Dragons of the East: Deluxe Review Part 2

Delena Florent (4.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 5 out of 5

As long as you’re not trying to stand Robert or Stannis, she’s fantastic in several matchups like Targ voltron or Stark sacrifice. Any time a card says a player “cannot” do something with no recourse, it’s probably good. Against other factions, replacing herself is still good (search the entire deck!), and she’s even a Florent character to trigger an Alester draw as well. Delena does a lot of work for just 3 gold. 

Von Wibble 5 out of 5

The stats are bad but a free tutor for any Bastard is very strong, with Shadow City Bastard, Ramsey Snow, Bastard of Robert, Bastard Daughter, Obara Sand, and Nymeria Sand all great options. A Bara card that Martell likes, who’d have thought such a thing was possible? She is also a good answer to many voltron type decks, stopping a lot of buzzsaw characters like Daenerys and Barristan, whilst still allowing you to make use of Azor Ahai Reborn if you want to. The only problem is that she doesn’t play well with Lightbringer. She’s still a great boost to most Bara decks. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

A good ability when she’s in play, and she preemptively replaces herself, not bad. In-faction the Bastard of Nightsong is the juiciest target, though in banner decks you can extend the reach greatly, from Shadow City Bastard to Jon Snow and many stops along the way. The no-stand ability is obviously great, but with her being such a fragile character should only be thought of as a temporary tempo-denial card rather than some attempt to establish a long-term lock.

Dragonstone Convert (3.3 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

Step 1: Have three copies of Dragonstone Convert in play. 

Step 2: Name Dracarys, Consuming Flames, and A Dragon Is No Slave. 

Step 3: Get Incinerated anyways. 

Seriously though, she’s a solid character. R’hllor and Florent traits, intrigue icon in Bara, and preventing worst case scenarios sounds like a good package to me. I like a couple copies in some Bara decks in a Begging Brother type role. 

Von Wibble 4 out of 5

A new Iron Throne with legs! The icons, strength, and traits are all solid enough, and there are so many good options to prevent with that ability – Bound, Burn, BOMB, HJ to name but a few. It may be a Targ box but I think Bara are winning this one…

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

Cards that synergise with Baratheon’s hand-knowledge theme are cards we like to see. It’s just a shame how pricey this one is to only prevent an event, and only during the challenges phase, and only if the opponent doesn’t play it before your trigger. Compare to the wide-ranging versatility of The Iron Throne and people are unlikely to Convert to this instead.

Hotho Humpback (2.3 Average)

scantrell24 – 3.5 out of 5

Cool design idea. Whether intentional or not, Hotho is best in Tyrell Kraken Mill decks with Dragon’s Tail, not reserve-lowering choke type decks. 

Von Wibble 2.5 out of 5

Thankfully for all people who, y’know, actually like cards, this is a challenges action so can’t prevent an opponent from marshalling everything they want. I see this ability as something to build on with Wraiths and maybe even Alyssane, the idea being to punish decks like Targ and Lanni that don’t play out so much in marshalling but then go for events and ambush in challenges. Of course, the problem with this is that they often favour high reserve plots so don’t get so badly hurt. In a choke/mill deck he’s maybe a 1 of, he usually does little but drawn at the right time can be very annoying. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 1 out of 5

Um, well, at least it’s got an intrigue icon? And good against You Win Or You Die, potentially. Reserve-checking is an interesting mechanic, but being delayed until the challenges phase means it’s never going to seriously impact the opponent enough to justify the inclusion, given that Hotho’s on the pricey side. Brief sidenote: who in seven hells is Hotho? Or Delena, or Clydas, or Spotted Sylva? Maybe FFG were right about running out of theme…

Ten Towers Galley (1.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 2 out of 5

Could be painful if you get multiples out or combine with other reductions, but the optional turn off hurts quite a bit. At least it’s a warship for Victarion and Khorane if you need a kneel more than the reserve reduction that turn. 

Von Wibble 2 out of 5

A cheap non unique warship that limits opponents options should be good, especially in choke, but for some reason this just doesn’t excite me, probably because Night’s Watch have better options for that archetype, and they probably want a Wolf banner. Just don’t run this together with the Frostfangs, or your opponent can kneel Frostfangs to kneel the Galley. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 1 out of 5

If the card didn’t have the “kneel a location to turn it off” bit it would still be woeful. That it can be turned off, often at no cost at all in several cases, is so bad it’s hilarious.

Ser Meryn Trant (3.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

A sometimes good ability on a reasonable body. I’m not sure where he really fits though. Maybe some Rains or Goodstuff decks want 1x. Meryn seems like a sideboard card. 

Von Wibble 4 out of 5

Solid stats, decent traits, and an ability that prevents recycling shenanigans. Lanni have a lot of competition at this price slot, but I think he makes the cut even if you just use his ability on intrigue claim. Used with any version of Cersei or as part of a banner package with Bara or Martell hand control he gets even better. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 3 out of 5

This is a great effect to hamper Targaryen, a great card for mill decks to mitigate Citadel Archivist, and solid for messing up Flea Bottom too. Overall just a lovely ability to give Lannister in a Targaryen box. So why the middling rating? The problem is that he has no immediate impact, and he’s not a particularly stable body to maintain on the board. As a result you only get top results from Mandon by getting him out early and keeping him out for a prolonged period of time, which like Delena is tough but unlike Delena doesn’t screw with the opponent’s tempo and replace himself.

The Red Keep (5.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 5 out of 5

A deserved “OP restrict” for Lannister after months of having only Kingdom (and now maybe VS) as playable agendas. If you see it early your opponent will have a very hard time. Red Keep might even result in a resurgence of Nothing Burns. I would love to have this artwork expanded to show the rest of the city on a playmat. 

Von Wibble 5 out of 5

It’s a tempo hit for sure but once it hits the table it provides so much control, and even has the potential for 2 uses if the Bastard of Driftmark wins his challenge. The income boost is nice too, and 4 cost over 3 has the added bonus of immunity to FroSo, which helps compensate for the fact this can’t be the House with the Red Door. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 5 out of 5

Obviously bonkers and best card in the box. We’re not sure the game particularly benefits for having this card exist, but on power level terms it’s undeniable for reasons we really shouldn’t have to spell out.

Spotted Sylva (3.3 Average)

scantrell24 – 3.5 out of 5

I like her. Either you attack and win, or you lose but presumably bounce something bigger than Sylva. She’s not a game-changer but a reasonable chud. 

Von Wibble 2.5 out of 5

A cheap lady for Martell, coming many packs too late for core Doran sadly. There are a few nice tricks you can pull with her, using Ellaria, Harpoon Marge or Dornish Revenge as character removal, or even providing a way to return your own characters to hand. But the problem is that most of these tricks aren’t in a tier one deck for now. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

Unlike the Red Keep this is a good kind of annoying. Nice utility, returning enters-play effects for you, Venomous Blades, milked characters and whatnot. Or just maybe getting you unopposed intrigue each round, which is fine too.

Choosing the Spear (3.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

Choosing the Spear is a cheaper but seriously conditional Winter Is Coming. I suppose it’s non-loyal so you could go Stark Sun for both of them, but you need a Martell character. Sarella? Nymeria? Probably not worth the trouble. The other possibility is Martell Wolf attrition where you keep the board small and/or use icon removal to guarantee winning military. 

Von Wibble 4 out of 5

This is a strange card for Martell as they aren’t known for winning through mil claim in general. Maybe this is the card that changes this fact? At any rate, a 0 cost claim raise seems good, and a decent banner card too for that matter. The kill drawback can be mitigated too, as you can punish your opponent by choosing characters like Bastard Daughter, core Shireen, Benjen Stark, or Lysa Arryn (see below).  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

The Finns cannot imagine playing this event in Martell; but if you are playing the more aggro attritiony style of orange, maybe you want to push the military claim, and if you do this is an option. It’s possibly too niche to fit into play though, requiring you to want to push military specifically, needing a Martell character to stop it being bannered as effectively, and needing to be played at the start of the challenge before you know if you’ll win it, with a downside if you don’t.

Clydas (4.5 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

White Tree alone is a nuisance. Clydas alone is obnoxious. Together they might just have something cooking. In first edition choke was a real threat but it’s never been fully fleshed out in second ed, until now. 

Von Wibble 4.5 out of 5

Once per phase? That mitigates Trade Routes, and allows you to run Trading, knowing you can take back 2 of the 3 gold you gave your opponent in plot and draw phases (and the 3rd in marshalling unless they are first player and spend all their gold at once). This is White Tree on crack (that would produce an interesting face on the tree!), an easy include in almost all decks for sure. This also punishes opponents who run a kind of drip feed economy, such as shadows decks, by stealing away all their gold ready to ensure you have enough for your Bound. At least unlike most NW characters he can be Milked.  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 5 out of 5

Shame for Clydas that Red Keep is the nailed on card of the pack, he’s been robbed. Being once per phase not round makes him absolutely ridiculous – even if he was just a 2 gold swing that would be great, but being able to pull challenge phase gold too, in a meta quite heavy on challenge tricks and for the faction that has Bound to the Wall? And woe betide the opponent who flips Trade Routes or Calling the Banners against you.

Cage of Ravens (4.2 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

“Steward only” is what keeps Cage of Ravens from a perfect score, besides the fact that many Stewards can’t take non-Weapon attachments, such as Aemon, Donal Noye, Three-Finger Hobb and Owen. The ability itself is very strong, especially as an any phase action. 

Von Wibble 4.5 out of 5

There are some nice interactions with this card, for example that you can cheat in an extra limited card early game to set up your economy. Later on you can get surprise claim soak or Craven a character that chose not to defend because they wanted to punish you in attack. Or,  in dominance you can double draw with Messenger Ravens if you are low on cards. And that’s just the in faction options! The only thing making me cagey (yes, I went there) with the rating is that you need stewards in your deck that can take attachments. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

Nice and thematic to let you replay the Messenger Raven, but also really quite versatile, accelerating your economy (both by being economy itself and by letting you cheat in limited cards) and allowing you to throw in NW’s bevy of 1 gold attachments for extra Valyrian Steel triggers and whatnot. Obviously not for every deck though, as it requires you to be on both a healthy number of 1 gold cards and a healthy number of Stewards.

Wylla Manderly (3.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 3.5 out of 5

Aside from the Heir and Skagos interactions, Wylla is worth a look in Qohor to recycle used attachments and in the good old Tyrell Wolf Ladies deck. She won’t see widespread play but a few Stark decks will gladly pay 2 gold for a bicon Lady. 

Von Wibble 2.5 out of 5

She has good icons, strength to cost, and traits, making her an easy 1 of just to help Heir to the Iron Throne. Her ability works well with Skagos in ensuring that you don’t have all the copies of key cards in your discard pile – though you need some forward planning as she can’t just put the sacrificed character back into your deck. Stark have good competition at this cost slot though, so I don’t see her making the cut in decks that aren’t running Fat Cat. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 3 out of 5

A divisive card for the Curmudgeons, with JC and Ire liking her simply for being a 2g 2 STR lady bicon with an intrigue icon, helping Stark cover a weaker icon among the cheap characters while also giving you a good target to sacrifice for Heir who’s acceptable in the meantime. Istaril and Drakey aren’t so convinced that’s enough for her to actually get played. With Skagos restricted, none of us particularly care about the reaction, which is a shame since it’s clearly what the point of the card is actually meant to be.

Fight to the Last (2.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

Hey, a card designed to counter the main faction’s strengths, just as FFG promised when the premise of deluxe factions was introduced. I love the flavor of Fight to the Last, even if it lacks top-tier consistency. It sucks when you have power stacked on a character and you would win if you could just make it to your turn in challenges, but your character get’s Put to the Sword, or Varys’d, or simply killed by attrition.

Fight is non-loyal too, and a rare Stark card that works for non-Stark characters. Bara could use it to protect Robert in the tag-team deck with Fast Eddie, for example. 

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

Another card pushing Skagos as your restricted choice. Yes, you’ll lose all the power on the character, but maybe you can get to 15 before the end of the phase. It’s a rare example of a “save” that works even on terminal burn too. A good option for a rush/Fat Cat deck. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

Stark’s second “shame Skagos was restricted” card in a row, only this one we more unanimously agree isn’t worth it, with the possible exception of Melee where a surprise extra body actually could have real value on smaller boards.

Mathis Rowan (2.8 Average)

scantrell24 – 3.5 out of 5

New design space that opens up interesting possibilities? I dig it, but the cost feels a touch high. Would 4 for 4 have been too good? Mathis is another Lord for speed dating Margaery, and a Small Council member for what that’s worth. Giving an econ location on the final turn of the game after you collect income seems good. 

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

There are a lot of nice interactions this guy can provide. You can give your opponent control of any attachments with only passive text, such as Milk or Knighted. Or you can give them your Tycho. I’m sure there are many more tricks to make this ability a strong one, so it’s a cautiously optimistic rating. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

~A melee colluder’s dream! If you want to use this for economy you’re going to have a bad time, because so few cards are seriously worth giving to your opponent – you can’t make an entire deck out of Milk of the Poppy, Tourney Lance and whatnot. But the fun will come from lumping your opponent with cursed gifts – a Kingslayer, an Umber Loyalist, etc.

Champion’s Favor (3.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

Unlike Core Marge, this strength pump only lasts until the end of the challenge, which detracts from the score a bit. As always with these kinds of effects, the threat of activation often does more work than the pump itself. It might have a place in the meta right now for Valyrian Steel and Qohor by virtue of being a 0 cost non-terminal attachment. Maybe useful for triggering All Men are Fools as well. 

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

This lets you turn one of your ladies into Sultry Marge – in fact, better as she only adds 3, whilst this will usually give 4-5. On key characters like Queen of Thorns or Ditsy (6 cost) Marge this isn’t as good as you want them in the challenge for their abilities or renown. At cost 0 this is an easy include in VS, and seems good with knights too. Elsewhere I think there are better options.  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 3 out of 5

In the current Valyrian Steel-heavy environment, it’s tough to rate a non-terminal 0g attachment lower than a 3. The actual effect here is tough to fall in love with though. Most ladies Tyrell run they want to use in challenges – Brienne, 4g Marge, 6g Marge, Queen of Thorns (any). Good to give extra utility to the likes of Alerie and Elinor, at least?

Lysa Arryn (3.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 3.5 out of 5

As expensive as she is versatile, Lysa sparks my interest but isn’t a clear-cut bomb. If you’re running Great Hall as your restricted anyways then maybe throw in 1x and see what happens. I don’t think you can rely on her to any degree, or run more than one copy because she has to die to trigger. It’s worth noting that Harrenhal in the next expansion is an on-demand kill when you need it. Maybe Prince Lysa could be fun. 

Von Wibble 3.5 out of 5

6 cost is expensive and even with Vince restricted there is plenty of cancel around, but that ability is really useful. When using VM, it negates one of your opponents dupes, or, if neither side has saves, it knocks out some economy to slow them down. Expensive as the trade-off is, removing a Milk could also be a clutch play. If you can make use of cards like Wylla or Spears of the Merling King to recur her, or Choosing the Spear to make your opponent choose between facing high military claim or losing a key character, this can be nasty indeed. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

A very well-costed, fair card that will be a useful control tool. She’s expensive enough that throwing her in an arbitrary deck won’t bring you much luck, but if you build to leverage her she’ll more than earn her keep – we’re picturing maybe a Baratheon deck with the Fury of the Storm Robert Baratheon and Wildfire Assault as its reset plot, for instance.

Tormund Giantsbane (4.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

Intimidate plus granting Renown until the end of the phase could be pretty good (especially for non-kneelers like Crow Killers). Unfortunately the timing isn’t great here, because he gains a Storyteller token as a reaction to winning, and there isn’t a window to give renown until after the challenge completes. 

Von Wibble 4 out of 5

Finally, Tormund is in the game! In a wildling deck he’s a no brainer choice, but as he can use those Tale tokens (not Manhood tokens I see) on himself, he seems decent enough in any deck. Once he has 1 Tale token, as long as you win challenges with him he is a strength 6 renown intimidate bicon, that  seems like a good option to me, and a nice choice in any attachment based deck looking for voltrons.  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

One challenge win and this is functionally a 5 gold, 6 STR bicon with renown and intimidate thereafter. Seems like good value to us. Nice to see something speed up Free Folk too, a decktype that otherwise functionally wins round one but doesn’t actually win until about round 4 or 5 unless you concede.

Archmaester’s Marwyn (3.8 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

Yes, he’s great for Conclave, but we’re still at least one more good Maester away from viability. All the card advantage in the world doesn’t help if your characters can’t win challenges and leverage those wins into power. It’s difficult to rate niche cards like Marwyn because his power level depends on context. 

Von Wibble 3.5 out of 5

For Conclave, he is their Prince that was Promised, as once he enters play you effectively have an extra 9 cards in hand, over a period of time. That makes him an automatic 3-of in Conclave for me. In other decks, I am less convinced as Littlefinger gives you that cards straight away with some gold later on, whilst Marwyn just ensures those cards can’t be lost to intrigue claim and reserve. Because Conclave isn’t tier 1 I can’t give him a 5, but if it ever gets there he is for sure.

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

A new lease of life for Conclave? Probably not as the Maesters as a whole remain a complete mess, but it’s nice to give the tired old agenda leg up at the game’s end. Essentially increasing your hand by 9 cards when you play him makes him a seriously effective card for the archetype. Outside of Conclave though, play Core Littlefinger instead.

Water Dancer’s Sword (2.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 2.5 out of 5

It’s nice to see a playable strength pump attachment to combat burn, but hilariously this Sword bounces before Dracarys, Drogon, etc. expire. 

Von Wibble 2 out of 5

In a VS deck it pays for itself with the agenda, then you get the card back, or you can use it to turn excess gold into a card and strength pump every turn, so I think it sees play there. In any other deck I can’t see it being chosen. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

The darting-in-and-out is cute and thematic, but in practice this is bottom of the barrel “Valyrian Steel trigger” and nothing else really. Well done to FFG for, as with Warhammer in the Bara box, remembering to put “printed”.

Braavos (3.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

Braavos is playable in any deck that regularly has 2 or more factions on the table. NW Wolf with Ward and Bound for the Wall could use it, but NuWall doesn’t work because whoever you steal loses their other affiliations. Non-limited economy still feels like cheating. 

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

I really like this card, even if it won’t see play in many competitive decks. To be worth it as a 3 cost unique economy location that kneels for its effect you need to consistently be able to get 2 gold per round with the potential for more. That means you run this in non-Qohor Alliance, Shadows and Conclave decks. In shadows decks you often won’t have that number of factions out unless you are already winning, so I think you rule that one out. That leaves 2 less competitive decks. Maybe with Marwyn as well Conclave has a renaissance, or should that be “naissance”, given it has never been right at the top?

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

Maintain board presence in a banner deck and it’s a good economy location. In an Alliance/Conclave/Kingdom/White Book deck, it’s a great one. It’s nice for decks that split factions – and therefore often struggle for strong economy a bit more – to get something to compensate somewhat.

Bribery (4.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

Bribery might as well be a Targ card because it’s best with Mercenary Contract, though not a totally dead card otherwise. Would you pay 6 gold to kneel Fat Bob? Probably not. Would you pay 6 gold to steal him, and then be able to pay a gold to stand him while you’re at it? Hell yeah. Some decks have cut reducer chuds lately, and Bribery could be their death blow. Other popular targets include Acolyte of the Flame, Bolton Flayer, Ghost of High Heart, Greenblood Trader, Haunted Forest Scout, Littlefinger, Oldtown Informer, Ricasso, Shadow Priestess, Southron Messenger, Daario and Old Bill Bone. I could see this being restricted in the future (by the player committee). 

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

It may have taken a while, but finally the Ally and Mercenary traits are dangerous things to have. Most of the 1 cost reducer chuds are allies, so this card is at worst taking away opponent’s claim soak. If you have the spare money then the kneel option can be useful, and there will be a few times where paying a few more can net you a decent chud. Mercenary Contract is also worth a mention in conjunction with this card. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 5 out of 5

Without Mercenary Contract this would be a solid 4, but being able to target any character (at least that can take the attachment) is just tremendous, especially in Qohor with its ability to search the attachment out specifically. The card might single-handedly revive Hand’s Judgment in the wider meta. Away from that combination, this simultaneously puts a real cost on some of the more commonly-played characters like Daario, but also is a useful card for attrition decks to take claimsoak, and can also be used for the kneel effect in a pinch too. A strong, versatile all-round event.

Lay Waste (2.3 Average)

scantrell24 – 2 out of 5

I don’t expect Lay Waste to see any play. It’s too slow and could even backfire if the opponent has a better replacement. 

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

Easy location or attachment control at just 1 gold is very nice. The drawback of letting your opponent find a cheaper location or attachment is significant though – if you take out their Dorne then prepare for your best character to be Milked for example. The other drawback is a big one, the fact that you have to wait until dominance. Historically, powerful dominance effects have not seen as much play as expected. Still, any card that can take out a 4+ cost location can’t be ignored.  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

JC is higher on this, albeit not by too much. Dominance actions are always worse than they look, and there are several decks not reliant on a key attachment or location where they’ll happily have you pay a gold and a card to make them effectively lose a gold. That said, this obviously can be huge if you’re using it to discard the Wall (either but especially the 6g), this box’s Red Keep, Silence, or whatever else.

The Lost Message (2.3 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

Maybe worth a slot in Rains for when your hand needs a refresh, and/or combined with return to hand effects like Pinch of Powder. 

Von Wibble 2 out of 5

I really like that this is an action that can be taken at any time. Wait for your opponent to use a tutor effect like Galazza, or return their Arianne/Hound to hand, then trigger this. (Then groan when your opponent gets the cards they want anyway!). It also can be a lifesaver if you have plenty of cards but not the ones you want. However, these applications feel a bit weak compared to just drawing extra cards to me, unless you are looking for very specific cards – making it a combo players plot.Therefore the rating is a bit tough to give, it’s either too good in a deck that is about to be restricted into oblivion, or just doesn’t see play.   

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

Istaril is much higher on this, mostly for the flexibility of the timing coupled with perfectly reasonable stats. For the rest of us, we think it’s fun, but while we can see hypothetical arguments for what makes it good, we cannot see the plot deck that actually contains it.

The White Swords (2.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

Like Marwyn and the Conclave, this rating depends on the Kingsguard characters available and the White Book agenda’s power level. In theory it’s really good, but the reality is that you’re only getting maximum value if Semly, KoF, Jaime, the Hound or Preston are in your discard pile. Maybe Targ White Book, with Queen Pyro Dany, Consuming Flames, and Beggar King?

Von Wibble 2 out of 5

Very obvious this one, put it in a deck with lots of Kingsguard as it is a big money plot, and hope your opponent doesn’t run Barring. Don’t use it otherwise. Kingsguard isn’t currently high tier so this is rated accordingly.  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 3 out of 5

A token effort to make a bad theme playable. If it ever becomes playable this plot will be in that deck though, so that’s nice.

Champion’s Challenge (3.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 4 out of 5

Ending a challenge seems strong, and rightfully limited to once per phase and one per plot deck. Champions Challenge will do work for the more control-oriented factions with low-to-the-ground boards full of interchangeable 2 and 3 gold characters. When combined with Highgarden, In the Name of Your King, or other fizzlers this could be very difficult to work around. 

Von Wibble 3 out 5

This is great for decks that want to stall you whilst building up their own power – Martell, Builders, and Table/Chair decks will surely take this. The only negative is that if your strongest character is knelt already, you can’t use this at all, so Baratheon decks can often ignore it, and intimidate heavy decks will simply guarantee that their first challenge is the one to be cancelled and just plan around this. It also means if you go first, which is likely with initiative 2, then if you have a clearly strongest character, you can’t use them in challenges. At least for most of the decks that use it, this isn’t so bad as you probably weren’t attacking much anyway. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 4 out of 5

Excellent stall card – Greenblood Traders and their ilk can cancel challenges on small boards. The reserve being low keeps it from being too easy an auto-include, but control decks can make use of this, especially in matchups that need to push challenges like Sea of Blood, Lord of the Crossing, etc. Drakey’s equal parts happy to see this and lamenting not seeing it sooner, as it’s right up his proverbial alley.

At the Palace of Sorrows (3.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

Not many 5 gold plots have 7 initiative, so the stats are worth considering on their own merit. I don’t think Palace sees as much play as it might have if burn hadn’t taken a backseat to Dothraki and attachments in this box. Hilariously, Craster is immune.

Von Wibble 3 out of 5

This provides an easy answer for decks that are vulnerable to burn, and switches Randyll Tarly off for a turn. It also looks good for swarm and Conclave decks, as it will boost their average strength if anything! Decent income and initiative too. 

Q&T Curmudgeons – 5 out of 5

Istaril thinks we’re mad, but this is one of our favourite cards of the pack. Between House Florent Knight shenanigans (and trust us, that’s not just jank, it’s seriously powerful); the ability to convert a chud army into the equals of Euron and the like; and the strong anti-burn (time this with a burn player’s Blood of the Dragon to ruin their day)… yup, we like this a LOT.

Loan from the Iron Bank (3.0 Average)

scantrell24 – 3 out of 5

It’s time for Ser Gerris to shine! Loan from the Iron Bank is a flavor win and could be marginally better than Trading or Feast as a mid-game economy plot. 

Von Wibble 4 out of 5

This looks like a great card for a rush deck, where you get all the board filling potential and are unlikely to suffer from the drawback. In a lot of decks it looks like a decent 2nd plot after At the Gates, where the economy found by the latter cancels out the drawback of the former. It can also be revealed plot 5 or 6 as a finisher, where losing the gold is only for a couple of rounds so doesn’t hurt so much. This will see play, I am sure. Just watch out for Naval!

Q&T Curmudgeons – 2 out of 5

Meh, nope. We can’t give it a 1 because it has too obvious an application, and will probably be the go-to economy for Kingdom of Shadows decks if they get a key piece or two restricted and need to drop Trade Routes. Otherwise, we’re not that desperate to deny our opponents their second gold from Underground Vaults, thanks.

The Prince Who Came Too Late (4.7 Average)

scantrell24 – 5 out of 5

I know some people enjoy winning with Desert Raiders and Bolton Flayers and Drowned Disciples, but give me a big unique to voltron up and I’m happy. Ironically, Prince That Was Promised decks can use it early to make sure their Prince doesn’t come too late. I will probably revisit big Brienne and a host of other 6 and 7 drop-centric decks now. 

Von Wibble 4 out of 5

The stats are bad and the payoff only happens later, and only if your opponent has no Rickon/Barring the Gates (again!), but wow is that a powerful ability! If both players have a reasonably established board state then as long as you defend you shouldn’t lose out too much by having only 1 gold, and then you put your opponent in trouble with your big entering play. It also looks good in Hollow Hill – you have enough gold for the Last of the Giants/Varys combo, then play out any decent character. Forcing Marched from an opponent with an empty board isn’t so bad for you at all. Alternatively, using this to find a dupe for a big that is already in play, to defend against VM or use your own VM aggressively has merit. The Prince Who Was Already Here But Made a Proper Entrance Too Late?  

Q&T Curmudgeons – 5 out of 5

The marriage of theme and effect is spot on. And if you dodge Barring the Gates, Withering Cold, Forgotten Plans and Rickon Stark, it’s a phenomenal plot (albeit with a delayed tempo). What a nice card to end the review on.

Total Non-Targ Cards Average: 3.35

Entire Box Average: 3.26

Top Cards:

Red Keep 5.0

Delena 4.7

Prince Who Came Too Late 4.7

Clydas 4.5

Bottom Cards:

Ten Towers Galley 1.7

Water Dancer’s Sword 2.0

Lost Message 2.3

Lay Waste 2.3

Hotho 2.3

If you’re hungry more content, check out the library of podcasts, articles, game footage and more in the Community FAQ. Let us know in the comments how you feel about the cards in this box, and we’ll see you again soon to discuss the “Things I Do For Love” prime pack.