Bread and Butter cards

[jc1138]

I started playing this game in 2001, and played intermittently through the Mount Doom expansion.  I had a decent collection at one point, but that was lost in a move .  Now I'm getting back into the game, and the Expanded format looked like the most interesting one to me.

Anyway, I'm building up a collection again and need to know what cards are staples, and find their way into many decks.  I see Hobbit Sword, Aragorn: Thorongil, Answer to All the Riddles, Witch King: Morgul King, mentioned a lot. . . I'm basically looking for a list of some decent cards that work in many decks, rather than cards that, while powerful, only function in very specific circumstances.

Thanks!

[hsiale]

I think the format that will be most interesting to you is the one that your possible opponents play Do you have any local play group left in your area? If not, then probably playing online will be the way to go for you, and there you have access to all cards, so no need to worry about what to purchase.

[jc1138]

I play with my brothers, and I provide the cards (and usually construct the decks).  They will play the format I choose, and I'd like the experience in Expanded for when I play that format online.

[Gil-Estel]

Captured by the Ring, Gandalf, Leader of the Company, Eowyn LoI, Saved from the Fire. Gandalf is generally a good splash, since he gives access to cards certain culture lack, such as conditionremoval.

[leokula]

What cultures do you need? I think I can build a pretty complete list of what you should have, just let me know what cultures / archetypes u want to build.

[jc1138]

Thanks for the replies so far.  I'm pretty much interested in playing any and all cultures, but my favorites would have to be Gandalf, Ringwraiths, Isengard or Uruks, Moria/Balrog, Aragorn/Gondor, Elven Archery, and Rohan with horses.

[leokula]

Right, cool, I'll build a list of an ideal pool for LOTR TCG, what would be the most relevant cards to basicly build any deck and then put it up here. Just give me two days at most

[Invincible]

Here are some key cards sorted by culture (freepeoples):

Dwarves: Durin III, Ring of Fury, Blood Runs Chill
Elves: Legolas Greenleaf, Cirdan, Secclusion
Gandalf: Pallando, Glamdring foe-hammer, servant of the secret fire
Gondor: Aragorn (many versions), faramir son of denethor, Aragorn's bow
Rohan: Eomer 3rd marshall, firefoot, eowyn lady of ithilien
Shire: Sam great elf-warrior, power according to its stature, pippin wearer of black and silver

[legolas3333]

Here are some key cards sorted by culture (freepeoples):

Dwarves: Durin III, Ring of Fury, Blood Runs Chill Preparations, Slaked Thirsts
Elves: Legolas Greenleaf, Cirdan, Seclusion Namarie, Gil-Galad, Elven High King, Elven Bow
Gandalf: Pallando, Glamdring foe-hammer, servant of the secret fire Saved From the fire, Shadowfax, GotM, Grimbeorn
Gondor: Aragorn (many versions), faramir son of denethor, Aragorn's bow Noble Leaders
Rohan: Eomer third marshal of the riddermark, firefoot, eowyn lady of ithilien Brego
Shire: Sam great elf-warrior, power according to his stature, pippin wearer of black and silver Sam, Son Of Hamfast

[NappyKorn]

Sam, Son of Hamfast is x'd in expanded.

[legolas3333]

 

[leokula]

For now I'll just post my current draft of the most relevant cards for a LOTR TCG pool for Free Peoples sides.

Feedback is appreciated I plan on finishing it as well as build one for Shadow sides, and if people think it's useful, I can ask someone to make it sticky.

Rings

The One Ring, Isildur's Bane
The One Ring, The Ruling Ring
The One Ring, Answer to All Riddles
The One Ring, Such a Weight to Carry
The One Ring, The Binding Ring
The One Ring, The Ring of Rings
The One Ring, The Ring of Doom
The One Ring, The Great Ring

Dwarven

4x Delving
4x No Pauses, No Spills
4x Dwarven Axe
4x Hand Axe
1x Gimli, Son of Gloin
1x Gimli, Bearer of Grudges
1x Gimli, Feared Axeman
1x Durin III, Dwarven Lord
1x Uri, Dwarven Lord
1x Sindri, Dwarven Lord
1x Grimir, Dwarven Emissary
1x Gloin, Son of Groin
3x Heavy Axe
4x Preparations
4x Slaked Thirsts
4x Baruk Khazad
3x My Axe is Notched
1x Gimli's Battle Axe
1x Gimli's Battle Axe, Trusted Weapon
1x Axe of Erebor
4x Dwarven Bracers
4x Blood Runs Chill

Elven

4x Elven Bow
4x Double Shot
4x Nocked
3x Elven Marksmanship
4x Defiance
4x Still Needed
4x Company of Archers
4x Seclusion
4x Lothlorien Guides
1x Arwen, Queen of Elves and Men
1x Arwen, Fair Elf Maiden
1x Arwen, She-Elf
1x Arwen, Royal Maiden
1x Legolas, Woodland Emissary
1x Legolas, Greenleaf
1x Legolas, Of the Woodland Realm
3x Cirdan, The Shipwright
1x Gil-Galad, Elven High King
1x Galadriel, Bearer of Wisdom
1x Glorfindel, Revealed in Wrath
3x Alliance Reforged
2x Legolas' Bow
1x Take Up the Bow
3x Final Count
4x Forearmed
4x Valor
4x Might of the Elf Lords

Gondor

4x Noble Leaders
4x Gondor Bowmen
2x Aragorn, Ranger of the North
1x Aragorn, Strider
1x Aragorn, King in Exile
1x Aragorn, Thorongil
1x Aragorn, Wingfoot
1x Aragorn, Heir of Elendil
1x Aragorn, Isildur's Heir
1x Aragorn, Captain of Gondor
1x Denethor, Lord of Minas Tirith
1x Denethor, Last Ruling Steward
1x Boromir, Lord of Gondor
1x Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith
1x Boromir, Hero of Osgiliath
1x Faramir, Captain of Gondor
1x Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath
1x Faramir, Bearer of Quality
1x Faramir, Captain of Ithilien
1x Faramir, Ithilien Ranger
1x Faramir, Son of Denethor
1x Elendil, The Tall
1x Elendil, High-king of Gondor
1x Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms
3x Houses of Healing
2x Athelas
2x Kingsfoil
1x Anduril, Flame of the West
1x Narsil, Blade of the Faithful
1x Scroll of Isildur
4x Sapling of the White Tree
1x Faramir's Bow
3x Aragorn's Bow
1x Ring of Barahir
1x Garrison of Gondor
1x Blade of Gondor
3x Ancient Roads
3x Gondorian Ranger
2x Mablung, Ranger of Ithilien
4x Ranger's Bow
3x Citadel of Minas Tirith
1x Flaming Brand
4x Gondorian Sword
4x Ithilien Blade
1x Throne of Minas Tirith

Rohan

4x Riders Mount
4x Riders Spear
4x Riddermark Javelin
4x Rohirrim Javelin
3x Sword Rack
4x Merry's Sword
1x Eomer, Third Marshal of Riddermark
1x Eomer, Horsemaster
1x Eomer, Northman
1x Eomer, Heir to Meduseld
1x Eowyn, Lady of Rohan
1x Eowyn, Dernhelm
1x Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien
1x Eowyn, Northwoman
1x Eowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan
1x Theoden, The Renowned
1x Theoden, Ednew
1x Theoden, Northman, King of Rohan
1x Theoden, Tall and Proud
1x Gamling, Defender of the Hornburg
1x Riders of the Mark
1x Rohirrim Army
1x Hrethel, Rider of Rohan
1x Haethen, Veteran Fighter
3x Elite Rider
4x Simbelmyne
1x Fortress Never Fallen
3x Rohirrim Helm
1x Eomer's Spear
1x Eowyn's Sword
1x Eowyn's Sword, Dernhelm's Blade
3x Spear of the Mark
2x Thundering Host
1x Firefoot
1x Herugrim
1x Theodred, Second Marshal of the Mark
2x Riding Like the Wind
2x We Left None Alive
2x Border Patrol
1x Throne of the Golden Hall

Shire

4x A Promise
4x Everyone Knows
4x Power According to his Stature
1x Sam, Great Elf Warrior
1x Sam, Proper Poet
1x Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver
1x Pippin, Steadfast Friend
1x Pippin, Hobbit of Some Intelligence
1x Merry, Swordthain
1x Merry, Loyal Companion
4x Hobbit Sword
1x Sting
2x Sting, Weapon of Heritage
1x Mithril Coat
1x Mithril Coat, Dwarf mail
1x The Tale of the Great Ring
4x The Shire Countryside
2x Little Golden Flower
4x Sudden Fury

Gandalf

4x A Wizard is Never Late
4x Gandalf, Friend of the Shirefolk
4x Gandalf, Leader of the Company
1x Gandalf, Leader of Men
4x Gandalf, Manager of Wizards
4x Gandalf, The White Rider
1x Gandalf, Bearer of Obligation
1x Radagast, The Brown
2x Pallando, Far-travelling One
4x G For Grand
3x Watch and Wait
2x Grown Suddenly Tall
2x Sleep, Caradhras
4x New Awakened
2x Glamdring, Foe-Hammer
2x Shadowfax, Greatest of the Mearas
2x Sent Back
4x Saved from the Fire

Gollum (Free Peoples)

1x Smeagol, Slinker
1x Smeagol, Always Helps
1x Smeagol, Bearer of Great Secrets
4x Poor Wretch
4x Follow Smeagol
4x One Good Turn Deserves Another
4x Herbs and Stewed Rabbit
4x Deagol, Fateful Finder
4x Not Listening
3x Safe Passage
4x There's Another Way
2x Where Shall we Go
4x Don't Look at Them

[legolas3333]

You could probably just dump the number of cards needed and just say which ones are good... And I don't think he needs the list to include the specialty cards from different strategies (like the random Gondorian Ranger/Riding like the wind , more like, "the 10 cards that in a deck with that culture you need 9 of" type list. Like...

Rings:
Ring Of Rings
Ring Of Doom
The Great Ring

Ring-Bearers:
Galadriel, Bearer Of Wisdom
Isildur, Bearer Of Heirlooms
Gimli, Bearer Of Grudges

Dwarven:

Durin III, Dwarven Lord
Gimli, Feared Axeman
Gloin, Son Of Groin
Dwarven Axe
Dwarven Bracers
Gimli's Battle Axe, Trusted Weapon
Ring Of Fury
No Pauses, No Spills (Because it's better than Delving or Calculated Risk)
Blood Runs Chill
Proud And Able

Elven:

Legolas, Greenleaf
Arwen, Queen Of Elves And Men
Cirdan, The Shipwright
Gli-Galad, Elven High King
Glorfindel, Revealed In Wrath
Galadriel's Silver Ewer
Alliance Reforged
Company Of Archers
Namarie (Glimpse Of Fate if you're morally opposed to Namarie)
Shadow Between

Gandalf:

Gandalf, Any Version
Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain
Radagast, The Brown
Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor
Pallando, Far-Travelling One
Shadowfax, Greatest Of The Mearas
Roll Of Thunder
Saved From The Fire
Servant Of The Secret Fire
Sleep Charadhas

Gollum:

Smeagol, Any Version
Deagol, Fateful Finder
Clever Hobbits
Naked Waste
Still Far Ahead
Where Shall We Go?
Come Away
Don't Look at Them
Herbs And Stewed Rabbit
Safe Passage

Gondor: (Much harder since its cards are more structured into particular strategies and the overall quality is better, making it easier to substitute)

Aragorn, Any Version
Faramir, Captain Of Ithilien
Faramir, Son Of Denethor
Elendil's Army
Ithilien Blade
Aragorn's Bow (Both are good)
Anduril (")
Narsil (")
The Faithful Stone
Noble Leaders

Rohan:

Eomer, Third Marshal Of The Riddermark
Eowyn, Lady Of Ithilien
Gamling, Defender Of The Hornburg
Theoden, The Renowned
Theoden, Tall And Proud
Brego
Firefoot
Snowmane
Simbelmyne
Thundering Host

Shire:

Bilbo, Aged Ring-Bearer
Pippin, Wearer Of Black And Silver
Sam, Great Elf Warrior
Bounder
Little Golden Flower
Hobbit Sword
Sting, Any Version
A Promise
Little Golden Flower
The Tale Of The Great Ring

[jc1138]

Thanks for the responses!  It's kinda nice to have the # of recommended copies, because that helps me know what to focus on instead of just having to buy 4 copies of each mentioned card.

[leokula]

There are just faaaar too many bread and butter cards you left out, legolas3333, I could name at least 30 obvious cards like SAWTC and a promise. Your list is lacking criteria, there isn't one single deck I could build with only those cards you listed.

My goal is to provide a list that will let you build nearly any free peoples side, or at least the most obvious themes. Your list is just naming a few important cards, but you won't accomplish much with it as a pool. Your list could *maybe* be about the top X most relevant cards by culture, but rarely ever a pool.

[legolas3333]

Likewise, your list lacks focus and has many extraneous cards, (Isildur's Bane? Woodland Emissary? Riding Like The Wind?) Find a dwarven deck in expanded that doesn't use 8-9 of the 10 cards I listed, which is exactly what I said I was trying to do. But maybe you're right, I mean, everyone needs Gandalf, Bearer Of Obligation or Mithril Coat, Dwarf Mail.

[leokula]

Dude, being an ironic prick isn't going to get you any respect, neither is going to get your point through. I see you are hurt and cannot take any criticism at all so I'll just leave it at that.

[legolas3333]

I can take criticism when it's constructive, like suggesting A Promise, but half your response was how I lacked criteria when the point of my list was stated. The cards that will (almost) always be found in a deck of said culture.

[Elessar's Socks]

On the Shadow end, I guess it's easier for me to think in terms of decktype staples, even though many of these cards might not fit the "bread and butter" definition. I bolded those I think are often found in other decktypes / decks of other cultures, and marked in red cards that I usually run as a full set. Also, I didn't sweat the numbers too much!

Gollum (Ninja Gollum)

1 Gollum, Mad Thing
1 Gollum, Stinker
1 Gollum, Threatening Guide
4 Shelob, Her Ladyship
2 Web
3 Evil-smelling Fens
2 Fat One Wants It
1 Final Strike
3 Hidden Even From Her
2 Incited
3 Not Easily Avoided
2 Not This Time!
3 Promise Keeping
4 They Stole It
1 Unabated in Malice
4 Captured by the Ring
4 We Must Have It
4 You're a Liar and a Thief

Gollum variations share many of the same cards, so I just used bold here to emphasize cards found in decks of other cultures (e.g. for burden or threat engines).

--- splash ---

1 Gollum, Old Villain

Moria (archery, swarm)

4 Goblin Runner
4 Goblin Scavengers
4 Goblin Sneak
1 Host of Moria, Legion of the Underdeeps
4 Goblin Scimitar
4 Goblin Armory
2 Goblin Swarms
1 Relics of Moria
1 The Underdeeps of Moria
4 They Are Coming
2 Host of Thousands

Moria swarm is often infused with cards from other cultures; the Firebomb comes to mind in particular. I figured this would push out some oldies like Goblin Wallcrawler, Guard Commander, Moria Scout, etc.

--- archery ---

3 Archer Commander
4 Goblin Bowman
4 Goblin Marksman
4 Moria Archer Troop
1 Moria Axe

Raider (Easterlings)

4 Easterling Army
4 Easterling Axeman
4 Easterling Captain
3 Easterling Footman
1 Easterling Pillager
1 Easterling Regiment
4 Easterling Polearm
4 Raider Bow
1 Ships of Great Draught
1 Bold Men and Grim
4 Small Hope
1 Discovered
4 Red Wrath

Sauron (Besiegers)

3 Gorgoroth Agitator
4 Gorgoroth Assassin
2 Gorgoroth Berserker
4 Gorgoroth Keeper
4 Gorgoroth Pillager
4 Gorgoroth Soldier
3 Gorgoroth Swarm
3 Gorgoroth Troop
4 Great Hill Troll (Troll bomb)
4 Siege Troop
3 Troll of Gorgoroth, Abomination of Sauron
1 Ithil Stone
2 Grond, Hammer of the Underworld
2 Encirclement
4 Great Siege-towers
3 Their Marching Companies
2 Tower Walkway
4 Troop Tower

Wraith (splash)

2 Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul

[jc1138]

What about Morgul Gates?  Is this still a staple?  (Remember, I've been out of the game for awhile).  This card was played pretty heavily back in the day, but is it still a standard in a post-Dark Approach environment?

[Invincible]

It can be great in combination with ulaire toldea black shadow, in my playgroup though, it stopped being played for 2 reason:

1- the new sitepath mechanic and the lack of choking cards (most being x-listed) give more tokens in the twilight pool, so you can play more nazgul throughout the game.

2- The witch-king, captain of the nine riders... with its ability to play itself for free, you have all the twilight reduction you need.

[Haszor]

It really depends on the kind of deck your making, in expanded there are so many I'm gonna list some of my favorites:
Ents
 1x Merry, ItBoH
 1x Pippin, ItBoH
 1x Huorn
 3x Gandalf, Leader of the Company
 4x G for Grand
 4x Momentous Gathering
 4x Other ents
 4x Ent moot
 2x Pallando, Far Traveling One
 Other passive buffs and followers and events (ie. Strange meeting; Tender of Beasts; Glamdring, Foe hammer; measure of comfort {for G for Grand})
  Ferny attack
 4x Bill Ferny, AoS
 4x Easterling Scout
 4x Bold Easterling
 4x Courageous Easterling
 4x Stragglers
 2x The Mouth of Sauron, Messenger of Mordor
 2x Last Days
 And some token reinforcement and maybe some cheap events to counter TToTGR