Desperate Measures (1R245)
Desperate Defense of the Ring (1R244) | Back to Fellowship of the Ring Index |
Enduring Evil (1R246) |
Desperate Measures (1R245) is a Sauron Event from the Fellowship of the Ring set.
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Strategy[edit]
The key event in a Sauron mill strategy, Desperate Measures can discard five cards for the removal of a single burden in the maneuver phase. Very few strategies function without a draw deck or the ability to replenish cards when reconciling, making the discarding strategy a borderline negative playing experience. Desperate Defense of the Ring (1R244) , another powerful milling card, can add the burdens necessary to play Desperate Measures. The Irresistible Shadow (1R252) is one of very few "win condition" cards, automatically granting the Shadow player the win if the opponent has five burdens and no draw deck.
With the addition of Frodo, Courteous Halfling (4R301) in the Two Towers base set, the Sauron mill strategy took a nearly unrecoverable hit. Additionally, access to stronger companions and abilities left the Shadow discard strategy one of the least played archetypes beyond Fellowship block. With the expensive roaming penalties of the (relatively) weak minions, very little could stop a Free People's player from simply outrunning his or her opponent.
Strengths and Weaknesses[edit]
Strong Versus...[edit]
- Anyone with a draw deck
- Pairs well with free peoples discard strategies, such as The White Arrows of Lórien (1C68) or Nobody Tosses a Dwarf (1R23)
Weak Versus...[edit]
- Frodo, Courteous Halfling (4R301)
- Preparations (7R12) and Rest by Blind Night (4R54) can recycle discarded cards
- Extremely large decks, or decks that play from discard such as Moria Swarm or Dunland Constantly Threatening (4R6)
See Also[edit]
- This card's game text contains an error; it should say “discard the top 5 cards” instead of “discard top 5 cards”.
Decks[edit]
Fellowship Block "Cruel Discard" by Kralik[edit]
Ring and Bearer:
Frodo, Reluctant Adventurer (2C102)
The One Ring, Isildur's Bane (1R1)
Adventure Deck:
1 The Prancing Pony (1U324)
*
2 Trollshaw Forest (1U334)
*
3 Rivendell Waterfall (1U342)
4 Eregion Hills (3U116)
5 The Bridge of Khazad-dûm (1C349)
*
6 Valley of the Silverlode (2U120)
*
7 The Great River (3C118)
8 Gates of Argonath (3C117)
9 Tol Brandir (1U363)
Free Peoples (35 cards):
1x Arwen, Daughter of Elrond (1R30)
(starting)
1x Legolas, Son of Thranduil (3P121)
(starting)
1x Aragorn, King in Exile (1P365)
3x Haldir, Elf of the Golden Wood (1U48)
3x Elrond, Herald to Gil-galad (3R13)
1x Gwemegil (1R47)
1x Long-knives of Legolas (3R21)
1x Ranger’s Sword (1U112)
2x Aragorn’s Bow (1R90)
1x Bow of the Galadhrim (1R33)
3x Elven Bow (1C41)
2x Gift of Boats (1U46)
2x Songs of the Blessed Realm (1C61)
1x The Choice of Lúthien (1R100)
1x The Last Alliance of Elves and Men (1R49)
3x The White Arrows of Lórien (1C68)
2x Hobbit Stealth (1C298)
2x Might of Númenor (3C43)
2x Secret Sentinels (2R20)
2x The Council of Elrond (1R35)
Shadow (35 cards):
3x Morgul Hunter (1R256)
4x Orc Ambusher (1C261)
4x Orc Inquisitor (1C268)
4x Orc Warrior (3C101)
2x Tower Assassin (2R93)
3x Desperate Defense of the Ring (1R244)
3x His Cruelty and Malice (3R91)
2x Thin and Stretched (1R279)
3x Tower of Barad-dûr (3R104)
3x Desperate Measures (1R245)
2x Enduring Evil (1R246)
2x Shadow's Reach (1C277)