The Lord of the Rings: the Card Game Progression Series (The Hive Tyrant)

By TheHiveTyrant, in The Lord of the Rings: The Card Game

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Thanks for the great series - Today, a friend and I just started our own little OCTGN progression series (just epically failed Journey along the Anduin after drawing two hill trolls right at the beginning and holding off a storm of enemies, just to be, after finally embarking on the raft, finished off by a nasty suite of treacheries - very fun :) - we failed to bring any healing effects which turned out to be a bad choice ).

I have been thinking about what to do with scenarios that were released in-between cycles. In particular 1) when to play promotional scenarios, 2) when to add in cards from the Saga expansion, and 3) when to play Saga expansions.

It looks like you are skipping the promotional scenarios for now (As far as I know Massing at Osgiliath was released before the Hills of Emyn Muil). I guess in your old progression series you played that scenario after the entire Shadows of Mirkwood cycle. Reasonable - I can imagine it to be extremely luck dependent with a card pool just up to Rhosgobel (without Boromir etc.). I found it to be a (all be it fun) challenge even with cards up to Khazad Dum...

As for the Saga expansions, it could be a little odd to play the Hobbit 1, then Heirs of Numenor, then the Hobbit 2; or to play the Black Riders in the middle of the Against the Shadows cycle, then wait until the Road darkens was released in the middle of the Ringmaker etc. Especially if one wants to enjoy campaign mode. However, I guess one could expand the card pool at the correct times and continue playing the regular cycles?

In any case, for anyone who has been there, I was just wondering what your solutions and thoughts were on handling this issue .

Happy questing and thanks!

Hey there, Aaron!

Thank you very much for reaching out and expressing your appreciation for the series. I'll be sure to share your post with Matthew, as he and I both always love hearing from viewers ^_^

What I intend to do for this series is to play through everything in "mostly" chronological order. You're quite right that The Massing at Osgiliath came out very early indeed - in fact, it was first available at Gen Con alongside Conflict at the Carrock! That's a lot of scenario for not a large pool of player cards, and for this ongoing Progression Series, Matthew and I intend to play PoD stuff inbetween cycles. One notable exception to this rule was back in the original Progression Series, when Matthew and I played The Battle of Lake-Town between the second and third scenario of The Hobbit: On the Doorstep saga expansion; it just seemed natural (and narrative-appropriate), to do so. On this channel, I intend to "take a break" from the Progression Series when, chronologically, a Saga Expansion was released.

For instance, we will do the following in order:

Shadow and Flame - Progression Series Episode X

The Hobbit: Over Hill and Under Hill - (one evaluation series episode, 3+ saga series episodes)

Heirs of Numenor - (one evaluation series episode, 3+ progression series episodes)

The Hobbit: On the Doorstep - (one evaluation series episode, 3+ saga series episodes)

Steward's Fear - Progression Series Episode Y

As a box or adventure pack is opened, we'll be adding those cards to our card pool moving forward. So, I hope that explains quite clearly what he and I intend to do, but you're certainly welcome to do whatever you'd like. For more detail about the ongoing Progression Series, check out the now slightly outdated project summary.

Here's hoping that you have a bit better luck, moving forward! For what it's worth, I don't think I've ever faced two first-turn Hill Trolls, when playing Journey Along the Anduin ;)

So again, thanks for reaching out, and best wishes to you!

Edited by TheHiveTyrant
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So again, thanks for reaching out, and best wishes to you!

hanks a lot for that detailed breakdown!

That strategy sounds reasonable. The only thing one will have to remember is the progress in the campaign with the Boons and Burdens. I am still curious to try Massing at Osgiliath with the limited cardpool - It is probably a "puzzle" (as you might say) that is not consistently solvable but could be a fun experience for all the masochists among us.

Edited by ParinorB
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The path of their elusive quarry has lead our heroes to the momentary reprieve of a green and verdant clearing, where they find themselves surrounded on all sides by stone ridges, brambles, and many tall pillars of unyielding rock. In the midst of this unforgiving, but solemnly beautiful landscape, they see in the far distance the great Anduin cascading over Rauros to the South, while to the East and West stand the twin, formidable peaks of Amon Lhaw and Amon Hen.






While the tell-tale signs of nearby Orcs abound, and begin to increase in frequency, the path of the creature Gollum has grown all but entirely cold; our heroes are now faced with the task of scouring the Emyn Muil in attempt to rediscover its trajectory and whereabouts, lest they never manage to find their game. Closer than lends comfort, the bark and eerie howl of slathering Wargs suddenly echoes off of stone...






After a long week of waiting, I am honored to present another installment of The Lord of the Rings: the Card Game Progression Series! Today, Matthew and I tackle The Hills of Emyn Muil.






Please feel encouraged to share your own memories and play experiences in the YouTube comments, and I dearly hope you enjoy another video. I can make no promises, alas, but Matthew and I are going to *attempt* to increase the frequency with which we produce and deliver episodes of this series. So until next time, take care, and look forward to more harrowing LOTR LCG content to come soon! Thanks for watching.





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Keep it up!!

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The Progression Series continues! Today, while still fresh from our recent investigations of the Emyn Muil, Matthew and I crack open The Dead Marshes adventure pack. Inside, we find one of the strongest heroes ever to be produced for LOTR LCG, as well as a whole host of cards that we really enjoyed talking about.






Do be sure to express your own sentiments on and experiences with these cards in the YouTube comments, and look forward to he and I finally attempting to manage our capture of the elusive, deplorable Gollum soon! Take care everybody, and thanks for watching ^_^





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The Progression Series continues!






After months of tireless searching, Matthew and I have finally discovered the whereabouts of the wicked and loathsome Gollum. As we wade into the murky, misty swamplands to secure our capture of the creature, will dark knowledge of the long-forgotten, waterlogged ancient battlefield allow Gollum to, at the last moment, elude us?






Will our quarry be snatched and bound, or instead, shall our Fellowship be gobbled up by vast, serpentine worms, or even mesmerized into drowning by the lights and spirits of the long dead?






Please share your own play experiences and strategies with The Dead Marshes in the comments, and I hope you enjoy today's video!






As always, we may not be able to produce these episodes half so often as we would like, but we appreciate your patience and are grateful for your support of our series. Take care!





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As one year draws to an end, a New Age prepares to dawn - and thus, your Progression Series co-hosts present the first of the last of our Shadows of Mirkwood cycle coverage!






Today, Mitch and Matthew crack open "Return to Mirkwood." Our latest pack may contain some objectively powerful cards, but we very much look forward to sharing our discussion of how we REALLY feel about them with you!






Do please give us the gift of sharing one of your own opinions on one or more of these cards in the YouTube comments, and here's wishing you and your loved ones the best during this holiday season and over the upcoming new year.





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Really looking forward to when you guys break into the next cycle. While I have enjoyed the Evaluation Series so far, I haven't been able to watch the Progression Series just because I've done those missions so many times I'm a bit sic of 'em :P

Also, I think the Dwarrowdelf Cycle does a pretty good job at opening up some different deck options. Seeing the same cards over and over again is a bit tedious to watch. Not your guys' fault, there's just only so many viable decks you can make with the tiny card pool you currently have access to.

I do appreciate that you guys seem to try and use each new hero at least once instead of just using the same six power house heroes. I'm especially looking forward to your opinions on Elladan and Elrohir, they were quite a polarizing pair in the group I used to play with.

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With the hissing, indignant, and hate-filled Gollum having at last been captured and bound in the swampy morass of the Dead Marshes, our intrepid heroes have but one final task to finish prior to completing their quest - they must Return to Mirkwood!






Will Mitch and Matthew be able to safely guard and transport the irate, wailing troglodyte to the halls of the elven king, so that he might see interrogation? Or instead, will the anguished, enraged cries and howls of the bound creature beckon forth more chattering, skittering dangers from the dark and treacherous trees of the surrounding forest than our heroes are able to contend with?






Be sure not to miss this ensorcelling conclusion to the Progression Series' adventures in the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle, and please share your own experiences with this scenario in the comments!






As always, take care, and thanks for watching.





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Well done once again M&M and thanks a lot for doing this! It's always a pleasure to watch and listen to you two. As much as I'd like you to catch up with where you left of a few years ago, do take all the time you need. It's really nice to revisit these old quests again and occasionally I find cards I had forgotten even existed. Here's wishing you a great 2017!

/Maz

Edited by Mazarbul
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As the Progression Series prepares to cover the upcoming Khazad-dûm deluxe expansion and its associated Dwarrowdelf cycle, please join Matthew and I as we put a bow on our Shadows of Mirkwood coverage!






Today, we talk all about themes and trends, and share our overall opinions of each of the products that we've reviewed and played thus far. We discuss the state of Heroes and player cards in the CORE Set, as well as how they evolved over the course of our first full expansion block. Matthew and I share our personal sentiments and experiences playing through each of our first nine scenarios, and I would adore the opportunity to read some of your own opinions on any or all of these topics in the comments!






So, please enjoy over two hours of podcast-style listening, let Matthew and I know if you agree or disagree with our thoughts on what we've seen in LOTR LCG thus far, and here's hoping that you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Take care, community, and fare well!





Edited by TheHiveTyrant
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With the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle now well behind us, this next adventure sees Matthew and I as part of a scouting party from Gondor which has ventured deep within the ruins of Osgiliath. Finding ourselves suddenly waylaid by the vanguard forces of a huge host in service of the Enemy, have we any hope of escape, so as to warn the vulnerable citizens of the White City? Shall the Progression Series co-hosts again reign triumphant, or shall we instead find ourselves slain by a foe no man may fell? After far too many weeks of absence, be sure to check out the latest installment of the series, enjoy, and look forward to more to come soon!
Edited by TheHiveTyrant
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Good to see you back!

Link seems to be dead (?) I can find the video myself on youtube but not through this link.

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Link dead for me also :)

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Ack! Thanks for pointing that out. Link fixed.

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Perfect!

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Today, the Progression Series finally delves into LOTR LCG’s very first deluxe expansion – please do Matthew and I the honor of joining us for our evaluation of the player cards of Khazad-dûm!
Edited by TheHiveTyrant
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Today, the Progression Series steels itself to enter the ancient and sorrowfully fallen Dwarf kingdom of Moria. Join Mitch and Matthew as we take on the very first scenario of Khazad-dûm – it's Into the Pit!
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Sudden pitfall! Game over! :D

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From Horn Blowers to Cave Trolls, it's time that the Progression Series adventure in Khazad-dûm continues! Join Mitch and Matthew for another harrowing installment of the series, as we together test our mettle against the encroaching Orc hordes of The Seventh Level. As ever, please share your own experiences with this scenario in the comments, and until next time - take care!
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Balin has been lost, and the ancient Dwarf kingdom of Khazad-dûm has been confirmed to be overflowing with the ever-multiplying rank and file of the Enemy.
As the heroes of the Progression Series prepare for the next mission of their unending journey, they find themselves hunted by a creature more old and unyielding than the very mines they explore; at once, our adventurers are engulfed in choking and burning flame, and strangled by blanketing, smothering shadow.
Against a foe whose power is rivaled only by its wickedness, cunning, and fury, there is no hope for victory. Today, please join co-hosts Mitch and Matthew of the Progression Series for our play-through of Flight from Moria!
While watching, please do us the kindness of sharing your very own best (and worst!) experiences playing through any of the scenarios from LOTR LCG's very first deluxe expansion; each viewer comment is a delightful opportunity for interaction with the community, and I love exchanging fond memories with fellow fans of this gem of a card game.
Thank you to everyone for watching, and for your ongoing support of this series, and until next episode - take care!
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The Progression Series enters the Dwarrowdelf cycle!
Today, join Mitch and Matthew as they examine the new hero and player cards of The Redhorn Gate, and give their initial thoughts on the subtle new keyword "Secrecy."
As always, please share your own thoughts on these cards and our new keyword in the comments!
As an aside, I (Mitch) have officially completed all coursework required to obtain a second Bachelor's degree - this time, in Nutrition and Dietetics. As I make the transition into a new phase of my life (in ongoing pursuit of a career-job or an internship), here's looking forward to my finally having a little free time again, for a change!
Thank you to everyone for your ongoing interest in and support of this series, and I hope you enjoy this new episode. Look forward to the PS2 TRG scenario play-through to come soon, as well as a great many more episodes eventually thereafter.
Until next time, enjoy the rest of your weekend, and take care!

The Redhorn Gate Player Card Review - LOTR LCG Progression Series Episode #13
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Whether from climate change or treacherous wizardry, the weather of the Misty Mountains has never been so perilous. Today though, Mitch and Matthew brave the cold to bring you the latest installment of the Progression Series!
Shall they deliver Arwen Undomiel to the safety of Rivendell, or instead succumb to the insidious mountain? Find out, as they tackle The Redhorn Gate, and share your own experiences in the comments!
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After journeying safely past the treacherous and unyielding cold of Caradrhas, your Progression Series co-hosts begin the next leg of their Dwarrowdelf adventure! Shall they deliver Arwen Undomiel to the safety of Rivendell, or instead find themselves exsanguinated from ambush? Be sure to tune in to find out, share your own experiences playing “Road to Rivendell” in the comments, and until next episode – take care!