x - Legolas

y - Eowyn

z- ELrohir

AA - Aragorn

AB - Elrond

AC - Elanor

AD - Beregond

AE - Denethor

AF- Pippin

AG - Gandalf

AH - Haldir

AI - Galadriel

AJ - Glorfindel

AK - Celeborn

AL - Aragorn

AM - Eomer

x - Legolas

Y - Eowyn

Z - Boromir

AA - Frodo Baggins

AB - Elrond

AC - Boromir

AD - Beregond

AE - Denethor

AF - Sam

AG - Gandalf

AH - Haldir of Lorien

AI - Galadriel

AJ - Mablung

AK - Celeborn

AL - Aragorn

AM - Eomer (vote against Dain)

X - Legolas

Y - Eowyn

Z - Boromir

AA - Aragorn

AB - Elrond

AC - Eleanor

AD - Beregond

AE - Bifur

AF - Sam Gangee

AG - Merry

AH - Haldir of Lorien

AI - Galadriel

AJ - Glorfindel

AK - Gimli

AL - Aragorn

AM - Eomer

X - Legolas - Definitely prefer attacking + progress more than the occasional threat reduction.

Y - Bard - I think Eowyn is more useful. But if we're judging the heroes based on cool-ness, I'd have to say Bard.

Z - Boromir - Doesn't require a counterpart. But, still a hard decision, as neither of them are that great.

AA - Aragorn - More useful in my opinion. Two uses and more health. Of course, the threat is worse, but I don't mind.

AB - Elrond - I do like Thalin... But Elrond has an elven ring.

AC - Eleanor - Sorry, but I do not like Tactics Boromir that much. Eleanor still stands as the only treachery cancellation hero.

AD - Beregond - It's cruel to make me decide between these two! They are both amazing. But I guess I'll have to go with the ultra defender.

AE - Denethor - I do not like Bifur.

AF - Sam Gamgee - Way more useful.

AG - Gandalf - He is amazing. Sorry hobbits, but you already won.

AH - Faramir - Again, this is a matter of who I like better. Haldir is awesome, but Faramir trumps him in the cool-ness field.

AI - BEORN - All the way. Hands down. Let us crown the Shapeshifter as 2014's champion!

AJ - Mablung - I only use Glorfindel because he is kind of a cheater. But Mablung is not a cheater, and I congratulate him.

AK - Gimli - Both are useful, but Gimli's soak-age + becoming stronger is still better than a temporary ally boost.

AL - Aragorn - I don't like Hama.

AM - Eomer - Sorry Dain. You are my favorite dwarf. But you're kind of like Glorfindel. Let's give others a chance.

X – Legolas – I love threat reduction, so this is a tough choice. Legolas barely gets the edge due to his versatility in a lot of decks rather than being forced into the dwarf archtype

Y – Eowyn – Eowyn struggled a bit in the Heirs of Numenor cycle but has re-ascended since into a hero I am tempted to put in every deck

Z – Elrohir – I don’t see the appeal in leadership Boromir and don’t understand the high seed. I at least seriously think about putting an Elrohir deck together occasionally. Every time leadership Boromir even crosses my mind, I replace him with either Imrahil or Aragorn.

AA – Frodo – Leadership Aragorn gets attention from me but is usually cut for other options. I don’t build with Frodo as much anymore (saga expansions don’t help), but he still gets the nod.

AB – Elrond -

AC – Boromir -

AD – Beregond – It took me a while to fall in love with Beregond. But with shadow chaining being less common in the material from the past year, he is a god send. Imrahil is great too and would win for me over many of the other pairs on this list in this round (cough Z cough)

AE – Bifur – Bifur is great deck glue. The rise of hero Gandalf and the Silvan deck give him additional uses. Denethor never seems to fit into any deck that I want to build.

AF - Sam Gangee – This matchup is unfair. I could make a case that lore Pippen is a top 5 or 10 hero since he is an immensely useful engine character that provides decent value in his 2 questing. But Sam is a stud.

AG – Gandalf – It is refreshing to play decks that operate completely different than everything else. And he is powerful.

AH - Haldir of Lorien – Faramir is another hero that never finds his way into my decks. Haldir is really powerful to build around.

AI – Beorn – The king of early survivability versus the queen of anti-early survivability. Awesome. This game is decided in the early rounds and I think Galadriel is overrated since she needs to be carefully built around (oddly Beorn makes a good Galadriel body guard).

AJ - Glorfindel

AK – Celeborn

AL – Aragorn -

AM – Dain Ironfoot – Eomer is another popular hero that doesn’t find his way into my decks. Perhaps I will discover him one day. Until then, all hail Dain.

Ok so before I make my vote for the second round just some thoughts on the first:

1) Eowyn stomped Dwalin pretty bad! That chic will win second round without a doubt but I hope and think will have a third round exit

2) Elrohir beating Thorin was kind of an upset in my opinion, would have never guessed that.

3) Frodo made short work of Hirluin. Thats good, kepp outlands aside, they're boring.

4) Eleanor upseting Balin is great news! But I guess she will get stomped in round 2 unfortunetly.

5) Pippin vs Idraen was close but Sam will beet him in the battle of the Hobbits is my guess

6) Haldir vs Faramir will be interesting because in deck building at least for me it's often a hard choice between these two when I have to pick a ranged lore hero

7) Beorn vs Galadriel as I expected. Will be a tough matchup for the bear

8) Poor Gimli has to go against Celeborn. I feel bad for the dwarf....

9) Hama beating Grima. What can I say SarumanDK still alive?!

I left the two most exiting matchups out of the list but will comment on them now. PLEASE guys don't would for broken Glorfindel. Get over him! Mablung is a fantastic hero and I relaly hope he can pull of the upset in round 2!

Same with Eomer against Dain. I have some love for dwarf decks too but Eomer is sooo much more fun to play!

Also I'm predicting a Legolas vs. Gandalf final!

Coming up is my vote.

X - Legolas (Any question here? I think not. For me Legolas will go all the way this year again! Absolutly my favorite hero)

Y - Eowyn (This round will belong to her. Said that she has to face Legolas in round 3....)

Z - Boromir (Le) (Elrohir lost his brother in round 1 and without him he isn't that good of a hero )

AA - Frodo (Tough call but I play Frodo more often then Aragorn these days. Would have choosen Aragorn against many other heroes in round 2 though)

AB - Elrond (Another hard choice but I like to play my Vilyadeck and like other tactic heros more then Thalin right now)

AC - Eleanor (Shocker! I know I like Boromir much but give Eleanor some credit for knocking off Balin)

AD - Imrahil (Sad choice because I like the tactics wall but Imrahil in my Ride to ruin deck is just fun to play!)

AE - Denethor (Put a shield of Gondor and Burning Brand on this guy an he is a wall for just 8 starting thread! Eat that Beregond)

AF - Sam (He will win the battle of the Hobbits. 3 WP for such low starting thread is just too amazing)

AG - Gandalf (So tempted to pick Merry here but outside of a Hobbit deck this hero just doesn't work for me)

AH - Faramir (Really tough choice but Faramir gets the edge because of his utility)

AI - Galadriel (I feel for the bear but Galadriel is just an amazing hero and Beorn has to accept that I guess)

AJ - Mablung (Easy choice here! Mablung is fantastic as a hero and deckbuildung without Glorfindel is so much more fun. Light of Valinor really shines on other heros too and yes you can win without this guy. Cheering really hard for Mablung to pull of the upset here in round 2!)

AK - Gimli (Haven't played Celeborn much but had a loaded Gimli game again today. Still so much fun to take a troll attack undefended )

AL - Grima (oh sorry I mean Aragorn (Lo) )

AM - Eomer (Easy choice at least for me. Eomer is just so much more fun to play then old an rusty Dain. Yeah dwarf decks are great and still powerfull but crushing enemys with Firefoot and Eomer is just soooo much fun!)

So thats my vote. I really like this contest so far! And I'm really exited to see witch hero will get the crown this year!

X-Legolas
Y-Eowyn
Z-Boromir
AA-Aragorn (Le)
AB-Elrond
AC-Boromir (T)
AD-Beregond
AE-Bifur
AF-Sam Gamgee
AG-Gandalf
AH-Haldir of Lorien
AI-Galadriel
AJ-Glorfindel(S)
AK-Celeborn
AL-Aragorn (Lo)
AM-Eomer

Ok, I'll recover from my Grima disappointment to post my votes for the next round:

X - Legolas - I still think Nori is great, but Legolas just oozes the cool factor and is still one of the most useful Tactics heroes around.

Y - Eowyn - Here I have to go for Eowyn. Bard has awesome art, but Eowyn remains an all-star for most quests.

Z - Elrohir - Leadership Boromir has grown on me, but I use Elrohir way more.

AA - Frodo - This is a really tough one. I use Leadership Aragorn a ton, and still think he is a great hero, especially with the attachments, but Frodo is a solid hero that remains a solution card for many quests.

AB - Elrond - Sorry, Thalin, but Elrond is just better.

AC - Tactics Boromir - Boromir is one of the strongest heroes in the game for my money. Unlimited action advantage (if you've got the threat) is just so good.

AD - Beregond - Imrahil is one of my favorites, but Beregond is the tank of all tanks and I love him for it.

AE - Denethor - Bifur's low threat and useful ability makes him a strong hero, but I still have affection for Denethor. Great defender and unique scrying ability.

AF - Sam - Sorry Pippin, but Sam is going the distance here.

AG - Merry - A really tough one. Gandalf is a stronger hero and really fits the theme, but I love the Hobbits and Merry is a stone cold killer.

AH - Haldir - Haldir has a useful ability and almost feels like a better version of Faramir.

AI - Beorn - What kind of sicko set up this match-up? I love both of these heroes and characters. Galadriel is a new favorite, but I can't turn my back on a giant bear.

AJ - Mablung - Glorfindel is better, but I've got Glorfindel fatigue. Mablung is new, shiny, and makes it rain. Interesting to see if there's a revolt against Glorfindel.

AK - Celeborn - Gimli is a bunch of fun, but Celeborn is a great card all around in terms of art, stats, and facilitating a deck type.

AL - Lore Aragorn - Great representation of Strider and a powerful ability. And I'm still bitter about Hama beating Grima.

AM - Eomer - Dain is powerful beyond measure, but I prefer to ride over enemies with Eomer.

Grima really needs a bye to the final next year... Where's the love?

X - Legolas

Y - Éowyn

Z - Elrohir

AA - Frodo

AB - Elrond

AC - Boromir (Tactics)

AD - Prince Imrahil

AE - Bifur

AF - Sam Gamgee

AG - Merry

AH - Haldir

AI - Beorn

AJ - Mablung

AK - Celeborn

AL - Aragorn (Lore)

AM - Éomer

[Removed accidental double-post]

[Removed accidental double-post]

Accidental eh? Wanting to get an extra vote for Beorn eh?

X - Legolas

Y - Eowyn

Z - Elrohir

AA - Frodo

AB - Elrond

AC - Boromir

AD - Beregond (tough one!)

AE - Denethor

AF - Sam

AG - Merry

AH - Haldir

AI - Beorn (sorry, White Lady)

AJ - Mablung (Glorfindel can't win this)

AK - Celeborn

AL - Aragorn

AM - Eomer

X- Legolas

Y- Eowyn

Z- Boromir (Le)

AA- Aragorn (Le)

AB- Thalin

AC- Eleanor

AD- Beregond

AE- Denethor

AF- Pippin (Lo)

AG- Merry

AH- Faramir

AI- Beorn

AJ- Glorfindel (S)

AK- Gimli

AL- Aragorn (Lo)

AM- Dain Ironfoot

All these Glorfi pickers :wacko:

Missed voting on the first round, but I am back for the rest

X - Legolas , one of the best heroes in game, I love him for he can quest in a way for Tactics and very efficiantly

Y - Bard the Bowman, Though I use Eowyn a lot, I will vote for Bard. Eowyn was good at the biggining but a hero that can only quest ... there is Galadriel for that nowdays and the Noldor beauty is much better. Bard is very good on two player games so

Z - Elrohir, much because I have never used Leadership Boromir

AA - Frodo, I believe maybe in the top five heroes of teh game, has helped me a lot

AB - Elrond, need to explain ?

AC - Boromir (T) , ok Eleanor is good too, but Boromir is a killer defensive machine

AD - Beregond, on of my most used heroes

AE - Denethor, a little better than the dwarf IMO

AF - Sam, the best Hobbit hero

AG - Gandalf , cause I used him and loved him with his attachments

AH - Haldir , I find his ability a little better

AI - Galadriel , also a difficult pick, I like Beorn but I believe Galadriel to be what the game needed

AJ - Glorfindel (S) , ok, I agree Glorfindel must not win cause he is the best after all, thus it will be more interesting to have someone alse winnign the contest, but it is too early for him to go out

AK - Celeborn , A very strong hero with a nice ability. Combo him with Galadriel and some spesifique allies, events and they make a powerfull couple

AL - Aragorn (Lo), I find him the second best hero of the game after Glorfindel. I love his art too

AM - Eomer, great ability, if armed and horsed he is a winner

X- Legolas

Y- Eowyn

Z- Elrohir

AA- Aragorn

AB- Thalin

AC- Boromir

AD- Beregond

AE- Bifur

AF- Sam Gamgee

AG- Merry

AH- Haldir

AI- Beorn

AJ- Mablung

AK- Gimli

AL- Aragorn

AM- Eomer

The weekend results are ready, but we still have 5 more days to vote in round 2.

Last year we were in love with Leadership Boromir and Aragorn (both made it to the top 10). But, it looks like that affair has fallen flat; both are poised to be upset.

Last year we were also gushing over Faramir... Haldir has clearly put a stop to that.

Three races that I expected to be blow-outs have turned into very close matches:

Gandalf (22) v Merry (13)

Galadriel (20) v Beorn (15)

Glorfindel (22) v Mablung (13)

Are we tired of Spirit Glorfindel? Are we blinded by Mailing's shiny newness?

Second round!! this contest is so fun! although there are some real tough choices now and to come...

X- Legolas, easy choice the progress from Tactics will always be amazing

Y- Eowyn, another easy choice just too good of a quester

Z- Elrohir, for some reason I just don't enjoy Le. Boromir decks trying to fill the table with Gondor allies as much as I would hope

AA- Frodo, that ability on Aragorn will only get worse as the game goes on (besides Anduril)

AB- Elrond, such a powerful hero in so many aspects

AC- Boromir, that unlimited readying is just so good!!

AD- Prince Imrahil, Beregond can be boring and Imrahil just as good with a Gondorian Shield on

AE- Bifur, of the matchups this round both these heroes suck in comparison but are equal against each other.. but I like my Lore cards and Bifur really helps with resources

AF- Sam

AG- Gandalf, Merry is amazing for his low threat to splash Tactics into decks and quest but Gandalf's versatility and uniqueness is crazy

AH- Haldir, Faramir is my favorite character but like all heroes from AtS cycle, he sucks

AI- Galadriel, worst matchup ever!! I love them both so much!!! but Beorn really has no room for future growth with those limitations

AJ- Mablung!!! Sp. Glorfindel is getting really old.. and Mablung is great and unique

AK- Gimli, he'll likely loose but that's ok since Celeborn is great also lol

AL- Aragorn, great ability Hama gets boring

AM- Eomer, tough choice Dain truly is OP in multiplayer Dwarf decks along with that solid defense.. but Eomer seems so cool and can easily get crazy attack power

The weekend results are ready, but we still have 5 more days to vote in round 2.

Last year we were in love with Leadership Boromir and Aragorn (both made it to the top 10). But, it looks like that affair has fallen flat; both are poised to be upset.

Last year we were also gushing over Faramir... Haldir has clearly put a stop to that.

Three races that I expected to be blow-outs have turned into very close matches:

Gandalf (22) v Merry (13)

Galadriel (20) v Beorn (15)

Glorfindel (22) v Mablung (13)

Are we tired of Spirit Glorfindel? Are we blinded by Mailing's shiny newness?

Those 3 are the only close matches right now??

Could Merry really beat Gandalf?? lol he is really good...

Let's go Mablung!!!! even if you haven't played him yet don't be afraid to vote for him, that ability is great and Glorfindel is soooo boring now, plus Galadriel can replace him!

X - Legolas - I like Nori but don't use dwarfs that often.

Y - Eowyn - Chuckles said it best. Caldara + Rohirrim added new life.

Z - Elrohir - Have used Le Boromir but prefer to use the Tactics version. Have to keep one half of the twins going.

AA - Frodo - Really useful but don't use him much myself.

AB - Elrond - Without a doubt better.

AC - Boromir - One of my favourites.

AD - Prince Imrahil - New life with Eomer for me. Beregond is only if I'm really going to struggle holding the line.

AE - Denethor - Hard choice, sorry Bifur.

AF - Sam - Really like Pippen but Sam just has more to offer.

AG - Gandalf - Tempted to go Merry but Gandalf is crazy.

AH - Haldir - If only their abilities were switched. Still use Faramir but would like to use him more but just does not fit to well.

AI - Galadriel - would like to go Beorn but you know... Galadriel... + that artwork.

AJ - Glorfindel - Helped me out when I needed it and then some, why would I turn my back on him for that.

AK - Celeborn - Silvans.

AL - Aragorn - Pretty straight forward. Surprised Hama beat Grima to be honest.

AM - Eomer - Favorite hero at the moment, Crazy fun. Such a beast.

X= Legolas (just because he’s legolas)

Y= Eowyn (still going strong, 4 willpower and the ability to chuck cards)

Z= Elrohir (Best defender in the game imo)

AA= Aragorn (L)

AB= Elrond (Just a great hero, great stats and great abilities)

AC= Boromir (T) (infinite readying ftw)

AD= Beregond (second best defender in the game imho)

AE= Bifur (flexible splash hero, used him many times as such)

AF= Sam Gamgee (3 willpower in leadership + readying effect, great)

AG= Gandalf (duh...)

AH= Faramir (tough one, I think I chose this one because of the art)

AI= Galadriel (same as Elrond…)

AJ= Glorfindel (S) (duh…)

AK= Celeborn (the new Dain, better balanced and very fun to put into a deck)

AL= Aragorn (L) (desperate alliance anyone?)

AM= Dain Ironfoot (duh…)

X - Legolas
Y - Eowyn
Z - Boromir (Le)
AA - Aragorn (Le)
AB - Thalin
AC - Eleanor
AD - Beregond
AE - Bifur
AF - Sam Gamgee
AG - Merry
AH - Haldir of Lorien
AI - Galadriel
AJ - Mablung
AK - Gimli
AL - Hama
AM - Dain