I decided to add who would be getting each Attachment ideally in order.

DECK ONE - ARAGORN'S COMPANY

HEROES

Aragorn (Lore) - 12

Eowyn - 9

Glorfindel - 5

Starting Threat: 26

ALLIES (25)

3x Arwen Undomiel

1x Bofur

3x Daughter of the Nimrodel

1x Elfheim

3x Escort From Edoras

3x Gabdalf (OHAUH)

1x Gildor Inglorion

1x Haldir of Lorien

2x Northern Tracker

3x Warden of Healing

1x Westfold Horse-Breeder

3x West Road Traveller

ATTACHMENTS (15)

3x Asfaloth (Glorfindel)

3x Light of Valinor (Glorfindel, Elladan, Elrohir).

2x Self-Preservation (Elrohir, Eowyn for missions where questing characters take damage from treachery cards)

1x Song of Earendil (Eowyn)

1x Song of Travel

2x Song of Wisdom

2x The Favor of the Lady (Eowyn, Aragorn)

1x Unexpected Courage (Aragorn)

EFFECTS (10)

2x A Test of Will

3x Elrond's Counsel

3x Lore of Imladris

2x The Galadrim's Greeting

DECK 2 - ELVEN SONS

HEROES

Elladan - 10

Elrohir - 10

Legolas - 9

Starting Threat - 29

ALLIES

1x Erestor

2x Faramir

3x Gandalf (Core)

3x Gondorian Spearman

2x Guthlaf

2x Horseback Archer

2x Silverlode Archer

3x Snowbourn Scout

3x Trollshaw Scout

1x Vassal of the Windlord

3x Westfold Outrider

ATTACHMENTS

1x Black Arrow (Legolas)

2x Blade of Gondolin (Legolas, Aragorn)

1x Celebrian's Stone (Aragorn)

2x Citadel Plate (Elrohir, if somehow I get enough points to buy it, Glorfindel)

3x Mighty Prowess (Legolas, Elladan)

3x Rivendell Blade (Legolas, Elladan, Glorfindel)

3x Rivendell Bow (Aragorn (for sniping if no enemies pick a fight with Aragorn's team), Elladan, Elrohir.

1x Song of Battle

2x Song of Wisdom

3x Sword That Was Broken (Aragorn to pump up deck 1's questing)

EVENTS

2x Hands Upon The Bow

2x Sneak Attack

Is there any official rule for two-handed decks or is it just player-made variant for LotR?

I think it's more of a unofficial variant

Here is a nice article on playing two-handed, which is like second to two player: http://talesfromthecards.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/a-guide-to-playing-two-handed/

Over the last few weeks I have made several different changes to my two decks based on a whole handful of playthroughs with new cards and have decided (until ring maker cycle arrives at least....) upon new final decks.

Changes in red.

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)

Heroes:

Legolas - 9

Elladan - 10

Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (19)

3x - Gandalf (Core)

3x - Envoy of Pelargir

3x - Booming Ent

3x - Naith Guide

3x - Gondorian Spearman

1x - Treebeard

1x - Faramir

1x - Rumil

1x - Beorn

Attachments: (22)

1x - Celebrians Stone

1x - Black Arrow

1x - Sword that was Broken

3x - Dunedain Warning

3x - Steward of Gondor

3x - Gondorian Shield

3x - Rivendell Blade

3x - Dagger of Westernesse

3x - Rivendell Bow

1x - Captain of Gondor

Events: (9)

3x - Feint

3x - Sneak Attack

3x - Goblin Cleaver

Sideboard: (6)
3x - Straight Shot (replaces Goblin Cleaver)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

Basically with this first deck I removed the Westfold Outriders who are awesome but I rarely use for their ability and put in Booming Ents (recently spoiled in Antlered Crown). After a handful of playthroughs they have been pretty **** useful. Using them to block an attack or two early on and allowing them to take 1 damage and then using them as power attackers for the rest of the game is very beneficial allowing a few early extra defenses and then good replacement attackers for Elladan if is needed for questing etc or simply awesome bonus attackers. Orophin is not so great for 3 leadership even with his awesome stats and the deck has too many high cost leadership cards as is and these resources are badly needed in many games for additional defenses against multiple attacks. I put in Treebeard instead. So far he has actually been somewhat dissapointing considering how amazing I predicted he would be. I have only used him once as most times he is in my hand I have other cards I should instead play that will help my game state much more and stop me from very well possibly losing.... the once I have played him however he was very strong and very much so helped achieved victory. The enter play exhausted and high cost of 4 is much more of a setback than I thought. I removed path of need and rather than Erestor (another far too high cost leadership ally like Orophin) put in Captain of Gondor. It fits awesomely on spirit Glorfindel in the other deck allowing him to strike harder after questing (with light of valinor) or provide the role of extra defender for the first time ever with a somewhat decent defense of 2 rather than crummy 1. This would allow slight protection and comfort in situations when Loragorn and Elrond are exhausted to quest or through encounter card effects and I fear nasty enemies coming out that I will need a defender for. Finally after being somewhat unimpressed with Hands Upon the Bow for a while I instead replaced it with Straight Shot in the sideboard after using it a few times to great effect. Occasionally it will be of little use but in quests it does not excel in I often use it to get the last few points of damage against a high hitpoints 2 or 1 defense enemy attacked by a character with rivendell blade equipped much like Goblin Cleaver would be used anyway.

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit (Rivendell's Finest)

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Loragorn - 12

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 30

Allies: (16)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Ithilien Archer

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Haldir of Lorien

1x - Anborn

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (19)

3x - Burning Brand

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

2x - Self Preservation

1x - Wingfoot

3x - Ranger Spikes

1x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Healing Herbs

Events: (15)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

Sideboard: (6)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces healing herbs/ranger spikes)

3x - Forest Snare (replaces healing herbs/ranger spikes)

With this deck I decided against the Mirkwood Runners after all. I have since replaced them with Ithilien Archers who have the same attack strength but also ranged (which is just invaluable in two handed) and their bonus ability seems to be used more often than Mirkwood Runners are used to attack an enemy on their own.

I then made a very very big change to this deck. I abandoned the Song of Wisdom + Burning Brand combo on Elrohir. As much as it is one of the most powerful combos I have seen in this game (blocking between 4 to 7 attacks in one turn with one character who has 6 to 7 defense and cancels all shadow cards) so often I have one card or the other in my hand for far too long/the whole game before I draw the other. Both Elrond and Loragorn are both very often used for defensive duties in games where Arwen is not providing Elrohir with Sentinel or even just on turns when most leadership resources were just used and Elrohir even with Sentinel cant block everything engaged that turn so burning brand can already go on them. It also fits perfectly on them both already considering their high defense and Loragorns Sentinel ability. As well as this Song of Wisdom without Burning Brand did nothing at all.... the deck and the card costs are built specifically with the fact it has two lore heroes in mind therefore giving Glorfindel the lore icon is near useless except maybe to help play Gildor (if you even have the single copy of him in your hand..). After thinking it through I have therefore removed Song of Wisdom and replaced it with Anborn and two Self Preservations. Anborn simply has very good attack, ok defense and health for an ally and an ability that while sometimes useless can sometimes be very powerful. He was also chosen as I swapped out the 3 Expecting Mischiefs (too situational) for 3 Forest Snares (still sideboard however so for quests with no attachment enemies I use the extra healing of healing herbs and power of orthanc instead) so he can retrieve both Snares and Ranger spikes for you.

The two Self Preservations will hopefully help a little against the all the nasty shadow effects Elrohir will have to face when defending against multiple attacks without any burning brand. So long as he remains with one health at the end of the turn Self Preservation will fully heal him (with Elrond's help of course). The other if drawn can go on Aragorn, Elrond or even Glorfindel (who is used to soak up archery damage etc quite often as he almost never defends against attacks).

Most of these changes are recent but have been partially playtested. The most recent was taking out Song of Wisdom and putting in Anborn and Self Preservation. So far so good, hopefully an awesome new card that can cancel shadow effects comes out in ring maker and can be put in one of these decks to further make up for song of wisdom/burning brand combo no longer existing for Elrohir to safety defend a small army.

As far as new changes go, Power of Orthanc is going to be swapped instantly for The White Council if one of its last two options removes a condition attachment or it may even replace Healing Herbs should it heal any damage as one of the last options. Barring how good the new Silvan tactics and lore allies are I don't see any foreseeable changes to these two decks for a while. Have beaten all the nightmare scenarios released except for Hills and Nightmare Khazad-Dum (both on their way however!) with these new versions (bar song of wisdom changes) so am very happy with their performance

Made one last recent change to this deck.

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)

Heroes:

Legolas - 9

Elladan - 10

Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (18)

3x - Gandalf (Core)

3x - Envoy of Pelargir

3x - Booming Ent

3x - Naith Guide

3x - Gondorian Spearman

1x - Treebeard

1x - Faramir

1x - Beorn

Attachments: (21)

1x - Celebrians Stone

1x - Black Arrow

1x - Sword that was Broken

3x - Dunedain Warning

3x - Steward of Gondor

3x - Gondorian Shield

3x - Rivendell Blade

3x - Dagger of Westernesse

3x - Rivendell Bow

Events: (11)

3x - Feint

3x - Sneak Attack

3x - Goblin Cleaver

2x - Ever Vigilant

Sideboard: (6)

3x - Straight Shot (replaces Goblin Cleaver)

3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

Essentially I just removed Rumil and Captain of Gondor and put in 2x Ever Vigilant instead.

Rumil just doesn't make the cut and costs too much at 4. Perhaps if the new tactics silvan ally has ranged and gets into this deck Rumil may come back too, at only 2 damage his ability isn't so great and both gandalf and goblin cleaver do a better job of direct damage. It's sad because I was looking forward to running the three brothers but only Haldir remains now...

Captain of Gondor isn't good enough either. In rounds that you don't engage a new enemy but are still fighting engaged enemies it does nothing.

I was going to put in Dunedain Marks but instead decided to go with Ever Vigilant instead as it works very well with almost all the allies in this deck.

Gandalf only stays in play for a turn so using ever vigilant on him allows him to contribute his amazing 4 willpower to questing and then attack or defend before leaving you.

If you really need an extra defender or attacker straight away but only have booming ent you can play and ready him straight away with ever vigilant. Similarly if you get one to three or more attack you can use ever vigilant to attack twice with one. Perhaps the most clever option with booming ent is to use ever vigilant after he has defended an attack and taken damage to make use of his extra attack point from being damaged immediately.

Gondorian spearman can be used to instantly kill two enemies with only one health left during combat with ever vigilant. This one is hard to pull off but would be an epic combo.

Treebeard is a no brainier. He can be readied the turn you play him for instant use or readied for double duty later with his amazing stats.

Faramir is one of the best two allies for Ever vigilant. With it you can use his ability twice giving all characters for one deck +2 willpower or give characters for both decks +1 willpower!!!

Beorn is the other best ally to use with ever vigilant. You can use it to simply both block and attack with him or do both once eachin the one turn but the far far batter option is to use his +5 attack ability which lasts till the end of the combat phase!; to attack with him with his insane 8 attack against two enemies in the one turn!!!

Made a few more changes to the tactics/leadership deck

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)
Heroes:
Legolas - 9
Elladan - 10
Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (19)

3x - Gandalf (Core)
3x - Envoy of Pelargir
3x - Booming Ent
3x - Naith Guide
3x - Gondorian Spearman
1x - Treebeard
1x - Faramir
1x - Beorn
1x - Landroval

Attachments: (23)
1x - Celebrians Stone
1x - Black Arrow
1x - Sword that was Broken
3x - Dunedain Warning
3x - Steward of Gondor
3x - Gondorian Shield
3x - Rivendell Blade
3x - Dagger of Westernesse
3x - Rivendell Bow

2x - Mighty Prowess

Events: (8)
3x - Feint
3x - Sneak Attack
2x - Ever Vigilant

Sideboard: (6)
3x - Goblin Cleaver (replaces Rivendell Bow in quests where the bows/ranged isn't necessary or where there are lots of Orcs/need for direct damage with Goblin Cleaver)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

Straight shot hasn't been of much use lately and isn't the greatest thing ever even when it is usable. It was fun while it lasted but ultimately I took it out. The card that Straight Shot would sometimes be used in place of; Goblin Cleaver, also sometimes stays in my hand an entire game when I have more than enough attack power to kill enemies each turn (engaged with the tactics deck at least) or when I don't have a weapon attachment in play. Goblin Cleaver remains, but in my sideboard and will be rarely used as Rivendell Bow is almost always useful (this will be the card that is taken out for quests I substitute Goblin Cleaver in for).

To fill these three new spaces I added 2 of Mighty Prowess which can be a fantastic card in quests where there are many enemies that share traits (namely trolls, spiders, dunlendings, goblins and orcs) and is still fairly powerful even in quests that have enemies with a couple of different traits. One of the couple of matches since adding it was Massing at Osgiliath and it worked wonders against the Scout enemies killing 2 or 3 with its ability. I didn't put three as I only ever have 2 tactics heroes anyway so think three would be a waste. It is also not as good or crucial as Rivendell Blade and Dagger of Westernesse.

The other slot I filled with Landroval. After using Beorn for so long in this deck I realised the plethora of very low cost tactics cards in this deck allow a couple of high cost tactics cards to be included and be very playable. Landroval costs 1 less than Beorn but still has 3 attack, has Sentinel which is always awesome and has a great ability. I used to use him in my eagle deck I used when I first got into this game and he was always pretty good.That deck had much higher cost tactics cards however so he would often not see play. In this deck he will and will provide much more use. He is great with Ever Vigilant allowing him to defend an attack with Sentinel AND then attack back with his impressive 3 attack. He is also awesome with Sneak Attack allowing you to sneak attack him in both defend/attack and to save a Hero.

A few new changes to both decks:

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)
Heroes:
Legolas - 9
Elladan - 10
Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (19)

3x - Gandalf (Core)
3x - Envoy of Pelargir
3x - Booming Ent
3x - Naith Guide
3x - Gondorian Spearman
1x - Treebeard
1x - Faramir
1x - Beorn
1x - Landroval

Attachments: (23)
1x - Celebrians Stone
1x - Black Arrow
3x - Dunedain Warning
3x - Steward of Gondor
3x - Gondorian Shield
3x - Rivendell Blade
3x - Dagger of Westernesse
3x - Rivendell Bow

3x - Dunedain Mark

Events: (8)
3x - Feint
3x - Sneak Attack
2x - Ever Vigilant

Sideboard: (6)
3x - Goblin Cleaver (replaces Rivendell Bow in quests where the bows/ranged isn't necessary or where there are lots of Orcs/need for direct damage with Goblin Cleaver)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

Took out Sword that was Broken and the 2 copies of Mighty Prowess. As good as Mighty Prowess is direct attack boost from Dunedain Mark is simply better and more effective, as well as this the Marks can be moved and have no restrictions either. Sword that was broken is just not needed anymore with the tweaking these decks have had done to them; as they both provide impressive willpower boosts and benefits with cards like Faramir, Celebrians Stone, Gildor, Arwen, both Elrond and Gildors Counsel etc. It also trims the high cost leadership cards a bit more allowing for Elrohir to use them with his readying ability more often.

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit (Rivendell's Finest)

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Loragorn - 12

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 30

Allies: (15)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Ithilien Archer

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Haldir of Lorien

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (17)

2x - Burning Brand

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

2x - Self Preservation

3x - Ranger Spikes

1x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Forest Snare

Events: (18)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

3x - The White Council

Sideboard: (6)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes)

3x - Healing Herbs(replaces forest snare/ranger spikes)

Wingfoot, Anborn and one copy of Burning Brand were removed. Burning Brand, whilst fantastic too often sits in my hand the majority of each game while I play other more useful cards. In most situations Elrohir and allies do the majority of defending making burning brand obsolete, in the rare cases it is used I often have 2 copies in my hand anyway cause of its x3. I therefore removed just the 1 as having one for Aragorn or Elrond just in case is still very very useful. Anborn is just not good enough for 4 in this already slow deck and Wingfoot is just not so great. The White Council is amazing and can allow first turn Steward of Gondor for the other deck and is also a fantastic save in nasty combat situations readying Aragorn, Glorfindel or Elrond for use for this deck and adding a resource to Elrohir or Elladan allowing them to defend/attack an extra time (essentially providing an extra action/ready for both decks). It provides card draw which both decks lack (albeit only one card) and is just all round useful for anything that needs readying effects (escape tests etc) or any situation where you really need to play a specific card but do not have the resources (for example using Glorfindels spirit resources to play The White Council to put a resource on Aragorn or Elrond to play that Forest Snare or Gildors Counsel you need to use now not next turn. Still don't have Dunland trap just yet so running proxies of all the new cards.

Pretty happy with these latest changes and have already smashed several quests with these newest iterations

As per this thread: http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/110715-close-call-value-of-x/

I want to give The Wizards Voice a try and see how it performs in my tactics and leadership deck

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)
Heroes:
Legolas - 9
Elladan - 10
Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (18)

3x - Gandalf (Core)
3x - Envoy of Pelargir
3x - Booming Ent
3x - Naith Guide
3x - Gondorian Spearman
1x - Treebeard
1x - Faramir
1x - Beorn

Attachments: (21)
1x - Black Arrow
3x - Dunedain Warning
3x - Steward of Gondor
3x - Gondorian Shield
3x - Rivendell Blade
3x - Dagger of Westernesse
2x - Rivendell Bow

3x - Dunedain Mark

Events: (11)
3x - Feint
3x - Sneak Attack

3x - The Wizards Voice
2x - Ever Vigilant

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

So firstly I've actually been running the x3 of Close Call in the sideboard instead of Goblin Cleaver since receiving Dunland Trap. Since then due to the above linked thread I wanted to try out The Wizards Voice. I therefore replaced Close Call with The Wizards Voice. This however wasn't enough as The Wizards voice seems very powerful (albeit at quite a heavy cost) and should be in the deck full stop not simply a sideboard card so I removed Goblin Cleaver (very rarely subbed in) altogether and then had to find 3 further cards to take out. I went with Landroval (who is too expensive and very often sits in hand too long or till the end of game), Rivendell Bow (which is amazing but only one is ever really needed so only having 2 copies isnt much of a set back) and Celebrians Stone.

Since Elven Mail was spoiled then released in The Three Trials I've actually been using it in my tactics/leadership deck to GREAT effect. I also took out Beorn (cost is simply too high) for Rumil.

Here are the new deck listings now that The Three Trials is out as well as some new changes based on spoilers for Trouble in Tharbad thus far:

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)
Heroes:
Legolas - 9
Elladan - 10
Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (18)

3x - Gandalf (Core)
3x - Envoy of Pelargir
3x - Booming Ent
3x - Naith Guide
3x - Gondorian Spearman
1x - Treebeard
1x - Faramir
1x - Rumil

Attachments: (24)
1x - Black Arrow
3x - Dunedain Warning
3x - Steward of Gondor
3x - Gondorian Shield
3x - Rivendell Blade
3x - Dagger of Westernesse
2x - Rivendell Bow

3x - Dunedain Mark

3x - Elven Mail

Events: (9)
3x - Feint
3x - Sneak Attack

3x - The Wizards Voice

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

As awesome as Ever Vigilant was for Treebeard, Gandalf and Faramir; it was pretty much never used for Gandalf or Faramir and was always paired with playing an Ent (usually Booming Ent). As soon as a better tactics ally that costs 2 is revealed however I will be taking Booming Ent out (but keeping Treebeard, he is AWESOME with or without other Ent allies). As well as this as good as Ever Vigilant is it uses a leadership resource which could instead be saved for Elrohir to defend an additional time and he can defend much better than a Booming Ent or even Treebeard for that matter. The card is good but better cards could take its place and now have, in the form of Elven Mail. Also another thing to note is that this deck is now actually 51 cards not 50 but 1 extra card is really not a big deal and I have nothing I want to take out so I am leaving it like this for the time being.

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit (Rivendell's Finest)

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Loragorn - 12 // Haldir Of Lorien - 9

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 30/ 27

Allies: (15)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Ithilien Archer

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Haldir of Lorien

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (17)

2x - Burning Brand

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

2x - Self Preservation

3x - Ranger Spikes

1x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Forest Snare

Events: (18)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

3x - The White Council

Sideboard: (6)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes)

3x - Lembas (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes)

Essentially all I've done recently to this deck is remove Healing Herbs for Lembas which was just spoiled for Trouble in Tharbad. Healing 4 damage (3+1 from Elrond) is more or less as much as you'll need to heal considering most heroes only have 5 health tops (6 health on Elrohir when he has Elven Mail equipped) so it more or less does the same thing as healing herbs but instead of having to exhaust the attached character... you ready them.... so a readying effect and a more or less full heal and it just costs 1 instead of 0. In my opinion it is INFINITELY better.

The other change (or at last potential change) is swapping out Loragorn for Haldir of Lorien.....

My reasoning at this point in time is that Elrohir does the majority of defending for both decks anyway and when this deck needs its own defender Elrond does a fantastic job in that slot anyway. As well as this it would reduce the starting threat of this deck by 3 and allow the other deck to take on even more of a role as the primary defender/attacker of enemies and would also provide another hero starting with ranged that can also kill enemies before they even MAKE attacks! (Haldir's ability). As well as this Haldir still has 3 attack like Aragorn and still has 2 willpower. Also he can have Rivendell Blade unlike Aragorn as well as any other weapons the tactics/leadership deck can put on him.

However when I am questing I quite often will use Elrond if I need to with his 3 willpower and instead save Aragorn for defense duties considering he also has Sentinel and although only 2 defense has 5 hitpoints. This allows me to safely quest with Elrond without saving him for defense when I need to as I have Aragorn as back up. Aragorn also obviously has the threat reset ability which is just amazing. This defense dilemma can possibly be offset by simply saving a chump blocker/ensuring I have Arwen or an Elven Mail out on Elrohir to allow him to defend for both decks/players or even by simply using Haldir (instead of Aragorn) to quest if I need to and saving Elrond as the defender just in case. Haldir would provide 2 willpower just like Aragorn but has lower starting threat. Also with Haldir's ability allowing you to attack and potentially destroy enemies before they can make attacks there would hopefully overall be less attacks that need defending with Haldir in play. Finally if I do put Haldir in I can take out the ally version and potentially two other cards to make Lembas a permanent part of this deck rather than just a sideboard card, 4 healing and a readying effect for 1 resource is amazing and could even help provide an extra ready and heal to a defender which actually helps with the whole issue of taking Aragorn out as well! I could also put Wingfoot back in the deck for Haldir....

To summarize I'll provide a quick list of what I perceive to be the pros and cons of swapping Aragorn for Haldir, anyone who has any advice or recommendations feel free to post them. In fact I encourage you to, I need to figure out how good an idea this is!!! If you have other cards you would also add to facilitate the swap from Aragorn to Haldir feel free to include them as well and what you would remove for them. Any ideas of what other two cards you would remove for the other two copies of Lembas (other than Haldir ally) would also be fantastic.

Pros:
-For three less starting threat Haldir provides the same attack and questing stat as Aragorn

-Three less starting threat makes the tactics/leadership deck have a higher starting threat than this one for once which allows it to even more so embrace its role as the primary defender/attacker and combat deck and would allow this deck to engage less enemies (which would help Haldir be able to use his ability more often)

-One more Hero with ranged from the start
-Makes all 6 Heroes Noldor or Silvan making the decks much more thematic and true Elvish decks

-Haldir's ability can potentially kill a smaller enemy at the start of the combat phase (and before it can attack) any round this deck does not engage an enemy and can even be used to finish off nastier foes before they get to make a final attack (even player card immune ones) provided they have low health left and Haldir has a Rivendell Blade and/or other weapons attached

-Still has the ranger trait (for all those awesome ranger benefits)

Cons:
-One less hero with Sentinel from the start

-Two less hitpoints that can used to soak archery damage etc (Glorfindel would have to do this on his own)

-No threat reset ability

-One less potential defender (1 def and 3 health means he will more or less never be defending an attack)

I swapped in Haldir and took out Loragorn for three games just to see how it would run. I played Journey Down the Anduin, Massing at Osgiliath and Nightmare Seventh Level. Smashed all three and Haldir was so powerful/fun to play with that I decided to do at least a few more before making any decisions.

I then played Return to Mirkwood to try a quest that raises your threat alot from many different encounter effects, the main one being gollum who raises the threat of whichever deck is guarding him by 3 at the end of each round. Normally this deck handles guarding him the majority of the time because of Loragorns threat reset except for stage 2 sometimes as this is the main questing deck so can easily push through stage 2 in one turn (the exception to this being if the tactics/leadership deck has a gandalf in hand in which case gandalf and other allies can quest for that deck to get through stage 2) and on occasion for just a turn or so during stage 3 so that this deck can play cards from its hand once or twice and its hand doesn't get completely locked up the whole time I'm on stage 3.
The tactics deck threated out on the first attempt. Second attempt I breezed through even with all the threat gain. I also took out x3 The White Counsel and put in x3 Free to Choose also spoiled in Trouble in Tharbad. This card was so so good canceling an 8 threat gain from Gollum's Anguish on one occasion and simply cancelling the 3 threat gained from guarding Gollum himself on another occasion. The deck held up pretty **** well against a threat intensive quest without Loragorn simply due to the 3 less starting threat and x3 copies of Free to Choose. The only issue is Free to Choose will be almost useless or very underpowered in certain quests that feature little to no threat gain and will be wasted on a card that simply has doomed 1 or 2. This means I need to find a sideboard replacement for Free to Choose, perhaps the new spirit silvan ally yet to be revealed lowers your threat in a different way that could be useful for all quests and would also provide an additional quester/body. This would be a perfect sideboard card for free to choose. I also removed Self Preservation and the Haldir ally (obviously) and put in x3 Lembas which I have wanted to include in the deck properly since seeing it instead of having it as just a sideboard card which was my initial decision. The fact it provides a readying effect as well as healing is simply invaluable and even if it costs 1 compared to 0 cost cram I can see myself using it on many occasions simply for its readying effect which is still pretty good for one resource. Any time I use it to both heal someone and ready them to defend an otherwise potentially game ending attack it will be utter gravy.

I also played a game of Conflict at the Carrock which these decks often had trouble against purely due to the troll that makes each troll raise the defending players threat by 3 when it attacks. I easily beat this quest with the new version of this deck and Haldir was amazing helping Leoglas bring down the first and second troll and killed the weakened third one with his ability before it could make an attack.

After these very promising results I have decided to more or less never look back and Haldir is officially the new hero in this deck instead of aragorn.

His ability provides an opportunity on any turn that this deck does not engage an enemy to either kill an enemy already engaged with the other player (stopping it from making an attack) which could be a small enemy or an already weakened stronger/boss enemy OR damage/kill an enemy in the staging area. How good this actually was in certain quests such as Journey Down the Anduin and Seventh Level against enemies that are either snipers/archers and stay in the staging area but have low armour/hitpoints or are simply low armour/hitpoints but high attack enemies was crazy. On certain occasions even with multiple enemies in staging if the other deck was the first player it could optionally engage an enemy and then the others would also engage it due to this decks new lower threat level. Haldir would then kill one of those enemies immediately with his ability taking one enemy attack and shadow card away for the turn as well, insanely good.

By adding Free to Choose to somewhat make up for the threat reset of Aragorn and adding Lembas to provide a readying effect and healing to somewhat make up for the additional hitpoints Aragorn has over Haldir, and the fact I'm losing a defender has more or less offset all the cons of making this hero change. The very fact Haldirs ability often kills an enemy before it can attack also adds towards helping make up for the loss of a defender as with Haldir there are less enemy attacks overall made in every game. The only issue left now is the sideboard card for Free to Choose and renaming the deck! It certainly isn't Rivendells Finest anymore considering Haldir is from Lothlorien not Imladris/Rivendell!

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Haldir Of Lorien - 9

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 27

Allies: (14)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Ithilien Archer

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (18)

2x - Burning Brand

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

3x - Ranger Spikes

1x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Forest Snare

3x - Lembas

Events: (18)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

3x - Free to Choose

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes)

Daeron's Runes would be a good sideboard for Free to Choose.

Thank you! Very good point considering card draw is one of the few weaknesses of my decks.

Yea, and if you're not worried about threat much, Deep Knowledge would help both decks.

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Haldir Of Lorien - 9

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 27

Allies: (14)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Ithilien Archer

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (18)

2x - Burning Brand

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

3x - Ranger Spikes

1x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Forest Snare

3x - Lembas

Events: (18)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

3x - Free to Choose

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes/free to choose)

3x - Daeron's Runes (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes/free to choose)

Went with the decision to include Daeron's Runes as an extra sideboard card for this deck. This allows me to take out Free to Choose for quests that include very little to no threat gain/importance. I can also keep free to choose in and put daeron's runes in instead of ranger spikes/forest snare if either need to come out due to the quest having mainly attachment immune enemies eg: Nazgul. This gives this deck a bit more versatility and some much needed card draw which it has more or less none of. The discard part of Daeron's Runes is quite easily offset by all the multiple copies of unique cards. You can simply pitch your second copy of Light of Valinor/Asfaloth/Arwen with no real worry (obviously unless the copy in play is destroyed!).

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)
Heroes:
Legolas - 9
Elladan - 10
Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (19)

3x - Gandalf (Core)
3x - Envoy of Pelargir
3x - Naith Guide
3x - Gondorian Spearman

3x - Trollshaw Scout
1x - Treebeard
1x - Faramir
2x - Rumil

Attachments: (22)

1x - Black Arrow
3x - Dunedain Warning
3x - Steward of Gondor
3x - Gondorian Shield
3x - Rivendell Blade
3x - Dagger of Westernesse
3x - Dunedain Mark

3x - Elven Mail

Events: (9)
3x - Feint
3x - Sneak Attack

3x - The Wizards Voice

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

I also made some minor adjustments to this deck as well. I took out the two Rivendell Bows as with Haldir I now have two ranged heroes from the start of any quest who also happen to be my two main attackers. As good as the bow still is on Glorfindel when he also has Light of Valinor equipped he is more or less the only target for it now. Elladan unless severely needed for extra attack power is almost always used for questing and Legolas and Haldir are kept back for attacking duty. This means a bow on him is wasted most of the time as he is only used for certain attacks not attacks throughout the whole game. Its wasted on Haldir or Legolas as it would only give them +1 attack and only when performing ranged attacks. They get enough of a buff from the Rivendell Blades, Dunedain Marks and Daggers of Westernesse.
It may be great on Glorfindel but with both Haldir and Legolas now being part of my lineup this is rarely something I'll need as they alone are usually more than enough to take out most enemies and Glorfindel can still help decimate enemies engaged with his deck.

I replaced the two bows with another copy of Rumil bringing this deck from 51 back down to 50 cards.

Rumil is just a superb ally being able to quest for 2 as a tactics ally and for this deck is fantastic, 2 ranged attack is pretty decent (3 would obviously be nicer but he is just an ally after all) and his ability is great doing 2 damage always thanks to Legolas. Now the addition of a second copy of Rumil is actually also due to the other change I made.

I changed x3 Booming Ent to x3 Trollshaw Scout. Trollshaw Scout can attack the turn he is played and also has ranged. Yes he gets discarded if he attacks and you don't discard a card but you can use this to get rid of extra/unique cards in your hand or cards you may not need. He can even just be used as a chump blocker if needed or can simply sit in play until hes really needed or to buff playing Rumil. If you have even just the one in play when you play Rumil his ability will do 3 damage instead of just 2, if you were to have 2 on the field you could take out a 4 hit point enemy instantly and with just Rumils enter play ability! This bonus to Rumils ability combined with their cheap 2 cost, the fact they have 2 hit points so wont just instantly die to 1 damage to all allies encounter effects and their ability to attack multiple times so long as you discard cards is what led me to swapping them in. I can see them being awesome for quests where in the last stage there is a large ambush of enemies you must defeat to win, just discard several cards and a Trollshaw can provide +2 attack against every enemy. They will also be useful for any quests that feature hand size hate such as Fords of Isen.

As happy as I am with these changes I know already that some are almost just place holders until other cards come out; the second copy of Rumil for example will be swapped with Orophin or another Unique leadership/tactics ally with a powerful ability and the x3 copies of Trollshaw Scout will undoubtedly be changed to whatever tactics silvan ally is eventually revealed and released during the current Ring Maker cycle unless somehow Trollshaw Scout is better (I really don't see this being the case however).

As happy as I am with these changes I know already that some are almost just place holders until other cards come out; the second copy of Rumil for example will be swapped with Orophin or another Unique leadership/tactics ally with a powerful ability and the x3 copies of Trollshaw Scout will undoubtedly be changed to whatever tactics silvan ally is eventually revealed and released during the current Ring Maker cycle unless somehow Trollshaw Scout is better (I really don't see this being the case however).

Rumil is the "tactics silvan ally" you're referring to. I don't think we'll see another one. Also, Orophin's ability might not come in all that handy outside of a Silvan deck (at least if we're correct in what we assume it to be: "Ranged. Response : After Orophin enters play, return a Silvan ally from your discard pile to your hand."). Though since he is (potentially) ranged, he might help Rumil out and his cost of 3 isn't too bad for 2 willpower in Leadership. Could be useful to bring back Rumil or Naith Guide.

If you really wanna build up Rumil's ability, some Vassals of the Windlord would be something nice to sneak in, though I'm not sure what I'd remove for them.

As happy as I am with these changes I know already that some are almost just place holders until other cards come out; the second copy of Rumil for example will be swapped with Orophin or another Unique leadership/tactics ally with a powerful ability and the x3 copies of Trollshaw Scout will undoubtedly be changed to whatever tactics silvan ally is eventually revealed and released during the current Ring Maker cycle unless somehow Trollshaw Scout is better (I really don't see this being the case however).

Rumil is the "tactics silvan ally" you're referring to. I don't think we'll see another one. Also, Orophin's ability might not come in all that handy outside of a Silvan deck (at least if we're correct in what we assume it to be: "Ranged. Response : After Orophin enters play, return a Silvan ally from your discard pile to your hand."). Though since he is (potentially) ranged, he might help Rumil out and his cost of 3 isn't too bad for 2 willpower in Leadership. Could be useful to bring back Rumil or Naith Guide.

If you really wanna build up Rumil's ability, some Vassals of the Windlord would be something nice to sneak in, though I'm not sure what I'd remove for them.

Nah we'll be getting another tactics silvan ally. Notice Orophin is not the leadership ally? Naith Guide is.

Cost of 3 for 2 willpower plus ranged plus 2 attack is pretty **** good I reckon and yeah exactly could be good just for Naith Guide/Rumil/whatever the tactics non unique silvan ally is.

I've always been tempted to put some Vassals in but probably won't. Use to run an eagles deck and got very sick of it lol

I'm actually tempted to put in 3x Dunedain Hunter just revealed in Lost Realm.... when this deck is setup to handle combat one more engaged enemy doesn't matter if it means I get to put a 3 attack 3 health ally into play for free. So long as Elrohir is resourced up and can block an additional foe it has almost no drawback. Whats more like the article says it stops When Revealed effects, stops the enemy from contributing its threat to questing etc and with Legolas as part of my team as well, actively pulling and defeating weaker enemies helps make progress tokens as well. Kind of seems like the perfect fit for my deck!!!!! Will have to wait until the tactics ally (which I assure you we will see) is revealed to see which may be better in this deck.

Thanks heaps for your advice though dude, sorry if I sound at all unappreciative or anything, really dig your feedback

This is a forum. We're just discussing our opinions back and forth, which is the point. You took my advice about Daeron's Runes. Besides, the more I talk/type about something, the more I start to see that I might be the person who is wrong, so by the time I'm done writing a message I'm debating about whether or not to hit the "Post" button.

A few new changes to both decks to both make them more thematic and powerful:

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Haldir Of Lorien - 9

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 27

Allies: (14)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Galadhrim Minstrel

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (18)

2x - Burning Brand

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

3x - Ranger Spikes

1x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Forest Snare

3x - Lembas

Events: (18)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

3x - Free to Choose

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes/free to choose)

3x - Daeron's Runes (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes/free to choose)

Changed the Ithilien Lookouts to Galadhrim Minstrels for several reasons. First off shes much more fitting in my elven decks than the Rangers. Secondly she only costs 2 and Ithilien Lookout costs 3 and is most often used as an additional quester anyway even though he does have an impressive 2 attack and they both have 1 willpower. Either can be used as a chump blocker to more or less the same effect and the Minstrels effect seems better for this deck. Also the minstrels cheaper cost fits well with trying to reduce the overall costs of all cards in this deck, too often it is far slower than the other deck and being able to play an ally card even that one turn faster is invaluable in many scenarios. The minstrel can be used to provide an additional quester or chump blocker and procure an event card for two resources in place of the lookouts ability failing and him being a chump blocker/quester to the same effect but for one more resource. The only thing going for the Lookout is his additional hitpoint guarding against nasty treacheries. Lastly as useful as the Lookout's ability is it very often does not trigger as there is not always an enemy at the top of the encounter deck, the minstrels ability may similarly fail sometimes but searching the top 5 cards of a 60 card deck that has 18 event cards (sometimes 21 or even 24 if playing a quest where trap attachments are useless and swapped with sideboard event cards) is almost always going to procure an event for you. How powerful this could potentially be if she fetches you a Gildors Counsel or even Test of Will that you can then immediately use or use during staging to make questing that round much easier and less treacherous is actually VERY impressive. She can also procure a Galahadrims Greeting or Elronds Counsel at at time you desperately need threat reduction or can even procure a Power of Orthanc to help rid you of a nasty condition attachment (or two) that may otherwise lead you to loss. This potential and ability to do so many things (regardless of likelihood) is far better than simply being able to "bypass" an enemy so long as it is on top of the encounter deck.
I can definitely see her saving me from many bad situations in the future by providing one of the many very strong event cards that power this deck at at time I would otherwise not have that card and potentially lose/begin down the path to defeat because I could not reduce my threat, cancel a treachery/shadow card or simply reveal only a single card during an encounter phase to provide a much needed breather.

I find that the newly spoiled Dunedain Hunter (which I'm now using in the other deck!) does a much better job than Ithilien Lookout by pulling a relatively weak (or even strong so long as you have the means to deal with it) enemy from the top 5 cards of the encounter deck and putting it straight into play with you negating its when revealed effects, surge if it has it and stopping it from contributing its threat to questing/staging. Once you've dealt with this, 7 or 8 times out of ten, fairly weak enemy you have a 1 will 3 attack 1 defense 3 hitpoint ally on your side for the rest of the game. If Legolas slays this particular enemy it even helps provide 2 progress points as well.

Deck 1: Tactics/Leadership (Elven Son's)
Heroes:
Legolas - 9
Elladan - 10
Elrohir – 10

Starting threat – 29

Allies: (19)

3x - Gandalf (Core)
3x - Envoy of Pelargir
3x - Naith Guide
3x - Gondorian Spearman

3x - Dunedain Hunter
1x - Treebeard
1x - Faramir
2x - Rumil

Attachments: (22)

1x - Black Arrow
3x - Dunedain Warning
3x - Steward of Gondor
3x - Gondorian Shield
3x - Rivendell Blade
3x - Dagger of Westernesse
3x - Dunedain Mark

3x - Elven Mail

Events: (9)
3x - Feint
3x - Sneak Attack

3x - The Wizards Voice

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Blade of Gondolin (replaces Dagger of Westernesse)

Replaced Trollshaw Scout (did not even play a single game with them once I saw, actually realized the potential of and instead put in the Hunters) with Dunedain Hunter. This ally has so far (I've played 11 games with them in the deck) proved to be AMAZINGLY good for this deck. Only once have I ever used him and not one enemy was revealed in the top five cards and he went to the discard pile, because he costs nothing though this wasn't that bad at all. Only once have I used him and he pulled a quite large quite nasty enemy I wouldn't really want to have engaged that early but because I had a feint in hand I was able to stop it from attacking that turn and was able to kill it the next so it was only able to attack once which I was able to defend against the following turn fairly easily.

EVERY other time I have used this ally in a game he has pulled an enemy that has a nasty when revealed effect or had surge cancelling that immediately or has simply pulled one of the weakest enemies in that particular quest, examples include: King Spider (stopping a VERY nasty when revealed), Snaga Scouts (very weak enemy), Goblin Spearman (very weak enemy), Goblin Archer (stopping its effects completely and its very weak), Black Uruks (fairly weak), Forest Flies (stopping when revealed and a very weak enemy), Cavern Guardian (very weak), Dol Guldur Orcs (stopping when revealed and very weak), Goblin Follower (stopping it from engaging the other deck in some situations), Goblin Runners (stopping surge and weak enemy).

I can see the one in a million chance of his ability going very wrong, Hummerhorns or Goblin Prowler for example! Instantly having to deal 5 damage to a hero or having to discard an ally is pretty **** nasty. I haven't had anything like this happen yet though and for quests like Road to Rivendell (plenty of nasty forced effects from engaging enemies with ambush) it may be worth looking for a good sideboard card for the Hunter. I can't think of very many enemies or quests that have when you engage effects that are nasty enough to have to take the hunter out for except for perhaps Road to Rivendell and the Hummerhorns/Orc Prowler/Shadow Dweller.

Because this deck has x3 feint, x3 wizards voice and such an epic powerhouse defender in the form of buffed up Elrohir this ally is probably my new favorite. Been using him to incredibly good effect and like mentioned earlier have only had him not come into play once and pull a nasty enemy once. Both times I was easily able to deal with this however and either just didn't get a hunter ally into play for free or had to waste a feint to hold the nasty enemy off but once it was defeated I still had a 3 attack ally for the rest of the game that I didn't have to pay for. Enough raving though

Till the next deck changes! Thanks for reading and hope this helps anyone considering trying the Hunter out!

Cool, i enjoy seeing the refinement even though I don't play 2 handed. If I ever do or play with another player. I'll probably start with these 2 decks since I like the hero selection and style of play.

Have you ever had a friend play the other deck? Just wondering if you ever noticed any difference in how the decks play 2 handed when you call all the shots for both decks, compared to when someone else makes the calls for one of the decks.

Thanks Tracker!

Coming from you, whom many consider a go to guy when it comes to deck building, this makes me feel very proud

I have a couple of times, the first time I mainly showed him how to play and to be honest did kind of tell him what to play most of the time. Just recently I played again with him and didn't instruct him on anything however (except for anything he would try to do that is against the rules etc) and not only did he do pretty well but the deck performed more or less as well as ever also. He plays Magic so got used to the rules pretty quickly (the basics and all you need to know to play most quests at least) which allowed him to understand when and how to use most cards though so after a game or two he was questing with more or less the same characters I would each round and playing cards and defending/attacking/preparing in more or less the same manner I would.

In fact on one particular occasion for The Three Trials he decided to use Arwen's ability on Elrond (who had burning branch attached) instead of Elrohir (Elrohir had Steward, Shield, Warnings, Elven Mail so already had Sentinel) even though he knew I had Elrohir prepared to defend all attacks (resources piled high on him) for both of us and I had been doing so for the majority of the game so far. By buffing Elrond instead he was defending the Boar Guardian every turn with him eliminating shadow cards, he figured that although Elrohir was more capable of defending and Elrond could also attack if he wasn't used for defending that by using Elrond instead we automatically avoided a certain amount of shadow effects which may result in additional attacks or exhaustion of characters (which can be devastating for the tactics/leadership deck) and there would be less strain on Elrohir's resources. I personally would have simply buffed Elrohir but having a second backup defender that cancels the shadow card for the attack he defends was actually a really good idea and I believe one or two nasty shadow effects were avoided this way included one that would have provided an extra guardian attack.

Both times he used the lore/spirit decks but this was when the hero line-up was Loragorn, Elrond and Glorfindel so next time I play with him I will need to explain (hopefully he will more or less understand for himself) Haldir's ability. He chose this deck as it sounded more fun to him and I was secretly worried about him using the Tactics deck just because of Elrohir and Elladan's abilities and their importance to surviving a scenario anyway. I should get him to use this deck as well however at some point just so he learns the rules even more so. It is admittedly my favorite to play with although I do love both.

So yeah they play very similarly but that mainly has to do with the fact the person I played with was taught the game by me and the first time we played I showed him a lot of what to play and really should have let him make his own mistakes. Because of this he probably plays the deck in a very similar way to what I would. I'd love to play with these two decks with someone experienced with this game, me using the lore/spirit deck even and providing all the support/healing etc whilst watching the other player destroy most nasty foes! Hopefully my friend stays interested and we play a bit more often and he ends up using both decks at various points and developing his own way of using both.

Oh and if you do ever decide to try them out let me know how you go

Deck 2: Lore/Spirit

Heroes:
Elrond - 13

Haldir Of Lorien - 9

Glorfindel (spirit) – 5

Starting threat – 27

Allies: (14)

3x - Arwen Undomiel

3x - Galadhrim Minstrel

3x - Warden of Healing

3x - Northern Tracker

1x - Gildor Inglorion

1x - Henamarth Riversong

Attachments: (18)

1x - Wingfoot

3x - Asfaloth

3x - Light of Valinor

3x - Ranger Spikes

2x - Unexpected Courage

3x - Forest Snare

3x - Lembas

Events: (18)

3x - A Test of Will

3x - Elrond's Counsel

3x - Hasty Stroke

3x - Galahadrim's Greeting

3x - Gildor's Counsel

3x - Free to Choose

Sideboard: (3)
3x - Power of Orthanc (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes/free to choose)

3x - Daeron's Runes (replaces forest snare/ranger spikes/free to choose)

Another deck change that is quite a big deal for this deck. Took out the two Burning Brands and put in another copy of Unexpected Courage and a copy of Wingfoot. Long rant to follow

First off why I took out Burning Brand: Now Burning Brand is an insanely good card, shadow effects can sometimes be some of the nastiest effects in a quest and even when they aren't they are always troublesome. Whether its an extra attack, a boost to attack that will result in your defenders death, exhaustion of a character (you may have been planning to use for defense or even to attack the foe and kill it that round), threat raise or even discarding an attachment or card from your card it is always bad news and a big threat to your victory. An attachement that only costs 2 that cancels ALL SHADOW CARD EFFECTS dealt to enemies defended by the attached character is clearly crazily good. The issue is it has to go on a lore character.

Now with my two decks the majority of defending is always left up to Elrohir as with his built in readying effect for every resource he has; once you put Gondorian Shield, Steward of Gondor and Elven Mail/Arwens Buff on him he can defend 3 to 4 attacks every turn for either deck and will have 5 or 6 defense for each of those attacks.
Now this is just an early game setup, in an ideal game I would also put Elven Mail on him (as well as Arwen's Buff) and a Dunedain Warning or two. This is actually not too hard to achieve at all and happens more often than you'd think with x3 copies of every one of these cards (including Arwen, only x3 unique ally I use) in the decks. This means with Steward, Shield, Elven Mail, Arwen and a single Warning he would have 7 Defense and 6 hitpoints. Another very important thing to note is if you wind up with a turn or two mid game where you do not need to use him to defend several attacks and don't need his leadership resources he often gets to around 8 or so resources. This allows him to defend like 8 or 9 attacks in one turn in any sort of final showdown or all out attack situation which many quests feature as the last stage (Journey Down the Anduin, Return to Mirkwood, Battle of Five Armies etc).

Now any time that Elrohir cannot fulfil all defensive duties I have a few alternatives like Gondorian Spearman, Treebeard and Dunedain Hunter. I also sometimes will use an Envoy of Pelargir, Naith Guide or Galadhrim Minstrel as a chump blocker as the main value of these three allies are their enter play effects and once on the board all they really do is quest for 1 or provide a chump block. Treebeard is a fantastic defender and can take most hits and survive. Gondorian Spearman whilst almost always dying from his duties is also a fantastic defender and injures the enemy as well as providing a much needed defense. Sometimes he outright kills 1 hit point enemies or stronger enemies that have been left on one hitpoint before the attack resolves which is just amazing. Dunedain hunter is not a great defender but since using them I've defended several attacks with them and they actually do survive somewhat often if it is a 3 power or less attack.

Now other than these various allies I do indeed sometimes use Elrond as a defender. WIth his 3 defense hes the perfect choice for defense if the spirit/lore deck does not have Elrohir watching its back. He is also the perfect choice for questing pretty much every round as well however with his 3 willpower. As well as this his ability to provide +1 healing for all healing effects and being able to pay for spirit and lore allies is insanely good for these decks (or any really) and he is therefore the last hero you want to bite the dirt so defending with him is actually rather risky.... because of this I will often use him to defend but only ever an attack or two early game (or in desperate situations) until I have Sentinel on Elrohir or some chump blockers set up. This means burning brand triggers on such a rare occasion and only ever once or twice when it is actually used that it is just simply not worth using at all. Elrond is used mainly for questing, Haldir is far too weak for defensive duties and the only other real target for burning brand is Gildor who there is only a single copy of and he costs 5 so very often I play games in which he does not make an appearance.

Now another other option is running Song of Wisdom putting that on Elrohir and then placing burning brand on him as well. This is actually something I tried to run a while back and it is just clunky and unreliable as hell. As powerful as it was it rarely fell together properly and often instead just left me with dead cards in my hand (a burning brand I would not use on Elrond as I was saving it for Elrohir OR a song of wisdom I wouldnt use as I wouldnt want to waste resources if I didnt even have a burning brand to then use afterwards). As well as this while Song of Lore allows burning brand to be put on Elrohir, giving him a lore icon is useless so that part of the cards effect is wasted.
After countless games of not using burning brand (better options every turn) or using it and it doing next to nothing or absolutely nothing all game its finally time to take it out. Without Loragorn it has only become even more unnecessary as he was perhaps its best target with 5 hipoints 2 defense and Sentinel.

Now the replacement cards are just as big a deal as I actually used to run a copy of Wingfoot but removed it within days. I would place it on Lorgaorn and quest with him every turn and then also attack/defend with him so long as I guessed correctly and Wingfoot triggered. I found myself in many a situation where I would actually take a risk and quest with Loragorn when I also needed him for attack/defense and would rely upon Wingfoot triggering. Many times it did not and I copped some nasty undefended attacks. My plan this time is to put it on Elladan.

Now this seems like a much stronger attachment on Elladan (for my decks at least) as for the tactics/leadership deck Legolas attacks and Elrohir defends, and for lore/spirit Haldir also attacks (ranged like Legolas) while Glorfindel quests (and hopefully attacks as well!) and Elrond quests. This often leaves Elladan (even with his fantastic offensive ability) to help out with questing and only for big attacks or sticky situations is he held back as an additional attacker as Haldir and Legolas are usually enough and Elladans 2 willpower helps out bigtime. Similarly weapons pretty much never go on him (except maybe a dunedain mark) and instead go on Legolas and Haldir because they have ranged and awesome offensive abilities of their own. Because Elladan is pretty much always used for questing (or most of the time at least) putting Wingfoot on him will result in him readying alot of the time in cases where you didn't necessarily need him but could very well use him for some extra attack power. Imagine questing with him, wingfoot triggering, he has a few resources on him and can then make an attack against several engaged enemies not just the one!!!! Insane! Even as only a 1x card and one that will not show up in alot of games, readying abilities are nothing to laugh at and it will hopefully prove to be alot stronger on Elladan as a bonus effect rather than on Aragorn as one I would often rely on or plan around. One last thing worth mentioning is the 1 cost of Wingfoot, this deck needs more 1 cost lore cards so that something of value (rather than nothing) can be played the turn before playing a 3 cost Gildors Counsel or Forest Snare. Lembas and Henamarth are fantastic for this and Wingfoot will be too.

The last new card? Everyones friend UNEXPECTED COURAGE!

I have never run more than just the one copy of this card in my entire time playing this game and actually only have the one copy. I bought a package from someone online a while back that included 1 copy of each card you only get 2 copies of in the core set and instantly realised just how necessary a third copy of Steward, Feint, Test of Will, Hasty Stroke etc really is.
I've considered buying something that gives you another copy of every x1 card in the core set but really the only card I would actually use would be Unexpected Courage (and perhaps Henamarth). The cheapest I've seen this sort of product go for is about 20 bucks and I ain't spending 20 bucks to get a copy of unexpected courage. Instead I'm going to proxy it and just run it as a proxy forever. Its a single card and I already run alot of proxies of upcoming player cards such as Treebeard, Dunedain Hunter, Galadhrim Minstrel, Free to Choose and Lembas. These will all get replaced with the real thing when its released like all my older proxies have but Unexpected Courage will just stay a proxy forever.

If I'm proxying it why aren't I simply proxying two and puttting them in for a total of 3 copies you ask?

Well first off the deck is primarily lore so an extra 2 cost spirit card is not exactly ideal. As well as this there has been much debate about this card and some people swear by it and run x3 in almost every deck and others do not run it at all and think it should never have been made. Personally I've only ever run the one mainly because I do not have other copies but do agree its pretty powerful not being unique and only costing 2. I therefore decided to just include the one extra copy as this way I will see at least 1 copy of it in alot more games than I currently do (almost never to be honest) but will rarely get to use more than one copy.

Many recent losses have been purely due to one last attack I could not defend.... having an extra ready on Elrohir or if I have defense sorted but can't kill enemies fast enough an extra ready on Legolas/Haldir could be the difference in those many games between victory and defeat.
Even with as much love, effort and time I've put into these decks they are no outlands or dwarf decks but still pretty dang powerful, hopefully including these two cheap and versatile extra ways to ready heroes will make this deck a fair bit stronger and potentially minimize those situations where I lose pretty much due to one last attack I can't defend or one specific enemy I really need to clear ASAP but can't.

Great job, as usual. Good analysis of Burning Brand and the meaning of having x3 key cards. I came to similar conclusions: on BB long time ago, when I unsuccessfully tried to build mono lore Rangers deck; on x3 of UC and others recently, when I moved to OCTGN with my playing - definitely game changing.

I've just started playing 2 handed more regularly, while it's fun and more effective, it makes my brain hurt and takes much longer!

The reason I'm doing it more is because I wanted to try out these Silvan decks:

Celeborn/Mirlonde/Haldir

Galadriel/Glorfindel/Legolas

The Spirit/Tactics deck doesn't really have enough Silvan synergy to be really working yet. The Lore/Lead deck is much more effective. This will hopefully change with the release of Spirit and Tactics Silvan allies.

I actually ended up changing the focus of the Spirit/Tactics deck to Eagles and it worked much better. Now it's Galadriel/Beregond/Legolas.