I've always wanted to see how viable a single hero deck would be, and apart from Hirluin and the Outlanders I haven't been able to build anything that could beat more than the easiest quests. However, with the new secrecy support that we've been getting I have improved on one of my old attempts with a single hero deck using Leadership Aragorn.

I have been playing through a variety of quests, and it has performed reasonably well thus far. It is rather fragile at times and certain quests can give headaches early or shut you down with just one card (that dirty "Sacked"). But it has been a fun and challenging experience so I thought I'd share.

Hero

Aragorn (Core Set)

Allies (24)

3x Dunedain Wanderer

3x Rivendell Scout

3x Naith Guide

3x Envoy of Pelargir

2x White Tower Watchman

1x Erestor

1x Faramir

1x Fili

1x Kili

1x Arwen Undomiel

3x Gandalf (Core Set)

Attachments (12)

3x Steward of Gondor

3x Resourceful

2x Celebrian's Stone

2x Sword that was Broken

2x Leaf Brooch

Event (16)

3x Timely Aid

3x Taking Initiative

3x Sneak Attack

2x Strength of Arms

2x Valiant Sacrifice

2x For Gondor!

1x Swift and Silent

The main goal is to start with as much resource acceleration as possible to get over the 1 resource per turn, otherwise the deck is too slow. The little 1/1/0 allies are very weak, but add up quick and help you quest huge late with the Sword that was Broken. Initially the deck had a hard time killing anything big without Gandalf, so I added in the two For Gondors. I have found that Taking Initiative is one of the best cards to have in the opening hand as it is basically 0 cost draw 2 deal 2 damage.

Thoughts?

the Idea of this deck is AMAZING! probably you will have three or more ally very soon; I trade taking the initiaive for more swift and silent for sure!!

I wonder if Sam Gamgee would be more effective than Aragorn. Of course you lose Sword that was Broken and the spirit icon of Celebrian Stone, but you'd have better questing, lower threat, free Bill the Pony, and automatic readying while defending for 4 with Hobbit cloak.

Either way, I'm surprised this deck can work at all. The first few turns must be really rough and threat must increase a lot with the low questing and inability to kill enemies.

I think someone built a pretty good single hero deck with Sam at BGG. You could probably search for it over there.

Looks like it still lacks card draw. The deck can be good if you get the right cards, but the problem is getting the right cards.

I wonder if Sam Gamgee would be more effective than Aragorn. Of course you lose Sword that was Broken and the spirit icon of Celebrian Stone, but you'd have better questing, lower threat, free Bill the Pony, and automatic readying while defending for 4 with Hobbit cloak.

Either way, I'm surprised this deck can work at all. The first few turns must be really rough and threat must increase a lot with the low questing and inability to kill enemies.

I feel like the sword and the stone are the reasons to play Aragorn, they really fix the questing, and let you push through big when you need to, but maybe I'll build a Sam deck see how it compares, an extra free ally can't hurt.

Looks like it still lacks card draw. The deck can be good if you get the right cards, but the problem is getting the right cards.

The early turns and starting hand are definitely fragile, but that's what I expected going in with only one hero. As far as card draw is concerned, there really aren't many efficient options for card draw in Leadership. One thing that surprised me is that I rarely use the Gandalfs for threat reduction, his other abilities are just much more impactful for this type of deck.