{"ops":[{"insert":"My first MTG experience was playing the LOTR starter decks with one of my oldest friends. I loved the Mordor side with the playpattern of sacrificing minions to accrue value through cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mordor Trebuchet"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Uglúk of the White Hand"}},{"insert":" , with finally a "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sauron, the Lidless Eye"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fire of Orthanc"}},{"insert":" to finish the game off.\n\nThis commander deck is a tribute to that deck and that day. The goal is to make a thematic LOTR deck that feels like commanding the armies of Mordor and becoming consumed by greed. I hope this primer helps someone out there build this unique commander!\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Sauron, the Lidless Eye"},{"insert":"\nThis printing of Sauron suggests a few directions for the deck, namely Theft and Combo. Although these options are interesting and could work fine, they are also frustating for my opponents. What I prefer instead is a value midrange style that brings out huge threats like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Witch-king, Bringer of Ruin"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"The Balrog, Durin's Bane"}},{"insert":". \n\nThe point is to go wide, not tall. So no "},{"insert":{"card-link":"March from the Black Gate"}},{"insert":" or "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Fling"}},{"insert":", but "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Mirkwood Bats"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Siege-Gang Commander"}},{"insert":".\n\nSo the primary theme is sacrifice with cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Merciless Executioner"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Gorbag of Minas Morgul"}},{"insert":" . The subtheme is treasures, because of thematic cards like "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Glóin, Dwarf Emissary"}},{"insert":", "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Orcrist, Goblin-cleaver"}},{"insert":" and "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Smaug, Wicked Worm"}},{"insert":". \n\nTo win, we can use our treasure pile to activate Sauron's ability a few times or dump mana into "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Assault on Osgiliath"}},{"insert":". \n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Non-LOTR inclusions"},{"insert":"\nMost cards are picked because you "},{"attributes":{"italic":true},"insert":"would "},{"insert":"expect them in a LOTR mordor themed deck. Some strong cards for this deck are purposefully excluded because they are jarring to me to the theme (think of "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Taurean Mauler"}},{"insert":"). The following cards fit great in the deck but should not be so strong that they feel jarring.\n\n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sivriss, Nightmare Speaker"}},{"insert":" although there are no snake people in Tolkiens world, I can easily imagine Sivriss living there and creating a cult in honour of Sauron. I love the art and especially the ability. Not only do you get to sac creatures, but also treasures and you then present your opponents with a villainous choice. \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Share the Spoils"}},{"insert":" is a fun commander card that fits the vibe of Thorin's band in Smaug's cavern.\n "},{"insert":{"card-link":"Sinister Gnarlbark"}},{"insert":" is an amazing sac outlet and draw enige. I imagine it being a corrupted ent. \n"},{"insert":{"card-link":"Broadside Bombardiers"}},{"insert":" are pirate goblins on the boats assaulting Osgiliath. Great aggressive sac outlet.\n \n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Thanks for reading!"},{"insert":"\n"}]}