Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)

28 Days (2000) UK
Walk on the Moon, A (1999) UK
Pistola de mi hermano, La (1997)
Prophecy, The (1995)
Young Americans, The (1993)
Boiling Point (1993)
Ruby Cairo (1993)

Liv Tyler (Arwen)

Plunkett & Macleane (1999)
Onegin (1999) UK
Can't Hardly Wait (1998)
Stealing Beauty (1996)
That Thing You Do! (1996) UK

Ian Holm (Bilbo)

Bless the Child (2000)
Last of the Blonde Bombshells, The (2000) (TV)
eXistenZ (1999) UK
Shergar (1999)
Madness of King George, The (1994)
Frankenstein (1994) UK
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes (1984)
Chariots of Fire (1981)
Alien (1979)
Juggernaut (1974)
Nicholas and Alexandra (1971)
Fixer, The (1968) UK

Sean Bean (Boromir)

Don't Say a Word (2001)
Essex Boys (2000)
Anna Karenina (1997)
Black Beauty (1994) UK
Shopping (1994) UK
Field, The (1990)
Stormy Monday (1988)

Ian Mune (Bounder)

Martyn Sanderson (Bree Gatekeeper Harry Goatleaf)

David Weatherly (Barliman Butterbur)

Marton Csokas (Celeborn)

Thea Hartwell (Child Hobbit)

John Noble (Denethor)

Virtual Nightmare (2000) UK

Noel Appleby (Everard Proudfoot)

Alexandra Astin (Elanor Gamgee)

Peter Mckenzie (Elendil)

Karl Urban (Eomer)

Price of Milk, The (2000)

Hugo Weaving (Elrond)

Interview, The (1998)
True Love and Chaos (1997) UK
Babe (1995)

Miranda Otto (Eowyn)

What Lies Beneath (2000) UK

True Love and Chaos (1997) UK
Love Serenade (1996)

David Wenham (Faramir)

Cameron Rhodes (Farmer Maggot)

Elijah Wood (Frodo)

Bumblebee Flies Anyway, The (2000)
Radio Flyer (1992) UK
Forever Young (1992) UK
Child in the Night (1990) (TV)
Internal Affairs (1990)

Cate Blanchett (Galadriel)

Bandits (2001)
Gift, The (2000)
Pushing Tin (1999) UK

Talented Mr. Ripley, The (1999) UK
Elizabeth (1998) UK

Paradise Road (1997)
Oscar and Lucinda (1997) UK

Bruce Hopkins (Gamling)

Ian McKellen (Gandalf)

X-Men (2000) UK

Swept from the Sea (1997)
Richard III (1995)
I'll Do Anything (1994) UK
To Die for (1994) UK
Plenty (1985) UK
Alfred the Great (1969) UK
Touch of Love, A (1969)

Mark Ferguson (Gil Galad)

Hercules in the Underworld (1994) (TV) UK

John Rhys-Davies (Gimli)

Secret of the Andes (1998) UK
Protector, The (1997/I)
Aladdin and the King of Thieves (1996) (V) UK
Great White Hype, The (1996)
Stargate (1994)
Canvas (1992)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Framing (1992) (TV)
Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam (1987) (TV)
Firewalker (1986) UK
Victor/Victoria (1982) UK
Sphinx (1981)

Andy Serkis (Gollum)

Topsy-Turvy (1999) UK
Among Giants (1998)

Stephen Ure (Gorbag)

Craig Parker (Haldir)

John Leigh (Hama)

Timothy Bartlett (Hobbit)

Harry Sinclair (Isildur)

Price of Milk, The (2000)

Orlando Bloom (Legolas)

Lawrence Makoare (Lurtz)

Robbie Magasiva (Mahur)

Ray Henwood (Man at Rivendell)

Dominic Monaghan (Merry)

Robyn Malcolm (Morwen)

Bruce Spence (Mouth of Sauron)

Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) UK
Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) UK

Megan Edwards (Mrs. Proudfoot)

Billy Boyd (Pippin)

Sarah McLeod (Rosie Cotton)

Sean Astin (Sam)

Sky Is Falling, The (2000)
Icebreaker (1999) UK
Deterrence (1999)
Bulworth (1998) UK

Dish Dogs (1998)
Courage Under Fire (1996)
Rudy (1993)
Encino Man (1992) UK
Toy Soldiers (1991)
War of the Roses, The (1989) UK
Staying Together (1989)
Like Father, Like Son (1987)

Christopher Lee (Saruman)

Sleepy Hollow (1999) UK

Jinnah (1998) UK
Feast at Midnight, A (1994)
Avaro, L' (1989)
Howling II (1985)
Arabian Adventure (1979)
Killer Force (1975)
Four Musketeers, The (1974) UK
Three Musketeers, The (1973) UK
Death Line (1972)
Dracula Has Risen from the Grave (1968) UK
Devil Rides Out, The (1968) UK
Schlangengrube und das Pendel, Die (1967)
Gorgon, The (1964)
City of the Dead, The (1960)
That Lady (1955)
Scott of the Antarctic (1948) UK

Sala Baker (Sauron)

Brian Sergent (Ted Sandyman)

Meet the Feebles (1989) UK

Bernard Hill (Theoden)

Going Off Big Time (2000) UK
Midsummer Night's Dream, A (1999) UK
Loss of Sexual Innocence, The (1999) UK
True Crime (1999)
Titanic (1997)

Nathaniel Lees (Ugluk)

Brad Dourif (Wormtongue)

Storytellers, The (1999) UK
Urban Legend (1998) UK
Sworn to Justice (1996)
Color of Night (1994)
Amos & Andrew (1993)
Body Parts (1991) UK
Exorcist III, The (1990)
Hidden Agenda (1990)
Mississippi Burning (1988)
Ragtime (1981)
Wise Blood (1979) UK

Jim Rygiel (SFX)

Anna and the King (1999) UK
Multiplicity (1996)
Scout, The (1994) UK
Batman Returns (1992) UK
Last Starfighter, The (1984) UK
2010 (1984) UK

Howard Shore (Composer)

High Fidelity (2000) UK
Cell, The (2000) UK

eXistenZ (1999) UK
Dogma (1999) UK

Analyze This (1999) UK
Cop Land (1997)
That Thing You Do! (1996) UK
Before and After (1996)
Striptease (1996)
Truth About Cats & Dogs, The (1996)
Se7en (1995)
White Man's Burden (1995)
Prelude to a Kiss (1992) UK
Silence of the Lambs, The (1991)
Innocent Man, An (1989)
Signs of Life (1989)
She-Devil (1989)
Moving (1988) UK
Fly, The (1986) UK
After Hours (1985) UK
Scanners (1981)

Peter Jackson (Director)

Meet the Feebles (1989) UK

With the Shadow Portion of our Deck I've gone with the swarm tactic using only common and uncommon cards to pit against your opponents Fellowship. Using multiple copies of Moria Scout, Goblin Spearman, Goblin Marksman, Goblin Scavengers, and Goblin Flankers you're never left without something to play. Including weapons like Goblin Spear and Goblin Scimitar allow me to boost these otherwise low strength minions to even the score against your opponents supported companions. The only condition in this deck is Plundered Armories as it allows you to keep your discarded weapons from going to waste. This swarm of minions coupled in with a copy of the common Balrog is sure to drop the jaw of your opponent when they struggle to decide where to assign all of Moria's Fury!

Balrog: Durin's Bane
Moria Scout x4
Goblin Flankers x4
Goblin Spearman x3
Goblin Marksman x4
Goblin Scavengers x4
Goblin Scimitar x4
Goblin Spear x4
Plundered Armories x2

With the Adventure Deck it is rather simple to stay within a budget as all of the cards you may wish to add are Common or Uncommon anyway, I went with the Locations that I did as I felt they gave a bonus of some kind to my strategy or as small of a bonus as humanly possible to my opponent.

1. Westfarthing
2. Buckleberry Ferry
3. Council Courtyard
4. Moria Stairway
5. The Bridge of Khazad-Dum
6. Dumrill Dale
7. Anduin Wilderland
8. Brown Lands
9. Summit of Amon Hen

Joe: While I've never been a big book reader, it was Tolkien's works that made me pick up a book for the first time in years! I've skimmed through the trilogy but have only given the first two books of the trilogy a detailed read (still working on it though).

Joe: It really has been second nature so far, but I think I've been lucky in that regard. Most cards fit right into the game engine, while others might be a bit of a stretch. I think those stretches can be ok though as long as gameplay isn't sacrificed - it's all in the eye of the beholder. Coming up in The Two Towers though, the fact that the Fellowship is essentially broken up will be a fun challenge to try and integrate into our current game!

Joe: Everything you've stated is true. Saruman will make an appearance along with the three Elven rings. Orcs from Isengard make their first appearance as well, and they will have their own cultural 'feel' to them like other cultures that currently exist in the game. Basically, if the Fellowship can't kill these guys in a skirmish, they're going to be in a lot of trouble...

Joe: I'm a big fan of Frodo and his dedication. The fact that ne never wanted the Ring, but took it upon himself for the sake of others is a big inspiration for me. There are a couple of cards that reflect this idea in Realms of the Elf-Lords and I'm sure we'll do a few more in The Two Towers as well.

Needless to say though that the endless list of personalities that are in The Two Towers will certainly play a big role in the next set. I think it's great that we as designers enjoy exploring different personalities extensively so that in the end every character has their own look and feel to them, not only story-wise but gameplay-wise as well.

Joe: I think the twilight pool beautifully represents the current 'danger level' in Middle-Earth. Not only does it make sense story-wise but gameplay-wise it has its own unique feel to it that no other CCG has done.

Joe: As do I!

Support Cards

With your Fellowship moving the distance that they do, it is vital to equip them with tools to make their quest easier, or inspire them with Tales of the past that bring out a new found determination or vitality. Weapons such as Sting, Ranger's Sword, Blade of Gondor, and Hobbit Sword can enhance your companion's Strength and benefit them in combat, where cards like the Tale of Gil-galad, The Last Alliance of Elves and Men, and Endurance of the Dwarves offer Statistical Enhancements in the form of a Condition.

While conditions are great to leave a permanent mark on one of your companions, salvation often comes in the form of single instances in time, or in this game Event Cards. With cards like Defiance, Cleaving Blow, Swordsman of the Northern Kingdom, and Halfling Defenses to enhance strength during an individual skirmish, you can often get that ray of hope that can mean the difference between a victory or a defeat.

Flinch: With the Aragorn/Arwen combination I added weapons like Ranger's Sword, Gwemegil, and Asfaloth to boost them above their attackers. The Tale of Gil-Galad comes in handy to boost Arwen's Vitality, where The Last Alliance of Elves and Men offers Aragorn +1 Strength for each elf you can spot (limit +3). My Hobbits are equipped with Hobbit Swords, but I left out the Stealth events to make room for Ranger boosting events like Pursuit Just Behind, Swordsman of the Northern Kingdom and An Able Guide which play off Arwen, Aragorn and Boromir.

Assistance from Allies

Invaluable were the words and protection from Galadriel in Lothlorien, or the council and wisdom of Elrond in Rivendell. With ally cards you can gain benefit from knowing people in high places as well! Using cards like Rosie Cotton, Farmer Maggot, and The Gaffer you can easily keep your Hobbits in fighting shape with their ability to remove wounds and burdens from your halfling party members [This works well with the Rare Frodo: Old Bilbo's Heir card as it allows you to heal a hobbit ally at the start of each of your turns].

Flinch: Because of cards like The Last Alliance of Elves and Men, I included Elrond: Lord of Rivendell; with Arwen and Legolas already in play, these elves can boost Aragorn or Boromir up to 11/10 Strength even without a weapon in their possession. Sam's ability to remove burdens is handy, but with his Aragorn Signet and Aragorn: King in Exile's ability to heal a companion with that Signet, Sam becomes a burden removing machine without the need to include excess Hobbit Allies.

The Ring-Bearer

Throughout the Fellowship of the Ring, Frodo is left with the burden of the One Ring. With the LOTR TCG we're offered a chance to select which elements of Frodo's personality we want to bring with us on our journey. At the release of the Mines of Moria expansion, there were three versions of Frodo: Old Bilbo's Heir, Son of Drogo, and Reluctant Adventurer. With the release of new expansions we will see new versions of Frodo to develop decks with.

Flinch: I used Frodo: Reluctant Adventurer with my favorite Deck. When playing cards like Sting, Mithril Coat, and Hobbit Sword this Frodo allows these possessions to deploy with -1 to the twilight pool. This Frodo also has the Aragorn Signet which comes in handy with Aragorn: King in Exile.

The One Ring

There are currently two versions of The One Ring: Isildur's Bane [+1 Str, +1 Vitality], and The Ruling Ring [+1 Str]. The rare card: Isildur's Bane, which with its Vitality Point bonus requires you to take 2 Burdens instead of a wound, where the common ring The Ruling Ring only adds one burden.

Flinch: I try to put in as many support cards to prevent Frodo from needing to take a wound as humanly possible. With this being said I went with the Rare Ring to boost Frodo's Vitality. Depending on how often your Frodo will be hot in combat, you may go with either ring, but a well protected Frodo always benefits from that extra Vitality point.

Shadow

This section needs NO introduction. These cards exist for one reason, recapture the One Ring, and kill the one who wields it. But... Frodo... No! That's right, your goal as the shadow player is to work your minions into the position of killing Frodo and his friends, as difficult as it may be to purposefully kill Frodo or the dreamy Legolas, without doing so you cannot claim victory over your Fellowship Opponent.

Flinch: I've been known to sacrifice Frodo to keep Arwen out of harm's way. Let Sam deal with the ring as long as Arwen is safe! Well okay so maybe Arwen's bit the bullet a few times in play but it never leaves me in a civil mood.

Without the aide of the countless minions of the Dark Lord, the Ring can never be reclaimed. Make right where the Dark Lord made wrong and set your minions to work in the evil tasks of delivering the One Ring back to its rightful owner. Selecting your evil is entirely up to you, if you so wish to bring a swarm of Moria Orcs into battle with your Fellowship Opponent you are more than capable, or if you so desire to send the Nine after the ring, you are free to do so as well.

Flinch: I'm a fan of big evil, and including the likes of the Nine was an easy choice. I went and chose Ulaire Attea: Ringwraith in Twilight, Ulaire Unquea: Ringwraith in Twilight, Ulaire Nelya: Ringwraith in Twilight, Ulaire Nelya: Lieutenant of Morgul, Ulaire Toldea: Messenger of Morgul, and Ulaire Attea: Keeper of Dol Guldur. I use the Twilight Nazgul as a benefit to It Wants to be Found, as it automatically adds a burden just by spotting a Twilight Nazgul, and the other selection is based on Strength and Card Text.

Cards like The Balrog, Cave Troll, and Watcher in the Water give us a chance to destroy one or two companions in one turn with little loss. Where the Balrog is a MUST for most decks, you may choose to toss in the Cave Troll, or the Watcher depending on your other minion usage.

Support Cards

This section may need to be retitled to 'de-support cards' as they will become a constant detriment to your opponent's attempts at rushing to site 9 undamaged. You're given the opportunity to have your minions wield items that they so wielded in book or film, with Lurtz' Sword, The Balrog's Sword, and Whip of Many Thongs, these cards can make an already devastating minion that much more difficult to defend against and can often bridge the gap between a victory and an overwhelm.

With Conditions you're given the right to be Nasty, and no, I don't mean you can say cruel things to your opponent! With conditions like Blade Tip, Saruman's Snows, and Drawn to its Power, you are more than able to leave a bad taste in the mouths of your opponents fellowship by leaving burden increases and wounds after common actions like a Nazgul winning a skirmish.

Flinch: Back to that whole "Flinch is evil" thing, I come out with Nazgul cards like Blade Tip and let them wreak havoc on my opponent, and cards like Saruman's Snows that can keep Gandalf's Support Cards from being used in the Balrog combat. This is also a good reason to include a short supply of minions from the Isengard Culture. I used Uruk Messenger as it is cheap and still of some use if you didn't manage to get Snows in hand by Site 5.

Locations

You are required to have an "adventure deck" of nine cards, order 1 through 9. With each location comes a different benefit, so if you are planning to use a devastating Nazgul Deck, then you may want to include Locations that make it easier to bring your Nazgul out into play, but beware, a location in play benefits both you and your opponent, so choose wisely.

Flinch: The key to my deck revolves around site 1, The Prancing Pony. Without the ability to add a burden and play Aragorn: King in Exile much of my Strategy is lost, so starting off I use Arwen and Sam as my starting Fellowship and bid anywhere from 3 to 5 as my starting bid. This brings Aragorn into play and lets me use Sam's ability to remove burdens to take at least three of those off of Frodo at the end of my first Fellowship phase. Early in the game it is unlikely for your opponent to be able to play enough minions to overwhelm both Aragorn and Arwen so if you only move once this turn or make a run for Rivendell, Sam's Exertions become a thing of the past and I began scott free.