Reflecting on Tales of Middle Earth

Night's Whisper card art

As we conclude July, I have one final post on Tales of Middle Earth. This is a series of semi-random comments.

Review: from my initial post, I voiced concerns (before release) of Wizards capturing the story/spirit of the books. And I wasn't sure about the ring mechanic. From my other posts (collecting, drafting, constructing), I pointed out the unusually high cost of the set, underwhelming drafting, and a painful constructed experience (due largely to the powerful formats the set is limited to in Arena).

I think my initial concerns proved correct. The cards in this set do feel like Magic cards, but many don't feel like Lord of the Rings cards, if that makes sense. Some do, but looking across the set as a whole, I think it's hard to map the spirit of the books into the way Magic plays. 

For what it's worth, I feel weird mixing this set with other Magic releases. I wish I could have seen how it plays as a constructed stand-alone experience. But what I saw, mixing it with other sets, disappointed me. The Nazgul + Sheoldred combo is powerful indeed, but everything else was underwhelming or strange.

Other observations:

- Since Magic has only five colors, it felt weird having certain enemies share those. Dwarves and goblins, for example, were both red. 

- Having blue elves made sense for Lord of the Rings but not for Magic. (To be fair, there were blue elves in the Adventures in Forgotten Realms set.)

- There is too much in the books to capture in one set. I was hoping for more treefolk, more goblins and orcs, more elves and dwarves, and so on.

- The 'ring tempts you' mechanic is fine. It makes for some interesting interactions and abilities.

- The One Ring and Orcish Bowmasters are too powerful. I expect they will be banned in some formats.

Overall, I would consider this set to be 'meh.' Despite all of my criticisms, I did enjoy seeing iconic characters come to Magic. I just wish they had been presented a little differently.

Constructing Tales of Middle Earth

Nazgul card art

Continuing this month's theme, today I look at constructing decks using almost exclusively Tales of Middle Earth cards. All play was done in Arena in the Alchemy format.

Because this set is a straight-to-modern release, the only formats in Arena that supports its use (aside from special events) are Alchemy and Historic. A summary:

Arena

Per the official site, Alchemy is:

- a digital-only experience (only on Arena)

- "based on the Standard format," so it is a rotating format that has sets of cards that are legal for deck construction

- New-to-Digital Cards. It has some "mechanics designed specifically for digital play," and they release some of these "new cards alongside every Standard set release."

- Rebalanced Magic Cards. Since it is digital-only, it "features rebalanced versions of existing Standard cards to shake up the meta for digital play." In other words, if a card is too powerful (or weak) in paper formats, they might adjust its cost or abilities to balance things out.

Historic

- non-rotating

- can include any card ever released on Arena

Both formats feature extremely powerful decks. This would present a problem.

Constructing Decks for Tales of Middle Earth

I attempted to make decks using only cards from Tales of Middle Earth, for a 'pure' Lord of the Rings experience. It didn't go well for two reasons:

1) The set's power level is low; not incorporating cards from other sets makes it almost impossible to win.

2) Alchemy and Historic are both high-power formats. 

In short, I lost a ton. It was really frustrating. I tried the following decks, all of which were a mess:

UG Elves

This deck is based on the scrying mechanic. Sometimes that combo worked, but never to victory.

3 Arwen Undómiel (LTR) 194

2 Elrond, Master of Healing (LTR) 200

2 Galadhrim Guide (LTR) 168

3 Shower of Arrows (LTR) 188

2 Celeborn the Wise (LTR) 156

2 Chance-Met Elves (LTR) 157

1 Glorfindel, Dauntless Rescuer (LTR) 171

2 Lothlórien Lookout (LTR) 175

4 Elven Farsight (LTR) 161

1 Horses of the Bruinen (LTR) 55

3 Grey Havens Navigator (LTR) 53

2 Arwen's Gift (LTR) 39

2 Council's Deliberation (LTR) 46

2 Hithlain Knots (LTR) 54

1 Lost Isle Calling (LTR) 61

4 Nimrodel Watcher (LTR) 63

12 Forest (LTR) 271

12 Island (LTR) 265

WG Second Breakfast

Who doesn't love second breakfast? This foods-based deck had potential, but still couldn't hold up.

2 Hobbit's Sting (LTR) 20

4 Eastfarthing Farmer (LTR) 8

2 Shire Shirriff (LTR) 30

1 Second Breakfast (LTR) 29

1 The Battle of Bywater (LTR) 2

2 Rosie Cotton of South Lane (LTR) 27

2 Bill the Pony (LTR) 3

2 Pippin's Bravery (LTR) 182

4 Meriadoc Brandybuck (LTR) 177

4 Mushroom Watchdogs (LTR) 180

2 Revive the Shire (LTR) 185

4 Brandywine Farmer (LTR) 155

4 Peregrin Took (LTR) 181

2 Samwise Gamgee (LTR) 222

2 Frodo Baggins (LTR) 205

11 Plains (LTR) 263

11 Forest (LTR) 271

B SacBats

Sacrifice is a staple mechanic in black, but again, it fell short against cards from other sets.

4 Haunt of the Dead Marshes (LTR) 90

2 Shelob's Ambush (LTR) 108

1 Call of the Ring (LTR) 79

2 Gorbag of Minas Morgul (LTR) 86

2 March from the Black Gate (LTR) 94

3 Mordor Muster (LTR) 96

4 Dunland Crebain (LTR) 82

4 Mordor Trebuchet (LTR) 97

4 Mirkwood Bats (LTR) 95

3 Lobelia Sackville-Baggins (LTR) 93

4 Oath of the Grey Host (LTR) 101

2 Cirith Ungol Patrol (LTR) 80

1 Voracious Fell Beast (LTR) 113

24 Swamp (LTR) 267

B Nazgul

Potentially my best option, the Nazgul, when combined with Call of the Ring, made things interesting.

9 Nazgûl (LTR) 100

2 Sauron, the Necromancer (LTR) 106

2 Witch-king of Angmar (LTR) 114

2 Ringwraiths (LTR) 284

2 Voracious Fell Beast (LTR) 113

4 Claim the Precious (LTR) 81

4 Haunt of the Dead Marshes (LTR) 90

3 Call of the Ring (LTR) 79

3 Gollum, Patient Plotter (LTR) 84

2 The One Ring (LTR) 246

3 Nasty End (LTR) 99

1 Barad-dûr (LTR) 253

23 Swamp (LTR) 267

UR Spellslinger

Getting Fiery inscription out fast is key here. Gandalf's Sanction can be a fun game-ender. I won at least once with this one with that combo (and plenty of instants/sorceries in the graveyard).

1 Gandalf, Friend of the Shire (LTR) 50

1 Ranger's Firebrand (LTR) 143

1 Cast into the Fire (LTR) 118

1 Smite the Deathless (LTR) 148

4 Fiery Inscription (LTR) 126

2 Fear, Fire, Foes! (LTR) 125

2 Gandalf the Grey (LTR) 207

4 Gandalf's Sanction (LTR) 208

2 Flame of Anor (LTR) 203

2 Bilbo, Retired Burglar (LTR) 196

2 Lórien Revealed (LTR) 60

1 Horses of the Bruinen (LTR) 55

1 Press the Enemy (LTR) 65

1 Arwen's Gift (LTR) 39

1 Dreadful as the Storm (LTR) 48

3 Soothing of Sméagol (LTR) 70

4 Birthday Escape (LTR) 43

2 Stern Scolding (LTR) 71

2 Glorious Gale (LTR) 51

12 Island (LTR) 265

11 Mountain (LTR) 269

WU Gondor

This "go wide" deck is about card draw and tokens.

2 Faramir, Prince of Ithilien (LTR) 202

4 Prince Imrahil the Fair (LTR) 219

2 Pippin, Guard of the Citadel (LTR) 218

2 Rangers of Ithilien (LTR) 66

2 Knights of Dol Amroth (LTR) 59

2 The Bath Song (LTR) 40

3 Captain of Umbar (LTR) 45

4 Birthday Escape (LTR) 43

2 Stalwarts of Osgiliath (LTR) 33

2 Now for Wrath, Now for Ruin! (LTR) 24

4 Errand-Rider of Gondor (LTR) 11

1 Boromir, Warden of the Tower (LTR) 4

3 Reprieve (LTR) 26

3 Esquire of the King (LTR) 13

10 Island (LTR) 265

9 Plains (LTR) 263

2 Deserted Beach (MID) 260

2 Skybridge Towers (SNC) 256

1 Minas Tirith (LTR) 256

BR Amass

Amass your army of Orcs here. Didn't work.

2 Mauhúr, Uruk-hai Captain (LTR) 214

2 Uglúk of the White Hand (LTR) 235

1 Sauron, the Lidless Eye (LTR) 288

1 Assault on Osgiliath (LTR) 285

2 The Balrog, Durin's Bane (LTR) 195

1 Warbeast of Gorgoroth (LTR) 152

2 Swarming of Moria (LTR) 150

1 Olog-hai Crusher (LTR) 140

1 Fire of Orthanc (LTR) 127

2 Foray of Orcs (LTR) 128

2 Grishnákh, Brash Instigator (LTR) 134

2 Book of Mazarbul (LTR) 116

2 Mordor Trebuchet (LTR) 97

1 Gothmog, Morgul Lieutenant (LTR) 87

1 Grond, the Gatebreaker (LTR) 89

1 Gríma Wormtongue (LTR) 88

4 Orcish Bowmasters (LTR) 103

2 Mordor Muster (LTR) 96

2 March from the Black Gate (LTR) 94

3 Haunt of the Dead Marshes (LTR) 90

1 Orcish Medicine (LTR) 104

12 Mountain (LTR) 269

12 Swamp (LTR) 267

BG Sac

I don't think this one worked either. I don't even remember.

2 Old Man Willow (LTR) 217

2 Sméagol, Helpful Guide (LTR) 231

2 Rise of the Witch-king (LTR) 221

1 Shelob, Child of Ungoliant (LTR) 230

1 The Shire (LTR) 260

1 Cirith Ungol Patrol (LTR) 80

1 Witch-king of Angmar (LTR) 114

1 Mirkwood Bats (LTR) 95

1 Mordor Trebuchet (LTR) 97

1 Gríma Wormtongue (LTR) 88

4 Nasty End (LTR) 99

4 Orcish Bowmasters (LTR) 103

2 Gollum, Patient Plotter (LTR) 84

2 Gorbag of Minas Morgul (LTR) 86

4 Haunt of the Dead Marshes (LTR) 90

2 Elven Farsight (LTR) 161

2 Bombadil's Song (LTR) 154

3 Shower of Arrows (LTR) 188

1 Stew the Coneys (LTR) 189

13 Swamp (LTR) 267

10 Forest (LTR) 271

Incorporating Other Sets

Having been soundly flummoxed, I turned to the 'hive mind' of the Internet and looked for successful decks using *mostly* LOTR cards. 

WB Shadow

This was about the spirits in Return of the King (the Grey Host). I think this was mostly my construction . . . it didn't work.

4 Shadow Summoning (LTR) 226

11 Swamp (LTR) 267

11 Plains (LTR) 263

3 King of the Oathbreakers (LTR) 211

3 Blood Pact (MID) 88

4 Oath of the Grey Host (LTR) 101

1 Soldier of the Grey Host (LTR) 32

2 Fog on the Barrow-Downs (LTR) 16

2 Lay Down Arms (BRO) 11

2 Valorous Stance (VOW) 42

4 Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim (DMU) 198

1 Feast of the Victorious Dead (MAT) 30

1 Fleshtaker (MID) 222

1 Rite of Oblivion (MID) 237

2 Shattered Sanctum (VOW) 264

4 Homestead Courage (MID) 24

2 Benalish Sleeper (DMU) 8

2 Cut Down (DMU) 89

Nazgul2

Finally, a winner. Incorporating the better removal spells from NEO, DMU, MID, and BRO sets, plus Sheoldred, the Apocalpyse, made all the difference here.

9 Nazgûl (LTR) 100

1 The One Ring (LTR) 246

2 Witch-king of Angmar (LTR) 114

4 Orcish Bowmasters (LTR) 103

3 Invoke Despair (NEO) 101

4 Call of the Ring (LTR) 79

3 Gollum, Patient Plotter (LTR) 84

1 Cut Down (DMU) 89

3 Sheoldred, the Apocalypse (DMU) 107

2 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107

4 Go for the Throat (BRO) 102

23 Swamp (LTR) 267

1 Barad-dûr (LTR) 253

Thoughts on Constructed

I really want to try Tales of Middle Earth in a limited constructed event. In the formats mentioned above, the decks fall apart unless you incorporate other cards. I'm disappointed overall, outside of the Nazgul2 deck.

Drafting Tales of Middle Earth

The various draft events currently on Arena

Continuing the month's theme, today I look at drafting Tales of Middle Earth. All drafts were done in Arena.

Jump Into Middle-Earth

This is effectively a Jumpstart event: you select two themed packs (that include lands), shuffle them, and play as long as you like with them. I did this a few times; one example follows. I enjoy these events; though you get very little say in deck construction, it is a good way to explore a new set.

Tokens Breakfast

1 Frodo, Sauron's Bane (LTR) 18

1 Shadow Summoning (LTR) 226

1 Westfold Rider (LTR) 37

1 Denethor, Ruling Steward (LTR) 198

1 Dunland Crebain (LTR) 82

1 Faramir, Field Commander (LTR) 14

1 Protector of Gondor (LTR) 25

1 Cirith Ungol Patrol (LTR) 80

1 Lash of the Balrog (LTR) 92

1 Morgul-Knife Wound (LTR) 98

1 Now for Wrath, Now for Ruin! (LTR) 24

1 Banish from Edoras (LTR) 1

1 Samwise the Stouthearted (LTR) 28

1 Nimble Hobbit (LTR) 23

1 Took Reaper (LTR) 35

1 Eastfarthing Farmer (LTR) 8

1 Rosie Cotton of South Lane (LTR) 27

1 Bill the Pony (LTR) 3

1 Soldier of the Grey Host (LTR) 32

1 Eagles of the North (LTR) 7

1 Reprieve (LTR) 26

1 Second Breakfast (LTR) 29

1 The Battle of Bywater (LTR) 2

1 Fog on the Barrow-Downs (LTR) 16

2 Scoured Barrens (NEO) 274

8 Plains (LTR) 263

6 Swamp (LTR) 266

Premier Draft

I participated in this draft event twice. The first (red/green) fared poorly; the second (white/black/green) started 3-0 before ending up 4-3. 

Entish Farmers (1-3)

1 Strider, Ranger of the North (LTR) 232

1 Oliphaunt (LTR) 139

1 Dúnedain Rangers (LTR) 159

2 Relentless Rohirrim (LTR) 144

2 Many Partings (LTR) 176

1 Mushroom Watchdogs (LTR) 180

2 Shower of Arrows (LTR) 188

2 Brandywine Farmer (LTR) 155

2 Generous Ent (LTR) 169

1 Enraged Huorn (LTR) 162

1 Wose Pathfinder (LTR) 190

2 Friendly Rivalry (LTR) 204

1 Pippin's Bravery (LTR) 182

1 Battle-Scarred Goblin (LTR) 115

1 Quickbeam, Upstart Ent (LTR) 183

1 Entish Restoration (LTR) 163

1 Smite the Deathless (LTR) 148

1 Elven Farsight (LTR) 161

1 Galadhrim Guide (LTR) 168

1 Revive the Shire (LTR) 185

1 Mirkwood Spider (LTR) 178

9 Forest (LTR) 271

8 Mountain (LTR) 269

White/Black/Green Spirits (4-3)

2 Oath of the Grey Host (LTR) 101

1 Troll of Khazad-dûm (LTR) 111

3 Mirkwood Bats (LTR) 95

1 Morgul-Knife Wound (LTR) 98

2 Shelob's Ambush (LTR) 108

1 Uruk-hai Berserker (LTR) 112

1 Soldier of the Grey Host (LTR) 32

1 Eagles of the North (LTR) 7

1 Shadow Summoning (LTR) 226

1 Mordor Trebuchet (LTR) 97

2 Second Breakfast (LTR) 29

1 Fog on the Barrow-Downs (LTR) 16

1 Gorbag of Minas Morgul (LTR) 86

1 Mordor Muster (LTR) 96

2 Haunt of the Dead Marshes (LTR) 90

1 Hobbit's Sting (LTR) 20

1 Dunland Crebain (LTR) 82

1 Sam's Desperate Rescue (LTR) 105

1 Cirith Ungol Patrol (LTR) 80

1 Old Man Willow (LTR) 217

2 Forest (LTR) 271

8 Swamp (LTR) 267

6 Plains (LTR) 263

Sealed

Noticing the white/green power of the set during my previous drafts, I focused on those colors (and the corresponding 'food' theme) for my sealed experience. I didn't do as well as I hoped, going 2-3.

Food for Thought (2-3)

1 Celeborn the Wise (LTR) 156

8 Plains (LTR) 263

2 Bombadil's Song (LTR) 154

1 Mushroom Watchdogs (LTR) 180

3 Brandywine Farmer (LTR) 155

1 Pippin's Bravery (LTR) 182

1 Mirkwood Spider (LTR) 178

2 Elven Farsight (LTR) 161

1 The Shire (LTR) 260

1 Eagles of the North (LTR) 7

7 Forest (LTR) 271

1 Stalwarts of Osgiliath (LTR) 33

1 Escape from Orthanc (LTR) 12

2 Fog on the Barrow-Downs (LTR) 16

1 The Battle of Bywater (LTR) 2

1 Faramir, Field Commander (LTR) 14

1 East-Mark Cavalier (LTR) 9

1 Took Reaper (LTR) 35

1 Slip On the Ring (LTR) 31

1 Flowering of the White Tree (LTR) 15

1 Dúnedain Blade (LTR) 6

1 Landroval, Horizon Witness (LTR) 21

Thoughts on LTR Draftings

Wizards advertises this set as two-color pairings, and gives clues as to the synergistic strategies for each:

Originally seen on a card; image from here

I did the best with combining white/black (tokens) and black/green (sacrifice); that deck had potential. I didn't get the cards to fully explore the other strategies in the draft environment, but will in Constructed. From what I have seen of this set, though, it seems underpowered.

Collecting Tales of Middle Earth

Faramir, Field Commander card art. Also my face when I see the prices of this set

This month, I will focus on the recently-released Lord of the Rings-themed set, Tales of Middle Earth.  (Note: I first reflected on Tales of Middle Earth last month, focusing on the colliding worlds of Lord of the Rings and Magic: the Gathering.) Today, I look at collecting that set.

I had planned to collect Tales of Middle Earth . . . then I saw the prices. My preferred vendor, CoolStuffInc, currently lists the sealed products as follows:

• Bundle: $100
• Set of 4 preconstructed commander decks: $240
• Draft booster box: $160
• Set booster box: $180
• Collector booster box: $430

For reference, the set released immediately before, March of the Machine, can be purchased at the same site for the following prices:

• Bundle: $38
• Set of *5 preconstructed commander decks: $145 (currently on sale, down from $175)
• Draft booster box: $100
• Set booster box: $110
• Collector booster box: $220

CoolStuff generally trends at market prices, so this begs the question: what is going on? Why is Tales of Middle Earth so expensive? I can think of a few potential reasons:

1) Lord of the Rings is a licensed property. Wizards has to upcharge as a result.

2) The serialized One Ring drove prices up. Wizards printed a special, one-of-a-kind One Ring card (it was found last week in Ottawa) and limited-run copies of other rings. Bidding is currently at $2 million for the One Ring, if that latest link is true. This would explain the collector booster box price only (as that is where the One Ring was promised to be), and prices should have tailed off after the Ring was found (they have, a little, but are still remarkably inflated). 

3) Scarcity of product. I've heard several reports to this effect; Wizards didn't print enough (perhaps intentionally). Perhaps this is because they have announced a second set release, in November. There will be nuances (see the link), but I expect this will effectively be releasing the set twice. 

4) Cards included in the bundle. The bundle price shocked me until I saw they had included 4 cards in every one, to include a One Ring variant. That card alone is selling for $50, which in turn drives up the bundle price. 

5) Wizards is seeing how far they can go. The most pessimistic view, this is nevertheless something to consider. 

The real answer may be all five of these in some combination. Whatever the case, it is far outside my price range. The question remains, then: how do you collect a set like this? Besides the obvious answer—don't—here are a few tips:

1. Play it on Arena. I have used Arena gold, saved over months of playing, to pick up a lot of this set digitally. This can be cheap (or free) and lets you experience the set.
2. Buy singles. Generally speaking, buying singles is the cheapest way to collect any Magic set. This one is no exception. The vast majority of cards are cheap to purchase as singles. You won't get the high-market cards this way, but can enjoy much of the set at a fraction of the price.
• Comment: though The Nazgûl cards in this set are insane. Printed as uncommons, but with 9 art variations, and with 9 allowed in a deck, they are running $10-$15 a pop. For an uncommon.
3. Look for deals. I found a good deal on a bundle at a non-comic/game store retailer. Sometimes places like Walmart will sell this product at far under the price everyone else is offering.
4. Wait. Some Magic sets get multiple print runs. This set is supposed to be re-released in November. Prices will drop . . . probably. I already saw Coolstuff run a sale reducing the set and draft booster boxes by $20. Though that sale is over, I anticipate more in the future.

Personal recommendation? Wait it out. Patience and contentment are virtues.