Has anyone else had as much trouble trying to complete the second scenario from the Core set as I have? I am playing solo and only using the decks as provided in the set. I have not mixed any spheres. Using the Spirit deck has been my best opportunity as the troll does not engage for a few rounds but eventually, it does and kills whoever I use to defend. I'm just curious if I am not doing something correct or if it's virtually impossible to complete solo?

Thanks

It is nearly impossible to beat it solo with one of the pre-made deck in the core set. You have to build your deck. There are a few threads in this forum discussing about the strategy, for example:

Journey Along the Anduin - Can't Beat it Solo!
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=285&efcid=4&efidt=646263

Strategy guide mega thread 1.journey down the anduin
http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=285&efcid=4&efidt=619096

also try searching 'drowning on the anduin' that has about 6 pages of advice

rich

With only the core set I had a lot of success using Éowyn, Dúnhere and Theodred. If you keep your threat low early on with galadhrim's greeting and Gandalf it buys you time to build up allies for when the hill troll needs to be dealt with. If you want to stick to the core spirit however, it is still possible, you just need to be a little lucky with your card draws early on. Having said that, with Éowyn, Eleanor and Dúnhere your starting threat cost is only 24 which should give you sufficient time to prepare, even if you quest unsuccessfully a little.

I appreciate there's a deal of luck involved, but it might be worth taking a mulligan if you don't draw a galadhrim's greeting with your initial 6 cards, and save your Gandalf for defending the hill troll before mobbing it with Dúnhere and the northern trackers etc you've managed to get into play.