Getting into the game!

[Ragnvaldr]

I know I am pretty late for the party, but I would love to play this game competitively. So here are my questions:

1 - What is the competitive format that is used in official games?

2 - Gandalf is my favorite character in the series, is there a competitive deck that revolves around him?

3 - Adding to the second question, I also like Galandriel, Aragorn, The Witch-King, Elrond, Gimli, and Sauron.

I apologize for any inconvinience. Thanks in advanced.

[bibfortuna25]

gempukku.com/gemp-lotr

That's the site where you can play online. There are many different formats for this game, and the deck builder on that site will help you filter the cards so you can find what you need for the format you're using.

There are lots of decks that use Gandalf, either as a supporting character or as the main driving force of your deck.

It's great that you like all those different characters, but there is a problem. The very nature of this game makes it so decks work better when you focus on only one or two Free People's cultures, in addition to your ring bearer. "Rainbow" fellowships are really only viable in Fellowship Block.

As for liking Sauron and the Witch-king, you probably won't be able to use them in the same deck. They are some of the most expensive minions in the game, so you will rarely be able to have them both in play at the same time. And like I said above, mixing Shadow cultures isn't a good idea except in specific decks.

Anyway, pick a format you like and learn the cards that are available for it, then make a deck and try it out. You can always find someone to play on Gemp. 

[Air Power]

Welcome!

The most popular formats for player-organized tournaments seem to be Towers Standard and Movie, but folks who are more up on the game state than I am will have to help you out on the competitive decks.  Sadly, there aren't truly "official" games around anymore because Decipher doesn't organize tournaments

[hsiale]

"Rainbow" fellowships are really only viable in Fellowship Block.

I remember the Refuge rainbow fellowship (start Lady of Ithilien and Fearless Marksman, play 15+ companions led by Leader of the Company, choose companions depending on opponent's shadow, heal with Refuge, mess up opponent's shadow with For the Mark and Seclusion) was quite competitive in Standard around Hunters release, no idea though how the later set affected this deck but it was really fun to play.

[Ragnvaldr]

gempukku.com/gemp-lotr

That's the site where you can play online. There are many different formats for this game, and the deck builder on that site will help you filter the cards so you can find what you need for the format you're using.

Yeah, I signed up to that, so I could get more familiar with the cards before I buy.

There are lots of decks that use Gandalf, either as a supporting character or as the main driving force of your deck.

I am actually looking for a deck where he's the main guy in it

It's great that you like all those different characters, but there is a problem. The very nature of this game makes it so decks work better when you focus on only one or two Free People's cultures, in addition to your ring bearer. "Rainbow" fellowships are really only viable in Fellowship Block.

As for liking Sauron and the Witch-king, you probably won't be able to use them in the same deck. They are some of the most expensive minions in the game, so you will rarely be able to have them both in play at the same time. And like I said above, mixing Shadow cultures isn't a good idea except in specific decks.

Oh I got that. What I meant was if each of those characters could have a deck built around them, not meshed together in one deck.

Anyway, pick a format you like and learn the cards that are available for it, then make a deck and try it out. You can always find someone to play on Gemp. 

Responses in bold inside of the Quote. Thanks for the info

[bibfortuna25]

Here is one movie block deck I like to use that uses Gandalf heavily:

RB:
Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms
The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles

Starting:
Gandalf, Leader of Men
Ranger of Ithilien

Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar
Faramir, Son of Denethor
Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith
Elendil, The Tall
Boromir, Lord of Gondor
Sam, Son of Hamfast
Anduril, Flame of the West
Narsil, Blade of the Faithful
Gandalf's Staff
Narya
Armor
Noble Leaders x2
Sapling of the White Tree x2
Scroll of Isildur
Saved From the Fire x4
Servant of the Secret Fire x4
Sharpen Your Swords x2
Roll of Thunder x2
Terrible and Evil x2
Deep in Thought

Total, 33 cards

Burn the Ranger ASAP and set yourself up with your heavy hitters. This FP can handle a lot of different Shadow sides, but its best matchup is against Corsairs, since they won't be discarding your possessions at all.

[macheteman]

the thing about gandalf is that in the books, movie, and game, he plays an interesting role almost as the puppeteer. moving others to do what needs to be done, supporting them in their tasks etc. this really comes through in the game as he really helps all the other cultures be their best.

i did have a wild deck that used gandalf and radagast and sent back to kick nasty minions and keep replaying my wizards. it was fun, never was the best deck around, but it was fun. especially dropping a wizard in the regroup phase and triple moving, hey, i wonder what the move limit would end up being if you played radagast like, 4 times in one turn. since turn limits last after the comp dies, would all the copies of radagast add up???

[Ragnvaldr]

Here is one movie block deck I like to use that uses Gandalf heavily:

RB:
Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms
The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles

Starting:
Gandalf, Leader of Men
Ranger of Ithilien

Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar
Faramir, Son of Denethor
Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith
Elendil, The Tall
Boromir, Lord of Gondor
Sam, Son of Hamfast
Anduril, Flame of the West
Narsil, Blade of the Faithful
Gandalf's Staff
Narya
Armor
Noble Leaders x2
Sapling of the White Tree x2
Scroll of Isildur
Saved From the Fire x4
Servant of the Secret Fire x4
Sharpen Your Swords x2
Roll of Thunder x2
Terrible and Evil x2
Deep in Thought

Total, 33 cards

Burn the Ranger ASAP and set yourself up with your heavy hitters. This FP can handle a lot of different Shadow sides, but its best matchup is against Corsairs, since they won't be discarding your possessions at all.

I really, really appreciate this. Thank you