Tricky Traps and Smashing SIlvans: Solo Progression 1.0

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Deck analysis breakdown: Part 1: General Playstyle Part 2: Heroes Part 3: Supporting Groups

Part 1: Playstyle This is a solo trap deck using cards up to the end of the Against the Shadow cycle. I have tested it out against Into the Pit, Foundations of Stone and Blood of Gondor and it performed well in all three (with some small modifications). The general idea of the deck is to slow down and bleed out enemies with traps and Mirkwood Runners (who ignore enemy defence). It lacks the ability to deal a lot of damage in one go, instead dealing death by a thousand cuts.

Part 2: Frodo Frodo will mostly be questing until he has a Fast Hitch, at which point he becomes an important backup defender (this deck avoids chump blocking at all cost as its allies are too important to the deck functioning). Ring Mail is in an option to make him even better at this. The deck also includes a copy of Dark Knowledge for Denathor, who also has a Burning Brand. ‘Such a waste’ I hear you loudly think! I disagree with your hypothetical outrage. Dark Knowledge helps you to choose WHICH enemy Frodo should defend, as he can’t have a Burning Brand. Even better is how well it combos with Small Target. Imagine you have a big nasty engaged with you as another enemy is about to join them in your area. Just use Dark Knowledge to see what the big bad’s shadow effect is. You could even trigger Denathor’s scrying before the engagement to check before the shadow card is dealt (a lot of work, but worth it if comes off).

Aragorn: This deck makes full use of Aragorn’s rounded stats, filling whichever roll is needed at the time. No surprises in his set up with Celebrian’s Stone, Sword that was Broken, Steward of Gondor and Unexpected Courage lined up for him. His real contribution though is his ability to reset threat once a turn, which lets you really milk Frodo’s damage sponge ability for all its worth.

Denathor: Denathor is set up as a typical defender, with Gondorian Shield, Burning Brand and Protector of Lorien earmarked for him. Dark Knowledge can also go on him, because he will almost never be questing. And Unexpected Courage of course, allowing you to make use of his scrying ability which is super valuable in solo, especially when deciding whether spend your valuable resources on traps, attachments or allies in the prep phase. emphasized text Part 3: Supporting Groups

(i) Traps: The heroes can take a lot a damage but aren’t so hot at dealing it out. Poisoned Stakes is therefore the most important trap. Get it played whenever possible and use Anborn’s ability to bring them back round after round (unless his attack can finish something off). Forest Patrol and Infighting will lend a helping hand on speeding the enemies towards their maker.

(ii) A Side of Silvans: This deck doesn’t generate big hits. This makes Mirkwood Runner’s ability to bypass defence essential to clearing out enemies after they are engaged. They work beautifully with Poisoned Stakes, dealing 4 damage to an enemy per round regardless of their armour! Silvan Refugee is also great for this deck, as you will not be doing much (any?) chump blocking. This makes the investment of 1 resource for 2 willpower a real bargain. Children of the Sea can then allow you to make a cheap push over the line, and it can work with either of the above allies. Haldir of Lorien also gets a slot for his sheer versatility.

(iii) Card Draw: Nothing surprising here, just lots of it. Master of the Forge helps get our heroes set up, Gleowine keeps the players hang full of cards and Peace, and Thought/ Ancient Mathom gives bursts of cards.

(iv) Scenario control: Test of will because, well, you kind of have to. It is especially needed to stop those Silvan Refugee’s succumbing to ‘all committed characters take 1 damage’ treacheries.

(v) Out of Sphere: I played around with adding songs, but in the end I went with A Good Harvest to allow for out of sphere cards. It is such a flexible card, plus its free! It is worth remembering that Sword that was Broken and Celebrian's stone grand Aragorn additional spheres.

(v) Warden of Healing: Because heroes are more useful when they are alive.

Sideboard: For more combat focused quests, just add more Ithilen Archers and maybe a Ranger Bow or two, taking away Silvan Refugees. For quest heavy ones, Take away Mirkwood Runners and bring Lorien Guides.

If you are still reading, thanks for sticking with it. I am quite new to the game, but I have had a lot of fun so far and this deck is probably my favourite I have built so far. ( I have played up to the end of Against the Shadow, mostly playing two handed)

Would love to hear your thoughts.

p.s There are 53 cards instead of 50, but 3 of them are Daeron's Runes, so don't really count...