Shadow and (Beech) Bone 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

In this deck, we unleash Beechbone, not because it's good, but because we can.

This is a bizarre hero lineup, to say the least. Gilraen has thus far not been featured on Ringsdb in decks without another Dúnedain hero. (MotK) Beechbone takes a decent Ent statline and assigns it directly to your threat meter in return for what is, at the end of the day, a passable main attacker at best. And then you've got Wormtongue, sure to increase the threat cost of our gambit even further (and elicit many a groan in multiplayer).

So, what are the benefits?

Well, there are some real synergies with this lineup. Gilraen lets you see shadow effects, helping you decide how to take damage to power up Beechbone. She also supplies access for cancels, threat reduction, and extra hit points (Ring of Barahir and the Entmoot-seeking Spare Pipe). Grima gives resource acceleration and access to for, most cruciallly, Ent Draught and Wellinghall Preserver. You can reasonably expect Beechbone to reach 7 or 8 hit points in a game, allowing him to deal around 6 direct damage with his ability. Even early game, he usually deals 3 or 4 direct damage, which is often enough. Wellinghall Preserver provides the healing to sustain Beechbone as the game progresses, and provides an amazing 3 to boot (unfortunately, not finding these in the deck is a pain, and you will cry when your Entmoot whiffs).

Henamarth Riversong is generally good, but also has some synergy with Gilraen, as you can decide whether or not to take an extra shadow card based on what's on the top of the deck. Magic Ring provides some other access to healing and synergizes with Ring of Barahir. Plus it can ready your armor-piercing tree.

The results speak for themselves...

Passage through Mirkwood 2-3 (can we talk about how nasty King Spider is?)

Journey Along the Anduin 2-0 (in 49 and 48 threat nailbiters I never expected to win)

Escape from Dol Guldur: 0-69

Into the Pit: 1-0 (I hear the Goblin Patrol Leader still has nightmares)