1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere (excluding Heroes)
Sneak Attack (Steward of Gondor)

2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere (excluding Heroes)
Imladris Stargazer (Elrond's Counsel)

3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere (excluding Heroes)
Gildor Inglorion (Henamarth Riversong)

4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere (excluding Heroes)
Hands Upon the Bow (Rivendell Blade)

5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres (excluding Heroes)
Gandalf (Vilya)

6. Most Thematic Card (e.g. theme implemented really well by the combination of character/actions or event/actions, etc.)
Gandalf (Boromir)

7. Nastiest Encounter Card
Eyes of the Forest (Sleeping Sentry)

8. Best Artwork (either Player or Encounter Card)
Woodman's Glade (The Old Ford)

9. Favourite Hero
Glorfindel (Boromir) *

10. Favourite Quest
Conflict at the Carrock (Massing at Osgiliath) #

* Spirit
# For the theme

1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere (excluding Heroes): Steward of Gondor
2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere (excluding Heroes): Arwen Undomiel
3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere (excluding Heroes): Henamarth Riversong
4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere (excluding Heroes): Feint
5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres (excluding Gandalf): Feint
6. Most Thematic Card (e.g. theme implemented really well by the combination of character/actions or event/actions, etc.): Denethor
7. Nastiest Encounter Card: Sudden Pitfall
8. Best Artwork (either Player or Encounter Card): Doors of Durin
9. Favourite Hero: Denethor
10. Favourite Quest: JdtA

1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere (excluding Heroes): Steward of Gondor
2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere (excluding Heroes): A Test of Will
3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere (excluding Heroes): Daerons Runes
4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere (excluding Heroes): Hands on the Bow
5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres (excluding Gandalf): Vilya
6. Most Thematic Card (e.g. theme implemented really well by the combination of character/actions or event/actions, etc.): Nor am I a Stranger
7. Nastiest Encounter Card: Signs of conflict
8. Best Artwork (either Player or Encounter Card): Arwen Undomiel (Magali Fanclub c:)
9. Favourite Hero: Frodo
10. Favourite Quest: The Redhorn Gate

1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere - Steward of Gondor (its ability for multiple-turn uses edges out Sneak Attack for me)

2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere - A Test of Will (wanted to pick Arwen here, but since ATOW cancels pretty much eevry card people selected as an answer for #7… lol).

3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere - Gildor (again, longevity - and versatility- wins out for me.. although I use Daeron's Runes in more decks)

4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere - Feint

5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres -Steward of Gondor (Vilya was considered, but since no combos allowed…)

6. Most Thematic Card - Legacy of Durin (again with Elrond/Vilya a close second)

7. Nastiest Encounter Card - Sudden Pitfall  (I've survived Sleeping Sentry plenty of times, when SP drops on turn 1 with no allies in play… game over)

8. Best Artwork - Glorfindel (Spirit)

9. Favourite Hero - Theodred (Dain and Glorfindel are close behind)

10. Favourite Quest - Foundations of Stone (the great mix of a muliplayer AND solo feel is just super creative)!

1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere (excluding Heroes) - Snowbourn Scout (Can't count how many times he saved my ass)
2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere (excluding Heroes) - Arwen Undómiel (2 WP + defense bonus for 2 resources only)
3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere (excluding Heroes) - Longbeard Mapmaker
4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere (excluding Heroes) - Erebor Battle Master
5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres (excluding Gandalf) - Arwen Undómiel
6. Most Thematic Card (e.g. theme implemented really well by the combination of character/actions or event/actions, etc.) - Rivendell Minstrell
7. Nastiest Encounter Card - Ungoliant's Spawn
8. Best Artwork (either Player or Encounter Card) - Watchful Eyes
9. Favourite Hero - Elrond
10. Favourite Quest - Foundations of Stone

1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere (excluding Heroes) - Steward of Gondor
2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere (excluding Heroes) - A Test of Will
3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere (excluding Heroes) -  Gildor Inglorion
4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere (excluding Heroes) - Feint 
5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres (excluding Gandalf) - Steward of Gondor
6. Most Thematic Card (e.g. theme implemented really well by the combination of character/actions or event/actions, etc.) - Keeping Count
7. Nastiest Encounter Card - Hill Troll
8. Best Artwork (either Player or Encounter Card) - East Bight Patrol
9. Favourite Hero - Glorfindel (Spirit)
10. Favourite Quest - Journey Down The Anduin

1. Most Powerful Player Card - Leadership Sphere (excluding Heroes)

Steward of Gondor

2. Most Powerful Player Card - Spirit Sphere (excluding Heroes)

Unexpected Courage

3. Most Powerful Player Card - Lore Sphere (excluding Heroes)

Longbeard Map-Maker

4. Most Powerful Player Card - Tactics Sphere (excluding Heroes)

Feint

5. Most Powerful Player Card - All Spheres (excluding Gandalf)

Steward of Gondor

6. Most Thematic Card (e.g. theme implemented really well by the combination of character/actions or event/actions, etc.)

Sword That Was Broken

7. Nastiest Encounter Card

Sudden Pitfall

8. Best Artwork (either Player or Encounter Card)

Arwen Undomiel

9. Favourite Hero

Frodo Baggins

10. Favourite Quest

Foundations of Stone

Below are the results of the latest card poll, and also included are the previous results for comparison.  Not a lot of changes from the previous poll, with the cards from the Core set still dominating most of the "power" categories and ones from Darrowdelf the others.  Not that much love for cards from Shadows of Mirkwood.  18 people voted this time around, compared to 10 last time.

The one category that surprised me was Lore - with so many people picking Daeron's Runes.  I get that the card has 0 cost, but all it lets you do is draw 2 cards at the expense of discarding one.  Even though it is 0 cost, you still need to take up a spot in your deck (and hand) with it and then you have to also discard a card.  Seems to me you could replace it with better cards in your deck.

Results are specified as: <rank> <Card Name> <# of votes>

 1. Most PowerFull Card_Overall

August, 2012
1 Steward of Gondor 8
2 Vilya 2
3 Unexpected Courage 1
3 Feint 1
3 Arwen Undomiel 1
3 Daerons Runes 1
3 Test of Will 1
3 Gandalf 1
3 Sneak Attack 1
 

March, 2012
1 Steward of Gondor
2 Zigil Miner
2 Unexpected Courage
2 Northern Tracker
 

2. Most PowerFull Card_Leadership 
 

August, 2012
1 Steward of Gondor 14
2 Sneak Attack 3
3 Snowbourn Scout 1
 

March, 2012
1 Steward of Gondor 5
2 Sneak Attack 4
3 Rear Guard 1
 

3. Most PowerFull Card_Spirit
 

August, 2012
1 A Test of Will 8
2 Unexpected Courage 3
2 Imladris Stargazer 3
4 Arwen Undomiel 2
4 Elrond's Counsel 1
4 Light of Valinor 1
 

March, 2012
1 Unexpected Courage 3
2 Zigil Miner 1
2 Dwarven Tomb 1
2 A Test of Will 1
2 Ancient Mathom 1
2 The Galadhrim's Greeting 1
2 Eowyn 1
2 Northern Tracker 1
 

4. Most PowerFull Card_Lore

August, 2012
1 Daerons Runes 7
2 Gildor Inglorian 3
3 Longbeard Map-Maker 2
3 A Burning Brand 2
5 Asfaloth 1
5 Love of Tales 1
5 Forest Snare 1
5 Henamarth Riversong 1
 

March, 2012
1 Protector of Lorien 2
1 Forest Snare 2
3 Rivendale Minstral 1
3 Gildor Inglorion 1
3 Longbeard Mapmaker 1
3 Gleowine 1
3 Beravor 1
3 Daughter of the Nimrodel 1
 

5. Most PowerFull Card_Tactics
 

August, 2012
1 Feint 12
2 Hands Upon the Bow 3
3 Erebor Battlemaster 2
4 Khazad!Khazad! 1
 

March, 2012
1 Feint 4
2 Eagles of the Misty Mountains 1
2 Horn of Gondor 1
2 Citadel Plate 1
2 Gimli 1
2 Landroval 1
 

6. Most Thematic Card
 

August, 2012
1 Gandalf 3
1 Keeping Count 3
3 Ever My heart Rises 2
4 Horn of Gondor 1
4 Love of Tales 1
4 Hands Upon the Bow 1
4 Boromir 1
4 Keen Eyed Took 1
4 We are not Idle 1
4 Denethor 1
4 Nor am I a Stranger 1
4 Legacy of Durin 1
4 Rivendell Minstrel 1
 

March, 2012
1 Gandalf 5
2 Keeping Count 2
3 Dunedain Mark 1
3 Frodo 1
 

7. Nastiest Encounter Card
 

August, 2012
1 Sudden Pitfall 9
2 Sleeping Sentry 4
3 Eyes of the Forest 2
4 Signs of Conflict 1
4 Ungoliant's Spawn 1
4 Hill Troll 1
 

March, 2012
1 Sudden Pitfall 2
2 Festering Wounds 1
2 Eyes of the Forest 1
2 Witch King 1
2 Sacked 1
 

8. Best Artwork
 

August, 2012
1 Arwen Undomiel 6
2 Glorfindal (Spirit) 2
3 Old Ford 1
3 Aragorn (Lore) 1
3 Hama 1
3 Word of Command 1
3 Bee Pastures 1
3 Woodman's Glade 1
3 Doors of Durin 1
3 Watchful Eyes 1
3 East Blight Patrol 1
 

March, 2012
1 Dawn Take You All 1
1 The Old Ford 1
1 Longbeard Mapmaker 1
1 Gandalf 1
1 Bifur 1
1 Legolas 1
1 Eleanor 1
1 Fanuidhol 1
 

9. Favourite Hero
 

August, 2012
1 Frodo Baggins 3
1 Glorfindal (Spirit) 3
3 Elrond 2
3 Legolas 2
3 Elrohir 2
3 Bifur 2
7 Denethor 1
7 Theodred 1
7 Aragorn (Lo) 1
7 Gloin 1
 

March, 2012
NA (new Question)
 

10. Favourite Quest
 

August, 2012
1 Foundations of Stone 7
2 Journey Down the Anduin 4
3 Conflict at the Carrock 2
3 The Redhorn Gate 2
5 Shadow and Flame 1
5 Hunt for Gollum 1
 

March, 2012
NA (new Question)

hey first thanks for doing these polls

as for the runes the reason theyre deemed such power cards is that they effectively allow you to build a lower card deck. with this and we have not been idle you can run a 50 card deck that becomes a 44 card deck through the 2 card's mechanics…ie draw one of them and discard it to draw another (or 2) for free

this greatly increases draw chances

rich

Have to chime in on Daeron's Runes.

The reason why they are considered powerful is because they are the very first 100%, auto-include, no-exceptions, play-with-them card (for Lore decks that is).

I have played games without Steward of Gondor, without A Test of Will, but never ever have I played without Daeron's Runes when I had a Lore hero. All other "power" cards have cases where you don't need them, but not so with Daeron's Runes.

richsabre said:

Good point, I hadn't considered that aspect of it.  I think I'll start using it more.

plueschi said:

Agree with you. Daerons runes  most powerful card in the game now.

Daeron's Runes is only as powerful as the other cards in your deck.

If all your other cards are weak, pointless cards (I'm looking at you, Bombur!), then Daeron's Runes is just as weak and pointless as those.

So, really, Daeron's Runes is only powerful because there are other cards in your deck that you want to use more.

What I'm wondering is, what Lore cards are you hoping to draw with Daeron's Runes?

I'm also wondering if there is going to be a quest that removes from the game cards from your deck and/or discard pile and that force you to lose if your deck is depleted.  That could make Daeron's Runes dangerous to use.

It is great to see different opinions on the quality of cards. A lot comes down to the style of decks you like to build. Personally, I'm not so convinced by Daeron's Runes. It doesn't actually offer card draw (2 cards are replaced with 2 others) so what it really does is offer potential card quality. If you have a duplicate unique in your hand (to discard) then your card quality should increase. If you have built a good deck then your card quality won't necessarily increase. There are times in a game (when your hand is already good for the situation you are in) that I wouldn't play Daeron's Runes. Gleowine always seems useful however!

Imladris Stargazer is similar in role to the runes, it improves card quality in your hand and when combo'd with Master of the Forge becomes really powerful as you gain card draw and the chance to see a lot of your deck very quickly. She also works well with the runes and as such always comes first in the queue for cards to include in my deck, followed by the master of the forge and then the runes.

Erestor is again a similar card to the runes, it is all about card quality, is repeatable and can quest for 2 each round. In a deck with many duplicate uniques and enough resource generation I think Erestor really outshines the runes.

Best Lore card: Master of the Forge.

Daeron's Runes is certainly a great card, and there's little reason not to include it if you're playing Lore, but I don't agree that it's the most *powerful* Lore card. To me, that designation most appropriately applies to the card that does the most to help you win the game when it enters play. Daeron's Runes is terrific because it provides a small benefit with no drawback. There is no opportunity cost; it's just a straight bonus in terms of card quality and deck slimming. But the effect itself is, to me, not particularly *powerful*.

Instead, I look at cards like A Burning Brand and Forest Snare. The former negates an entire dimension of randomness within the game, while the latter is so powerful that virtually all "boss monsters" are designed to counteract it. Neither is prohibitively difficult to play. Those cards, in my mind, are more powerful than Daeron's Runes--not necessarily "better" or more likely to make it into one of my decks, but more significant.