The Last Homely House

Middle-Earth => Archives of Minas Tirith => Topic started by: jdizzy001 on May 18, 2019, 01:32:21 PM

Title: Shifting Meta?
Post by: jdizzy001 on May 18, 2019, 01:32:21 PM
So, I have been out of the game for a few years and I have noticed a few things. Is it just me or has the current meta been shifting? Aside from the usual dwarf tank decks and corsair navies I have seen a lot of fellowships playing 6 to 7 companions which was a huge no no when I bowed out a few years back. I have also seen far few conditions in play and in increase in what I can only describe as "highlander" type decks meaning only a single copy of a card is in the deck meaning there is a wide variety in the deck but without the specialized focus from the past. Any thoughts?
Title: Re: Shifting Meta?
Post by: ilazul on May 18, 2019, 06:38:42 PM
I don't know which format you're specifically talking about, but for expanded people starting figuring out how to deal with the "rule check" cards. For a long time, you simply didn't run more than 5 companions or 3 free people's cultures unless you were running ent horde or similar decks that threw away large fellowships.

Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul , Southron Leader, Grima, Chief Counselor , and a bunch of other cards pretty much kept decks in check but people don't care as much anymore as new strategies were found.

For expanded, you'd see a lot of Perspective, Stewards' Legacy, Gandalf, Powerful Guide , Shadowplay, Madril, Defender of Osgiliath  with Ithilien Blade. At first it seemed like Powerful Guide and Madril were the solutions but other cultures found stuff. As long as you can control the Maneuver and Archery phases you don't really care about the "rule check" cards.

While new strats were found, it did kind of wash out horn filter but decks like Gil-Galad and Dwarves have come back to light. I really love the meta. It's way more fun to play large fellowships, and a meta that moves away from twilight choke is much more enjoyable overall.

The best shadows still have the ability to nab specific cards with Sudden Strike to face check, but fellowships are built around it. It makes deck construction super interesting.

I think it's also why I'm fond of odd shadows like Uruks and Orc Wargs, they don't bother with running the cards people are prepared for but attacks them from other angles.

As for the single card strats, cards like Saved From the Fire, Deagol, Long-Stemmed Pipe with Barliman Butterbur, PPP , A Wizard is Never Late, Something Slimy, and Momentous Gathering allow a ton of silver bullet strategies. Shadow sides have done this to a degree as well.

Also decks have kinda gone to the 100-120 card size to take advantage of drawing up to hand size every turn. Expanded is fun as #$&*@!.
Title: Re: Shifting Meta?
Post by: jdizzy001 on June 01, 2019, 08:57:49 PM
I play fotr and movie 99% of the time. But what you mention about rule checking is exactly what I mean. Lots of rule check cards are being tossed aside and people are being far more generous with their skirmish events and they seem to care less about condition discarding now as well.