Recent Posts

11

Expanded / Isengard Trackers - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on April 22, 2026, 11:08:40 AM »

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.
The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 (36 as I added more cycling and discard decks) cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks to doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching.  It allows enough combinations to keep each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to have thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $150+ range are not always going to make it in due to the costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I follow the Expanded format and rules before errata, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Isengard Trackers - Shadow (Expanded)
The old Trackers deck with Search cards.

Minions:
Ugluk, Servant of Saruman x4
Mauhur, Patrol Leader x3
Uruk Chaser x4
Uruk Runner x4
Uruk Searcher x4
Uruk Seeker x4
Uruk Hunter
Grima, Wormtongue x2

Conditions:
Many Riddles x3
Weary x3
What Did You Discover? x2
Greed x2


Strategy:
This is a basic beatdown strategy with Search conditions.  Weary wears them down and Many Riddles allows you to target companions.
Ugluk, Servant of Saruman is essential to get out early and as often as possible.  Uruk Searcher and Uruk Seeker benefit from those Search conditions.
Greed is for punishing large fellowships.


Saruman, Servant of the Eye is a deadly option to target a specific companion too.  I really like having it, but you need a good amount of Trackers to get this to work better.  I find Many Riddles works well enough most of the time.
Vengeance is an option as an alternative to Grima, Wormtongue.  You need something to handle the choke decks.  Grima is good because the minions are fierce and stronger on the second fight, plus it removes those cards' effects from the maneuver phase and chokes the opponent's hand; but Vengeance is good because you typically need a cheaper option to get enough Trackers out against choke decks, plus it works great if you decide to put both Search cards on a companion.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

12

Expanded / Gondor Noble Leaders - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on March 20, 2026, 06:39:32 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.
The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 (36 as I added more cycling and discard decks) cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks to doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching.  It allows enough combinations to keep each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to have thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $150+ range are not always going to make it in due to the costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I follow the Expanded format and rules before errata, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gondor Noble Leaders - Free Peoples (Expanded)
My version of a typical Noble Leaders deck.

Starting:
The One Ring, Answer To All Riddles
Boromir, Bearer of Council
Faramir, Prince of Ithilien
Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith

Companions:
Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar
Elendil, the Tall

Artifacts:
Throne of Minas Tirith
Narsil, Blade of the Faithful
Anduril, Flame of the West
Ring of Barahir
Scroll of Isildur
Sapling of the White Tree x4

Possessions:
Armor x2
Coat of Mail x2
Athelas x4
Flaming Brand
Gondorian Sword x3

Events:
Guarded City x3

Conditions:
Noble Leaders x2
Heirs of Gondor x2
Garrison of Osgiliath
Houses of Healing
Kings' Legacy
The Saga of Elendil


Strategy:
At site 3, use Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith to pull Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar, which heals Denethor.  Then pull Elendil, the Tall, Throne of Minas Tirith, and/or Narsil, Blade of the Faithful.
Athelas, Houses of Healing, or The Saga of Elendil should give you enough healing or vitality on Denethor to get the 4th card.  Many times, one shows up in your hand already, and you can get Anduril, King's Blade as well.
You'll want to put a possession on Faramir to get the defender +1 for the big fight at site 4.  Coat of Mail is perfect if you have it.
I try to give Denethor Armor and heal him or have a Sapling of the White Tree save him at the site 4 battle.  The rest of the game is a breeze.


Horn of Boromir, The Great Horn and Elendil's Army seem like they would be good fits for this deck.  I'm not sure it is worth replacing anything for them though.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

13

Expanded / Gandalf BoO/Northmen - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on March 20, 2026, 01:18:40 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.
The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 (36 as I added more cycling and discard decks) cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks to doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching.  It allows enough combinations to keep each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to have thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $150+ range are not always going to make it in due to the costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I follow the Expanded format and rules before errata, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Gandalf BoO/Northmen - Free Peoples (Expanded)
Gandalf, BoO and Northman Rohan is a very powerful combination.

Starting:
The One Ring, The Ring of Rings
Gandalf, Bearer of Obligation
Soldier of Rohan
Eowyn, Northwoman

Companions:
Theoden, Northman, King of Rohan
Eomer, Northman
Erland, Dale Counselor

Allies:
Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor x3

Possessions/Artifacts:
Eowyn's Sword
Herugrim
Snowmane
Heavy Chain
Glamdring, Foe-Hammer x2
Gandalf's Staff, Ash-Staff x2
Shadowfax, Unequaled Steed

Events:
Saved from the Fire x4
Servant of the Secret Fire x3
Deep in Thought x2
Roll of Thunder x2
On Your Doorstep x2
Look to my Coming x2

Conditions:
Hearken to Me x2
Watch and Wait x2


Strategy:
Use Saved from the Fire to place Soldier of Rohan in the dead pile and pull Theoden, Eomer, and either Eowyn's Sword or Herugrim.  The rest of them are for Gandalf's text, unless you want to sacrifice Eomer for the last 3 Rohan cards.
Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor, Erland, Dale Counselor, On Your Doorstep, and Gandalf's Staff, Ash-Staff muster can help keep Gandalf cards available or regain lost cards.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

14

Expanded / Raider Beasterlings - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on March 20, 2026, 12:44:44 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.
The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 (36 as I added more cycling and discard decks) cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks to doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching.  It allows enough combinations to keep each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to have thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $150+ range are not always going to make it in due to the costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I follow the Expanded format and rules before errata, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Raider Beasterlings - Shadow (Expanded)
A very stereotypical Beasterling deck.

Minions:
Easterling Army x4
Easterling Captain x4
Easterling Regiment x2
Easterling Footman x4
Easterling Axeman x4

Possessions:
Easterling Polearm x4
Raider Bow x4
Ships of Great Draught

Events:
Red Wrath x3
Discovered x2

Conditions:
Small Hope x4


Strategy:
Get to 2 burdens as soon as you can using Small Hope and Easterling Footman.  This kicks off Easterling Captain, Easterling Army, and Easterling Polearm.
Raider Bow and Easterling Regiment give you more twilight to use Red Wrath or Easterling Captain ability.
Ships of Great Draught helps cycle and retrieve what you need.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

15

Expanded / Well Travelled Guide - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on March 20, 2026, 12:31:48 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.
The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 (36 as I added more cycling and discard decks) cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks to doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching.  It allows enough combinations to keep each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to have thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $150+ range are not always going to make it in due to the costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I follow the Expanded format and rules before errata, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Well Travelled Guide - Free Peoples (Expanded)
Chokes like a Solo Smeagol deck.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer
Aragorn, Well-Traveled Guide

Allies:
Bilbo, Well-Spoken Gentlehobbit x2

Possessions/Artifacts:
Sting, Baggins Heirloom x2
Bill the Pony
Mithril-coat
Phial of Galadriel, Star-Glass
Anduril, King's Blade
Flaming Brand
Coat of Mail x2
Athelas x2

Events:
Swordarm of the White Tower x4
Banners Blowing

Conditions:
No Stranger to the Shadows
The Saga of Elendil
Spirit of the White Tree
Ranger of the North
Gondor Bowmen x4
O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
The Tale of the Great Ring
There and Back Again
Three Monstrous Trolls
A Dragon's Tale x2
Scouring of the Shire x2
Cliffs of Emyn Muil


Strategy:
You have options to win skirmishes with strength or wounding to double move.  You can also just let Aragorn lose and take 1 wound at most.
Use the various Tales for Bilbo, Well-Spoken Gentlehobbit to discard the shadow conditions to prevent them from building anything up on you.
Scouring the Shire makes this strategy possible by protecting your Shire possessions/conditions.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

16

Expanded / Wraith Blade Tip - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on March 20, 2026, 11:48:04 AM »

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.
The decks are split into free peoples and shadow sides, all interchangeable at 35 (36 as I added more cycling and discard decks) cards each.  There are some obvious drawbacks to doing it this way, but it is 100% worth it to allow mixing/matching.  It allows enough combinations to keep each game unique and interesting.  The idea is to have thematic and fun strategies while maintaining a balance.  These are built with physical cards, so any in the $150+ range are not always going to make it in due to the costs and to maintain balance among the decks.  I follow the Expanded format and rules before errata, but some decks might also fit into other formats.  This is one of those decks:

Wraith Blade Tip - Shadow (Expanded)

Minions:
The Witch-King, Dark Lord x4
Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul x3
Ulaire Attea, Keeper of Dol Guldur x3
Ulaire Toldea, Dark Shadow x3
Ulaire Cantea, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur x3
Ulaire Nelya, Third of the Nine Riders x3
Ulaire Lemenya, Servant of the Shadow x3
Ulaire Otsea, Black Specter x3

Conditions:
Blade Tip x4
Black Breath x4
Wreathed in Shadow x2
Out of Sight and Shot


Strategy:
This plays a lot of expensive minions and has options to spend large twilight pools with Ulaire Attea, Keeper of Dol Guldur or Wreathed in Shadow.
The Witch-King, Dark Lord, Ulaire Otsea, Black Specter, and Ulaire Lemenya, Servant of the Shadow are powerful ways to discard cards to prevent clog.  The result is heavy condition hate.  Ulaire Cantea, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur has possession hate as well.
All of this leads to Blade Tip transfers without needing Morgul Blades (they would dilute the deck).

Ulaire Nelya, Third of the Nine Riders also allows you to replay Buckland Homestead, Woody-End, or Expanding Marshland more than once.
If you are behind on the site map, place down Crags of Emyn Muil, Doorway to Doom, or Sirannon Ruins; then use it to place a site that benefits your fellowship.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

17

Council of Cobra / Re: Anyone still on here that was around when I used to be here?

« Last post by SkarTon on March 01, 2026, 10:42:50 PM »

So, I haven't been registered in the forum for very long, and I've always just been a silent reader, but I'm still here.

I used to play when I was younger, but then I lost touch with it for a few years. Now I occasionally play again with a friend, for whom the game is completely new.

18

Council of Cobra / Re: Anyone still on here that was around when I used to be here?

« Last post by NappyKorn on January 23, 2026, 07:35:39 AM »

The best place nowadays to look for physical cards is on the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1465106970387398

The PC Discord is where most casual discussion occurs: https://lotrtcgpc.net/discord

Thank you, I will check those out. I have way to many obsessions now. Back into LotRTCG now for some reason been collecting sports cards again and got back into MTG deck building as well. I need to hit a card show soon and unload alot of stuff. Getting older makes you dip back into things from your youth it appears. They were Right!

19

Archives of Minas Tirith / Re: Northern Ithilien/Gollum/Fat One Wants It/Watcher in the Water Burden Combo

« Last post by TelTura on January 17, 2026, 05:41:30 PM »

It hasn't been fixed because it's difficult to do so.  Within Gemp's engine, gollum getting discarded does not cause his play to get "canceled", it is a secondary trigger that occurs well after Northern Ithilien has determined that its action is completed.  The effect stack ends up looking like:

- Ithilien activated
- 2 threats removed
- Gollum played
- 2 burdens added
- Watcher's ability triggers and discards Gollum

Whatever solution is eventually crafted for this, it's going to have to involve altering the very core of how actions are handled, or it's going to have to involve, I dunno, adding some way for Ithilien to wait and check to see if Gollum is still in play after a tick has gone by.  Either way it's not trivial.

20

Council of Cobra / Re: Anyone still on here that was around when I used to be here?

« Last post by TelTura on January 17, 2026, 05:25:42 PM »

The best place nowadays to look for physical cards is on the Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1465106970387398

The PC Discord is where most casual discussion occurs: https://lotrtcgpc.net/discord