Sarumenor 2.0

• Versions
• 2.0
• 1.0

A very simple principle : Saruman + The Grey Wanderer brings the The One Ring + Strength and Courage to Gondorians who give him Song of Kings, then he becomes Steward of Gondor and uses Visionary Leadership to electrify the people and progress in its quests.

Strategy

Defiant Challenge is my favorite Saruman Doomed's event. The Saruman's Staff annihilates its Doomed cost, while the event readies both a versatile ally (Gandalf, Treebeard or Knight of the White Tower will like that) and Saruman himself thanks to its built-in response. By the way, this deck has many ways to readying : Saruman's response, contract, Defiant Challenge, Treebeard action.

Defense : chump-blockers (Squire of the Citadel or Envoy of Pelargir), Treebeard or Knight of White Tower + Honour Guard, Saruman + Close Call or The Wizards's Voice.

All attachments go to Saruman. With Strength and courage, he can attack alone at 9.

A frequent problem of the Saruman's GW decks is the slow implementation. Here the many drawing / tutoring options (21 cards) + resources generation help the Istari a lot.

In experiencing different Saruman's configurations, I found that it's not necessary to include in the deck a ton of Doom cards, especially as the contract and The One Ring increase the threat without being mitigated by the Saruman's Staff. So 9 Doom cards is a reasonible number.

It's nice to see Steward of Gondor, Resourceful and / or Timely Aid in first hand, then Saruman's Staff. Swarm with Timely Aid, A Very Good Tale and Soldier of Gondor.

There are initially 53 cards in the deck. However since The One Ring, Strength and Courage and Song of Kings are fetching from the deck during the setup, its real size is actually of 50.

Adjustments

You can add Power of Orthanc to the deck if the scenario gets some bad Condition attachment. If the scenario turtles, you can include Gather Information.