Lord of the Rings TCG PC Forums

Event 1: Romance Sealed

Our first event for the second year of Sealed Masters is Romance Sealed! The multi-path site path will be used for this event. Ringbearer skirmishes CANNOT be cancelled. Players will be given the following:

-choice of one of the 4 decks listed below
-2 Fellowship of the Ring boosters
-2 Two Towers boosters
-1 Ents of Fangorn booster
-2 Return of the King boosters
-2 Black Rider boosters

Aragorn+Arwen Deck:
Ring-bearer: Frodo, Master of the Precious
Ring: The One Ring, The Ruling Ring

Adventure deck:
Westfold
Plains of Rohan Camp
Barrows of Edoras
White Rocks
Helm's Gate
Hornburg Armory
Hornburg Causeway
Valley of Saruman
Fortress of Orthanc

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
3x Arwen, Echo of Lúthien
4x Elven Warrior
1x Aragorn, King in Exile
1x Asfaloth
1x Elven Armaments
1x Elven Bow
2x Elven Sword
1x Hadafang
1x Lembas Bread
1x Hobbit Sword
1x Gift of the Evenstar, Blessed Light
1x Andúril, King's Blade
1x Ring of Barahir
2x Back to the Light
2x Must Be a Dream
2x Arwen's Fate
1x No Mere Ranger
3x Mallorn-trees
1x The Choice of Lúthien

Shadow Draw Deck:
4x Goblin Aggressor
2x Mordor Aggressor
4x Orc Artisan
2x Orkish Assassin
2x Picket Denizen
2x Pitiless Orc
4x Scavenging Goblins
1x Mordor Scimitar
1x Orc Hammer
1x Orc Spear
1x Orkish Ax
1x Orkish Hunting Spear
1x Armed for Battle
1x Massing Strength
1x Unreasonable Choice
1x Whatever Means
1x Retribution

Faramir+Eowyn Deck:
Ring-bearer: Frodo, Resolute Hobbit
Ring: The One Ring, The Ruling Ring

Adventure deck:
Town Center
Bree Streets
Ford of Bruinen
Moria Lake
The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Caras Galadhon
Anduin Wilderland
Gates of Argonath
Emyn Muil

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Anborn, Skilled Huntsman
1x Faramir, Ithilien Ranger
1x Mablung, Soldier of Gondor
1x Madril, Faramir's Aide
1x Unyielding Ranger
1x Éowyn, Daughter of Éomund
1x Gondorian Sword
2x Ranger's Bow
1x Ranger's Cloak
3x Horse of Rohan
1x Hobbit Sword
2x Concealment
1x New Errand
1x Stand to Arms
2x While We Yet Live
1x Guarded
2x Invigorated
1x Long Prepared
2x Man the Walls
1x Second Level
1x Soldier's Cache
1x Third Level
1x Tremendous Wall

Shadow Draw Deck:
2x Black Rider
1x The Witch-king, Black Lord
1x Úlairë Attëa, Black Predator
1x Úlairë Attëa, Desirous of Power
1x Úlairë Cantëa, Duplicitous Assassin
1x Úlairë Enquëa, Faster Than Winds
1x Úlairë Enquëa, Sixth of the Nine Riders
1x Úlairë Lemenya, Black Enemy
1x Úlairë Lemenya, Wraith on Wings
2x Úlairë Nelya, Fell Rider
1x Úlairë Nertëa, Black Horseman
1x Úlairë Nertëa, Servant of the Shadow
1x Úlairë Otsëa, Black Specter
1x Úlairë Otsëa, Seventh of the Nine Riders
1x Úlairë Toldëa, Wraith on Wings
2x Shadowy Mount
2x Mind and Body
1x Black Breath
2x Black Dart
1x Feel His Blade
2x Sauron's Gaze
1x They Came From Mordor
2x Too Late

Galadriel+Celeborn Deck:
Ring-bearer: Frodo, Son of Drogo
Ring: The One Ring, The Ruling Ring

Adventure deck:
Rohirrim Road
West Road
Hall of the Kings
Pelennor Prairie
Crashed Gate
Minas Tirith Seventh Circle
Osgiliath Crossing
Northern Ithilien
Slag Mounds

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
1x Celeborn, Lord of the Galadhrim
1x Elven Scout
1x Gildor Inglorion, Of the House of Finrod
1x Glorfindel, Revealed in Wrath
2x Lórien Guardian
3x Galadriel, Keeper of Nenya
1x Hobbit Sword
2x Nenya, Ring of Adamant
1x The Mirror of Galadriel, Dangerous Guide
2x Forearmed
2x Gift of Foresight
1x Might of the Elf-lords
2x Mirkwood Bowman
2x Miruvóre
3x Still Needed
2x Crashing Cavalry
2x Forewarned
1x Uncertain Future

Shadow Draw Deck:
2x Band of Uruk Bowmen
1x Uruk Fanatic
2x Uruk Follower
1x Uruk Rear Guard
1x Uruk Runner
1x Uruk Spy
4x Uruk Stormer
2x Uruk-hai Mob
2x Lurtz, Halfling Hunter
1x Uruk Village Rager
2x White Hand Intruder
1x Beyond All Hope
2x Beyond Dark Mountains
2x Cruel Caradhras
2x We Are the Fighting Uruk-hai
1x Land Had Changed
2x Down to the Last Child
1x Traitor's Voice

Sam+Rosie Deck:
Ring-bearer: Sam, Bearer of Great Need
Ring: The One Ring, The Ruling Ring

Adventure deck:
Bag End
Buckleberry Ferry
Frodo's Bedroom
Dwarrowdelf Chamber
The Bridge of Khazad-dûm
Valley of the Silverlode
The Great River
Shores of Nen Hithoel
Tol Brandir

Free Peoples Draw Deck:
2x Gimli, Unbidden Guest
2x Gandalf, Returned
1x Járnsmid, Barding Emissary
1x Boromir, Destined Guide
1x Rosie Cotton, Barmaid
3x Goldberry, River-daughter
3x Tom Bombadil, The Master
1x Gimli's Battle Axe, Vicious Weapon
1x Radagast's Herb Bag
1x Wizard Staff
1x Armor of the White City
1x Denethor's Sword
1x Gondorian Steed
1x Horn of Boromir, The Great Horn
1x Hobbit Sword
1x Salt from the Shire
1x Drawn to Full Height
1x Long I Fell
1x One Last Surprise
1x Staff Asunder
1x Diversion
1x Fearing the Worst
1x Little Golden Flower
1x The Gaffer, Master Gardener

Shadow Draw Deck:
1x Gate Picket
2x Gorgoroth Stormer
1x Mordor Wretch
2x Orc Archer Troop
3x Orc Chaser
1x Orc Cutthroat
1x Orc Guard
1x Orc Insurgent
1x Orc Patrol
3x Orc Pursuer
2x Orc Seeker
3x Orc Stalker
4x Besieging Pike
1x Flames Within
1x Morgai
3x Some Secret Art of Flame

The Sealed Masters Circuit is returning for a second year! This year we have 8 brand new sealed leagues that will test the gameplay and analytical skills of our competitors. We will also be changing the format of the Sealed Masters Final Tournament to include only 8 players instead of the 12 from last year. More details on the format of the Sealed Masters Final Tournament below. We look forward to seeing if the title of Sealed Master will stay with daisukeman or be passed on to another masterfully skilled sealed player.

WHAT IS IT AND HOW DO I QUALIFY?
Each month from March-October, we will run a brand new custom Sealed Gala league that no one has played before. The winner of each Sealed Gala from March-October will qualify for the Sealed Masters Final Tournament in November. For those who are not yet familiar with the Sealed Gala events, these are monthly sealed leagues on Gemp where players have 20 days to complete 10 games.
If we have a repeat winner in an event, the next highest finisher who has not already qualified will qualify for the Final Tournament. Once the 8 competitors have qualified for the Final Tournament, we will create a list of backup players who will participate in the Final Tournament if one (or more) of the qualified players is unable to attend the event. The backup list will be created based on a point system related to the results of the previous events. Players will accumulate Backup Points based on high finishes in the qualifying leagues. The point system is as follows:
2nd Place Finish: 3 backup points
3rd Place Finish: 2 backup points
4th Place Finish: 1 backup point
On Saturday, November 21, we will run the Sealed Masters Final Tournament. This will be a live double-elimination tournament with the 8 qualifying competitors. The format for the final will be one of the 8 previously run formats during qualifying. The exact format chosen will be announced approximately 1 week prior to the event.

ABOUT THE 8 CUSTOM SEALED LEAGUES:
The 8 new leagues for the Sealed Masters Circuit each have their own theme and attempt to use a large number of LotR TCG cards that are generally underused or rarely/never see gameplay. While I won’t share the full details of each event quite yet, I will give the name of each event, a short general description of what they will be, and the names of the 4 decks that players will be able to choose from. Please note that the order of these leagues has not yet been decided.

Romance Sealed: This league focuses on the theme of love in The Lord of the Rings. Players will open an array of booster packs to pair with one of 4 custom sealed decks. Each deck is based around an iconic couple on the free peoples side. On the shadow side, the strategies involve both wounding and burden synergies that should make opening bids more interesting. Players will use sites from either Fellowship, Towers, or King Block. The 4 decks are:

1. Arwen-Aragorn
2. Eowyn-Faramir
3. Celeborn-Galadriel
4. Sam-Rosie (with a Tom Bombadil - Goldberry subtheme)

Bromance Sealed: Similar to the previous league, players will open booster packs to pair with one of 4 custom sealed decks. Each deck is based around two iconic male characters with a very close bond. The shadow sides explore the concept of lurking and threats that lie in wait. Players will use expanded sites. The 4 decks are:

1. Merry-Pippin
2. Aragorn-Boromir
3. Legolas-Gimli
4. Frodo-Sam

Forbidden Love Sealed: Players will open a variety of booster packs to pair with one of 4 custom sealed decks. Each deck is based around a taboo or one-sided love interest either on the free peoples side or the shadow side. There is a sub-theme in this league that revolves around possessions, how they are played, used, and discarded (and the love some characters will never possess). Players will use Towers Block sites. The 4 decks are:

1. Eowyn-Aragorn
2. Gimli-Galadriel
3. Saruman-Pipeweed
4. Grima-Eowyn

True Love Sealed: This league takes a more whimsical approach to the theme of love. Players will open six boosters to pair with one of 4 custom sealed decks. The ‘true love’ connection, if you can really call it that, dictates both the free peoples and shadow side for each deck. I attempted to put as much imagery into the decks to support the comical themes. Players will use expanded sites. The 4 decks are:

1. Sam-Oliphants
2. Shagrat-Shiny Things
3. Smeagol-Fish in Forbidden Pool
4. Warg-Gimli

Lineage Sealed: There are many strong bloodlines in The Lord of the Rings and now players will be able to choose one of them to fight their opponents. Players will open 6 boosters and choose one of 4 custom sealed decks. The free peoples side for each of these decks consists entirely of companions who share a distinct lineage. The shadow sides use a number of cards that rarely see play and should spice things up in this restricted format. Players will use sites from either Fellowship, Towers, or King Block. The 4 decks are:

1. House of Eorl
2. House of Hurin
3. House of Telcontar
4. Line of the Half-Elves

Knighted Sealed: There are a number of actors in The Lord of the Rings who have received knighthood. Of those actors who are featured in the TCG, we have Sir Peter Jackson (Albert Dreary, Rohirrim Warrior, Castamir of Umbar, and Castamir again), Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Sir Ian Holm (Bilbo), Sir Christopher Lee (Saruman), and Sir Billy Connolly (Dain in The Hobbit films). Each of the 4 decks in this league use knighted characters on both the free peoples side and the shadow side. The 4 decks are:

1. Dain Ironfoot-Castamir
2. Gandalf-Albert Dreary-Saruman
3. Gandalf-Bilbo-Saruman
4. Rohirrim Warrior-Castamir-Saruman

Battle for Site Control Sealed: What happens when everyone is trying to control sites and liberate their opponents sites throughout the entirely of the match? My hope is chaos! This league focuses on the 4 free peoples cultures that can liberate sites and 4 of the main shadow sides that can control them. Throw in a small amount of boosters for some variance and we should have a true battle for middle earth. I attempted to pair free peoples cultures with the sides that they liberated in The Lord of the Rings (or at least as much as possible). Players will use sites from either Fellowship, Towers, or King Block. The 4 decks are:

1. Rohan-Dunland
2. Gondor-Raider
3. Ents-Isengard
4. Elves-Besiegers

Move Limit Sealed: Generally in sealed, we don’t see a lot of triple moving (or quadruple moving). This league should put general movement patterns to the test. In this league, each fellowship side has the ability to increase the move limit, while the shadow sides have the ability to decrease the move limit (or increase it and force the fellowship to continue their sprint to site 9). Don’t cycle your shadow cards too much! Even if you’re at site 8 and your opponent is back at site 5, they may still be able to win the race to 9. Players will use sites from either Fellowship, Towers, or King Block. The 4 decks are:

1. Gandalf-Dunland
2. Gondor-Evil Men
3. Rohan-Sauron
4. Smeagol-Gollum/Southron

PRIZES:
Mailing prizes last year turned out to be much more difficult than expected, so this year, we are moving to a gift card prize. The winner of the league will receive a $50/€50 gift card to either Category One Games or Card Game Geek.
If you would like to donate a prize to the event to add to the prize pool, please email the Player’s Council: playerscouncil@lotrtcgpc.net.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
The 8 new formats should present a wide variety of challenges and unique game-play. There will be new problems to solve and new strategies to decipher. In some leagues, it will be beneficial to bid high and go first, while in other leagues burdens will be a shrinking resource and you may want to bid low. In some of the leagues, the fellowships will be stronger than the shadow sides, and in others, shadow kills will be more common than fellowship victories.
Since I designed each of these leagues, I will be ineligible to qualify for the Final Tournament; however, I will be playing in the events because I put a lot of time into creating these leagues and I’m excited for them!
In order to qualify for, and ultimately win, the Sealed Masters Final Tournament, you will need to accurately analyse the new formats. Which custom deck is the strongest? Should I let my pull dictate my deck choice or simply choose the deck that I think is best? Which strategy should I employ? What cards in my pool should I use to make the best deck possible? Every small advantage will make a difference. You will need good deck-building, strong format analysis, clean game-play, and a little bit of luck to take home the title. Are you up for the challenge?
Looking forward to seeing you all on Gemp!

Sincerely,

Nelson (bign19) and the Player’s Council