Towers Standard Sealed League

[Durin's Heir]

It might not be good to include Sam in every serie 1 starter. The Ringbound deck definitely gets him, but both this deck and the Dwarf-Gandalf one are pretty strong already...

Totally agree, Sam shouldn't be a frequent kamikaze, but a scarce commodity meant instead to be a center piece of the machinery of certain decks...

Here's the final draft of my Unconditional Dwarves deck (with 2x both Hobbit Sword and Severed His Bonds), but first I want to remark 2 little points: 1) this Dwarven deck gets destroyed by Shadow Archery, thus it comes instead with a Shadow it could manage very well: Sauron Trackers. 2) There's a dangerous lack of companions (only 5 including Frodo), so it needs at least one in addition... that means either Thrarin or Dwarven Warrior...

Unconditional Dwarves / Perilous Trackers:

Ring-bearer: Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer
Ring: The One Ring, The Ruling Ring

Adventure deck:
Western Emyn Muil
Wold of Rohan
Barrows of Edoras
White Mountains
Hornburg Parapet
Hornburg Armory
Hornburg Causeway
Valley of Saruman
Fortress of Orthanc

Free Peoples Deck:
(30 cards)

1X Dwarven Warrior
1x Farin, Dwarven Emissary
1x Fror, Gimli's Kinsman
1x Gimli, Dwarven Delegate
3x Gandalf, The Grey Pilgrim
1x Grimir, Dwarven Elder
1x Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor
2x Dwarven Axe
2x Dwarven Bracers
2x Hand Axe
1x Wizard Staff
2x Hobbit Sword
3x Axe Strike
1x Flurry of Blows
2x Mysterious Wizard
2x Sleep Caradhras
2x Severed His Bonds
2x Dwarven Heart

Shadow Deck:
(30 cards)

2x Gate Sentry
2x Orc Assassin
2x Orc Butcher
3x Orc Cutthroat
2x Orc Insurgent
3x Orc Patrol
2x Orc Pillager
2x Orc Scouting Band
3x I'd Make You Squeak
2x Peril
3x Teeth of Mordor
4x Under the Watching Eye

EDIT: Changed site 5, as I misclicked at first...

[Durin's Heir]

There are some important issues I want to remark about this sealed:

1. There's a lack of crowd control in the decks we have posted... could be useful to give at the First Serie 1 or 2 cards to counter overpopulation, such as Southron Commander, The Number Must Be Few or Shotgun Enquea.

2. I really believe there should be 4 starter deck choices in each of the first 3 Series, to give a proper representation to the movies and strategies. I mean, if we give only those 3 deck options for 1st Serie (RB Companions, Three Hunters and Dwarves-Gandalf) there wouldn't be a Rohan deck to start, and we all know 4th Set gives the basis for Rohirrim (it could pair well with Archery or Dunland). Don't think it should be a problem to build 12 decks instead of 9, as our main wealth is creativity.

3. There are many deck themes we haven't worked or even mentioned, such that I think would be useful to merge compatible themes into one deck to give that wide representation I mentioned above (I call this 'Merging' ). Those Perilous Trackers are an example or merging 2 themes together: Sauron Trackers with Teeth of Mordor Swarming; or Hate and Archery: Hate and Anger with... Archery. Meh...

4. Also if we give cards needed for a certain strategy in two decks from different Series (ideally contiguous), a third deck theme would appear for free (I call this 'Coupling', and actually that's the way I've been designing), as example: Peril in 1st Serie Sauron deck can join those Wisps on the 2nd Serie Nazgul deck, or Grind Trackers can help Twilight Enquea; those Nazgul can be supported by 1st Serie Easterlings as well. I'm working on a Knights deck that uses Boromir, Steward's Heir and some Ranger tricks not included in Eukalyptus' RB Rangers deck... that way RB Rangers would benefit greatly from Knights deck, and Knights could benefit too from Ranger tricks... leaving less to conclude with the last deck choice at 3rd Serie (Gandalf-Support and Unbound Rangers, those mix, er... 'merge' easily)...

It's quite brainstorming this last idea, so I don't think anyone should be forced to try it. As far as I'm concerned, I will go this path as long as I can. Besides, the coupling between 2 given decks should be appliable to only one side: bolster either Free Peoples or Shadow.

[dmaz]

There are some important issues I want to remark about this sealed:

1. There's a lack of crowd control in the decks we have posted... could be useful to give at the First Serie 1 or 2 cards to counter overpopulation, such as Southron Commander, The Number Must Be Few or Shotgun Enquea.

2. I really believe there should be 4 starter deck choices in each of the first 3 Series, to give a proper representation to the movies and strategies. I mean, if we give only those 3 deck options for 1st Serie (RB Companions, Three Hunters and Dwarves-Gandalf) there wouldn't be a Rohan deck to start, and we all know 4th Set gives the basis for Rohirrim (it could pair well with Archery or Dunland). Don't think it should be a problem to build 12 decks instead of 9, as our main wealth is creativity.

3. There are many deck themes we haven't worked or even mentioned, such that I think would be useful to merge compatible themes into one deck to give that wide representation I mentioned above (I call this 'Merging' ). Those Perilous Trackers are an example or merging 2 themes together: Sauron Trackers with Teeth of Mordor Swarming; or Hate and Archery: Hate and Anger with... Archery. Meh...

4. Also if we give cards needed for a certain strategy in two decks from different Series (ideally contiguous), a third deck theme would appear for free (I call this 'Coupling', and actually that's the way I've been designing), as example: Peril in 1st Serie Sauron deck can join those Wisps on the 2nd Serie Nazgul deck, or Grind Trackers can help Twilight Enquea; those Nazgul can be supported by 1st Serie Easterlings as well. I'm working on a Knights deck that uses Boromir, Steward's Heir and some Ranger tricks not included in Eukalyptus' RB Rangers deck... that way RB Rangers would benefit greatly from Knights deck, and Knights could benefit too from Ranger tricks... leaving less to conclude with the last deck choice at 3rd Serie (Gandalf-Support and Unbound Rangers, those mix, er... 'merge' easily)...

It's quite brainstorming this last idea, so I don't think anyone should be forced to try it. As far as I'm concerned, I will go this path as long as I can. Besides, the coupling between 2 decks should be appliable to only one side: bolster either Free Peoples or Shadow.

For Unconditional Dwarves, I think Thrarin would be ok to add I'm excited to see Gandalf working together with these guys! PM to follow, for us to arrange our first playtesting match!

1. Well heard on the lack of crowd control. For each serie, I think there should be one starter that offers a Shotgun Enquea, maybe two by serie 3...this would make our decks align with the Movie sealed decks, which worked very well. BUT, like you pointed out, we may need to add x2 Southron Commander that are delivered to everyone in addition to their serie 1 starter deck choice and boosters, just like in Towers Sealed. I think that would be fair.

2. I wouldn't mind there being 4 starter deck choices either, for a total of 12. The big problem with this is development time. I am looking forward to playtesting these decks, but as it is, I'm stretched for time. I'm not sure we will have time to develop 12 :/

3. I was musing on those FotR block cards like Malice and News of Mordor, which capitalize on combos...some of them aren't super practical. Maybe News of Mordor and Hate and Anger are the only ones that allow you to really pull off something beneficial....

4. I agree with the "Coupling"! You kind of see this in some of the already existing starter decks, though Decipher didn't really develop it to its full potential....maybe we can make it happen

[Durin's Heir]

For Unconditional Dwarves, I think Thrarin would be ok to add I'm excited to see Gandalf working together with these guys! PM to follow, for us to arrange our first playtesting match!

1. Well heard on the lack of crowd control. For each serie, I think there should be one starter that offers a Shotgun Enquea, maybe two by serie 3...this would make our decks align with the Movie sealed decks, which worked very well. BUT, like you pointed out, we may need to add x2 Southron Commander that are delivered to everyone in addition to their serie 1 starter deck choice and boosters, just like in Towers Sealed. I think that would be fair.

2. I wouldn't mind there being 4 starter deck choices either, for a total of 12. The big problem with this is development time. I am looking forward to playtesting these decks, but as it is, I'm stretched for time. I'm not sure we will have time to develop 12 :/

3. I was musing on those FotR block cards like Malice and News of Mordor, which capitalize on combos...some of them aren't super practical. Maybe News of Mordor and Hate and Anger are the only ones that allow you to really pull off something beneficial....

4. I agree with the "Coupling"! You kind of see this in some of the already existing starter decks, though Decipher didn't really develop it to its full potential....maybe we can make it happen

Thrarin, SoE would be great! Even better than the generic guy.

1. I prefer Southron Commander as he doesn't necessarily destroy a 6th companion. That one Shotgun Enquea (or two) in only one deck per Serie seems ok to me.

2. Hope we have the time, can't say anything else...

3. Malice isn't the only way of merging Sauron Orcs with Moria... there's also The Eye of Sauron + Troubled Mountains + burdens = Hand Extension + Abundant Twilight = Swarm... Moria could use Goblin Spear + Frenzy, or Must Do Without Hope (in Fellowship Block) to add burdens, Sauron could use Wisp or Gleaming In The Snow... it's much harder in sealed than constructed as we can't use those rare Sauron conditions, but anyway that's only an example. And merging can be done inside a single culture: Tracker Uruks (or Fierce: Uruk Warrior, Uruk Fighter, Uruk Fanatic, Uruk-Hai Rampage) with either Burden Uruks (Worry, Evil Afoot, Traitor's Voice) or Site Control (Down To The Last Child) for another example... Possibilities are huge.

4. That's right, at Fellowship Block the Shadow side of Gimli's and Boromir's can couple very well, as Aragorn's and Legolas'; Eomer's and Eowyn's on FP side, Eowyn's (wargriders) and Faramir's (isen-orcs) on Shadow. Gandalf/Moria decks of sets 1 and 2 is what we don't want to do: strenghten both sides with a single combination, leading to obvious and overpowered decisions.

But it's full potential goes beyond: make an almost whole new strategy out of 2 given decks...

[sgtdraino]

You probably don't want to hear this, but one thing you might consider is just using the pre-existing starter decks that are legal for Towers Standard, and include some sort of generic Towers site path. That would give you 12 starter decks to work with, all pre-tested for balance.

[dmaz]

You probably don't want to hear this, but one thing you might consider is just using the pre-existing starter decks that are legal for Towers Standard, and include some sort of generic Towers site path. That would give you 12 starter decks to work with, all pre-tested for balance.

It's been considered...the problem is it would defeat half of the purpose of having the league: new content. If we used the same starters, there would be new combinations of preexisting starters, but the shadow and fellowship themes that have never been touched in sealed would remain untouched. In the end, the league would be kind of cool and probably have some neat combos...but without new starters the overall feel would be the same.

[Durin's Heir]

This is the one that I'm going to use against DurinsHeir's deck. I really liked idleninja's idea of having trust work with Agility. If we don't include more than one copy of Agility it should be ok. Also with Khazad Ai Menu/Quick as May Be we have the full circle of the three hunters working with each other kind of...

Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer
Gimli, Unbidden Guest x2
Legolas, Archer of Mirkwood x2
Aragorn, Heir of Elendil x2
Haldir, Emissary of the Galadhrim x2
Fereveldir, Son of Thandronen x2
Bounder
Hobbit Sword x2
Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn x2
Elven Sword x2
Athelas x2
Agility
Defend it And Hope
Quick as May Be
Severed His Bonds x2
Trust x2
Khazad Ai-Menu x2
Valor x2

Uruk Chaser x3
Uruk Hunter x2
Uruk Pursuer x2
Uruk Runner x3
Uruk Scout x3
Uruk Searcher x2
Uruk Seeker x2
Shotgun Enquea
Broad-Bladed Sword x2
Kill Them Now x2
Many Riddles x3
Weary x3
Saruman's Ambition x2

As for the Shadow, I'd go 4x with Uruk Searcher as he's a killing machine. Uruk Scout is the only replacement for Ugluk's effect on roaming penalty, that's the best anyone might do, but I fear it could cost more than what it gives (playtesting will tell us), in which case should be removed... Those Broad Bladed Swords fit greatly with the weakness... As for the events, Kill Them Now pumps only trackers, so Ferocity might be better if we want this Shadow to be coupled with another Uruk deck. You may consider adding Wariness as can be a killer splash ...

As for the FP, it lacks weapons for Gimli, so IMO he ends up as a mere support companion... those additional elves leave him in the background and this ends up like a Helm's Deep Elves deck instead. I like your try with Archer of Mirkwood instead of Elven Comrade, and that combo of Agility / Trust, but Euk's version seems to fit better for the Three Hunters trio... I'd start with his work and make some adjustments.

[Durin's Heir]

This is what I meant...

The Three Hunters

2x Gimli, Unbidden Guest
1x Fereveldir, Son of Thandronen
1x Haldir, Emissary of the Galadhrim
1x Legolas, Archer of Mirkwood
3x Aragorn, Heir of Elendil
1x Dwarven Axe
1x Dwarven Bracers
1x Elven Sword
1x Legolas' Sword
1x Naith Longbow
2x Athelas
2x Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn
2x Hobbit Sword
2x Khazad Ai-menu
1x Quick As May Be
2x Valor
1x Defend It and Hope
2x Trust
2x Severed His Bonds
1x Agility

Gimli is the weakest of the Three (as Legolas has a free +2 support from Gimli), thus opted for 1 each Dwarven Bracers and Dwarven Axe instead of 2x Hand Axe. Athelas is key if this FP deck is supposed to defeat it's own Shadow with ease... Removed Bounder, but Frodo seems well protected with Legolas, 2 direct wounding events and a Defender +1 Aragorn...
Agility and its combos (Trust and Fereveldir) remain. Athelas, Archer of Mirkwood, Trust and Legolas' Sword seem to be enough healing...

That Aragorn and Athelas (and Defend It And Hope) can do good coupling with a 2nd Serie Knights deck: Swordarm of the White Tower, Armor, Coat of Mail, Might of Numenor, Elendil's Valor and whatever it may bring....

Those elves (and even Gimli) may work well with a Naith Elves + Shoulder to Shoulder deck too: Lend Us Your Aid, That Is No Orc Horn, Stout and Strong, Asfaloth and elven weapons, Elven Brooch (could work greatly with Hand Axe)...

Possibilities are huge...

[dmaz]

This is what I meant...

The Three Hunters

2x Gimli, Unbidden Guest
1x Fereveldir, Son of Thandronen
1x Haldir, Emissary of the Galadhrim
1x Legolas, Archer of Mirkwood
3x Aragorn, Heir of Elendil
1x Dwarven Axe
1x Dwarven Bracers
1x Elven Sword
1x Legolas' Sword
1x Naith Longbow
2x Athelas
2x Ranger's Sword, Blade of Aragorn
2x Hobbit Sword
2x Khazad Ai-menu
1x Quick As May Be
2x Valor
1x Defend It and Hope
2x Trust
2x Severed His Bonds
1x Agility

Gimli is the weakest of the Three (as Legolas has a free +2 support from Gimli), thus opted for 1 each Dwarven Bracers and Dwarven Axe instead of 2x Hand Axe. Athelas is key if this FP deck is supposed to defeat it's own Shadow with ease... Removed Bounder, but Frodo seems well protected with Legolas, 2 direct wounding events and a Defender +1 Aragorn...
Agility and its combos with Trust and Fereveldir remain. Athelas, Archer of Mirkwood, Trust and Legolas' Sword seem to be enough healing...

That Aragorn and Athelas (and Defend It And Hope) can do good coupling with a 2nd Serie Knights deck: Swordarm of the White Tower, Armor, Coat of Mail, Might of Numenor, Elendil's Valor and whatever it may bring....

Yeah I like this a lot. I honestly was trying to find an opening for Dwarven Axe, and Bounder makes sense because of the Defender +1 Gorn. Didn't think of that

I might change the quantity count of each companion depending on which starting site (I'd prefer The Riddermark just so they have the option to start the game with The Three Hunters )

Thanks for the tips!

[Durin's Heir]

I might change the quantity count of each companion depending on which starting site (I'd prefer The Riddermark just so they have the option to start the game with The Three Hunters )

Thanks for the tips!

You're welcome my friend!

That's right... There's another option too: if you start first and your site 1 is Eastemnet Gullies, you can play Gimli, Haldir and Legolas without any change in comps count. 2x Gimli would useful for healing, and 3x Aragorn makes almost sure you'll get him before it's too late.
Anyway, there are 7 cards that depend on Aragorn to be played... may be better to start him, for cycling purposes.

[Durin's Heir]

... Maybe we can give Rohan a competitive deck, without going overboard and making them overpowered...  Simply adding Gandalf and Trust Me As You Once Did is a huge advantage to any deck...

This being the case, there were a couple things I did with the deck, to "nerf" it...
1. Removed Elite Rider. Quite often a base strength of 8. Add a spear and TMAYOD, and it's a beast.
2. Removed Eomer
3. Focused on a little Valiant dynamics as opposed to heavy skirmish support. I think the bonus of TMAYOD + x4 An Honorable Charge would have been almost overkill
4. Decided to pull Gandalf's Wisdom out...having the opportunity to play all of those Rohan possessions for no twilight is a little much.

I've been learning a little more about Rohan culture (and Valiant subculture) in order to try a Rohan/Gondor starter or coupling deck and found some issues that may be taken into account; if so they might modify your deck a bit...

Regarding to the point you mentioned above:

1. Totally agree, Elite Rider is a lame companion that kills or survives many heavy things for almost no cost...
2. We could use Eomer after all, as this deck might lack a single good fighter (everyone else has 6 strenght with no gametext to help). Actually we haven't really many options for Eomer as we won't use Rare cards (Third Marshal of Riddermark and Rohirrim Captain, steroid-aided versions of Elite Rider, are out), so Sister-Son of Theoden is the only option inside Towers Block. He would help with ally mechanics, but would interfere with the Valiant one as he lacks the keyword (Frodo + Gandalf + 3 Valiant men + Eomer = Shotgun Enquea or Southron Commander). I'm considering Eomer, Forthwith Banished as he has that desired unloaded keyword, and doesn't get strength bonuses from exertions a la Elite Rider.
3. There are only 3 options for Valiant dynamics as there aren't Rare cards: Let Us Be Swift, Ecglaf and Sigewulf... the latter doesn't merit any mention, but Let Us Be Swift by itself seems enough. With Rare Valiant pulls can be awesome.
4. Gandalf's Wisdom would be almost useless as many possession can be played on Theoden/Eowyn in Maneuver phase. Those card slots have more important things to do...

Regarding other points:

I. Your deck lacks 2x Severed His Bonds. This point REALLY hurts the assembly of the deck...
II. In contrast to Rider's Mount, Horse of Rohan would allow combination with other cultures that should be included in later series: Naith/Helm's Deep Elves, plain Rangers and Knights; thus they would couple into Mounted Elves (Feathered, Lorien Swordsman), Mounted Rangers (New Errand, Ranger's Bow) and Mounted Knights (Men of Numenor, CotS)... The raised twilight cost shouldn't impact too much due to Eowyn and Theoden.
III. Given the previous point, allies should privilege to aid mounted companions (Leod, Weland) instead of rohirrim (Hlafwine, Guma), for further coupling.

So here's my try:

Frodo, Mr. Underhill

2x Gandalf, The White Wizard
1x Household Guard
2x Theoden, King of the Golden Hall
1x Eomer, Forthwith Banished (starting)
1x Eowyn, Daughter of Eomund (starting)
1x Guma, Plains Farmer
1x Leod, Westfold Herdsman
1x Weland, Smith of the Riddermark
1x Wizard Staff
1x Brego
1x Herugrim
2x Horse of Rohan
2x Rider's Spear
2x Rohirrim Bow
2x Hobbit Sword
2x An Honorable Charge
1x Let Us Be Swift
2x Severed His Bonds
2x Trust Me as You Once Did
1x Arrow-slits
1x Well Stored

4 Gandalf signets... Valiant Rohirrim merged with Trust Me Gandalf, with great coupling potential to Elves and Gondorian guys. 1x Well Stored is there as a stand-alone healing card for allies... this is essential for coupled decks as they need less presence of Rohan companions (otherwise should rely on Theoden + possessions, or Eomer, SSoT to heal Weland and Leod)...

This deck has great skirimish and healing potential, thus wrecks an archery shadow (should be paired with Hate and Archery). Dies awfully against Easterlings, as the natural course of things...

[dmaz]

Paging Durins Heir for a play-test game

[dmaz]

Our two replays for your evaluation.

The Gandalf/Dwarf deck is a lot stronger...suggestions?

http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=dmaz$6agp06lnxmf502kj
http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=dmaz$vse8c9m0a27llfyc

Based on previous tracker starter decks it looks like they don't include more than 2 of each condition they use.

That being said, should we include 2 of each of the Uruk tracker search cards instead of 3 each?

*note*: The Gimli and Gloin are only being used because in the actual league the deck will be supplemented with out of format dwarves (check Durins Heir's list).

Thanks!

UPDATE:

New replay with adapted Gandalf/Dwarf deck:
http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=dmaz$jba3tfipbx6txvhm

[Durin's Heir]

The Dwarves + Gandalf deck resulted a little too powerful with 2x Sleep Caradhras, so I changed it a bit. But the shadow side was REALLY overpowered... Here it is after some changes:

Unconditional Dwarves / Perilous Trackers

Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Farin, Dwarven Emissary
1x Fror, Gimli's Kinsman
1x Gimli, Dwarven Delegate (uses 1x Son of Gloin instead in Towers Standard)
1x Thrarin, Smith of erebor (uses 1x Gloin, Friend to Thorin instead in Towers Standard)
3x Gandalf, The Grey Pilgrim
1x Grimir, Dwarven Elder
1x Barliman Butterbur, Prancing Pony Proprietor
2x Dwarven Axe
2x Dwarven Bracers
2x Hand Axe
1x Wizard Staff
2x Hobbit Sword
3x Axe Strike
1x Flurry of Blows
2x Mysterious Wizard
2x Have Patience
1x Roll of Thunder
1x Sleep Caradhras
2x Severed His Bonds


Shadow Draw Deck:
2x Orc Assassin
2x Orc Butcher
3x Orc Cutthroat
2x Orc Insurgent
1x Orc Patrol
2x Orc Pillager
3x Orc Scouting Band
3x Orc Swordsman
3x Orc Scimitar
2x I'd Make You Squeak
2x Peril
2x Teeth of Mordor
3x Under the Watching Eye

Western Emyn Muil
Wold of Rohan
Barrows of Edoras
White Mountains
Helm's Gate
Hornburg Armory
Hornburg Causeway
Wizard's Vale (this one might be changed)
Fortress of Orthanc

Reduced Orc Patrol from 3 to 1 and every condition by one (except Peril), removed Gate Sentry. It's more directed now to skirimishes with Orc Swordsman and Orc Scimitar...

[Eukalyptus]

All 3 replay codes don't work.