The Last Homely House

Middle-Earth => Lothlórien => Fellowship => Topic started by: Not a Zombie on April 06, 2013, 11:36:09 AM

Title: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on April 06, 2013, 11:36:09 AM
So I was looking through the old fellowship block cards and I ran across one that I hadn't really noticed before, breeding pit. I thought to myself, that looks deck worthy. So, without further adieu, here is my breeding pit!

This is the most up-to-date version of the deck
Ring-bearer: Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer
Ring: The One Ring, Isildur's Bane

Adventure deck:
The Prancing Pony
Trollshaw Forest
Frodo's Bedroom
Hollin
The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Caras Galadhon
Anduin Confluence
Gates of Argonath
Slopes of Amon Hen

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Gimli, Dwarf of Erebor
1x Legolas, Greenleaf
4x Gandalf, The Grey Pilgrim
1x Aragorn, Heir to the White City
2x Elrond, Lord of Rivendell
1x Gimli's Battle Axe
1x Gimli's Helm
1x Gimli's Pipe
1x Gandalf's Pipe
1x Aragorn's Bow
1x Aragorn's Pipe
1x Frodo's Pipe
3x Longbottom Leaf
4x Old Toby
1x Sting
1x Gandalf's Staff
1x Narya
2x Servant of the Secret Fire
1x Sleep Caradhras
1x Bounder

Shadow Draw Deck:
3x Isengard Shaman
2x Saruman, Keeper of Isengard
2x Uruk Captain
4x Uruk Lieutenant
4x Uruk Ravager
4x Abandoning Reason for Madness
4x Breeding Pit
1x Saruman's Power
1x A Fell Voice on the Air
1x Greed
2x Hollowing of Isengard
1x Saruman's Snows
1x Spies of Saruman

Strategy: bid 2 and go first if you can. Your opponent will no doubt double way past you quickly. Go slow with your fellowship and cycle as fast as you can. The idea is to deck out as quick as possible after playing 3 of each Uruk Lieutenant and Uruk Ravager, then play the last one with breeding pit. Hold Saruman, Uruk Captain (who you can also use breeding pit on if you draw both of him too early), and possibly Spies of Saruman if you need to. Gimli, DoE can put anything you need back on bottom of your deck. If possible, wait to play Hollowing of Isengard till site 7, but it is not crucial to have both in play unless your opponent is running a choke. At site 9, use the Hallowing, then drop your uruks with saruman. Up to 8 fierce uruks at site 9! Use A fell voice in the air to play snows, no paths, ect. If you are against archery, use DoE on Spies of Saruman to keep your dudes alive. Record so far is 24-4, but most to all of those losses were in the development stage of this deck.

http://gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$4hxhmp9gneqmxh5c

http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$9rvtny0flwelqpzg
http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$rkd0ro4ysjxcrxme
http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$6i0ygenvo0qqoq6o
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on April 07, 2013, 02:53:02 PM
No comments?
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Cw0rk on April 07, 2013, 11:39:04 PM
No comments?
First, congratulations for making Breeding Pit usable. Then, I'm not so sure why you are using One of You Must Do this. I know its a good card, but its bringing you away from your main goal which is a site 9 kill. What about replacing these three by 2 A Fell Voice In The Air and 1 Saruman's Snows? That would make your site 9 attack even harder to counter and would stop Filibert Bolger to be a possible threat.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Legion on April 08, 2013, 02:49:47 AM
Have you always been able to cycle through your deck by the end?  I once saw a similar shadow that used Dwarves very effectively as the fellowship, discarding their deck down to the correct cards last turn with Realm of Dwarrowdelf.  That guaranteed the perfect last turn draw (and dwarves cycle well, anyway).  If you do go for pipe-weed, surely you want to play at least 1 Sleep Caradhras?
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Cw0rk on April 08, 2013, 07:41:37 PM
I think the problem of Dwarrowdelf is that if he is unlucky, he might end up discarding cards that he doesn't want to discard. What if he discard 2 or 3 Breeding Pit by mistake?
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Cw0rk on April 09, 2013, 11:06:11 PM
Have you played any more games with this deck? I'd like if you could post more replays, including those of your defeats.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Legion on April 10, 2013, 06:15:37 AM
You only use Realm of Dwarrowdelf when you know that this is the last turn for your fellowship, and there are still 12 cards left in your deck, with 6 of your Uruks on the bottom of the deck.  Then use it twice to get rid of the top 6 cards, so you draw the perfect 6 Uruks when you reconcile, not a mess of Fellowship cards and extra [isengard] conditions.  This is not a card you want to be using mid-game.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on April 10, 2013, 09:25:26 AM
Have you played any more games with this deck? I'd like if you could post more replays, including those of your defeats.

I haven't played much recently, but here are a few. My most recent game was a pretty bad matchup, and I made some pretty bad mistakes, ended up just barely losing:
http://gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$yz8pzetjhze1a99i

2 wins:
http://gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$f2selz5e00or93po
http://gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$wfspgb6fz5b2onup

another loss (terribly played):
http://gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$h8x39u2ek0u8r6mm

You can see how the deck has changed and gotten better. Enjoy!

Edit: Thanks for all the comments btw, I have implemented some of the suggestions. Here is the most up to date decklist:

Ring-bearer: Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer
Ring: The One Ring, Isildur's Bane

Adventure deck:
The Prancing Pony
Trollshaw Forest
Frodo's Bedroom
Hollin
The Bridge of Khazad-dum
Caras Galadhon
Anduin Confluence
Gates of Argonath
Slopes of Amon Hen

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Gimli, Son of Gloin
1x Legolas, Greenleaf
4x Gandalf, The Grey Pilgrim
1x Aragorn, Heir to the White City
2x Elrond, Lord of Rivendell
1x Gimli's Battle Axe
1x Gimli's Helm
1x Gimli's Pipe
1x Gandalf's Pipe
1x Aragorn's Bow
1x Aragorn's Pipe
1x Frodo's Pipe
3x Longbottom Leaf
4x Old Toby
1x Sting
1x Gandalf's Staff
1x Narya
2x Servant of the Secret Fire
1x Sleep Caradhras
1x Realm of Dwarrowdelf

Shadow Draw Deck:
4x Isengard Shaman
2x Saruman, Keeper of Isengard
2x Uruk Captain
4x Uruk Lieutenant
4x Uruk Ravager
4x Abandoning Reason for Madness
4x Breeding Pit
2x Saruman's Power
1x Greed
2x Hollowing of Isengard
1x Spies of Saruman
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: legolas3333 on April 17, 2013, 07:17:42 AM
Maybe try to fit in a copy of Saruman's Snows or Uruk-Hai Rampage?
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Legion on April 17, 2013, 09:49:45 AM
You have Saruman, so Uruk-Hai Rampage isn't necessary.  I have tried to use a variety of this deck that has a snows thrown in.  It won me one game, but surprisingly, my fellowship has been able to run to site 9 more often than they've reached a high enough site for me to swarm.  So much fun when you play virtually nothing all game and then drop the bomb of 7 fierce (virtually) unkillable Uruks.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on April 17, 2013, 10:21:26 AM
Glad you guys have enjoyed it :) I I toyed around with snows, but I figured the extra uruk was going to be more helpful. Maybe you are right though. I've rarely been able to run with my fellowship, I'd love to see what you did differently with yours.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Legion on April 25, 2013, 03:24:14 AM
Sure!  You gave me the shadow :)
I cut the Gimli part and instead added in a Sam, Son of Hamfast.  Also, if you want a Fellowship Block deck to survive, there is (in my opinion) no better card than Boromir, Son of Denethor.  He'll always guarantee Frodo survives until at least site 7 (especially if you play Bounder).

Here's a replay showing a game where the shadow just didn't set up in time, forcing the Fellowship to leg it.  (I was so pleased to play the Spies of Saruman site 8 to stop those white arrows ruining everything!)  Discard really hurts this shadow.

http://gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Legion$ml848rch936tkv1b
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Legion on June 05, 2013, 02:12:34 PM
This deck is beyond hilarious!  There's nothing quite like making your opponent think you're terrible by playing almost nothing all game, then dropping the bomb at site 9.  I've added in a copy of A Fell Voice on the Air and Saruman's Snows, to make it now almost unstoppable.  I've only once lost once the bomb had been set, and that was thanks to a last turn Betrayal of Isengard, Bow of the Galadhrim and Aragorn, Ranger of the North instead of HttWC.  Not much I could do about that.  It's sitting pretty at 33 wins and 5 losses, so not my worst stats by a long shot.  (Not my best, either, though.)
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on June 05, 2013, 08:57:51 PM
Glad its working out for you! I swapped Gimli, SoG for Gimli, DoE and it helps too. I love the idea of AFVotA and SS, I'll have to give it a try!
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on February 27, 2014, 02:33:42 PM
Based on your guy's suggestions, I have the final version of the deck posted in the original post. Enjoy!
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: legolas3333 on March 10, 2014, 11:56:29 PM
I feel like you could fit in a single Isengard Smith to get in one big possession dump before you swarm, especially since you've got Shaman in there anyway. At the very least, you'll be able to get rid of Sting which might be the difference between an overwhelmed Frodo or a surviving one with 8 burdens.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: BigRedMF on March 22, 2014, 04:35:03 PM
A couple notes:

I actually faced this deck before I read this post and I thought it was an awesome idea, glad I found it on the message boards.

A couple points though:
1. Your deck only has 2 copies of Saruman. The deck I faced must have had 4 copies, and trust me, it is a huge deterrent from double-moving when your opponent drops Saruman and nothing else after your first move. Especially at Site 4 or 7. By preventing the opponent from sprinting along you give yourself more time to run through your deck and set everything up. If your opponent is able to double move each turn thanks to lack of minions, you may not be able to set up the "pit" in time.

2. Would it make sense to substitute out the Ravagers for Messengers? They only cost 2 (1 at the Slopes) and would be Strength of 9 also when there is a weather condition. Would be helpful if you were facing a choke deck and/or if they discard your Hollowing of Isengards. The drawbacks are only 1 vitality of course, but Spies would eliminate archery and Snows would eliminate PatHS. And if the opponent Sentinels your weather condition they are lowly 6 strength minions.

3. What is you optimum final hand for site 9?
Saruman, 3 Lieutenants, 3 Ravagers, 1 Captain?
Substitute a Ravager for a Spies of Saruman if you are facing archery?
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on March 23, 2014, 01:31:36 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys!

legolas 3333: He would be cool, but I doubt very much I'd be able to get him to survive till the regroup phase before site 9. Typically possessions aren't a big deal.

BigRedMF:
Thanks for checking it out! I didn't know other people were running this deck :)

1. That may be a good idea, I've toyed with increasing the number before. I'll give it a shot

2. The ravagers are only 2 cost when saruman is in play (1 cost at site 9) and the extra vitality can be nice in earlier sites. Plus, if for some reason you don't get the weather condition, the ravagers can survive PATHS and are stronger.

3. Exactly. If you don't manage to keep AFVOTA then sub another ravager for Sarumans Snows. Use the uruk captain to play whatever you can afford. Ideally another uruk lieutenant
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: BigRedMF on March 24, 2014, 06:10:39 PM
Brain-fart! I was thinking Ravagers cost 2, forgetting about the Slopes reducing their cost by 1. Yes by all means Ravagers are the better choice over Messengers.

Thanks for the follow-up
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: BigRedMF on March 30, 2014, 08:02:29 AM
How do you handle Horn decks?
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Legion on March 30, 2014, 11:07:21 AM
Anduin Confluence site 7.  Horn annoys this deck, but depending on the setup it can still win, even against pathfinder.  Saruman and 6 uruks with Spies, Snows and Frost out still normally wins, even if 2 allies can fight.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on November 29, 2018, 11:30:30 AM
http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$f6eukeajx379q1d4

Played this deck again recently. The fellowship could use some survivability, but man is the shadow satisfying.
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: ket_the_jet on November 29, 2018, 01:54:26 PM
Very nice replay. Did just enough to hold on as long as you could. I understand the cycling, but maybe Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk is the better call there and I don't see how Prince of Mirkwood does that much more for you than the traditional Greenleaf. Those guys can also be healed with Frodo's Pipe.
-wtk
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on November 29, 2018, 04:33:20 PM
I used to use greenleaf, but I had huge trouble with nazgual's at early sites. PoM has saved me many times, and I just burn him vs uruks. Gandalf is probably a good call though
Title: Re: Breeding Pit
Post by: Not a Zombie on July 30, 2020, 10:43:07 AM
Still rocking this deck.
http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Sweet$408vza058ndh2qkc