The Windlord has returned! Forgive the delay; governing the kingdom of Eagles is a trying obligation, consuming long hours and weekends (there is no rest for a king). I composed a new deck several weeks ago as companion to the Secondhand Took’s Boil`em, Mash`em, Stick`em in a Stew, as he mentioned a support deck does wonders for it. Well, here it is. The support deck (coincidentally featuring October’s hero of the month Elrond), titled Advise From the Great and the Small, functioned beautifully in a seven-round victory over Into Ithilien paired with Boil`em, Mash`em, Stick`em in a Stew.

Here is the deck list:

Advise From the Great and the Small

Heroes:

Galadriel (Celebrimbor’s Secret)

Elrond (Shadow and Flame)

Pippin (The Black Riders)

Allies (20):

Northern Tracker x2

Galadriel’s Handmaiden x2

Arwen Undomiel x2

Silvan Refugee x2

Hennamarth Riversong x1

Wandering Ent x2

Ithilien Tracker x2

Quickbeam x2

Haldir of Lorien x2

Wellinghall Preserver x3

Attachments (21):

Unexpected Courage x1

Mirror of Galadriel x2

Miruvor x3

Ranger Spikes x2

Wingfoot x2

Ent Draught x2

Self Preservation x2

Fast Hitch x2

Lembas x3

Nenya x2

Events (9):

A Test of Will x2

Hasty Stroke x2

The Galadhrim’s Greeting x2

Daeron’s Runes x3

Strategy: I must mention again that this is a support deck designed for play with Boil`em, Mash`em, Stick`em in a Stew, and all strategy revolves around that concept. From this standpoint, Galadriel and Pippin fill purely supportive roles; Pippin provides a little questing and raises the engagement cost of enemies ever so slightly whilst Galadriel can lower threat and draw cards on either side of the board, or provide a huge questing boost if she wears Nenya. Elrond can be a superstar if one so chooses; a few readying cards and Self Preservation transforms him into a viable defender. The allies provide willpower, willpower, and (you didn’t guess it) access to Ent Draught. The referenced Ents also boost the versatility of this deck, as all three types boast two attack. Haldir of Lorien can also boost combat prowess on either side of the board thanks to his ranged and sentinel keywords. Hennamarth allows one to scry and plan accordingly while the Ithilien Tracker cancels an enemy’s threat. Rounded out with a few Spirit counterparts adding willpower and threat reduction, the allies in this deck are a solid bunch.

Most of the attachments can be described briefly: readying and healing. Lembas is a game-changer, especially with Elrond’s response, as is Self Preservation. Mirror of Galadriel allows this deck to churn out more support cards while Ranger Spikes controls the staging area. Miruvor and Unexpected Courage can be put to use by virtually everyone on the board to action advantage whilst Miruvor additionally grants resources if one so chooses. Wingfoot is included specifically to ready Aragorn (ones of the heroes in Boil`em, Mash`em, Stick`em in a Stew); Hennamarth is invaluable for this purpose. Ent Draught was a risky card to include – hence only two copies. However, I felt it was a helpful card to put on one of the hobbits (Sam Gamgee becomes a powerful defender and Merry a steadfast attacker in Boil`em, Mash`em, Stick`em in a Stew); moreover, the inclusion of seven Ent allies and numerous card draw/deck scrying nigh eliminates all worry of it becoming a dead card. The last attachments, Fast Hitch and Nenya, are self-explanatory: ready hobbits and give Galadriel the ability to *quest*.

The events in this deck are simple yet potent. A Test of Will and Hasty Stroke can cancel both treacheries and shadow cards, making the cards some of the best in the game. The Galadhrim’s Greeting keeps threat under control, mostly to aid both decks in the art of avoiding enemies (or selecting better engagement moments). Finally, three copies of Daeron’s Runes reveal player cards faster and give the players more options, of which (I find) on can never have too many.

Alas that all good things must end. Though an eagle’s claws are not suited for typing, nor his wings for remaining stationary, I have completed Advise from the Great and the Small. Hopefully this deck can function as well in solo as it did with Boil`em, Mash`em, Stick`em in a Stew. Regardless, it is a fun deck to run, and even features our hero of the month Elrond. “Farewell wherever you fare until your eyries receive you at your journey’s end!”

-Gwaihir the Windlord