The Beauty, the Bookworm and the Beast(-Slayer) 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

Introduction

That's an updated version of https://ringsdb.com/deck/view/306075 using the new Glorfindel to show his might to take down Balrogs (and other beasts) single-handed. He has 5 when attacking alone and even 7 against unique foes right from start! And that he belongs to Tactics improves the consistency of the deck considerably!

I love Forth, The Three Hunters!, as it feels like a RPG with a group of heroes armed to the teeth, and I love Noldor and their discard mechanism, so I created this deck with Erestor the king of discard, the fair Arwen Undómiel and the now even mightier Glorfindel. I have a lot of fun playing this deck, as it offers many little choices (when to discard which card, side quests, who gets which (restricted) attachment, ..) througout the game.

Heroes

Arwen Undómiel is the main quester and her ability is of course very useful, as you want to buy as many cards as possible before discarding them at the end of the round. To prevent discarding useful cards when you don't have enough ressources at the moment, Silver Harp is very powerful to keep key cards in your hand. And it helps to use all the crazy discard actions (Protector of Lórien, Elven Spear, her own ability, ...). Silver Circlet, Steed of Imladris and Windfola are other nice attachments for her.

Glorfindel is the attacker, that can hit quite powerful right from start and even more with some elven forged weapons: Elven Spear, Rivendell Blade, Legacy Blade and most important War Axe. Ok, I am not sure if elves forge axes, but I am pretty confident that they could if they wanted ;-)

Erestor is the defender who can handle even strong enemies with Protector of Lórien, Relic of Nargothrond and A Burning Brand. He should be the first target for readying like Magic Ring, Lembas, Unexpected Courage or Miruvor. The new Relic of Nargothrond fits perfectly to the discard mechanism and can be played from your discard pile.

Attachments

Speaking of Miruvor: This is a great card for an Erestor deck, as you can use it for readying and than put it back on top of your deck for the next round. Even if you cannot effort in a round, you can use it to generate a spirit ressource and put it back on top. You don't loose much momentum as you draw 4 cards each round. And in mid and end game you have enough ressources to use it each round as an extra action.

Light of Valinor is best used with Erestor, so he his ready for defending and his willpower can be increased with Protector of Lórien. Onward Into Battle enables Glorfindel to quest and attack, the Rohan Warhorse lets him crush two enemies in a row!

Half-pint is a nice addition and can be used to either put itself or an item from your discard pile back on top of your deck, that you couldn't efford earlier in the game.

The 0 cost restricted attachments like Legacy Blade, Round Shield and Elven Spear are also a nice option to fullfil Forth, The Three Hunters! when only one restricted attachment is missing, as they can be used by any of the heroes.

The first Golden Belt should be used by Glorfindel, the next one either by Arwen Undómiel or Erestor.

Events

The events should be self-explanatory. Elven-light and Daeron's Runes increase your card draw, Elrond's Counsel delivers free (!) threat reduction with 1 as icing on the cake and teaches us, that sometimes you should listen to your father ;-)

Side quests

The side quests make the deck more interesting, have useful effects and after resolving 1 or 2, Legacy Blade becomes a formidable weapon. During some quests I was lucky to have Glorfindel equipped with 2 of them and resolved all 3 side quests for a nice boost of +6 . In theory you could attack an unique enemy with 2 Legacy Blade, a War Axe and Elven Spear with 20 ! ;-)

If you prefer to play with less cards, remove all side quests and Legacy Blade, but this lessens also the fun playing this deck...

Sideboard

For multiplayer Elven Mail and Rivendell Bow might be added from the sideboard for Erestor. If the quest includes a lot of locations, The Evening Star and/or Box of Earth might be worth to use. Also the Stone of Elostirion would be nice for Arwen Undómiel, if the guarded keyword can be handled. For longer or discard forcing quests 1 or 2 Will of the West could be added.