Deck of the Day #7:
Consorting With Wizards

by Matthew Clemans (mattclemans@insightbb.com)

Realms of the Elf-lords introduces the second of the Wizards of Middle-earth – the treacherous Saruman. The two versions of Saruman are equally matched in power and abilities. This deck uses the common Saruman to direct your powerful fighting Uruk-hai to overwhelm or just kill your opponent's companions one by one. The fellowship uses a strong Gondor component with support from Gandalf to wade through anything your opponent can throw at you and last through until the end.

Aragorn is your only starting companion. With three Boromirs and three Gandalfs, you should get another companion pretty fast. If not, Aragorn allows you to play cards – Shards of Narsil, Ranger Sword, and even Arwen without increasing the twilight pool too much after you move. Once you get another companion out, you can really start to run. Against Uruk-hai, you can arm Aragorn and Boromir with Armor and not worry about the Damage +1. The strength events will help you win skirmishes while Might of Numenor can help you to absorb wounds when you double move. Even though there is no archery in the deck, A Ranger's Versatility performs an important function. Many popular Shadow cards require a minion to exert; Hate, Isengard Orcs, and Ulaire Cantea for example, if they are exhausted, they lose their main offensive punch. Shards of Narsil allow you to save them if you draw into them underground as well. Then when you pull them back into your hand, Aragorn can remove that pool when you move. Also, since Aragorn has the Frodo signet, you can transfer wounds from Frodo to him in dire need.

The Shadow half of this deck is based around killing companions en masse. The first trick is to get wound tokens on them. You can do this with the Damage +1 of all the Uruk-hai. Bred for Battle and Saruman's Ambition will help you to win skirmishes. Also, One of You Must do This can force your opponent to exert his companions. A pair of those can exhaust a few companions if you are lucky. Once the companions are exhausted, Saruman swoops in for the kill. You can counter Saruman's ability to assign minions to a skirmish if your opponent can exert his companion – if he's exhausted, Saruman has free reign. If your opponent manages to get out a lot of companions, the Warriors and Fighters become fierce and can lay even more hurt on your opponent's large fellowship. The Uruk Scouts are to protect Saruman from A Ranger's Versatility – especially at high sites. Beyond the Height of Men gets rid of annoying Armor while No Business of Ours protects you from cards like the Mirror of Galadriel.

Ring-bearer
    Frodo, Son of Drogo
    The One Ring, the Ruling Ring

Adventure Deck
    [1] The Prancing Pony
    [2] Breeland Forest
    [3] Rivendell Terrace
    [4] Hollin
    [5] The Bridge of Khazad-dum
    [6] Caras Galadhon
    [7] Anduin Confluence
    [8] Shores of Nen Hithoel
    [9] Slopes of Amon Hen

Free Peoples (34)
    Boromir, Defender of Minas Tirith x3
    Aragorn, Heir to the White City (starting)
    Gandalf, the Grey Wizard x3
    Arwen, Elven Ranger
    Ranger Sword x2
    Armor x2
    Athelas x2
    Shards of Narsil
    A Ranger's Versatility x3
    Sentinels of Numenor x3
    Might of Numenor x2
    Swordsman of the Northern Kingdon x2
    We Must Go Warily x2
    Elendil's Valor x2
    Intimidate x3
    Sleep, Caradhras x2

Shadow (34)
    Saruman, Servant of the Eye x3
    Uruk Rager x4
    Uruk Warrior x4
    Uruk Fighter x4
    Uruk Ravager x4
    Uruk Scout x3
    Lurtz, Servant of Isengard
    Saruman's Ambition x4
    One of You Must Do This x3
    Bred For Battle x2
    Beyond the Height of Men
    No Business of Ours

The common Saruman is strong – his rare version is just as strong. Come back next time and look for a deck based around that rogue wizard.

July 1, 2002