Recent Posts

41

Expanded / Orc Grunts- 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.
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:

Orc Grunts - 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 x4
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


Strategy:
The goal is to strike hard every move late in the game.
Build up Spurred to Battle conditions, play an Orc Artisan, 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.
Then throw down Champion Orc or a Cave Troll of Moria, Savage Menace to further bomb using their Toil.
Use Goblin Hordes to pull what you need.


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

42

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.
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:

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
Spider Poison

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.

43

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.
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:

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
Clever Hobbits

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


Strategy:
Faramir, Captain of Gondor and Ranger of Ithilien are only there to help get you set up.  They are cannon fodder later.
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.
The whole point is to choke hard as you set up for the last region.  Use Nasty to overwhelm or Poor Wretch and Clever Hobbits to kill on the first move of a turn, then take it in the face on the second.  Caras Galadhon is fantastic after that, but consider using Follow Smeagol or Still Far Ahead here to prevent Mount Doom from coming out.


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

44

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.
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:

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

Allies:
Leowyn

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


Strategy:
This uses Merry, Swordthain to retrieve Javelins or anything else while pairing it with Merry's Sword and Shadowplay to exert minions.  Merry comes back fully healed each time.
Sword Rack and Weapon Store are to ensure you get Merry's Sword back.
You have to plan each turn.  You want to end up with just the right amount of wounds on the minions so that Eomer, Eored Captain and Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien can do their thing (and in the right order).
Spear of the Mark is incredibly good on Eowyn, especially when she has a mount.
Simbelmyne ensures you can get everything set up quickly.  Leowyn, Brego, Rohirrim Shield, Theoden, Lord of the Mark, and multiple copies of Eowyn are to keep her healed up.  Golden Glimmer helps prevent wound shenanigans.

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

45

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.
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 Wargs - Shadow (Expanded)
It brings back memories of playing this game 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 x4
Warg x4
Isengard Scimitar x4

Conditions:
Wolves of Isengard x2


Strategy:
It mostly centers around Wolves of Isengard and sites like Ettenmoors.
These are high-vitality minions that don't go down easily.  You're less focused on winning skirmishes and more focused on wounding the fellowship after or preventing them from moving again.
Prioritize wargs on Isengard Scout Troop to get any sites you can.  That makes Isengard Scimitar better.


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

46

Expanded / Gondor Ranger Tank - 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.
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 Ranger Tank - Free Peoples (Expanded)
A weaker choke deck that I slapped together with old cards I had lying around.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Weary From the Journey
Faramir, Captain of Gondor
Ranger of Ithilien

Companions:
Gondorian Ranger x4

Possessions:
Faramir's Cloak
Boromir, My Brother
Gondorian Blade x3
Flaming Brand
Sting, Baggins Heirloom

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

Conditions:
Ancient Roads x4
Invigorated x2
The Tale of the Great Ring


Strategy:
Use Prancying Pony to get and keep 3 rangers out as soon as possible.  This is so Ancient Roads goes into effect.
If you've ever wondered what a pure event deck would look like, it's this, and it isn't spectacular.


One card that I have considered adding is No Stranger to the Shadows.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

47

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.
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:

Uruk-hai Beatdown - Shadow (Expanded)
They are big and mean and don't go away.

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 x3

Conditions:
Pikes Upon Pikes x2


Strategy:
This takes advantage of the lurker keyword to scare the fellowship from moving again.  Swarming Uruk with a lurker is perfect for what we are doing here.
Sentinel Uruk with Spear of the White Hand and Pikes Upon Pikes ensures your big scary guys will fight again if the fellowship moves.
All of the other minions cost 4 or more for Weapon of Opportunity, and to make sure you have minions worth protecting.


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

48

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.
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 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, Ranger of the North (pull with Prancing Pony site)
Mablung, Soldier of Gondor
Madril, Faramir's Aide x2
Gondorian Ranger x4

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

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


Strategy:
Get and keep 3 rangers out as soon as possible.  Prancing Pony helps get one.  This is so Ancient Roads goes into effect.
Hardy Garrison combines well with Madril, Faramir's Aide, which combines well with Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver, which combines well with Shadowplay.  Every time you pull Pippin, he comes back fully healed.
The rest are all ways to wound minions cheaply.


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 post-reflections, but the initiative and shadowplay tricks here work well for an old-school ranger deck.
I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

49

Expanded / Orc Corruption - Shadow (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 05:25:21 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:

Orc Corruption - Shadow (Expanded)
A recurring Bound to Its Fate corruption deck.

Minions:
Porter Troll x3
Mocking Goblin x4
Morgul Tormentor x4
Orc Tormentor x4
Orc Miscreant x4
Picket Denizen x3
Isengard Underling x4

Events:
Bound to Its Fate x4
Dread and Despair x2
Massing Strength x2

Conditions:
The Beckoning Shadow
Goblin Hordes


Strategy:
Add burdens.  This is centered around playing Bound to Its Fate as many times as possible.  Isengard Underling can recur it.  Goblin Hordes can recur that.
Since Morgul Tormentor and Orc Tormentor are only there for the assignment, use Massing Strength more for Mocking Goblin or as an alternative to Picket Denizen to let Orc Miscreant survive to add more burdens
If the free peoples player chooses to discard, maybe shift to pulling more Dread and Despair, then corrupt using The Beckoning Shadow.


I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.

50

Expanded / Shire Pippen Fighter/Pipeweed - Free Peoples (Expanded)

« Last post by wrigh516 on August 15, 2025, 05:11:21 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:

Shire Pippen Fighter/Pipeweed - Free Peoples (Expanded)
An incredibly fun mix of Hobbit Hospital, Pippen Fighter, and Pipeweed strategies.

Starting:
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir
Pippin, Brave Decoy
Merry, Friend to Sam
Quickbeam, Bregalad

Allies:
Hobbit Party Guest
Farmer Maggot, Chaser of Rascals x2 (Pull with Green Dragon Inn)
Bounder x2

Possessions:
Horn of the Mark x2
Hobbit Sword x4
Old Toby x4
Golden Perch Ale

Conditions:
Halfling Leaf x4
Hornblower Leaf x4
Everyone Knows x4
Escape x2
Ent Draught x2
Little Golden Flower


Strategy:
There are three sides to this deck:

1. It is primarily a Pippin, Brave Decoy pump deck with Merry for strength bonuses (usually for Frodo).  Everyone Knows combined with Escape, Ent Draught, and Little Golden Flower allows for high strength numbers.
2. It has a bit of Hobbit Hospital.  Frodo and Hobbit Party Guest heal Farmer Maggot, Chaser of Rascals, who keeps Merry and Pippen healed up.  It is essential to keep the wounds off them.
3. It's also a Pipeweed.  Without it, running is difficult.  Hornblower Leaf allows this deck to run.  Halfling Leaf is insurance for certain minions.


I'm aware that The One Ring, The Great Ring would be better.  I shy away from it for this set.
Prized Lagan might be needed.

I would love to hear any feedback/suggestions.