It would also be really cool to see a hero or ally that interacts with the side quest mechanic, maybe both player and encounter kinds.

I'm hoping the Dunedain hero from Battle of Carn Dum has a side-quest related effect.

I do not because I think that we won't see many more side quests after we leave the north.

As far as elves go, I hope Matt and Caleb try to find ways to make old Noldor characters more playable. For instance, I love Rivendell Minstrel and her ability, but she rarely makes it into decks as I find her a bit overpriced when I can get 2WP and more health for fewer resources elsewhere.

edit: Master of the Forge is another good one - I would love to play him for the theme, and it can be really useful to fetch attachments from your deck, but I often find myself in situations where I simply need willpower or combat capabilities, and he doesn't. Compare that to Galadhrim Minstrel, who has very similar stats and ability but gains +1WP from Celeborn and doesn't exhaust to quest with Galadriel. I'm also bothered by 1-health allies that are easily killed by Archery or treachery effects. A hero or some kind of attachments for beefing up Noldor allies in general or making them more afforable would be great. We already have O Lorien and Heir of Valandil, so I hope they keep going with something similar. Maybe, as both others and I have said earlier, make cost reduction part of the discard mechanic.

It would also be really cool to see a hero or ally that interacts with the side quest mechanic, maybe both player and encounter kinds.

Have you tried to proxy Erestor. I made this deck with him, Tactics Boromir and Spirit Glorfindel, and it is one of the most enjoyable decks I have ever made -- already. And I am sure it will get a ton better with more cards like Protector of Lórien, Elven Spear or Galadhrim Weaver.

i haven't proxied yet, no. I did proxy Galadriel and her attachments soon after she was spoiled last year, but now I like to savour the anticipation as it were.

I see your point. I sort of wish I had that willpower, haha. But my point (or guess) remains. I feel the Noldor "discard" mechanic will be very powerful. I wonder if the Spirit card that is only playable from the discard pile is the Lay of Lúthien (the art of which was spoiled during the Wastes of Eriador article).

I spoke too soon... caved in and put an Erestor proxy in an Elrond/Spirfindel deck today. The draw and discard mechanic is really powerful. I got Protector of Lorien in my opening hand and put it on Elrond, played Arwen and then Asfaloth soon afterwards. That was pretty much all I had time for, as this deck ploughed through Passage Through Mirkwood with ease. Sure it's the easiest scenario out there, but it's still good for testing new decks on a basic level. I finished in 5 rounds with final threat 21, no damage on any heroes or allies. I dealt with three enemies on the way, but got Beorn's Path and didn't have to face the Spawn. I'll give a more difficult scenario a go tomorrow, perhaps. I hope for some mechanic that allows us to play cards from the discard pile (hold on, haven't they even confirmed this?) so all those discarded cards see some more use. Didn't include Will of the West, but I see its use in a deck like this.

Yes, they did confirm it. I was referring to it as Lay of Lúthien but when I checked the preview article again (for Wastes of Eriador) I saw that it is in fact called Tale of Tinúviel. It doesn't even say this will be a card that can only be played from the discard pile but it is my guess. And there may be more than one.

The line-up of Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel is a thematic win. I will be interested to hear how it does. Tactics Boromir and Spirit Glorfindel are very good with Erestor. I especially like to play Protector of Lórien on Boromir and Elven Spear on Glorfindel on round 1. With 10 cards in hand, it happens more often than not. And since you mentioned Master of the Forge, he is perfect in the deck with like 26 attachments out of the fifty cards. I can even play him round 1 with Miruvor. And once he is in play he almost certainly fetches you an attachment per round.

Is anyone else starving for a new article today?

Do you think a new one is coming? It wasn't too long ago we got the Carn Dûm article - but I can't wait for The Wastes of Eriador. It's been "on the boat" for quite some time now.

About two months now it has been on the boat... Really hoping we get it soon and the cycle kicks off. Getting antsy for new content.

Keeping up with FFG's weird tradition we'll probably see our final pack announcement before we get the first.

This is indeed the famine time of the LotR lcg. Each year the same for the past five. The first pack of the cycle is outrageously delayed. They only manage one cycle a year (for which my wallet is grateful) even though it is just a (monthly) pack of six plus a deluxe. Also, the first adventure keeps pushing further into the year. Two years ago I remember it was early May -- even after the delay, last year mid June, this year who knows...