Escape from Dol Guldur

[Shadoglare]

The final section of the second campaign - can anyone tell me if it is actually possible to beat it? I've seriously put at least 10+ hours into trying to win this one battle, and no matter what I try I get slaughtered.
I've tried searching online for tips, but all I can seem to find is stuff about the tabletop version - all of which say that if all you've got are the base cards to not even bother trying. (Some have given deck examples, however there are always several cards that are not included in the Steam edition).

At least it does appear I can give up and start the third campaign if I want, but it is both frustrating and disappointing to get so far in the second campaign only to hit an absolute brick wall at the end.

[Kjeld]

Yes, it is beatable on all difficulty levels. Here is the Aragorn + Faramir + Idraen deck I originally used to beat the Challenge mode of Escape from Dol Guldur: https://digital.ringsdb.com/decklist/view/134/escape-from-dol-guldur-challenge-mode-1.0.

Note: This deck predates the release of the final packs of player cards, so there are some newer staples missing which might be useful, such as Against the Shadow. You might also consider a Ranger Cloak for Aragorn in addition to or in place of Sword that was Broken.

[Curunir]

In challenge this quest is hard. Usely, the ratio of win in negative. For me, you need brooch and unexpected courage. I suggest you to have Glor (threart control) or elrond (good for healing). Faramir (drawing cards) and tactic hero (Boro or idraen) The first and third stage are nightmares. In final, you must have balance deck. But remember, in challenge mode, this quest with C3 Q3-Q5 are considered harder quest of the game except gundabad of course. This one is impossible in solo.

[Kjeld]

I found that it is more helpful to set up a wall of characters with Block at the first location, which will let you survive the constant 1-damage ping to every character until you quest out of it. After that, it's a matter of setting up your willpower engine (with just enough combat) to beat the final location (which requires a massive willpower surge). Aragorn's and Northern Survivor's double actions are critical in that step (in combo with the Fate event that doubles willpower contribution).

[ZomBoss]

I finished this quest yesterday (in the advanced), my heroes were Gimli - Frodo - Arwen. Gimli + Dwarven Ax + Self Preparation for tank and damage, Frodo + Star Brooch to blow up hazzards and Arwen + Mistrel Imladris for hazzards and healing. Tom Bombadil (to eliminate problematic minions) and Longbeard Mapmaker were instrumental in my success, along with the luck of having a Westfold Guardian with Ranger Spear + Self Preparation to support Gimli.

[Curunir]

Originally posted by zOmBoZz:

I finished this quest yesterday (in the advanced), my heroes were Gimli - Frodo - Arwen. Gimli + Dwarven Ax + Self Preparation for tank and damage, Frodo + Star Brooch to blow up hazzards and Arwen + Mistrel Imladris for hazzards and healing. Tom Bombadil (to eliminate problematic minions) and Longbeard Mapmaker were instrumental in my success, along with the luck of having a Westfold Guardian with Ranger Spear + Self Preparation to support Gimli.

The problem is not advance mode but challenge mode. Its almost impossible in challenge. I got it just once with a ''no allies'' deck.

[Curunir]

Originally posted by Kjeld:

Yes, it is beatable on all difficulty levels. Here is the Aragorn + Faramir + Idraen deck I originally used to beat the Challenge mode of Escape from Dol Guldur: https://digital.ringsdb.com/decklist/view/134/escape-from-dol-guldur-challenge-mode-1.0.

Note: This deck predates the release of the final packs of player cards, so there are some newer staples missing which might be useful, such as Against the Shadow. You might also consider a Ranger Cloak for Aragorn in addition to or in place of Sword that was Broken.

I think its impossible with this deck in challenge mode

[Shadoglare]

Thanks for the advice I'm going to try some of this out - I'm actually getting my butt kicked in Narrative mode - which from what I gather is the "easiest"

[Kjeld]

Originally posted by Curunir:

Originally posted by Kjeld:

Yes, it is beatable on all difficulty levels. Here is the Aragorn + Faramir + Idraen deck I originally used to beat the Challenge mode of Escape from Dol Guldur: https://digital.ringsdb.com/decklist/view/134/escape-from-dol-guldur-challenge-mode-1.0.

Note: This deck predates the release of the final packs of player cards, so there are some newer staples missing which might be useful, such as Against the Shadow. You might also consider a Ranger Cloak for Aragorn in addition to or in place of Sword that was Broken.

I think its impossible with this deck in challenge mode

I just played the quest again today, and the designers changed it since the last time I played. It is definitely much harder now, not least because the universal damage on the first location now ignores block -- which my whole deck was designed to exploit. There have also been nerfs to three key cards: Imladris Minstrel (limited heals per round), Northern Survivor (2 -> 3 cost), and the Erebor Watchman (4 -> 3 hp). So, yes, this deck is no longer a good fit for this scenario.

[Curunir]

So this is my deck for Dol Guldur in challenge

Hero :
Elrond, Faramir, Dain

Allies :
Celduin 2x
Erabor watchman 2x
Ghan 1x (can be easily alterable)
Minstrel 2x
Longbeard 2x

Attachments:
Ranger blade 1x
Raven helm 2x
Star brooch 2x
Unexpected 2x
Sting 1x

Events:
A watchful peace 2x
Against the shadow 2x
Grace of eldar 2x
Hold your ground 2x
Lembas 2x
Timely rescue 2x
Miltrandir's Advice 1x

Important:
Faramir must have sting and helm with unexpected (he gonna have 5 on attack vs orc)
Elrond must have brooch with helm because minions with 1 of attack gonna focus on him. With the helm no damage. Try to keep your second brooch in your hand as long as possible because at last stage sauron gonna use greedy fingers on elrond. Without brooch on elrond this quest is almost impossible.

[Kjeld]

That seems pretty solid. Nice call on the Longbeard Mapmaker -- totally forgot about that guy.

Looking at your deck, I realized that the quest can be pretty easily beaten by doubling-down on willpower and questing -- every single stage can be quested through. With that thought in mind, I decided to go with a double-spirit build to take advantage of Sterner than Steel to get the main questing heroes up to insane willpower. Here's what I came up with:

Escape from Dol Guldur Challenge 2.0

Hero (3)
Faramir (The Shadow’s Reach)
Frodo (The Witch-King's Grasp)
Elrond (The Witch-King's Grasp)

Ally (6)
2x Imladris Minstrel (The Shadow’s Fall)
2x Longbeard Mapmaker (Core Set)
2x Celduin Traveler (Fellowship CardS)

Attachment (6)
2x Star Brooch (Fellowship Cards)
2x Sting (The Shadow’s Reach)
2x Unexpected Courage (Fellowship Cards)

Event (18)
2x Against the Shadow (The Witch-king's Grasp)
2x Back to the Dark (Fellowship Cards)
1x Gilthoniel! A Elbereth! (Fellowship Cards)
2x Grace of the Eldar (Hero Awards)
2x Heed the Dream (The Witch-King's Grasp)
2x Lembas (Fellowship Cards)
1x Mithrandir's Advice (Core Set)
2x Pity Stayed His Hand (The Witch-King's Grasp)
2x Timely Rescue
2x Sterner than Steel (The Shadow’s Reach)

It worked beautifully. I beat the final location the first turn I got there, with Frodo double-questing for 9 (with Star Brooch and 2x Mapmakers) and then each 9 getting doubled from the Fate event. The first location was a bit tough, and my heroes were beat up going into the second Location. Fortunately, I had Pity Stayed his Hand and Back to the Dark saved up, which took care of 3 big bad orcs. From there, Faramir with Sting was able to pretty easily hold the line while I turtled and built up board state. Careful use of Gilthoniel! A Elbereth! and the Fate event on that stage kept my threat low, and I went into the final location ready to mop up (as indeed I did). Highly recommend giving this unconventional build a try!

[Curunir]

Originally posted by Kjeld:

That seems pretty solid. Nice call on the Longbeard Mapmaker -- totally forgot about that guy.

Looking at your deck, I realized that the quest can be pretty easily beaten by doubling-down on willpower and questing -- every single stage can be quested through. With that thought in mind, I decided to go with a double-spirit build to take advantage of Sterner than Steel to get the main questing heroes up to insane willpower. Here's what I came up with:

Escape from Dol Guldur Challenge 2.0

Hero (3)
Faramir (The Shadow’s Reach)
Frodo (The Witch-King's Grasp)
Elrond (The Witch-King's Grasp)

Ally (6)
2x Imladris Minstrel (The Shadow’s Fall)
2x Longbeard Mapmaker (Core Set)
2x Celduin Traveler (Fellowship CardS)

Attachment (6)
2x Star Brooch (Fellowship Cards)
2x Sting (The Shadow’s Reach)
2x Unexpected Courage (Fellowship Cards)

Event (18)
2x Against the Shadow (The Witch-king's Grasp)
2x Back to the Dark (Fellowship Cards)
1x Gilthoniel! A Elbereth! (Fellowship Cards)
2x Grace of the Eldar (Hero Awards)
2x Heed the Dream (The Witch-King's Grasp)
2x Lembas (Fellowship Cards)
1x Mithrandir's Advice (Core Set)
2x Pity Stayed His Hand (The Witch-King's Grasp)
2x Timely Rescue
2x Sterner than Steel (The Shadow’s Reach)

It worked beautifully. I beat the final location the first turn I got there, with Frodo double-questing for 9 (with Star Brooch and 2x Mapmakers) and then each 9 getting doubled from the Fate event. The first location was a bit tough, and my heroes were beat up going into the second Location. Fortunately, I had Pity Stayed his Hand and Back to the Dark saved up, which took care of 3 big bad orcs. From there, Faramir with Sting was able to pretty easily hold the line while I turtled and built up board state. Careful use of Gilthoniel! A Elbereth! and the Fate event on that stage kept my threat low, and I went into the final location ready to mop up (as indeed I did). Highly recommend giving this unconventional build a try!

Great deck too !

[ZomBoss]

Originally posted by Curunir:

Originally posted by zOmBoZz:

I finished this quest yesterday (in the advanced), my heroes were Gimli - Frodo - Arwen. Gimli + Dwarven Ax + Self Preparation for tank and damage, Frodo + Star Brooch to blow up hazzards and Arwen + Mistrel Imladris for hazzards and healing. Tom Bombadil (to eliminate problematic minions) and Longbeard Mapmaker were instrumental in my success, along with the luck of having a Westfold Guardian with Ranger Spear + Self Preparation to support Gimli.

The problem is not advance mode but challenge mode. Its almost impossible in challenge. I got it just once with a ''no allies'' deck.

Yes, but as the author (Shadoglare) did not specify the difficulty, so i understood that he looks for tips in general and it is possible to finish this mission (Narrative e Adventure) with two good tanks and two heroes (faith 3) for hazzards, although it is not easy. But I agree with you that setup doesn't work in challenge mode.

[antfgonzalez]

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcP23buV2DQCz-qQisW5YB81Fg-hiJbpW

Here you have a complet walkthrough of the game in a narrative mode

[Scheduling1]

for new players, for the story mode, I managed to modify my deck and beat on my first attempt after being oblitered on my actual first one lol :D

None of those card need any progression beyond this point in the campaign mode. You can unlock them with points.

Two copies of everything unless mentioned otherwise.

Heroes:
Dain
Dis
Arwen

other:
Erebor Digger
Erebor Watchman
Heed the dream
Mithrandir advice
self-preservation (1x)
zigil miner
Bill the pony (1x)
Ghan-buri-Ghan (key card)
Armor of erebor (key card)
Cram
Enduring Valor (1x)
Imladris Minstrel
Iron hills sentinel
khazad ai-menu (1x)
longbeard mapmaker (key card)
erebor record keeper
Tom Bombadil (1x)
Gandalf (1x)


Key gameplay: if you manage to attach "armor of erebor" and "enduring valor" on Dis, you basically protect your whole board - just keep healing her with Arwen.
To finish the last phase, Ghan is going to be your key card, with the double effect event, you can easily manage 16 points of damage, with help of Cram and longbeard mapmaker.

I know the deck is not optimal but is good enough :)