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Realms of the Elf-lords Contest #4:
Pro Player Draft
Ted Vessenes' Draft Choices
First, let me explain why I chose the Aragorn starter. Aragorn is the
largest starting companion of all the decks (8 power). Additionally, the
deck comes with 2 Hobbit Swords. Since the easiest way to lose a game of
sealed deck is to get overwhelmed, Hobbit Sword is amazing because it ups
Frodo's overwhelm threshold from 8 power to 12 power. This is the single
biggest problem with the Gimli starter, incidently. Even though the Aragorn
deck includes some chaff (eg. Eregion's Trails), it's solid overall. There
aren't quite as many good companions as a Gandalf deck, but the swords and
combat pump cards should make up for this.
The other reason for picking the Aragorn/Isengard starter deck is that
when the draft packs are from Realms of the Elflords, you are more likely
to open Gondor, Elf, Isengard, and Sauron cards. This makes a Gandalf deck
a dangerous choice. It's unlikely your minion draft choices will match with
the Moria swarm strategy, and the fellowship is so spread out between cultures
that almost every fellowship card is "off-culture". The Aragorn starter
is by far the best match for the draft. None of the other decks come even
close. Also, the Damage +1 Uruk-hai give you another Shadow-side victory
path besides overwhelming Frodo. The deck also includes the greatest number
of 8+ power minions for the minimum cost.
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First pick: Arwen, Lady Undomiel
For the moment, ignore the fact that you will never have two homesite 3
elf allies and the Gandalf signet is useless. Arwen is a warm body, nothing
more. Arwen stops Frodo from being overwhelmed by skirmishing with an additional
minion that Frodo would otherwise have to face. She essentially provides
the effect of three stealth cards in one convenient package. Arwen can lose
two skirmishes and then die in her third skirmish, meaning she accounts
for three oncoming minions. When one card in your deck handles three cards
in your opponent's deck, you're in good shape.
Realistically, I would take a companion over almost any other card in
the pack. Even Lorien Elf, which only has 2 Vitality and requires spotting
an elf, is twice as good as Hobbit Stealth. But the fact that Arwen is a
3 Vitality companion with a mid-range strength makes her an amazing selection.
Almost every companion is a first pick in draft, and Arwen is no exception.
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Second Pick: Ulaire Otsea, Ringwraith in Twilight
I'm pretty torn whether Otsea or the Warrior should be the second pick,
but I sided with Otsea for a couple of reasons. Of course, Otsea is far
superior in every starter deck choice except the Aragorn starter. There
is a huge difference between 7 and 9 power minions Frodo without
a Hobbit Sword can skirmish 7 power minions but not 9 power minions. So
the only reason to possibly play the Warrior is if you think his spot 3
wounds and exert text is a likely situation to occur in game. Having Frodo
be exhausted will almost never happen unless your deck is stocked full of
Damage +1 minions hence the vast superiority of Otsea in non-Uruk
decks.
But even with a bunch of Uruk-hai, it's unlikely that Frodo will become
exhausted. Most of the minions in the Uruk-hai deck have 8+ power. Only
two minions (the two Uruk Soldiers) cannot be boosted up to 8 strength using
Bred for Battle. So if Frodo doesn't have a sword, he's probably staying
out of combat anyway, so he won't be exhausted. Once Frodo gets a sword,
he wins skirmishes versus the three Uruk Savages in your deck. And if your
opponent knows the Isengard Warrior is coming, he or she can play around
it by taking burdens instead of wounds. All of this adds up to a useful
but inconsistant ability. Your deck is just better off with a 9 power homesite
3 minion.
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Third Pick: Isengard Warrior
So even if this guy is just a vanilla 7/3 homesite 4 minion, he's still
an attacker, so he'll make the deck. The more minions in your deck, the
better your chances of overwhelming Frodo. And who knows maybe you'll
get lucky and exert the opposing fellowship once.
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Last Pick: Might of Numenor
This is not a bad draft card by any stretch of the imagination. On average
you will heal 2 wounds. This generally turns into extra exertions with Boromir.
The problem is that the card is inconsistant and you need wounded companions
for it to work in the first place. So often the card will rot in your hand
until it's appropriate to play it, and you could still hit a 0 or 1. Don't
get me wrong the card is far better than some of the chaff in the
starter deck, and it could easily let your companions deal with an extra
2-3 minions. If you draft it, it will automatically go into your deck. But
the other card choices (Arwen and the two Minions) are far more consistent
and powerful.
Don't take this card early in a draft because it should come to you towards
the middle or even later. Remember, it's the only card of the four choices
which has a play requirement excluding it from most decks (spot a Gondor
companion). Might of Numenor will get picked later than its power level
reflects for this reason. You're better off taking power cards that go in
every deck companions and minions.
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Ted Vessenes
June 12, 2002
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