A Noble Cause

A Noble Cause

I’m taking a break from my regular column to discuss the finer points of House Baratheon’s new agenda, A Noble Cause. It's a breath of fresh air in the current control-dominated metagame.

If you’re not familiar with A Noble Cause (FF), like all agendas it has a benefit (extra renown) and a disadvantage (draw fewer cards). How can we maximize the benefit and minimize the disadvantage? Win challenges, and win them quickly! Each turn we fall further behind by one card, but with this agenda it’s possible to win on turn one (occasionally) or turn two (frequently). Of course, we're digging our own grave if the early rush fails. It’s difficult, though not impossible, to find a second surge and win past turn three. I've compiled a 21-11 recored so far, even winning a game during round seven! The key is to apply constant and unyielding pressure. Your opponent should always fear that this round might be the round he hits 15 power.

First I’ll breakdown some different approaches to deck design.

Holy Crests

This build runs 2x The Power of Faith (KotStorm) because characters with renown are good, and tri-con characters that don’t kneel to attack are good, but characters with all of the aforementioned attributes are insane. Non-kneelers can easily win dominance and Epic battles too, leading to fast victories.

Non-Holy Crests

This build, rather than focusing on non-kneelers, turns to vigilant characters and standing effects so that each character can participate in multiple challenges. It lacks the abundant intrigue icons of the Holy crest build, but is more versatile because it doesn’t rely on The Power of Faith, so the plot deck can serve other functions.

Mixed

This build incorporates the best of both worlds. It runs only one copy of The Power of Faith and a handful of holy crests, and plans for a potentially longer game that lasts four or five rounds.

The Plot Deck

Outwit (TIoR) was my original counter to Valar Morghulis (Core), with Litany of Light (TIoR) providing the learned crest, but that was janky and unreliable. It’s possible to use At the Gates (GotC) to grab Oldtown Advisor (GotC) to have a guaranteed learned crest for the next round, but there are better options. For example, simply try 3x Willas Tyrell (VM), and if he’s not around at the proper moment, have a fallback plan, such as…

The Art of Seduction (LotR) which can punish an opponent with an itchy trigger finger, leaving him a 2-gold and 0-claim plot for consecutive rounds. It won’t save our characters from death, but it makes a second rush easier. Alternatively, we can reveal Art on turn one, thus delaying our opponent’s Valar until turn 3 at the earliest. That’s a risky strategy that backfires if we pin something unpleasant, but a first-turn Art done correctly allows us to flood the board with impunity.

Negotiations at the Great Sept (TPoL) is another anti-Valar plot because it boasts high claim and refreshes our hand, all in one neat, on-demand package. It does require at least 1 card in hand when revealed, but even with this agenda it’s not difficult to plan ahead. The only other restricted card worth consideration is Narrow Escape (KotStorm), and it’s a distant second.

Forgotten Plans (KotStorm) is a great opening plot against Knights of the Hollow Hill (MotM) decks that start with The First Snow of Winter (ODG) (ODG), Bungled Orders (OSaS), or other nefarious means of delaying their inevitable defeat. If you reveal Forgotten Plans later in the game, prime targets include Cersei's Scheme (TPoL), Shadows and Spiders (LotR) and Dry Season (CbtC). In the past I’ve rarely felt the need for a 3 gold plot that doesn’t do anything half the time, but in a rush deck it’s important to have answers for your opponent’s answers.

Game of Thrones (LotR) functions like a third Power of Faith in case the opponent survives the first two.

City of Spiders (TftRK) can copy Negotiations, but it only provides one gold, so refilling the board is difficult without extra economy.

An early Counting Favors (Core) helps us find the right pieces, or it can jumpstart a second surge in the mid-game. It’s another plot that normally sucks in joust, but we’re committed to “go big or go home”, so it fits.

Melisandre's Scheme (RotK) also helps repopulate the board during the mid-game, but I’ve had mixed results in A Noble Cause. Most of your guys end up dead through claim or Valar, although a few might be discarded from intrigue claim, Ally-hate, their own effects (Brightwater Man-at-Arms) or Bleeds.

Many Powers Long Asleep (RoR) revives Melisandre or another holy crest in the mid-game to maintain board presence.

Winter Festival (WotN) wins the game if you’re sitting pretty at 14 and don’t want to leave the next round to chance. Our other plots provide relatively few gold dragons, so sometimes you’ll be cash-strapped and Winter Festival’s four gold can help get that extra chud on the board.

The King's Law (KotStorm) makes sense because we have little to no shadows, and it’s an initiative-winning trump card when you need to attack first. Similarly, Betrayal at the Wall (THTW) wins initiative without taking up a valuable plot slot. There’s little downside to running Betrayal as an 8th plot because with this agenda the game is usually decided early.

Rule by Decree (Core) with a pre-plot Epic Battle on turn one can mitigate our substandard framework draw and put both players on even footing. Plus four gold isn’t shabby.

Burning Bridges (QoD)stops almost anything that might slow our relentless pace. Five gold makes it a strong opener.

Fortified Position (LoW) blanks annoying control effects on opposing characters, and our characters keep their renown (it’s gained text). Man-at-Arms even sticks around for another turn.

Attack from the Sea (PotS) kneels Pentoshi Manor, influence, and other obstacles, but also hit’s our own Smuggler’s Coves.

An Empty Throne (KotS) gives your vigilant characters an extra power challenge so they can rack up even more renown.

Redwyne Straits (FF) opens up more room in the deck for characters instead of resource locations. It’s a strong opener if you setup one less card than your opponent.

Finally, there’s one plot you don’t want to include: Valar Morghulis (Core). If our all-or-nothing rush deck needs to reset the board, it’s already lost. We can’t recover from a self-inflicted board wipe and begin to rebuild with just two gold, one new card, and no claim, so leave Valar in your binder.

Characters

At the zero and one gold slots, your characters won’t gain renown, so they’re primarily for setup (because with just 2s and 3s it gets clunky) and claim soak (to keep your big hitters alive). Bearer of the Light (KotStorm), Old Red Priest (Core), Shireen Baratheon (FtC), Carrion Bird (ASoS) are decent options, although with Carrion Bird there’s risk that you might run into an opposing Samwell Tarly (TRS), who draws off Ravens, or Ygritte (THtW), who steals neutral characters.

Two gold characters lie in the sweet spot. River Runner (TGF), Lyseni Pirate (TCC) and Brightwater Man-at-Arms (FF), along with Acolyte of the Flame (TWH) in the holy build, do a lot of heavy lifting. They’re capable of winning multiple challenges and racking up power quickly.

You’ve got rush mainstays like Willas Tyrell (VM) with a learned crest for Outwit, Edric Storm (Core) with the ability to initiate an extra challenge, and Selyse Baratheon (Core) with a holy crest and a valuable intrigue icon. Other options include Coldhands (THtW) who clears whatever is in the way; Ser Preston Greenfield (TK) who can attack during the challenge phase and again during an Epic phase; Devan Seaworth (Core) who usually has stealth and an intrigue icon; and Marya Seaworth, who is admittedly less useful because many of our characters don’t kneel to attack. Unfortunately, the Runner, Acolyte, Willas and Devan are Allies, but it can’t be helped.

For 3 gold, Dragonstone Convert (APS) and Zealot of the Light (BtW) make the holy version shine. Don’t forget to use the Zealot’s ability during dominance when he’s still standing. Priestess of the Pyre (ASoS) and Shadow Enchantress (OSaS) are decent second-tier options if you’re craving redundancy, but they’re less efficient.

In the non-holy version, only a few non-uniques deserve a look. Banner for the Storm (CtB) grants vigilant, House Florent Scouts (TWot5K) has big-play potential, and Royal Entourage (TTotH) jumps into play for free. However, each of these characters requires a deck tailored to their abilities: the Banner is best on a tri-con; the Scouts are better when you attack first; and the Entourage needs Lords and Ladies.

Heavy-hitting three gold uniques include Brienne of Tarth (PotS), who’s an auto-include because she stops opposing shenanigans; Ser Cortnay Penrose (KotStorm) who attacks twice; Ser Davos Seaworth (WLL) who survives a reset and has stealth; Dale Seaworth (AToTT)who fetches whatever we need to keep swinging; and Knight of Flowers (SaS) who can potentially participate in four challenges.

Other legitimate options include Maester Lomys (CbtC)to dissuade a reset; The Bastard of Nightsong (VM)to steal power even faster; Alester Florent (TBG)because he’s got a Holy crest and can push through a power challenge; The Laughing Storm (GotC)for deadly and hand protection; Ser Axel Florent (Core) who can potentially attack twice; Khorane Sathmantes (TCC) who brings stealth and an intrigue icon; Margaery Tyrell (AToTT) who brings melee and an intrigue icon; and Renly Baratheon (TRS) who brings high strength and an intrigue icon.

Ideas from left field include Moon Boy (AToT), who can prevent Valar under the right circumstances, and Margaery Tyrell (ASitD), who can make troublesome plots disappear, although she’s expensive and has to kneel for her ability. Finally, if you want to add influence, Renly Baratheon (Core) can participate in multiple challenges every round, but I think the addition of influence would dilute the deck and become nothing more than a distraction.

At four gold, Salladhor's Crew (ASitD) is both economy and a body, but I’m not convinced that we’ll always have another expensive character in hand to follow him. Shadow Killer (TK) makes sense because we’ll likely fall behind in cards at command, but he’s expensive and can’t attack twice.

For high-cost uniques, Melisandre (RotO)sets the standard. At the very least, our opponent will feel pressure to chump block and thus have fewer characters left for offense. In the best case scenario, her extra power or two wins the game before Valar, Bleeds, or other calamities can strike. The newest Melisandre (TK) wins dominance and helps maintain board presence, so she’s not bad, but RotO Mel’s speed is hard to match. Robert Baratheon (KotStorm) grants an extra power challenge, but he’s too expensive to be reliable. A new Mace Tyrell debuts in A Hidden Agenda, but he ‘s a better fit in a combo-type deck that builds exclusively around his ability. Finally, if you want to go the noble crest route with The Power of Blood (Core), then Knight of Flowers (TftH), Robert Baratheon (Core), and Stannis Baratheon (VM) are still a force to be reckoned with.

Locations

Smuggler's Cove (KotStorm) pumps characters who attack twice, and it’s great on setup. Three copies are essential. Massey's Hook (ASoSilence) synergizes with Smuggler’s Cove. Oakenshield Port (TPoL) claims power rapidly, and it’s not a bad idea to diversify our board presence with a power-gaining location that’s safe from character resets. Bay of Ice (KotS) improves setups so we start fast, and the holy version boasts several high initiative plots anyways. Other options includeBrightwater Keep (TBG), Altar of Fire (RoR), and King Robert's Hammer (TBoBB).

Attachments

As is often the case, several attachments are oh-so-tempting, but hard to justify because they’re fragile and can’t be setup. Fanatic (RoR) grants vigilant to holy crest characters on non-PoF turns, or it turns a normal character into a non-kneeler on PoF turns. Bound by the Light (DB) acts almost like a save by replacing a dead Asshai, although any power on the dead character is still lost. R'hllor's Blessing (AKitN) draws a card during the marshalling phase and grants a strength boost.Lucky Bones (GotC) pumps cards into the discard pile if you want to try a slow-but-steady recursion build. And finally we consider the new hotness, Melisandre's Favor (THtW). It’s possible to win immediately by stealing a character with power on it, but that’s a pipe dream. It’s hard to endorse a three cost attachment in a rush deck, no matter how fantastic the ability, but a single copy might do the trick.

Events

Epic Battles create an extra opportunity for our characters to earn renown, and they grant a bonus to the victor. For example, The Battle at the Wall (EB) refills our hand so the party don’t stop, and War of Five Kings (RoW) delays an opposing Valar. Power of Faith, vigilant, and standing effects make it easy to have standing characters around during the epic phase. The downside is that Epic Battles can only be played during the Plot phase. If you find one during the draw phase, the opportunity has passed, and you’ll have to wait a full turn. Also note that Epic phases unfortunately take place after Man-at-Arms is discarded and after Westeros Bleeds hits.

The rest of our event slots focus on draw, standing, and power-grab. King Robert's Debt (OSaS), Ours is the Fury (TPoL), Superior Claim (KotStorm), and Make an Example (PotS) accomplish these goals. Obey the King (KotStorm) can also stand one of our characters, or be used defensively in a pinch, but it doesn't have big-play potential like Ours is the Fury. I’ve also given thought to Much and More (AHM) as a means to dig for whatever piece we’re missing. Finally, an upcoming card, Riches of the Reach, allows us to bypass the draw cap and immediately draw four cards, but we forfeit all future draws for the rest of the game. I’m cautiously optimistic that this card might be the last burst of speed that A Noble Cause needs to become consistent.

99 Problems

This agenda can do amazing things, but it can also fall flat on its face. The early results have been good, but there are obstacles, and control decks will make adjustments. For example, Coldhands can remove a Holy character for the duration of a PoF turn, clear the power off a character, discard an attachment, and generally be a pain in the ass. Our opponents will often Valar even if the board position is even because they’ll outdraw us for the rest of the game and thus recover faster. If a Noble Cause can delay Valar, or have the right tools to recover from Valar, it will stand a greater chance of success.

Opposing Forgotten Plans can blank our Power of Faith. Bungled Orders mucks everything up. First Snow and Westeros Bleeds make us start over again. Cancels, especially for our card advantage effects, can be crippling. Ally-hate hurts worse than usual because each of our cards is valuable; losing a single character could set us back by several power tokens.

Lannister decks were always difficult matchups because their kneel effects like Cersei's Scheme (TPoL) and Enemy Informer (Core) are hard to overcome. Pentoshi Manor (AHM) strips renown for the duration of the phase or prevents us from winning key challenges. The Iron Throne (LotR) stops River Runner and Dale, among others. Our holy crests turn Ser Lancel Lannister (TPoL) into a monster. We’re ripe with tasty targets for Enslaved (THoBaW), and running so many Asshai, Kngihts, and Laides makes A House Divided (WLL)troublesome.

Stark decks have new toys like Robb Stark (FF) and Northland Keep (TBG), which can muck with the Acolyte and Man-at-Arms, both of which have higher strength than printed cost. Shaggydog (LoW)’s strength reduction lasts the entire phase, so it hurts our non-kneelers. Kill events and high-claim military challenges allow Stark to wipe our characters, and we can’t afford to lose many because we’re not drawing enough to replace them. Cheap claim soak is extremely important.

Martell packs ways to steal our power like Ellaria Sand (PotS) and Southron Mercenaries (TBoBB). Their vengeful keyword means we’re not getting power from unopposed challenges. Nasty tricks like Burning on the Sand (RotO)and Red Vengeance (PotS) slow us down immensely. Greenblood Merchant (ARotD) removes any icon , and we have several vulnerable ones, such as River Runner’s power icon. Venomous Blade (TBoBB) eats up our weenies, and it’s seeing a resurgence in play.

Targ KotHH is a pain despite not having a setup. They’ll reset and delay until we’re out of cards. I recommend that you open with Forgotten Plans to blank The First Snow of Winter (ODG)or Bungled Orders (OSaS). Then try to win early intrigue challenges and pray that they don’t draw enough influence to get rolling.

Greyjoy is mostly about aggro and killing stuff right now. Thankfully the Man-at-Arms can defend successfully, or at least prevent Hammerhorn Raiders (THtW)from raising claim. If we lose a high-claim military early then the going gets tough. Iron Islands Brigand (TCC) and Maester Murenmure (CbtC) cancel our mega-reducer, Seat of Power (WotN). Greyjoy’s saves allow them to reset the board at unpredictable times, so matching their Valar with Outwit, Art, or Negotiations is difficult.

Baratheon KotHH used to be slow out of the gate, but then Redwyne Straits (FF) came along. Now they can spew out 7+ cards on turn one and establish board control. Motley (Core) and Margaery Tyrell (TftRK) slow the game down, but at least The Black Cells (TftRK) doesn’t affect our non-kneelers.

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, or in the Noble Cause deck thread on the forums. All of my points are intended for Jousting only, but Melee input is welcome. Thanks for reading!