Look at the Pippin’s artwork folks – he is just begging for a big juicy palantir. While at it, why not go totally overboard? Thus, this deck.
While this Fate of the Ithil-stone theme deck has some very unorthodox elements it has fared very well, boasting above 90% win percentage in over 20 GCCG games. First your opponent sees the hobbits and may suspect a dunk deck. Then you head south to collect ponies. While your opponent is sideboarding his Lost in Free-domains, Corsairs of Umbar and whatnot, you are already on your way to get the Ithil-stone. Finally the last turn escape and storing hopefully catches your opponent unawares.
Pros:
– streamlined
– plays well
– uses some seldomly seen cards/tactics
– has theme
Cons:
– very susceptible to certain hazards
– no real back-up plan if things go wrong
– a very boring hazard-portion
– heavy sideboarding
Optimal starting company:
Aragorn II controlling
Fatty Bolger w/Cram
Pippin w/Healing Herbs controlling
Ioreth
Anborn
Turn 1:
If you have Lost Knowledge in your hand, go to Glittering Caves. If you have more than one Noble Steed, consider using Cram and going to Edoras instead. If you have nothing, Lorien is an option. Pallando does his thing (sitting) at Gray Havens with Cirdan once you get them.
Turn 2:
Collect more horsies and some lost knowledge if you haven’t got any. If you got them on your first turn, you can skip to 3.
Turn 3:
Go to Minas Tirith and play a faction and Fate of the Ithilstone (Forgotten Scrolls if you still haven’t got any). Return of the King is a plus.
Turn 4:
Get a palantir from Minas Morgul or Cirith Ungol. Last chance to bring those Dark Numbers from SB.
Turn 5:
Go say hello to the Dark Lord himself at Barad-Dur. If you have managed to get an extra scout (Bergil, Eowyn) during your journeys, you can try daring The Ithil-stone, otherwise just get a regular palantir and Dark Numbers. SB Safe from the Shadow and your escaperoute.
Turn 6:
Head to Lorien via Ash Mountains (preferred) or Master of Esgaroth and store the Fate and your palantirs during the end-of-turn. Call the council. If you still need more points, Pallando’s co. can try Tom. If you need more horsies/factions/have enough time you can even stop at the Easterling Camp (just watch out Mordor in Arms).
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Deck
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# Hazard (30)
1 Adûnaphel
2 An Unexpected Outpost
1 Cave Worm (TD)
2 Cave-drake (TW)
3 Corsairs of Umbar
1 Daelomin at Home
1 Lobelia Sackville-Baggins
2 Lure of Expedience (TW)
3 Lure of Nature (TW)
3 Lure of the Senses (TW)
1 Mouth of Sauron
1 My Precious
2 Power Built by Waiting
3 Sellswords Between Charters
1 The Balance of Things
2 Twilight (TW)
1 Ûvatha the Horseman
# Hero Character (6)
1 Bergil
1 Círdan
1 Gandalf [H]
2 Pallando [H]
1 Éowyn
# Hero Resource (30)
3 Concealment
3 Dark Quarrels
3 Fate of the Ithil-stone
3 Forgotten Scrolls
2 Lost Tome
3 Marvels Told
1 Men of Anórien
3 Noble Steed
1 Palantír of Amon Sûl [H]
1 Palantír of Annúminas [H]
1 Palantír of Osgiliath [H]
1 Return of the King
1 Shadowfax
3 Smoke Rings
1 Tower Guard of Minas Tirith
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Pool
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# Hero Character (10)
1 Anborn
1 Aragorn II
1 Bilbo
1 Damrod
1 Fatty Bolger
1 Halbarad
1 Ioreth
1 Pippin
1 Strider
1 Thranduil
# Hero Resource (2)
1 Cram
1 Healing Herbs
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Sideboard
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# Hazard (12)
1 Alone and Unadvised
1 Beorning Skin-changers
1 Call of Home (TW)
1 Itangast Ahunt
1 Lost in Free-domains (TW)
1 Muster Disperses (TW)
1 Neither so Ancient Nor so Potent
1 Pilfer Anything Unwatched
1 Rolled down to the Sea
1 Seized by Terror
1 Sudden Fury
1 The Roving Eye
# Hero Character (1)
1 Thorin II
# Hero Resource (17)
1 Ash Mountains
2 Dark Numbers
1 Easterlings [H]
1 Elves of Lindon
2 Longbottom Leaf
1 Master of Esgaroth
1 Promptings of Wisdom
1 Safe from the Shadow
1 The Ithil-stone
1 To Fealty Sworn
1 Tom Bombadil
2 Withdrawn to Mordor
1 Wizard’s Laughter
1 Wizard’s River-horses
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Sideboard vs. fw
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# Hazard (9)
1 Cruel Claw Perceived
3 Echoes of the Song
2 Heart Grown Cold
1 Inner Rot
1 Longing for the West
1 Nameless Thing
# Minion Character (1)
1 Golodhros