Balrog Sideboard Character Play

[Thorsten the Traveller]

Why would he not be assured? Umi/Bumi or any other leader can accomodate a 3 minder, no problem. For the Balrog specific leaders it doesn't even cost them real DI. You'd only not play them when you draw a better character, Big Red or another leader. In fact that's the greatness about it, play them whenever it suits you, even if last turn, so you have your Hogg's DI free for influencing Orcs of Moria.

Btw. Why would you not play Great Shadow? You also don't compare with See Further decks, or not play Bade to Rule? Either way, Balrog is inherently stronger than RW and Liddless Eye as far as GI/DI (almost on par with Sauron), and the +5 bonus on influence attempts etc. gives them an edge vs. hero.

Sure Radagast FW is another strong archytipal deck, though Balrog will outpace it generally (squatters have lower cardflow and are less flexible, they have almost no backup plans, and again you need 12 SP for Girdle which is bad card management and you often can't play it when you lag behind cause it must be in org.phase so you depend on luck there, last but not least FW's tend to sideboard more which means even bigger decks). Balrog has won quite a few more tourneys than Rada FW.

Meta-game has changed the last couple years, more than anything for boredom with the hence known overplayed decks I suppose, it will always change, and the 2 mind rule is not meant for battling archytipal decks and changing the outlook of tournament play, though it would be cool if it became more diverse. Great Shadow is also kinda broken after all (though I dislike that term).

[Bandobras Took]

Well, if it balances out, and I'm saying if, because how many other alignments do you know that can play a 2 MP ally and 3 MP faction at their haven?, then it balances out after the Balrog has called his Day of Decision...and this has been proven time and again.

Pallando/Cirdan/Wizard's Ring/Elves of Lindon also deserves grand mention. Sure, it's item points, but you get two extra hand size and can make a Tombo run on your last turn.

or banning WHCtK

No, not banning. Limiting it to the organization phase.

[marcos]

Pallando/Cirdan/Wizard's Ring/Elves of Lindon also deserves grand mention. Sure, it's item points, but you get two extra hand size and can make a Tombo run on your last turn.

mind if i add some extra cheeze to this? What about using wizard's voice to play another 8-minder for free 3 MPs

[Bandobras Took]

Or Elf-Song for character play above and beyond GI limits.