The Fortress of Nurn 2 – May 8, 2022

Starting Hand after Mulligan

• Heir of Valandil
• Feint x2
• A Test of Will
• The Long Defeat
• Fornost Bowman
• Keep Watch added via Thurindir
• I bent the rules on setup so we’ll see if Celebrian’s Stone is really a necessity or not this time. The lack of allies with Willpower will probably problems more than anything

Setup

• Ulchor’s Guard engaged with me.
• Thane Ulchor in the staging area
• Covered by Darkness, Kabul the Easterling, The Armies of Mordor and Under the Watchful Eye on each Storm the Castle side quest along with 8 cards from my deck.
• Threat – 30

Turn 1

1.3 Draw

• Unexpected Courage

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Keep Watch
• The Long Defeat on Keep Watch

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Keep Watch

• Thurindir
• Aragorn
• Total Quest Power = 4

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Plaza of Nurn
• Total Staging Area Threat = 2

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +2 Keep Watch progress (2 / 6)
• I caught a little nice break there with a low threat location.

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none
• I don’t want 5 quest points delaying getting Keep Watch completed.

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• none

5.2 Action(s)

• none

5.3 Engagement

• none

5.3 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Ulchor’s Guard

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Amarthuil
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – Attack doesn’t destroy a character so it whiffs (Under Guard)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 1
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 31
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 2

1.3 Draw

• Vigilant Dunadan

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Heir of Valadil on Thurindir

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Keep Watch

• Thurindir
• Aragorn
• Total Quest Power = 4

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Unwelcome Travelers
• Total Staging Area Threat = 3

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +1 Keep Watch progress (3 / 6)

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• Plaza of Nurn
• I don’t think I can afford to have 3 threat in the staging area now especially as I don’t have a good questing ally yet.
• 1 damage to Thurindir (1 / 4)

4.2 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Ulchor’s Guard

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Amarthuil
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – Discard Heir of Valandil (The Dark Lord’s Reach)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 1 (2 / 3)
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 32
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 3

1.3 Draw

• Armored Destrier

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• none
• I could put out the Bowman to chump but I have 2 Fients which seems better here to let Aragorn still quest and hope I get a better card on the card next turn. Still I’m not clearing the active location this turn no matter what. Even if I had Celebrian’s Stone I would have lost it last turn. I really need an East Road Ranger or Sarn Ford Sentry for some willpower ASAP.

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• All heroes
• Total Quest Power = 5

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Guard Dogs
• Mordor Olag-hai
• Total Staging Area Threat = 6

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• Threat – 33

I’m going to concede there. I just don’t have the willpower to get through the Olag-hai’s threat. It’s too strong for my heroes to deal with right now. I’ll get one ally next turn hopefully and it is just not enough.

Postmortem

I’m having a lot of concerns about the early game play of this deck. I’ll try it once more starting with Celebrian’s Stone and Keep Watch, but I’m not optimistic.