"Trilogy Sealed" (or "Non-revised" Movie Block Sealed)

[Durin's Heir]

I got an idea for a potential new Sealed league in Gemp: what if each Serie is played as one successive film, getting ANY of the basic starters you choose of that respective block, and using the sitepath of that film?

Just as usual, the cards of the previous Serie would remain. It'd be a sort of "non-Revised" Movie Block sealed (basic decks, instead of customized), with a story progression feeling that Revised Movie Sealed cannot reach by using from the very start a mixture of FotR to Mount Doom (and always using King block sites). We might add in each film a Bad Guy to boost the Shadow side of each deck (1st the Balrog, 2nd Gollum, 3rd Shelob is my initial proposal), plus crowd control. The potential deck combinations would be very interesting.

It would be more or less like this:


Serie 1: FotR block
- 1x deck choice of all 6 FotR block starters (Aragorn/Uruks, Gandalf/Moria set 1, Gimli/Sauron trackers, Gandaf/Moria set 2, Boromir/Sauron or Legolas/Uruks).
- 2x booster of each FotR set (2x FotR, 2x MoM, 2x RotEL)
- 2x booster choices of sets 1-3 (FotR, MoM or RotEL)
- Crowd control: 2x Shotgun Enquea
- Evil guy: 2x The Balrog, Durin's Bane, 2x Dark Places
- Valid sites: FotR.


Serie 2: Towers Standard
- 1x deck choice of all 6 TTT block starters (Aragorn/Dunland, Théoden/Uruks, Legolas/Southrons, Eowyn/Wargriders, Faramir/Isen Orcs or the Witch-king/Ents).
- 2x booster of each TTT set (2x TTT, 2x BoHD, 2x EoF)
- 2x booster choices of sets 4-6 (TTT, BoHD or EoF)
- Crowd control: 2x Black Rider
- Evil guy: 2x Gollum, Old Villain, 2x Evil-Smelling Fens
- Valid sites: TTT.


Serie 3: Movie Block (sans Reflections)
- 1x deck choice of all 6 RotK block starters (Aragorn/Southrons, Eomer/Sauron, Merry/Morgul Orcs, Pippin/Southrons, Frodo/Morgul Orcs or Sam/Sauron Uruks).
- 2x booster of each RotK set (2x RotK, 2x SoG, 2x MD)
- 2x booster choices of sets 7, 8 and 10 (RotK, SoG or MD)
- Crowd control: 1x Ruined Capitol, 1x Morgulduin
- Evil gal: 2x Shelob, Last Child of Ungoliant, 2x Web
- Valid sites: RotK.


Serie 4: Pre-Shadows Multipath
- 3x Reflections boosters (Thanks Malachi!)
- 2x booster choices of sets 1-8 and 10
- Crowd control: 1x Ulaire Nertea MoDG, 1x Tower Troll
- Evil guys: 2x Orc Insurgent, 2x Goblin Man
- Valid sites: Pre-Shadows Multipath.

(NO X or R-LISTS, as usual)


In each new Serie, all the cards of the previous series would remain useful (except sites, until Serie 4). What do you think?


EDIT: Should we include the Set 1 / - and the Set 4 / Deluxe Starters? I believe so, but want to listen to your opinion.

[Malachi]

I like it, although I would add an extra 1-2 Reflections boosters to Serie 4, perhaps at the cost of the Boosters of Choice. Presently, I feel that in the Movie Sealed League Reflections doesn't have much of an effect, as with just one booster you are almost guaranteed to get two of the "unused" Set 9 rares. Having at least 3 of them to open would raise the chance of getting an R+, which can be a fun game-changer.

[ket_the_jet]

I think this is both clever and fresh. I would be on board with participating in one such league.

Goblin Man feels like a silly addition; am I missing something with him?
-wtk

[Durin's Heir]

I like it, although I would add an extra 1-2 Reflections boosters to Serie 4, perhaps at the bost of the Booster of Choice. Presently, I feel that in the Movie Sealed League Reflections doesn't have much of an effect, as with just one booster you are almost guaranteed to get two of the "unused" Set 9 rares. Having at least 3 of them to open would raise the chance of getting an R+, which can be a fun game-changer.

Wanted to start with a more conservative approach, but I believe you're totally right: 1x Reflections booster has too little impact. 3x would be better, with 2x less "normal Booster" choices. Agree, and thanks for the input, Malachi!

What do you think about the "Evil Guys" idea? Wanted to add Saruman, but unlike Gollum and Shelob he doesn't work at all as a single card, needs minions of a specific culture (not universally splashable). Even Of Many Colours is of little impact by himself alone (no Throne, Staff, or Men Will Fall; just a str 8 fierce dmg+1 guy), and that's Rare card.

I think this is both clever and fresh. I would be on board with participating in one such league.

Goblin Man feels like a silly addition; am I missing something with him?

Thanks Ket! Yes, Goblin Man is silly, but is perfectly splashable. Wanted to add some universally functional splashable guys. Perhaps Morgul Ambusher is better (less universal, more powerful) considering RotK sites 3, 5 and 9... but in Pre-Shadows the threat-adding sites are less frequent.

Maybe we could add 2x the Mouth of Sauron LoBD (he can annoy single tank decks) + a minion pump or other support card. But he is a Rare, which can be controversial.

[Phallen Cassidy]

I didn't think much of your crowd control at first since people will get Shotgun Enquea and not give any better options a second thought, but offering up those sites for King is very clever and gives any deck some flexibility with the other options. Still hard to see why people would use Black Rider in this context; he's kind of a weird add, especially for Towers don't you think?

[Durin's Heir]

Black Rider isn't a strong crowd control, but adds to the number of Nazguls which are very scarce (only Witch-king in serie 2 and Merry in serie 3 will provide some) and in clear disadvantage to the other Shadow cultures (only Gollum is in worse condition, with Sam providing 2 cards in serie 3; Easterlings have 6 in Aragorn's RotK, and Isen Men and Corsairs have none at all, but those are sub-cultures). 2x Gollum + 2x ESF in serie 2 are meant also to help those with thin numbers, and multiplies the impact of the 2x Enquea.

Yes, serie 3's additions can stop big fellowships at 7, and replay Enquea at 8. Also, serie 4 provides Nertea MoDG, which like Enquea punishes large groups AND like ESF replays minions; and adds to the Nazgul count.


Nertea can be added in serie 2 and Black Rider (or another crowd control) in serie 4, but I think is too powerful to be included so early. After Shotgun Enquea in serie 1, TNMBF seems a weak addition. Easterling Pillager can bite, but isn't splashable (as pest control). Still, I'm open to all ideas.

EDIT: Adding the deluxe starters (Hobbits/Nazgul in serie 1, and Gandalf/Raiders in serie 2) would increase the availability of Nazguls and Easterlings, and the overall diversity.

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About the Set 5 and Set 6 decks... those have fixed rares, the only rares outside boosters in the whole league. Should we do something about it? Cut them off? Add 3 mild fixed rares to the other 2 decks in that serie (Aragorn & Théoden), of the same specific set 4? Add 3 fixed rares to each other deck, in all series? Or do nothing?

If we're gonna do something, adding 3 rares to Aragorn and Théoden seems the easiest path.

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Cancelling RB skirmishes. Serie 4 opens the chances to Alternative RBs. Should be allowed or not?

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Ettenmoors, and other banned sites in Pre-Shadows Multipath. Ettenmoors + Enquea TotO = instant win; Ettemoors + other Enduringuls = instant kill (2 if fierce). I know Gondorian Captain + Base of Mindolluin are allowed if pulled in King/Movie, but that's not an instant kill/win. Should we ban such sites in Serie 4?

[Dictionary]

Wanted to add Saruman, but unlike Gollum and Shelob he doesn't work at all as a single card, needs minions of a specific culture (not universally splashable).

Instigator of Insurrection works, albeit in a roundabout way.

I am sure to be in the minority here, but I would prefer to have something different to the same old counters to big fellows, such as Tower Troll or Halfling Hunter. I think avoiding rares is overrated.

I do like the idea though

[Durin's Heir]

Instigator of Insurrection works, albeit in a roundabout way.

Saruman IoI helps if and only if there's 6+ companions (or if you have 3x OOYMDT in hand). Perhaps Saruman AotDL who can be a nice skirmisher, which with a fierce tool (and only Saruman's Staff or Throne of Isengard can) + 1x Deeping Wall can replace The Balrog with a proper substitute in TTT. But for the title of "Towers' Level Boss" would have to contend with Gollum + ESF...

Actually, I believe Deeping Wall can be separated from that issue, to be added regardless in order to boost Saruman pulls. Or Orthanc Balcony.

I think avoiding rares is overrated.

I'm with you in that. Mouth of Sauron LoBD is a rare too.

I do like the idea though

Gladdens me to receive your distinguished approval! (Not that Ket, Malachi and Phallen are plain rabble )

[dmaz]

As with the previous comments, I think this is a very cool idea. As ket put it, "fresh"!

I am particularly fond of the idea of having Serie 4 be Pre-Shadows Multipath. I feel this is a format that most, myself included, don't really dabble in, so sliding it under the premise of a Sealed event, should certainly drum up some interest!

I think your layout for boosters and booster choices is good. Enough to add a lot of variety, but not so much that it's over the top.

Just some general thoughts on the overall "additional included" cards.

Crowd Control:
Overall, I agree on these. Although, I'm still of a mind that Ulaire Nertea, MoDG is better left to the booster luck, as (imho) it has the potential to be significantly stronger than any other crowd control card listed there. It would most likely be an auto-include to any deck, much like Enquea. I can't speak to whether or not that would be a bad thing, but it may further squelch variety.

Dictionary's comment did make me stop and think though, as, in the past in sealed development, it's just kind of a given that you avoid rares in "additional" content or the custom built decks, so I simply nodded at Enquea and the others as I went down the list. But he does have a point. And I think there are a lot of rares that wouldn't grossly disrupt the balance of the sealed if included, hence it might just be "overrated" (as in, it's a habit) that we exclude rares. I particularly liked his idea of Tower Troll

Evil Guys:
First off, I'm a big fan of Goblin Man. He's been a splash in a lot of my TS and Movie decks, to be another trigger for Saruman's Power. I also think that the ability to simply see your opponents hand (regardless of discarding anything in it) is underrated, and extremely strong in certain scenarios. So I do like that addition

Really, altogether, I think this is neat feature, and your choices are solid.
My only comment would be that I thought it might be interesting to give the player a choice for which "evil guy" they wanted to go with. As in there are, say, three key minions each block, and they choose one based on what direction they want to go with from their booster pulls and starter deck. Having that should be relatively simple to code.
Furthermore, if we were to argue with including rares, I would say that doing this is similar to the starter decks having the Promo companion (or minion, in a few cases). In this way, you are allowing the player to have their guaranteed "main" companion as well as a guaranteed "main" minion, both of which possibly pairing with their random booster pulls.
Just a musing I had. If you were to go with rares this way, I'd say just one copy would be enough though...

Altogether, I think this would be a lot of fun!
Thank you for proposing it!

[Durin's Heir]

As with the previous comments, I think this is a very cool idea. As ket put it, "fresh"!

"Fresh!" 

I am particularly fond of the idea of having Serie 4 be Pre-Shadows Multipath.

Pre-Shadows means more freedom. After playing each film's sites once, don't see a reason to force the King sites to be played again. Many players (#metoo) will learn from this experience some of the potential of good ole Pre-Shadows Multipath.

I'm still of a mind that Ulaire Nertea, MoDG is better left to the booster luck...

Nertea MoDG would singlehandedly erase the lame Towers sealed Ent Swarm, think about it!

His presence is a big warning to companion dumping, which becomes too easy in the 2nd half of any Sealed. Perhaps 2x is too much, but appearing in Serie 4 along with 3x Reflections boosters should balance each other I think. Tower Troll is a great suggestion by Dictionary, 1x plus 1x Nertea MoDG can be better than 2x Nertea. What do you think?

Dictionary's comment did make me stop and think... there are a lot of rares that wouldn't grossly disrupt the balance of the sealed if included, hence it might just be "overrated" (as in, it's a habit) that we exclude rares.

Tower Troll has the same chances of being pulled in boosters as, say, Steward's Heir (P) or Thrarin SoE: zero. Rare and Common are the same in case of being an outsider card. And actually, rare means nothing for The Weight of A Legacy too... it's all about power. UTWE is much more powerful than Seeking Its Master, and that (in a good strategy) is what gives players victory or defeat.

The only counterproductive aspect I see in including moderate rares is diluting the value of rare pulls. So 1x should be ok as you suggest for each "Evil Guy pack."

I thought it might be interesting to give the player a choice for which "evil guy" they wanted to go with. As in there are, say, three key minions each block, and they choose one based on what direction they want to go with from their booster pulls and starter deck.

I like that idea A TON! I started with 4 cards but we could make them contain a bit more, say 5 or 6 Shadow cards + 1 favorable site (like City of the Dead for Shelob, or Deeping Wall for Saruman) to make them more versatile and impactful, while making some villains much easier to include (Saruman needs combos, Nazguls need numbers, Isen Men need conditions).

That solves 2 common problems of Sealed leagues:

1) When your basic Shadow side simply cannot bite your opponent due to a key pull (like Ranger's Sword or Gandalf FotS in FOTR sealed, Uruks without pumps don't make it), you have no choice but to try to outrun him/her. This addition guarantees Shadow decks will have a minimum biting power, much higher than what the basic starter decks have (and that also removes a lot of pressure from choosing Boromir or RotEL Legolas, knowing their Shadow sides usually suck).

2) Great pulls that depend on other cards... that you didn't get. Like several copies of Desertion, with few if any Men.

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3 Evil Guys per block. Let's start with FOTR Block, these are my ideas by now:

1. Twilight Nazgul pack: (6 Shadow + 1 site)
- 1x The Witch-king LotN (rare)
- 2x Enquea, RiT
- 1x Otsea LoM
- 2x Fell Beast (outsider)
- Site: Ford of Bruinen

2. Balrog pack: (6 Shadow + 1 site)
- 1x The Balrog, TToKD (rare, outsider). Non-underground Balrog, which means he'll still be useful after Serie 1.
- 1x The Balrog, Durin's Bane (or Goblin Spear, if each player gets 1x Durin's Bane outside the Evil Guy packs)
- 2x Dark Places
- 1x Power and Terror
- 1x Foul Things
- Site: Emyn Muil*. Fierce balrog above the ground. (only Gandalf set 1 and Boromir pack it)

3. Saruman FOTR pack: (6 Shadow + 1 site)
- 1x Saruman's Staff (rare, outsider). Fighting, fierce, self-assigning Saruman means trouble.
- 3x Saruman SotE
- 2x Isengard Smith, or OOYMDT
- Site: Hollin

The addition of key outsider/rare cards will provide a new experience to all players. "Fresh," one might say!

Each of these packs will benefit better one or more Starters: Saruman will charge Legolas and Aragorn, the Balrog will enhance both Gandalfs. Gimli's Shadow seems to need no help (being Grind, would benefit from the Twilight one better). Boromir's Mordor Orcs might find some relief from their uselessness high roaming and clogging factors in the Twilight Nazguls (Fell Beast ftw!), but still might be insufficient.

Any objection or suggestions? It's a prototype by now.

Altogether, I think this would be a lot of fun!
Thank you for proposing it!

It's the least I can do to save fellow players from cutting their wrists in these dark times!


Thanks dmaz for your feedback!

[Durin's Heir]

I noticed that the cycle of Sealed leagues will soon become pretty long. We already have 4 block Sealed leagues (FOTR, TTT, King & WOTR) + 2 Standard ones (TS & Movie, Revised both)... if we add 2 more (this Trilogy one, plus the Hunters one that dmaz mentioned in Gemp hall), that's 8 total Leagues each lasting 40 days = 320 days.  Add a 9th, and waiting for the next FOTR sealed will be like waiting for next Christmas!


So I propose doing something to enhance the cycling time of Sealed leagues, which are the favorite kind of League for most Gemp players (I believe). These are the options I see to shorten the duration of the whole cycle (please post any other if you find):

1) Overlap Leagues in a single cycle: We can trim 1/2 of the current duration by starting the next sealed league at the start of each 2nd half of the previous one (series 3 and 1 coincide), or trim 1/4 by starting each sealed league at the start of each 4th Serie of the previous (series 4 and 1 coincide). Or any other combination. That means reducing the total cycle from 320 to respectively 160 and 240 days.

2) Split Leagues in 2 different cycles (to run by separate): Could be Blocks (FOTR, TTT, King & WOTR; add Hunters) one, and Standards (TS & Movie; add Trilogy) the other, simultaneously. A good slice of people don't give a rat's arse about the King and/or WOTR leagues, and are instead eager for them to end so the cycle starts again with FOTR and on (the most beloved I think are FOTR, Movie and TS).

So this would reduce the cycle from 8 leagues (320 days), to one cycle of 5 Block leagues (200 days) and another of 3 Standard leagues (120 days). The combos of both cycles will become more interesting also, since 5 and 3 are co-prime integers (their cycles won't coincide until (5* 3)* 40 = 600 days).

3) Shorten each Serie's duration: Without those options, we could reduce the length of each individual Serie from 10 current days to any lesser number. 7 would be very impactful, a both biological and cultural ubiquitous cycle that means trimming the duration of each Sealed League from 40 to 28 days. Or the whole cycle of 8 from 320 to 224 days, a bit shorter than the current cycle of 6 leagues (240). But also implies to expect to play all 10 games from 10 days to 7, from 1 per day to close to 1.5 per day (or 2 each other day). (1.428571 games per day, actually.)

Still, the Sealed leagues some years ago had 13 games per serie in 10 days, which is a rate of 1.3 games per day (1 per day, 2 each third day). But people found it a bit too straining, and most didn't finish them, so it was reduced to 10. The change can be less drastic, 9 or 8 days per serie. Each day trimmed out means a reduction of a 10% of the total duration of each league. = 32 days in the new 8 leagues cycle.

4) Any combination of the aforementioned. Duh.


Options 1 & 2 mean the focus of each player will suffer more strain, so will either need to play more games in 2 leagues, or select a single league to devote time. Option 3 means players will still focus on a single league, but will need to play faster.

Personally, I like option 2 a lot. Brings more freedom and variation, removing the forceful need of waiting for the less popular Leagues to end before having fun again, for most players (#metoo). What do you think, my friends?