by nssxxx
I have recently discovered an excellent strategy of using Beorn in a mono-sphere solo deck. Basically, you take Brand and Ellodan/Elrohir (Tactics one, can't remember which is which) and Beorn: starting threat 32 questing power of 4. You can vary these heroes but you really need all the Willpower you can get and very little else. Legolas and Hama's ailites will not really be called upon.In your deck you will put 3 song of kings, 1 celebrian stone, 2 sneak attack, 2 faramir and 2 steward of gondor. The rest of the deck will be (almost) all of the Tactics allies:
3 x Eagles of Misty Mountains
2 x Bofur
3 x descendant of thorondor
1 x Landroval
2 x beorning beekeeper
3 x dwarven axehand
3 x gondor spearman
3 x watcher of the bruinen
3 x trollshaw scout
3 x winged guardian
3 x vassal of the windlord
+ 2 Radagast, 3 Gandalf (core), 1 Born Aloft
This takes you to 44 cards. I then add in horn of gondor, 3 eagles are coming and 2 feint. But you may mix/match these with others (thicket of spears, shadow of past etc.).
Basically, Brand and the Elf will do nothing but quest. Beorn will take care of combat. Prioritise questing allies. Otherwise spend other resources on cheap allies to build up a nice little army, before Beorn takes too much damage (not a problem if Landroval is in play though). At some point you will be able to play Faramir, which will turn your army in to some kind of quest-busting power-house. Just keep a few allies reserve for any surges or unexpected mischief, but Beorn is generally pretty good at handling things himself for 3-5 turns.
Obviously you are powerless against treacheries, and there is a risk that you will get location locked on some quests*. But if you can build up enough early questing power you will be Okay. Use Gandalf and Born Aloft/Sneak Attack to reduce threat. Race to the finish.
*you could put in some riddermark's finest to combat this but you will be reliant on drawing radagast/sneak attack in order to play them, or risk clogging up your hand. Shame Asfaloth is not a "creature" or we could have used Legolas in here with him.