To the Spears!

How do you use this effectively given you probably won't win initiative? Playing in my usual game against two opponents, I'd be made to go last and then repeatedly attacked throughout to try and get my Martells knelt before my turn.

As a Martell player, it's often best strategy not to be going first anyway.  Look more closely at the "lose-to-gain-advantage" ethos which predominates in this House and you'll find cards like Taste for Blood, Ellaria Sand (PotS) and Red Vengeance become very important.  Those cards reward losses.  

 

So yes, TTS is unlikely to win you initiative - but you can easily gain power if you lose and/or refuse challenges.  Then, when it's your turn, your characters don't kneel to attack.  The Red Viper (PotS), Arianne Martell (PotS) and Elia Sand plus a Lost Oasis or two and Choosing the Spear for Arianne can be a devastating combination on a To the Spears! turn.  Add to that a TfB or two.  Arianne raises claim by one when attacking.  

 

Have a look at Retaliation! - if you win initiative you have to make someone else first player, but you do have two claim.  Now imagine the above character/location/attachment/event combination again, this time with Arianne raising claim to three...  And (if you control fewer characters than the opponent you're attacking), TRV isn't doing any kneeling...  And Elia's character ability - an extra intrigue challenge if you control fewer characters than the opponent you're attacking - just causes carnage, especially if Arianne causes both to be claim three.

Just to add to the above, this agenda is where the keyword Vengeful really comes in handy (esp. using the Character Agenda version of Quentyn Martell).

How do you use this effectively given you probably won't win initiative? Playing in my usual game against two opponents, I'd be made to go last and then repeatedly attacked throughout to try and get my Martells knelt before my turn.

In addition to the comments given above (Quentyn charagenda, Choosing the Spear, Shadows Arianne are all great though)...

The new Tyene Sand works really well with this plot. Your opponent will probably still let you go first, but if they win a challenge you are now not kneeling at claim 2.

The war crest viper is also nice with this plot as he can defend some challenges if needed (unlike his POTS counterpart), and then stand to attack (again with claim raising possible, just not able to combine with Tyene).

Since you are describing melee, smart manipulation of titles so only 1 player can attack you is also important. You will probably choose last, but unless they take Crown Regent and Commander of the Kingsguard you can make one of them support you for sure. Also in melee Burning on the Sands is not restricted, nor is Orphan of the Greenblood. Cards like these can really help to ensure that no meaningful challenges are won against you.

Nice, thanks both. I've got the hang of the Martells now and pulled off some wins. The look on the face of people when you chain taste for blood and Ellaria Sand is priceless

Remember, too, that TfB isn't unique so it's possible to have 3 copies in play. Theoretically, 3x challenges lost could net you 9 power.  For all its usefulness, it does have a few vulnerabilities such as attachment discard, card blanking and response cancelling.  That said, still a crucial card in the Martell arsenal.

Attachments are the bane of my game. Playing my Targ Dragon deck the other day, I included the Mad King's Legacy as I knew Dany would get some hate. Sure enough she gets Bowl of Brown from my Stark opponent, so I ditched that. Next turn, my Greyjoy opponent pulls out the Dragon Horn - and my draw was awful so even though I had 9 dragon cards I'd only managed to pull out one Drogon in over 20 cards. Luckily, the Greyjoy p*ssed off the Stark player so he took out the Dragon Horn... then I rampaged away with non-kneeling dragons and multiple renown  

If I remember rightly I upset you both just by playing 'discard your card' Euron...

 

Attachments are the bane of my game. Playing my Targ Dragon deck the other day, I included the Mad King's Legacy as I knew Dany would get some hate. Sure enough she gets Bowl of Brown from my Stark opponent, so I ditched that. Next turn, my Greyjoy opponent pulls out the Dragon Horn - and my draw was awful so even though I had 9 dragon cards I'd only managed to pull out one Drogon in over 20 cards. Luckily, the Greyjoy p*ssed off the Stark player so he took out the Dragon Horn... then I rampaged away with non-kneeling dragons and multiple renown

 

Anyway I've been trying to work out when it's best to use this card, so this has been very educational. Thanks.