Into Ithilien Nightmare Solo Progression 1.0

• Versions
• 1.0

DECK NAME - Rangers Lead the Way

https://youtu.be/8E3qLi2zIGQ

OVERVIEW - The Nightmare version of this quest is definitely a step up in difficulty from the already difficult original quest. Last time, we willingly sacrificed Celador in order to avoid normal questing (stage 3) in favor of siege questing (stage 2). This time, the sadistic designers (cue maniacal laugh) of this lovely game seek to punish us for taking this approach by adding a Mûmak Elite to staging should we choose to go this route.

The deck/approach I used against the original quest actually still works against this NM version (though not as well), but I wanted to think of a fun and unique way to play things this time around. I wanted to create a deck that allows us to leave all enemies stranded in the staging area and for us to sneak past all these tough enemies rather than go toe-to-toe. Sounds like a job for rangers! I love the idea of rangers stealthily leading us past enemies to the hidden path in stage 3 - rangers indeed will lead the way. (NOTE: This deck name is also a shout out to our service men and women in the US Armed Forces. "Rangers Lead the Way!")

HEROES

• Beravor - quest with her during round 1 and then draw cards round 2 onward
• Faramir - attach Song of Kings and Steward of Gondor asap; also attach Visionary Leadership after advancing to stage 3; since we are leaving all enemies in staging his will climb while we build up our board state during round 1 allowing for successful battle questing
• Haldir of Lorien - he could potentially attack an enemy in the stage area over a few rounds, but I have always simply quested with him (Mirlonde is a good alternative but the extra from Haldir seems to be more valuable in consistently clearing the active location in round 1)

STRATEGY

• OPENING HAND - Ranger Spikes is best followed by Advance Warning; also Song of Kings, Steward of Gondor, Mithrandir's Advice, Radagast's Cunning, and Risk Some Light
• ROUND 1 - There aren’t many round 1 planning phase actions that are beneficial. Ranger Spikes is the best thing you can do in case an enemy is revealed during staging. One could play Henamarth Riversong, but if you use his action before staging you may not have what’s needed to counter what’s coming. Another option round 1 is Risk Some Light, but then you’re depleted of resources. If Haradrim Elite or Morgul Spider is revealed you will lose unless you have Ranger Spikes out or have Advanced Warning in hand. I usually like to save my resources with a focus on insuring Faramir has one for a possible round 2 Steward of Gondor. If you quest all out, you'll be committing 10 to the quest. A location over 3 will require a Radagast's Cunning used on Southron Company to clear the active location. Since an enemy revealed would boost Faramir, there isn't an enemy that doesn't allow us to clear the active location. If Ithilien Road is not cleared or if a sub-30 enemy is added without Ranger Spikes, you will need to play Advance Warning to keep from engaging that enemy until you get things going.
• STAGE 1 - Just take your time and keep your below 34; try and reserve Ranger Spikes for Hadrim Elite or Morgul Spider. Be defensive and avoid questing unsuccessfully. In solo it's hard to be overwhelmed by archery before you can get out your 3X Warden of Healing, but it can happen. We will keep Celador alive and advance to stage 3 bypassing stage 2
• STAGE 3 - since Harad Enemy's lose their boosts, Visionary Leadership allows us to easily progress in normal questing
• STAGE 4 - Our should be under 30 a this point; quest for the win in 2 rounds usually
• Ithilien Lookout - I usually use in combination with Henamarth Riversong to discard tougher enemies
• Ithilien Tracker - it's action is great for this quest; also can use x2 to discard Overgrown Trail outright
• Ranger Spikes - try and save for Haradrim Elite or Morgul Spider; remember Harad enemies loose their threat boost in stage 3 and 4 so not as helpful on them
• Scroll of Isildur - super helpful to play extra events in discard; mostly Radagast's Cunning
• Visionary Leadership - the key to doing well in stages 3 and 4
• Advance Warning - many playthroughs I never use it but there have been some where I had to spam it
• Radagast's Cunning - so useful since we will allow enemies to amass in staging; don't be shy playing this; you can use Scroll of Isildur to play it many times
• Risk Some Light - helpful when we want to bury a card Henamarth has revealed or if we just don't know what's coming next
• Sneak Attack / Gandalf - be very careful! playing Gandalf 3 times before Celador is under your control and healed up will result in him being destroyed
• Strider's Path - there usually won't be locations in staging since we deal with them each round; this card is clutch for this quest; great for basically deleting Ithilien Overlook