Beheading Ned - Renly's Claim

Warning: This article may contain spoilers from any and all of the books.

It’s time for another article of Beheading Ned, the series where A Song of Ice and Fire comes alive through cards! This time around, I wanted to look at one of the contenders for the Iron Throne. As I was going through my options, I began looking at some of the more recent cards, specifically Ser Garlan Tyrell (FaI). Then I remembered Randyll Tarly (AJE) and his interaction with Tyrells. At this point, I knew just which king to pick. Renly Baratheon!

Although Renly did not win the Game of Thrones in the book series, that doesn’t mean he can’t win in the card game. Though his reign was short lived, Renly commanded the support of some of the strongest houses in Westeros. The Tyrells of Highgarden flocked to Renly after Robert’s death, and with them came a host of powerful knights. Can you see where this deck is going? It’s a Renly-Tyrell-Knights deck, all in one! Has this ever been done before?! Am I way too excited about this?!

Alright everyone, let’s calm down. I know a Baratheon knights deck seems like a crazy new idea, but believe it or not, it’s actually been done before. So no, I’m not reinventing the wheel with this deck. However, I am putting a Nedly spin on it. Now let’s get down to business.

The Characters:

Let’s begin with which Renly to choose. When it comes to kings, Renly only has two versions that have this trait. I chose to go with Renly Baratheon (TRS) for several reasons. First off, Renly was quick to see the imminent danger after his brother’s death. He gathered support and staked his claim for the Iron Throne and that warrants a definite intrigue icon. This version also has a good ability that works with power struggle plots, and we all know the clash of kings was a major power struggle.

So now that we have our king, we need our queen. That queen is the lovely Margaery Tyrell (ASitD). I chose this Margaery, not because of her character ability, but because of her role in the deck and her Nedliness. We won’t be using any shadows cards so Margaery Tyrell (TftRK) is pointless and the other version is half Lannister which doesn’t happen until after Renly is killed.
With the queen, we also have the entire support of Highgarden. This includes Ser Garlan Tyrell (FaI) and Willas Tyrell (VM). To make the deck more cost efficient while still maintaining the general theme, I put in Highgarden Refugee (RoW) as the restricted choice.

Finally, we round out the characters with some awesome knights. This was easy to do with Renly’s Rainbow Guard and Knight of Flowers (TftH). To stay on the Nedly path, I chose Brienne of Tarth (Core) over the arguably better Brienne of Tarth (PotS). This Brienne is also a knight which fits well into the deck. I also threw in two copies of The Laughing Storm (GotC) to help make up for this deck’s lack of intrigue icons and draw.

The Locations:

For locations, we have pretty standard Baratheon reducers and gold producers. On top of this, I added some locations to help us get to the win faster. Huntress (AJE) will give characters both renown and melee. Oakenshield Port (TPoL) will grab an extra power off of any win. The Stormlands (KotStorm) raises the claim on all of our power struggle plots and helps add more draw with Renly. And finally we have Brightwater Keep (TBG) to keep cards in our hand.

The Events:

Every event here is Nedly in conjunction with Renly. Heart of the Stag (KotStorm) shows Renly’s fiery Baratheon nature. Obey the King (KotStorm) demonstrates his authority and willingness to rule. And then there’s Superior Claim (KotStorm), because that is exactly what Renly believed he had over the other kings.

The Plots:

To get as much use out of Renly and The Stormlands as possible, I went with quite a few power struggle plots. You Swore an Oath (WLL) is here to contribute to the knight theme.

The Deck:

Renly’s Claim

House (1)
House Barathteon (Core)

Agenda: (1)
1x Knights of the Realm (KotStorm)

Plot: (7)
1x An Empty Throne (KotS)
1x King's Landing Coup (AToTT)
1x Lineage and Legacy (KotStorm)
1x The Red Wedding (PotS)
1x Valar Morghulis (Core)
1x Forgotten Plans (KotStorm)
1x You Swore an Oath (WLL)

Character: (34)
3x Renly Baratheon (TRS)
1x Margaery Tyrell (ASitD)
1x Ser Garlan Tyrell (FaI)
1x Willas Tyrell (VM)
1x Maester Lomys (CbtC)
1x Lady Olenna's Guard (RotK)
1x Brienne of Tarth (Core)
1x Randyll Tarly (AJE)
1x Ser Cortnay Penrose (KotStorm)
1x Ser Emmon Cuy (KotStorm)
1x Ser Guyard Morrigen (KotStorm)
1x Ser Jon Fossoway (MotA)
1x Ser Parmen Crane (KotStorm)
2x The Laughing Storm (GotC)
1x Knight of Flowers (TftH)
3x Royal Entourage (TTotH)
2x Arena Knight (RoW)
3x Highgarden Refugee (RoW)
3x Hedge Knight (KotStorm)
2x Vanguard Lancer (KotStorm)
3x Stormlands Bastard (TIoR)

Attachment: (0)


Event: (7)
3x Heart of the Stag (KotStorm)
2x Obey the King (KotStorm)
2x Superior Claim (KotStorm)

Location: (19)
1x Huntress (AJE)
3x Aegon's Garden (Core)
3x Narrow Sea (Core)
1x Oakenshield Port (TPoL)
3x Seat of Power (WotN)
1x Street of Sisters (Core)
1x Street of Steel (Core)
1x Street of Silk (LotR)
1x River Row (QoD)
1x Brightwater Keep (TBG)
1x King Robert's Chambers (Core)
2x The Stormlands (KotStorm)


And there you have it, a Renly-Tyrell-Knights deck with a solid Nedly construction. The agenda will be the main source of draw in this deck and it should allow you to get just enough strength and renown to grab the win. Feel free to comment on the deck with any questions or thoughts you may have. Will you stake your claim with Renly or choose a different king to support? Whoever you choose, just remember, “In the Game of Thrones, you win or you die.”