Of Combos and Men 2: My Gloin Engine Deck

Of Combos and Men is probably the logical next step after my deckbuilding articles. Here I will be talking about certain cards and combos, that I personally find interesting, underused or just plain fun. But more importantly I will try to point out what kind of strategic considerations each combo brings for your deck(s) and how to use them. After outlining the combo there usually will be a follow up article with an actual deck, so that people can get a better feel how I integrate my combos and maybe try the deck out themselves.


My Gloin Engine

Alright, time to follow up last weeks article with an actual deck.

Hero Choices

Gloin (Core) (x1) is the obvious choice I guess. Apart from that I really do need Lore on the table, so Bifur (KD) (x1) and Bilbo Baggins (THFG) (x1) were my next choices. With Bifur you can get 3 cost-Lore cards out on turn one and his ability even allows me to forgo a Song of Wisdom (CatC) for Gloin as moving one resource per turn seems to be enough. Bilbo on the other hand is a good target for cards like Dark Knowledge (Core) and Healing Herbs (FoS). Of course card draw is always golden and the combined low starting threat gives me flexibility to choose when I am ready for certain enemies.

Healing & Hitpoints

Ok, Gloin would not be Gloin without some Citadel Plate (Core) (3x), they are really good on him and make single target healing all the better. I threw in one pair of Boots from Erebor (KD) for good measure.
Next up is healing, I decided to roll with 3 copies of Daughter of the Nimrodel (Core) as a very basic means to healing Gloin, they also combo nicely with Grim Resolve (Core). Next up are Healing Herbs (FoS) (3x), they turned out to be so powerful with Gloin, that I upped their count to a full three, when you exhaust Bilbo to remove 6+ dmg in one go you will see what I mean. In fact the Herbs were so precious that I added a complete set of Erebor Hammersmith (Core) on top of it all, awesome ally and he helps protect your attachments during quests like Road to Rivendell. Finally I added 2 Warden of Healing (TLD). In earlier iterations I had Self Preservation (Core) in their place, but finally the Warden made the cut, because healing for non-Gloins is still welcome, the reduced cost can come in handy during the early game and he (again) synergizes better with Grim Resolve (Core).

Resource Stability

You probably realized by now, that I don't run any tactics hero, so a Song of Battle (TDM) (1x) its got to be, along with some Rivendell Minstrel (THFG) (3x) to fetch them. Additionally their 2 willpower is really welcome as this deck is not on the super fast side. As I said earlier, the Song of Wisdom was left out because Bifur can soak enough Lore resources for my taste.

Shadow Card Control

I started with one, added a second one later, but in the end I fell in love and now officially play 3 (three!) copies of Dark Knowledge (Core). They do work . They give you lots of flexibility in how to deal with the attackers, one of the more common effects is to get attacked and heal Gloin in exactly that order that gives you the most benefit from Healing Herbs (which means Gloin gets beaten to exactly one hitpoint). There really is more than meets the eye to knowing the shadow card beforehand and I am happy to play a game or two with anybody who wants to see it in action.
Somewhat a half-Dark Knowledge but awesome nonetheless is Henamarth Riversong (Core) (1x), he is just too good and fits too well for not including him.
Should things go south in the shadow card business, there are some ways to back you up, one being Dunedain Watcher (TDM) (3x). I love this guy and she fits the deck really well, as you usually have the money to pay her extra cost (compared to Hasty Stroke (Core) that is).
But often you don't need to cancel a shadow card, a simple Feint (Core) (2x) is enough and the card is so generally useful its hard to pass by.
But there is actually a silent star in this deck and it is the Gondorian Spearman (Core) (3x). He brings a big layer of security to your undefended enterprise. The usual course of action goes like this: While saving up some actions by not defending most attacks, you use those actions to bring as many attackers as possible to 1 hitpoint. Now whenever Dark Knowledge shows something you don't like, let the Spearman step forward and kill the bad guy including his nasty shadow effect.

Luxury Tax

So you are a billionaire now? Start acting like one and surround yourself with cards that nobody else can afford
Starting of with my favorite Grim Resolve (Core) (3x), this card changes games! And you can more often than not pay for it. This card is so bonkers, it is hard to believe. During the solo games I played it was already worth its money, but in multiplayer... And it synergizes with the many allies this deck is running (many of whom can be exhausted for effects, too).
Next up is the all time favorite Gandalf (Core) (3x), not much explaining needed I guess.
Finally adding some "nice guys" (Beorn (Core) (1x) and Faramir (Core) (1x)) that are not only expensive, but so combo well with the aforementioned Grim Resolve (2 attacks with 8 strength or +2 willpower to everybody... all the while Grim Resolve allows you to quest with literally everybody plus the kitchen sink).

Power Cards

There are some cards that are reasonably strong in almost any deck and I am not going to deny them.
Starting with 3 copies of Daeron's Runes (FoS), no Lore deck should currently ever run without. Ever. Adding Sneak Attack (Core) (3x) on top of that also feels like a no brainer. Many many allies do like this card in your deck. Rounding out the crew with Gleowine (Core) (1x) as extra card draw is always welcome. Last but not least I have added some Snowbourn Scout (Core) (2x) as their effect is useful from time to time and so is their chump blocking capabilities. They in fact might be counted under shadow card control for that reason.




Being a Nice Multiplayer Guy

LotR is not a game to always play alone, so you can start to leverage your strength across the table. In order to do that I have added one Song of Mocking (TDM), which simply means that a second player can now start taking a bunch of undefended attacks for you. Gloin on steroids. And finally since you are sitting on heaps of resources (during playtesting vs MaO, I once ended the game with 25 resources to spare on Gloin), why not share the wealth? Your gaming partners surely appreciate some loving care in the form of Parting Gifts (AJtR) (2x).
To all those solo players out there, feel free to remove those three cards and replace them with two more copies of Henamarth Riversong for the awesomeness that he brings to a single player.

Gameplay Advice

Now it might sound counterintuitive, but having plenty of healing in your opening hand is not the most important thing to look out for at the beginning of the game. In fact there is so much healing in the deck, that you are likely drawing into it by turn 2 or 3 anyway. If I could engineer a first and second turn for this deck, it would run somewhat like this:

• Start by playing a Rivendell Minstrel and fetch Song of Battle
• Attach Healing Herbs to Bilbo
• somehow get 3 damage on Gloin
• On turn 2 play Song of Battle on Gloin
• Play a Citadel Plate on him for good measure
• Attack Dark Knowledge to Bilbo
• Take another 3 damage to Gloin
• Use Healing Herbs
• And now you are firmly in the drives seat

This is of course a best case scenario.
Apart from that, you want to take as many safe undefended attacks as possible. If you have to choose at which shadow card to look at, I usually look at the one on the stronger attacker and then let the weaker attackers go first. You minimize the chances of a blowout that way.
And finally as I do value winning over score, I usually try and take my time during stage 1. This decks can handle some pressure, but it is so much more dominant, when you take the slow approach and build up during the early stages.

Alright, I guess thats it, if you have any questions or comments feel free and go ahead. Maybe I can encourage someone to test it, or if you want we can play a 2P game over OCTGN, where I will happily pilot the deck myself.

You can view the complete decklist here:
My Gloin Engine

See ya next time,
Sebastian

P.S.: You can see the deck in action

Gloin Engine vs Massing at Osgiliath (60min.)
Gloin Engine vs Hills of Emyn Muil (30min.)
Gloin Engine vs Watcher in the Water (20min.)

P.P.S.: To everybody with only access to one Core Set, there are some replacement cards I can suggest to you. The most important cards you are "missing" are Citadel Plate (1x) and Dark Knowledge (2x), but instead of replacing them with subpar alternatives like Ring Mail (TLD) or Rumour from the Earth (RtM), I suggest you add instead the upcoming Master of the Forge in order to get those quality cards earlier. Especially with your Citadel Plates you might not find yourself missing the third, in fact you might get both earlier than the current deck does.
Apart from that Second Breakfast (CatC) might replace the Hammersmith, but I would only take it in multiplayer and maybe use Born Aloft (CatC) for solo play. The third Gondorian Spearman can be replaced with Infighting (AJtR), in fact that is a card that I had in the main deck during some test runs and just barely missed the cut.
Apart from these choices, I suggest that everybody just goes ahead and tinkers to his hearts content as exploring is the most fun for me. For example you might consider adding one Song of Wisdom (CatC) and two Longbeard Map-Maker (CatC), they fit the deck nicely and can pump out some serious willpower.