Decks for Casual Play

[DM_Eonwe]

Based on Thorsten's Starter and Beginner Decks I created five Wizards decks for casual play since most of us have played MECCG a couple of years ago and also others CCGs. Do you have any input for me? Are the decks (more or less) equally strong? Unfortunately, the deck list is in German. No hazard cards yet! Thanks a lot!

[Shapeshifter]

All decks are fine for casual play of course.

Some remarks, though:

A deck consists of at least 30 ressources and 30 hazards.
In tournaments you may include 3 wizards in your deck, this is also adopted to casual play by most players.

Some of your decks have no allies. This is ok but be aware that your opponent might double MPs from allies this way.

Ringfinder-deck: This deck tries too much in my opinion. Try to concentrate on destroying the One Ring. All other MP-ressources, except the Scroll and the gold rings, aren't needed. Don't put two Cracks of Doom in the deck. If you play with sideboard put the Cracks in there.

Weitblickende Steine (Seeing Stones): Your company will most probably get slaughtered. You are not very well protected. Put in some more Concealments, Risk Blows and the like.

[DM_Eonwe]

Thanks a lot, Shapeshifter, for your input! Before I will update the decks, some clarifications.

A deck consists of at least 30 ressources and 30 hazards.
In tournaments you may include 3 wizards in your deck, this is also adopted to casual play by most players.

Do wizards and characters count towards the 30 cards limit?

Some of your decks have no allies. This is ok but be aware that your opponent might double MPs from allies this way.

How so?

Ringfinder-deck: This deck tries too much in my opinion. Try to concentrate on destroying the One Ring. All other MP-ressources, except the Scroll and the gold rings, aren't needed. Don't put two Cracks of Doom in the deck. If you play with sideboard put the Cracks in there.

OK, I will do so as suggested. We do not play with sideboards. Shall I leave 2x Cracks of Doom?[/quote]

Weitblickende Steine (Seeing Stones): Your company will most probably get slaughtered. You are not very well protected. Put in some more Concealments, Risk Blows and the like.

Will do so

[Shapeshifter]

Do wizards and characters count towards the 30 cards limit?

No

Some of your decks have no allies. This is ok but be aware that your opponent might double MPs from allies this way.

How so?

If a player during the Council has MP from the following MP-category and the other player has not, those MP will get doubled: characters, allies, factions, items.

Ringfinder-deck: This deck tries too much in my opinion. Try to concentrate on destroying the One Ring. All other MP-ressources, except the Scroll and the gold rings, aren't needed. Don't put two Cracks of Doom in the deck. If you play with sideboard put the Cracks in there.

OK, I will do so as suggested. We do not play with sideboards. Shall I leave 2x Cracks of Doom?

Only one Cracks of Doom is needed to win the game. However, if you include one Cracks of Doom only in your playdeck and you draw it early then you would need to hold it in your hand all game. If you include two copies then you may discard an early Cracks without much trouble but chances will also be higher to draw one early .

[DM_Eonwe]

Thanks a lot for the quick answers! I didn't know about that rules somehow

I will update the decks accordingly now, but that may take a couple of days since I am getting visitors. I will post here again once it's done

[CCG Collector]

A deck consists of at least 30 ressources and 30 hazards.
In tournaments you may include 3 wizards in your deck, this is also adopted to casual play by most players.

It's only in the tournament rules that you're required to have 30 resources and hazards, right? I thought the minimum was 25 of each for the standard game.

[Shapeshifter]

It's only in the tournament rules that you're required to have 30 resources and hazards, right? I thought the minimum was 25 of each for the standard game.

You are right! I have never seen anybody play without the tournament rules, though. Even in casual games.

[DM_Eonwe]

Thanks for the input so far.

I am planning to change my setup a bit. I think it would be more fitting to have a Ringwraith vs Istari setup. Meaning I will have all five wizards (maybe an iconic selection for the beginning) with a thematic matching hazard deck playing against one of the ringwraiths.

What do you think?

[DM_Eonwe]

I finally had the time to update the decks and I would be happy for any feedback. Please remind that these decks are aimed for players who dont know the game and for causual play. That's why I don't use side-boards. Thanks for your input!

And sorry for the formatting, it seems there is no spoiler/hide tag available on the boards.

DEFENDERS OF THE REALM
STARTING (6)
Aragorn II
Arwen
Boromir II (with Horn of Anor)
Ioreth (with Athelas)

CHARACTERS (7)
Pallando x3
Adrazar
Anborn
Imrahil
Damrod

RESSOURCES (30)
Sapling of the White Tree
Sword of Gondolin
Narsil
Rangers of the North
Men of Anórien
Men of Lamedon
Men of Lebennin
Knights of Dol Amroth
Noble Hound
Choice of Lúthien
Return of the King
Sentinels of Númenor x3
Gates of Morning x3
Star of High Hope x2
Old Road x2
Dark Quarrels x2
Sun x2
Eyes of Mandos
Concealment x3
Lordly Presence

HAZARDS (30)
CREATURES (16)
Watcher in the Water x3
Wargs x2
Wolves x2
Lesser Spiders x3
Giant Spiders x3
Cave Worm x3
EVENTS (14)
Wake of War x2
Seized by Terror x2
Twilight x2
River x2
Full of Froth and Rage x3
Lure of Nature x3

SITES (15)
Dol Amroth
Haudh-in-Gwanûr
Isle of the Ulond
Minas Tirith
Pelargir
Vale of Erech
Tolfalas
The Stones
Bree
Urlurtsu Nurn
Ruined Signal Tower
Rivendell
Edhellond
Lórien
Grey Havens

INTO THE DEPTHS
STARTING (6)
Glorfindel II (with Dagger of Westernesse)
Elrohir
Elladan
Annalena (with Elven Cloak)

CHARACTERS (7)
Alatar x3
Galdor
Gildor Inglorion
Thranduil
Legolas

RESSOURCES (30)
Aiglos
Dragon-helm
Orcrist
Dwarven Light-stone
Noldo-lantern
Elves of Lindon
Wood-elves
Noble Hound
Vein of Arda
To the Uttermost Foundations
The Evenstar x2
Gates of Morning x3
Block x2
Kindling of the Spirit
Secret Ways x2
Star of High Hope x2
Fair Travels in Shadow-lands x2
Lore of the Ages
Fellowship x2
Lucky Strike x2
Ford

HAZARDS (30)
CREATURES (18)
Knights of the Prince
Stout Men of Gondor
Sellswords Between Charters x3
Lawless Men x3
Corsairs of Umbar x2
Brigands x3
Ambusher x3
Abductor x2
EVENTS (12)
Lure of Nature x2
Rank upon Rank x3
Seized by Terror x2
Thrice Outnumbered x1
Tidings of Bold Spies x2
Twilight x2

SITES (15)
Thranduil's Halls
Cameth Brin
Bree
Mount Gundabad
Dol Guldur
Mount Gram
Moria
The Under-gates
The Under-vaults
The Under-leas
The Sulfur-deeps
Rivendell
Edhellond
Lórien
Grey Havens

FAR-SEEING STONES
STARTING (6)
Éowyn
Éomer (with Black Arrow)
Galadriel (with Elf-stone)
Celeborn

CHARACTERS (7)
Saruman x3
Gamling the Old
Haldir
Théoden
Peath

RESSOURCES (30)
Red Arrow
Palantír of Annúminas
Palantír of Osgiliath
Palantír of Orthanc
Great-shield of Rohan
Sword of Gondolin
Riders of Rohan
Dunlendings
Treebeard
First of the Order
Align Palantír x2
Fellowship x2
Thorough Search x2
Nenya
Mirror of Galadriel
Risky Blow x2
Concealment x2
A Friend or Three x2
Praise to Elbereth
Use Palantír
Ford
Secret Passage
Lucky Strike
Block

HAZARDS (30)
CREATURS (15)
Stirring Bones x3
Slayer x3
Corpse-candle x3
Chill Douser x3
Barrow-wight x3
EVENTS (15)
Dragon-sickness x2
Foolish Words
Covetous Thoughts
The Moon Is Dead x3
Lure of Expedience x3
Lure of Nature x3
Twilight x2

SITES (15)
Glittering Caves
Buhr Widu
Dunnish Clan-hold
Edoras
Isengard
Moria
Wellinghall
Cirith Ungol
Dead Marshes
Mount Gundabad
Sarn Goriwing
Rivendell
Edhellond
Lórien
Grey Havens

RINGFINDER
STARTING (6)
Frodo (with Star-glass)
Sam Gamgee (with Elven Cloak)
Merry
Pippin

CHARACTERS (7)
Gandalf x3
Fatty Bolger
Bilbo
Robin Smallburrow
Folco Boffin

RESSOURCES (30)
Precious Gold Ring x3
The One Ring
Scroll of Isildur
Sting
Hobbits
Goldberry
Gwaihir
Wizard's Test x2
Hobbit-lore
Narya
Halfling Strength x2
Halfling Stealth x3
Cracks of Doom x2
Stars
Far-sight x2
Gates of Morning x2
Stealth x2
Concealment
Secret Passage
Ford

HAZARDS (30)
CREATURS (16)
Orc-watch x3
Orc-warband x3
Orc-lieutenant x3
Orc-guard x3
Hobgoblins x3
Little Snuffler
EVENTS (14)
Doors of Night x3
Choking Shadows
An Unexpected Outpost x2
Lure of Nature x2
Twilight x2
Two or Three Tribes Present
Minions Stir x3

SITES (15)
Moria
Bag End
Old Forest
Gladden Fields
Mount Doom
Ost-in-Edhil
Goblin-gate
Dead Marshes
Eagles' Eyrie
Weathertop
Dimrill Dale
Rivendell
Edhellond
Lórien
Grey Havens

DRAGONSLAYER
STARTING (6)
Bifur
Brand (with Black Arrow)
Óin
Thorin II (with Shield of Iron-bound Ash)

CHARACTERS (8)
Radagast x3
Fram Framson
Bofur
Dáin II
Balin
Thráin II

RESSOURCES (30)
The Arkenstone
Enruned Shield
Wormsbane
Dwarven Axe
Valiant Sword
Returned Exiles
Iron Hill Dwarves
Roäc the Raven
King under the Mountain
Herb-lore
The Dwarves Are upon You! x2
Risky Blow x2
Bounty of the Hoard x2
Kindling of the Spirit x2
Fellowship x2
Lucky Strike x2
Concealment x3
Not at Home x2
A Friend or Three x2
Hundreds of Butterflies

HAZARDS (30)
CREATURES (15)
Nameless Thing
Slayer x2
Cave-drake x2
Rain-drake x2
Marsh-drake x2
True Fire-drake x3
Cave Worm x3
EVENTS (15)
Smaug at Home
Agburanar at Home
Twilight x2
Doors of Night x3
From the Pits of Angband x2
Searching Eye

SITES (15)
Framsburg
The Lonely Mountain
Gold Hill
Dancing Spire
Caves of Ûlund
The Wind Throne
Irerock
Gondmaeglom
Ovir Hollow
Iron Hill Dwarf-hold
Blue Mountain Dwarf-hold
Rivendell
Edhellond
Lórien
Grey Havens

MORGUL RALLYING CRY
STARTING (7)
Shagrat (with Blazon of the Eye)
Grishnákh
Lagduf
Muzgash
Ulkaur the Tongueless (with Blazon of the Eye)

CHARACTERS (9)
The Witch-king x3
Lieutenant of Morgul
Mauhûr
Gorbag
Orc Veteran x3

RESSOURCES (30)
Broad-headed Spear
Black-hide Shield
Palantír of Minas Tirith
Secret Book
Helm of Fear
Orcs of the Ash Mountains
Orcs of Udûn
Uruk-hai
Morgul-orcs
Snaga-hai
War-warg
That Ain't No Secret x3
To Satisfy the Questioner
Awaiting the Call x2
Fell Rider x2
Gifts as Given of Old x2
Bade to Rule
Under His Blow x2
Voices of Malice x2
Sudden Call x2
Blow Turned x2

HAZARDS (30)
CREATURES (12)
Ambusher x2
Ghosts x2
Rain-drake x3
Slayer x2
True Fire-drake x3
EVENTS (18)
Doors of Night x3
Long Winter x3
Lure of Nature x3
Snowstorm
Twilight x2
Withered Lands x3
An Unexpected Outpost x3

SITES (15)
Amon Hen
Gobel Mírlond
Tolfalas
Cirith Ungol
Cirith Gorgor
Barad-dûr
Shelob's Lair
Dol Amroth
Mount Doom
Minas Tirith
Haudh-in-Gwanûr
Geann a-Lisch
Carn Dûm
Minas Morgul
Dol Guldur