Uniquely Suited - Making the Best Unique Characters Worthwile

With all the discussion of A Game of Thrones’ flaws, I figured I’d chime in with my major pet peeve. This game is based on a property of books that is almost entirely character driven. As such, unique characters should rule the roost and be the best in the game. There’s three categories of characters that should be absolutely amazing, yet rarely are. They are the point of view characters, the major players of the game of thrones, and the great generals/warriors. Let’s take a look at each in reverse order.

Each house has several notable characters that are just fantastic in war. These characters are either massively powerful soldiers or win battle after battle as commanders. For these super characters, who should largely be aggro based, though great warriors also tend to gain renown.

The Game of Thrones players should be amazing with their control effects. They control the board in the novels, and so should do so in the game, too.

Finally, we have the Point of View characters. We see everything through their eyes, tilting everything to their perspective, meaning they should have more subtle effects representing their perspective, gaining bonuses for locations and events (since these characters are how see these) while being silver bullets for the major Thrones and Warrior characters.

Baratheon

Warriors

3. Knight of Flowers - He’s a knight on par with young Jaime Lannister. He has been well served in terms of card quality, thankfully.

2. Randyll Tarly - He’s supposedly the best battle commander in Westeros, or at least up for the distinction - why is he merely pretty good in all versions?

1. Robert Baratheon - I get why he’s so rush centric, I do, but this is the man who beat Rhaegar Targaryen in single combat and was a feared warrior and general. He should be an absolute beast who never has less than melee and renown.

The Game of Thrones

3. Renly Baratheon - Renly is trying forcibly to take over the Seven Kingdoms and he really might have succeeded were it not for some magic. He had easily the largest army and most support. He amassed a huge army through charisma and political marriage. He could easily claim control of armies or some other such effect, particularly in summer.

2. The Queen of Thorns - She’s a master of behind the scenes manipulation and it’s easy to see her hand in decades worth of plots. Perhaps if she stayed on the board or bounced in and out of shadows, some kind of control effect?

1. Melisandre - From killing kings to declaring heroes, she has her hand in everything in almost every house. She has an argument for being the strongest character in the game. Since she has four extremely powerful versions, it’s hard to argue too much about her.

Points of View

2. Brienne of Tarth - She should be punishing, and she really is, but canceling triggered effects? Could more effects possibly effect her? How is this at all Nedly? Instead, she should be rewarded for having a lord or lady in play with a big aggro boost, and a cancel to the boost of others.

1. Ser Davos Seaworth - We see nearly all important Baratheon events through Davos’ experiences. He truly refuses to die, which is a big deal, but in addition, he should get a huge bonus for any event or attachment, as every event is humanized by Davos’ reactions.

Greyjoy

Warriors

3. Balon Greyjoy - He tries to become king and fails, then tries to become king again, and dies, but in the meantime, he requires a huge force from the rest of the seven kingdoms to bring him down and is a terror with his navy. This should absolutely be a beatstick of a character, possibly one that grants naval icons. I know Winter is Greyjoy’s thing, but he was most powerful in summer.

2. Asha Greyjoy - One of the top captains of the Iron Islands during her father’s rule, she’s fairly adept at battling inland and politics. This is a well-rounded warrior that is quite well-represented in power level, but her not kneeling makes little sense, nor does her inability to die, or renown. She should lower resources of opponents, both in terms of locations and cards in hand.

1. Victarion Greyjoy - He punches hard, but often manages to punch his own side. He’s not that bright, but here’s marvelously powerful and especially great on a ship. Warships should support his power.

Game of Thrones

3. Tarle the Thrice Drowned - Tarle convinces Balon to declare himself king during Robert’s reign, then supports the Kingsmoot. He’s a top Priest of the Drowned God and has a major voice in politics. He can easily give and remove traits and possibly kneel or stand with that same ability. His ability to save people, though, does make sense.

2. Moqorro - He’s going to be far bigger than he is given his build up, but as the best prophet we know of, he should be able to dodge or enhance events somehow.

1. Euron Crow’s Eye - He manages to have something to do with the death of Balon to gain power and he’s the current king. He’s done everything he has through intrigue and, well, being really creepy. There’s little reason for him not be be an intrigue monster a mere step below the top players of the game, only because his sights have thus far been set on a narrower set of goals.

Points of Views

2. Aeron Damphair - Damphair sees things as a fanatic, which would be an interesting way to present the character. The charagenda is the more obvious way - he saves a lot and gains for it - but something to represent the warped view of the world he holds, like a strength boost or reducer, would be awesome.

1. Theon Greyjoy - He’s our main Greyjoy and while he fails often, he views himself as a hero forced into unfortunate circumstances. He’s another clear event enchancer, but he should also cancel locations. His weakness, naturally, is powerful characters.

Lannister

Warriors

3. Bronn - He’s capable of defeating the top knights in Westeros, largely by fighting dirty, so stealth and deadly fit incredibly well for this mean warrior. He has a streak of being solid at intrigue, but due to his low station, doesn’t really need it. He’s also married into Lannister ranks and can safely lose Ally now.

2. The Hound - A great warrior with a noble heart. He’s a murderer, but not to his core. This could be tough to balance, but easily worth it.

1. The Mountain - He’s huge and intimidating. It’s a shame Intimidate is a Greyjoy keyword, because it’s perfect for this guy. He’s pure military, but should change games in the vein of current Brienne in that role.

Game of Thrones

3. Margaery Tyrell - She’s manipulated herself into wedding three kings (with the help of her grandmother, but still). Her kneeling and blanking versions are all but perfect.

2. Ser Kevan Lannister - He, in a short time, proved himself second only to Tywin as an administrator. In addition, he’s the best support of great leadership around. He should have a different set of skills depending on his he’s the only lord (draw) or if there are others (standing/kneeling).

1. Tywin Lannister - The best player of the game we’ve met, almost inarguably, Tywin deserves to be incredibly powerful. The new version is great, but still comes up short for the single most influential player of the game and the man most responsible besides the Mad King, perhaps, for where we are when the books begin.

Points of View

2. Cersei Lannister - She’s terrible at the Game, but possibly the most biased character in the novels, so she could easily be claiming events from others and getting rid of immunities.

1. Tyrion Lannister - The most relatable character, everyone’s favorite, he’s not much worse than Tywin at the Game, while still being honest, lecherous, and ridiculously fun. Every time he hits the board, the game should change. If anyone should stand with the odds against him or her, it’s Tyrion, Martell theme or no.

Martell

Warriors

3. Obara Sand - She considers herself a warrior and with the Viper her father, she’s unlikely to be wrong, or fight fair. I’m not sure she should be renown, but big strength, stealth and deadly make a load of sense.

2. Areo Hotah - He can take members of the Kingsguard and is beyond loyal. Ally is a terrible trait for someone so loyal as to have served decades. He absolutely deserves a direct kill effect, but should be very impressive on defense, as well.

1. The Red Viper - He wrecks the Mountain. He’s lead and formed his own mercenary company. He’s killed and maimed major nobles in and outside Dorne and gotten away with it. There’s really little to suggest he isn’t worthy of being one of the top handful of all around cards in the game. He surely is, though, more Infamous than Renown.

The Game of Thrones

3. Sarella Sand - Sarella is already likely playing the Game, steps ahead of everyone as she’s the one Sand Snake not captured and already has set up an alternate life, getting information no others are privy too. Hand knowledge of an opponent seems a decent approximation of this.

2. Harmen Uller - The second most powerful noble in Dorne, he really isn’t a rush character. He’s with the Red Viper during his travels, strong enough to not drink to King Tommen in the presence of the Kingsguard, and, most of all, who Arianne considers going to for help to challenge her father. That’s a powerful character. Given he’s mostly known for turning things down, few characters could more deserve cancel.

1. Doran Martell - Are we remotely sure that he isn’t right on par with the Tywin’s of the world at the Game of Thrones? He worked with the Viper to set everything up and, really, only Viper’s arrogance stopped that from changing the entire field. He should be next to impossible to kill with a strong lasting effect, yet little swinging power.

Points of View

2. Quentyn Martell - Quentyn doesn’t last long, and is quite well represented in the game.

1. Arianne Martell - Arianne doesn’t seem destined to last long, but her abilities are EXACTLY what I’d like to see from POV characters. She always has a plot, so plot cycling makes perfect sense, and as the heir to Dorne with a grudge, she raises claim decisively. The former ability is better for her specifically, but the latter is still great for a character of this type (and not a bunch of random armies! What were you thinking FFG!?)

Stark

Warriors

3. Roderick Cassel - The top warrior under Eddard Stark has got to be something. Roderick is great at protecting ladies and his locations.

2. Robb Stark - He never lost a battle - almost every version of Robb represents some version of this. He could be a bit stronger, but really doesn’t need to.

1. Eddard Stark - Eddard was the top general of Robert’s Rebellion and putting down Balon’s Rebellion. He was an incredible soldier and a warrior that seemed on par with Jaime Lannister. What more could one ask? He’s another deadly, renown leader of men, just like his son. They can even be extra powerful, as both should be weak to direct removal effects.

The Game of Thrones

3. Maester Luwin - He’s a key advisor in Winterfell, as their Maester is respected and treated as a member of the family. Event Luwin is absolutely perfect.

2. Roose Bolton - He’s conspired to take over Winterfell and the entire north by sending a few letters. He should be incredibly powerful at controlling the board.

1. Bran Stark - This is just an assumption of where he ends up. Warging has to be huge. He’s possibly the only character that can justify the kind of crap Coldhands and Ygritte can do.

Points of View

2. Arya Stark - She’s off on her own, avoiding events and plots and schemes. How perfect is Cat of the Canals for this?

1. Catelyn Stark - We see most of books two and three of Stark through her eyes. She’s all about her family, trying desperately and failing equally desperately to save them. It’s easy to see all the problems stemming back to her kidnaping of Tyrion without ample evidence. She’s a claim enchancer, probably, but one that should be easy to backfire.

Targaryen

Warriors

3. Khal Drogo - Targ lacks uniques, but those they have? Wow. Drogo is well-represented as a Warrior whose presence or death changes the battlefield.

2. Rhaegar Targaryen - Rhaegar, too, is a beast. His ability is Nedly, but that he nearly won a war and was capable in every way is very important to the book. His ability should not backfire so easily and he should be more powerful than he is.

1. The Dragons - Seriously? What can be more Renowned? Can anything else be as Deadly? These need to be absurdly powerful and capable of changing the game alone individually. Together? That should be tough to pull... and end things.

The Game of Thrones

3. Daemon Blackfyre - He causes multiple rebellions, leading conspiracy after conspiracy and nearly toppling the kingdom. This is a hugely important character who can do everything.

2. Griff - He’s turned Westeros on its head, whether he’s backing a pretender or not, while having learned hard lessons at the hands of Robert Baratheon, Tywin Lannister, Rhaegar Targaryen, and the Mad King. He’s made for a lasting effect with something like a doomed ticker.

1. Magister Illyrio - He’s manipulated a ton of Daeny’s rise, whether on purpose or not (he couldn’t have known about the Dragons, right?), but he’s still a huge power broker who can change anything with his money and connections.

Points of View

2. Barristan Selmy - He’s noble and straightforward, a protector who ends that which threatens those he protects.

1. Daenerys Targaryen - With Melisandre, Tyrion, and Tywin, this has a major claim at being the best card in the game. With the new version, she finally might be... unless the neutrals change that. She shouldn’t support Dragons: they should support her.

Neutral

Warriors

6. Old Bear Mormont - He isn’t great at the politics of keeping the watch together, but he’s phenomenal at turning murderers into a fighting force. A boost of strength or a war crest seems to make sense.

5. Beric Dondareon - Berric makes more sense than almost any character in the game. He might not be as powerful as he was, but he’s still excellent and logical.

4. Syrio Forel - The greatest swordsman, possibly of all, only gets a two strength? Really? He can easily be direct kill and easily be a Stark character.

3. Jaquen Hagar - If he’s now Pate, this can go either here or in the Game of Thrones, but he’s a pure killer. He can be a 3x direct kill and discard, but with a huge cost.

2. Mance Rayder - The leader of an invasion that, but for some lucky Fire God intervention, would have gotten into Westeros and taken down the wall, he’s also a better fighter than Jon Snow and quite the strategist. He probably can be as good as the Viper.

1. Ser Arthur Dayne - The single best fighter anyone has seen, Arthur should change the game by making everything but himself off limits until he’s eliminated.

Game of Thrones

6 . Walder Frey - Walder is here because of the Red Wedding sure, but also because of how he hoards the power that being at an important river crossing grants him. 0 cost doesn’t really fit him, but he’s surely a deadly stealthy man without much strength. Granting keywords is a solid idea.

5. Jon Arynn - The Hand for years and a major general of Robert’s Rebellion, he was a good man and a good administrator who kept the land stable. He couldn’t handle the Lannisters, but when Tywin was alive, that hardly made him unique. He’d make a lot of sense as a character like Willas.

4. Tycho Nestoris - I love the new version of this banker cum power broker. He wants to, and will get paid.

3. The Three Eyed Crow - This has probably been the top player of the game for over a hundred years, but until that’s fully confirmed, he’ll stay a bit lower. He should be challenge control, probably for him kneeling as a cost. It’d also be really cool if he could control a kneeling character for a phase if he too is kneeling.

2. Littlefinger - Did he tell Cat that the knife was Tyrion’s knowing it would cause a war? If so, he sure got extremely lucky that she ran into Tyrion and capitalized on his luck famously. He’s turned everything to his favor, increasing his renown, as he stealthily gains control of more and more important territories.

1. Varys - He’s got a plan that’s working massively well, as it’s hard to imagine a more unstable kingdom. He kept his place of power for as long as he wanted it. He’s clearly a lasting effect that can trigger a mean, mean response. He’s practically a walking Westeros Bleeds.

Points of View

3. Sam Tarly - The Slayer who’s going to be a Maester, but is terrified of his shadow? Yeah, we can work with that. How about can kill a character of higher strength when an attachment comes into play on him, kneeling to pay for the effect?

2. Jaime Lannister - Jaime Lannister - Formerly the best swordsman in Westeros, he also studied under the very best in Westeros for leadership and military battle. He’s showing more and more that he heeded those lessons and is truly deserving of his many powerful versions, especially the most recent.

1. Jon Snow - R + L = J. The Prince that was Promised should be insanely powerful. He could easily pull Beric’s power set.

Finally, the top 10 in terms where there power level should be, and I’m out!

10. The Red Viper

9. Bran Stark/Three Eyed Crow

8. Eddard Stark

7. Tyrion Lannister

6. Littlefinger

5. Varys

4. Tywin Lannister

3. Melisandre

2. Daenerys Targaryen

1. Jon Snow