To quote the author “This is a Boromir deck… This is a Hobbit Secrecy deck.” and I love every bit of this smash-up for both its theme and prowess.

Pride and Innocence

by DavFlamerock

http://www.ringsdb.com/decklist/view/2104/pride-and-innocence-1.0

Hero (3)
Boromir (The Dead Marshes)
Merry (The Wastes of Eriador)
Pippin (Encounter at Amon Dîn)

Ally (17)
2x Bilbo Baggins (The Road Darkens)
3x Curious Brandybuck (The Wastes of Eriador)
3x Dúnedain Hunter (The Lost Realm)
3x Ethir Swordsman (The Steward’s Fear)
3x Westfold Horse-breeder (The Voice of Isengard)
3x Westfold Outrider (The Voice of Isengard)

Attachment (15)
1x Arod (The Treason of Saruman)
3x Dagger of Westernesse (The Black Riders)
3x Gondorian Shield (The Steward’s Fear)
3x Hobbit Pipe (The Black Riders)
2x Hobbit Pony (The Wastes of Eriador)
3x Song of Eärendil (Road to Rivendell)

Event (17)
3x A Test of Will (Core Set)
3x Elevenses (The Thing in the Depths)
2x Feint (Core Set)
3x Free to Choose (Trouble in Tharbad)
3x Hasty Stroke (Core Set)
3x The Galadhrim’s Greeting (Core Set)

Player Side Quest (1)
1x Double Back (Escape from Mount Gram)

I’m gushing over the theme here and there are tons of little gems in this deck that can make it just plain fun to play. First, the obvious protection that Boromir provides Merry and Pippin.  Make sure to use his second action in at least one play-through.  Digging a little deeper, imagine the headache all those hobbits give Boromir as they scramble around riding ponies, eating, and smoking pipes… it will be like herding cats.  Finally, I love that Song of Eärendil is in the same deck as Bilbo.

Oh wait, Spirit Pippin is in this deck? You know what? It works, try it.

I like that this deck is toolboxy and has a higher skill level to operate than the typical Boromir SMASH decks (with Fire and Blood). You are constantly balancing keeping your threat low with Boromir’s readying ability.

Finally, a note about the deck’s creator. DavFlamerock has particular notoriety in the Star Wars: LCG community where he consistently does well as top tier tournaments. I’ve really enjoyed  his unique approach to deck-building within that game. I also had the pleasure of playing a four-player game with Dav once… he had a Grima deck and it was okay. He had crafted a perfect balance to keep the other three players happy. That same emphasis on balance has been repeated here. This deck and many others by Dav certainly deserve a second look.

-thanatopsis