Victory on the fourth attempt!
Truly living up to the "semi-chronological" definition of this challenge, here is a quest quite a bit out of order. Blood of Gondor/Morgul Vale/Massing at Osgiliath were road-blocking me and I wanted to clear my head with another quest (although I did complete Massing at Osgiliath before this and simply need to spend time cleaning up the notes).
The Deck
I really wanted to make a mono-Tactics Eomer deck work with this one, but kept stalling out in stage 2B and wasn't quite pulling it off. It still might be a possibility to explore later. Legolas + Beregond struck me, but I wanted some good questing power as well. Eowyn or Glorfindel? Let's go with the elf synergy and see what we can do.
I also want to shed cards from my hand as quickly as possible, while being able to take multiple attacks. This deck handles attacking very well and (with Unexpected Courage on Bergond) can do some good blocking. Maybe Behind Strong Walls is needed. But for my run-through I resorted to (lots of) chump blockers. Also, I would add in at least 1 Song of Battle to throw on Glorfindel. It would be great to get a Rohan Warhorse on him (so up those to 3). Choosing what to take out is always the hard part, but Spear of the Mark x1 would go. Possibly switching out Unseen Strike for Behind Strong Walls would work, but the Strike was very helpful with the (relatively) high enemy engagement costs in this one.
Of Elves and Chumps
Heroes
Glorfindel (Foundations of Stone)
Legolas
Beregond
Allies
Minas Tirith Lampwright x3
Knights of the Swan x3
Silvan Refugee x3
Vassal of the Windlord x3
Westfold Horse-breeder x3
Gandalf (Core) x3
Envoy of Pelargir x2
Attachments
Black Arrow x1
Rivendell Blade x3
Spear of the Citadel x1
Gondorian Shield x3
Rohan Warhorse x2
Light of Valinor x3
Unexpected Courage x2
Events
Feint x3
Hands Upon the Bow x3
Unseen Strike x3
Gondorian Discipline x3
Elrond's Counsel x3
Sets Used
Core
The Dead Marshes
The Redhorn Gate
The Watcher in the Water
Foundations of Stone
Shadow and Flame
On the Doorstep
Heris of Numenor
The Steward's Fear
Encounter at Amon Din
The Druadan Forest
The Voice of Isengard
The Journey
Slow and steady won the race.
Player Setup
Set starting threat to: 24
Draw: Unseen Strike, Rohan Warhorse, Black Arrow, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Speark of the Mark, Westfold Horse-Breeder
I tried this deck out in attempt 3 and, as lame as it is to count on a single card, Light of the Valinor really seems close to necessary to make this deck work its best.
Mulligan: Black Arrow, Rivendell Blade, Rivendell Blade, Light of the Valinor, Rohan Warhorse, Feint
Encounter Setup
Add The Islet to the staging area with Grima attached.
Search encounter and add Dunland Tribesman to the staging area. Shuffle.
Flip to stage 1B. Add 5 Time Counters to the stage.
Round 1
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (1), +1 Legolas (1), +1 Beregond (1)
Draw: Elrond's Counsel. +1 Threat to Dunland Tribesman.
Planning Phase
Play: Black Arrow. Attach to Legolas.
Play: Light of Valinor (Glorfindel -1). Attach to Glorfindel.
Play: Rivendell Blade (Legolas -1). Attach to Legolas.
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel. Total willpower: 3.
Reveal: Ill Tidings. Draw into hand. +1 threat to Dunland Tribesman. Surge.
Reveal: Dunland Chieftain.
Total threat: 6
Raise threat to 27
No worries. I'll aim for a clear staging area next turn, get Grima, then have Legolas help get better progress placed on the quest.
Travel Phase
Travel to The Islet
Encounter Phase
Engage Dunland Chieftain. Discard 5: Old Hatreds, The King's Road, Dunlending Bandit, Pillaging and Burning, The King's Road. Put Dunlending Bandit in play engaged with me.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Dunland Captain, Dunlending Bandit.
Dunland Captain attacks. Beregond defends. Shadow: Ill Tidings (no effect). Deal 1 damage to Beregond.
Play: Feint (Beregond -1). Choose Dunlending Bandit to not attack.
Legolas declares an attack on Dunland Chieftain. Discard Black Arrow and add it to the victory display (1) to give Legolas +5 attack. Dunland Chieftain is destroyed.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 28.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 1B (4/5)
Round 2
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (1), +1 Legolas (1), +1 Beregond (1)
Draw: Westfold Horse-Breeder. +1 Threat to Dunland Tribesman.
Planning Phase
Play: Rivendell Blade (Legolas -1). Attach to Glorfindel.
Play: Rohan Warhorse (Beregond -1). Attach to Legolas.
Play: Westfold Horse-Breeder (Glorfindel -1). Choose not to search for Mount attachment.
No reason to add another card to my hand when I know I can't play it.
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel. Total willpower: 3.
Reveal: Gap of Rohan.
Total threat: 3.
Play: Elrond's Counsel. Reduce threat to 25. Give Glorfindel +1 willpower.
Updated willpower: 4.
Place 1 progress on The Islet, exploring it and adding it to the victory display (2). Gain control of Grima.
Travel Phase
Travel to Gap of Rohan
Encounter Phase
Engage Dunland Tribesman.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Dunland Tribesman, Dunlending Bandit.
Dunlending Bandit attacks (1 card in hand; +1 attack). Grima defends. Shadow: Gap of Rohan (+1 attack). Deal 1 damage to Grima.
Dunland Tribesman attacks. Beregond defends. Shadow: Dunland Prowler (no effect). No damage dealt.
Legolas declares an attack on Dunland Tribesman, destroying it. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Legolas. Place 2 progress on Gap of Rohan (2/3)
Legolas + Glorfindel declare an attack on Dunlending Bandit, destroying it. Place 1 progress on Gap of Rohan, exploring it. Place 1 progress on stage 1B (1/6).
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 26.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 1B (3/5)
Round 3
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (1), +1 Legolas (1), +1 Beregond (1)
Draw: Gandalf
Planning Phase
Play: None
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Grima
Total willpower: 6
Reveal: Wild Men of Dunland. Attach to quest. Surge.
Reveal: Gap of Rohan
Total threat: 3
Place 3 progress on stage 1B (4/6).
Travel Phase
Travel to Gap of Rohan
No engagements or combat
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 27.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 1B (2/5)
Round 4
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (2), +1 Legolas (2), +1 Beregond (2)
Draw: Minas Tirith Lampwright. Deal 1 damage to Legolas (1/4).
Planning Phase
Play: Minas Tirith Lampwright (Glorfindel -1).
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Grima. Total willpower: 6
Reveal: Dunland Berserker.
Total threat: 2
Place 3 progress on Gap of Rohan, exploring it.
Place 1 progress on Fight at the Ford (5/6)
Travel Phase
No travel.
Encounter Phase
Engage Dunland Berserker
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Dunland Berserker. Attacks! Beregond defends. Shadow: Dunland Tribesman (+1 attack). No damage dealt.
Legolas + Glorfindel declare an attack on Dunland Berserker, destroying it. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Legolas. Place 2 progress on stage 1B, clearing it.
Advance to stage 2, flip to side B. Search deck and add Dunlending Bandit to the staging area. Shuffle.
Add 2 Time Counters to stage 2B.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 28.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (1/2)
Round 5
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (2), +1 Legolas (3), +1 Beregond (3)
Draw: Vassal of the Windlord
Planning Phase
Play: Gandalf (Glorfindel -1, Legolas -3, Beregond -1). Draw (3): Unseen Strike, Spear of the Citadel, Envoy of Pelargir.
Play: Envoy of Pelargir (Glorfindel -1, Beregond -1). Add 1 resource to Beregond's pool (2).
Play: Vassal of the Windlord (Beregond -1).
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Grima, Envoy of Pelargir, Gandalf
Total willpower: 11
Reveal: Fords of Isen
Total threat: 4
Place 7 progress on stage 2B (7/14).
Travel Phase
Travel to Fords of Isen. Draw (2): Minas Tirith Lamwright, Unseen Strike
Encounter Phase
Engage Dunlending Bandit.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Dunlending Bandit. Attacks (5 cards in hand; +5 attack). Minas Tirith Lampwright defends. Shadow: Pillaging and Burning (defending player discards an attachment he controls). Discard Rivendell Blade from Glorfindel. Lampwright is destroyed.
Glorfindel + Legolas declare an attack on the Bandit, destroying it. Place 2 progress on Fords of Isen (2/4).
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 29.
Remove last Time Counter from stage 2B. Deal 5 damage to Gandalf, destroying him. Place 2 Time Counters on stage 2B.
Round 6
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (1), +1 Legolas (1), +1 Beregond (2)
Draw: Unexpected Courage
Planning Phase
Play: Spear of the Citadel (Beregond -2). Attach to Beregond.
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Grima, Envoy of Pelargir
Total willpower: 7
Reveal: Dunland Berserker
Total threat: 2
Place 2 progress on Ford of Isen, exploring it.
Place 3 progress on stage 2B (10/14).
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Dunland Berserker
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Dunland Berserker. Attacks! Beregond defends. Deal 1 damage to Dunland Berserker. Shadow: Gap of Rohan (+1 attack). No damage dealt.
Legolas declares an attack on Dunland Berserker, destroying it. Place 2 progress on stage 2B (12/14)
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 30.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (1/2)
Round 7
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (2), +1 Legolas (2), +1 Beregond (1)
Draw: Unexpected Courage
Planning Phase
Play: Unexpected Courage (Glorfindel -2). Attach to Beregond.
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Envoy of Pelargir
Total willpower: 5
Reveal: Wild Men of Dunland. Attach to stage 2B. Surge.
Reveal: Dunland Raider
Total threat 3.
Place 2 progress on stage 2B, clearing it.
Proceed to stage 3. Search Encounter Deck and add Dunland Berserker to the staging area. Shuffle.
Flip to side B. Place 3 Time Counters on stage 3B.
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Optionally engage Dunland Raider. Deal 5 damage divided out: 1 to Grima (2/3), 2 to Legolas (3/4), 2 to Glorfindel (2/5).
Engaged by Dunland Berserker.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Dunland Raider, Dunland Berserker.
Dunland Raider attacks. Beregond defends. Deal 1 damage to Dunland Raider. Shadow: Dunland Raider (Discard 1 attachment). Discard Spear of the Citadel from Beregond. Deal 1 damage to Beregond (2/4).
Exhaust Unexpected Courage to ready Beregond.
Dunland Berserker attacks. Beregond defends. Shadow: Fords of Isen (no effect). No damage dealt.
Leglas + Grima declare an attack on Dunland Berserker, destroying it. Place 2 progress on stage 3B (2/16). Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Legolas.
Legolas + Glorfindel declare an attack on Dunland Raider, destroying it. Place 2 progress on stage 3B (4/16).
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 31.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 3B (2/3)
Round 8
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (1), +1 Legolas (3), +1 Beregond (2)
Draw: Gandalf
Planning Phase
Play: Gandalf (Legolas -3, Beregond -2). Reduce threat to 25.
Play: Minas Tirith Lampwright (Glorfindel -1).
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Grima, Envoy of Pelargir, Gandalf
Total willpower: 11
Reveal: Dunland Prowler. Surge. Discard Minas Tirith Lampright and name: Enemy.
Reveal: Old Hatreds. Attack to stage 3B. Surge.
Reveal: Dunland Chieftain.
Total threat: 4
Place 7 progress on stage 3B (11/16)
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Dunland Prowler
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Dunland Prowler. Dunland Prowler attacks. Beregond defends. Shadow: Fords of Isen (no effect). No damage dealt.
Legolas + Glorfindel declare an attack on Dunland Prowler, destroying it. Place 2 progress on stage 3B (13/16).
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 26.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 3B (1/3)
Discard Gandalf from play.
Round 9
Resource Phase
+1 Glorfindel (1), +1 Legolas (1), +1 Beregond (1)
Draw: Feint. Raise threat to 27.
Planning Phase
Play none.
Quest Phase
Commit: Glorfindel, Westfold Horse-Breeder, Envoy of Pelargir, Grima
Total willpower:7
Reveal: Down from the Hills. Search discard pile and add Dunland Berserker to the staging area.
Total threat: 5
Place 2 progress on stage 3B (15/16)
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Optionally engage Dunland Chieftain. Discard (5): Gap of Rohan, Down From the Hills, Pillaging and Burning, Dunlending Bandit, Pillaging and Burning. Put Dunlending Bandit in play, engaged with me.
Engaged by Dunland Berserker.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Dunland Chieftain, Dunlending Bandit, Dunland Berserker.
Play: Feint (Beregond -1). Choose Dunland Chieftain not to attack.
Play: Unseen Strike. Choose Legolas.
Play: Unseen Strike. Choose Legolas.
Dunlending Berserker attacks. Beregond defends. Shadow: Dunland Tribesman (+1 attack). No damage dealt.
Exhaust Unexpected Courage to ready Beregond.
Dunlending Bandit attacks (2 cards in hand; +2 attack). Beregond defends. Shadow: Fords of Isen (no effect). No damage dealt.
Legolas declares an attack on Dunland Chieftain, destroying it. Place 2 progress on stage 3B (17/16). Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Legolas.
Legolas declares an attack on Dunlending Bandit, destroying it. Place 2 progerss on stage 3B (19/16).
Glorfindel + Vassal of the Windlord declare an attack on Dunland Berserker, destroying it and winning the game!
Final Scoring
8 Completed Rounds x10: 80
Ending Threat: 27
Total Damage on Heroes: 7 (Glorfindel: 2, Legolas: 3, Beregond: 2)
Threat of Defeated Heroes: 0
Victory Display: -2
Total Score: 112
The Recap
Let's start with what worked for me in this quest. The time mechanic is nice and definitely was a positive mark. There was a noticeable urgency to get through the quest. It helped push me towards a balanced approach of fighting and questing well (which I like), since neither would fully solve the scenario. And being punished for card draw was a really creative twist (after years of being told that card draw is the most useful effect you can use).
But swarms of really tough, nameless henchmen is not the type of battle I want to face. Like the spies from A Knife in the Dark, we're dealing with: high attack, high defense, high HP, and some nasty effects upon engagement and/or combat.You get Bandits that can be just as powerful as a Troll. And maybe that's where my issue comes up: the scaling of enemy stats over the course of the game. I have no problem with an ancient evil giving my heroes a run for their money. But some really angry dude from a cross the country? Similar (again) to A Knife in the Dark, I would be happier with more enemies and lower stats.
I will be back at some point to try out different deck ideas (would Silvan Secrecy ford the river?), and I wouldn't pass up a multiplayer game if The Fords of Isen was suggested, but it did not make it to favorite quest status for me. Probably because, after hearing how well-loved it is by many, it just did not live up to the hype for me.
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