On this quest if you choose the Old Bridge and Ancient Harbor as your starting locations you can win on the first round with 2 players.
Go Mono Lore and Mono Spirit.
The cards do not matter. Just load up on card draw for lore Darion's Runes, Mithranders Advice. The card you are looking for is "Risk Some Light" so mulligan if you do not get it. If you don't get it then Guildor's Counsel is a decent backup.
The spirit deck doesn't matter at all. Just include some Elrond's Counsel and readying effects like Miravor and Westfield Horsebreaker and Unexpected Courage.
Use Bifur, Denethor, and Mirlande for 20 threat to be in secrecy range.
Use Eowyn, Eleanor, and Glorfindel for the spirit deck for a low 21 threat.
Chose Ancient Harbor and Old Bridge with 2 Uruk Soldiers (or the higher threat but higher engagement cost Uruk Lt.)
Use 'Risk Some Light' for free to prep the counter deck. Usually you can get enemies, master's malice, Orc Camp, etc. Try for Non Osgiliath locations or treacheries that don't ruin your day. Or any enemy that doesn't attack you on entering play or if you control locations.
During planning pay all six resources for 'The Old Bridge' send Eowyn questing and beef her up if you need to. Then during combat exhaust 5 heroes to get "Ancient Harbor" Voila!
I just got 4 wins in a row. Statistically you should be able to get close to 50% wins doing this. I like those odds on a difficulty 8 against the shadow quest playing progression style. If you can't win by round 3 it's over though
Edited by midwestborn86