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| ingold55 |
![]() Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 4:24 pm |
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Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1199
Location: Out on the front line
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This article follows the open format
There are so many versions of the same card, why not just choose one and throw it in a deck, they are all pretty much the same right? Wrong. A card, especially a weapon, should be chosen wisely, based on their overall card text. This article looks at Gandalf’s Swords and Staffs, with a general overview of their uses.
The ratings in this article are based off of their, in general, uses to a deck. They are not rated off “oh this card would be good here, in this deck; or in this deck” But rather if you were to just throw one in a deck as a weapon.
Swords
Fellowship of the Ring ****
 •Glamdring
Possession hand weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage+1.
Fellowship or Regroup: Exert Gandalf to reveal and opponent’s hand. Remove  for each Orc revealed.
Glamdring is powerful, and can hurt your opponent badly; the main reason is they loose twilight fast. This can protect you from swarm decks, or large twilight eating minions. It also provides enough cover (in strength) to help Gandalf fight and the damage bonus may come in handy, though it is not always needed. The one set back is the exertion part, though that is a minor issue, and can be cured easily by using Gandalf in a deck with a regular amount of healing. (If you know you are playing against an Orc based deck, put Sting in your deck along with Glamdring, and you can clear the twilight pool fast.)
Two Towers ****
•Glamdring, Lightning Brand
Possession hand weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage+1.
Each time you play a spell during a skirmish, you may make Gandalf damage+1 until the regroup phase.
This is a very nice card, the main use would be a basic cover weapon, and you could use the special ability for sticky situations with fierce minions. The special ability cost nothing except for the twilight you have to pay with the event, but that is not a draw back. All in all this is a very good card.
Return of the King *
•Glamdring, Elven Blade
Possession Hand weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage+1.
Skirmish: If you have more cards in hand than each opponent, discard 2 cards from hand to make an opponent exert a minion.
The strength boost is good, but the entire skirmish action is less than great. It requires too much for exerting a minion. Even at that, your opponent gets to place the wound, and the exertion doesn’t apply to any other opponents, except one. Its special ability may come in handy a few times, but not to any large extent. The sword is good as an overall defense weapon, and also if you are playing only Return of the King block, but not much else.
Shadows *****
•Glamdring, Foe-Hammer
Possession Hand weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
Each time you win a skirmish, you may remove a burden.
An amazing card! The strength works as an add-on to Gandalf so he can fight better. Its main usage and greatness comes with its special ability. The ability to remove a burden if you win a skirmish will cover you greatly in any free peoples deck, and also blows a fairly large hole in corruption decks. This is probably the best overall weapon to use in any deck. (To kill most corruption decks, throw in Narya. This will run your opponent into the ground, and all he will have left is his minion’s strength to fight you.)
Rise of Saruman ***
•Glamdring, Orc Beater
Possession Hand weapon
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gandalf.
He is damage+1.
Each time a companion is about to take a wound, you may discard a companion from hand to prevent that wound.
A nice card. The damage bonus is good to have in comparison to Foe-Hammer, and the second is ok. It is nice to be able to prevent wounds to companions with 1 vitality; however the special ability does pose some problems. Unless you have more than one copy of the same companion, or cards to pull specific companions from your discard pile, you run the risk of losing too many companions. This is not necessarily a large menacing threat, as you can work a deck around the problem, but a hand weapon should not change the course of the entire deck. All in all, it is a nice possession, but should be watched as when to use it, and what type of deck it should be used in.
(This is a nice card to use with Woodland Onod. Discard a companion and make the ent strength +2, prevent a wound, and if the companion you discarded was an important one, exchange that companion with another one by using Borne Far away.)
Staffs
Fellowship of the Ring *****
•Gandalf’s Staff
Artifact Staff
Vitality +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
The twilight cost of each  spell is -1.
Skirmish: Exert Gandalf twice to cancel a skirmish involving him.
Very Powerful. It works wonderfully with Glamdring Lightning Brand, since they both deal with spells. The special ability is what makes Gandalf’s Staff great. Just by exerting twice, you can cancel a skirmish involving him. This is great against minions such as Sauron, the Balrog, or any minion stronger than one of your companions. The card is a great way to counter strong, threatening minions; on the downside, there is a problem of over exertion; 2 wounds is a lot to dish out on one companion, and should be monitored carefully on usage (Have Patience will heal both of the wounds Gandalf takes, which will minimize the problems of this staff.
(A cool little power pack you can use is Gandalf’s Staff, Glamdring, Lightning Brand, and Radagast’s Herb bag . Gandalf’s Staff plays spells for –, Glamdring gains a damage bonus, and you can wound a minion using Radagast’s Herb bag.)
Two Towers *
•Gandalf’s Staff, Walking Stick
Artifact Staff
Vitality +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
While you can spot 2 twilight tokens, Gandalf is damage +2.
Not a personal favorite of mine, but it can be used to your advantage. The damage bonus will help beat down minions you don’t want to fight, and you don’t have to exert to gain the special ability. If you are playing in an expanded or open format, this card is a nice choice to accompany Glamdring Foe-Hammer, because it covers the damage bonuses Foe-Hammer doesn’t. It is also a nice weapon to have if you want to get rid of minions fast.
Return of the King **
•Gandalf’s Staff, Focus of Power
Artifact Staff
Vitality +1
Bearer must be Gandalf.
While you can spot 4 twilight tokens, Gandalf is strength +1.
This staff is interesting, but rather useless. It can add a strength bonus, but requires you to have  in play. How often are you going to have that much twilight in play? A shadow player usually uses as much twilight as possible; overall though, you won’t have much use with this staff. It can be used as an extra weapon; though the main thing this staff does is add vitality.
Shadows *****
•Gandalf’s Staff, Ash-Staff
artifact staff
vitality +1
Bearer must be a wizard.
If bearer is Gandalf, he gains muster.
(At the start of the regroup phase, you may discard a card from your hand to draw a card.)
Each time bearer wins a skirmish, choose a shadow player who must wound a minion.
This is a very good staff to have in a deck. If need be, you can play it on Radagast, and you still have the second part of the special ability, or you could play it on Gandalf and gain both special actions. It provides a small flow of cards, which can keep your hand from getting stagnate. The wounding is a good way to get rid of extra minions, unfortunately you don’t get to choose who to wound. Overall, it is a card that can be used in most decks while working effectively.
Steeds
Two Towers*
•Shadowfax
Possession mount
Strength +2
Bearer must be Gandalf. Discard any hand weapons he bears. Gandalf may not bear a hand weapon. At the start of each skirmish involving Gandalf, each minion skirmishing him must exert.
This card has both a good and bad side. On the good side, you get a strength bonus, and you get to exert each minion. On the down side, the gains are not worth the risks you take by not bearing a sword. You will probably need that special ability (from the sword), so the trade is not a good choice to make.
Return of the King ****
•Shadowfax Greatheart
Possession mount
Bearer must be Gandalf. At the start of each skirmish involving Gandalf, each minion skirmishing Gandalf must exert.
Skirmish : Add a threat to make Gandalf strength +1.
This is a better choice over Shadowfax, as you don’t have to discard any possessions to play him, and Gandalf can have his weapons played on him throughout the game. You also get to exert each minion, and can make Gandalf strength +1. However there in lies the problem. If you add threats excessively, you will eventually open yourself up to a large amount of wounds. It would be wise to use Aragorn Driven by Need, when using this card. Aragorn will gain strength from the threats, and when they need to be taken off, just exert Aragorn twice to remove the threats and start over again.
Shadows
•Shadowfax Unequaled Steed ***
Possession mount
Resistance +2
Bearer must be Gandalf. Each time Gandalf is about to take a wound, you may add a burden.
Great cards, just throw Shadowfax on Gandalf Bearer of Obligation and you have a nice pump for your ring-bearer. The special ability is nice to have, though it might not be used much. If you do use it, throw in Glamdring Foe-hammer, or Narya, and you can remove that burden. The main thing that caught my about Shadowfax unequaled steed, was his resistance. Place him on Gandalf, and use one last surprise, and you can replace a weak companion, with Gandalf’s resistance. A very nice combo to use, and it is effective.
(If you want to build on that last combo, just add Radagast tender of beast, and Gwaihir Wind lord to Shadowfax Unequaled steed, and you can boost Gandalf’s resistance even higher. Then use one last surprise, and you are set to go beat up a minion.) 
Bloodlines **
•Shadowfax Roaring wind
Possession mount
Strength +1
Bearer must be a Wizard. When you play Shadowfax you may reinforce a token.
Skirmish: Remove 2 tokens to wound a minion skirmishing bearer.
Good, though not the best. The strength bonus is nice to have at no cost, and the second ability is ok. There are, however, very few cards that require tokens, and it will be hard at times to use the second ability. Shadowfax is good to have when you need a strength boost, and the special is nice to have I a hard spot.
Rise of Saruman ****
•Shadowfax Greatest of the Mearas
Strength +1
Vitality +1
Resistance +1
Bearer must be a wizard. Discard all other possessions on bearer, and bearer may not bear hand weapons.
Fellowship : Add a threat to remove a burden.
A great card; it has got good strengths and set backs. On the up side, adding resistance, vitality, and strength is a very helpful bonus in bad situations. The ability to add a threat and remove a burden will come in handy, and if you use this Shadowfax with Aragorn Driven by Need, you will cover yourself from threats. On the downside, discarding a card such as Glamdring foe-hammer in exchange for Shadowfax may have its problems. You loose the strength from the sword for something weaker, and you loose Glamdring’s special, cost free, ability. Using this Shadowfax should be watched as to which deck to use him, and even at that, how you use him, though he is one of the better cards.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed, and possibly gained something from this article. As always, I appreciate comments on how to make my article better. The following decks use a few of the Swords, Staffs and Steeds of Gandalf in a fashion that makes them key to the decks. Once again, thanks for reading.
Ingold55
The first deck uses Glamdring, Gandalf’s Staff, and Shadowfax Greatheart.
[Cards Total 30]
The one Ring the Binding Ring
Frodo Reluctant Adventurer
Gandalf The Grey Wizard x2 (starting fellowship)
Aragorn Heir of Elendil x1
Legolas Prince of Mirkwood x1
Gimli Counter of foes x1
Glamdring x2
Gandalf’s Staff x2
Shadowfax Greatheart x2
Sting x1
Anduril Flame of the West x1
Legolas’ sword x1
Gimli’s Battle Axe x1
Mithril-coat x1
Gandalf’s Wisdom x2
Long I fell x3
Wielder of the Flame x2
Intimidate x2
Sent Back x1
Have Patience x4
The main idea of the deck is to use Glamdring, Gandalf’s staff, Sting, and Gandalf’s Wisdom to keep twilight down. The other weapons are strength boosts incase minions are able to be played, and the events will protect for from wounds. Shadowfax Greatheart will weaken any minions that are played, however few that may be. This deck will prevent most twilight if playing against an Orc deck, and thus prevent many minions from coming into the game. Gandalf the grey wizard will lower all your companion’s twilight cost, and even allow Legolas and Gimli will come into play free. If need be kill Gandalf, and play a different copy of him with Sent Back, though this is an emergency only situation.
The second deck uses Glamdring, Lightning Brand, Gandalf’s staff, and Shadowfax Unequaled steed.
[35 cards total]
The One Ring the Binding Ring
Frodo Reluctant Adventurer
Gandalf Leader of men x2 (starting fellowship)
Brand King of Dale x1 (Starting fellowship)
Aragorn King in Exile x2
Erland Dale Counselor x1
Sting Bain of the Eight Legs x1
Mithril-coat x1
Ranger’s Sword x1
Flaming Brand x1
Glamdring, Lightning Brand x2
Gandalf’s Staff x2
Shadowfax Roaring wind x2
Radagast’s Herb bag x2
Mysterious Wizard x4
Wielder of the Flame x3
Long I fell x4
Discoveries x2
Have Patience x3
Servant of the Secret fire x3
Roll Of Thunder x2
Glamdring will pump damage bonuses, Gandalf’s staff will lower their twilight cost, and Shadowfax will add strength to help you win the skirmishes. Wielder of the Flame will enable Gandalf to take on more minions, protecting your other companions. If need be Gandalf’s staff can cancel skirmishes against minions which are to powerful to fight, such as Sauron or the Balrog. Have Patience and Aragorn King in Exile will help heal Gandalf from the wounds he will have to take using his staff, or from other wounds he acquires throughout the game. Radagast’s Herb bag will help you wound minions, and you can heal that wound with Aragorn King in Exile. Brand King of Dale will help take down swarm decks, and Erland will bring events back into your hand, and Role of Thunder will discard some annoying conditions of artifacts your opponent has in play.
The third and last deck features Glamdring, Foe-hammer, Gandalf’s Staff Ash staff, Shadowfax unequaled steed
[38 cards total]
The One Ring the Binding Ring
Frodo hope of Free peoples
Gandalf Returned x3
Erland Dale Counselor x1 (Starting Fellowship)
Brand King of Dale x1 (Starting Fellowship)
Aragorn Driven By need x1
Sting x1
Mithril-coat x1
Anduril Flame of the West x1
Glamdring foe-hammer x2
Gandalf’s Staff Ash-Staff x2
Shadowfax Unequalled steed x3
Narya x2
Gwaihir The WindLord x1
Pallando Far-Travelling one x1
Meneldor Misty mountain eagle x1
Radagast Tender of beasts x1
Radagast’s Herb bag x2
One Last surprise x4
Be Gone x3
Have Patience x4
Sent Back x2
The main idea is to boost Gandalf’s resistance with Shadowfax, Radagast Tender of beasts, Gwaihir, and Radagast’s Herb bag , then use his resistance to replace a companions strength by using One last Surprise. Glamdring foe-hammer will keep the burdens off, so Gandalf and Frodo have a higher resistance, and Gandalf’s Staff provides a steady flow of cards, and it also provides a vitality bonus. Pallando will get rid of those annoying conditions, and Meneldor will boost strength. Aragorn is in the deck to remove threats when they become a problem, and can also be used as an off (meaning he is the one you kill if you have to). Be gone will help your weaker companions face minions, and Erland will draw One last surprise back out of your discard pile.
Here are some cards that boost Gandalf’s possessions
Glamdring (You are mainly going to be trying to clear the twilight pool with this sword, these cards help you see what your opponent has in his/her hand before you risk a wound)
1. Treachery deeper than you know
2. A new light
Glamdring Lightning Brand (The main idea with this sword is to pump damage bonuses with spell events, and get rid of minions as fast as possible.)
1. Servant of the Secret Fire
2. Mysterious Wizard
3. Threw Down my Enemy
4. Radagast’s Herb bag
5. Gandalf’s Staff
Glamdring Elven Blade
There aren’t really any good cards to go with this one. (That I can see)
Glamdring Foe Hammer (This sword will probably be used mainly in preventing corruption)
1. Narya
2. Gandalf’s Staff Focus of Power
3. Pallando Far-Travelling one
Glamdring Orc Beater (The main thing this sword does is protects your companions from wounds they may receive.)
1. Woodland Onod
2. Borne Far Away |
Last edited by ingold55 on Tue Jun 05, 2007 3:28 pm; edited 8 times in totalThere is a power in this world beyond any of us, and Jesus is that power and The Savior.
 this is my attempt to look cool.
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| Anonymous Prodigy |
![]() Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 4:34 pm |
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Joined: 10 Jan 2006
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Location: United States
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You should mention that Glamdring, Orc Beater works well in a deck with Woodland Onod.  |
| I had to put something here. |
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| TheJord |
![]() Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 5:39 pm |
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Joined: 16 Feb 2007
Posts: 486
Location: UK
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You have some minor typos with Glamdring, Lightning Brand (notice the spelling and comma) and a [b] in the middle of nowhere in the same area.
Sting, not String |
| "The rule of Gondor is mine!" |
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| ingold55 |
![]() Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 7:17 pm |
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Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1199
Location: Out on the front line
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Ok, I went through and made a few adjustments. thanks for pointing those things out. I feel 
How does it look?
thanks
ingold |
There is a power in this world beyond any of us, and Jesus is that power and The Savior.
this is my attempt to look cool.
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| bobtheorc |
![]() Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 8:28 pm |
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Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 1218
Location: Wow, its hot in Iowa
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| ingold55 |
![]() Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 11:34 am |
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Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1199
Location: Out on the front line
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| What do i need to work on BtO? |
There is a power in this world beyond any of us, and Jesus is that power and The Savior.
this is my attempt to look cool.
Trade list (Want Balrogs and Aragorns) |
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| OneFathom |
![]() Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 7:15 pm |
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Joined: 03 Dec 2006
Posts: 426
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First off, don’t pay much attention to those that only make grammatical changes instead of constructive criticism. Regarding your article, I am a major Gandalf fan, and although your analysis of each of the primary Gandalf possessions/artifacts was clear, your simple explanations of what each card does didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. I think what would be cool is if you split this article up into segments instead of trying to cover each card and a specific strategy. Maybe focus on just Glamdrings or Gandalf’s Staffs and really flush out the potential for each card. For example, your analysis of Glamdring, Lightning Brand left much to be desired. You say Glamdring, Lightning Brand is a "very good card." If you say a card is good, explain why and how. For instance, what cards work best with Glamdring, Lightning Brand? Gandalf Skirmish Events with the keyword "Spell" not just any Gandalf skirmish events, make that very clear. Cards like these would work.
1. Servant of the Secret Fire
2. Mysterious Wizard
3. Threw Down My Enemy
4. The Flame of Anor
5. For A While Less Dark
You could rate them in order of playability, Servant of the Secret Fire being the best of the group. What cards would work best in what deck types? Just a couple of ideas to take a cool article idea like yours to the next level. Seeing the Gandalf culture is a pillar in LOTR TCG Gaming, flushing out the strategies behind each of these cards could be valuable to a number of gamers out there. Good luck! I see a lot of potential here, so I’ll wait to vote on this one. |
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| ingold55 |
![]() Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 8:52 pm |
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Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 1199
Location: Out on the front line
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I will look in to it, thanks.
ingold |
There is a power in this world beyond any of us, and Jesus is that power and The Savior.
this is my attempt to look cool.
Trade list (Want Balrogs and Aragorns) |
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| Glamdring |
![]() Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 1:28 pm |
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Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 575
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I just skimmed through it, but it seems like a 4 article to me.  |
Great minds think alike.~CarpeGuitarrem
Rangers will rule the World!! (CC's Official Ranger Lover)
My Haves/Wants Please look!!
...much debate much hard feelings. ~SOP |
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| NBarden |
![]() Posted: Fri May 25, 2007 1:27 pm |
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Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 5468
Location: I don't know...
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You need a Glamdring, Orc-Beater/Refuge deck with a couple Woodland Onods. Just a basic Refuge deck with a ton of companions would work. Maybe go with the Eowyn wounding theme, that seems to work well with Refuge.
Maybe....
(39 cards)
Frodo, Weary from the journey
The One Ring, The RIng of Doom
Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien
Legolas, Fearless Marksman
Aragorn, Thorongil x 4
Tolman Cotton, Farmer of Bywater x 4
Gandalf, Returned x 4
Woodland Onod x 4
Eomer, Horsemaster x 4
Shadowplay x 4
Refuge x 2
Long Live the Halflings x 2
Glamdring, Orc Beater
Coif
Rohirrim Mount
Aragorn’s Bow, Ranger’s Longbow
Anduril, Sword that Was Broken
For the Mark x 2
Alatar, Final Envoy
Pallando, Far-Travelling One
And just kill everything. And cycle like crazy. Note Eomer, Horsemaster and Legolas, Fearless Marksman’s cycling abilities, not to mention Refuge. And 39 cards isn’t really that big. |
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