Editing User:Tunadan/Nertea

= Strategy =
'''Nertea, Dark Horseman''' is one of the most popular versions of Nertea and also a powerful (and by many viewed as [[broken]]) card against one- or two-[[race]] decks. 

When Nertea was released in [[Ages' End]], he became the bane of [[monoracial]] decks such as [[Gondor Tanks]] and {{C|Rohan}} that run either all companions of their [[culture]] and [[race]] (with the possible exception of [[Frodo]] as [[Ring-bearer]]). Nertea is then free to repeatedly be assigned to the [[Ring-bearer]] and potentially corrupt them. 

Because of this, Nertea was the perfect addition to [[Nazgul Corruption]], as he is strong against [[Alternate Ring-Bearers]], especially ones that have skirmishing penalties like {{Card|Boromir, Bearer of Council}} and {{Card|Gimli, Bearer of Grudges}}. Ge also can prevent assignments to a companion [[bearing]] {{Card|Sense of Obligation}}, or place {{Card|The Lingering Shadow}} on desireable targets, and when played with {{Card|Saruman, Servant of Sauron}}, he can [[exert]] those bearing {{Card|The Lingering Shadow}} as well. Nertea also is a solid addition to a [[Morcs]] deck, as he easily piles up burdens, and depending on the [[Ring-bearer]], threats or wounds on the [[Ring-bearer]]. However, due to his easy monoculture hate, he is widely played in many decks as either a [[splash]] minion or as an augmentation to a strategy, i.e. [[Forestguls]] or [[Orc Corruption]]. 

Nertea, then, is an effective counter to many strategies. Against {{C|Gondor}} decks, it is easy to assign Nertea to either {{Card|Boromir, Bearer of Council}} or {{Card|Isildur, Bearer of Heirlooms}}, piling up burdens or wounds quickly. However, such a strategy often runs [[Gandalf]] as a counter to Nertea. A simple way to deal with him is {{Card|Ulaire Toldea, Black Shadow}} [[recurring]] {{Card|Too Great and Terrible}}. Alternatively, you can simply try to kill [[Gandalf]] with Nertea, often with the help of {{Card|Saruman, Servant of Sauron}}. Against {{C|Dwarven}} decks, the situation is often similar, unless they play a third race, such as {{Card|Grimbeorn, Beorning Chieftain}}. {{C|Shire}} decks are often difficult to beat with only Nertea, as they commonly run {{Card|The One Ring, The Great Ring}} and {{Card|Merry, Friend to Sam}}. However, if you can play {{Card|11S232}}, it is possible to overwhelm [[Frodo]] and then [[Sam]], if they play both. The obvious roadblock is {{Card|Sting, Baggins Heirloom}} or any other version, or {{Card|A Promise}}. {{C|Gandalf}} decks, however, run a variety of strong races such as [[Ent]], [[Man]], and [[Wizard]]. Thus, Nertea is of little use against that culture. {{C|Elven}} usually has a plethora of [[skirmish events]] to protect {{Card|Galadriel, Bearer of Wisdom}}, not to mention {{Card|Galadriel's Silver Ewer}}. {{C|Rohan}} decks are also susceptible to {{Card|11S232}}, as they commonly run [[Frodo]]. Occasionally, however, they will run an [[Alternate Ring-Bearer]] like {{Card|Faramir, Bearer of Quality}} or {{Card|Gandalf, Bearer of Obligation}}. In this case, Nertea is slightly weaker, but still effective.