And following on from the above post I did have another go this time with the new deck.

Went better and as per deck plan.

Got all the way to stage 3 and 9 damage on Mr B but then it started slipping as he regenerated back and I lost heroes due to not drawing chumps.

So I never felt I had enough damage on to do a test on the location card, slowly lost all heroes.

I had gone Eowyn, Legolas, Theodred and worked well.

BUT.... Im not sure how I would have gotten Mr Bs health so low as to try a test (what do you need him at, 3 card draw so say 6 score so with 27 health you need 21 damage on him!! While regenerating 3 per turn...!!)

So how would I do different..?

Not sure yet.

Legolas did have lots of resource due to Steward of Gondor, so maybe swap Legolas for Gimli (cant I win without resorting to Gimli ever??) plus plate and axe... but even then, I dont think id have had the card draw to provide those attachments. Even then, getting 21 damage on (with regen) would still take 3+ turns.

So did much better, but no close to winning.

Brutal.

At this point you've unlocked Glorfindel and Light of Valinor. You need to take a very, very serious look at using those cards, as love it or hate, Glorfindel + Light of Valinor is the obvious solution to many quests. 5 Threat hero + 3 Willpower questing every turn + 3 Attack for combat every turn solves many, many problems.

If you swap out Eowyn for Glorfindel in your current deck you lower your starting threat by 4, lose only 1 Willpower a turn (+ some additional Willpower via Eowyn discarding) but then gain +3 Attack every turn which gives you 6 Attack with Glorfindel and Legolas assuming you can chump block or Feint. This assumes you go for Light of Valinor in your opening hand, but if you're playing Glorfindel and Light of Valinor you understand you have to mulligan for that. Glorfindel + Legolas kills many enemies that you are currently facing and then puts 2 progress on the quest from Legolas. Add in Rivendell Blade for 1 Tactics resource and you effectively have 8 Attack. Glorfindel also has 5 hit points to Eowyn's 3 hit points which gives you 1 more hit point to use for unblocked enemies, treachery direct damage, etc.

There's a reason (actually several of them) that Glorfindel reigns as the supreme Spirit hero. For the most part, quests only get harder and harder from here, especially Battle and Siege quests in Against the Shadow, which you are close to starting. While Eowyn is a solid hero, Glorfindel is far superior.

I was actually using light of valinor on legolas and rivindell blade but not glorfindell.

I hadnt thought of it as i tend to think of his low threat as a big bonus wheras this quest knocks you to zero threat first turn.

I may well swap eowyn out for him thanks

This in no means should be construed as disputing RobOz's suggestions/observations... but I have only ever played Shadow and Flame in progression mode, and have beaten it several times straight solo and 2-handed, and not once did I use Glorfindel. That having been said, neither Eowyn, nor Theodred were ever part of my successful line-ups, either. I did have some success with Legolas in 2-handed decks.

And since I know you like to figure things out for yourself, alexbobspoons, I'll leave it at that... though feel free to ask if you want hints. :-)

No Problem.

Glorfindel + Light of Valinor on turn 1 is arguably the best first turn 1 play in the game. As I said before a 5 Threat hero that quests for 3 and attacks for 3 every turn is just too potent. This is why many people really dislike Glorfindel. If you are playing Spirit, he's almost always the best hero choice. But against particularly difficult quests, this play is often essential if you want a chance to win.

Don't know if you have Elrond's Council in your deck, but if not you probably ought to put that in too. It's one of the best Spirit cards in the game. Ditto the Arwen ally.

Also remember that extra Light of Valinor cards in hand are important to hold if you are up against a quest with attachment hate. Losing Light of Valinor due to a treachery or shadow effect is bad, so it's always good to have one in hand for that possibility.

Toying with the idea of a fully powered Gimli, with citadel plate and an axe... then adding khazad khazad..... then playing Heavy Stroke... would mean lots of damage in one turn...

Thanks for the vid link. Cant watch now as waiting for little boy to sleep but will look tomorrow thanks!

Personally, I wouldn't recommend (Spirit) Glorfindel for Shadow and Flame, because his selling point is his low threat which makes no difference in SaF, plus if you don't draw LoV in your opening hand you can't quest with him unless you're prepared to take a hit from Durin's Bane, where generally that one round without one can be really nice. You might as well use Corefindel unless you have an aversion to Lore or don't like any other Spirit heroes - same stats but doesn't raise your threat if you get a poor opening hand.

I've never played SaF solo without breaking it, so I'm not sure exactly what I'd do, but there's a lot to be said for finding an alternative to chumping - for The Line Unbroken I used a buffed up Elrohir and Frodo, either of which could potentially work solo as well.

Becouse the starting threat does not matter, Elrond is a very good candidate. Elrond, Gimli, Eowyn?

I've never played SaF solo without breaking it, so I'm not sure exactly what I'd do, but there's a lot to be said for finding an alternative to chumping - for The Line Unbroken I used a buffed up Elrohir and Frodo, either of which could potentially work solo as well.

Out of curiosity, what do you consider as breaking it? Attack avoidance (Hama, Galadriel, Nori)? Is Frodo considered breaking it as well?

I've never played SaF solo without breaking it, so I'm not sure exactly what I'd do, but there's a lot to be said for finding an alternative to chumping - for The Line Unbroken I used a buffed up Elrohir and Frodo, either of which could potentially work solo as well.

Out of curiosity, what do you consider as breaking it? Attack avoidance (Hama, Galadriel, Nori)? Is Frodo considered breaking it as well?

Hama, Galadriel, Nori, yeah )though I've never done it with Hama myself). Using Frodo with the ultimate in threat ceilings and using Secrecy cards with high threat heroes I would class as more just very effective building around the mechanics, but the quest still plays as intended under those circumstances - Durin's Bane will attack you minimum once per round.

Got to tell you @alexbobspoons, this entire thread has been great fun to read. Thanks for sharing!

Takes me back to going through Core and the first couple cycles myself! You’re having it way harder than I did, though, since I got Core-Return to Mirkwood together and didn’t limit my player card use. Made Escape from Dol Guldur MUCH easier on me (plus I was playing 2-player). Reading this is really making me want to go back and run through those older Quests from the beginning through present (Heirs and Against the Shadow is probably my least favorite cycle so I might skip those) just to experience it all again.

As for Shadow and Flame, I can tell you we defeated it using a pair of 100% Dwarf decks. They weren’t super-powered (built more for theme and missing a few clutch non-dwarf cards like Arwen and Steward of Gondor) but they did include some cards from the Hobbit boxes that you aren’t using yet. Between Dain, Gimli, Citadel Plate, Erebor Battle Master and effects like Heavy Stroke and Khazad Khazad we were able to lay down a lot of damage and still quest pretty powerfully. Readying can be provided by UC but also Erebor Record Keeper and Lure of Moria.

Don’t know how helpful my experience is to you, though. You have Dain, who is amazing and makes even so-so cards like Dwarven Axehand really effective, so you could try something similar. And without the thematic restrictions I was placing on myself you have access to a lot of cards I didn’t. But with only one player I’m not sure you’ll be able to get enough bodies on the board to make it effective.

More generally, Vassal of the Windlord shouldn’t be ignored due to his low cost and high attack. And remember that Hama can recycle your tactics events. And of course, since you’re starting at a low threat Boromir and Frodo can make much better use of their abilities. As somebody else also mentioned, Core Glorfindel is pretty champ here too with Light of Valinor.

Anyway—can’t wait to hear back to see how you do. Good luck and keep at it!

Got to tell you @alexbobspoons, this entire thread has been great fun to read. Thanks for sharing!

Takes me back to going through Core and the first couple cycles myself! You’re having it way harder than I did, though, since I got Core-Return to Mirkwood together and didn’t limit my player card use. Made Escape from Dol Guldur MUCH easier on me (plus I was playing 2-player). Reading this is really making me want to go back and run through those older Quests from the beginning through present (Heirs and Against the Shadow is probably my least favorite cycle so I might skip those) just to experience it all again.

As for Shadow and Flame, I can tell you we defeated it using a pair of 100% Dwarf decks. They weren’t super-powered (built more for theme and missing a few clutch non-dwarf cards like Arwen and Steward of Gondor) but they did include some cards from the Hobbit boxes that you aren’t using yet. Between Dain, Gimli, Citadel Plate, Erebor Battle Master and effects like Heavy Stroke and Khazad Khazad we were able to lay down a lot of damage and still quest pretty powerfully. Readying can be provided by UC but also Erebor Record Keeper and Lure of Moria.

Don’t know how helpful my experience is to you, though. You have Dain, who is amazing and makes even so-so cards like Dwarven Axehand really effective, so you could try something similar. And without the thematic restrictions I was placing on myself you have access to a lot of cards I didn’t. But with only one player I’m not sure you’ll be able to get enough bodies on the board to make it effective.

More generally, Vassal of the Windlord shouldn’t be ignored due to his low cost and high attack. And remember that Hama can recycle your tactics events. And of course, since you’re starting at a low threat Boromir and Frodo can make much better use of their abilities. As somebody else also mentioned, Core Glorfindel is pretty champ here too with Light of Valinor.

Anyway—can’t wait to hear back to see how you do. Good luck and keep at it!

Thank you, really kind words about my thread, much appreciated.

Next game wont be for a bit but I will report

Ps: if anyone is interested, over on cardgamedb I have similar newbie threads covering my solo adventures in Call of Cthulhu and Star Wars

What worked for me straight solo, progression style, was Aragorn (Lead), Frodo Baggins (Sp), and Elrond (Lore). Took me five tries to score a win.

@TwiceBorn: I used a similar combo of Elrond, Gimli + Aragorn I think.

Inluding lot's of healing and some deense boosting like Protector of Lorien . Most of the time Elrond could just take a direct attack from the Balrog and heal it back off.

Gimli + plate was powerfull enought to to take the Balrog down.

Hmmm just had a game and got smashed.
Swapped out Eowyn for Glorfindel Spirit. Added Asfaloth and a lore-song.

Just smashed.
Had light of valinor in opening hand but even with that, Balrogs threat of 4 was enough that I never placed a single progress. Also drew second deep and travelled to it so without damaging balrog I cant place progress.
Glorfindel and Legolas didnt draw weapons so could only do 3 damage to balrog which healed in every refresh, so could never progress the location.
Every turn I could just afford 1 ally who then dissapeared straight away as sacrifice to balrogs 6 attack.
Each turn I didnt manage to field an ally, balrog killed a hero until all were dead.

Couldnt progress 1 single point and couldnt damage balrog.

Nothing seemed to play out possitive.
I really am finding this quest the hardest I have done so far. The balrog is an auto sacrifice-ally every turn and just so hard to damage without extra allies and that 3heal.

I had good allies in deck, asfaloth, light of valinor, rivendell blades etc but didnt get enough out due to the onslaught.

Very very hard so far.
Not sure if my play is wrong, deck wrong or maybe both.
Harsh scenario!!
Not as fun as other scenarios just by its harshness so far, I like to feel I at least made some ground on a quest but this one is just a wait to die so far.

EDIT: Just watched the octgn video playthorugh above. Awesome plays, made it look so easy.

Also looked easier 2-player but I may be wrong.

You have two decks against two encounter cards, so thats balanced.

balrog attacks against two decks defending, thats balanced.

Though TWO decks attacking against the same number of balrog hit points, seems 2-player gets an edge there.

Also, synergy of two players decks, eg playing cards on each other, that helps too.

Also, more resources to assign to a sphere.

They just seemed to get so many cards out.

Not taking anything away from it though, truly awesome playthrough and so well done, not a mistake seen to be made. Magic.

Ill be sticking to my solo 1-handed though. Need some more thinking on my deck

So 2 player did seem to have some bonuses watching that video.

Toying with the idea of Gimli, Frodo, Glorfindel... can I afford to lose the leadership cards or do I song-splash them??

Hmmm

For Shadow and Flame, I had a Boromir Aragorn (Lore) deck with OHAUH Gandalf that smashed. The third hero was Bilbo for card draw but now would be Erestor.

I think Sneak Attack with Core Gandalf and/or Beorn is almost necessary for a solo victory, which is the main reason I would hold on to a Leadership hero like Aragorn, who can both quest/attack every round.

I think Sneak Attack with Core Gandalf and/or Beorn is almost necessary for a solo victory, which is the main reason I would hold on to a Leadership hero like Aragorn, who can both quest/attack every round.

I am thinking Frodo is in my next build without doubt.

So other heroes:

Gimli (powerful attacker bringing tactics attachments and blockers and allies)

Or

Aragorn (leadership cards valuable but his readying too resource costly)

Or

Glorfindel (high quest/attack with light of valinor plus ability to use and stack rivendell blade from tactics) Asfaloth aids too.

Choices choices choices

Solo one handed I often find I want cards from all four spheres lol.

Songs are good but dependant on card draw. (Narvis belt too. So maybe Dain Ironfoot with narvis belt and steward of gondor?)

Edit:

Im going to try Frodo, Gimli, Dain and build a deck for them and see what happens. Gimli with unexpected courage and Dains buff quests for 3wp so hopefully allies and cards will raise that.

So I tried it out.

Lost, but did get to last phase, 3 damage on balrog (was 6) and bust threat.

Despite losing, it did feel much more of a battle.

Frodo was awesome and with unexpected courage did shine.

Dain was good, but in single handed his bonus wasnt that amazing as so many dwarf allies needed to chump. The combo of steward of gondor with narvis belt was great though.

The things that let me down:

Losing Dain to a shadow card that added +3 to an already 3attack.

Balrogs whip pinching so so many of my good cards..grr.

No attachments on Gimli and no sign of second unexpected courage.

Not enough allies out.

No sign of gallhadrims greetings at all.

But I had zero dead cards and it did feel like a battle. I think some more games with this deck to see what happens before any more tweaking.

If you get Celebrian's Stone on Aragorn, he'll quest for 4 every round,. Get Steward of Gondor on him and his readying cost will be irrelevant (and again, the resources can support the playing of both Leadership/Spirit cards once you attach Celebrian's Stone to him).

Just telling you what actually worked for me (this isn't a hypothetical exercise).

Edit: And if you have Elrond with Vilya and Unexpected Courage, you can potentially pump out a free ally or attachment every round. I'm telling ya, if you aren't going full dwarf deck, then Aragorn, Elrond and Frodo (with one or more Fast Hitches) is a good way to go. And remember that Elrond can also pay for out of sphere allies, so he can easily play 1-cost Tactics allies like Vassals of the Windlord that can be critical to victory. The deck won't win every time, but it'll get you there eventually (took me five tries, I think). :

Ouch--sounds like you're having a hard run on this one.

Like @TwiceBornh said, Elrond/Vilya is a very powerful combo. Potentially a great target for Light of Valinor too. Though personally I don't play Hero Elrond as the Vilya engine just feels too mechanical it is without a doubt one of the most powerful combos in the game if you tune your deck for it. Protector of Lorien or Eowyn can do well in that combo too as it can let you discard cards that you can't get out with Vilya. And as previously mentioned Frodo is a champ for this since you have a little room for the threat.

Like I said before, in my main run through I played one of a pair of Dwarf decks. But I have also played this with Eagles and I have to say that that's a great way to get some attack on the board. Vassal and Winged Guardian are great not only for their offense and defense but if you can keep them in play until you can get an Eagle of the Misty Mountains out they can pump him up hard when they leave.Then drop Support of the Eagles on someone and you can start to really raise your attack. Sprinkle in some direct damage from Descendant of Thorondor and you have a very decent combat deck.

I think I ran it with Hama for event recycling, Legolas for the ranged and weapons (you don't yet have some of the events that make this so good--but Hands Upon the Bow is still great and he always gives progress) and Imrahil for the action advantage, access to Leadership and some great chumps and utilities (Sneak Attack, Valiant Sacrifice, etc). This worked well but I had someone across playing Spirit/Lore so I don't know if it could hold together on its own...

Solo's hard because you really want to run tri-sphere to maximize your access to different--very necessary--effects like readying, card draw, resource acceleration and...hitting things real hard. But running tri-sphere strangles your resource production. But Core Aragorn with Celebrian stone can help that (and don't be fooled by the waste of the resource-add, Sword That Was Broken is still worth it on Core Aragorn) and he also gives access to Steward and Sneak Attack.

Good luck!

Victory!!!!

After quite a break I had a game tonight. Dain/Gimli/Frodo.

Won with final threat at 44.

Gimli with citadel plate, fully damaged/buffed plus bonus from Dain plus veteran axehand plus Beorn really weighed damage on Balrog and made it possible. Many chump blockers and a few Frodo dodges took the main damage.

Timely aid was great while threat was low. Dain had narvis belt and steward of gondor which all helped.

Hard fought but good. I did find questing stage 1 very hard with these heroes but Gandalf sneak attacked and played normally made that aspect possible.

Didnt think I would get this one yay

Phew.

So I think another play or two at this scenario (now ive beaten it) before moving on

Yay.