Towers Standard Sealed League

[Durin's Heir]

3x Desert Spearman
2x Desert Warrior
3x Elite Archer
2x Far Harad Mercenaries
3x Southron Bowman
1x Southron Commander
2x Southron Explorer (cheap, can exert twice)
3x Southron Traveler
3x Mumak
2x Southron Spear
2x Flanking Attack
2x On the March
2x Whirling Strike

The ambush angle is almost gone this way.

I really like it ! 60% minions, 1/3 of them being archers. Good fighting potential, direct skirimish wounding and those nasty, surprising tricks. Pure beatdown.

I believe the next scenario will happen quite often with inexpert players: or available twilight and Frodo bears a Hobbit Sword... 6 companions and Southron Commander (or any scenario with and a willful asignment of Frodo). The FP player thinks "he/she can't play pumps as there's not enough twilight, thus can't overwhelm me" so let Frodo be assigned... Flanking Attack + On the March or Men of Rhun. Sam takes the Ring or the game is over...

Flanking Attack can turn the whole game into a roulette!

[Durin's Heir]

I would go with something more along the lines of this for the hobbits:
1x Smeagol, Poor Creature
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine
1x Pippin, Friend to Frodo
1x Sam, Nice Sensible Hobbit
1x Bounder
1x Rosie Cotton, Hobbiton Lass
1x Hobbit Sword
2x Brace of Coneys
2x Don't Follow the Lights
2x Not Listening
3x Hobbit Intuition
2x Stout and Sturdy
1x It Burns Us
2x Mind Your Own Affairs
2x Severed His Bonds
4x Poor Wretch
1x A Talent for Not Being Seen
1x Rare Good Ballast
1x There and Back Again

I like both versions: the combo of Sam and Smeagol, MYOA not protecting Frodo, some burden removal...
Stout and Sturdy is a pretty worth addition and one of the most underrated cards I've seen, as can save necks in desperate moments; in constructed can heal UB Hobbits (Merry, FtS included) for Everyone Knows, or RB Hobbits for A Promise...

Some additional ideas:
Boromir, Son of Denethor can replace some events to turn hobbits into fighting machines (and has the Frodo signet for MYOA). Good Work can be more efficient for burden removal than Brace of Coneys (especially if Boromir, SoD is added). Wingfoot for doubles. Hobbit Appetite for healing; Meant to Be Alone for choking...

Anyway, as Merrick said before we shouldn't provide 4 copies of a same card to give more utility to booster pulls (Great idea! ), and adding 2x SHB would reach that number (given the ones from Serie 1); the same goes for 4x Poor Wretch. Cutting off 1 of each would allow 2 empty card slots for free disposal.


We need to decide if this deck will be in Serie 2 or 3, as in the first case it should have 2x Hobbit Sword... I'd leave it in the 2nd due to, IMO, to saturate the 2nd Serie with 2 Gondor decks would be a big mistake; Knight cards are available only on Set 5, so UB Rangers should be moved to the 3rd.

[Durin's Heir]

Updating the 'Osgiliath Reclaimed' draft:

2x Boromir, Steward's Heir
1x Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath
2x Gondorian Knight
1x Turgon, Man of Belfalas
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine
1x Armor
1x Banner of Westernesse
2x Knight's Mount
3x Sword of Gondor
2x Hobbit Sword
1x Elendil's Valor
1x Gondor Will See It Done
2x Might of Numenor
2x New Errand
1x Reckless Counter
2x War Must Be
1x Citadel of the Stars
3x City Wall
1x Garrison of Osgiliath

Removed Gondor's Vengeance and Faramir, SoD to reduce the Ranger presence and trimmed City Wall to 3 (in accordance with Merrick's 3 copies idea). Replaced them respectively with a second Hobbit Sword (to make each deck of Serie 2 have no more and no less than 2x Hobbit Sword), Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath and Reckless Counter.

Knight's Mount can do most of the job assigned previously to Gondor's Vengeance...

New Errand remains because is more viable than the wounding card for Knights (Men of Numenor, definitively not Take Cover, can protect only gondorians, and uses 1 event and 1 fortification instead of just 1 event) as far as you can spot a RB man (Boromir in this case). And because the deck must offer something more than only Boromir to a Ranger deck (RB or UB).

Gondor Will See It Done is key here for survival, as Southrons or Uruks (or even Sauron Grind) can take you for surprise.

So now is more Knight-oriented...

[Eukalyptus]

Why can New Errand protect only protect Gondorians? An exhausted minion on the Ringbearer and poof, it goes. I can see it in the Ranger deck, but not within Knights tbh.

[BigRedMF]

I feel like New Errand does not fit in the deck at all. It is obviously a card for use with Ring-bound Rangers, and in this Knight deck it would just be an event you play when you are already winning a skirmish (as making the site number of a minion +2 provides no benefit to a knight). In the interest of keeping with the theme I think it should be removed.

Also, since every deck in Serie 1 has 2 Hobbit Sword, you should only get 1 here (just as you pointed out in the previous post with SHB).

I like the inclusion of 1 Fall Back - helps get rid of Mumaks, Fell Beasts, key weapons...
I would also include 1 Dagger Strike and either 1 Take Cover or 1 Rally Point. It's always nice to be able to play your "key" support cards over again.

[Merrick_H]

I like the list below with the following changes from the suggestions above:

2x Boromir, Steward's Heir
1x Faramir, Defender of Osgiliath
2x Gondorian Knight
1x Turgon, Man of Belfalas
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine
1x Armor
1x Banner of Westernesse
2x Knight's Mount
3x Sword of Gondor
2x Hobbit Sword
1x Elendil's Valor
1x Gondor Will See It Done
2x Might of Numenor
2x New Errand
1x Reckless Counter
2x War Must Be
1x Citadel of the Stars
3x City Wall
1x Garrison of Osgiliath
+1x Severed His Bonds
+2x Take Cover

Reasoning:
I like the inclusion of Faramir, DoO as he is a pretty balanced knight with a good Knight centric ability that won't be too powerful given the limited number of knights in the deck.

You need 2 Hobbit Sword in the deck, otherwise you will be choosing between playing one on Merry and one on Frodo.  Remember, these are supposed to also be self-sufficient starters for the most part.  If we really want to mix it up, exchange one hobbit sword for one Frying Pan, but otherwise you need 2 weapons, 1 for each hobbit.

Remove New Errand - not a knight card

Remove Reckless Counter - interesting choice, but it is outside of the block and we already have 2 cards in this deck from outside the block.  I'd much rather see something from within the block that helps the knights more directly.

Add one Severed His Bonds for a minimal additional amount of Frodo protection (this way you can have 3 going into series 3/4 regardless of which deck choices you make).

Add 2 Take Cover - This allows you to play the card back after killing a minion (which is somewhat likely with knights) and allows a bit more utility to Citadel of the Stars, which is a staple knight card without making it over powered.

[Merrick_H]

After a play test, the knights are just a bit too strong.  

http://www.gempukku.com/gemp-lotr/game.html?replayId=Merrick H$a1qjv0cge98dws11

I'd like to propose the following:

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
2x Boromir, Steward's Heir
2x Gondorian Knight
1x Turgon, Man of Belfalas
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine
1x Armor
1x Banner of Westernesse
1x Knight's Mount
3x Sword of Gondor
2x Hobbit Sword
1x Elendil's Valor
1x Gondor Will See It Done
2x Might of Numenor
2x Take Cover
3x War Must Be
2x Severed His Bonds
1x Citadel of the Stars
3x City Wall
1x Garrison of Osgiliath

This drops 1 mount, and faramir (to prevent companion pulling), drops the companion count to 6.

Adds a third War Must Be and a second Severed His Bonds to make it so that people can have 4 in series 2.

Thoughts?

[BigRedMF]

This seems like a pretty good modification after seeing the second replay. I agree with having a second sword for Merry, forgot about him. It is a pretty focused deck with a good variety of tools. We'll see how playtesting goes against some of the other shadows.

[BigRedMF]

I took a look through the 2 threads and tried to gather all the loose ends here that haven't been addressed/resolved. Hopefully we can put a few of them to bed, or at least further the discussions.

1. Booster support
There were a couple suggestions on what to receive each Serie. All Sealed leagues currently provide 6 boosters in Serie 1 and 4, and 3 boosters in Serie 2 and 3. We don't have to stick with those numbers, particularly in Serie 2 and 3 since we are pulling from 2 blocks. I would suggest these 2 options, though there are several intermediate combinations that could be used as well:

(a) A customizable option
      Serie 1: 1xSet 1, 1xSet 4, choice of 4 more from either set
      Serie 2: 1xSet 2, 1xSet 5, choice of 1 more from either set
      Serie 3: 1xSet 3, 1xSet 6, choice of 1 more from either set
      Serie 4: Choice of 6 from any set 1-6

(b ) A structured option
      Serie 1: 3xSet 1, 3xSet 4
      Serie 2: 2xSet 2, 2xSet 5
      Serie 3: 2xSet 3, 2xSet 6
      Serie 4: 1 booster of each set 1-6

2. Crowd control
Easterlings - Easterling Pillager
Uruk Trackers - Enquea
Archery - ?? (Enquea was suggested here)
Sauron - The Number Must Be Few
Dunland - ?? (Enquea was suggested here)
Twilight Nazgul - ?? (Honestly this is the one I worry most about a large fellowship, as you typically will only have 2-3 minions and most aren't even Fierce)
Berserkers - ?? (Enquea was suggested here)
Southron - Southron Commander/Far Harad Mercenaries
Rohirrim Traitors - ??

3. Do we swap Gandwarf to the Sauron deck since it is the only FP capable of discarding conditions?
If we want to pair FP with a Shadow they can cope with, this makes more sense to me than Rohan. Plus the Rohan deck can heal all the archery wounds away.

4. Do we swap UB Rangers to the Berserker deck and Gandalf to the Nazgul deck?
This swap would prevent an "easy" choice of both corruption shadows coupled with both ranger freeps.

5. Do we move the Hunters/Uruk Trackers deck to Serie 3?
This options concedes that we will only have 9 decks, but takes care of the questions about the 3rd deck in Serie 3.

6. Do we move UB Rangers to Serie 3 and substitue with Smeagol/Hobbits?
UB Rangers and Knights in Serie 2 would be very Gondor heavy.

7. Do we combine Rohan decks and create a Trust deck without Rohan?
There was a suggestion very early on to create a Gandalf Depart Silently deck, but there are also options to make a Trust deck with some of the TT Gandalf signets, like Gimli UG and Legolas EC.

[Merrick_H]

I took a look through the 2 threads and tried to gather all the loose ends here that haven't been addressed/resolved. Hopefully we can put a few of them to bed, or at least further the discussions.

Thanks for doing this.  This will definitely help us get some of the details hammered out.

1. Booster support

I would recommend this as it is similar to the Movie Block Sealed.
      Serie 1: 2xSet 1, 2xSet 4, choice of 2 more from Sets 1-6
      Serie 2: 1xSet 2, 1xSet 5, choice of 1 more from Sets 1-6
      Serie 3: 1xSet 3, 1xSet 6, choice of 1 more from Sets 1-6
      Serie 4: 6x Choice of 6 from any set 1-6

This allows people to try to get some things to fill in a strategy or give them direction on which starters to choose each series.

2. Crowd control
To some degree I think that we need to determine the deck order and composition before we go down the path of crowd control.

3. Do we swap Gandwarf to the Sauron deck since it is the only FP capable of discarding conditions?
That would be my vote.

4. Do we swap UB Rangers to the Berserker deck and Gandalf to the Nazgul deck?
Yes.

5. Do we move the Hunters/Uruk Trackers deck to Serie 3?
Yes

6. Do we move UB Rangers to Serie 3 and substitue with Smeagol/Hobbits?
Smeagol doesn't get a lot of good support until series 3.  I don't think that leaving the UB rangers in series 2 is a problem, plus the hobbit fellowship is a pretty fragile/experimental one which means that it will be more in line with the decks in series 3.

7. Do we combine Rohan decks and create a Trust deck without Rohan?
I would be OK with that, but Rohan definitely needs to be in Series 1.  The Trust deck is great for Frodo support if you can keep vitality on Gandalf.

[Durin's Heir]

Why can New Errand protect only protect Gondorians? An exhausted minion on the Ringbearer and poof, it goes. I can see it in the Ranger deck, but not within Knights tbh.

I said Men of Numenor can only protect Gondorians. New Errand is way better, but you all are right, it should be in a Ranger deck instead... 2x in the RB Rangers deck is my vote.

I'd like to propose the following:

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
2x Boromir, Steward's Heir
2x Gondorian Knight
1x Turgon, Man of Belfalas
1x Merry, From O'er the Brandywine
1x Armor
1x Banner of Westernesse
1x Knight's Mount
3x Sword of Gondor
2x Hobbit Sword
1x Elendil's Valor
1x Gondor Will See It Done
2x Might of Numenor
2x Take Cover
3x War Must Be
2x Severed His Bonds
1x Citadel of the Stars
3x City Wall
1x Garrison of Osgiliath

This drops 1 mount, and faramir (to prevent companion pulling), drops the companion count to 6.

Adds a third War Must Be and a second Severed His Bonds to make it so that people can have 4 in series 2.

Thoughts?

New Errand was there for Frodo protection, but that's out...
Severed His Bonds shouldn't be in the final decklist as Serie 1 provides 2 copies; for testing purposes those can be added but not in the final deck. That leaves 2 free slots...

Faramir can be out but the companion count should be 6 excluding Frodo: 5 Knights and Merry. Otherwise transferring fortifications can cost exertions in good part of many games... a 3rd Gondorian Knight should be enough, or even a Knight of Dol Amroth as the outsider card count is now 1 in absense of Faramir and Reckless Counter.

If there's only one Knight's Mount double moves won't happen frequently... The 5th Knight and the mount complete those 2 slots previously mentioned.

I like the 3rd War Must Be. I'd replace a Take Cover with a Fall Back, to add another tool to the hat...

[Durin's Heir]

1. Booster support I fully agree with Merrick's idea.

2. Crowd control Will answer later...

3. Do we swap Gandwarf to the Sauron deck since it is the only FP capable of discarding conditions?
Yes. Your reason is quite logical.

4. Do we swap UB Rangers to the Berserker deck and Gandalf to the Nazgul deck?
Would prefer to have only one Gondor deck in 2nd Serie. Gandy with Nazgul get my vote.

5. Do we move the Hunters/Uruk Trackers deck to Serie 3?
Definitively NOT. Three Hunters and Uruk Trackers have most cards in set 4. I'd rather have 4 deck choices in 1st Serie (see below)...

6. Do we move UB Rangers to Serie 3 and substitue with Smeagol/Hobbits?
Smeagol + Hobbits should be in 3rd Serie. Ents + UB Hobbits will be there, so Smeagol's deck can have only RB Hobbits and use other support (Boromir, SoD comes to my mind)...

7. Do we combine Rohan decks and create a Trust deck without Rohan?
Absolutely yes! Gandalf shouldn't be an accesory of Rohan. And those Rohirrim themes (allies and Valiant) can merge perfectly in absense of Gandalf, as my draft shows. That draft has 5 allies, and the other one has only 3.

There should be a Gandalf centered deck in Serie 2, with TMAYOD, Depart Silently and some Gandalf signets (Gimli, Legolas, Sam, maybe Aragorn and Boromir)... I'm working on one but won't post it in the next hours as I lack the time.


I'd add another question:
8. Do we give 4 deck choices at Serie 1, just as 1st Serie of WOTR Sealed has 4?

Gandwarves, RB Rangers, Rohan and Three Hunters.

[Eukalyptus]

We already established not including Boromir, Son of Denethor in any of the decks. And I'm against 4 deck choices in series 1.

[dmaz]

We already established not including Boromir, Son of Denethor in any of the decks. And I'm against 4 deck choices in series 1.

I was going to make a new topic regarding cards that we can't include in the preconstructed starters, but we could just keep an updated list here.

So far this is what we have:

The No-no Cards

1. Cavern Entrance (Limits the use of events and makes swarm much easier in an environment already susceptible to swarm)
2. Boromir, Son of Denethor (Basically the other extreme here. Usually, all the FP needs to do is keep wounds off of him till site 8/9 or hold him in hand before final push)
3. Sam, Samwise the Brave (Just added this one. After testing with Merrick, we found this card completely shuts down any corruption-themed decks. It's just too strong)
Let me know if you guys can think of any more...

[Merrick_H]

I too would be against 4 choices in series 1.  Too much development and too many choices for so limited a card pool.  The Movie Block Sealed format has 3 decks per series and they don't cover all the themes (there is no real besieger theme, no corsair theme, no Sauron Orc theme... etc.) Here is the breakdown of movie block sealed decks:

http://lotrtcgwiki.com/wiki/sealed-movie

I think we are giving more variety in the types of decks with a more limited pool as is.  I don't think we need 10 decks to provide the variety that you are looking for.