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| DáinIronfoot |
![]() Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 9:47 am |
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Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 4594
Location: Beltsville, MD, USA
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Hello again, folks. It’s time for our third (and possibly final) Free Peoples Choice Awards celebration contest!
This time, we’ve got a bit of the first contest (deck-building) tied in with the second, which is a DC contest based around the original fellowship. Because in THIS contest, you need to create a deck including all nine members of the original fellowship--Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Boromir, Legolas, Gimli, AND Gandalf--and make it actually seem feasible and competitive. Impossible? I don’t think so, or I wouldn’t be running the contest!  The deck should be either Standard or Expanded format, or can be from any of the block formats (Fellowship, Tower, King, War of the Ring, Hunters) you wish, but NO Open or Casual, please.
But wait, there’s more! Write a strategy article along with the deck, like those found in the Strategy Article forum. It can have as much or as little detail as you wish: descriptions of why you chose specific cards, matchups, alternate versions, etc. are all optional, but you should AT LEAST include some basic strategy on how the cards all work together and what you can expect to do with them. Remember: the more you put in, the better your chances of winning once we vote!
I would also like a Shadow side, but that can be whatever you want it to be. Swarm, beatdown, archery...whatever! Please include sites as well, but again, no restrictions there (except to stick with whatever format/block you choose, of course).
That’s a lot of work though, isn’t it? Well, the payoff for the winner is probably worth it: Noble Leaders (generously donated by Anonymous Prodigy) along with Faramir, Dunadan of Gondor (RF Foil) and Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith (both generously donated by Queleri) AND Boromir, Doomed Heir (generously donated by NBarden). How’s THAT for a reward? 
Since this could take a while, though, you have a whole week; articles are due (by posting directly here, please, so my PM inbox doesn’t scream and die in agony  ) by next Sunday, June 10, at midnight EST. I MAY push that back some if several folks need more time, but I’d like to end it at least CLOSE to that date, so please don’t put it off (like I usually do  ). Please do not review anyone’s article posted in this thread until I announce that ALL entries are in, and then we’ll start voting (and maybe reviewing).
And remember to have fun! 
Oh, and please give AP, Queleri, and NB a  when you can for their generous donations. Thanks, guys!  |
Best regards, Dáin, Vice Aftokrator of the Chosen Ones
Check out Lasting Alliances, The Road Ahead, and Ages of Middle-earth, three of my five dream card sets that make up Wars of the Ring. Oh, and I have a trade list now!
Also, if you're into DCs or RPGs (or even if you're not!), check out Realms of Middle-earth, the sequel to CG's "DC Adventure", Realms of the North! |
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| sickofpalantirs |
![]() Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 1:15 pm |
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 7750
Location: somwhere, over the rainbow way up high. There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
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| I maybe might take part in this, since school is winding down. its dubious though. |
 Sop's haves/ top wants
(mm)"SoP: you will always be the Official CC Spammer in my heart"
"DáinIronfoot"
Spammers really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month. And yet, after a hundred years, they can still surprise you. |
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| DáinIronfoot |
![]() Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2007 4:31 pm |
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Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 4594
Location: Beltsville, MD, USA
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If people need more time because of school wrapping up, I can certainly extend it without a problem.  |
Best regards, Dáin, Vice Aftokrator of the Chosen Ones
Check out Lasting Alliances, The Road Ahead, and Ages of Middle-earth, three of my five dream card sets that make up Wars of the Ring. Oh, and I have a trade list now!
Also, if you're into DCs or RPGs (or even if you're not!), check out Realms of Middle-earth, the sequel to CG's "DC Adventure", Realms of the North! |
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| BattleWarg |
![]() Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 7:28 pm |
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Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 579
Location:
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| Just to make sure, any problem putting it up just in case I don’t have time to do a better one, then improving as the week goes on when I have time, possibly rewriting if I get a good enough idea? |
Our time here is ending...
What did you want to see before the end?
It will be made in the Request-a-card Set #1 (name ideas also welcome ). |
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| DáinIronfoot |
![]() Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:39 pm |
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Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 4594
Location: Beltsville, MD, USA
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BattleWarg wrote: Just to make sure, any problem putting it up just in case I don’t have time to do a better one, then improving as the week goes on when I have time, possibly rewriting if I get a good enough idea?
Whatever your article looks like when I start voting is what we go with. You can tweak it as much as you want until then, but I would generally frown on very drastic changes. Mixing in a few different cards is fine, but changing the bulk of them from start to finish wouldn’t look too good to me or anyone voting for you. Just be smart about it. |
Best regards, Dáin, Vice Aftokrator of the Chosen Ones
Check out Lasting Alliances, The Road Ahead, and Ages of Middle-earth, three of my five dream card sets that make up Wars of the Ring. Oh, and I have a trade list now!
Also, if you're into DCs or RPGs (or even if you're not!), check out Realms of Middle-earth, the sequel to CG's "DC Adventure", Realms of the North! |
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| BattleWarg |
![]() Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 9:58 pm |
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Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 579
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DáinIronfoot wrote: BattleWarg wrote: Just to make sure, any problem putting it up just in case I don’t have time to do a better one, then improving as the week goes on when I have time, possibly rewriting if I get a good enough idea?
Whatever your article looks like when I start voting is what we go with. You can tweak it as much as you want until then, but I would generally frown on very drastic changes. Mixing in a few different cards is fine, but changing the bulk of them from start to finish wouldn’t look too good to me or anyone voting for you. Just be smart about it.
Alright, I just meant that if I found a card or combo a day or two after posting that would absolutely not work with what I had, but would be really useful for a deck with the nine companions.
But that is good to know, and that way I can make sure I’ve got everything formatted right and all spelling errors and such corrected. |
Our time here is ending...
What did you want to see before the end?
It will be made in the Request-a-card Set #1 (name ideas also welcome ). |
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| DáinIronfoot |
![]() Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 10:01 pm |
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Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 4594
Location: Beltsville, MD, USA
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| Yup. That’s no problem. |
Best regards, Dáin, Vice Aftokrator of the Chosen Ones
Check out Lasting Alliances, The Road Ahead, and Ages of Middle-earth, three of my five dream card sets that make up Wars of the Ring. Oh, and I have a trade list now!
Also, if you're into DCs or RPGs (or even if you're not!), check out Realms of Middle-earth, the sequel to CG's "DC Adventure", Realms of the North! |
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| BattleWarg |
![]() Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 11:18 pm |
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Joined: 11 Feb 2007
Posts: 579
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Frodo Baggins and his Amazing Friends
There are many ways to build a deck using the original fellowship. The most difficult is balancing the deck’s cultures to make a good one. But, if you follow the fellowship (Frodo, the ring and his companions), that’s not really how it worked.
In fact, the journey really started and ended with just the hobbits. The other companions came in for a time, but then left. So, that’s how this deck will do it.
The very first decision to make is which Frodo and which ring. Now, most cards can be used very well, but with a Hobbit-centralized deck, we’ll go with Old Bilbo’s Heir and use Isildur’s Bane to allow him to wear it at any time.
As for the others… I’d use Sam, Son of Hamfast for burden removal, Merry, From O’er the Brandywine as a fighter when needed, and Pippin, Mr. Took to help their friends come out cheaply.
The hunters, are easy enough to pick, and each have a preferred region. Legolas, Greenleaf for region one – he can take minions out while you set up. Region 3 is his secondary, as he can be used to get past the last few sites. Gimli, Dwarf of the Mountain-race for region two – the only underground sites are sites 4 and 5. Region 1 is his secondary, as it is early region two, and you should feel free to let him die off by region 3. Aragorn, Ranger of the North for region three (secondary region 1) – He is used to take on larger number of minions, ideally late in region 3 to sacrifice himself to keep the hobbits safe.
Boromir, Son of Denethor may be a good choice, but Boromir, Lord of Gondor makes for a good 5th companion that is also a ranger. He’ll be useful for the higher strength minions that are 3 to 5 times a Hobbit’s strength. Adding in his sword, armor and No Stranger to keep the twilight down, Boromir is, ironically enough, an almost undying fighter for only 4 slots in the deck.
Gandalf, on the other hand, has a varied usefulness. I’m going with Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk for a much higher variance, as he’ll always be at least 7, and most likely 8 strength companion. He’s also a useful fighter, and has a number of utility cards that can help anyone, although these aren’t a major factor.
Allies:
The next strong point is allies. The Elf-lords make for a good group – Celeborn, Lord of Lorien, Galadriel, Lady of the Golden Wood and Elrond, Lord of Rivendell. Elrond can heal himself and Bilbo Baggins, Retired Adventurer each turn, Galadriel will heal Legolas while he’s in play, otherwise Celeborn or Elrond. Celeborn is used to keep Elrond healed.
Hobbits, on the other hand, will include Bilbo, Retired Adventurer to get all your shire cards back into deck when needed. Rosie Cotton, Hobbiton Lass to keep Sam healed, The Gaffer, Sam’s Father and Farmer Maggot, Chaser of Rascals to heal up the Hobbits, and some Hobbit Party Guests to keep your allies healed.
Artifacts:
Vilya and Nenya keep up their owner’s health while giving the hobbits condition removal and cycling power while Mithril-coat allows Frodo to cancel out some minor minion archery and be decent at fighting off the Uruks.
The other artifacts are actually going to end up not being worth the slots used.
Possessions:
Phial of Galadriel is always a plus, and you have the Elf-lords that you can exert (Galadriel in particular) – besides helping with his resistance just in case. Sam and Merry each get a Hobbit Sword, while Pippin gets the Frying Pan (possibly switching Merry and Pippin, depending on opponent). Frodo gets Sting, which is simply Hobbit Sword with a special ability.
Blade of Gondor and Armor are added in as he may well survive for a long time. If not, they can be cycled when you get Nenya.
Conditions:
No Stranger to the Shadows for Boromir, or Aragorn if Boromir’s been killed already or you’re about to head to site 5 or higher and haven’t seen Boromir.
A Talent for not being Seen helps the Hobbits keep hidden, and Nice Imitation is able to keep wounds of your Hobbits.
Events:
If you’re playing with 4+ players, Cast it into the Fire is a definite choice, otherwise, I’d pass. Otherwise, Dagger Strike – all the Hobbits and Boromir have hand weapons. Hobbit Intuition and Hobbit Stealth will keep your hobbits alive, or get a strength boost.
Strategy:
Basically, it’s a play the card as soon as possible and keep going. Don’t worry too much about keeping your non-Hobbits alive, and (moreso against Nazgul than anyone else) keep the companions down to 5, only going up once you’re going for your last turn or second to last turn (or when there’s no way your fellowship can pull off a win).
Other than that, the deck plays fairly simply – use Bilbo at least once a turn, and keep burdens pushed onto your allies.
For the other side, we have a number of choices, but I’ve always enjoyed the Uruk-hai…
Minions:
We have quite a few options, although a number are more useful against specific opponents.
First is picking a Saruman to use. Honestly, I’ve found a mix is useful, as circumstances may require one over the other.
The Uruks are a tougher choice. I like Lurtz, but his twilight cost is fairly high, and honestly, I never had Lurtz until late in the game, so haven’t used it. The other Uruks are basically your choice, depending on meta, but I find it useful to have roughly half the Shadow side be minions.
Non-uruks of note, though, are Orc Overseer to help keep companions exhausted and make it harder to heal up fully. The Balrog, Durin’s Bane for site 5, unless you get a great group out and they double-move. Ulaire Nertea, Messenger of Dol Guldur for helping you get a better swarm, and combining with Goblin Runner for extra twilight.
Conditions:
Tower of Orthanc can be played at almost any time, and the Orc Overseer and Orthanc Berserker keep an exhausted companion to add 3 for each copy in play. Worry allows your Uruks to either exert the Ring-bearer or add a burden each time you win. In my area, at least, Uruks can win often and with Worry can actually get some corruption wins. Uruk-hai Rampage allows you to get a fierce skirmish – combined with the tower, you can get a minion fierce for each tower in play. Greed will be very useful. You can play it for free almost anywhere, and if they go up to 6 companions, you can get in 3 additional wounds for each two Towers in play, above any left over for minions.
Events:
Hate and anger may not be a bad idea, using your Uruks and a Goblin Runner to draw 3 additional cards. In addition, Savagery to Match Their Numbers is a nice boost – Greed keeps them at 5, and you use Savagery to give your Uruk a sudden boost and kill.
Strategy:
This side also allows for play when you get it, but with a minor ability at playing at the right time, can be not only dangerous but lethal. A fun one to use at the end is to play Savagery while Saruman, Keeper of Isengard is out as it will be much less likely to be used.
Sites:
Bag End
Buckleberry Ferry
House of Elrond
Moria Stairway
The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Valley of the Silverlode
Anduin Wilderland
Anduin Banks
Summit of Amon Hen
Deck List:
Frodo, Old Bilbo’s Heir
The One Ring, Isildur’s Bane
Sam, Son of Hamfast
Merry, From O’er the Brandywine
Pippin, Mr. Took
1x Aragorn, Ranger of the North
1x Armor
1x Bilbo Baggins, Retired Adventurer
1x Blade of Gondor
1x Boromir, Lord of Gondor
2x Celeborn, Lord of Lorien
3x Dagger Strike
2x Elrond, Lord of Rivendell
1x Farmer Maggot, Chaser of Rascals
1x Frying Pan
2x Galadriel, Lady of the Golden Wood
1x Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk
1x The Gaffer, Sam’s Father
1x Gimli, Dwarf of the Mountain-race
2x Hobbit Intuition
3x Hobbit Party Guest
2x Hobbit Stealth
2x Hobbit Sword
1x Legolas, Greenleaf
1x Mithril-coat
1x Nenya
2x Nice Imitation
1x No Stranger to the Shadows
1x Phial of Galadriel
1x Rosie Cotton, Hobbiton Lass
1x Sting
1x A Talent for Not Being Seen
1x Vilya
1x The Balrog, Durin’s Bane
4x Goblin Runner
2x Greed
1x Hate and Anger
2x Orc Overseer
1x Orthanc Assassin
1x Orthanc Berserker
2x Saruman, Keeper of Isengard
2x Saruman, Servant of the Eye
4x Savagery to Match Their Numbers
4x Tower of Orthanc
2x Ulaire Nertea, Messenger of Dol Guldur
2x Uruk Captain
2x Uruk Guard
1x Uruk Ravager
2x Uruk Savage
2x Uruk Slayer
1x Uruk Soldier
1x Uruk-hai Raiding Party
2x Uruk-hai Rampage
3x Worry
Notes:
This is a rather large deck, at 42 cards per side (81 cards together). With that, you do need to get through the deck faster than normal, and in fact, may be too large to be even feasible in a tournament. So, if something doesn’t work well where you are, you can take cards out fairly easily. I, however, have a play group that almost always has 3 or more players per game, making larger decks much easier to play with.
This deck’s problems will come, for its companions, against Nazgul conditions, which are stronger and cards such as Helpless will ruin the Sam burden healing. Unless you get lucky using Sting, you will probably not be able to choke the twilight pool enough to prevent a Nazgul deck from working. If playing it, try to keep them assigned to your extra companions, then Pippin and lastly Merry – doubly so while Blade Tip and Black Breath are in play.
Your Shadow side will have some problems against choke decks, until it gets set-up (then it won’t be as bad).
So, your worst opponent is a Hobbit+Ranger choke / Nazgul condition deck, as it combines both of the bad sides, as well as Dwarven and/or Sauron grind, as it can discard your necessary cards. |
Our time here is ending...
What did you want to see before the end?
It will be made in the Request-a-card Set #1 (name ideas also welcome ). |
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| DáinIronfoot |
![]() Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:39 am |
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Joined: 12 Jan 2007
Posts: 4594
Location: Beltsville, MD, USA
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Bump!
Doesn’t anyone else want the Noble Leaders Prize Package? |
Best regards, Dáin, Vice Aftokrator of the Chosen Ones
Check out Lasting Alliances, The Road Ahead, and Ages of Middle-earth, three of my five dream card sets that make up Wars of the Ring. Oh, and I have a trade list now!
Also, if you're into DCs or RPGs (or even if you're not!), check out Realms of Middle-earth, the sequel to CG's "DC Adventure", Realms of the North! |
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| sickofpalantirs |
![]() Posted: Tue Jun 05, 2007 1:07 pm |
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 7750
Location: somwhere, over the rainbow way up high. There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
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I know it is really good. maybe I will try to throw something together.
I haven’t looked at BW"s much so hopefully it would be original. |
Sop's haves/ top wants
(mm)"SoP: you will always be the Official CC Spammer in my heart"
"DáinIronfoot"
Spammers really are amazing creatures. You can learn all there is to know about their ways in a month. And yet, after a hundred years, they can still surprise you. |
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