Solo Silvans 3.0

• Versions
• 3.0
• 2.0
• 1.0

This is a pretty basic quad-sphere Silvan deck that is geared to be fun and thematic (hence the lack of Steward of Gondor). I generally play this solo, but there is no reason it wouldn't work with more players. It plays pretty straightforwardly, but there are a number of fun things you can do:

Questing

It is very important to get Nenya out ASAP so that Galadriel can contribute her 4 when needed and so that you have access to during the planning phase for The Tree People. Naith Guide is also a great card to see in your opening hand, as she can quest for 2 and allow Celeborn to stay ready for combat right out of the gate. If Nenya takes awhile to show up, the deck can stall, but with Galadriel keeping your threat low and drawing an extra card each turn you should be able to weather the storm and eventually get going. Eventually, Host of Galadhrim will allow you to make large questing pushes while still being ready to handle enemies.

Defense

Thranduil is the main defender, but he should really only be used sparingly since he can be a bit fragile. Cloak of Lórien is an incredibly powerful card for quests with forest locations. The lion's share of defense should be handled by a combination of Feigned Voices (hopefully recycled by your Galadhrim Weavers) and Greenwood Defenders who can defend multiple times for 3 when they enter play. Thranduil's combat action allows for all kinds of fun shenanigans, including playing Galadhrim Minstrel to try and grab a Feigned Voices for immediate usage. Quicker Than Sight can be clutch, but can also be subbed out for quests that are lighter on nasty shadow effects. If you need to chump, you can always pull back your fallen allies with Orophin.

Attack

Between Legolas, Rúmil, Marksman of Lórien, and Greenwood Archer, you should have little trouble amassing attack power. The Marksman of Lórien can essentially bring 6 to the table on the round it enters play. By the late game, even Balrogs will be experiencing doubts when they find themselves facing a fully boosted and ready Host of Galadhrim.

Miscellaneous Strategy

With no Steward of Gondor, resource generation runs based on O Lórien!, Tighten Our Belts, and the constant smoothing ability of Thranduil. The Tree People is another key piece to this engine, hopefully allowing you to pull back a 1-cost ally (or Galion) to bring out someone more expensive. Galion is such a great card that I can see the argument for running multiple of him, but one copy of Silvan Refugee works almost as well and prevents the build-up of dead cards in hand. Don't forget to always target the Silvan Refugee for return to hand events!!!

Card draw is accomplished through Galadriel, Galadhrim Minstrel, and The Tree People. Galadhrim Minstrel is especially important to dig out the return to hand events to keep your engine going. Given this, I feel comfortable running a 52-card deck.

Healing is accomplished via Silvan Trackers. It is quite satisfying to be able to soak and heal archery or other direct damage continually from admittedly squishy Silvan allies.

Action advantage is mainly achieved through recurring Naith Guides and Greenwood Archers strategically. In addition, Unexpected Courage (for Galadriel), The Elvenking (which can go on either Celeborn or Thranduil depending on the demands of the quest), and Light of Valinor (for Celeborn) should combine to ensure that your heroes are able to contribute wherever they are needed.

Sideboard

• Haldir of Lórien is a great thematic fit, but this deck already has allies who can quest as well, attack as well, and defend as well for lower cost. If playing multiplayer, he is probably worth including to provide more ranged and sentinel.
• Galadhon Archer can be subbed in for Marksman of Lórien if you want a cheaper alternative (and the quest is lighter on high enemies).
• Armored Destrier is great for quests that include enemy swarm so that Thranduil can defend twice per round.
• Hithlain, Island Amid Perils, and Power of Orthanc are tech cards against location-heavy quests, threat-heavy quests, and nasty condition attachments, respectively.
• Lembas and Elf Guide are fun cards, but I find that they are usually just on the outside looking in when I narrow my deck down.

Silvans are by far my favorite archetype to play in this game, even if they are not quite top-tier in terms of raw power. Hope you enjoy the deck, and suggestions welcome!