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Halbarad), Beravor, Frodo Baggins, Idraen, Northern Tracker x2 (adding 2 progress to each Deep Gulley), Sam Gamgee and Weather Hills Watchman before deck #2 drew Oppressive Forest and deck #1 drew another Deep Gulley. I committed 16 against 8 threat so 3 progress explored the active Deep Gulley and send it to the victory display before the other progress explored stage 2B. The new stage 2B was Closing In Around Them.
After the Fellowship travelled to Oppressive Forest I ended the turn by refreshing everything before raising deck #2's threat to 35 and deck #1's to 33.
Turn Four began with deck #1 becoming first player and each hero gaining a resource before deck #1 drew Warden of Arnor and deck #2 drew Guardian of Arnor.
Deck #1 exhausted Steward Of Gondor to add 2 resources to Idraen before paying 1 from Idraen to play Warden Of Healing on herself and paid 2 from Idraen to play Escort From Edoras. Deck #2 paid 2 from Sam and 1 from Halbarad to play Guardian Of Arnor.
Moving onto the quest phase I committed Aragorn (naming Location for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Halbarad), Beravor, Frodo, Idraen, Northern Tracker x2 (adding 2 progress to each Deep Gulley, exploring 2 of them), Sam Gamgee and Weather Hills Watchman. Deck #1 drew Misleading Path (which gained 1 progress from Warden Of Arnor and reading Aragorn), which surged to Tom Bombadil, who was attached to deck #1 committed to the quest. Deck #2 drew Ending And Failing, which raised deck #1's threat to 35 and deck #2's to 37.
I committed a total of 19 against 3 threat so 5 progress explored Oppressive Forest and the rest explored stage 2B. With 10 victory points I managed to travel to stage 3, where I added Old Man Willow and Withywindle to the staging area before drawing Wall of Trees and adding it the to the staging area.
The fellowship travelled to Misleading Path.
Old Man Willow attacked Tom Bombadil, drawing Grasping Root for no effect as a shadow card and discarding Wall Of Trees from the victory display to add 2 attack. This inflicted 4 damage on Tom.
Old Man Willow attacked Guardian Of Arnor but deck #2 paid 1 from Aragorn to Feint the attack after discarding a Deep Gulley from the victory display.
Aragorn, Dunedain Hunter, Eleanor, Guardian of Arnor and Halbarad attacked Old Man Willow, attacked Old Man Willow, inflicting 5 damage before I ended the turn by refreshing all the cards, raising deck #1's threat to 36 and deck #2's threat to 38 and reshuffling Tom Bombadil and the encounter discard pile back into the encounter deck.
Turn Five began with deck #2 becoming first player and resources being added before deck #2 drew Steward Of Gondor and deck #1 drew Gandalf (Core).
Deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad to play Ranger Summons, adding a Ranger Of The North to the encounter deck.
Deck #1 exhausted Steward of Gondor to add 2 resources to Idraen then paid 3 from Idraen and 2 from Eleanor to play Gandalf (deck #1 drew Warden of Healing, Thror's Map and A Test Of Will) before paying 2 from Beravor to play Warden Of Healing.
Moving onto the quest phase I committed Aragorn (naming Location for Wingfoot), Arwen Undomiel (adding 1 defence to Guardian Of Arnor), Beravor, Escort From Edoras, Frodo, Idraen, Northern Tracker x2 (adding 2 progress to Deep Gulley, Wall of Trees and Withywindle and exploring Deep Gulley) and Sam Gamgee. Deck #2 drew Song Of Sleep, which deck #2 exhausted The One Ring and paid 1 from Frodo to reshuffle back into the encounter deck where it was replaced by Ranger Of The North, who added 2 progress to Withywindle before joining deck #1. Deck #1 drew Deep Gulley (which readied Aragorn).
I committed 19 against 8 so 2 progress explored Wall of Tress, 1 progress explored Misleading Path and 8 progress was added to stage 3B.
After the Fellowship travelled to Deep Gulley, Old Man Willow attacked Gandalf. The shadow card was Stange Woods for 1 extra attack and the discarded Wall of Trees buffed to 8 attack so Gandalf was killed, raising deck #1's threat to 38 and deck #2's threat to 40.
Old Man Willow attacked Defender Of Rammas. The shadow card was Falling Branches for +2 attack and the discarded Deep Gulley added another +2 attack so the Defender of Rammas was killed.
Aragorn, Beravor, Dunedain Hunter, Guardian of Arnor, Halbarad, Ranger Of The North and Weather Hills Watchman attacked Old Man Willow, inflicting another 8 damage and pushing OMW over the 12 damage threshold. All I need to do now is quest past the last .
At this point in the proceedings I noticed the Old Man Willow's ability adds threat instead of attack so I raised deck #1's threat to 43 and deck #2's threat to 45 at the end of the round to cover for that minor brain-fart.
Turn Six began with deck #1 becoming first player and resources being added before deck #1 drew Steed Of Imladris and deck #2 drew Defender Of Rammas.
During planning deck #1 exhausted Steward to add 2 resources to Idraen before deck #2 paid 1 from Halbarad and 2 from Sam to play Sword That Was Broken on Aragorn and paid 2 from Aragorn to play Defender Of Rammas.
Moving to questing I committed everyone with willpower (which was more folks thanks to Aragorn's sword-buff), committing Aragorn (with buff), Arwen (adding 1 defence to Halbarad), Beravor, Defender of Rammas (with buff), Dunedain Hunter (with buff), Eleanor, Frodo, Guardian Of Arnor (with buff), Halbarad (with buff), Idraen, Northern Tracker x2 (adding 2 progress to and exploring Withywindle), Ranger Of The North, Sam (with buff), Warden of Healing x2 and Weather Hills Watchman (with buff) before deck #1 drew Ending And Failing, which raised deck #1's threat to 45 and deck #2's to 47, and deck #2 drew Long Trailer. I committed 32 against 5 threat so 4 progress explored Deep Gulley and the other 23 threat blew through stage 3, winning the game.
This was odd. I added a lot of location control cards to deck #1 for this game and none of them got into play. I was lucky with encounter deck draws and this went a lot better than I expected.
At the end of the game I had done enough damage to Old Man Willow to add Old Bogey-Stories to the campaign log.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGA CAMPAIGN #3: FOG ON THE BARROW DOWNS (ATTEMPT ONE).
Thanks to a minor error (I didn't save the writeup or copy and paste the right thing) but regardless the Fellowship just managed to win the scenario (although there was a lot of injured heroes and a ridiculous amount of dead allies). the Fellowship gained Ho, Tom Bombadil and continued onto Bree.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGA CAMPAIGN #4: A KNIFE IN THE DARK.
Due to having less time to write-up the quests for a few weeks I'll cut things down to the high (or otherwise) lights.
At the end of the game I gave Eleanor the Tireless Ranger card and Sam the Noble Hero card. Deck A gained the services (somewhat thematically) of Lore Glorfindel.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGE CAMPAIGN #5: FLIGHT TO THE FORD.
Another surprising win.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGE CAMPAIGN #5: FLIGHT TO THE FORD.
Another surprising win.
- Eleanor with Wingfoot and Tireless Ranger is a complete beast. She's not much of a quester (her designated job, apart from hobbling treacheries but I had three cards left in the encounter deck after Eleanor burned through about three dozen treacheries in the game).
- At the end of the game Eaten Alive was added to the campaign pool.
That is some combo for solo play. Never face a Treachery again.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGE CAMPAIGN #5: FLIGHT TO THE FORD.
Another surprising win.
- Eleanor with Wingfoot and Tireless Ranger is a complete beast. She's not much of a quester (her designated job, apart from hobbling treacheries but I had three cards left in the encounter deck after Eleanor burned through about three dozen treacheries in the game).
- At the end of the game Eaten Alive was added to the campaign pool.
That is some combo for solo play. Never face a Treachery again.
Why just solo? It's infinite use. Same goes for Spirit Merry with Tireless Ranger and Wingfoot.
LORD OF THE RINGS SAGE CAMPAIGN #5: FLIGHT TO THE FORD.
Another surprising win.
- Eleanor with Wingfoot and Tireless Ranger is a complete beast. She's not much of a quester (her designated job, apart from hobbling treacheries but I had three cards left in the encounter deck after Eleanor burned through about three dozen treacheries in the game).
- At the end of the game Eaten Alive was added to the campaign pool.
That is some combo for solo play. Never face a Treachery again.
Why just solo? It's infinite use. Same goes for Spirit Merry with Tireless Ranger and Wingfoot.
In multiplayer Campaign mode, some of the Treacheries have the Peril keyword which means that another player cannot play cards or trigger effects during its resolution.
Yeah, but reducing the treacheries to the Peril ones which hit the other player(s), or ones which you just don't mind resolving, is still really potent. Me and my brother have been playing a campaign on and off for a while and he chose Eleanor as one of his heroes specifically for that combo.
I used Black Riders Frodo's ability to deal with the Treacheries which Eleanor couldn't deal with. It's somewhat dependent on getting Wingfoot out on Eleanor ASAP but it's pretty darn potent.
BOROMIR SHOWS HIS QUALITY QUEST 1: PERIL IN PELARGIR (ATTEMPT 1).
I've been working on a powerful deck for solo play and, after some discussion on this board and a weekend of trying to work out a strong solo deck I opted to co-opt Seastan's deck: https://community.fantasyflightgames.com/topic/175783-one-deck-to-rule-them-all-nightmare-edition/page-1 .
My heroes were Boromir (Tactics), Galadriel and Glorfindel (Lore). This gave me 25 threat and a opening hand containing A Good Harvest, Blood Of Numenor, Gondorian Fire x2, Nenya and Steward of Gondor. With all the ingredients needed to uber-buff Boromir I decided to keep the hand.
Quest set-up consisted of making The Leaping Fish the active location, attaching Alcaron's Scroll to Boromir and adding a Harbor Thug to the staging area.
Turn One began with adding a resource to each hero before I drew Galadriel's Handmaiden.
During planning I played Blood Of Numenor and Gondorian Fire on Boromir, then exhausted Galadriel to draw Arwen Undomiel and reduced my threat to 24, then played A Good Harvest and paid 1 from Boromir and Galadriel to play Steward Of Gondor on Boromir and exhausted Steward of Gondor to add 2 resources to Boromir. I ended a busy phase by paying 1 from Glorfindel to play Nenya on Galadriel.
Moving onto the quest phase I drew and discarded Pickpocket before committing Boromir and Glorfindel to the quest. I drew Collateral Damage and drew and discarded Harbor Thug and Market Square so had to raise my threat to 26. I committed 6 against 2 threat so 4 progress was added to The Leaping Fish.
I engaged the Harbor Thug, who attacked Boromir after I raised my threat to 27 to refresh him. I paid 1 from Boromir to buff his defence by 1 using Gondorian Fire. The shadow card was Umbar Assassin for no effect so the attack did no damage. I raised my threat to 28 to refresh Boromir and used him to attack the Harbor Thug, inflicting 2 damage.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards and raised my threat to 29.
Turn Two began with adding a resource to my heroes before I drew Daeron's Runes. I exhausted Galadriel to lower my threat to 28 and draw Light Of Valinor. I played Daeron's Runes and drew Warden Of Healing and Ancient Mathem before discarding Gondorian Fire. I then exhausted Steward of Gondor to add 2 resources to Boromir and paid 1 from Glorfindel to play Light of Valinor on Glorfindel.
I started the Quest phase by drawing and discarding Market Square before I committed Boromir and Glorfindel (without exhausting) before drawing City Streets. I committed 6 against 2 threat so 2 progress explored The Leaping Fish, adding it to the victory display and 2 progress was added to stage 1B.
After I travelled to City Streets I raised my threat to 29 to ready Boromir and paid 1 from him to use Gondorian Fire to buff his defence by 3 before Harbor Thug attacked him, drawing City Streets for 2 more attack, which Boromir's buff dealt with. Glorfindel attacked and killed the Harbor Thug.
At the end of the turn I refreshed everything before raising my threat to 30.
Turn Three began with each hero gaining a resource before I drew another Ancient Mathem. I then exhausted Steward to add another 2 resources to Boromir and exhausted Galadriel to draw Asfaloth and lower my threat to 29
During planning I paid 2 from Galadriel to play Asfaloth on Glorfindel. I exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to City Streets, exploring it.
I committed Boromir and Glorfindel (without exhausting) to the quest before I drew Collateral Damage. I drew Zealous Traitor, Lossarnach Bandit, City Streets and Lurking In Shadows and raising my threat to 31. I committed 6 against 0 threat so 4 progress was added to stage 1B, exploring it. Stage 2 added Alcaron's Scroll to the staging area where I exhausted Glorfindel to add Alcaron's Scroll to him.
At the end of the turn I refreshed my cards before raising my threat to 32.
Turn Four began with adding resources before I drew Gondorian Shield, exhausted Glorfindel to draw Silver Harp and reduce my threat to 31 and exhausted Steward to add 2 resources to Boromir.
During planning I paid 1 from Boromir to play Gondorian Shield on him and paid 2 from Glorfindel to play Galadriel's Handmaiden, who lowered my threat to 30.
I committed Boromir and Glorfindel (without exhausting) before drawing Lost In The City, which forced me to put City Streets into the staging area. I then paid 1 from Boromir to play Gondorian Fire and increase his attack by 7 until the end of the phase. I also exhausted Asfaloth to add 2 progress to City Streets, exploring it. This gave me a total 13 willpower against 0 threat so the 13 progress blew through stage 2B. Stage 3 forced me to add a Harbor Thug to the staging area.
The Harbor Thug engaged me and (after I raised my threat to 31 to ready him) attacked Boromir, drawing Zealous Traitor for no effect. The attack did no damage. After raising my threat to 32 to refresh Boromir, he and Glorfindel attacked and killed the Harbor Thug.
At the end of the turn I refreshed everything before raising my threat to 33.
Turn Five began with my heroes each gaining a resource before I drew Core Set Gandalf and exhausted Steward to add another 2 resources to Boromir.
During planning I paid 2 from Galadriel to play Arwen Undomiel and paid 4 from Boromir and 1 from Glorfindel to play Gandalf, who lowered my threat to 28.
I committed Arwen Undomiel (without exhausting), Boromir, Galadriel's Handmaiden, Gandalf (without exhausting) and Glorfindel (without exhausting) before exhausting Galadriel and Nenya to add her willpower to Glorfindel's. I drew Collateral Damage and drew Local Trouble, Lurking In Shadows, Harbor Storehouse, Zealous Traitor, another Harbor Storehouse and Collateral Damage and raised my threat to 32.
In the end I committed 16 willpower against 0 threat so the 16 progress was enough to blow through stage 3B and win the game.
Boromir more than showed his quality when he was fully buffed. I'm guessing I got the best possible opening hand this time.
At the end of the quest my score was:
Completed Turns (4): 40.
Total Threat: 32.
Total VP: 3.
Total Score: 69.