Enablers
Dunland Crebain
A flyer plus an Army supports both attacks and sacrifice. A small flyer also makes a useful Ring-bearer.
16 enablers →
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
One-pick Draft · Cards, plans & rules · Arena win rates (Premier Draft, Jun 15–Aug 28, 2023)
Released June 23, 2023
The ten-second pick check
4 questionsAsk them in this order.
Can I cast it?
Check the colors and the turn when you need it.
Which job is missing?
An early creature or answer can matter more than another expensive card.
What makes it work?
Count actual temptations, token makers, spells or scry effects.
What will I cut?
A strong deck needs a plan and enough lands, not every card you liked.
What job does this card do?
All 71 card notes →Look past the power level. Name the job before deciding whether it belongs.
Enablers
Birthday Escape
Replaces itself while advancing the Ring. After level two, attacking with your Ring-bearer helps discard excess lands.
16 enablers →
Mana & fixing
Generous Ent
Finds a Forest for one mana early; later it supplies a large reach blocker and Food. Useful when your deck needs both lands and a finisher.
9 mana & fixing →What matters in The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth
All mechanics →Take strong black cards seriously
Bryan Hohns and Sam Black both identify deep black commons as a strong starting point. Follow open colors rather than forcing black at any cost.
Learn the Ring, Armies and Food →A small bearer can be hard to block
Bigger creatures cannot block your Ring-bearer. At the second Ring level, attacking also lets you draw and discard before blockers.
Landcyclers are two useful choices
A one-mana landcycler can find a land early or become a spell late. Keep enough real lands to pay for cycling and make your first plays.
Before your event & where to play
Draft with family or friends
Event rules
Use three Draft Boosters each, not Set or Collector Boosters. Pick one at a time and build 40-card decks.
Three Draft Boosters per player. Pick one card each time; pass left, right, then left across the packs. Build at least 40 cards and add basic lands. Agree on match structure and guide use before starting.
Take with you
Outside strategy notes cannot be consulted during sanctioned drafting, construction or games. Brief prewritten notes may be reviewed between games; public Oracle lookup follows separate rules. Ask your organizer about devices and note use.