Focused Offense

This is a great plot when your characters are strong in one icon.

But my question is for when "You cannot declare more than 1 challenge." Are you able to do a challenge if there is an Epic Phase??

if you already declared a challenge in the challenge phase, then you would not be able to declare a challenge in the epic phase.

my question is different though: can you declare,say, a military and intrigue challenge using another plot and then revealing this plot(through a rookery or whatever) to make a power challenge with 3 claim?

I think this card's first sentence should read "You cannot declare more than 1 challenge during this round." If this is what is implied, then no another challenge wouldn't be allowed in that scenario.

Well if you said "this round" then it would actually set up a lasting effect that would be present even if you were to switch to a different plot using Scheming on the Sand (PotS) or a rookery. I think its fine this way.

So Assault of the Kraken (KotS) would not allow you to initiate an additional challenge?

Unless there is some difference between initiate and declare, then no, you cannot use AotK for an addional challenge.

That is correct. The plot is putting a hard limit on the number of challenges you can do.

At the beginning of the turn I use Battle for the Shield Islands (TGF) and then proceed to take my normal actions until the challenge phase.
So what if I take my challenges with another plot, and then I use a Island Rookery (TRS) because I won a military challenge by four. Would I still be able to take the challenge during the Epic battle phase with Focused Offense (QoD) being my revealed plot card? After my challenges have been declared?

You cannot declare more than 1 challenge while this plot is revealed. I don't think revealing it after you've done challenges will effect you being able to initiate a challenge in the epic battle phase in your example since you had not initiated a challenge while that plot was revealed. However, BftSI is a terrible thing to waste the 3 claim on since it has a claim replacement effect

If I were to use this plot card, I can still use Horseback Archers (QoD) as a defender since they are not declared as a defender. Are there any other cards (especially Targ) that can be used in a similar way. I thought about Naval Enhancements but then I read the rules and it states 'Naval Enhancements can be declared as an attacker or defender at any point before the challenge resolves'. Bummer.

Yes, because you are not declaring them, the archers work. They are the only one that I can think of for Targ.

I've found a few Stark Cards on another post that work similarly: Catelyn Stark (LoW), both versions of Greatjon Umber (Core), (Greatjon Umber (WLL)) and Guardian Wolf (TIoR).

I take it you'd still be able to play Lethal Counterattack (Core) despite the conditions of this plot-card, since kneeling two Stark characters is the cost to play the event rather than you declaring defenders.

correct.  killing all attackers has nothing to do with defending.

Wheels Within Wheels can make this a crazy plot. Risky, but crazy good if you pull it off.

Wheels Within Wheels can make this a crazy plot. Risky, but crazy good if you pull it off.

Focused Offence -> Wheels Within Wheels -> any claim 2 plot with new Tywin and Ill-Begotten Spoils and the Burned Men.

 

Much lols will be had.

Wheels Within Wheels can make this a crazy plot. Risky, but crazy good if you pull it off.

Seriously considering adding this event to my Stark siege deck. After first of all wreaking havoc with King Robb's Host (who don't kneel for Military attack) + The Bastard's Boys (claim for Military now 4) + Make An Example (5 power now gained), I have several possibilities based on my current plot-deck if I now play Wheels Within Wheels:

(i) Reveal Muster the Realm! to reduce chances of any Military retaliation (if there's any opposition left to retaliate, that is, after 4-claim).
(ii) Reveal Manning the City Walls. Depending on cards in hand: War Host of the North, King Robb's Companions...
(iii) Reveal Storm of Swords, resulting most likely in unopposed Military challenge. (Not entirely sure of this one though. Would I just get one further Military, since I've already had one this round, or two as I've just revealed a new plot...? Or would it work at all if the conditions of Focussed Offense are still in effect? Not sure if the conditions of the "old" plot are removed completely when the new plot card is revealed.)

A very interesting plot + event combo indeed!

Seriously considering adding this event to my Stark siege deck. After first of all wreaking havoc with King Robb's Host (who don't kneel for Military attack) + The Bastard's Boys (claim for Military now 4) + Make An Example (5 power now gained), I have several possibilities based on my current plot-deck if I now play Wheels Within Wheels:

Unfortunately the Bastards Boys won't work with that combo.  They increase claim to a max of 3.  No higher.  Other claim-raising stuff still works though.

Wheels Within Wheels also won't work with that combo. It's house Lannister only and part of the cost to play it is to kneel a unique Lannister character so it's essentially double excluded from a Stark deck.

@theamazingmrg: Yep, I should've paid more attention to the card's text.

 

@toyboy47: Forgotten all about the house X only deck-building restriction.

 

So, here's a revised version of my comment.  Any thoughts, particularly about point three?

 

As an alternative to Wheels Within Wheels,  I might add Bran Stark (Core) to my Stark siege deck. After first of all wreaking havoc with King Robb's Host (who don't kneel for Military attack) + Rorge and/or Winter is Coming (Military claim now 4 or even 5) + Make An Example (5 power now gained), I have several possibilities based on my current plot-deck if I now trigger Bran's ability:

(i) Reveal Muster the Realm! to reduce chances of any Military retaliation (if there's any opposition left to retaliate, that is, after 4/5-claim).
(ii) Reveal Manning the City Walls. Depending on cards in hand: War Host of the North, King Robb's Companions...
(iii) Reveal Storm of Swords, resulting most likely in unopposed Military challenge. (Not entirely sure of this one though. Would I just get one further Military, since I've already had one this round, or two as I've just revealed a new plot...? Or would it work at all if the conditions of Focussed Offense are still in effect? Not sure if the conditions of the "old" plot are removed completely when the new plot card is revealed.)

If i understand this right you want to attack and then use Core Bran to change your plot, right?
If yes: won't work. You can trigger Bran ONLY in the "Plot"-Phase. Not in the "Challenge"-Phase.

Yes, that's why WWW is the way to go as it is the only card that can change plot in the challenge phase without your opponent having to help (Rookeries) or having an exorbitant cost (Scheming on the Sand).

Edit - and Arianne of course, but since you don't get to make a challenge before challenges unless you have Lucas Blackwood in the deck (janky COS build anyone?) that one is moot.

A couple of questions about this plot:

 

1: Since the text does not limit its effects to the Challenge Phase, I assume that for the entire round that this plot is reveal you may only declare 1 challenge and cannot decalre defenders against any challenge, preventing you from using epic phase challenges and card effects that allow you to declare extra challenges.

 

2: Is this effect a Constant effect or a Lasting effect (like Feast or Famine). I assume it is constant but was worried it might be lasting and thus make changing plots moot.

 

3: How does this work with Art of Seduction, does the 1 challenge initiated the previous round count towrds this limitation the next round? I'm guessing it does, but have no basis.

1) Correct

2) Pretty sure its constant.

3) I don't know. It doesn't state "per round" so I'd guess so, but would like a stronger rulemeister than I to clarify.

It is a constant effect only as long as the plot is revealed.  If you are stuck on this plot, you only get 1 challenge for 2 rounds and can't defend at all.   But if you attack once and use WwW to switch the plot you are not restricted by the effect since it is no longer revealed.