Ninja Gollum - Revision history

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2022-02-20T08:20:29Z

Example Decklists: cat

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	{{Gameplay Table}}		{{Gameplay Table}}

			[[Category:Deck archetypes]]

Cease: /* Counterplay */ turgon can't do that

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Counterplay: turgon can't do that

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	Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.		Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.

	[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with ~~{{Card\|Turgon, Man of Belfalas}},~~ {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}}, or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].		[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}} or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].

	{{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}} don't work when Gollum is skirmishing an [[ally]], and {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} only doubles wounds dealt to companions. Gollum often just can't do much to [[Elrond]] or {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} in a skirmish. This doesn't come up often! {{Card\|Horn of Boromir}} is [[X-list\|banned]] in all common formats where Ninja Gollum is played, and {{Card\|Support of the Last Homely House}} and {{Card\|One Whom Men Would Follow}} are both unusual cards.		{{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}} don't work when Gollum is skirmishing an [[ally]], and {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} only doubles wounds dealt to companions. Gollum often just can't do much to [[Elrond]] or {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} in a skirmish. This doesn't come up often! {{Card\|Horn of Boromir}} is [[X-list\|banned]] in all common formats where Ninja Gollum is played, and {{Card\|Support of the Last Homely House}} and {{Card\|One Whom Men Would Follow}} are both unusual cards.

Cease: /* Counterplay */ wrong one

2022-02-19T12:58:16Z

Counterplay: wrong one

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	Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.		Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.

	Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, ~~Captain~~ of ~~Gondor~~}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.		Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.

	[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with {{Card\|Turgon, Man of Belfalas}}, {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}}, or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].		[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with {{Card\|Turgon, Man of Belfalas}}, {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}}, or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].

Cease: tuneups

2022-02-19T12:54:52Z

tuneups

Cease: /* Counterplay */

2022-02-15T14:39:55Z

Counterplay

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	[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}, followed by whichever wounding condition(s) the Ninja Gollum player is using. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.		[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}, followed by whichever wounding condition(s) the Ninja Gollum player is using. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.

	[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: those cards can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.		[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: those cards can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack while providing no protection from {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.

	Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.		Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.

Cease: /* Counterplay */

2022-02-15T14:38:12Z

Counterplay

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:38, 15 February 2022
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	== Counterplay ==		== Counterplay ==

	[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is Promise Keeping. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.		[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}, followed by whichever wounding condition(s) the Ninja Gollum player is using. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.

	[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: ~~that companion~~ can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.		[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: those cards can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.

	Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.		Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.

	[[Skirmish Cancellation\|Skirmish cancellation]]. Since Ninja Gollum runs relatively few minions at a time, it's very vulnerable to having those skirmishes cancelled, leaving Gollum and Shelob twisting in the wind. {{Card\|Gandalf's Staff}}, {{Card\|Rohirrim Helm}} (recurred with {{Card\|Merry, Swordthain}}), {{Card\|No Visitors}} (recurred with {{Card\|Daddy Twofoot, Next-door Neighbor}}), and {{Card\|Halfling Leaf}} are all particularly obnoxious, since they are reusable. {{Card\|Warmed Up A Bit}} and {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} can also be annoying, although they aren't reusable and aren't common. ({{Card\|Boromir's Gauntlets}}, {{Card\|Escape}}, {{Card\|Merry, Learned Guide}}, and {{Card\|Pippin, ~~Wooly~~-footed Rascal}} are rarely a significant concern, since Ninja Gollum often doesn't spent every last bit of [[twilight]].)		[[Skirmish Cancellation\|Skirmish cancellation]]. Since Ninja Gollum runs relatively few minions at a time, it's very vulnerable to having those skirmishes cancelled, leaving Gollum and Shelob twisting in the wind. {{Card\|Gandalf's Staff}}, {{Card\|Rohirrim Helm}} (recurred with {{Card\|Merry, Swordthain}}), {{Card\|No Visitors}} (recurred with {{Card\|Daddy Twofoot, Next-door Neighbor}}), and {{Card\|Halfling Leaf}} are all particularly obnoxious, since they are reusable. {{Card\|Warmed Up A Bit}} and {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} can also be annoying, although they aren't reusable and aren't common. ({{Card\|Boromir's Gauntlets}}, {{Card\|Escape}}, {{Card\|Merry, Learned Guide}}, and {{Card\|Pippin, Woolly-footed Rascal}} are rarely a significant concern, since Ninja Gollum often doesn't spent every last bit of [[twilight]].)

	Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.		Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.

Cease: /* Counterplay */ how could I forget GLR

2022-02-15T14:30:37Z

Counterplay: how could I forget GLR

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	== Counterplay ==		== Counterplay ==

	[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.		[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is Promise Keeping. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.

	[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: that companion can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.		[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: that companion can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.

Cease: /* Counterplay */

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Counterplay

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:27, 15 February 2022
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	== Counterplay ==		== Counterplay ==

	[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in ~~the~~ [[support area]], so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.		[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.

	[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: that companion can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.		[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: that companion can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.

Cease: /* Example Decklists */ refinining

2022-02-14T10:29:10Z

Example Decklists: refinining

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:29, 14 February 2022
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	* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=10142.0 Shards of Narsil initiative / Treacherous Little Toad], an Expanded deck by Shelobplayer on The Last Homely House forums. This deck is unusual in that it also runs a [[Nazgul]] package to try to put more pressure on the ring-bearer.		* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=10142.0 Shards of Narsil initiative / Treacherous Little Toad], an Expanded deck by Shelobplayer on The Last Homely House forums. This deck is unusual in that it also runs a [[Nazgul]] package to try to put more pressure on the ring-bearer.

	* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=4459 Ninja Revolutionized: The New Ninja Gollum], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks from the Cobracards forums. This guide was written after the release of [[Treachery and Deceit]], so it was aimed at a format substantially similar to [[Standard]] format on [[GEMP]]. It showcases (and overrates) the then-new card {{Card\|Sting of Shelob}}, which turned out to be too expensive to be practical.		* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=4459 Ninja Revolutionized: The New Ninja Gollum], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks from the Cobracards forums. This guide was written after the release of [[Treachery and Deceit]], so it was aimed at a format substantially similar to [[Standard]] format on [[GEMP]]. While most of the advice is still good and remains relevant for Standard and [[Expanded Format\|Expanded]], it also showcases (and overrates) the then-new card {{Card\|Sting of Shelob}}, which turned out to be too expensive to be practical.
	* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1666 Threats and Toads: Understanding Ninja Gollum Reloaded], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks in [[Standard]] format shortly after the release of [[The Hunters]], posted on the Cobracards forums. Not relevant to any popular formats in 2022, but interesting to show the historical development of the deck.		* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1666 Threats and Toads: Understanding Ninja Gollum Reloaded], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks in [[Standard]] format shortly after the release of [[The Hunters]], posted on the Cobracards forums. Not relevant to any popular formats in 2022, but interesting to show the historical development of the deck.

Cease: /* Example Decklists */ better explanation

2022-02-14T10:28:23Z

Example Decklists: better explanation

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:28, 14 February 2022
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	* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=10142.0 Shards of Narsil initiative / Treacherous Little Toad], an Expanded deck by Shelobplayer on The Last Homely House forums. This deck is unusual in that it also runs a [[Nazgul]] package to try to put more pressure on the ring-bearer.		* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php?topic=10142.0 Shards of Narsil initiative / Treacherous Little Toad], an Expanded deck by Shelobplayer on The Last Homely House forums. This deck is unusual in that it also runs a [[Nazgul]] package to try to put more pressure on the ring-bearer.

	* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=4459 Ninja Revolutionized: The New Ninja Gollum], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks from the Cobracards forums. This guide was written after the release of [[Treachery and Deceit]], so it was aimed at a format substantially similar to [[Standard]] format on [[GEMP]]~~, although it~~ overrates ~~some overhyped~~ then-new ~~cards from T&D like~~ {{Card\|Sting of Shelob}}.		* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=4459 Ninja Revolutionized: The New Ninja Gollum], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks from the Cobracards forums. This guide was written after the release of [[Treachery and Deceit]], so it was aimed at a format substantially similar to [[Standard]] format on [[GEMP]]. It showcases (and overrates) the then-new card {{Card\|Sting of Shelob}}, which turned out to be too expensive to be practical.
	* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1666 Threats and Toads: Understanding Ninja Gollum Reloaded], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks in [[Standard]] format shortly after the release of [[The Hunters]], posted on the Cobracards forums. Not relevant to any popular formats in 2022, but interesting to show the historical development of the deck.		* [https://lotrtcgwiki.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=1666 Threats and Toads: Understanding Ninja Gollum Reloaded], a guide to building Ninja Gollum decks in [[Standard]] format shortly after the release of [[The Hunters]], posted on the Cobracards forums. Not relevant to any popular formats in 2022, but interesting to show the historical development of the deck.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:00, 19 February 2022
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	Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.		Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.

	[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with ~~{{Card\|Turgon, Man of Belfalas}},~~ {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}}, or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].		[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}} or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].

	{{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}} don't work when Gollum is skirmishing an [[ally]], and {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} only doubles wounds dealt to companions. Gollum often just can't do much to [[Elrond]] or {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} in a skirmish. This doesn't come up often! {{Card\|Horn of Boromir}} is [[X-list\|banned]] in all common formats where Ninja Gollum is played, and {{Card\|Support of the Last Homely House}} and {{Card\|One Whom Men Would Follow}} are both unusual cards.		{{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}} don't work when Gollum is skirmishing an [[ally]], and {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} only doubles wounds dealt to companions. Gollum often just can't do much to [[Elrond]] or {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} in a skirmish. This doesn't come up often! {{Card\|Horn of Boromir}} is [[X-list\|banned]] in all common formats where Ninja Gollum is played, and {{Card\|Support of the Last Homely House}} and {{Card\|One Whom Men Would Follow}} are both unusual cards.

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	Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.		Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.

	Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, ~~Captain~~ of ~~Gondor~~}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.		Many abilities that punish events or prevent abilities can shut down Ninja Gollum. {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}} and {{Card\|Spirit of the White Tree}} shut down {{Card\|They Stole It}} and {{Card\|Not This Time!}}, making them high-priority targets for {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}. <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} stops all of Gollum's skirmish tricks, but {{Card\|Led Astray}} can prevent it from being a problem. {{Card\|Perspective}} shuts down a whole spectrum of Ninja Gollum tricks, albeit at the cost of helping set up the threat stack. {{Card\|Gandalf, Wise Guide}} can shut down events, up to and including simply playing him with {{Card\|Captured By the Ring}} in the first place.

	[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with {{Card\|Turgon, Man of Belfalas}}, {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}}, or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].		[[Direct wounding]] and [[archery]] are generally not a problem for Ninja Gollum, since Gollum and Shelob have high [[vitality]]. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} even punishes archery. However, some direct wounding decks can pose a problem, especially if they can [[exhaust]] minions. [[Gondor Knights]] can use {{Card\|Fourth Level}} to exhaust Gollum or Shelob, who can then be picked off with {{Card\|Turgon, Man of Belfalas}}, {{Card\|Citadel of the Stars}}, or {{Card\|Gondor Bow}}. [[Gondor Rangers]] can neutralize one of them when they're roaming with {{Card\|Mablung, Soldier of Gondor}} and {{Card\|Ranger's Bow}}. (In Expanded, this matchup is much worse, as {{Card\|Madril, Defender of Osgiliath}} sets them up to be easily discarded with {{Card\|Ithilien Blade}}.) Similarly, {{Card\|Smeagol, Always Helps}} can exhaust one, then kill them with {{Card\|Don't Look At Them}} or an event like {{Card\|No Use That Way}}. {{C\|Rohan}} culture can often muster enough wounding to finish off Ninja Gollum's minions, with cards like {{Card\|Merry's Sword}}, {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Ithilien}}, some wounds from archery, and exertions from [[mount]]s. Again, sometimes neutralizing a key companion with {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can help somewhat, particularly in the case of Mablung or Sméagol, and {{Card\|Final Strike}} can shut down many of these abilities, but sometimes this is just a bad [[matchup]].

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	[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}, followed by whichever wounding condition(s) the Ninja Gollum player is using. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.		[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}, followed by whichever wounding condition(s) the Ninja Gollum player is using. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.

	[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: those cards can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.		[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: those cards can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack while providing no protection from {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.

	Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.		Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.

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	== Counterplay ==		== Counterplay ==

	[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is Promise Keeping. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.		[[Condition Removal\|Condition removal]]. Ninja Gollum has almost all of its power tied up in expensive [[support area]] [[condition]]s, so condition removal can cripple it. {{Card\|Secret Sentinels}}, {{Card\|Vilya}}, {{Card\|Company of Archers}}, {{Card\|Namarie}}, {{Card\|Lothlorien Guides}}, {{Card\|Sleep, Caradhras}}, {{Card\|Deep in Thought}}, {{Card\|Grown Suddenly Tall}}, {{Card\|Crack Into Rubble}}, {{Card\|Brooding on Tomorrow}}, {{Card\|Bilbo, Well-spoken Gentlehobbit}}, {{Card\|Fortress Never Fallen}}, {{Card\|Let Us Be Swift}}, {{Card\|Blood Runs Chill}}, {{Card\|Clever Hobbits}}, and {{Card\|Gladden Homestead}} are all a beating against Ninja Gollum. Usually, the main target is {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}, followed by whichever wounding condition(s) the Ninja Gollum player is using. {{Card\|Web}} isn't a condition, but the prevalence of strong support area possessions in other Shadow decks means that many Free Peoples decks run {{Card\|Roll of Thunder}}, {{Card\|Derufin}}, {{Card\|Throne of Minas Tirith}}, or {{Card\|Arrow-slits}} to deal with them. {{Card\|Galadriel, Lady Redeemed}} can discard both, making her very difficult to counter in Movie Block. {{Card\|Final Strike}} can protect against many of these cards, as long as Gollum is in play and has the vitality to exert. In Expanded, {{Card\|Deceit}} covers this weakness very well, although it can't protect against Vilya or Gladden Homestead, and does not protect effectively against some of these cards without holding back [[twilight]] every turn.

	[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: ~~that companion~~ can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.		[[Wound Prevention\|Wound prevention]]. Preventing wounds with cards like {{Card\|Eowyn, Lady of Rohan}}, {{Card\|Huorn}}, {{Card\|Hosts of the Last Alliance}}, {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, or {{Card\|Narsil, Blade of the Faithful}} not only makes it harder to kill someone to trigger the threat stack, but it also means that those wounds don't get doubled by {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}. {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}}, {{Card\|From the Armory}}, {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}}, and {{Card\|Lorien Protector}} can soak a full stack of threats harmlessly or nearly so. Cards that prevent companions from taking more than one wound per skirmish phase, like {{Card\|Armor}}, {{Card\|Swiftly and Softly}}, and {{Card\|King's Mail}}, or prevent wounds entirely, like {{Card\|Swept Away}} in [[Gondor Wraiths]], can be a double-sided sword: those cards can stop Gollum from getting any use out of {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they also limit how many wounds a character can absorb from a successfully-triggered threat stack. Cards that discard characters that would die, like {{Card\|The Dead City}} or {{Card\|Elessar's Edict}}, are very rare, but can also prevent a threat stack from being triggered. {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}} can sometimes help by excluding a particular character, but many of these abilities still work even if a different character is skirmishing.

	Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.		Similarly, [[healing]] and high [[vitality]] can be a soft counter to Ninja Gollum. While it definitely sucks to lose a companion then have to soak 10+ wounds from a full stack of threats, a fully-healed Fellowship can survive that and finish the game despite the setback. [[Aragorn]], [[Gandalf]], {{Card\|Durin III}}, {{Card\|Cirdan, the Shipwright}}, {{Card\|Gil-Galad, Elven High King}}, {{Card\|Elendil, the Tall}}, and {{Card\|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}, and most [[ent]]s are hard to kill in the first place to trigger the threat stack, and can soak up the wounds even if it does go off. Hobbits are especially vulnerable to {{Card\|They Stole It}}, but they often have a great deal of healing from cards like {{Card\|The Shire Countryside}}, {{Card\|Fates Entwined}}, and the [[Hobbit Hospital]] healing ally package to come back from a bad turn. Elves often have strong healing, from cards like {{Card\|Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad}}, {{Card\|Shadow Between}}, and {{Card\|Nenya, Ring of Adamant}}, and in some decks can offload wounds to self-healing allies with {{Card\|Shoulder to Shoulder}}. [[Gondor Knights]] can often soak some wounds, prevent some sounds with {{Card\|Sapling of the White Tree}}, and heal the rest off with {{Card\|Banner of Westernesse}} and {{Card\|Aragorn, Captain of Gondor}}.

	[[Skirmish Cancellation\|Skirmish cancellation]]. Since Ninja Gollum runs relatively few minions at a time, it's very vulnerable to having those skirmishes cancelled, leaving Gollum and Shelob twisting in the wind. {{Card\|Gandalf's Staff}}, {{Card\|Rohirrim Helm}} (recurred with {{Card\|Merry, Swordthain}}), {{Card\|No Visitors}} (recurred with {{Card\|Daddy Twofoot, Next-door Neighbor}}), and {{Card\|Halfling Leaf}} are all particularly obnoxious, since they are reusable. {{Card\|Warmed Up A Bit}} and {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} can also be annoying, although they aren't reusable and aren't common. ({{Card\|Boromir's Gauntlets}}, {{Card\|Escape}}, {{Card\|Merry, Learned Guide}}, and {{Card\|Pippin, ~~Wooly~~-footed Rascal}} are rarely a significant concern, since Ninja Gollum often doesn't spent every last bit of [[twilight]].)		[[Skirmish Cancellation\|Skirmish cancellation]]. Since Ninja Gollum runs relatively few minions at a time, it's very vulnerable to having those skirmishes cancelled, leaving Gollum and Shelob twisting in the wind. {{Card\|Gandalf's Staff}}, {{Card\|Rohirrim Helm}} (recurred with {{Card\|Merry, Swordthain}}), {{Card\|No Visitors}} (recurred with {{Card\|Daddy Twofoot, Next-door Neighbor}}), and {{Card\|Halfling Leaf}} are all particularly obnoxious, since they are reusable. {{Card\|Warmed Up A Bit}} and {{Card\|Tom Bombadil}} can also be annoying, although they aren't reusable and aren't common. ({{Card\|Boromir's Gauntlets}}, {{Card\|Escape}}, {{Card\|Merry, Learned Guide}}, and {{Card\|Pippin, Woolly-footed Rascal}} are rarely a significant concern, since Ninja Gollum often doesn't spent every last bit of [[twilight]].)

	Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.		Removing [[threat]]s can help soften Ninja Gollum's impact. The simplest solution is to let a low-value companion or ally die. Ideally you'd do this when you have a card that can prevent a whole threat stack like {{Card\|Gimli's Helm}} and {{Card\|Faramir, Wizard's Pupil}} lined up. Somewhat less ideally, you can do it in a way that avoids {{Card\|Promise Keeping}}: let them die to a non-{{C\|Gollum}} minion, kill them off outside of the [[skirmish phase]], or simply do it when Promise Keeping isn't in play. Otherwise, threat removal is rare: {{Card\|Citadel to Gate}}, {{Card\|Nine-fingered Frodo and the Ring of Doom}}, {{Card\|Glorfindel, Eldarin Lord}}, and {{Card\|Sting, Elven Long Knife}} are the main cards of note. [[Gondor Wraiths]] generates a lot of threats, but also runs plenty of cards to remove them that are rarely seen in other decks, like {{Card\|Frodo, Hope of Free Peoples}}, {{Card\|Aragorn, Driven By Need}}, and of course {{Card\|Stronger and More Terrible}}.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:54, 19 February 2022
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	Ninja Gollum is the main {{C\|Gollum}} [[Shadow Alignment\|Shadow]] deck ~~which~~ focuses on killing off a single [[companion]] (usually with [[direct wounding]]) ~~then crushing the entire [[Fellowship]] with~~ a stack of [[threat]]s. This wouldn't normally be enough wounding on its own to finish off most Fellowships, but {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} effectively doubles those wounds, and the deck often runs other sources of wounding to soften up the Fellowship. The deck relies on [[King Block]] cards, so it first appears in [[Movie Block]], then remains popular in all later formats (except [[French]]).		Ninja Gollum is the main {{C\|Gollum}} [[Shadow Alignment\|Shadow]] deck. It focuses on killing off a single [[companion]] (usually with [[direct wounding]]), which triggers a stack of [[threat]]s, crushing the entire [[Fellowship]]. This wouldn't normally be enough wounding on its own to finish off most Fellowships, but {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} effectively doubles those wounds, and the deck often runs other sources of wounding to soften up the Fellowship. The deck relies on [[King Block]] cards, so it first appears in [[Movie Block]], then remains popular in all later formats (except [[French]]).

	== The Promise Keeping Combo ==		== The Promise Keeping Combo ==
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	Gollum and Shelob can use some help winning skirmishes on turns when the {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} combo isn't set up. {{Card\|Hidden Even From Her}} makes Gollum [[fierce]], which is great for {{Card\|Gollum, Mad Thing}}, {{Card\|Gollum, Stinker}}, and {{Card\|Gollum, Threatening Guide}} (but terrible for some other versions of Gollum, particularly {{Card\|Gollum, Dark as Darkness}}). {{Card\|Unabated in Malice}} and {{Card\|Not Easily Avoided}} are the main [[pump]]s for Gollum and Shelob in Movie Block and Expanded respectively, although there are other options: {{Card\|Hobbitses Are Dead}} and {{Card\|Cunningly Hidden}} are pump events that can [[recur\|replay]] themselves from the discard pile. {{Card\|Slippery As Fishes}} is a situational strength buff that also doubles as a way to [[cycle]] a particularly bad hand, although Ninja Gollum decks rarely lack for cycling tools. {{Card\|Chasm's Edge}} is always worth at least one strength, but gets even better against [[Hobbit]]s or {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}}. {{Card\|Saruman, Servant of Sauron}} is worth an extra two strength where you need it and adds in a few handy wounds to boot.		Gollum and Shelob can use some help winning skirmishes on turns when the {{Card\|Promise Keeping}} combo isn't set up. {{Card\|Hidden Even From Her}} makes Gollum [[fierce]], which is great for {{Card\|Gollum, Mad Thing}}, {{Card\|Gollum, Stinker}}, and {{Card\|Gollum, Threatening Guide}} (but terrible for some other versions of Gollum, particularly {{Card\|Gollum, Dark as Darkness}}). {{Card\|Unabated in Malice}} and {{Card\|Not Easily Avoided}} are the main [[pump]]s for Gollum and Shelob in Movie Block and Expanded respectively, although there are other options: {{Card\|Hobbitses Are Dead}} and {{Card\|Cunningly Hidden}} are pump events that can [[recur\|replay]] themselves from the discard pile. {{Card\|Slippery As Fishes}} is a situational strength buff that also doubles as a way to [[cycle]] a particularly bad hand, although Ninja Gollum decks rarely lack for cycling tools. {{Card\|Chasm's Edge}} is always worth at least one strength, but gets even better against [[Hobbit]]s or {{Card\|Faramir, Son of Denethor}}. {{Card\|Saruman, Servant of Sauron}} is worth an extra two strength where you need it and adds in a few handy wounds to boot.

	The rest of the deck is made up of utility cards to help the whole thing play more smoothly. {{Card\|Plotting}} can work as a backup plan to set up a threat stack out of nowhere, but its high cost and significant downside if there are any threats left at the end of the turn limit its appeal. {{Card\|A Dark Shape Sprang}} and {{Card\|Reclaim the Precious}} are slightly gimmicky ways to interfere with [[Assignment Phase\|normal skirmish assignment]]; {{Card\|A Dark Shape Sprang}} is the only way for a Shadow player to kill the ring-bearer at site 1, in fact. {{Card\|Final Strike}} shuts down a variety of annoying strategies. {{Card\|Evil-smelling Fens}}, {{Card\|Incited}}, and {{Card\|Sudden Strike}} all help grab key cards. {{Card\|Treacherous Little Toad}} shuts down healing, and by extension can silence a companion with an annoying exertion ability. {{Card\|Deceit}} protects your vulnerable [[support area]]. {{Card\|Led Astray}} can protect against <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} or {{Card\|Foot of Mount Doom}}, or occasionally send the opposing Fellowship to an annoying site like <!--Anduin Banks-->{{Card\|11U227}} or <!--Slag Mounds-->{{Card\|11S258}}.		The rest of the deck is made up of utility cards to help the whole thing play more smoothly. {{Card\|Plotting}} can work as a backup plan to set up a threat stack out of nowhere, but its high cost and significant downside if there are any threats left at the end of the turn limit its appeal. {{Card\|A Dark Shape Sprang}} and {{Card\|Reclaim the Precious}} are slightly gimmicky ways to interfere with [[Assignment Phase\|normal skirmish assignment]]; {{Card\|A Dark Shape Sprang}} is the only way for a Shadow player to kill the ring-bearer at site 1, in fact. {{Card\|Final Strike}} shuts down a variety of annoying strategies. {{Card\|Evil-smelling Fens}}, {{Card\|Incited}}, {{Card\|Not Easily Avoided}}, and {{Card\|Sudden Strike}} all help grab key cards. {{Card\|Treacherous Little Toad}} shuts down healing, and by extension can silence a companion with an annoying exertion ability. {{Card\|Deceit}} protects your vulnerable [[support area]]. {{Card\|Led Astray}} can protect against <!--Cavern Entrance-->{{Card\|11S232}} or {{Card\|Foot of Mount Doom}}, or occasionally send the opposing Fellowship to an annoying site like <!--Anduin Banks-->{{Card\|11U227}} or <!--Slag Mounds-->{{Card\|11S258}}.

	Ninja Gollum is unusual in that it can benefit from your [[Free Peoples]] deck and vice versa, above and beyond the usual methods of [[cycling]], [[filter]], and choosing a synergistic [[site]] path. If your Free Peoples deck uses [[Gandalf]], you can [[Starting Fellowship\|start]] any version of [[Smeagol]] and immediately sacrifice him with {{Card\|Saved From the Fire}} to [[tutor]] three key Shadow {{C\|Gollum}} cards. If you'd rather play a Free Peoples deck more focused on Sméagol, {{Card\|It's Mine}} and {{Card\|Incited}} can help draw cards for both sides, and {{Card\|Cunningly Hidden}}, {{Card\|Naked Waste}}, and {{Card\|Not Easily Avoided}} all ~~benefit from~~ both sides' {{C\|Gollum}} cards.		Ninja Gollum is unusual in that it can benefit from your [[Free Peoples]] deck and vice versa, above and beyond the usual methods of [[cycling]], [[filter]], and choosing a synergistic [[site]] path. If your Free Peoples deck uses [[Gandalf]], you can [[Starting Fellowship\|start]] any version of [[Smeagol]] and immediately sacrifice him with {{Card\|Saved From the Fire}} to [[tutor]] three key Shadow {{C\|Gollum}} cards. If you'd rather play a Free Peoples deck more focused on Sméagol, {{Card\|It's Mine}} and {{Card\|Incited}} can help draw cards for both sides, and {{Card\|Cunningly Hidden}}, {{Card\|Naked Waste}}, and {{Card\|Not Easily Avoided}} all work on both sides' {{C\|Gollum}} cards.

	===Sites===		===Sites===
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	* Site 1 - Avoid using {{Card\|Rohirrim Road}}, although its impact is generally low. Any other site 1 is fine.		* Site 1 - Avoid using {{Card\|Rohirrim Road}}, although its impact is generally low. Any other site 1 is fine.
	* Site 2 - {{Card\|Rohirrim Camp}} can be effective against an unskilled opponent who dumps their hand and [[flood]]s. {{Card\|King's Tent}} is also an option, since Movie Ninja Gollum is generally not a large threat at early sites. Neither site is terribly important, though.		* Site 2 - {{Card\|Rohirrim Camp}} can be effective against an unskilled opponent who dumps their hand and [[flood]]s. {{Card\|King's Tent}} is also an option, since Movie Ninja Gollum is generally not a large threat at early sites. Neither site is terribly important, though.
	* Site 3 - {{Card\|Hall of the Kings}} can tempt opponents into setting up your threat stack for you if you, especially if you haven't given away your Shadow side yet. (Simply playing Gollum is generally not a giveaway, but playing most {{C\|Gollum}} conditions will be.) {{Card\|The Dimholt}} benefits {{Card\|Slippery as Fishes}}, although that's rarely worth putting it in your deck unless you're also running [[Gondor Wraiths]] as your own Free Peoples ~~deck~~.		* Site 3 - {{Card\|Hall of the Kings}} can tempt opponents into setting up your threat stack for you if you, especially if you haven't given away your Shadow side yet. (Simply playing Gollum is generally not a giveaway, but playing most {{C\|Gollum}} conditions will be.) {{Card\|The Dimholt}} benefits {{Card\|Slippery as Fishes}}, although that's rarely worth putting it in your deck unless you're also running [[Gondor Wraiths]] as your own Free Peoples [[side]].
	* Site 4 - {{Card\|City of the Dead}} can tutor {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}, albeit at a high cost. Ninja Gollum almost always has the spare vitality for {{Card\|Pelennor Prairie}} and often likes buffing {{Card\|Gollum, Mad Thing}} with <!--Anduin Banks-->{{Card\|7U341}}. {{Card\|City of the Dead}} and <!--Anduin Banks-->{{Card\|7U341}} are both sites that benefit {{Card\|Slippery as Fishes}}, too.		* Site 4 - {{Card\|City of the Dead}} can tutor {{Card\|Shelob, Her Ladyship}}, albeit at a high cost. Ninja Gollum almost always has the spare vitality for {{Card\|Pelennor Prairie}} and often likes buffing {{Card\|Gollum, Mad Thing}} with <!--Anduin Banks-->{{Card\|7U341}}. {{Card\|City of the Dead}} and <!--Anduin Banks-->{{Card\|7U341}} are both sites that benefit {{Card\|Slippery as Fishes}}, too.
	* Site 5 - {{Card\|Steward's Tomb}} is almost always the best choice, to stymie wound prevention and slow down healing. {{Card\|Pelennor Flat}} is an alternative for a more burden-focused deck. Be careful with {{Card\|City Gates}}: if the Fellowship moves into the site with threats stacked already and you don't use them at site 5, the site will often remove more threats than it added.		* Site 5 - {{Card\|Steward's Tomb}} is almost always the best choice, to stymie wound prevention and slow down healing. {{Card\|Pelennor Flat}} is an alternative for a more burden-focused deck. Be careful with {{Card\|City Gates}}: if the Fellowship moves into the site with threats stacked already and you don't use them at site 5, the site will often remove more threats than it added.
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	==Variants==		==Variants==
	Ninja Gollum decks often supplement their strategies with [[corruption]], as an alternate route to win, to pressure the opponent to pick the option to buff {{Card\|Gollum, Mad Thing}}, or just to discourage soaking ~~threats~~ with [[the One Ring]]. {{Card\|Gollum, Stinker}} can serve as enough deterrent on his own, but the deck often also runs {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}}. Other options include {{Card\|Ulaire Toldea, Messenger of Morgul}}, {{Card\|Morgul Creeper}}, and {{Card\|Ulaire Cantea, Black Assassin}}. {{Card\|Heavy Burden}}, {{Card\|Nasty, Foul Hobbitses}}, and {{Card\|Not Yet Vanquished}} can add more burdens, too.		Ninja Gollum decks often supplement their strategies with [[corruption]], as an alternate [[Win Condition\|route to win]], to pressure the opponent to pick the option to buff {{Card\|Gollum, Mad Thing}}, or just to discourage soaking threat wounds with [[the One Ring]]. {{Card\|Gollum, Stinker}} can serve as enough deterrent on his own, but the deck often also runs {{Card\|Ulaire Enquea, Lieutenant of Morgul}}. Other options include {{Card\|Ulaire Toldea, Messenger of Morgul}}, {{Card\|Morgul Creeper}}, and {{Card\|Ulaire Cantea, Black Assassin}}. {{Card\|Heavy Burden}}, {{Card\|Nasty, Foul Hobbitses}}, and {{Card\|Not Yet Vanquished}} can add more burdens, too.

	There's a [[corruption]] [[bomb]] combo using {{Card\|Watcher in the Water, Keeper of Westgate}} and {{Card\|Northern Ithilien}}, and as such it only works in [[Movie Block]]. Play {{Card\|Evil-Smelling Fens}} and stack up [[threat]]s, either beforehand or on the turn you go off. Once you get to {{Card\|Northern Ithilien}}, play Gollum, ideally using the site's gametext. (If you don't already have threats stacked beforehand, playing {{Card\|Plotting}} on the turn you plan to go off can help.) Then, play the Watcher, which will discard Gollum. (A second copy of Evil-Smelling Fens can help pull the Watcher out of your discard pile.) At this point, play Gollum over and over using the site's text, placing two [[burden]]s and immediately discarding Gollum each time. This combo can stack up as many burdens as you can get threats, usually up to the size of the [[Fellowship]]. The combo is not especially reliable, so it's usually not the main focus of a deck.		There's a [[corruption]] [[bomb]] combo using {{Card\|Watcher in the Water, Keeper of Westgate}} and {{Card\|Northern Ithilien}}, and as such it only works in [[Movie Block]]. Play {{Card\|Evil-Smelling Fens}} and stack up [[threat]]s, either beforehand or on the turn you go off. Once you get to {{Card\|Northern Ithilien}}, play Gollum, ideally using the site's gametext. (If you don't already have threats stacked beforehand, playing {{Card\|Plotting}} on the turn you plan to go off can help.) Then, play the Watcher, which will discard Gollum. (A second copy of Evil-Smelling Fens can help pull the Watcher out of your discard pile.) At this point, play Gollum over and over using the site's text, placing two [[burden]]s and immediately discarding Gollum each time. This combo can stack up as many burdens as you can get threats, usually up to the size of the [[Fellowship]]. The combo is not especially reliable, so it's usually not the main focus of a deck.