I would like to share my first attempt at the game, my first impression is tough, but lots of fun! I can see the brilliance of this game and why it has been flying off the shelves. I would like some feedback about how I can win the next time.
I started out with the first scenario and was a bit of a purist, I went with the pure spirit deck plus one Gandalf card. I also went with all three Spirit heroes. The basic strategy was this. Quickly in the game, I was able to get the elf scout ally, as well as the "favoured by the lady" card which I put to Eowyn. She was the one I would use to get progress on the quests. The others would be for attack and defence (Dunhere to attack monsters, Elonor to act in defence, a meat shield if you will). Progress was good, I was able to complete 2 quests before getting crushed at the third. I found that even the first quest made me sweat, getting progress can be a nerve wracking experience and even using Eowyn was no guarantee progress was going to be made. Sometimes I would even avoid a quest just to clean up the staging ground before going forward. Quest 2 went by quickly. Quest 3 was where things went downhill because a Spawn of Uqualit (whatever the spelling was), basically Shelob`s sibling came to the staging ground. With 2 other King Spiders the position was grim. Basicially, I tried to hold them off using any cards I had but the overwhelming might of the enemies ment that I would fight to the end until death. I was however, very satisfied with the game.
I thought that scenario 1 would be a cakewalk. If that is difficulty 1 I shudder to think about the other scenarios.
I am going to be a purist and try to win at least the first 2 scenarios with pure decks (leaning towards lore and spirit). I hear scenario 3 is brutal to solo. If anyone can give me some strategies to get this bad boy finished I would much appreciate it.