Beheading Ned - Ours Is The Fury

Fair Warning: Beheading Ned centers on story-based play and may contain spoilers. If you haven't read all of the books and don't wish to have plot points spoiled, you may have to look elsewhere. Material from all five books is fair game in this column, not just from the TV show.

I am pleased to return with another installment in Beheading Ned, centering on the story-based themes inherent in A Game of Thrones: The Card Game. Having taken a look at House Greyjoy and how their themes from the narrative come out in play (link), it's time to take a look eastward to another one of Westeros' finest noble families, House Baratheon.

At the time of A Game of Thrones (the novel), House Baratheon sits firmly on the throne in the person of Robert Baratheon, the first of his name. Robert was a fiery man, fierce on the battlefield (and in the tavern!) and is not one to be trifled with. He was brought up in the Vale as the ward of Jon Arryn, alongside Eddard Stark. The relationship between the Starks and Baratheons grew and grew, finally culminating in the betrothal of Lyanna Stark, Ned's sister, to Robert Baratheon.

Before the wedding could occur, Rhaegar Targaryen, the crown prince and heir to the throne, shamed his own wife, Elia of Dorne, and named Lyanna the Queen of Love and Beauty at a tournament that he won. Of course, this did not sit well with Robert, and it sat even less well when Lyanna was kidnapped by Rhaegar and held in King's Landing! Robert called in his banners, including Eddard Stark, and led a campaign to rescue Lyanna.

Despite the best efforts of Tywin Lannister and Jon Connington, Robert's rebellion was successful, culminating in the Battle of the Trident, in which Robert killed Rhaegar, sealing the success of his power grab. As a result, Jamie Lannister literally stabbed Mad King Aerys in the back, creating a power vacuum that Robert ultimately filled. From jilted lover to King of the Rhoynar, Andals, and First Men in a few weeks was pretty heady stuff.

This type of rush to victory is borne out in House Baratheon's playstyle in the LCG. Bara (as they are affectionately known) owns the Power challenge. Whether it be effects like Edric Storm (Core) allowing for extra Power challenges or locations like Smuggler's Cove (KotStorm) adding stealth and effectiveness in the Power challenge, Baratheon is the house most likely to win, claim power, and advance to victory. Their ability to smash, grab, and claim power from other's houses always has reminded me of how Robert struck his way to the throne. Keeping it proved to be another matter altogether, and those Robert-led rush decks will have a hole where intrigue is concerned.

After Robert's death, the kingdom split into three main factions: those allied behind Robert's "son" Joffrey, those surrounding Robert's oldest brother, Stannis; and those supporting the youngest Baratheon brother, Renly. In the LCG, Joffrey's factions are aligned with house Lannister, owing to Joff's true parentage, but both Renly and Stannis get awesome support.

Renly was the brother who always acted the most like a king, and this charisma led to many knights and men of renown being attracted to his cause, notably the Knight of Flowers and House Tyrell. House Baratheon can bring to bear the largest stable of Knights in the LCG, in no small part due to Renly's influence. Many of these knights also have the renown keyword, adding yet another tool to Bara's arsenal of power grab. Toss in a Superior Claim (KotStorm) and the knights of Baratheon can rush to victory with or without Robert. Using King Renly Baratheon (KotStorm), you can reduce the cost of all of these Bara knights, letting you field an army that can put the man who should have been king all along firmly on the Iron Throne. But be warned! Each of these Baratheon kings only can use its ability if it is the only one in play, as power plays make for poor family relations.

Or perhaps you support Stannis' cause, and where would he be without his de facto queen, Melisandre? Using this Red Priestess, Baratheon offers an awesome holy crest build centering on Asshai characters that Mel has brought from the East to further Stannis' ambitions. Cards like The Red Queen's Faithful (CD) and Fanatic (RoR) put real teeth on Melisandre's Holy ambitions. Her Asshai allies bring a dimension to this Noble house, that of an unmatched devotion to religion that the other Great Houses simply can't match. Stannis has bought in to the Fiery God, and his LCG support reflects that.

Stannis is no slouch on his own, as his several incarnations in the LCG are all strong. Perhaps his most Nedly is Night's Watch Stannis Baratheon (AKitN), who gives all Night's Watch characters +1 STR. Coupling this Stannis with The Wall (TWoW) lets players re-create Stannis' victory for the kingdom in the Battle Beyond the Wall, defeating the wildling hordes and keeping Westeros safe as a true king would do, even if his throne is occupied by a Lannister upstart.

So whether you want to rush to power like Robert, field an army of renowned knights like Renly, ally with R'Hllor like Melisandre, or join the Night's Watch like Stannis, House Baratheon has an option for you. Which king will you help return to the throne?