|
Post by Armadi on Aug 7, 2004 23:35:26 GMT 1
There was some interesting strategy discussion in the lack of news topic and I thought I would try to start some similar discussion in an on-topic thread.
From some of the other threads and the Shadow PLayer Tactical Overview (thank you Steve Owen, and please consider finishing the Free People's section) it seems like the Shadow player will generally bring all 3 minions into play during the game. Since the only negative to bringing Saruman into play is that Gandalf the White can later be brought into play, wouldn't the best play for the Shadow player's first 2 muster dice be: Isengard to war and then bringing Saruman into play? That way the next turn the Shadow has the extra die and the reinforcement benefits of Saruman.
Also, which type of cards would the Shadow player generally like to draw at the beginning of the game and why? The Shadow tactical overview discusses the merits of each deck but doesn't discuss the better choice. It seems like drawing from the Strategy deck would help the Shadow player decide where to attack (because of muster cards), but that the fellowship attack cards in the Character deck would be highly useful.
|
|
|
Post by Francesco on Aug 8, 2004 11:26:49 GMT 1
Since the only negative to bringing Saruman into play is that Gandalf the White can later be brought into play, wouldn't the best play for the Shadow player's first 2 muster dice be: Isengard to war and then bringing Saruman into play? To bring Saruman immediately into play means that it is very likely that his one-die boost will be soon countered by Gandalf the White's die. And Gandalf the White is a very mean adversary, able to rapidly get almost everywhere an SA player will start to wreak havoc, to nullify the presence of multiple Nazgul. And don't forget the Ents... So, I'm glad to say that the choice of playing Saruman needs a lot more reasoning than that (usually, it needs a clear Isengard strategy, made of multiple musterings and the willingness to play a number of event cards to back it up).
|
|
Veldrin
Lord of the Nazgûl
Posts: 1,305
|
Post by Veldrin on Aug 8, 2004 11:39:43 GMT 1
And please consider finishing the Free People's sectionI will finish it as soon as I have the time [glow=green,2,300]Veldrin[/glow]
|
|
Veldrin
Lord of the Nazgûl
Posts: 1,305
|
Post by Veldrin on Aug 30, 2004 9:51:53 GMT 1
The Free Peoples' Tactical section is now finished.
[glow=green,2,300]Veldrin[/glow]
|
|
steveowen
Ranger of Ithilien
PlayTester
Posts: 70
|
Post by steveowen on Aug 30, 2004 11:44:27 GMT 1
"The Shadow tactical overview discusses the merits of each deck but doesn't discuss the better choice."
I didn't want to give everything away!
|
|
|
Post by aforandy on Oct 3, 2004 16:20:02 GMT 1
Since the only negative to bringing Saruman into play is that Gandalf the White can later be brought into play, wouldn't the best play for the Shadow player's first 2 muster dice be: Isengard to war and then bringing Saruman into play? That way the next turn the Shadow has the extra die and the reinforcement benefits of Saruman. Yes. The SA can be severely hampered early on by not getting enough Character dice, so eight dice from turn 2 is essentially mandatory. Also Rohan's special status can only be usefully exploited if the related events come up and Saruman has mustered at the beginning of the game. As for Gandalf the White being a negative, events can negate this, and anyway he may be in the wrong place. He may require more Action dice or events in order to get inot combat. Also the flocks of Nazgul he nullifies are only going to be created by an SA player who secured most dice as early as possible. Also Gandalf the Grey has to be eliminated or separated, which itself can be a problem for the FP. For example, keeping him in the Fellowship as Guide prevents Strider's ability being used. Using Gandalf's Guide ability too often may cause the FP to discard valuable events unused.
|
|
|
Post by aforandy on Oct 3, 2004 16:38:03 GMT 1
Also, which type of cards would the Shadow player generally like to draw at the beginning of the game and why? The Shadow tactical overview discusses the merits of each deck but doesn't discuss the better choice. It seems like drawing from the Strategy deck would help the Shadow player decide where to attack (because of muster cards), but that the fellowship attack cards in the Character deck would be highly useful. Unquestionably there is a timing element to the draw and play of most event cards in the game. The two best types of events at game start are the musters, such as Horde from the East, many Kings, Orcs Multiplying, and especially Rage of the Dunlendings, and the politicals, such as Wormtongue plus Threats and Promises, and Denethor's Folly. Black Captain is very useful if the SA have not been rolling enough Character dice. Palantir is little use on the bottom of the deck. However most of the Strategy deck are best for early use, whereas this is not the case with the Character deck.
|
|