I wanted to tackle the core set quests and the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle again, with a strong emphasis on theme. All cards included in the two fisted decks had to make sense and reflect the heroes in some way.

Legolas, of Mirkwood - The opening core quest has King Thranduil dispatching a message to Lady Galadriel. I figured he would send his son to make sure the job was done. Legolas brings with him Silvan Trackers and Mirkwood runners, and the trusted Henamarth Riversong. For the first two Core quests, I was careful to not include any Silvan cards that were explicitly of Lorien. However, after "Journey Down the Anduin", our heroes reach Lorien and deliver their message to Galadriel. Going onwards to Dol Guldur, my party was then dubbed "Protectors of Lorien" and sent on their way with some Lorien allies.

Aragorn and Berevor, of the Dunedain - The rangers of the north bring their skills to help the party, with their Marks and Signals, as well as Northern Trackers.

Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, of the Shire - Our daring hobbits pluck up the courage to leave the Shire, making use of their Fast Hitch skills and gorging themselves with Good Meals and Second Breakfasts.

Brand son of Bain, of Dale - Brand travels down from Dale, fearing that it won't be long before his homeland is at risk from the dangers that are growing within Mirkwood. He brings with him a couple of Ravenhill Scouts, along with his grandfather's Black Arrow.

Gandalf and Radagast, Istari- The powerful wizards guide our heroes, providing invaluable aid when required. Radagast brings his power and love of creatures to summon the Eagles down from the mountains.

Here are the decks as they stood after reaching Lorien:

Deck 1 - The Lore of the Land

Heroes

Aragorn (Lore)

Berevor

Bilbo Baggins

Lore

Daughter of the Nimrodel x 2

Henamarth Riversong x 2

Forest Snare x 3

Protector of Lorien x 3

Strider's Path x 2

A Burning Brand x 3

Haldir of Lorien x 1

Silvan Tracker x 2

Fast Hitch x 3

Mirkwood Runner x 2

Ravenhill Scout x 2

Love of Tales x 3

Healing Herbs x 2

Leadership

Sneak Attack x 3

Celebrian's Stone x 1

Dunedain Mark x 3

Dunedain Warning x 3

Second Breakfast x 2

Sword that was Broken x 1

Path of Need x 1

Neutral

Gandalf (Core) x 3

Song of Kings x 3

Deck 2 - Arrows and Eagles

Heroes

Legolas

Brand son of Bain

Frodo Baggins

Tactics

Feint x 3

Blade of Gondolin x 3

Winged Guardian x 3

The Eagles are Coming! x 2

Vassal of the Windlord x 3

Song of Mocking x 3

Eagles of the Misty Mountains x 2

Support of the Eagles x 3

Hands Upon the Bow x 2

Black Arrow x 1

Spirit

Northern Tracker x 2

The Galadhrim's Greeting x 3

Hasty Stroke x 3

A Test of Will x 3

Unexpected Courage x 2

Late Adventurer x 2

Neutral

Radagast x 2

Song of Travel x 3

Song of Battle x 2

Good Meal x 3

Despite going all out for theme, there is a strong Hammer and Anvil mechanic to the decks. Bilbo gets boosted with attachments to serve as the "Anvil", with Frodo and the Song of Mocking soaking up excess damage. Legolas and Brand then retaliate with their ranged attacks.

For the eagles, I've chosen the disposable Winged Guardians and Vassals, not only for their Ranged and Sentinel abilities, but so that they can boost Eagles of the Misty Mountains when they are discarded. Support of the Eagles is then played on Legolas or Brand to deliver some crushing blows, using Eagles of the Misty Mountains as the source.

We also have Good Meal on Frodo to pay for The Galadhrim's Greeting. Love of Tales is great for all the Song cards too.

I've had great fun with these two decks so far, including a climactic Dol Guldur quest where Brand took down the Nazgul with his Black Arrow.

I really like these decks. As the card pool expands, it is nice that we have enough to work with, for making more thematic decks like these.

Thanks, I decided to take out the Great Yew Bows after playing, as they just didn't get used. I just wasn't leaving enemies in the staging area at all. It was nearly always preferable to pull the enemies onto the "Anvil" to be attacked by both Brand and Legolas to make use of both of their Responses (Brand always to ready Berevor for card draw).

I have replaced the two copies of the Yew bow with "Late Adventurer". Sometimes the deck can stall when no enemies are drawn and the staging area fills with locations. This can help give a questing boost by adding Brand to the quest.

I finished playing through the Shadows of Mirkwood cycle and these decks beat every scenario first time, with the exception of "Journey to Rhosgobel". After the first attempt I substituted in an extra copy of "Healing Herbs" and Radagast and won comfortably. Also in Hills of Emyn Muil, I subbed in an extra Northern Tracker before play, other than that the decks went unchanged for each scenario.