I was going to resist posting any Gandalf deck until we had the cards in hand, but I was tempted by Mich, and I'm weak.

Here is a deck I put together and play tested on a few NM scenarios with good success. It really does not revolve around any theme, i just wanted to make a decent deck while seeing how the mechanics of the new Gandalf card work.

Outlands right away came to mind as a way to to have 3 of the best allies for outlands deck represented with basically a lore spirit deck. 1 cost knight of the swan could be played by gandalf and attack issues for tough enemies would be solved, while also having strong questing from spirit, and hp buff from lore ally. Blah, blah, blah. Typical outlands stuff but it works for this deck and I get the most bang for my buck in essentially a duel sphere deck.

Other things, Gildor will get cards you can not play from hand back to the top of the deck to play. Gandalf is really the star of the deck. He get's all 3 unexpected courage, burning brand when played from top of the deck, and a Protector of Lorien to buff defense if needed. He is the main defender, but really when set up properly will contribute his stats to every phase that needs them.

I look forward to exploring more of the thematic decks that can be built with Gandalf, but this was the first thing that came to mind, since i was eager to get a feel for how he plays, and I'm not disappointed at all. Great new hero that brings a totally new and unique way to build decks and play the game. It's exactly what a wizard like Gandalf should be.

Deck Created with CardGameDB.com The Lord of the Rings Deckbuilder

Total Cards: (50)

Hero: (3)

1x Bifur (Khazad-dum)

1x Glorfindel (Foundations of Stone)

x1 Gandalf

Ally: (14)

3x Anfalas Herdsman (The Steward's Fear)

3x Ethir Swordsman (The Steward's Fear)

3x Knights of the Swan (The Steward's Fear)

3x Gildor Inglorion (The Hills of Emyn Muil)

2x Arwen Undomiel (The Watcher in the Water)

Attachment: (18)

3x Unexpected Courage (Core Set)

3x Expert Treasure-hunter (On the Doorstep)

2x A Burning Brand (Conflict at the Carrock)

3x Light of Valinor (Foundations of Stone)

3x Gandalf's Staff

2x Asfaloth (Foundations of Stone)

2x Protector of Lorien (Core Set)

Event: (18)

2x Flame of Anor

2x Word of Command (The Long Dark)

3x Dwarven Tomb (Core Set)

3x Gaining Strength (The Steward's Fear)

2x A Test of Will (Core Set)

3x Elrond's Counsel (The Watcher in the Water)

3x Daeron's Runes (Foundations of Stone)

I love Gandalf but i think out lands i just to super over power cast. I don't like to play them . they are broken!

I love Gandalf but i think out lands i just to super over power cast. I don't like to play them . they are broken!

So you never use Outlands in NM anymore?

I love Gandalf but i think out lands i just to super over power cast. I don't like to play them . they are broken!

So you never use Outlands in NM anymore?

yes i don't use them anymore....to powerful and to simple strategy...... with my friends group we decide don't use them anymore.

Thanks, Tracker, much appreciated! I do not think I can resist proxying and playing Gandalf now.

yes i don't use them anymore....to powerful and to simple strategy...... with my friends group we decide don't use them anymore.

This is exactly what i like about this game and cardpool. You can always decide not to use certain cards or combo's if you think they are OP'ed. What I would like to see is quest-decks mixing existing encounter sets, say two from the core, one from the premium set (Khazad Dum, Voice of Isengard) or the other way around. These decks could be horrendously difficult, or centered around one game mechanic (Nazgul brawl, Ulug hai brawl, direct damage from location cards slugfest)

Back on topic: Its also quite well possible that the player base seems rather small, because you don't have to form a local player base. I only play solo or with gf/friends yet I but everything LOTR related FFG throws in this direction.