Pavise is an extremely versatile possession. Despite its high twilight cost, it's often fairly cheap (Or even free) because the Free Peoples player tends to have at least a few possessions on the table. The fact that it gives 2 extra vitality is not only invaluable for keeping minions alive, but it also makes minions that can exert a lot more dangerous. It also shields its bearer from maneuver, archery and regroup wounding, protecting it from many wounding decks, and safeguarding a minion that has exhausted itself using abilities. There are few Minions that don't benefit from this possession, although some appreciate it more than others. Mumak Commander, GatS; Saruman, Coldly Still; The Mouth of Sauron, Messenger of Mordor and Rapt Hillman are all examples of minions that derive a lot of benefit from the extra exertions. Crazed Hillman becomes much more likely to survive until his fierce skirmish. Frenzied Dunlending becomes fierce, and valuable minions such as Stampeding Chief become very hard to kill. Be wary of possession discard when using this card, as a well timed Roll of Thunder or Erkenbrand could result in it being discarded while its bearer has 2 or less vitality, which leads to instant death. This card can also be recycled if you want to play it more than 4 times, using Countless Companies or Saruman Coldly Still. Also note that The Mouth of Sauron, Messenger of Mordor can play both this and Countless Companies from your draw deck.

• Wounding decks
• Archery decks
• Decks with many possessions

• Possession discard (Particularly if bearer is exhausted)
• Decks with no or few possessions
• Companions that can exhaust minions

• Evil Men Archery - http://lotrtcgwiki.com/forums/index.php/topic,8522.0.html - This is a wounding deck focusing mainly on archery, but it also uses Mumak Commander, GatS with Pavise for mass exerting.