Hey all,

Just wanted to check in to see how everyone is fairing with the new deluxe, and to talk about certain things you've noticed with this cycle compared to cycles past.

First impression -- I am very impressed with the balance and the fine-tuning the creators have been with this cycle with treacheries, locations and enemies. There aren't any "bounces" that the players can get; there are very little deck archetypes that can sneak through here; and there is still new dynamics that make this quest feel fresh.

My buddy and I first ran two variants of decks we found on ringsdb. Here was the fellowship:

https://ringsdb.com/fellowship/view/7257

It did not go well. We played around with switching out the Haldan deck with a trap deck, and that didn't seem to work either.

After a week hiatus, we swapped to this fellowship:

https://ringsdb.com/fellowship/view/7285

...And we absolutely crushed the first scenario. And though the threat got high on the second scenario, we were able to use these (untouched) to clear the second.

Next week we will bring these decks against the third and final scenario. It would be fun to run them all the way through the cycle. These decks are absolute blasts to work with, and can clear out enemies consistently and methodically, especially late game when the Dale army is set up.

I must say one of the worst combos I ever have seen in the game happened. I was able to play Gwahir's Debt to pull in Gandalf against the second scenario. (SPOILER) The treachery card, I forget the exact name, but I think it is Secret Cultist? appeared and targeted Gandalf... who was promptly taken out of the quest and played against me as an enemy. So of course I lost the questing and the ability to play him next turn, AND had to deal with a 4-attack, 4-defense 4-hitpoint enemy. A deck built for combat WAS able to handle him, but man, what a back-breaker.

This has been a lot of fun. I am looking forward to Temple of Doom.

Any other thoughts?

Secret Cultist really makes you think about what allies you should play. I've had it hit Treebeard right when I played him. Lost me all the resources and I suddenly had to face a very strong enemy while having lost a big attacker. It's pretty much Knife In the Back 2.0, but I like the design space.

Overall, the quests in this box are very solid, Temple of Doom nods a little at the Time mechanic, and is a quest you want to beat as quickly as possible. I won't spoil the surprise at the end, but it is a quest you will want to prepare for. The quests overall have a steep learning curve, but once you know what to look for, they aren't as difficult as some other Deluxes (Heirs of Numenor for instance).

The first scenario look a lot the same as back at the beginning of the game: not particular stress about timing (yes an enemy every 4 turns should get you in the mood in moving fast, but I don't think it is the good strategy). Good for a nice game but probably won't play it very often.

The second one remind me too much of steward's fear, but I found it less interesting (may be less difficult?) so I don't like it very much.

Temple of doom is, to me, the masterpiece of this scenario. I found it difficult, both to win or understand how to proceed. I already play it 6 or 7 times and will continue to do so.

16 hours ago, Rouxxor said:

The first scenario look a lot the same as back at the beginning of the game: not particular stress about timing (yes an enemy every 4 turns should get you in the mood in moving fast, but I don't think it is the good strategy). Good for a nice game but probably won't play it very often.

The second one remind me too much of steward's fear, but I found it less interesting (may be less difficult?) so I don't like it very much.

Temple of doom is, to me, the masterpiece of this scenario. I found it difficult, both to win or understand how to proceed. I already play it 6 or 7 times and will continue to do so.

Agree with everything here. The third scenario ... wow. I can’t remember a quest that keeps you riding the edge of success and failure all the way through.

Just beat the first scenario (plus or minus a missed rule). Whew, that was a ride.

I liked it quite a bit. It reminds me a great deal of escape from umbar, in a good way.