Introducing the Hero Championship 2014 edition!

I had a ton of fun last year during Samwise Gamgee's Hero Championship
http://community.fantasyflightgames.com/index.php?/topic/89803-the-hero-championship/?hl=bracket#entry857850

Samwise indicated that he is a little busy right now to host this tournament again, so I'm opting to host it myself... with a little guidance from him

This year's tournament includes heroes added from The Road Darkens, Voice of Isengard, and the first 5 heroes of the Ring Maker cycle. I really wanted to wait for the last hero to be revealed, but it looks like they showed up late to the party.

Seeding is based on last year's results with the new heroes being semi-arbitrarily added throughout the list.

Vote for your favorite hero as they enter their match-ups in the responses below. Vote on whatever criteria you desire. Feel free to campaign for you hero, criticize the seeding and give your vote rationale. I like the option of voting on the forums to encourage friendly banter and conversation.

Voting closes on Friday at noon CST for the next four weeks.

Visit http://challonge.com/lotrhero2014 for a larger view

WEEK FOUR RESULTS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE BRACKET

Week 5 Voting Card example:

AZ - Eowyn

BA - Galadriel

Glad this is being done again!

A-Nori
B-Bard
C-Eowyn
D-Elrohir
E-Frodo
F-Thalin
G-Boromir
H-Balin
I-Imrahil
J-Denethor
K-Bifur
L-Idraen
M-Merry
N-Gandalf
O-Haldir
P-Galadriel
Q-Beorn
R-Theodred
S-Celeborn
T-Bilbo
U-Grima
V-Dain
W-Eomer

Hello everyone.

First post and ill try to give vote:

A: Theoden

B: Bard

C: Eowyn

D: Elrohir

E: Frodo

F: Thalin

G: Caldara

H: Eleanor

I: Imrahil

J: Denethor

K: Bifur

L: Pippin (lo)

M: Merry

N: Gandalf

O: Haldir

P: Galadriel

Q: Beorn

R: Mablung

S: Celeborn

T: Gimli

U: Grima

V: Dain

W: Eomer

A - Theoden

B - Bard The Bowman

C - Eowyn

D - Thorin Oakenshield

E - Frodo Baggins

F - Thalin

G - Boromir (T)

H - Eleanor

I - Imrahil

J - Denethor

K - Bifur

L - Idraen

M - Merry

N - Gandalf

O - Haldir Of Lorien

P - Galadriel

Q - Beorn

R - Mablung

S - Celeborn

T - Gimli

U - Hama

V - Dain Ironfoot

W - Eomer

Yes! Thanks for getting this going again!

A: Theoden - Nori is probably better, but Theoden is king

B: Bard - A fitting matchup. I never play either but Bard wins on art alone

C: Eowyn - Easy pick

D: Elrohir - The twins with Legolas is one of my favorite decks

E: Frodo - Key to many of my secrecy decks

F: Thalin - Like Nori, Ori can be really strong but I have a soft spot for Thalin and direct damage

G: Caldara - I've never played her or Boromir, but I like the potential of her deck

H: Eleanor - What a babe

I: Imrahil - Fun to pair with Eomer. Glorfindel (L) hasn't aged well.

J: Denethor - I actually got some good use out of Fatty playing Black Riders, but he's pretty bad

K: Bifur - Good for secrecy

L: Pippin - One of my most used heroes. Clutch for anything secrecy or Hobbit.

M: Merry - tough pick, but Dunhere is a one trick pony

N: Bombur - I don't like the Gandalf hero. Too strong.

O: Haldir - So good. Sorry Beravor.

P: Galadriel - As much as I love [Leadership Hero], something about him just rubs me the wrong way

Q: Elladan - tough to pick against Beorn, but I love the twins

R: Mablung - I like Theodred, but I can't wait to pair Mablung with the new Aragorn.

S: Celeborn - Critical for Silvan decks

T: Gimli - Never used the Bilbo hero, but I love the Bilbo ally.

U: Hama - I need to use him more. I think he'll be the third hero to pair with Aragorn and Mablung.

V: Pippin(S) - That's right. I know he sucks, but I like Hobbits and Dain is OP.

W: Mirlonde - Very tough call. I love Eomer, but I use Mirlonde a lot. Good for secrecy and Silvan.

A. Nori

B. Brand

C. Eowyn

D. Elrohir

E. Frodo

F. Ori

G. Boromir

H. Eleanor

I. Imrahil

J. Denethor

K. Bifur

L. Pippin

M. Dunhere

N. Gandalf

O. Haldir

P. Galadriel

Q. Beorn

R. Mablung

S. Celeborn

T. Gimli

U. Hama

V. Dain

W. Eomer

A. Nori

B. Brand

C. Eowyn

D. Elrohir

E. Frodo

F. Thalin

G. Caldara

H. Eleanor

I. Imrahill

J. Denethor

K. Bifur

L. Idreaan

M. Duhere

N. Gandalf

O. Haldir

P. Galadriel

Q. Eledain

R. Theodred

J. Celeborn

K. Bilbo

L. Grima

M. Dain

N. Eomer

Tough choices were:

Boromir vs. Caladra. Ive played with both a lot and li,e the, both. I went with Caldara though because she brought a whole new way to play the game that actually works and is pretty strong. Boromir is great, but every deck i play him in relies on Aragorn lore to save his a@@, so she get's my vote.

Idreaan vs pippin Lo. I like both these heroes, i went with Idrean because i built my firs ally free deck with her and had a blast. She brings something to spirit sphere that was lacking. Pippin is probably the more versatile hero, but I really only play him in hobbit deck. His 6 threat is great, but the 2 hp always make me nervous.

Dunehere vs. merry. Same story as above. I only really use merry in hobbit deck. Dunhere on the other hand is always fun to play in the right deck. Funny enough he is often paired with merry for merry's low threat and ability to play the spears, but dunhere is the star of those types of decks, merry is there for utilitarian purposes. Although merry is a beast in hobbit deck and loved playing him during Black Riders.

Some tough choices. Looking forward to seeing how this goes.

Thanks for putting it together agian.

Yay, thanks for doing this!

A- Theoden

B- Bard

C- Eowyn

D- Elrohir

E- Frodo

F- Ori

G- Boromir

H- Balin

I- Imrahil

J-Denethor

K-Bifur

L-Idraen

M-Merry

N-Gandalf

O-Haldir

P-Galadriel

Q-Beorn

R-Mablung

S-Celeborn

T-Gimli

U-Grima

V-Dain

W-Eomer

Yeah, this was a lot of fun last time around. Thanks for bringing it back!

A: Nori - I want to pick Theoden for theme reasons, but Nori is so good in a Dwarf deck. Potentially one of the best threat reducers around.

B: Brand - Bard has epic art and is useful. Brand can be stupidly powerful with the right combinations.

C: Eowyn - No contest here.

D: Elrohir - This is a really tough one. Thorin is great and very powerful for Dwarves. Elrohir can be game changing though.

E: Frodo - Hirluin and Outlands is obviously very powerful, but Frodo is an amazing defensive solution for all kinds of scenarios.

F: Ori - Thalin was key for me back in the day, but that Dwarven card draw is strong.

G: Tactics Boromir - Caldara is good but Boromir is great.

H: Balin - Eleanor can definitely come in handy, but I find Balin to be an overall better package.

I: Imrahil - I'm not as down on Lore Glorfindel as many are, but Imrahil is better all around due to the readying.

J: Denethor - Big D is simply more useful more of the time.

K: Bifur - Low threat and key resource smoothing wins the day. Gloin is really fun though.

L - Lore Pippin - Idraen is a really good hero, but I've used Pippin a lot more and he can fit into a bunch of decks.

M - Merry - Again, Dunhere is good, but I'm partial to the Hobbits.

N - Gandalf - Sorry, Bombur, but Gandalf wins the day.

O - Beravor - I probably would've picked Haldir until recently, when I've rediscovered the utility of Beravor.

P - Galadriel - That [Leadership hero] is good for nothing and still owes me 20 bucks!

Q - Beorn - Elladan is definitely solid, and I love a twins deck, but Beorn is a force when used correctly.

R - Mablung - More useful as an actual participant in questing or combat.

S - Celeborn - Great hero that really put Silvan on a solid footing from the beginning of the cycle.

T - Gimli - I like Bilbo, but the whole idea of becoming stronger with damage still intrigues me.

U - Grima - Grima's so different than the other heroes in terms of theme and ability.

V - Dain - Spirit Pippin is crushed under the (iron)foot of the mighty Dain.

W - Eomer - Although I do use Mirlonde quite a bit, Eomer is just a killing machine and fun to use.

A - Nori. I'm one of those guys who wants another version of him, a better one!

B - Brand son of Bain. His ability I find far more usefull!

C - Eowyn. Of course she's better, but I do like Dwalin. But forced to choose, no doubt.

D - Elrohir. Elrohir can fit in more kinds of decks, Thorin is only Dwarfdeck playable. And Elrohirs ability is great!

E - Frodo. Come on, everybody hates Outlands.

F - Thalin. His ability is still quite good. In the newer cycle his power fades a bit, but Ori is as with Thorin, only Dwarfdeck.

G - Tactics Boromir. Caldara needs a special deck. Boromir just some threatred, money and go for it.

H - Balin. Shadow effects keep getting nastier and nastier.

I - Imrahil. Overall better playable. Really though choice. He just to be my favorite hero back in the day!

J - Denethor. Not a real choice. Fatty's just Fatty and Denethor can do something more and his ability is more usefull.

K - Bifur. Like his ability just a little bit more, but I use them together most of the time. Too bad they are pitched together.

L - Lore Pippin. Idraen is great, but really specific for locationcontrol decks. Pippin is a splasher more and like his low threat!

M - Merry. More versatile then Dunhere. Dunhere needs a special designed deck and Merry is secrecy and splashtactics.

N - Gandalf. Fat Dwarves are not really usefull... Not a real choice/contest here.

O - Haldir. Great ability! Wingfoot works great with Beravor, but still find Haldir more powerfull overall and less work to work.

P - Galadriel. Easy win!

Q - Beorn. Elladan is the lesser of the twins IMO. Beorn is a powerfull creature (!) on his own.

R - Mablung. He makes resource collection a lot more fun and has better stats, Theodred is only there for the money.

S - Celeborn. "Or rather Dain as he should be." Oin has a cool ability but Celeborn put Silvan in the picture.

T - Gimli. Gimli has been one of our great saviors since the Core Set and Bilbo has a too high threshold.

U - Grima. Like the idea of alternate history. His ability is not really my cup of tea but he's just cool!

V - Dain. Dain, the might lord of the Dwarves. Man, he's strong! Like him a lot, although he maybe should be nerfed.

W - Eomer. Mirlonde is great for mono Lore, but apart from that Eomer is just great all times! Rohan Warlord!

Some choices were hard and others were really easy. Cool idea and it's fun!

A - Theoden

B - Bard

C - Eowyn

D - Thorin

E - Frodo

F - Thalin

G - Caldara

H - Balin

I - Imrahil

J - Denethor

K - Bifur

J - Idraen

M - Merry

N - Gandalf

O - Haldir

P - Galadriel (not matters who is the other leadership hero ^^)

Q - Beorn

R - Mablung

S - Celeborn

T - Bilbo

U - Hama

V - Dain

W - Mirlonde

A - Theoden - I really think Nori is better, but I like Theoden's overall appearance and ability more, because he is awesome.

B - Bard - Sorry Brand. Maybe someday you'll get the pity vote.

C - Dwalin - Killing orcs + reducing threat for the win!

D - Elrohir - The twins are amazing. Thorin has threat that I'm not willing to go for very often.

E - Hirluin the Fair - Frodo is already a main character. Let Hirluin get some attention.

F - Ori - Two cards is too good to pass up. Thalin's ability is a little situational.

G - Boromir - Generally, I like to keep my heroes alive instead of sacrificing them for worse allies.

H - Eleanor - Cancellation is much more appreciated and rare than resource generation.

I - Imrahil - This is my pick for the overall champion! Imrahil is one of my absolute favorites. Lorfindel doesn't stand a chance.

J - Denethor - Hobbits will not take the win again. I'm rooting for Gondor!

K - Gloin - Awesome axe art.

L - Idraen - If Gondor doesn't make it, then it's Dunedain for me! Go scouts!

M - Dunhere - Never use him, but I really like his ability!

N - Gandalf - Duh.

O - Haldir - Technically, I would classify Beravor as more useful, but this is again a matter of coolness.

P - Galadriel - Though everybody so far has definitely voted for [Leadership Hero], I like to stand out.

Q - Beorn - Hard choice. But I think brute force is better than an obligatory Elrohir in order to make it work.

R - Mablung - Gotta vote for those awesome Gondor rangers.

S - Oin - Again, Celeborn is better. But I have always liked Oin, from the first moment I saw the card. Don't know why.

T- Gimli - Hands down. Rooting for my favorite damage soaker.

U - Grima - Don't like either of them, but Grima's a little more interesting.

V- Dain - I don't think I've ever used Spirit Pippin... at all. Sad, but not surprising.

W - Eomer - Another hard choice. Mirlonde is amazing, but I like Eomer's fighting prowess more than threat reduction.

A - Nori

B - Bard

C - Eowyn

D - Thorin

E - Frodo

F - Ori

G - Boromir (T)

H - Balin

I - Imrahil

J - Denethor

K - Bifur

L - Pippin (Lo)

M - Merry

N - Gandalf

O - Haldir

P - Leadership Hero

Q - Beorn

R - Theodred

S - Celeborn

T - Gimli

U - Grima

V - Dain

W - Eòmer

P - Leadership Hero

I think an upset is brewing!

A: Nori

B: Brand

C: Éowyn

D: Elrohir

E: Frodo

F: Thalin

G: Tactics Boromir

H: Balin

I: Imrahil

J: Denethor

K: Bifur

L - Lore Pippin

M - Dúnhere

N - Bombur

O - Haldir

P - Galadriel (Though I was tempted to pick the alternative)

Q - Beorn

R - Mablung

S - Celeborn

T - Gimli

U - Háma

V - Dain

W - Éomer

A-Nori
B- Bard
C-Eowyn
D-Elrohir
E-Frodo
F-Thalin- love his ability and love direct damage decks.
G-Boromir- I dont use him much, but he is a champ. His ability to constantly ready for combat always causes me to picture his final fight scene in the movies.
H-Eleanor- I just love her art.
I-Lore Glorfindel- originally my favorite hero and still prefer to use him when i can over Spirit Glorfindel.
J-Denethor
K-Bifur
L-Idraen
M- Merry

N- Gandalf....poor Bombur has no chance. Which is a shame because if he was matched up with atleast half of the other heroes, I would pick him because I find his ability hilarious

o- Bereavor
p- Galadriel- :-p
q- Beorn.......aggh tough choice. I love the brothers.....but Beorn just owns the early game
r- theodred
s-Celeborn
t-Gimli
u-Hama
v-Dain
w-Mirlonde

A - Theoden

B - Bard

C - Eowyn

D - Elrohir

E - Frodo

F - Ori

G - Boromir (T)

H - Balin

I - Imrahil

J - Denethor

K - Bifur

L - Pippin (Lo)

M - Merry

N - Gandalf

O - Beravor

P - Galadriel

Q - Elladan

R - Theodred

S - Celeborn

T - Bilbo

U - Grima

V - Dain

W - Eòmer

A- Nori

B- Bard

C- Eowyn

D- Elrohir

E- Frodo

F- Thalin

G- Boromir

H- Balin

I- Imrahil

J- Denethor

K- Bifur

L- Pippin

M- Merry

N- Gandalf

O- Haldir

P- Galadriel

Q- Beorn

R- Mablung

S- Oin

T- Bilbo

U- Hama

V- Dain

W- Eomer

A - Nori

B - Bard the Bowman

C - Eowyn

D - Thorin Oakenshield

E - Frodo

F - Ori

G - Caldara

H - Balin

I - Prince Imrahil

J - Fatty Bolger

K - Bifur

L - Pippin

M - Dunhere

N - Gandalf

O - Haldir

P - Galadriel

Q - Beorn

R - Mablung

S - Celeborn

T - Bilbo

U - Grima

V - Dain Ironfoot

W - Eomer

I'm a huge Dwarf fan (in general) but i'll try to be as objective as possible.

A-Nori

B- Bard the Bowman

C- Eowyn

D-Thorin Oakensield

E- Frodo Baggins

F- Ori

G- Boromir

H- Balin

I- Glorfindel (lo)

J- Denethor

K- Bifur

L- Pippin

M- Merry

N- Bombur

O- Haldir of Lorien

P- Galadriel

Q- Beorn

R- Mablung

S- Oin

T- Gimli

U- Grima

V- Dain Ironfoot

W- Mirlonde

Most of these were fairly straightforward for me (although one or two will be controversial picks) - think the later rounds will be interesting

A - Theoden - one of my fav heroes

B - Brand - crap vs crapper, I went for crap (I'm a solo player)

C - Eowyn - ...duh!

D - Thorin - no doubt about this one

E - Frodo - not a friend of Outlands

F - Thalin - htough cjoice, but he's so good against Goblins, and he's tactics

G - Boromir - his way of dying is way cooler

H - Eleanor - she's getting better and better with all these Gondor synergies

I - Imrahil - tough choice, I don#t play both of them often; the Gondor trait makes the difference here

J - Denethor - no question here

K - Bifur - love his low threat and he offers you flexibility for your deck building

L - Idraen - one of my fav new heroes!

M - Merry - low threat and 6 WP make him a welcome guest in every tactics deck

N - Bombur - I'm not a friend of Gandalf as a hero

O - Haldir - never had much love for Beravor, and Haldirs 3 ATT make him somewhat special

P - Galadriel - great hero!

Q - Beorn - he's fun to play!

R - Theodred - still one of the most powerful heroes

S - Celeborn - I'm a big fan of Silvan decks

T - Bilbo Baggins - very powerful ability and with some attachments he turns into a defending machine

U - Grima - don't love the character, but Grima's ability is interesting and soemthing special

V - Dain - easy choice, right?

W - Mirlonde - these are two of my fav heroes; Mirlonde gets my vote because her ability is simple, but extremely helpful

A - Theoden

B - Bard the Bowman

C - Eowyn

D - Thorin

E - Frodo

F - Thalin

G - Boromir

H - Balin

I - Imrahil

J - Denethor

K - Gloin

L - Idraen

M - Dunhere

N - Gandalf

O - Haldir

P - Galadriel

Q - Beorn

R - Theodred

S - Celeborn

T - Bilbo

U - Hama

V - Dain

W - Eomer