What would be your dream Fellowship?

[sgtdraino]

Let us suppose that Decipher created a special version of Expanded Format, in which each player started the game with all nine of their companions already on the table. What's more, for your nine companions you have to pick members of the original Fellowship. In other words, your starting companions must be:

Frodo
Sam
Merry
Pippin
Gimli
Legolas
Boromir
Aragorn
Gandalf

Which versions of each character would you go with, and why?

[Carl333]

1. Frodo, Resolute Hobbit.                    Great amounts of resistance.
2. Sam, Great Elf Warrior.                     Probably the most useful version of Sam ever made.
3. Merry, Friend to Sam.                        Adds strength to other companions.
4. Pippin, Steadfast Friend.                   Great strength.
5. Gimli, Lord of the Glittering Caves.    Adds strength for each companion assigned.
6. Legolas, Dauntless Hunter.               Helpful with the hobbits.
7. Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith.     Practically invincible.
8. Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar.               Heals everyone.
9. Gandalf, Leader of the Company.      Prevents overwhelming.

[Invincible]

Frodo, CH     no discard
Sam, GEW    the best one easily
Merry, FtS     Most versatile
Pippin, WoBaS     Anti-archery
Gimli, Eager Hunter    Strongest one, much like Sam
Aragorn, Thorongil     Strenght and great ability
Legolas, Greenleaf     Anti Swarm
Gandalf, LotC       Boost every one
Boromir, SoD       With all the hobbits, pumps them all

[sgtdraino]

I think I'd go with...

Frodo, Resolute Hobbit
-I just love me that skirmish ring!

Sam... I'm split between Faithful Companion, Frodo's Gardener, and Proper Poet.
- Sam's Pack could be handy, as could Bill the Pony, Dearly-Loved... but then Proper Poet could just take a bullet.

Merry, Learned Guide
-I think I'd just discard Merry, to make room for someone else. Madril, perhaps.

Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver
-Complementing my stealth Madril companion.

Gimli, Eager Hunter
-I reckon I'll do the Hunter thing.

Legolas, Greenleaf
-Pound for pound, still the overall best Legolas out there.

Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith
-I love his healing ability, especially in conjunction with Ithilien Blade or Sword of Gondor.

Aragorn, Thorongil
-Again, good all-around Hunter.

Gandalf... tempting to go with Powerful Guide, but I've been very happy with Wise Guide lately, so I think I'll stick with that.
-The only way to truly protect against stuff like Hate and Saruman's Power.

[Carl333]

Not true. Hate can be prevented trough cards like Intimidate.  But I am going to have to agree with you on Saruman's Power.

[Runnart]

Frodo RH - I rarely have burden removal in my deck, except for shadowfax. + fighting ring is great
Sam, PP - sacrifical lamb
Merry, FtS - buffing another companion
Pippin, WoBaS - great early sites, can be discarded for Faramir SoD or Grimeborn or something like that later
Gimli, Eager Hunter - Would prolly just have him for a decent sized companion
Legolas, Greenleaf - Easily the most powerful splash-gorn in any deck
Aragorn, Thorongil - Best all-around aragorn imo
Boromir, DoMT - self explanatory
Gandalf, Wise guide - Stupid draino playing stupid WG, I'll show you blocking my corrupt!

[Thorondir]

Frodo, Courteous Halfling - STOP WITH DISCARDING!!!
Sam, Resolute Halfling - nice healing
Merry, Loyal Companion - super strenght
Pippin, Wearer of Black and Silver - nice early game, tank for archers
Gimli, Skilled Defender - i like it's ability very much!
Legolas, Greenleaf - best option for a multicultural deck (considering Dauntless Hunter banned)
Aragorn, Elessar Telcontar - good team healer
Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith - yup
Gandalf, Leader of the Company - nice boost (I'm a big fan of Wise Guide and Defender of the West also)