Recent Posts

21

Expanded / Gandalf Ent Horde - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 08:23:38 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gandalf Ent Horde - Free Peoples (Expanded)
The typical 8-companion start deck with Gandalf, Leader of the Company rounding it out.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Weary From the Journey
Merry, In the Bloom of Health
Pippin, In the Bloom of Health
Farmer Maggot, Hobbit of the Marish
Quickbeam, Bregalad
Skinbark, Fladrif
Host of Fangorn
Ent Horde

Companions:
Gandalf, Leader of the Company x4
Huorn x3

Followers:
Meneldor, Misty Mountain Eagle
Alatar, Final Envoy
Pallando, Far-Travelling One
Radagast, Tender of Beasts

Possessions:
Hobbit Sword
Gandalf's Staff, Ash-Staff
Glamdring, Elven Blade
Shadowfax, Greatheart

Events:
Warmed Up a Bit x4

Conditions:
G for Grand x4
Stern Words
Ent Draught x2
Watch and Wait x2


Notes:
The obvious trick is starting 8 companions with spotting Ents and Hobbits.  Use Warmed Up a Bit to get rid of the unbound Hobbits and replace them with Huorn companions.  You can let Ents die off, but keep Gandalf alive until the end, where he becomes a beast.

Without a doubt, Fredegar Bolger, Fatty is better than Farmer Maggot, Hobbit of the Marish, but I can't get my hands on him.
Some cards I like but didn't find room:  Narya, Moment of Respite, Salve.
I'm aware that The One Ring, The Great Ring would be better.  I shy away from it for this set.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

22

Expanded / Gondor Wraiths - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 08:06:02 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gondor Wraiths - Free Peoples (Expanded)
Old-school invincible wraiths deck.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples
Dead Man of Dunharrow
OathBreaker

Companions:
Aragorn, Driven by Need x3
King of the Dead
Shadow Host
Sleepless Dead x2
Cursed of Erech

Possessions:
Sting, Bane of the Eight Legs
Phial of Galadriel, The Light of Earendil
Ranger's Sword
Banner of Westernesse x2

Events:
Gondor Will See It Done x4
Banner of the White Tree x4
Swordarm of the White Tower x4

Conditions:
The Saga of Elendil
Strength in My Blood x3
Swept Away x2
Stronger and More Terrible x2


Notes:
The trick is using Swept Away and Stronger and More Terrible to make the companions nearly invincible.  I've had this deck for over 20 years, and found that having Gondor Will See It Done events is vital against many shadow strategies to get to a point where those conditions will work.

One card I don't have that would help is Sting, Elven Long Knife.
I am also considering swapping a Strength in My Blood for another Aragorn, Driven by Need.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

23

Expanded / Orc Spurred to Battle - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 07:57:53 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Orc Spurred to Battle - Shadow (Expanded)
An uncommon strategy that bombs the opponent over and over again in the late game.

Minions:
Cave Troll of Moria, Savage Menace
Ordnance Grunt x3
Orc Artisan x4
Champion Orc x3
Mordor Aggressor x3
Emboldened Orc x3
Isengard Underling x2

Possessions:
Orc Spear x4

Events:
Unreasonable Choice x2
Armed for Battle x2

Conditions:
Spurred to Battle x4
Retribution x3
Goblin Hordes


Notes:
The strategy is to strike hard every turn late in the game.  Build up Spurred to Battle conditions, play an Orc Artisan or two, use a Retribution plus Armed for Battle to pull Orc Spear weapons for more twilight to bomb the opponent with Ordnance Grunt trolls from the discard pile.
It may make more sense to remove the Cave Troll of Moria, Savage Menace to add another Isengard Underling, Armed for Battle, or Ordnance Grunt instead.  Although if you can pull it with Goblin Hordes, you can exert the Grunts and other minions to get it out for nothing.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

24

Expanded / Gollum Ninja - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 07:45:06 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gollum Ninja - Shadow (Expanded)
This one works best when paired with the Solo Smeagol shadow deck.

Minions:
Gollum, Dark as Darkness
Gollum, Vile Creature
Gollum, Hopeless
Gollum, Threatening Guide
Shelob, Her Ladyship x4

Possessions:
Web

Events:
Captured by the Ring x4
Sudden Strike x2
Horribly Strong x2
Unseen Foe x2

Conditions:
Slippery as Fishes x4
Fat One Wants It x2
Not This Time! x2
Plotting x2
Promise Keeping x2
Incited x2
They Stole It
Hidden Even From Her


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

25

Expanded / Smeagol Solo - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 07:37:38 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Smeagol Solo - Free Peoples (Expanded)
This one works best when paired with the Ninja Gollum or a Ulaire Nelya site control shadow deck.

Starting:
The One Ring, Answer To All Riddles
Smeagol, Bearer of Great Secrets
Faramir, Captain of Gondor (Early damage sponge)
Ranger of Ithilien (Early damage sponge)

Possessions:
Fishing Boat

Events:
Naked Waste x4
Nasty x4
One Good Turn Deserves Another
Still Far Ahead x3
Not Listening x2
Gladden Homestead x2

Conditions:
Poor Wretch x4
There's Another Way x4
Follow Smeagol
Nice Fish x2
Don't look at Them x2
Come Away x2
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!

Notes:
Use Dammed Gate-stream to get Follow Smeagol out early.  Then replace sites with low twilight ones from 2-6.  At sites 7-9, use There's Another Way to regain and replace the next site with Caras Galadhon each time.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

26

Expanded / Rohan Merry Men - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 07:27:35 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Rohan Merry Men - Free Peoples (Expanded)
This is a pretty typical Merry, Swordthain with Merry's Sword wounding strategy.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Resolute Hobbit
Eomer, Eored Captain
Merry, Swordthain

Companions:
Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien x4
Theoden, Lord of the Mark
Gamling, Defender of the Hornburg
Riders of the Mark

Possessions:
Merry's Sword
Riddermark Javelin x4
Eomer's Spear
Firefoot, Eomer's Steed
Brego
Rohirrim Mount
Rider's Bow
Rohirrim Shield x2
Spear of the Mark x2

Events:
Simbelmyne x4

Conditions:
Shadowplay
Sword Rack x3
Weapon Store
Cast from the Hall x2
Golden Glimmer


One card I've considered is Home and Hearth to help with burdens.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

27

Expanded / Isengard Wargs - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 07:26:53 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Isengard Wargs - Shadow (Expanded)
This isn't a strong shadow deck, but it brings back memories of playing in the early 2000s.

Minions:
Saruman, Master of Foul Folk x2
Sharku, Warg-Captain x3
Foul Horde x3
Isengard Rider x4
Warg-Master x4
Isengard Scout Troop x4

Possessions:
Sharku's Warg x2
War-Warg x3
Warg x4
Isengard Scimitar x4

Conditions:
Wolves of Isengard x2


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

28

Expanded / Gondor Ranger Beatdown - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 07:15:07 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gondor Ranger Beatdown - Free Peoples (Expanded)
This is the weakest free people's deck I have.  It was slapped together with old cards I had lying around.

Starting:
The One Ring, The Ring of Rings
Boromir, Bearer of Council
Faramir, Captain of Gondor
Ranger of Ithilien

Companions:
Gondorian Ranger x4

Possessions:
Faramir's Cloak
Boromir, My Brother
Shield of Boromir
Gondorian Blade x4

Events:
Swordsman of the Northern Kingdom x4
War and Valor x4
While We Yet Live x4
Concealment x4

Conditions:
Ancient Roads x4
Invigorated x2


One card that I have considered adding is No Stranger to the Shadows.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.  Of all the decks I'm posting, this one needs the most help.

29

Expanded / Uruk-hai Beatdown - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 05:57:04 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Uruk-hai Beatdown - Shadow (Expanded)
They are big and mean.

Minions:
Saruman, Agent of the Dark Lord x3
Sentinel Uruk x4
Crushing Uruk x4
Uruk Decimator x4
Uruk-hai Guard x4
Swarming Uruk x4

Possessions:
Spear of the White Hand x4
Weapon of Opportunity x4

Events:
War Machine x2

Conditions:
Pikes Upon Pikes x2


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

30

Expanded / Gondor Ranger Wounding - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 05:49:32 PM »

As the physical cards are getting harder to find these days, I gathered a large physical collection of common and nostalgic decks to play with family and friends as a pre-built game.  I'm posting these decks as a reference and for feedback/discussion to improve on them.  The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks in doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching and keeping each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to make thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $100+ range are not always going to make it in for their high costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I include cards from the Expanded format and rules, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gondor Ranger Wounding - Free Peoples (Expanded)
This one is an old-school ranger wounding deck with the Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver and Shadowplay strategy.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Tired Traveller
Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver
Faramir, Son of Denethor

Compansions:
Aragorn, Guide and Protector (pull with Prancing Pony site)
Mablung, Soldier of Gondor
Madril, Faramir's Aide
Gondorian Ranger x3

Possessions:
Faramir's Bow x2
Aragorn's Bow x2
Ranger's Bow x2

Events:
New Errand x4

Conditions:
Boromir, My Brother
Shadowplay x3
Ancient Roads x4
Citadel of Minas Tirith x2
Gondor Bowmen x2
Hardy Garrison
Henneth Annun x2
Cliffs of Emyn Muil x2


Faramir's Bow, Ithilien Longbow would be better, but they are hard to get a hold of.
I'm aware that The One Ring, The Great Ring would be better.  I shy away from it for this set.
There are a lot of new ranger cards that might improve this post-reflections, but the initiative and shadowplay tricks here work well as is.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.