Thematic Nightmare

In my Thematic Nightmare series, I build thematic decks to defeat nightmare quests.

Conventional wisdom often divides LotR LCG decks into two categories:

1) Power Decks, which are built solely with game mechanics in mind and are considered capable of taking on the most difficult quests

2) Thematic Decks, which eschew mechanically stronger cards when they don’t fit with the deck’s narrative and are considered less likely to reach “top tier” status

The power vs theme dichotomy, however, is a false one. Decks can be both thematic and powerful. This series is dedicated to proving that.

Here’s something to get you started

• A Note on Theme, in which I define what makes a “thematic” deck
• A Brief Note on Goals, in which I lay out some rules for my thematic nightmare posts
• Flight from Moria, wherein I delve deep into the lore
• Escape from Mount Gram, for a deck with a beautifully focused theme
• Escape from Dol Guldur, to see just how intense things can get

And here’s the full series

Core + Shadows of Mirkwood

• Passage Through Mirkwood
• Journey Along the Anduin
• Escape from Dol Guldur – Quest Analysis
• Escape from Dol Guldur – Deckbuilding
• The Hunt for Gollum
• Conflict at the Carrock
• A Journey to Rhosgobel
• Play Report: A Journey to Rhosgobel
• The Hills of Emyn Muil
• The Dead Marshes
• Return to Mirkwood
• Play Report: Return to Mirkwood
• Nightmare Wrap-Up: Core + Shadows of Mirkwood (part 1)
• Nightmare Wrap-up: Core + Shadows of Mirkwood (Part 2)

Khazad-Dûm + Dwarrowdelf

• Nightmares in Khazad-Dûm
• Into the Pit
• The Seventh Level
• Flight from Moria
• The Redhorn Gate
• Road to Rivendell
• The Watcher in the Water
• The Long Dark
• Foundations of Stone
• Shadow and Flame
• Nightmare Wrap-Up: Khazad-Dûm + Dwarrowdelf

Heirs of Númenor + Against the Shadow

• Peril in Pelargir
• Into Ithilien
• The Siege of Cair Andros
• The Steward’s Fear
• The Drúadan Forest
• Encounter at Amon Dîn
• Assault on Osgiliath
• Blood of Gondor
• The Morgul Vale
• Nightmare Wrap-Up: Heirs of Númenor + Against the Shadow

The Voice of Isengard + Ring-maker

• Nightmares in Isengard
• The Fords of Isen
• To Catch an Orc
• Into Fangorn
• The Dunland Trap
• The Three Trials
• Trouble in Tharbad
• The Nîn-in-Eilph
• Celebrimbor’s Secret
• The Antlered Crown
• Nightmare Wrap-Up: The Voice of Isengard + Ring-maker

The Lost Realm + Angmar Awakened

• Nightmares in Angmar
• Intruders in Chetwood
• The Weather Hills
• Deadmen’s Dike
• The Wastes of Eriador
• Escape from Mount Gram
• Across the Ettenmoors
• The Treachery of Rhudaur
• The Battle of Carn Dûm
• The Dread Realm
• Nightmare Wrap Up: The Lost Realm + Angmar Awakened

The Grey Havens + Dreamchaser

• Nightmares at Sea
• Voyage Across Belegaer

Print on Demand

• The Massing at Osgiliath
• The Siege of Annúminas
• Murder at the Prancing Pony
• The Ruins of Belegost
• Attack on Dol Guldur