Gandalf, Mithrandir is an extremely powerful companion with built in strength and damage bonuses, at the cost of a wound each turn. Although he is used infrequently due to a deck requiring a lot of healing, the benefits can well outweigh the costs. As he has the Aragorn signet, you get strong synergy with Aragorn, King in Exile who effectively cancels out the wounding, and you can also use Hard Choice to heal him. As for cards from his own culture, Have Patience, Intimidate, Gandalf's Staff and Narya are all effective. There are also other options such as Elrond, Herald to Gil-Galad, and Moment of Respite. Finally, some sites such as Westemnet Hills (healing Gandalf immediately after his wound if he has Shadowfax) and Minas Tirith Fifth Circle are effective.

Provided you can keep Mithrandir's vitality in check, he has the potential to decimate minions. With a strength of 12 with Shadowfax (Or Glamdring), and no way for the Shadow Player to reduce his base strength (Unlike The White Wizard and Defender of the West) he is a strong and deadly addition to your Fellowship. However, be wary of overly relying on giving him a ring, staff and horse/weapon, as he is then susceptible to Grima, Wormtongue, and a sudden loss of vitality could spell his end.

• Powerful minions, such as Nazgul and Uruk-hai.
• Vitality heavy minions, such as Orcs and Warg-Riders

• Wounding decks.
• High damage large minions, such as Cave Troll of Moria, SOTBP with Cave Troll's Hammer.