Welcome to the Card Talk Blog!

The written review companion to the premiere video and audio podcast

Card Talk the podcast that loves talking about cards now also loves writing about cards. Matt Kell joins the Card Talk crew with analysis of each card’s theme, synergies, interactions, power, and deckbuilding considerations. Of course it wouldn’t be a Card Talk review without the highly scientific yet arbitrary ring rating for each card.

You can also find Card Talk’s regular podcast episodes, creator and community interviews, playthrough videos, and social media accounts. If you’re a new player, be sure to check out Card Talk host and creator David Walsh’s New Player Buying Guide.

Latest Card Review Posts

  • Ranger Bow
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 44 Video episode Audio episode Cycle Against the Shadow  Set Assault on Osgiliath Player Card Categories Willpower Bonus Direct Damage Staging Area Attack Ally Attachment A tool for Ranger decks looking to dispatch enemies in the staging area which is easier said than done. Background The flavor text points the Ranger… Continue reading Ranger Bow
  • Secret Vigil
    by Jason Meyer Card Talk Episode TBD Cycle Angmar Awakened Set The Lost Realm  Player Card Categories  Staging Area Threat Reduction Threat Reduction Background I suppose since the quote comes from Aragorn from The Fellowship of the Ring, it’s meant to bring one back to this idea of Dunedain Rangers keeping a vigil on the… Continue reading Secret Vigil
  • A Test of Will
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 28 Video episode Audio episode Cycle Shadows of Mirkwood Set Core Player Card Categories  Encounter Control The staple Spirit card to rule them all. Background It’s difficult to point to a single character or event in the books that this would apply to because really its a theme in Lord… Continue reading A Test of Will
  • Blade of Gondolin
    Card Talk Season TBD Episode TBD Video episode Audio episode Cycle Shadows of Mirkwood Set Core Set Player Card Categories  Attack Bonus Location Control Deck Archetype(s) Dale Armory Inexpensive utility weapon/item attachment available right out of the Core set, with a deep connection to Tolkien lore. Background The story of the great Elf city of… Continue reading Blade of Gondolin
  • Guided by Fate
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 40 Video episode Audio episode Cycle Oaths of the Rohirrim Cycle Set  Fire on the Eastemnet Player Card Categories  Encounter Control Discard Pile Finally a card that really enables player encounter cards like Ranger of the North, Winds from the Sea, Eagles of the North, and Tom Bombadillo! Background The phrase,… Continue reading Guided by Fate
  • Spirit Théoden
    Card Talk Season 1 Episode 45 Video episode Audio episode LOTR Saga Treason of Saruman   Player Card Categories  Cost reduction Resource smoothing Théoden is the king of Rohan, and perhaps the king of cost reduction. He has a clear role of getting out your Rohan allies efficiently. As is commonly known, Rohan has a strong… Continue reading Spirit Théoden
  • Fast Hitch
    A card so nice, they reviewed it twice (at least). TL;DR It’s a Hobbit staple. Card Talk “Fast Hitch” Video episode Audio episode Card Talk Live: Shadows of Mirkwood Cycle Video episode Audio episode Set The Dead Marshes Background Hobbit stats are rubbish: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever, about that. If you’re… Continue reading Fast Hitch
  • Meneldor
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 37 Video episode Audio episode Cycle Ered Mithren   Set Roam Across Rhovanion Player Card Categories  Location Control Enters Play Leaves Play Messenger of the King Background Meneldor is one of the Eagles of the Misty Mountains that are descended from Thorondor. Thorondor was the leader of the servants of… Continue reading Meneldor
  • Envoy of Pelagrir
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 21 Video episode Audio episode Cycle  Against the Shadow Set Heirs of Númenor Card Effect Categories  Resource Acceleration Resource Smoothing Enters Play A flexible cheap efficient ally that was necessary early in the life of the game. Now in the larger card pool, it’s a fine filler or resource smoothing… Continue reading Envoy of Pelagrir
  • Leadership Éomer
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 26 Video episode Audio episode LOTR Saga Mountain of Fire Card Effect Categories Staging Area Attack Declared Attack The first iteration of Éomer in Voice of Isengard fit into the primary ally discard mechanism associated with Rohan. It is fitting then that the second iteration builds on the second mechanism,… Continue reading Leadership Éomer
  • Eagles of the Misty Mountains
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 35 Audio episode Cycle Shadows of Mirkwood Set Return to Mirkwood   Player Card Categories  Attack Bonus Defense Bonus Equipping Leaves Play The capstone card of the Eagles cards released in the first cycle of the game. While 4 resources can be a big investment in LOTR LCG, this is… Continue reading Eagles of the Misty Mountains
  • Radagast and Radagast’s Staff
    Card Talk Season 4 Episode 34 Audio episode Cycle Ered Mithren  Set Fate of the Wilderland  Radagast Player Card Categories  Resource Smoothing Staff Player Card Categories Readying Cost Reduction Burglar Treasure The hero and attachment the Eagles deck needed. Background Radagast is one of the wizards sent from Valinor to be an emissary of Manwë… Continue reading Radagast and Radagast’s Staff

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