Pipes! 1.0

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• 1.0

This is a deck I created to incorporate a number of mechanics I wanted to build around for the first time.

The first was pipes. I played the old Decipher LOTR TCG many years ago. My favorite deck I ever made was a pipes deck that included Smeagol, so it was essentially 4 pot heads and a heroin addict. It was a lot of fun to play and decent competitively, although by no means a power deck. In this deck, I was shocked with how powerful the pipes mechanics are (caveat: after you have got them into play en masse). Even when you only have a couple pipes played, a well-timed Smoke Rings or Old Toby can really save the day.

The next mechanic was side quests. I had been ambivalent toward them. In this deck they shine because the player already wants to turtle a few rounds to get all the pipes in play. Gather Information is the only essential Sidequest. Double Back probably is next because it can help buy a few rounds while the smoking army gets set up.

The One Ring was the final mechanic I added. It was a late addition after the first couple of games, when I was consistently finishing with a threat level well below my starting threat level, sometimes approaching zero. Inner Strength is the starting Master card. I threw in Well Preserved although it would probably be my first cut.

Gandalf wears the One Ring, and the deck is centered around him questing, defending, and attacking. Just keep piling the Unexpected Courage’s and Shadowfax on him.

Thurindir is the sidequest guy, obviously. He becomes the main quester late game, and may receive the third Unexpected Courage that hits the board.

Merry has been the most expendable hero. But I think he works well by keeping the starting threat low and creating some opportunity for early game threat reduction. Give him all the Spare Pipes and a Hobbit Pony.

Caleb is also great fun in this deck.

The cons of the deck are that it can take forever to get set up. But it has the ability to turtle and stay alive long enough to get pipes out. It’s great to hit those turns where you reduce your threat by 7, draw 7 cards, and play a Northern Trackerfor free! The deck is bloated in size but it has the ability to draw through the entire deck in 10-12 turns, which is why I have Will of the West included.