Power of the Noldor 1.0

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• 1.0

POWER OF THE NOLDOR

"What power still remains lies with us, here in Imladris, or with Círdan at the Havens, or in Lórien. But have they the strength, have we here the strength to withstand the Enemy, the coming of Sauron at the last, when all else is overthrown?"

--Galdor at the Council of Elrond, LotR II, p.348

DECK OVERVIEW

This is a heavily thematic Noldor deck that revolves around the mechanic of drawing cards, discarding them for effects, then recycling them from the discard pile. It's hella fun, as the kids may or may not still say, and quite effective when it all comes together.

HEROES & ATTACHMENTS

Arwen Undómiel 3(6) 1(4) 2(5) 3 Spirit
The Evenstar will use her effect to give any hero 1 resource (usually Galadriel after she acquires Nenya), then ride off to quest on a Steed of Imladris. Given her Lórien roots, she is also a Protector of Lórien.

Erestor 2(5) 2(4) 3(7) 4 Lore
The chief counsellor of Imladris is the designated defender with A Burning Brand, Cloak of Lórien & Protector of Lórien. Light of Valinor & Steed of Imladris let him quest each round, provide some location progress, then defend. When required, Arwen Undómiel or Erestor can attack with Fair and Perilous for 4 .

Galadriel 4(5) 0 0 4 Spirit/Lore
The Lady of the Golden Wood gets her usual artifacts, Nenya & Mirror of Galadriel, and sings To the Sea, to the Sea!. Unexpected Courage & Miruvor let her exhaust to draw 1 card & lower your threat by 1 with her effect, then exhaust again to use Nenya to give Arwen Undómiel or Erestor +4-5 . Nenya also lets her pay for cards.

ALLIES & EVENTS

Except for Galadhrim Weaver, all of the allies are Noldor who can be played at a discount with To the Sea, to the Sea! and have their stats boosted with Lords of the Eldar & Fair and Perilous.

Generally, allies will handle most of the combat. Galdor of the Havens or Gildor Inglorion can become a stout defender with A Burning Brand & Cloak of Lórien. Glorfindel has a self-readying effect and can use Fair and Perilous to attack for 6 (8 with Lords of the Eldar). With their high , Gildor Inglorion & Elrond are also good targets for Fair and Perilous.

When not needed for combat, all of the allies can contribute to the quest and, thanks to Galadriel, they won't exhaust to do so on the turn they enter play. Elrond, Gildor Inglorion & Glorfindel are especially good at questing. Galdor of the Havens & Lindir also contribute card drawing, while Imladris Caregiver & Elrond provide healing & condition control.

PLAYING THE DECK

Mulligan for To the Sea, to the Sea! (30% chance in your opening hand of 6). Elven-light would be nice, too (same chance), but is not crucial. Your final starting hand will be 10-11 cards: 6 from your initial hand + 1 from the normal draw + 3 from Erestor's effect + 1 from Galadriel's effect, giving you an almost certain chance of drawing at least one of the large (3-cost or greater) allies. The high initial draw will allow you to discard 1 card for Arwen's effect and another 3-4 to play a large ally with To the Sea, to the Sea!, in addition to playing a key attachment or two or another ally like Elven Jeweler or Galadhrim Weaver.

Due to Erestor's effect, you will have to discard all cards in your hand at the end of each round, putting a premium on discarding effects to get the most out of each hand. Cards that require or enable discarding include Arwen Undómiel, Elven Jeweler, Glorfindel, Imladris Caregiver, Protector of Lórien, Steed of Imladris & To the Sea, to the Sea!. Optional cards to consider include Guardian of Rivendell & Lindon Navigator.

Good cards to discard for the above effects include Elven-light, Lords of the Eldar & Glorfindel (all of which can be played from the discard pile), as well as extra copies of unique cards, of which there are many. Elven-light is a key card as it allows continuous card drawing, discarding, and recycling. Optional cards to consider include Elwing's Flight & The Evening Star.

Since you may have to discard a card or two you don't want to, card recycling is provided by Galadhrim Weaver & Will of the West. Optionally, Stand and Fight, and the less-thematic Dwarven Tomb are good, too.

CARDS BY FUNCTION

9 Resource Acceleration/Cost Discount: Arwen Undómiel, Elven Jeweler, Miruvor, To the Sea, to the Sea!

4 Resource Smoothing: Arwen Undómiel, Nenya

4 Player Deck Control: Gildor Inglorion, Mirror of Galadriel

11 Card Drawing: Erestor, Galadriel, Elrond, Galdor of the Havens, Lindir, Elven-light; Optional: Gandalf, Daeron's Runes

14 Card Discarding: Arwen Undómiel, Elven Jeweler, Glorfindel, Imladris Caregiver, Protector of Lórien, To the Sea, to the Sea!; Optional: Guardian of Rivendell, Lindon Navigator

15 Card Recycling: Galadhrim Weaver, Glorfindel, Miruvor, Elven-light, Lords of the Eldar, Will of the West; Optional: Dwarven Tomb, Stand and Fight

4 Threat Reduction: Galadriel, Elrond's Counsel; Optional: Gandalf, The Galadhrim's Greeting

12 Willpower Boost: Miruvor, Nenya, Protector of Lórien, Elrond's Counsel, Lords of the Eldar; Optional: Sailor of Lune, Elwing's Flight

4 Attack Boost: Fair and Perilous, Lords of the Eldar

6 Defense Boost: Cloak of Lórien, Protector of Lórien, Lords of the Eldar

2 Treachery Control: A Test of Will

2 Shadow Control: A Burning Brand; Optional: Hasty Stroke

2 Location Progress: Steed of Imladris; Optional: Asfaloth, The Evening Star

8 Readying: Glorfindel, Light of Valinor, Miruvor, Unexpected Courage; Optional: Lindon Navigator, Lembas, Elwing's Flight

4 Healing: Elrond, Imladris Caregiver; Optional: Lembas

2 Condition Control: Elrond