The Last Homely House

Middle-Earth => Lothlórien => Casual => Topic started by: Dictionary on July 11, 2020, 03:24:02 AM

Title: Clash Decks
Post by: Dictionary on July 11, 2020, 03:24:02 AM
Hello everyone!
Although I have really enjoyed my time playing Expanded, I do agree that the later formats feel completely different to Fellowship Block. It occurred to me that creating fixed decks would not only allow me to attempt to create a "Fellowship/Towers Block experience using all cards" but it would also allow for the use of cards which are normally too weak to put in a deck by combining them with overpowered cards.

I have borrowed the term Clash Decks from MTG to describe a group of decks that create interesting and balanced matchups against each other. I feel that these might be of use to people who know each other or to people who want to try playing with the later sets without worrying about power creep or loops.

Any feedback or questions about the decks would be appreciated. I've left things fairly succinct here for people who want to try piloting the decks themselves without any outside influence, but I'll answer any queries in the comments below.

So without further ado, here are the decks:

1) Dwarves/Easterlings
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Dunharrow Plateau
Rohirrim Camp
Hall of the Kings
Osgiliath Fallen
Pelennor Flat
Minas Tirith Second Circle
Osgiliath Channel
Northern Ithilien
Slag Mounds

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
3x Dwarf Guard
1x Gimli, Opinionated Guide (Starting)
1x Linnar, Dwarven Lord (Starting)
1x Thrarin, Smith of Erebor
1x Uri, Dwarven Lord
1x Gandalf, Leader of the Company
4x Axe of Khazad-dum
4x Dwarven Bracers
4x Hand Axe
4x Cleaving Blow
2x Disquiet of Our People
3x Honed
4x A Clamour of Many Voices
3x Endurance of Dwarves
1x Hall of Our Fathers
1x Lord of Moria
1x Stalwart Support
1x Stout and Strong

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Gollum, Stinker
2x Corrupted Spy
1x Desert Legion
4x Easterling Axeman
2x Easterling Berserker
4x Easterling Blademaster
2x Easterling Captain
4x Easterling Lieutenant
4x Easterling Skirmisher
4x Easterling Trooper
1x Heavy Axeman
4x Easterling Polearm
2x Men of Rhun
1x Eastern Emyn Muil
4x Small Hope

2) Gandalf/Tentacles
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Hobbiton Woods
Midgewater Marshes
Rivendell Terrace
Moria Lake
The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Valley of the Silverlode
Silverlode Banks
Gates of Argonath
Emyn Muil

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Gandalf, Stormcrow (Starting)
1x Gandalf, The White Rider
1x Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain
1x Smeagol, Scout and Guide (Starting)
2x Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar
1x Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith
2x Faramir, Captain of Ithilien
3x Éomer, Horsemaster
1x Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor
1x Glamdring, Lightning Brand
1x Shadowfax, Roaring Wind
4x Gondorian Blade
1x Narya, Ring of Fire
1x Gandalf's Staff, Walking Stick
4x Saved From the Fire
4x Servant of the Secret Fire
1x Behold the White Rider
1x Fear and Great Wonder
1x Moment of Respite
4x Salve
1x Sent Back

Shadow Draw Deck:
4x Foul Tentacle
4x Huge Tentacle
4x Reaching Tentacle
4x Strong Tentacle
1x The Balrog, Demon of Might
4x Watcher in the Water, Keeper of Westgate
1x Úlairë Nertëa, Messenger of Dol Guldur
4x Foul Things
4x Evil-smelling Fens
4x Dark Places
1x Durin's Tower
1x Goblin Domain
1x Saruman, Servant of Sauron

3) Gimli&Legolas/EaterOfLight
Ring-bearer: Frodo, Wicked Masster!
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Dunharrow Plateau
King's Tent
Beacon of Minas Tirith
City of the Dead
City Gates
Minas Tirith First Circle
Pelennor Grassland
Morgul Vale
Dagorlad

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Gimli, Unbidden Guest
1x Legolas, Elven Comrade
1x Gandalf, Returned
1x Smeagol, Simple Stoor
1x Aragorn, Defender of Free Peoples
3x Rohirrim Soldier
1x Elrond, Herald to Gil-galad
1x Gimli's Battle Axe, Trusted Weapon
1x Gimli's Helm
1x Bow of the Galadhrim, Gift of Galadriel
1x Long-knives of Legolas
1x Glamdring, Elven Blade
1x Brego
1x Ring of Retribution
3x Khazad Ai-menu
3x Flashing Steel
4x Something Slimy
4x Aggression
1x My Axe Is Notched
1x Final Count
1x The Tale of Gil-galad
1x Doom Drove Them
4x Deagol, Fateful Finder
1x Robin Smallburrow, Shirriff #$&*@!-Robin

Shadow Draw Deck:
4x Shelob, Eater of Light
1x Black Gate Sentry
1x Black Land Chieftain
1x Gothmog, Morgul Leader
3x Orc Miscreant
4x Orkish Skirmisher
4x Pitiless Orc
4x Scouting Orc
4x Veteran War Chief
1x Gate Picket
1x Larder
4x Web
4x Mordor Scimitar
2x Barrage
1x Destroyers and Usurpers

4) UnhastyEnts/EvilMenPossessionStacking
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Western Emyn Muil
Fangorn Forest
Barrows of Edoras
Ered Nimrais
Hornburg Parapet
Hornburg Armory
Hornburg Causeway
Wizard's Vale
Fortress of Orthanc

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Galadriel, Lady Redeemed (Starting) (Her ability cannot be used in this deck as there are no Elven events. This is for balancing reasons)
1x Birchseed, Tall Statesman
1x Huorn
1x Lindenroot, Elder Shepherd
1x Quickbeam, Bregalad (Starting)
1x Treebeard, Guardian of the Forest
1x Merry, The Tall One (Starting)
1x Pippin, The Short One (Starting)
1x Arwen's Dagger
1x Asfaloth, Elven Steed
1x Blade of Lindon
1x Naith Longbow
1x Nenya, Ring of Adamant
4x Momentous Gathering
4x The Flame of Anor
4x Stout and Sturdy
1x Crashing Cavalry
2x Enraged
4x Ent Draught
4x Ent Moot
1x Faith in Friendship
1x Stone Trolls
1x Woodhall Elf, Exile
1x Daddy Twofoot, Next-door Neighbor

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Chieftain of Dunland
1x Primitive Savage
4x Rapt Hillman
1x Saruman, Coldly Still
1x Stampeding Chief
1x Stampeding Hillsman
2x Stampeding Savage
4x Stampeding Shepherd
4x Sunland Skirmisher
1x Ted Sandyman, Chief's Men's Ally
1x The Mouth of Sauron, Messenger of Mordor
1x Vengeful Primitive
4x Vengeful Savage
4x Primitive Brand
4x Wildman's Oath
3x In the Wild Men's Wake
1x Pandemonium
1x Last Days
1x Oath Sworn

5) GondorWraiths/ModernWargs
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
The Riddermark
Wold of Rohan
Barrows of Edoras
White Mountains
Hornburg Courtyard
Hornburg Armory
Hornburg Wall
Nan Curunir
Caverns of Isengard

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Aragorn, Driven by Need (Starting depending on site 1)
1x Cursed of Erech
2x Dead Man of Dunharrow
1x King of the Dead, Oathbreaker
2x Oathbreaker (Starting depending on site 1)
1x Shadow Host
2x Sleepless Dead
1x Anduril, Flame of the West
4x The Shards of Narsil
1x Banner of the White Tree
1x Elessar's Edict
1x End of the Game
4x Gondor Will See It Done
1x No Mere Ranger
4x Some Who Resisted
1x Still Sharp
1x Strength of Kings
1x Voice of Rauros
1x We Must Go Warily
1x Answering the Cries
1x Guardian
1x Houses of Healing
1x Stronger and More Terrible
1x Elendil's Army

Shadow Draw Deck:
4x Orkish Cavalry
4x Orkish Footman
4x Orkish Rider
4x Orkish Traveler
3x Orkish Veteran
3x Orkish Warg-master
2x Relentless Warg
1x Threatening Warg
4x Vicious Warg
4x Feral Ride
2x A Defiled Charge
1x Cry and Panic

6) Arwen&Aragorn/UrukSiteControl
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
The Prancing Pony
Breeland Forest
Rivendell Waterfall
Hollin
The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Galadriel's Glade
The Great River
Pillars of the Kings
Summit of Amon Hen

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Arwen, She-Elf (Starting)
1x Elrond, Elven Lord
1x Gildor Inglorion, Of the House of Finrod
1x Smeagol, Hurried Guide (Starting)
4x Aragorn, Wingfoot
1x Isildur, Heir of Elendil
1x Merry, Friend to Sam (Starting)
1x Pippin, Hobbit of Some Intelligence (Starting)
1x Galadriel, Lady of the Golden Wood
1x Arwen's Bow
1x Arwen's Dagger
1x Gwemegil
1x Knife of the Galadhrim
1x Anduril, Sword That Was Broken
1x Ring of Barahir
4x Arwen's Fate
4x Trust
2x Valiant Man of the West
1x Agility
1x Beren and Luthien
1x Gift of the Evenstar
1x The Tale of Gil-galad
1x Not Bound To His Fate
1x Ranger of the North
1x The Choice of Luthien
1x Valorous Leader

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x The Balrog, The Terror of Khazad-dum
4x Advancing Horde
4x Uruk Village Stormer
4x White Hand Aggressor
4x White Hand Intruder
2x White Hand Marshal
4x White Hand Sieger
3x White Hand Veteran
3x Blade of the White Hand
4x Land Had Changed
1x Attack on Helm's Deep
1x Down to the Last Child
1x Poised for Assault

7) TheodenRohan/ChaoticClash
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Horse-country
Plains of Rohan Camp
Stables
Westemnet Hills
Deeping Wall
Hornburg Armory
Cavern Entrance
Valley of Saruman
Orthanc Balcony

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Gandalf, Powerful Guide
1x Gamling, Dutiful Marshal
1x Haleth, Son of Hama
1x Hama, Northman
1x Théoden, Ednew (Starting)
1x Éomer, Keeper of Oaths
1x Éowyn, Dernhelm
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine (Starting)
1x Shadowfax
1x Firefoot, Mearas of the Mark
1x Herugrim, Sword of the Mark
1x Horn of the Mark
1x King's Mail
1x Merry's Armor
1x Merry's Sword
1x Snowmane, Noble Mearas
2x Sword of Rohan
1x Windfola
3x A Wizard is Never Late
3x Threw Down My Enemy
3x Ride With Me
1x Simbelmyne
3x Work for the Sword
1x Hearken to Me
1x Cast From the Hall
1x Little Golden Flower
1x Hobbiton Farmer, Lover of Pipeweed

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Saruman, Of Many Colours
4x Black Land Shrieker
1x Gorbag, Filthy Rebel
1x Grishnakh, Treacherous Captain
4x Orkish Headsman
4x Orkish Warrior
3x Bladed Gauntlets
3x Gruesome Meal
1x Alatar Deceived
1x Pallando Deceived
1x Always Threatening
4x Chaotic Clash
4x Spurred to Battle
4x A Shadow Rises

8) Knights/ModernEasterlings
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Steps of Edoras
West Road
Base of Mindolluin
Anduin Banks
City Gates
Minas Tirith Sixth Circle
Osgiliath Crossing
Morgulduin
Dagorlad

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Alcarin, Warrior of Lamedon (Starting)
1x Aragorn, Captain of Gondor
1x Boromir, Hero of Osgiliath
1x Elendil, High-King of Gondor
3x Gondorian Knight
1x Isildur, Sword-Bearer (Starting)
4x Gondorian Steed
4x Gondorian Sword
1x Crown of Gondor
1x Fall Back
4x For Gondor!
1x Greatest Stronghold
1x Men of Numenor
1x Take Cover
2x City Wall
3x First Level
1x Gondor Still Stands
1x Hasty Repairs
1x Kings' Legacy
2x Rally Point
1x Seventh Level
1x Support of the City
1x The Saga of Elendil
1x Tremendous Wall

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Armored Easterling
4x Brutal Easterling
2x Column of Easterlings
4x Easterling Dispatcher
1x Easterling Host
4x Easterling Scout
4x Rampaging Easterling
1x Saruman, Coldly Still
1x Sunland Weaponmaster
1x Voice of the Desert, Southron Troop
1x Úlairë Attëa, Desirous of Power
4x Poleaxe
4x Overrun
2x Countless Companies
4x Lying in Wait
1x Stragglers

9) Rangers/TwilightBasedUruks
Ring-bearer: Galadriel, Bearer of Wisdom
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
The Riddermark
Wold of Rohan
Barrows of Edoras
Ered Nimrais
Deep of Helm
Caves of Aglarond
Hornburg Wall
Wizard's Vale
Palantir Chamber

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Arwen, Royal Maiden (Starting)
1x Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord
1x Anborn, Skilled Huntsman
1x Aragorn, Swift Hunter
1x Duilin, Ranger from Blackroot Vale
1x Duinhir, Tall Man of Blackroot Vale
1x Halbarad, Ranger of the North
1x Madril, Defender of Osgiliath (Starting)
2x Elven Armaments
1x Phial of Galadriel
2x Dunadan's Bow
4x Sword of Gondor
1x A Ranger's Versatility
4x Concealment
2x Eregion's Trails
2x While We Yet Live
4x The World Ahead
1x Natural Cover
1x Tireless
1x Dinendal, Mirkwood Archer
1x Uruviel, Woodland Maid
1x Woodhall Elf, Exile

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Grima, Servant of Another Master
2x Orthanc Champion
4x Troop of Uruk-hai
2x Uruk Captain
4x Uruk Slayer
1x Lurtz, Minion of the White Wizard
1x Lurtz, Now Perfected
1x Lurtz, Resilient Captain
4x Uruk-hai Guard
1x The Palantir of Orthanc
3x Ferocity
4x The Misadventure of Mr. Underhill
4x Tower of Orthanc
1x Uruk Bloodlust
1x Uruk-hai Rampage
1x Saruman, Servant of Sauron

10) ArmyLongTrained/MoriaArchers
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Hobbiton Woods
Bree Gate
Rivendell Valley
Great Chasm
The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Dimrill Dale
Silverlode Banks
Brown Lands
Summit of Amon Hen

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Erethon, Naith Lieutenant
1x Fereveldir, Son of Thandronen
4x Gil-galad, High King of the Noldor
1x Haldir, Warrior Messenger (Starting)
1x Ordulus, Young Warrior (Starting)
1x Pengedhel, Naith Warrior
1x Thonnas, Naith Captain
1x Aragorn, Strider (Starting)
3x Elven Armaments
3x Naith Longbow
1x Ranger's Sword
1x Aiglos
1x Vilya, Ring of Air
4x Alliance Reforged
3x Arrow and Blade
1x Agility
4x Army Long Trained
1x Shadow Between
1x Strength of Arms
1x Uncertain Future
4x Blood of Numenor
1x Celebring, Elven-smith

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Gollum, Dark as Darkness
1x Grima, Servant of Another Master
4x Saruman, Instigator of Insurrection
3x Archer Commander
4x Goblin Bowman
4x Goblin Marksman
1x The Balrog, Terror of Flame and Shadow
4x Mocking Goblin
4x Moria Axe
2x Saruman's Staff, Wizard's Device
1x Whip of Many Thongs, Weapon of Flame and Shadow
2x One of You Must Do This
2x Drums in the Deep
4x Host of Thousands
1x Unfamiliar Territory
2x Goblin Swarms

11) Fellowship/UrukHunters
Ring-bearer: Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled
Ring: The One Ring, The Great Ring

Adventure deck:
Plains of Rohan
Derndingle
Barrows of Edoras
White Rocks
Deep of Helm
Caves of Aglarond
Hornburg Causeway
Nan Curunir
Orthanc Balcony

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Gimli, Opinionated Guide
2x Legolas, Skeptical Guide
3x Gandalf, Wise Guide
1x Aragorn, Well-traveled Guide
1x Boromir, Destined Guide (Starting)
1x Merry, Resolute Friend (Starting)
1x Pippin, Steadfast Friend (Starting)
1x Sam, Loyal Friend
1x Elrond, Lord of Rivendell
1x Gimli's Battle Axe, Trusted Weapon
1x Blade of Gondor, Sword of Boromir
4x Hobbit Sword
3x Longbottom Leaf
1x Red Book of Westmarch
1x That's Two!
1x Stern Words
2x Confronting the Eye
1x Forth the Three Hunters!, Gondor Version
4x Strength In My Blood
1x A Dragon's Tale
1x Everyone Knows
2x Hornblower Leaf
1x Little Golden Flower
1x Rabbit Stew
1x The Tale of the Great Ring
1x There and Back Again
1x Gwaihir, The Windlord

Shadow Draw Deck:
4x Charging Uruk
3x Chasing Uruk
4x Saruman, Curunir
1x Searching Uruk
1x Sentry Uruk
1x Ugluk, Ugly Fellow
4x White Hand Butcher
4x White Hand Scout
3x White Hand Warrior
3x Spear of the White Hand
1x Ugluk's Sword, Weapon of Command
1x Weapon of Opportunity
3x Savagery To Match Their Numbers
1x Alatar Deceived
1x Pallando Deceived
1x Radagast Deceived
1x Cleaved
1x Pikes Upon Pikes
1x Tracking the Prize
1x You Do Not Know Pain
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: Dictionary on July 12, 2020, 05:06:07 PM
An explanation of Ring-bearer and Ring choices:

The Great Ring probably seems like a controversial choice here, but I didn't want to be forced to include certain cards in every deck (Hobbit bonuses in this case), as is an issue for decks to be competitive in mainstream formats. The Great Ring provides a way around this, giving the Ring-bearer a panic button they can use against swarms or large minions, but one that has a limited number of uses. This also makes burdens a more relevant mechanic in games; every burden added truly feels costly, as the Ring-bearer steps closer to the shadow. Strategically, it gives a player more options if a large minion is played early on in the game. Thematically I also feel this fits great, since using the Ring to turn invisible could get the Ring-bearer out of many tight spots, but doing so was a great risk and better against some foes than others.

So why use Bilbo? Well, while I like the idea of The Great Ring, one burden for 3 strength does seem a little bit overpowered in the face of most enemies. But Bilbo has two resistance less, which makes a big difference. Additionally his ability increases the minimum threshold of twilight that has to be made each turn, which helps gives shadows more ways to combat The Great Ring. So it seemed like an ideal pairing for what I wanted to do here.
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: Not a Zombie on July 31, 2020, 10:52:33 AM
How popular is this? Looks like a lot of fun, I'm down to play sometime.
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: Dictionary on July 31, 2020, 02:21:28 PM
Phallen and I have played a few games. They went very differently to the ones you and I played earlier lol.

It'll hopefully be more popular once deck importing is a thing.
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: elfwarrior on July 31, 2020, 04:37:53 PM
I am a new player. Are any of these straightforward enough to play on GEMP in a clash deck game? I have played some stater deck games in movie block and many games of Magic: the Gathering (I am a casual magic player and not a magic expert), and a few deck building attempts but I had no deck building knowledge. I am planning to play on gemp but I do not have deck building experience. If the clash decks are meant to be balanced I would like to learn them, but maybe need to learn more first, on GEMP. I only really have access to starter decks offline and several packs and that's it.
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: Dictionary on July 31, 2020, 05:15:06 PM
It would take a bit of practice, but I think that they should have a lot to offer for new players, as it's an easy environment to just keep playing games in without fear of coming up against super-complicated or powerful decks.

In terms of complexity, I've tried to include a good mix of simple and complex mechanics. If I had to rank the decks roughly overall, I'd probably go with something like this:

Beginner-friendly:                    1, 6, 7, 11
Somewhat beginner-friendly:    2, 3, 8, 9
Not beginner-friendly:              4, 5, 10

But then again, that's quite subjective and difficult to gauge, so don't let one deck put you off if you don't like it. I'd be interested to hear other's thoughts on that too.
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: elfwarrior on August 01, 2020, 02:02:48 PM
Thanks, how do I set up a Clash Deck game on GEMP?
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: TelTura on August 01, 2020, 02:10:13 PM
At the moment?  Make the deck, then ask if other people want to also have a clash deck table. 
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: Enduring on August 01, 2020, 05:11:50 PM
What's a "Clash Table"?
Title: Re: Clash Decks
Post by: TelTura on August 01, 2020, 05:14:31 PM
A table where you only play clash decks? Tables have no restrictions except format; if you want to do something like this you have to tell people in chat that this is your intention.