124 replies to this topic

[OKTarg]

Oh wait, that's not true. I did play two quick games with my Dothraki Ambush deck against a Tyrell Fealty. As a teaser to a forthcoming article on White Book (several weeks away) let me just say that if we are all very worried about locations dominating the meta that Put to the Torch goes from being a binder card to a fantastic card, in the same way that Seal of the Hand went from 'garbage' to 'gold' in the Bara Fealty meta.

[xchan]

(A "state of the meta" evaluation just before Regionals start is pretty useful for many of us...)

 

I think that with Stark's Deluxe dropping this week, it's hard to do a "state of the meta" evaluation

NMG brought some interesting cards that strenghten some already existent builds (Gendry, Horas and Arbor, Blood of the Dragon, Condemned, etc), but doesn't bring anything surprising that shifts the meta like LoTC. The First Snow of Winter might be the closest thing, as it counters the LotC archtype and some recently stablished decks, like Aggro Watch, Stark rush or Knights rush. However few decks can run it successfully (Greyjoy, Lannisters and probably Bara), so it might be less present. Either way, people will adapt to it sooner than later and the decks will almost stay the same.

[sparrowhawk]

I think more decks can run First Snow than you give credit.

Take for example Tyrell Fealty Control with all its locations, the 2E closest equivalent to Knights of the Hollow Hill. The delay in board deployment that it causes plays straight into its hands.

By shifting curves upward to cope with it, decks make themselves vulnerable to all out aggro builds. Stark Lion could realistically play Muster the Realm for a tempo based 2 claim assault on all these mid-range curves that the plot has encouraged.

I think No Middle Ground has far more meta significance than the "go broad" agenda of Crossing and signposted Knight themes all force-fed to us in 1 pack for a temporary window of Summer (the Tourney) before the world becomes a lot more dangerous.

But we are just making unsubstantiated claims - only time will tell.

I do agree with you that this is the shortest meta so far, the most transient, but I'm pretty sure there are still games being played before the release of the Stark box, that we are not in some sort of time stop cessation of all play.

And the thread seems to have attracted a bit of interest. Perhaps it's just best to take your attitude of measured insouciance and never have started the thread to begin with?

Well, I asked "seismic meta shift?" and you answered no. Thank you for your feedback.


@OkTarg/Agktme. Yep, like Lanni Fealty paying 1 for Assassin. Having a 2 cost loyal is an attraction for Fealty (you don't always have Margaery or Olenna in play or maybe you fear Marched.)

[agktmte]

@sparrowhawk a couple notes here. The assassin costs 4 to ambush (but agree that just to marshal it for one gold in fealty can be useful), and Fealty does not reduce the cost of ambush. (Not sure this is what you are saying, but mostly for clarification because others may read it that way).

[xchan]

I think more decks can run First Snow than you give credit.

 

I know more decks can run First Snow, but they will need to adapt to it first. Tyrells might be the first to do so thanks to The Arbor and the increasing number of 5 cost Knights, but that deck relies too much on hitting The Arbor soon. But either way, it was last Chapter Pack that provided the tools for such archtype (even though you think it's ending).

 

Well, I asked "seismic meta shift?" and you answered no. Thank you for your feedback.

 

 

Well, not quite right. You asked for the State of the Meta before Regionals. I said that's hard to do because (unless you have regionals this weekend) Stark Deluxe will change that. If you want an analysis of how the NMG cards are affecting it right now, you might want to read the cards review for an idea. 

 

Out of testing, Gendry seems to be a great card for Bara. It speeds their power gain without having to commite to extra challanges. They were already the ones in control of the Dominance phase, so it doesn't really cost them much. The new location might be a 1 off in Bara builds that run Support of the People to search for the Red Keep and the Iron Throne. First Snow also doesn't seem to bother them much. Their biggest players are all 4+ costers and bringing Followers or Selyse means more Melissandre triggers. They will probably make a strong comeback thanks to this.

 

Lannisters got a great 2 coster to fill their curve, but nothing amazing to write home about. It's an auto include, sure, but nothing that makes you build decks around. If the gold is there to waste, good, if not, good too. Paid Off seems a decent card, but doesn't go well with what Lannisters are trying to do. Maybe some Bara/Lion decks will have room for it. 

 

Condemned is good on paper, but so far I haven't been able to make it work. I think Attainted was a supperior attachment as Martells usually don't have a problem with power challanges (they play the long game, so they want to protect their hand and board instead of building power). In some banners it might see play, but I don't think it will cause many problems to force some kind of adaptation to it. The new Maester provides some way of soft control, which Martells love, but I still think they are lucking some more cards before they can act on their own.

 

Targaryen got a Dothraki army that will define future archtype and increase the house deckbuilding options, but right now, it needs more cards to work, which are not there yet. Blood of the Dragon is good and a probably an auto include in mono builds. Killing your own Viserys as a Confiscation replacement has never been so easy. Crowning 5 STR is a sure kill now.

 

Greyjoy got exactly what they wanted with the Priest, a cheap INT icon. He is an auto include on their mono builds. Him interacting with Drowned God characters might cause some deck building changes, increasing the number of Drowned Men, which will also give them some more First Snow resiliance. Loot is a good card too, but too meta dependent. If the game sees a lot of Jumping Lions around, the card will fine a way to make it into their decks. Their best card is First Snow though, as clearing the board of chuds make unopposed and claims more impactful.

 

I think Starks got an amazing plot that improves on their Kennel Master shennanigans, but they might just be holding on until the Deluxe is out to really tweak their decks. They are really hurt by First Snow as they want to build broad and not big, so they need the new cards to build some more high curved decks. Ambushing direwolves might become an archtype as a counter to First Snow, but it's not really there yet.

 

Night Watch got 3 cards, but only the event seems to be deck defining as it makes future rangers decks possible. Their most successful deck, the aggro one, might make good use of Halder, but they will need to learn how to cope with First Snow in the meta. They have the tools for it, as they are good at coming back after board wipes, but since they rely on Varys to remove the biggest threads, they need to be ready for 2 come backs.

 

The new neutral cards are also good. The cheap wildling will find room in decks that lack cheap INT icons like Greyjoys or the Starks, but will be replaced as soon as stronger cards are out. The stealth on command is good, but killing you chud for it is quite expensive. Mance might change that.

 

The neutral plots are the most impactful cards and will be meta defining. First Snow has already been talked about, but Midst has the potential to create some strong reserve choke when used as an opener, more once the winter agenda gets released. Turn one Midst for choke, followed by a turn 2 First Snow might be devastating and something I'm not looking fordward. Good thing the Winter agenda is still months away.