Cw0rk's These Are My People for Movie Block

[putridbreath]

I enjoyed the brilliance of Cw0rk's Towers Block deck that focused on a straight march to site 9 from site 3. I suggest looking at it and read how it works before assessing this deck, which tries to translate that idea to Movie Block.
http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,2368.0.html

(freeps)

(36)  
Gimli, BoG
1x Eomer, Skilled Tactician (start)
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine (start)

1x Theoden, Tall and Proud
1x Eowyn, Sister-daughter of Theoden
4x Aragorn Wingfoot
1x (random Rohan comp) Elite Rider?

1x Deor

4x These Are My People
4x Ever My Heart Rises
4x News From the Mark
4x Simbelmyne

1x Axe of Erebor
1x Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn
1x Rider's Mount
1x Brego
1x Firefoot
1x Eomer's Spear
1x Herugrim
1x Merry's Sword  
1x Horn of the Mark

The ideas I like best about my particular translation here are the inclusion of Merry with his horn and sword--he will take out any minion of 7 or lower strength and can protect against nasty Enquea, LoM. Gimli as Ringbearer gives more strength to the person likely to take a hit at the large minion swarm at site 4 and allows me to have a dwarf so I can play Ever My Heart Rises. I start valiant Eomer to use Simbelmyne to grab Eowyn and Theoden. I like Theoden Tall and Proud because of his opportunity to take one for the team on your march to site 9--thus allowing you to play a fresh new rohan comp you discarded back at site three. I threw Deor in to make Eowyn's damage +1 with her sword and he helps cycle if you pull him early.
Things I don't like about this deck: I think I'm bordering on too many cards --I'm not sure as I've never played a deck like this. There is no threat or burden removal to help Gimli out--limiting assignment options.  One less Hobbit means one less wound Aragorn gives out--I feel this deck may have trouble finishing out minions.
Things to think about:
I played with the notion of starting Gandalf, LoM (gasp he's Aragorn signet too!) with a comp or two he could burn with Saved From the Fire --something to look into as a definite possibility. Starting an Elite Rider and burning him could set up the three Rohan comps needed for News From the Mark.
Overall, I'd really like to come up with a Movie Block style of this deck that can stand on its own and surprise a few more players with its out of the box thinking. Thanks Cw0rk for the inspiration!
One more thing---minions side to this? Would like ideas on that too.

[ket_the_jet]

You may want to consider Rohirrim Army. At the very least, something big kills Theoden, you play Rohirrim Army, and then that big minion gets discarded.

Sam, Son of Hamfast solves your burden problems. Other than that, I would take c10ckw0rk's opinions over mine. It was his idea (and a damned good one).
-wtk

[legolas3333]

What's your shadow?

[MuadDib85]

I really like Cw0rk's TTT version of this deck. I think being movie block Gimli, Feared Axeman would have to be used somehow. I know one problem is having EMHR discarded early.

Shadow side doesn't really matter. Cycle with it as much as possible. As soon as your opponent realises your strategy he will be double moving every turn, so the most important thing is not to choke yourself with the shadow.

[putridbreath]

You may want to consider Rohirrim Army. At the very least, something big kills Theoden, you play Rohirrim Army, and then that big minion gets discarded.

-wtk

I thought about that but realized that Rohirrim Army has spotting requirements (3 Rohan comps). I could add Rohirrim Guard, Rohirrim Army and Sam to make it 9 comps.

Maybe start Gimli, Feared Axeman and Eowyn, Sister-daughter of Theoden with Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples as RB. Abandon Merry and his toys (as much as I like them) to focus on Rohan solely w/ Aragorn and Gimli.

[ket_the_jet]

I forgot about Rohirrim Army's spotting requirements. Never mind, probably not worth it.
-wtk

[putridbreath]

Ok, let's see if this works:

(38)  <---- I know, but cycling should be better with this set up

Start:
Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples
Gimli, Feared Axeman
Merry, From O'er the Brandywine
Pippin, Mr. Took
Smeagol, Poor Creature (cycle machine!)

1x Eowyn, Sister-daughter of Theoden
1x Theoden, Tall and Proud
1x Eomer, Skilled Tactician
4x Aragorn, Wingfoot

3x Simbelmyne
4x Ever My Heart Rises
3x These Are My People
4x News From the Mark

1x Deor (cycle and road bump at crucial site four)

1x Firefoot
1x Rider's Mount
1x Brego
1x Eowyn's Sword
1x Herugrim
1x Eomer's Spear
1x Axe of Erebor
1x Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn
1x Sting, BotEL
1x Hobbit Sword
1x Merry's Sword
1x Horn of the Mark

I feel this is much better with Smeagol, PC and Gimli, FA. Two hobbits use Aragorn to his greatest ability. The only thing I'm worried about is grabbing all three Rohan comps--luckily Eomer and Eowyn are both valiant and Deor helps spot if Theoden is drawn instead of his kin.

[Cw0rk]

Movie Block offers a lot more possibilities  than TT block. Maybe that you could try to make a wounding version of this deck.
Merry's Sword and Aragorn's Bow sounds like good idea.
I think that Gimli RB may be more interesting to use than Gimli, Feared Axeman because having your EMHR discarded isn't that much of a problem if you have 4 of them and play a 30 to 32 cards deck.

Keep in mind that you don't have to use cards like News From the Mark... basically... you could choose to not use Rohan at all. Last Throw would be fine and less dangerous.

[putridbreath]

Keep in mind that you don't have to use cards like News From the Mark... basically... you could choose to not use Rohan at all. Last Throw would be fine and less dangerous.

I think I have a very viable solution now!
It is now Gondor oriented and works (in theory) pretty nicely.

(34)
Gimli, BoG
1x Gandalf, LoM (start)
1x Ingold (start)

1x Aragorn, Captain of Gondor
1x Faramir, Captain of Gondor
1x Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith
2x Sleepless Dead
1x King of the Dead, Oathbreaker

4x Ever My Heart Rises
4x Saved From the Fire
4x On Your Doorstep
1x These Are My People
2x Last Throw
1x Citadel to Gate

1x Anduril, Flame of the West
1x Scroll of Isildur
1x Axe of Erebor
1x Shadowfax
1x Knight's Mount
1x Faramir's Bow
1x Sword of Gondor
3x Spectral Sword

So basically you burn Ingold when you get the first chance to pull Aragorn, Faramir and Denethor to play. Continue drawing cards and playing everything you get. At site 3, use Denethor to pull what you need from your draw deck (2 cards) then burn him for three more cards. At this point you should have added the wraiths to the party and have grabbed These are my people and 2 copies of Last Throw. Drop an Ever My Heart Rises. Use any On Your Doorsteps you have to grab Axe of Erebor for Gimli and Citadel to Gate if desired or either Gondor artifact if you haven't got it yet from burning the two comps. Play These Are My People to load em all up and toss down Last Throw when you need to keep moving--play your site 6 with Anduril, Flame of the West and heal all Gondor comps when you move from there with your second Last Throw. Double move on your next turn and you should win!
Let me hear your ideas on this--Movie Block added better ways to manipulate the draw deck and discard pile and this deck utilizes the best of those cards.

[ket_the_jet]

I would use Vorondil over Ingold. He's effectively strength 7 for the first two sites.

Also keep in mind that you have Dunharrow Plateau as a site 1, so you should be able to get whatever you need if you bid high enough. You still need a Sam, Son of Hamfast in there because you have to bid and get site 1.

Also, I'd have a copy of Ring of Fury over the Spectral Swords. I would have four copies of Last Throw.

You also need site liberation to use Last Throw in the case that there is a site or two controlled. Banner of Westernesse?
-wtk

[putridbreath]

I would use Vorondil over Ingold. He's effectively strength 7 for the first two sites.

Also keep in mind that you have Dunharrow Plateau as a site 1, so you should be able to get whatever you need if you bid high enough. You still need a Sam, Son of Hamfast in there because you have to bid and get site 1.

Also, I'd have a copy of Ring of Fury over the Spectral Swords. I would have four copies of Last Throw.

You also need site liberation to use Last Throw in the case that there is a site or two controlled. Banner of Westernesse?
-wtk

-1 Ingold
+1 Vorondil

-1 Sleepless Dead
-1 Citadel to Gate
-3 Spectral Sword
+3 Sam, SoH
+2 Banner of Westernesse
-3 Ever My Heart Rises
+1 Ring of Fury
(32) cards total

Good call on Vorondil and Banner of Westernesse. Also, completely forgot about Dunharrow Plateau! Shame on me! I didn't feel that I needed Ring of Fury as I valued Axe of Erebor more. I have to use On Your Doorstep to pull it if unlucky draw because Gimli isn't Aragorn signet. Ring of Fury would be one more thing I would have to burn an On Your Doorstep to recover. Remember--Axe of Erebor and the Scroll of Isildur + Anduril, FotW = 8 resistance which isn't too shabby. I don't see the value of adding 2 more last throw copies as I have 8 Gondor cards freely available to me through my draw deck because of Denethor and 2 Saved From the Fire. That's more than enough for 5 comps, 2 last throw and 1 These are my people + opportunity to pull them early/grab with On Your Doorstep.

[ket_the_jet]

I say the more companions, the better. You never know when you may need one! In a deck like this, that is going to be 35+ cards anyways, I think you need 9 companions.

What about Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath and then running a few knights instead of Wraiths?
-wtk

[putridbreath]

I'm running 9 comps but with two tossed into the fire and Sam, SoH there will be six marching on. The problem with the knight angle (I thought of that possibility too) is the lack of Aragorn signets for the key card These Are My People.

[Cw0rk]

I'm not sure that on your doorstep is useful. You already have Saved From the Fire and Denethor to grab your companions before it ends up in the discard pile. These spots could be used by other possessions.

[Cw0rk]

A random cool idea would be to start with Gimli, Feared Axeman and an Elf. Then you add 4 copies of Aragorn and 4 copies of Durin. Put all the possessions that Durin could possibly wear in the deck like 4 Elven Brooch. Use These Are My People to play these possessions and then transfer them all on Durin.