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June 09, 2011, 01:39:08 PM
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Thranduil

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Thranduil's Movie Block Cube
« on: June 09, 2011, 01:39:08 PM »
Thranduil's Movie Block Cube

I've been thinking about ways for people to use their old cards in new and exciting ways, and one of them is a cube draft. I compiled this list a while ago and have finally got around to actually posting it. Following is a description of drafting, of the cube draft format, of how it might work in LotR TCG, and finally the list for the cube itself. Do read on!


Introductions
Cube draft is a great way for you and your friends (6-8 people) to test your knowledge and skills of LotR, as well as getting extra use out of old and rarely-used cards.

What is Cube draft?
There are obviously two elements to a cube draft: (i) the draft and (ii) the cube. I'll explain each term below:

i) Drafting a cube is most like booster drafts. Booster draft is not something that LotR has historically done (excepting only, to my knowledge, for the Two Towers draft packs), but is a key part of many trading card games, not least Magic: the Gathering. Essentially, it works like this:
   1) You get a certain number of players together, usually 8, round a table.
   2) Each player gets a certain number of booster packs, usually 3. These can be from the same set or from different sets, whatever it is that the players agree on ahead of time.
   3) Each player opens their first booster, looks through it and selects 1 card from it.
   4) Once a player has chosen a card, they put the card face down in front of them and pass the remainder of the booster to the next person. (You normally alternate whether you pass left or right).
   5) Once you have your next booster, you select another card from this one, add it to your face down pile, and pass it on. This will continue until there are no cards left in the first booster.
   6) When the last card in the booster has been taken, each player gets a certain amount of time (say 2 mins) to review their chosen cards so far. It is often forbidden to look at your cards in between reviews.
   7) After the review time, each player opens their second booster, and repeats steps 3-6 until the last card from the last booster has been taken, when the draft finishes.
   8) Once the draft is over, each player takes the cards they have selected throughout the draft and has a certain amount of time (say 15 mins) to build a deck using the cards they have selected. Deck construction rules might vary, but it often requires a 40 card deck.
   9) Now that everyone has built a deck, it is time to play the decks against each other! This can be done in any way that is agreeable for the players, whether it's a knockout tournament, multiplayer madness, or points-based tournament.

ii) The cube draft works in exactly the same way as that described above, except that you do not draft with random unopened boosters: you draft with a cube. A cube is a fixed collection of cards (usually where each card appears only once) which players will have agreed upon ahead of time. Many cubes are chosen for different purposes, for example a cube where you get the most powerful cards of a particular game together is common, or one where you are trying to promote specific strategies. The cube is the list of cards which I have prepared, which is Thranduil's Movie Block Cube containing some of the most powerful and most fun cards from sets 1-10 from all different cultures. So, when you are drafting, instead of opening a booster pack, you shuffle all the cards in the cube together and deal a random selection of cards to each player as it were a booster.


How do you draft an LotR cube?
There are some complications for drafting in LotR TCG which other games, like MTG, do not have which have to be addressed. I hope I will address these in these points below:

• This cube is made up of 480 cards, 240 Free Peoples (well, 236 and 4 Rings) and 240 Shadow cards. It is designed for 6-8 players (preferably 8) and for each player to make decks of 40 cards (minimum), each being comprised of 20 FP and 20 SH cards.

• Each "booster" should be 15 cards (for 8 players, this is ideal because packs go around twice). This seems the best to me, but is flexible as long as you physically have enough cards to make a deck at the end. Your "boosters" should be separated between Shadow and Free Peoples "boosters" containing only Shadow or only Free Peoples cards.

• You should draft 4 "boosters", 2 Free Peoples and 2 Shadow. The order is flexible and debatable, but I would probably say this:
   Pack 1: Free Peoples (pass right)
   Pack 2: Free Peoples (pass left)
   Pack 3: Shadow (pass right)
   Pack 4: Shadow (pass left)
Alternating who you are passing cards to is very important because the "boosters" you pass to your neighbours completely dictates what cards they see and so what decks they make.

• Though there are Ring-bearers and rings in the cube itself, I would recommend that each player starts the draft with a copy of Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples (or other agreed Frodo Ring-bearer) and The One Ring, The Ruling Ring. In this way, you are able to play with a Ring-bearer and Ring even if you do not pick one up during the draft.

• There are no sites in this cube. In this regard, I would follow one of two options:
   i) Collect all the sites you want to use (probably King sites for Movie Block, but I would be happy to allow all sites from FotR, TT, and RotK and pretend they are all any sites) and draft them in exactly the same way as you drafted your decks, and do so as a pack 5. This continues the skill of the draft, but may make the draft take too long and also you have to somehow make sure that everyone has at least 1 of each site.
   ii) Or, more simply, you could let everyone have a set of 9 sites (again probably King sites, but see my note above—I have not included any cards in the cube that reference FotR or TT sites, only RotK sites, except for Durin's Tower) which they choose before they have even begun drafting to go with their Frodo and Ruling Ring.

• Due to the large amount of card draw in LotR compared to other games, I would also recommend that you allow every player a free reshuffle during games, so that if they go through their entire deck once, they can shuffle their discard pile into their draw deck and carry on going.


What did I put in this cube?
I selected cards for the cube based on a number of criteria, for example:
   • The card is powerful
   • The card is iconic
   • The card rarely gets played in constructed, but would work in draft
   • The card is lots of fun
   • The card is on an X-list so can't be played otherwise
   • The card helps a strategy that needs a critical volume of cards to work (eg. fortifications, site control)

In general, by far the most powerful and necessary cards in draft are characters, so I think it is something like 50% characters, with a lot of repeats of key characters like Gandalf and Gollum to make those strategies viable for different players. There are also a lot of conditions, but fewer possessions and events because those are more difficult to play in draft. In general, events that got in were utility, either good removal like Discovered or good support like Delving.


Where to now?
Obviously, my list is only the very beginning! I have chosen a set of cards, but you may find that you don't like some of them—maybe some cards are obviously too good and everyone always picks it and wins, or maybe some cards no one ever wants to pick, or maybe some strategies never quite work, or maybe you simply don't have some of the cards. Hence, I encourage you to tinker with the list and find the balance that suits you and your player group the best, bearing in mind the sorts of things I was thinking about when I put the list together. And indeed, if you want to make other cubes, then do so! Standard, Extended, FotR, Towers Standard, Hunters—the possibilities are many.

I do hope that you play the cube. I haven't actually managed to get 8 people together to test it, so your feedback and suggestions I would hugely appreciate.

Similarly, if you have any questions about the list or how the cube draft works, do not hesitate to post below or send me a message.

Most importantly, I hope you enjoy this format and that it gives you at least a few hours of fun with your old cards!

(The list will be posted below in other posts).

Thran
« Last Edit: June 10, 2011, 05:12:52 AM by FM »

June 09, 2011, 01:39:20 PM
Reply #1

Thranduil

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Re: Thranduil's Move Block Cube
« Reply #1 on: June 09, 2011, 01:39:20 PM »
FREE PEOPLES

[Ring]
The One Ring, Isildur's Bane (1R1)
The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles (4R1)
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry (7R2)
The One Ring, The Binding Ring (9R+1)

[Dwarven]
Delving (1C6)
Farin, Dwarven Emissary (1C11)
Gimli, Dwarf of Erebor (1U12)
Gimli, Son of Glóin (1R13)
Lord of Moria (1C21)
Thrarin, Dwarven Smith (1U27)
Frór, Gimli's Kinsman (2C6)
Glóin, Friend to Thorin (2R7)
Ever My Heart Rises (4R46)
Gimli, Lockbearer (4R48)
Gimli, Unbidden Guest (4C49)
Baruk Khazâd (5R5)
Calculated Risk (7C4)
Gimli, Feared Axeman (7R7)
Gimli's Battle Axe, Trusted Weapon (7R9)
Aggression (8C1)
Blood Runs Chill (8R3)
Honed (8C6)
Durin III, Dwarven Lord (9R+3)
Gimli, Bearer of Grudges (9R+4)
Linnar, Dwarven Lord (9R5)
Ring of Fury (9R+7)
Ring of Guile (9R8)
Sindri, Dwarven Lord (9R10)
Úri, Dwarven Lord (9R11)
Great Day, Great Hour (10R1)

[Elven]
Arwen, Daughter of Elrond (1R30)
Bow of the Galadhrim (1R33)
Elf-song (1C39)
Elrond, Lord of Rivendell (1R40)
Elven Bow (1C41)
Elven Cloak (1C42)
Far-Seeing Eyes (1C43)
Galadriel, Lady of Light (1R45)
Gwemegil (1R47)
The Last Alliance of Elves and Men (1R49)
Legolas, Greenleaf (1R50)
Orophin, Lórien Bowman (1U56)
Rúmil, Elven Protector (1U57)
The Splendor of Their Banners (1R62)
Hosts of the Last Alliance (2U18)
Galdor, Councilor from the West (3U18)
Nenya (3R23)
Vilya (3R27)
Company of Archers (4R61)
Erethón, Naith Lieutenant (4R65)
Haldir, Emissary of the Galadhrim (4C71)
Legolas, Dauntless Hunter (4R73)
Lembas (4R75)
Thandronen, Veteran Protector (4C85)
Forearmed (6U16)
Gift of Foresight (6U19)
Arwen, Fair Elf Maiden (7R16)
Into the West (7C23)
Legolas, Fearless Marksman (7R25)
Shadow Between (7R28)
Legolas, Elven Stalwart (8C10)
Galadriel, Bearer of Wisdom (9R+14)
Gil-galad, Elven High King (9R+15)
Glorfindel, Revealed in Wrath (9R+16)
Aegnor, Elven Escort (10U4)
Arwen, Queen of Elves and Men (10R6)
Celeborn, Lord of the Galadhrim (10R7)
Círdan, The Shipwright (10R8)
Elrond, Venerable Lord (10R9)
Galadriel, Lady Redeemed (10R11)

[Gandalf]
Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor (1U70)
Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk (1R72)
Glamdring (1R75)
Ottar, Man of Laketown (1R80)
Servant of the Secret Fire (1R83)
A Wizard is Never Late (1R87)
Gandalf's Staff (2R22)
Speak "Friend" and Enter (2C26)
Trust Me As You Once Did (3U35)
Gandalf, Greyhame (4R89)
Grown Suddenly Tall (4R92)
Roll of Thunder (4U99)
Birchseed, Tall Statesman (5U15)
Forest Guardian (5C17)
Lindenroot, Elder Shepherd (5R19)
Crack Into Rubble (6U25)
Enraged (6R26)
Ent Avenger (6C27)
Ent Horde (6R28)
Gandalf, Mithrandir (6R30)
Host of Fangorn (6U32)
Quickbeam, Bregalad (6C33)
Skinbark, Fladrif (6R35)
Treebeard, Guardian of the Forest (6C37)
Citadel to Gate (7R33)
Gandalf, Defender of the West (7C36)
Gandalf, Manager of Wizards (7R37)
Light the Beacons (7R43)
Gandalf, Leader of Men (8R15)
Saved from the Fire (8R20)
Shadowfax, Greatheart (8R21)
Huorn (9R25)
Radagast, The Brown (9R+26)
Sent Back (9R27)
Out of the High Airs (10R17)
Treebeard, Keeper of the Watchwood (10R18)

[Gollum] (F)
Follow Sméagol (5U23)
Sméagol, Slinker (5R29)
Don't Look At Them (6R39)
Sméagol, Poor Creature (6C45)
No Safe Places (7R66)
Secret Paths (7R69)
Sméagol, Always Helps (7R71)
Sneaking! (7R73)
Sméagol, Slippery Sneak (8R27)
Sméagol, Bearer of Great Secrets (9R+30)

[Gondor]
Aragorn, Ranger of the North (1R89)
Aragorn's Bow (1R90)
Athelas (1U94)
Blade of Gondor (1R95)
Boromir, Lord of Gondor (1R96)
Boromir, Son of Denethor (1U97)
No Stranger to the Shadows (1U108)
Pathfinder (1C110)
Strength of Kings (1R115)
Flaming Brand (2R32)
Aragorn, Heir to the White City (3R38)
Banner of the White Tree (3R39)
Citadel of Minas Tirith (3R40)
Gondor Bowmen (3R41)
Aragorn, Heir of Elendil (4C109)
Damrod, Ranger of Ithilien (4U114)
Defend it and Hope (4C115)
Faramir, Captain of Gondor (4R116)
Faramir, Son of Denethor (4C117)
Help in Doubt and Need (4R124)
Mablung, Soldier of Gondor (4U127)
Alcarin, Warrior of Lamedon (5R31)
City Wall (5C33)
Turgon, Man of Belfalas (5U42)
Ancient Roads (6R49)
Andúril, Flame of the West (7R79)
Cirion (7C82)
Denethor, Steward of the City (7R85)
Derufin (7R87)
Dervorin (7U88)
Gondorian Merchant (7R97)
Gondorian Sword (7U98)
Hearts Raised (7R103)
Noble Leaders (7R112)
Second Level (7C118)
Targon (7C124)
Third Level (7U125)
Vorondil (7R127)
Catapult (8R32)
Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath (8C34)
Fourth Level (8C35)
Garrison of Gondor (8R36)
Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth (8R37)
King of the Dead, Oathbreaker (8R38)
Oathbreaker (8C41)
Sixth Level (8U44)
Sleepless Dead (8U45)
Stronger and More Terrible (8C47)
Swept Away (8C48)
Boromir, Bearer of Council (9R+31)
Elendil, The Tall (9R+32)
Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms (9R+33)
Narsil, Blade of the Faithful (9R+34)
Sapling of the White Tree (9R35)
Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar (10R25)
Cursed of Erech (10U26)
Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith (10R28)
Hardy Garrison (10U33)

[Rohan]
Brego (4U263)
Éomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark (4R267)
Éothain, Scout of the Mark (4R269)
Éowyn, Lady of Rohan (4C270)
Firefoot (4R274)
Fortress Never Fallen (4U276)
Helm! Helm! (4R279)
Horse of Rohan (4C283)
Rider's Spear (4C288)
Simbelmynë (4R289)
Armory (5U79)
Arrow-slits (5U80)
Gamling, Warrior of Rohan (5R82)
No Rest for the Weary (5R86)
Sigewulf, Brave Volunteer (5U92)
Thundering Host (5R94)
Háma, Doorward of Théoden (6R94)
Hrethel, Rider of Rohan (6C95)
News From the Mark (6R96)
Elfhelm, Marshal of Rohan (7U224)
Éomer, Skilled Tactician (7R227)
Éowyn, Dernhelm (7R228)
Éowyn's Sword, Dernhelm's Blade (7R230)
Grimbold, Marshal of Rohan (7R233)
Rohirrim Javelin (7C248)
Théoden, Rekindled King (7R255)
Éomer, Keeper of Oaths (8C87)
Rohirrim Army (8R91)
Théoden, Tall and Proud (8R92)
Éowyn, Lady of Ithilien (10R72)

[Shire]
Bounder (1C286)
Frodo, Old Bilbo's Heir (1R289)
The Gaffer, Sam's Father (1R291)
Hobbit Sword (1C299)
Merry, Friend to Sam (1R302)
Pippin, Hobbit of Some Intelligence (1R307)
Power According to His Stature (1R308)
Sam, Son of Hamfast (1C311)
Sting (1R313)
There and Back Again (1C317)
A Promise (2R112)
Sam, Proper Poet (2C114)
Bill the Pony (3U106)
Frying Pan (3C108)
Melilot Brandybuck, Merry Dancer (3R110)
Shire Countryside (3R113)
Brace of Coneys (4C298)
Frodo, Courteous Halfling (4R301)
Merry, Learned Guide (4C310)
Pippin, Woolly-Footed Rascal (4C314)
Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit (5U115)
Frodo, Wicked Masster! (7R318)
Merry, Rohirrim Squire (7C320)
Merry, Swordthain (7R321)
Pippin, Sworn to Service (7C323)
Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver (7R324)
Unheeded (8R115)
Bilbo, Bearer of Things Burgled (9R+49)
Goldberry, River-daughter (9R+51)
Tom Bombadil, The Master (9R+52)
Birthday Present (10R104)
Nine-Fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom (10C112)
Shadowplay (10U114)
The Tale of the Great Ring (10U116)
Frodo, Resolute Hobbit (10P121)
Sam, Great Elf Warrior (10P122)

June 09, 2011, 01:39:43 PM
Reply #2

Thranduil

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Re: Thranduil's Move Block Cube
« Reply #2 on: June 09, 2011, 01:39:43 PM »
SHADOW

[Dunland]
Constantly Threatening (4R6)
Dunlending Pillager (4U13)
Dunlending Warrior (4C18)
Hides (4R19)
Hill Chief (4R20)
Hillman Band (4C21)
Saruman, Rabble-Rouser (4R33)
War Club (4U36)
Wulf, Dunlending Chieftain (4R40)
Dunlending Rampager (5U1)
Bound By Rage (6C1)
Dunlending Elder (6C2)
Dunlending Headman (6C4)
Ready to Fall (6R7)
Freca, Hungry Savage (9R+2)

[Gollum] (SH)
Gollum, Stinker (5R25)
Gollum, Old Villain (6C40)
They Stole It (6R46)
Gollum, Plotting Deceiver (7R58)
Plotting (7R67)
Promise Keeping (8R24)
Shelob, Eater of Light (8R25)
Shelob, Last Child of Ungoliant (8C26)
Web (8C30)
Gollum, Dark as Darkness (9R+28)
Gollum, Mad Thing (10R21)
Shelob, Her Ladyship (10R23)

[Isengard]
Greed (1R125)
Lurtz, Servant of Isengard (1R127)
Orthanc Assassin (1R131)
Saruman's Power (1U136)
Saruman's Snows (1C138)
Savagery to Match Their Numbers (1R139)
Uruk Guard (1R147)
Uruk Lieutenant (1R148)
Uruk Warrior (1C156)
Uruk Captain (2R46)
Abandoning Reason for Madness (3C49)
Isengard Servant (3U58)
Isengard Smith (3U60)
Isengard Warrior (3U61)
Orc Commander (3R64)
Orc Overseer (3R65)
Orthanc Berserker (3R66)
Palantír of Orthanc (3R67)
Saruman, Keeper of Isengard (3R68)
Broad-bladed Sword (4C142)
Down to the Last Child (4U148)
Elite Crossbowmen (4R150)
Gríma, Wormtongue (4R154)
Lieutenant of Orthanc (4R158)
Mauhúr, Patrol Leader (4R160)
Orthanc Champion (4R164)
Ranged Commander (4R169)
Saruman, Black Traitor (4R173)
Saruman's Staff, Wizard's Device (4R174)
Uglúk, Servant of Saruman (4R176)
Uruk Crossbowman (4C183)
Uruk Regular (4C192)
Weapons of Isengard (4R211)
Weary (4C212)
Gríma, Chief Counselor (5R51)
Saruman, Master of Foul Folk (5R56)
Gnawing, Biting, Hacking, Burning (6U63)
Isengard Mechanics (6R68)
Suffered Much Loss (10U35)

[Moria]
Ancient Chieftain (1R163)
Cave Troll of Moria, Scourge of the Black Pit (1R165)
Goblin Archer (1R172)
Goblin Armory (1R173)
Goblin Marksman (1C176)
Goblin Runner (1U178)
Goblin Scavengers (1C179)
Goblin Scimitar (1C180)
Goblin Sneak (1U181)
Goblin Swarms (1R183)
Goblin Wallcrawler (1C184)
Guard Commander (1R186)
Host of Thousands (1C187)
Moria Scout (1C191)
Relics of Moria (1R195)
They Are Coming (1C196)
Troll's Keyward (1R199)
The Balrog, Durin's Bane (2C51)
The Balrog, Flame of Ûdun (2R52)
Archer Commander (2R49)
Goblin Bowman (2C60)
Moria Archer Troop (2U67)
The Balrog, Terror of Flame and Shadow (6R76)
Durin's Tower (6R77)
Host of Moria (9R+41)

[Raider]
Desert Lancers (4U217)
Desert Lord (4R219)
Discovered (4R223)
Easterling Captain (4R225)
Easterling Lieutenant (4C228)
Easterling Skirmisher (4R229)
Southron Bowman (4C248)
Southron Commander (4U249)
Southron Fighter (4R251)
Southron Veterans (4R257)
Whirling Strike (4C260)
Desert Stalker (5R72)
Mûmak (5C73)
Southron Traveler (5C76)
Easterling Polearm (6U79)
Bold Men and Grim (7R129)
Desert Fighter (7C131)
Desert Runner (7C133)
Easterling Footman (7R143)
Easterling Regiment (7R145)
Easterling Sergeant (7U146)
Mûmak Commander (7R152)
Raider Bow (7C155)
Red Wrath (7U157)
Small Hope (7R159)
Southron Chieftain (7R163)
Southron Conqueror (7R164)
Southron Leader (7R166)
Southron Thief (7U168)
Suzerain of Harad (7R170)
War Towers (7C173)
Black Sails of Umbar (8C50)
Castamir of Umbar (8R51)
Corsair Marauder (8R57)
Haradrim Marksman (8U60)
Ships of Great Draught (8R65)
Corsair Boatswain (10C37)
Corsair Brute (10R38)
Easterling Berserker (10R40)
Easterling Pillager (10C41)
Far Harad Mercenaries (10C42)
Rallying Call (10U47)
Stampeded (10R51)

[Sauron]
Desperate Defense of the Ring (1R244)
Enduring Evil (1R246)
Forces of Mordor (1C248)
Hate (1R250)
Morgul Hunter (1R256)
Morgul Skulker (1U258)
Orc Bowmen (1R264)
Thin and Stretched (1R279)
Tower Lieutenant (1U280)
Under the Watching Eye (1C281)
Vile Blade (2C95)
Orc Pillager (3U96)
Orc Swordsman (3C98)
Gate Veteran (5C99)
Grishnákh, Orc Captain (5R100)
Orc Cutthroat (5U104)
Orc Patrol (5U107)
Orc Pursuer (5C108)
Gate Picket (6R101)
Gate Sentry (6C102)
Gate Troll (6R103)
Orc Insurgent (6U104)
Army of Ûdun (7U264)
Besieging Pike (7C265)
Breached (7R266)
Encirclement (7R268)
Fires Raged Unchecked (7R269)
Gorgoroth Troop (7R279)
Great Siege-Towers (7U281)
Mordor Assassin (7R284)
Mordor Fighter (7R286)
Mordor Regular (7C288)
Mordor Trooper (7C291)
Mordor Veteran (7U292)
Orc Archer Troop (7U294)
Orc Assault Band (7U295)
Orc Chaser (7C298)
Orc Officer (7U302)
Orc Savage (7U305)
Orc Seeker (7R306)
Orc Stalker (7U307)
Tower Walkway (7C315)
Troop Tower (7R316)
Gorgoroth Agitator (8U94)
Gorgoroth Assassin (8R95)
Gorgoroth Berserker (8R96)
Gorgoroth Breaker (8U97)
Great Hill Troll (8C102)
Grond, Hammer of the Underworld (8R103)
Olog-hai of Mordor (8R105)
Siege Troop (8C106)
Their Marching Companies (8U107)
Troll of Gorgoroth, Abomination of Sauron (8R108)
Ithil Stone (9R+47)
Sauron, The Lord of the Rings (9R+48)
Gorgoroth Swarm (10C87)
Gothmog, Lieutenant of Morgul (10R88)
Mordor Fiend (10C91)
Mordor Pillager (10U92)
Orc Slaughterer (10R95)
Shagrat, Captain of Cirith Ungol (10R99)
Troll of Cirith Gorgor (10R101)

[Wraith]
All Blades Perish (1U203)
Blade Tip (1U209)
Morgul Gates (1R217)
Return to Its Master (1R224)
Úlairë Enquëa, Lieutenant of Morgul (1U231)
Úlairë Nelya, Lieutenant of Morgul (1U233)
Úlairë Nertëa, Messenger of Dol Guldur (1U234)
Bill Ferny, Swarthy Sneering Fellow (2R75)
Úlairë Enquëa, Ringwraith in Twilight (2U83)
Úlairë Nelya, Ringwraith in Twilight (2R84)
The Witch-King, Lord of the Nazgûl (2R85)
Gates of the Dead City (3R81)
Fell Beast (6U83)
Úlairë Toldëa, Winged Sentry (6R88)
Ghastly Host (7R179)
Morgul Brute (7R188)
Morgul Detachment (7R191)
Morgul Hound (7C192)
Morgul Regiment (7R197)
Morgul Spearman (7C201)
Morgul Whelp (7U202)
Out of Sight and Shot (7R204)
There Came a Cry (7C208)
Úlairë Attëa, Wraith on Wings (7R210)
Úlairë Cantëa, Faster than Winds (7R211)
Úlairë Lemenya, Assailing Minion (7R213)
Úlairë Toldëa, Wraith on Wings (7R219)
The Witch-King, Morgul King (7R221)
Between Nazgûl and Prey (8R67)
Gothmog, Morgul Commander (8R72)
Morgul Lurker (8C76)
Morgul Squealer (8R77)
Streaming to the Field (8U78)
Úlairë Attëa, Thrall of the One (8U79)
Úlairë Otsëa, Thrall of the One (8R81)
The Witch-King, Black Captain (8R84)
Ring of Asperity (9R42)
Ring of Rancor (9R44)
Black Marshal (10U53)
Gorbag, Covetous Captain (10R59)
Morgul Vanguard (10R63)
Stooping to the Kill (10C64)
Úlairë Cantëa, Trall of the One (10R67)
Úlairë Enquëa, Thrall of the One (10R68)
Úlairë Toldëa, Thrall of the One (10R71)

June 10, 2011, 05:22:13 AM
Reply #3

FM

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Re: Thranduil's Movie Block Cube
« Reply #3 on: June 10, 2011, 05:22:13 AM »
I'd like to say this idea seems awesome. I wish I had enough cards (and people) to make a Cube and try a hand at it.

June 14, 2011, 10:04:41 AM
Reply #4

Jerba

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Re: Thranduil's Movie Block Cube
« Reply #4 on: June 14, 2011, 10:04:41 AM »
I love playing the cube in SWCCG. A LOTR cube would be great and I appreciate the effort and thought you've put into this one! LOTR is difficult to do since there are so many cultures. I'm wondering if movie specific cubes would be fun, too.

Personally, I'd be hesitant to play with some of the cards you've put in here. Greenleaf, Aragorn's Bow, Galadriel Lady Redeemed, Gil Galad, etc seem a bit too powerful in cube. Direct wounding will destroy the rag tag shadow cultures that people put together and Gil Galad is just too strong for incoherent shadow strategies to face, especially since people will easily have 6+ companions out at a time.

I think I'd drop the Smeagol and Gollum culture supports all together. I can understand keeping a Smeagol/Gollum or two in as a fun splash. I think there needs to be more events for fellowship especially, less reliance on weapons and more on generic events if possible. But I also think you could go with a lot fewer companions.

It looks like you are afraid of multiples of the same card, I wouldn't be. For example, 2-3 Goblin Runners would be great in the format. Or 2 Hobbit Stealths for a pump.

This is such a great format, be sure to report on any games you play with it! Thanks for making this.

June 14, 2011, 11:17:41 AM
Reply #5

macheteman

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Re: Thranduil's Movie Block Cube
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2011, 11:17:41 AM »
i think its a great idea. but i'm curious where one would find a faithful 8 person player group...

June 14, 2011, 12:55:55 PM
Reply #6

Thranduil

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Re: Thranduil's Movie Block Cube
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2011, 12:55:55 PM »
@mm: I reckon you could probably play with 6 people comfortably. Any less would cause some issues. If you want to find drafting formats for smaller numbers of players, then I would go look up MTG draft discussions about things like Winston draft which would also work with a subset of the cube.

@jerba: You make some great points. In particular, losing the [Gollum] culture is a good variant. Once you commit to having the [Gollum] culture, of course the problem is you need enough copies of Sméagol and Gollum to be able to play the strategy, which might be too much effort. I would encourage you to keep a couple versions of them and a Shelob or two in the cube just for fun.

The companions you mentioned might well be too powerful. Use them and see what happens!

As for multiples of cards, obviously go for it! I was making a singleton cube, but there's no reason you have to stick to that.

The only point of yours I think I would argue against is the number of companions. As far as I can see, essentially every draft deck should play 9 companions, and you could argue you should play one or two more just in case. Especially copies of key characters like Gandalf on whom a lot of cards are riding, then I would worry about taking out too many copies. But as I said above, experiment! That's the only way you'll find out what works and what doesn't.