The Deck
Wanting to use either Grima or Eomer, I ended up going for both of them and making a little bit of a Rohan deck here (at least with the heroes).
Tri-Rohan!!!
Heroes
Grima
Eomer
Eowyn
Allies
Henamarth Riversong x2
Minas Tirith Lampwright x3
Vassal of the Windlord x3
Westfold Horse-breeder x3
Gandalf (Over Hill and Under Hill) x3
Isengard Messenger x3
Envoy of Pelargir x3
Knights of the Swan x3
Attachments
Firefoot x2
Rohan Warhorse x3
Ranger Spikes x3
Unexpected Courage x2
Keys of Orthanc x3
Horn of Gondor x2
Events
Deep Knowledge x3
Astonishing Speed x3
Feint x3
The Galadhrim's Greeting x3
Sets Used
Core
Return to Mirkwood
The Dead Marshes
Heirs of Numenor
The Steward's Fear
Encounter at Amon Din
The Voice of Isengard
The Dunland Trap
The Journey
A long, tedious journey with many close calls and a fudge at the end.
Player Setup
Starting Threat:28
Draw: Westfold Horse-breeder, Vassal of the Windlord, Gandalf, Envoy of Pelargir, Vassal of the Windlord, Knights of the Swan
Encounter Setup
Place top 20 cards of player deck out of play. Shuffle in Mugash and Mugash's Guard x1.
Flip to side 1B. Search encounter deck and add Orc Cave to the staging area. Shuffle.
Advance to stage 2. Flip to side B. Place 2 Time Counters on stage 2B
Round 1
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (1), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Knights of the Swan
Planning Phase
Play: Envoy of Pelargir (Grima -1, Eowyn -1). Add 1 resource to Eowyn's pool (1).
Play: Westfold Horse-breeder (Eowyn -1). Search top 10 cards and put Firefoot into hand.
Play: Knights of the Swan. Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 29).
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Horse-breeder. Total willpower: 7
Reveal: Orc Territory. Search encounter deck and put Orc Cave into play. No Orc enemies in play.
Total threat: 6.
Add 1 Time Counter to stage 2B (3).
Travel Phase
Travel to Orc Cave. Discard (encounter): Orc Cave.
No engagements or combat.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 30.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (2).
Round 2
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Ranger Spikes
Planning Phase
Play: Gandalf (Grima -1, Eomer -2, Eowyn -1). Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 31).
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Gandalf (does not exhaust), Horse-breeder. Total willpower: 11
Reveal: Methedras Orc
Total threat: 6
Place 4 progress on Orc Cave, exploring it. Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2B (3).
Search 5: Keys of Orthanc, Henamarth Rivesong, The Galadhrim's Greeting, Rohan Warhorse, Astonishing Speed. Add The Galadhrim's Greeting to hand.
Travel Phase
Travel to Orc Cave. Discard (encounter): Take Cover!
Encounter Phase
Engage Methedras Orc.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Methedras Orc. Attacks! Randomly shuffle Vassal of the Windlord into Out-of-Play deck. Envoy of Pelargir defends. Shadow: Orc Skirmisher (+1 attack). Envoy is destroyed (+2 attack to Eomer).
Eomer + Gandalf declare an attack on Methedras Orc, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 32.
Raise threat to 34 to keep Gandalf in play.
Round 3
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (1), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Horn of Gondor
Planning Phase
Play: Horn of Gondor (Eomer -1). Attach to Eowyn.
Play: Knights of the Swan. Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 35).
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf (does not exhaust). Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Prowling Wolf
Total threat: 3
Place 4 progress on Orc Cave, exploring it. Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2B (3).
Search 5: Rohan Warhorse, Minas Tirith Lampwright, Feint, Isengard Messanger, Keys of Orthanc. Add Rohan Warhorse to hand.
Travel Phase
No travel.
Encounter Phase
Engage Prowling Wolf.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Prowling Wolf. Attacks! Grima defends. Shadow: Methedras Orc (remove 1 Time Counter if character destroyed). No damage dealt.
Gandalf declares an attack on Prowling Wolf, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 36.
Raise threat to 38 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (2).
Round 4
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (1), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Keys of Orthanc
Planning Phase
Play: Keys of Orthanc (Grima -1). Attach to Eomer.
Play: Firefoot (Eomer -1). Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 39).
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf (does not exhaust). Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Take Cover! Choose to remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1). Surge.
Reveal: Orc Skirmisher.
Total threat: 4
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (3).
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Skirmisher. Choose to remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Orc Skirmisher. Attacks! Gandalf defends. Shadow: Methedras (no effect). No damage dealt.
Gandalf + Eomer declare an attack on Orc Skirmisher, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 40.
Raise threat to 42 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove final Time Counter.
Reveal 1: Orc Hunter.
Additional reveal: Orc Hunting Party. Deal shadow card to Orc Hunter.
Reveal 2: Orc Hunter
Additional reveal: Orc Hunting Party. Deal shadow cards to Orc Hunter x2.
Place 2 Time Counters on stage 2.
Round 5
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (1), +1 Eowyn (3)
Draw: Knights of the Swan
Planning Phase
Play: Rohan Warhorse (Eomer -1). Attach to Eomer.
Play: Knights of the Swan. Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 43). Exhaust Keys of Orthanc. +1 resource Eomer (1).
Play: Vassal of the Windlord (Eomer -1).
Play: The Galadhrim's Greeting (Eowyn -3). Lower threat to 37.
Play: Ranger Spikes (Grima -2).
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf (does not exhaust). Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Prowling Wolf. Attach to Ranger Spikes.
Total threat: 5
Add 1 Time Counter to stage 2 (3).
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hunter x2, Prowling Wolf
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Orc Hunter x2, Prowling Wolf
Orc Hunter #2 attacks. Grima defends. Shadow 1: Mugash's Lair. Discard Keys of Orthanc. Shadow 2: Methedras (no effect). Deal 1 damage to Grima.
Orc Hunter #1 attacks. Gandalf defends. Shadow 1: Broken Lands (no locations in staging area; no added attack). Shadow #2: Take Cover! (no effect). Shadow #3: Mugash's Lair (Discard Horn of Gondor).
Prowling Wolf attacks. Undefended. Shadow: Orc Skirmisher (+1 attack). Place 2 damage on Eowyn (2/3).
Eomer declares an attack on Orc Hunter #1, destroying it. Exhaust Firefoot to deal 1 excess damage to Orc Hunter #2. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Eomer.
Eomer declares an attack on Prowling Wolf, destroying it.
Knights of Swan #1 declares an attack on Orc Hunter #2, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 38.
Raise threat to 40 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (2).
Round 6
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (1), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Unexpected Courage
Planning Phase
Play none.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf. Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Methedras.
Total threat: 3.
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (3).
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras
No engagements or combat.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 41.
Raise threat to 43 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (2).
Round 7
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (1), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Unexpected Courage
Planning Phase
Play none.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf. Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Methedras.
Total threat: 3.
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (3).
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras
No engagements or combat.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 41.
Raise threat to 43 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (2).
Round 7
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Henamarth Riversong
Planning Phase
Play: Henamarth (Grima -1).
Play: Unexpected Courage (Eowyn -2). Attach to Eomer.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf. Total willpower: 8
Reveal: Orc Hound. Surge.
Reveal: Orc Hound. Surge.
Reveal: Orc Territory. Put Methedras into play. Shuffle. No Orc enemies in play.
Total threat: 5
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Search 3: Astonishing Speed, Mugash's Guard, Gandalf. Add Mugash's Gard to the staging area. Add Astonishing Speed to hand.
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras.
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hound. Exhaust Vassal of the Windlord.
Engage Orc Hount. Exhaust Knights of Minas Tirith.
Engage Mugash's Guard.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Mugash's Guard, Orc Hound x2
Orc Hound #1 attacks. Gandalf defends. Shadow: Broken Lands (no locations in staging area; no attack boost). No damage dealt.
Orc Hound #2 attacks. Grima defends. Shadow: Methedras Orc (remove 1 Time counter if character destroyed). No damage dealt.
Mugash's Guard attacks. Henamarth Riversong defends. Shadow: Orc Hunter (enemy makes additional attack). Henemarth destroyed (+2 attack to Eomer).
Mugash's Guard attacks. Deal shadow. Westfold Horse-breeder defends. Shadow: Broken Lands (no locations in staging area; no attack boost). Horse-breeder is destroyed.
Eomer declares an attack on Orc Hound, destroying it. Exhaust Firefoot to deal 5 excess damage to Orc Hound #2, destroying it. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Eomer.
Eomer + Knights of the Swan #1 declare an attack on Mugash's Guard, destroying it and adding it to the victory display (3).
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 44.
Raise threat to 46 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 8
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Prowling Wolf.
Combat Phase
Shuffle encounter discard into encounter deck. Deal shadow card to Prowling Wolf. Attacks! Gandalf defends. Shadow: Prowling Wolf. Exhaust Vassal of the Windlord. No damage dealt.
Eomer declares an attack on Prowling Wolf, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 47.
Discard Gandalf from play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 8
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Henamarth Riversong
Planning Phase
Play: Henamarth (Grima -1).
Play: Unexpected Courage (Eowyn -2). Attach to Eomer.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf. Total willpower: 8
Reveal: Orc Hound. Surge.
Reveal: Orc Hound. Surge.
Reveal: Orc Territory. Put Methedras into play. Shuffle. No Orc enemies in play.
Total threat: 5
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Search 3: Astonishing Speed, Mugash's Guard, Gandalf. Add Mugash's Gard to the staging area. Add Astonishing Speed to hand.
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras.
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hound. Exhaust Vassal of the Windlord.
Engage Orc Hount. Exhaust Knights of Minas Tirith.
Engage Mugash's Guard.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Mugash's Guard, Orc Hound x2
Orc Hound #1 attacks. Gandalf defends. Shadow: Broken Lands (no locations in staging area; no attack boost). No damage dealt.
Orc Hound #2 attacks. Grima defends. Shadow: Methedras Orc (remove 1 Time counter if character destroyed). No damage dealt.
Mugash's Guard attacks. Henamarth Riversong defends. Shadow: Orc Hunter (enemy makes additional attack). Henemarth destroyed (+2 attack to Eomer).
Mugash's Guard attacks. Deal shadow. Westfold Horse-breeder defends. Shadow: Broken Lands (no locations in staging area; no attack boost). Horse-breeder is destroyed.
Eomer declares an attack on Orc Hound, destroying it. Exhaust Firefoot to deal 5 excess damage to Orc Hound #2, destroying it. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Eomer.
Eomer + Knights of the Swan #1 declare an attack on Mugash's Guard, destroying it and adding it to the victory display (3).
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 44.
Raise threat to 46 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 8
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Deep Knowledge.
Planning Phase
Play: None.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf. Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Prowling Wolf.
Total threat 3
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Add 1 Time Counter to stage 2B (2).
Search 3: The Galadhrim's Greeting, Vassal of the Windlord, Ranger Spikes
Add The Galadhrim's Greeting to hand.
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Deep Knowledge.
Planning Phase
Play: None.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Gandalf. Total willpower: 8.
Reveal: Prowling Wolf.
Total threat 3
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Add 1 Time Counter to stage 2B (2).
Search 3: The Galadhrim's Greeting, Vassal of the Windlord, Ranger Spikes
Add The Galadhrim's Greeting to hand.
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Prowling Wolf.
Combat Phase
Shuffle encounter discard into encounter deck. Deal shadow card to Prowling Wolf. Attacks! Gandalf defends. Shadow: Prowling Wolf. Exhaust Vassal of the Windlord. No damage dealt.
Eomer declares an attack on Prowling Wolf, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 47.
Discard Gandalf from play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 8
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (3), +1 Eomer (3), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Deep Knowledge
Planning Phase
Play: The Galadhrim's Greeting (Eowyn -2). Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 48). Lower threat to 42.
Play: Deep Knowledge (Doomed 2; raise threat to 44). Draw: Minas Tirith Lampwrigt, Westfold Horse-breeder
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Grima. Total willpower: 6
Reveal: Methedras.
Total threat: 3.
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras.
+1 Grima (3), +1 Eomer (3), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Deep Knowledge
Planning Phase
Play: The Galadhrim's Greeting (Eowyn -2). Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 48). Lower threat to 42.
Play: Deep Knowledge (Doomed 2; raise threat to 44). Draw: Minas Tirith Lampwrigt, Westfold Horse-breeder
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Grima. Total willpower: 6
Reveal: Methedras.
Total threat: 3.
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras.
No engagements or combat.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 45.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 9
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 45.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 9
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (3), +1 Eomer (3), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Ranger Spikes
Planning Phase
Play: Ranger Spikes (Grima -2).
Play: Westfold Horse-breeder (Eowyn -1). Search top 10 cards and add Rohan Warhorse to hand.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eomer, Eowyn. Total willpower: 7
Reveal: Methedras Orc. Attach to Ranger Spikes.
Total threat: 1
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Add 1 Time Counter to stage 2 (2).
Search 3: Feint, Unexpected Courage, Deep Knowledge. Add Feint to hand.
Travel Phase
No travel
No engagements or combat
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 46.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
+1 Grima (3), +1 Eomer (3), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Ranger Spikes
Planning Phase
Play: Ranger Spikes (Grima -2).
Play: Westfold Horse-breeder (Eowyn -1). Search top 10 cards and add Rohan Warhorse to hand.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eomer, Eowyn. Total willpower: 7
Reveal: Methedras Orc. Attach to Ranger Spikes.
Total threat: 1
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Add 1 Time Counter to stage 2 (2).
Search 3: Feint, Unexpected Courage, Deep Knowledge. Add Feint to hand.
Travel Phase
No travel
No engagements or combat
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 46.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 10
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (4), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: The Galadhrim's Greeting
Planning Phase
Play: None.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Grima, Eomer. Total willpower: 7
Reveal: Orc Skirmisher.
Total threat: 4
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Skirmisher. Remove 1 Time Counter from quest (1).
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Orc Skirmisher. Attacks! Vassal of the Windlord defends. Shadow: Methedras Orc (remove 1 Time Counter if character destroyed). Vassal destroyed (+2 attack to Eomer). Remove final Time Counter.
Reveal 1: Orc Cave
Reveal 2: Orc Hound. Surge.
Reveal: Orc Hunting Part. Deal shadow card to Methedras Orc, Orc Skirmisher.
Add 2 Time Counters to stage 2B.
Knights of the Swan x2 declare an attack on Orc Skirmisher, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 47.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 11
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (4), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: The Galadhrim's Greeting
Planning Phase
Play: None.
Quest Phase
Commit: Eowyn, Grima, Eomer. Total willpower: 7
Reveal: Orc Skirmisher.
Total threat: 4
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Skirmisher. Remove 1 Time Counter from quest (1).
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Orc Skirmisher. Attacks! Vassal of the Windlord defends. Shadow: Methedras Orc (remove 1 Time Counter if character destroyed). Vassal destroyed (+2 attack to Eomer). Remove final Time Counter.
Reveal 1: Orc Cave
Reveal 2: Orc Hound. Surge.
Reveal: Orc Hunting Part. Deal shadow card to Methedras Orc, Orc Skirmisher.
Add 2 Time Counters to stage 2B.
Knights of the Swan x2 declare an attack on Orc Skirmisher, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 47.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2 (1).
Round 11
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (3), +1 Eomer (5), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Isengard Messanger
Planning Phase
Play: Isengard Messanger (Grima -2)
Play: The Galadhrim's Greeting (Eown -2). Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 48). Lower threat to 42. +2 willpower to Isengard Messanger.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eomer, Eowyn, Isengard Messanger. Total willpower: 9
Reveal: Methedras. Total threat: 8
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras.
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hound.
Exhaust Unexpected Courage to ready Eomer.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow Orc Hound. Attacks! Shadow: Methedras (no effect).
Knights of the Swan #1 attacks Orc Hound, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 43.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (1).
Round 12
+1 Grima (3), +1 Eomer (5), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Isengard Messanger
Planning Phase
Play: Isengard Messanger (Grima -2)
Play: The Galadhrim's Greeting (Eown -2). Use Grima's ability (Doomed 1; raise threat to 48). Lower threat to 42. +2 willpower to Isengard Messanger.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eomer, Eowyn, Isengard Messanger. Total willpower: 9
Reveal: Methedras. Total threat: 8
Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras.
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hound.
Exhaust Unexpected Courage to ready Eomer.
Combat Phase
Deal shadow Orc Hound. Attacks! Shadow: Methedras (no effect).
Knights of the Swan #1 attacks Orc Hound, destroying it.
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 43.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (1).
Round 12
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (6), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Gandalf
Planning Phase
Play: Gandalf (Grima -1, Eomer -4).
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Gandalf, Isengard Messanger. Total willpower: 11.
Reveal: Methedras
Total threat: 8
Discard Rohan Warhorse to give Eowyn +1 willpower. Updated willpower: 12.
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Search 3: Horn of Gondor, Minas Tirith Lampwright, Mugash. Add Mugas to the staging area. Add Horn of Gondor to my hand.
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras
Encounter Phase
Engage Mugash
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Mugash.
Play: Feint (Eomer -1). Choose Mugash to not attack.
Eomer + Knights of the Swan x3 declare an attack on Mugash, destroying him. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Eomer. Attach Mugash to Eomer, exhausting Eomer.
Refresh Phase
Ready all (except Eomer). Raise threat to 44.
Raise threat to 46 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (1)
Round 13
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (6), +1 Eowyn (1)
Draw: Gandalf
Planning Phase
Play: Gandalf (Grima -1, Eomer -4).
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Gandalf, Isengard Messanger. Total willpower: 11.
Reveal: Methedras
Total threat: 8
Discard Rohan Warhorse to give Eowyn +1 willpower. Updated willpower: 12.
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Place 1 Time Counter on stage 2 (2).
Search 3: Horn of Gondor, Minas Tirith Lampwright, Mugash. Add Mugas to the staging area. Add Horn of Gondor to my hand.
Travel Phase
Travel to Methedras
Encounter Phase
Engage Mugash
Combat Phase
Deal shadow card to Mugash.
Play: Feint (Eomer -1). Choose Mugash to not attack.
Eomer + Knights of the Swan x3 declare an attack on Mugash, destroying him. Exhaust Rohan Warhorse to ready Eomer. Attach Mugash to Eomer, exhausting Eomer.
Refresh Phase
Ready all (except Eomer). Raise threat to 44.
Raise threat to 46 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 2B (1)
Round 13
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Envoy of Pelargir
Planning Phase
Play: Envoy of Pelargir (Grima -2). Add 1 resource to Eowyn's pool.
Play: Minas Tirith Lampwright (Eowyn -1).
Play: Horn of Gondor (Eomer -1). Attach to Eowyn.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Gandalf (does not exhaust), Westfold Horse-breeder, Envoy of Pelargir.
Total willpower: 12
Reveal: Orc Hunter. Choose to remove 1 Time Counter from quest (1).
Total threat: 6
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Advance to stage 3.
Search 3: Westfold Horse-breeder (add to hand). Out-of-Play deck exhausted.
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hunter, Methedras Orc
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Orc Hunter, Methedras Orc.
Orc Hunter attacks. Minas Tirith Lampwright defends. Shadow: Orc Territory (no effect). Minas Tirith Lampwright is destroyed. +1 resource to Eowyn (Horn of Gondor).
Knights of the Swan x2 attack Orc Hunter, destroying it
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 47.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 3B (2)
Raise threat to 49 to keep Gandalf in play.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 3B (2).
Round 14
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (4)
Draw: Isengard Messanger
Planning Phase
Play: Westfold Horse-breeder. Search top 10 cards and add Firefoot to hand.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Westfold Horse-breeder x2, Envoy of Pelargir, Isengard Messenger, Gandalf (does not exhaust). Total willpower: 14
Discard Rohan Warhorse to give Eowyn +1 willpower (15).
Play: Astonishing Speed (Eowyn -3). +8 total willpower (23).
Reveal: Take Cover. Remove 1 Time Counter from quest (1). Surge.
Reveal: Orc Hunter. Choose to reveal additional card: Prowling Wolf.
Total threat: 9
Place 14 progress on stage 3B (14/15).
Loss by 1 progress point!
Alright, here's the deal: it really seems like there is a massive luck factor in this quest (see The Recap) and I'm a bit tired of playing it. I don't want to throw myself at another three playthroughs to get the right combination showing up allowing me to search for and locate Mugash. So, I'm going to fudge this one and back up to the point where I had to decide about keeping Gandalf or not (a decision I debated).
Return Take Cover!, Orc Hunter, Prowling Wolf to the encounter deck. Shuffle.
Return Isengard Messanger, Firefoot to the player deck. Shuffle.
Return Astonishing Speed Westfold Horse-breeder to hand.
Discard Gandalf from play.
Round 14(b)
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (4)
Draw: Envoy of Pelargir
Planning Phase
Play: Envoy of Pelargir (Eomer -2). Add 1 resource to Eowyn's pool (5).
Play: Westfold Horse-breeder. Search top 10 cards and add Firefoot to hand.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Westfold Horse-breeder x2, Envoy of Pelargir x2, Isengard Messanger. Total willpower: 12
Reveal: Mugash's Lair
Total threat: 8
Play: Astonishing Speed (Eowyn -3). +8 total willpower. Updated willpower: 21
Discard Firefoot to give Eowyn +1 willpower. Updated willpower: 22.
Play: Deep Knowledge (Doomed 2; raise threat to 49). +1 willpower to Isengard Messanger. Updated willpower: 23.
Place 15 progress on stage 3B, winning the game!
+1 Grima (2), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (2)
Draw: Envoy of Pelargir
Planning Phase
Play: Envoy of Pelargir (Grima -2). Add 1 resource to Eowyn's pool.
Play: Minas Tirith Lampwright (Eowyn -1).
Play: Horn of Gondor (Eomer -1). Attach to Eowyn.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Gandalf (does not exhaust), Westfold Horse-breeder, Envoy of Pelargir.
Total willpower: 12
Reveal: Orc Hunter. Choose to remove 1 Time Counter from quest (1).
Total threat: 6
Place 3 progress on Methedras, exploring it. Advance to stage 3.
Search 3: Westfold Horse-breeder (add to hand). Out-of-Play deck exhausted.
Travel Phase
No travel
Encounter Phase
Engage Orc Hunter, Methedras Orc
Combat Phase
Deal shadow cards to Orc Hunter, Methedras Orc.
Orc Hunter attacks. Minas Tirith Lampwright defends. Shadow: Orc Territory (no effect). Minas Tirith Lampwright is destroyed. +1 resource to Eowyn (Horn of Gondor).
Knights of the Swan x2 attack Orc Hunter, destroying it
Refresh Phase
Ready all. Raise threat to 47.
Remove 1 Time Counter from stage 3B (2)
Alright, here's the deal: it really seems like there is a massive luck factor in this quest (see The Recap) and I'm a bit tired of playing it. I don't want to throw myself at another three playthroughs to get the right combination showing up allowing me to search for and locate Mugash. So, I'm going to fudge this one and back up to the point where I had to decide about keeping Gandalf or not (a decision I debated).
Return Take Cover!, Orc Hunter, Prowling Wolf to the encounter deck. Shuffle.
Return Isengard Messanger, Firefoot to the player deck. Shuffle.
Return Astonishing Speed Westfold Horse-breeder to hand.
Discard Gandalf from play.
Round 14(b)
Resource Phase
+1 Grima (1), +1 Eomer (2), +1 Eowyn (4)
Draw: Envoy of Pelargir
Planning Phase
Play: Envoy of Pelargir (Eomer -2). Add 1 resource to Eowyn's pool (5).
Play: Westfold Horse-breeder. Search top 10 cards and add Firefoot to hand.
Quest Phase
Commit: Grima, Eowyn, Westfold Horse-breeder x2, Envoy of Pelargir x2, Isengard Messanger. Total willpower: 12
Reveal: Mugash's Lair
Total threat: 8
Play: Astonishing Speed (Eowyn -3). +8 total willpower. Updated willpower: 21
Discard Firefoot to give Eowyn +1 willpower. Updated willpower: 22.
Play: Deep Knowledge (Doomed 2; raise threat to 49). +1 willpower to Isengard Messanger. Updated willpower: 23.
Place 15 progress on stage 3B, winning the game!
The Recap
Despite being an enemy-heavy quest, this felt like The Hills of Emyn Muil all over again: sitting around and waiting for the right locations. For many of the attempts I had solid draws and a good force building, only to run into a lack of Search keywords before threating out. Without threat reduction, pure luck is needed to get Search locations + draw Mugash early on. Allowing the player to discard one card from the Out-of-Play deck every time they destroyed an enemy (even limiting that to Orc enemies) would have been a great fix for this one. As it is, the quest seems simply broken to me. The idea of the out-of-play deck, a hiding enemy, and Search keywords sounds like a fantastic idea, but the execution did not work out.
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