THEMATIC SOLO Journey to the Cross-roads 2.0

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• 2.0

Backstory I was watching CotR Chad's Journey to the Crossroads thematic saga video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm8daXRszt8), and he challenged the listeners to come up with a solo thematic deck using Ithilien Rangers to defeat this oppressive solo quest. After banging my head on my computer multiple times in a row, many ideas came together in an impressive deck chock full of tech for this quest.

TheMurdering the Deck The Riddle-game represents the Rangers' search for Gollum, even though this happens slightly after this battle. I'm pretending that Necklace of Girion, the Birthday-Present of Choice, was taken from Dale by Bilbo Baggins (you Sneaky Burglar), and then he passed it to Frodo Baggins. Protector of Lórien is a Title gifted to Frodo Baggins in Lothlorien. Ioreth is a field medic, and Firyal is a double-agent: a traitor from the Haradrim (also discussed by Chad in his video).

Starting Hand You need card draw. This deck only works if you draw your entire deck gets drawn relatively quickly, as outlined by @seastan in his writeup of this deck: Black Gate 40+ Tokens. Peace, and Thought, Daeron's Runes, and Deep Knowledge are very important in this. Like Seastan, then convert Ioreth to a hero with Sword-thain, and exploit Mithrandir's Advice. Bartering and Scroll of Isildur can be used for this. Even though this is a 60+ card deck, every card is important. After you exploit Mithrandir's Advice, use Helm of Secrecy to turn Faramir into Mablung. If you can't find Helm of Secrecy, use Drinking Song. Damrod is the Thief, and Necklace of Girion goes on him.

Ideal Board State

Celador 2x Ranger Spear, 1x Leather Boots

Damrod Necklace of Girion, Ranger Spear, Wingfoot or Leather Boots

Mablung Gondorian Shield

Ioreth Scroll of Isildur (to draw more cards with Mithrandir's Advice)

Enemies Under the Cross-roads (and How to Deal with Them)

Haradrim Archer The weakest of the enemies, Ioreth can heal off the archery, Mablung can defend, and Celador/Damrod can kill. This should almost never go under The Black Gate.

Haradrim Soldier The middle of the pack. The best tech for this enemy is Outmatched, but you can't always predict it. Feint can help if Mablung is tied down. If it shows up early, feel free to send it under the Black Gate.

Oliphaunt Grey as a mouse, big as a house, willing to beat the crap out of you. I have included multiple ways of dealing with this enemy. Way #1: survive one attack (or Feint it), play a trap, use Live Bait. With its text box blanked, then play Forest Snare to tie it up for the round. Then, you have to kill it or Fierce Defense it. Way #2: Hit 40 threat thanks to underquesting or Deep Knowledge, then play Fierce Defense before it attacks you.

Questing This is a HUGE problem early on, but... 3x Emyn Arnen Ranger questing for 2-4 thanks to the tied-down Captain of Harad or Haradrim Soldier and a Firyal, along with Frodo Baggins and Damrod, and even Celador when you have a Trap that will be attached soon. Expert Trackers and The Evening Star help with location control.

Overall This deck (deep breath) WILL NOT WIN EVERY SINGLE TIME. IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME. Be prepared to send up to 3 cards under the Black Gate, and watch your threat at the end. But I believe I am the first one to do this, so now I'm going to take a break from mentally hurting myself (I'm joking, I love deckbuilding challenges) and play the game. Enjoy your thematic (mostly) sagas!