Battle of Carn Dum with a Revised Card Pool Minimum Purchase Deck – April 7, 2023

Campaign Pool

• Stalwart on Denethor
• 1 damage on Arnor Ravaged
• Amarthuil’s Courage
• Thaudir’s Spite
• Determination
• Starting threat lowered by 2 for completing Fend Off Despair in Wastes of Eriador
• Amarthuil is Determined
• Fend Off Despair
• Starting threat lowered by 2 for completing Fend Off Despair in Escape from Mount Gram.
• Mail of Earnur
• Gandalf is Determined.
• Losing Time x2
• Orders from Angmar

Starting Hand

• Gleowine
• Forest Snare
• Hasty Stroke
• Daughter of the Nimrodel
• Mail of Earnur
• Steward of Gondor
• I don’t think I can complain too much about this opening hand. A little Lore heavy, but I’ll get Forest Snare on an enemy on turn 2 and have Mail or Earnur for Denethor to defend a little easier.

Setup

• Thaurdir (Captain), Carn Dum Garrison, and Arnor Ravaged with 1 damage in the staging area.
• Thaurdir’s Spite attached to Thaurdir.
• Accursed Battlefield is the active location.
• Raiment of the Second Age adding to my opening hand and the campaign pool.
• Fend Off Despair and Losing Time x2 shuffled into the encounter deck.
• 1 resource on each hero for Easy mode.
• Threat – 23

Turn 1

1.3 Draw

• Sneak Attack

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Steward of Gondor on Amarthuil
• Exhaust Steward for +2 resources. I’ll automatically exhaust it in the 1.3 action window from here and not mention it.
• Mail of Earnur on Denethor

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Eowyn
• Total Quest Power = 4 Only 4 because Accursed Battlefield makes this a Battle quest using attack power.

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Angmar Marauder
• Total Staging Area Threat = 8

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• Threat – 27

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• Carn Dum Garrison

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 – Carn Dum Garrison

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +3 defense (Losing time)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 28
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 2

1.3 Draw

• Determination

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Forest Snare on Carn Dum Garrison
• Raiment of the Second Age on Amarthuil

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Eowyn
• Total Quest Power = 6

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Terror of the North mines Hasty Stroke, Fornost Bowman, and Sarn Ford Sentry adding 4 threat. Damn I could have really used that Bowman.
• Thaurdir’s Spite attached to Eowyn. They’re all tied for most damage so I get to choose.
• 1 shadow card dealt to each enemy in play.
• Thaurdir’s Shadows 1 / 3
• Total Staging Area Threat = 11

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• Threat – 33

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• Angmar Marauder

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 – Angmar Marauder

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadows – Discard defender if there is a copy in the discard pile whiffs (Dark Sorcery) and +2 attack (Carn Dum Garrison)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 1 + 1 from Arnor Ravaged
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 34
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 3

1.3 Draw

• Guardian of Arnor

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Guardian of Arnor

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Eowyn
• Total Quest Power = 6

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Mountains of Angmar
• Total Staging Area Threat = 7

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• Threat – 35

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none

4.2 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Marauder

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – If attacker is Thaurdir heal 3 damage whiffs (Blight of Carn Dum)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 36
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 4

1.3 Draw

• Gandalf

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• none I’m going to save Lore resources for Daughter of the Nimrodel and get reliable healing online for Denethor.

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• Sneak Attack to put Gandalf into play.
• Threat – 31 I’m really hoping this will help make progress.
• Heal 1 damage from Denethor (1 / 5)

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Eowyn
• Guardian of Arnor
• Gandalf
• Total Quest Power = 11

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Mountains of Angmar 2 That might be game due to location lock. I don’t even think Northern Tracker will help.
• Total Staging Area Threat = 10

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +1 Accursed Battlefield progress (1 / 3)

3.4 Action(s)

• none
• Gandalf returned to hand.

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Marauder

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +1 attack (Vile Affliction)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

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

Turn 5

1.3 Draw

• Sarn Ford Sentry

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Gandalf and draw Gleowine 2, Faramir, and Sneak Attack.
• Sarn Ford Sentry I know I said earlier I was going for healing but I need attack power to get through this location before I’m locked. The cards from Gandalf didn’t do it.
• Draw Forest Snare 2 and The Galadhrim’s Greeting. Well poop.
• Faramir

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Denethor
• Eowyn
• Guardian of Arnor
• Gandalf
• Faramir
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Total Quest Power = 14

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Accursed Battlefield
• Total Staging Area Threat = 12

3.3 Action(s)

• none

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +2 Accursed Battlefield progress (3 / 3) and explore it. Whew!

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• Mountains of Angmar 1

4.2 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• Determination played on Denethor readying Denethor, Amarthuil, and Gandalf.

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Marauder

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +4 attack (Angmar Marauder) canceled with Hasty Stroke.
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.7 Player Attacks

6.8b Target – Angmar Marauder

• 6.8b Attackers
  • Amarthuil
  • Gandalf
• 6.8.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.8.2 Total Attack – 9
• 6.8.3 Damage Dealt – 7 / 4
• 6.8.3 Action(s)
  • none
• Target destroyed and Amarthuil draws Hasty Stroke 3.

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 33
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none
• Discard Gandalf.

Turn 6

1.3 Draw

• Henamarth Riversong

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• none

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Eowyn
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Guardian of Arnor
• Total Quest Power = 9

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Angmar Orc
• Guardian of Arnor discarded.
• Total Staging Area Threat = 11

3.3 Action(s)

• Faramir exhausts for +3 willpower (12)

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +1 Mountains of Angmar progress (1 / 5)

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• Angmar Orc

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 – Angmar Orc

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – Orc Grunts added to the staging area (Orc Grunts)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 34
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 7

1.3 Draw

• Unexpected Courage

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Gleowine
• Gleowine draws Northern Tracker This won’t immediately solve my questing issues but it should help.
• Northern Tracker
• Unexpected Courage on Denethor.

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Amarthuil
• Eowyn
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Northern Tracker and +1 progress on Mountains of Angmar 2 (1 / 5) and Accursed Battlefield (1 / 3).
• Total Quest Power = 9

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Daechanar’s Will
• Thaurdir flips to Champion side and attacks
• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadows – Raise threat by 2 (Orc Ambush) and Raise threat by 2 (Furious Charge) thanks to Mountains of Angmar.
• Threat – 38
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 2 (3 / 5)
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none
• Total Staging Area Threat = 10

3.3 Action(s)

• Faramir exhausts for +4 willpower (13)
• Discard Gleowine 2 from hand for +1 willpower (14)

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +3 Mountains of Angmar progress (5 / 5) and explore it.

3.4 Action(s)

• Unexpected Courage readies Denethor.

4.2 Travel

• Mountains of Angmar

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• none

5.2 Action(s)

• none

5.3 Engagement

• Orc Grunts

5.3 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Orc

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – none
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +1 attack (Vile Affliction)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 3 assigned to Amarthuil (3 / 6)
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.4b Enemy – Orc Grunts

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +1 attack
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 39
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none
• Thaurdir flips back to Captain side.

Turn 8

1.3 Draw

• Citadel Plate

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Gleowine draws Steward of Gondor 2
• Citadel Plate on Amarthuil

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Eowyn
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Northern Tracker and +1 Accursed Battlefield progress (2 / 3)
• Total Quest Power = 7

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Angmar Captain
• Total Staging Area Threat = 9

3.3 Action(s)

• Faramir exhausts for +3 willpower

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +1 Mountains of Angmar progress (2 / 5)

3.4 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 – Angmar Orc

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +1 attack (Angmar Orc)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • Unexpected Courage readies Denethor

6.4b Enemy – Orc Grunts

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – Raise threat by 2 (Fend Off Despair)
• Threat – 41
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.7 Player Attacks

6.8b Target – Orc Grunts

• 6.8b Attackers
  • Amarthuil
• 6.8.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.8.2 Total Attack – 5
• 6.8.3 Damage Dealt – 4 / 3
• 6.8.3 Action(s)
  • none
• Target destroyed and Amarthuil draws Daughter of the Nimrodel 2.

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 42
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 9

1.3 Draw

• Favor of the Valar

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Gleowine draws Unexpected Courage 2
• Unexpected Courage 2 on Denethor
• Favor of the Valar

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Eowyn
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Northern Tracker and +1 progress on Accursed Battlefield (3 / 3) and explore it.
• Total Quest Power = 7

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Blight of Carn Dum
• Total Staging Area Threat = 10

3.3 Action(s)

• Faramir exhausts for +3 willpower (10)

3.4 Quest Resolution

• No progress but no threat gained.

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• Angmar Captain

5.2 Action(s)

• none

5.3 Engagement

• Denethor exhausts to see the top encounter card is Orc Grunts and put it on the bottom. The shadow doesn’t add attack which is what I want on Angmar Captain. There’s only 2 cards left in the deck and the Captain will get the second one since Carn Dum Garrison is just piling up shadow cards. It will make questing harder next turn, but hopefully I’ll draw a Gandalf or Celebrian’s Stone.
• Unexpected Courage readies Denethor.

5.3 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Captain

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – Orc Grunts added to the staging area. (Orc Grunts)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 1 (4 / 5)
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Orc

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – N/A
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.7 Player Attacks

6.8b Target – Angmar Captain

• 6.8b Attackers
  • Amarthuil
• 6.8.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.8.2 Total Attack – 5
• 6.8.3 Damage Dealt – (3 / 5)
• 6.8.3 Action(s)
  • none

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 43
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 10

1.3 Draw

• Heir of Valandil

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Gleowine draws Orders from Angmar
• Orders from Angmar on Denethor
• Heir of Valandil on Amarthuil
• Daughter of the Nimrodel
• Daughter of the Nimrodel heals 2 damage from Denethor (2 / 5)

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• none

3.2 Committed Characters vs Main Quest

• Eowyn
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Northern Tracker and +1 progress Blight of Carn Dum (1 / 3)
• Total Quest Power = 7

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Orc Ambush
• Put Orc Grunts 2 into play engaged with me.
• Total Staging Area Threat = 9

3.3 Action(s)

• Exhaust Faramir for +3 willpower (10)

3.4 Quest Resolution

• +1 Mountains of Angmar progress (3 / 5)

3.4 Action(s)

• none

4.2 Travel

• none

4.2 Action(s)

• none

5.2 Optional Engagement

• none

5.2 Action(s)

• none

5.3 Engagement

• Orc Grunts

5.3 Action(s)

• none

6 Combat Phase

6.2 Action(s)

• none

6.3 Enemy Attacks

6.4b Enemy – Orc Grunts 1

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – none
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – Flip Thaurdir after this attack (Daechanar’s Will) canceled with Hasty Stroke. I can’t take 2 undefended attacks with Orc Ambush in play.
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 2 assigned to Eowyn.
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Captain

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +1 attack (Vile Affliction)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 1 (3 / 5)
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • Unexpected Courage 1 readies Denethor.
• Heals 1 damage due to Blight of Carn Dum (2 / 5)

6.4b Enemy – Angmar Orc

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +1 attack (Vile Affliction)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 0
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • Unexpected Courage 2 readies Denethor.

6.4b Enemy – Orc Grunts 2

• 6.4b Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.1 Defender – Denethor
• 6.4.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.2 Shadow – +3 attack (Accursed Battlefield)
• 6.4.2 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.4.3 Determine combat damage – 1 (4 / 5)
• 6.4.3 Action(s)
  • none

6.7 Player Attacks

6.8b Target – Angmar Captain

• 6.8b Attackers
  • Amarthuil
• 6.8.1 Action(s)
  • none
• 6.8.2 Total Attack – 5
• 6.8.3 Damage Dealt – 2 (5 / 5)
• 6.8.3 Action(s)
  • none
• Target is destroyed, and Amarthuil draws Fornost Bowman.

7 Refresh

• 7.3 Threat – 44
• 7.4 Action(s)
  • none

Turn 11

1.3 Draw

• Heir of Valandil 2

1.3 Action(s)

• none

2.2 Planning

• Gleowine draws Gandalf
• Daughter of the Nimrodel heals 2 damage from Denehtor (2 / 5)
• Exhaust Heir of Valandil to play Fornost Bowman for free.

3.1 Quest Phase 3.1 Action(s)

• Sneak Attack Gandalf
• Threat – 39

3.2 Committed Characters vs Orc Ambush Quest

• Eowyn
• Sarn Ford Sentry
• Northern Tracker and +1 progress on Blight of Carn Dum (2 / 3)
• Gandalf
• Total Quest Power = 11

3.2 Action(s)

• none

3.3 Staging

• Dark Sorcery discards Gandalf, Gleowine, Sarn Ford Sentry, and Fornost Bowman from play.

I concede after that devastation to my board.

+1 Valar token

Postmortem

I thought because of Citadel Plates in my deck that I would need Steward of Gondor on Amarthuil but he had so many resources between it and his extra resource when I had 2 enemies engaged. I really should have put it on Denethor. Then I would have had 2 Daughters of the Nimrodel out much earlier and my second Forest Snare. Ringsdb showed me Lore cost was a little higher than Leadership but not higher than Leadership and Tactics combined. I should have thought about how much Heir of Valandil would help since I have Leadership and Tactics Dunedain. Resource cost of the deck is definitely more of an issue than the ones I’ve previously built. That first Fornost Bowman being lost to Terror of the North hurt a bit too. It would have been a good quester when Accursed Battlefield was the active location. For a first outing and making a major play mistake, it was a solid first attempt. I didn’t progress much on the quest but I hung in there trying to get my board state up and running. Hasty Stroke saved the game early on a couple of times. Not sure if I should try putting in A Test of Will for Dark Sorcery. Vile Affliction could also be bad in a similar way but I saw more shadow cards than treacheries this game. Best to keep Hasty Stroke I think.

Hopefully in the next attempt I will get a nice starting hand again. I could also try one of the other boon cards instead of the raiment. Especially since the raiment is restricted so I can’t load up Amarthuil with both Citadel Plates. Although Amarthuil had 10 hit points which was probably plenty and card draw is nice. I’ll leave it next time and see how things go. Definitely going to use my Valar token if I don’t. I skipped it on the second attempt of Treachery of Rhudaur because I made a new deck. This one seems to work fine except I needed more Lore resources. That I can fix by playing differently.