Crimson and Gold - Matchups

With an FAQ update and two significant chapter packs released in quick succession, we’ve seen a major shakeup of the metagame. I expect two non-Lanni archetypes will quickly earn Tier 1 status and threaten Lannister’s chances at Worlds and Stahleck. Let’s discuss how to counter and defeat them.

Against Targ Burn

With Manning the City Walls (CD) restricted, Targ Burn doesn't fear high strength armies storming the battlefield any longer; for the most part, they only have to contend with puny 3 strength dudes. Furthermore, the un-restriction of Pentoshi Manor (AHM) gives Targ access to repeatable strength reduction. Targ KotHH decks use their agenda’s income bonus to offset the Manor’s out-of-house penalty, and many of their other affects require influence, not gold, anyways. It can also be cheated into play with Supported by the Smith (AJE). Finally, if Aegon's Hill (TTotH) hits the table, opponents can’t hold back their best characters until the Burn runs out of steam.

So what can we do? Honestly, not much has changed between Lanni and Targ since this time last year. Varys (SaS), Ser Arys Oakheart (PotS) and A House Divided (WLL) nail problematic Allies like Pyat Pree (QoD) and Magister Illyrio (VM), but beware discard pile recursion like Recruitment (VD) and Ambush from the Plains (QoD).

The The Iron Throne (LotR) handles King's Landing Assassin (SaS), Dragon Thief (AE), Dragon Knight (TBC), Young Griff (VD) and Company of the Cat (THoBaW). I’m tempted to run two copies of the Throne because it’s that important.

Late in the game there should be a good character for Qyburn (SaS) to target, like Ser Jorah Mormont (WLL) or Company of the Cat (THoBaW). If KotHH decks run Bay of Ice (KotS) it could backfire during our Cersei's Scheme (TPoL), City of Lies (CoS), or On My Oath turns, but otherwise they’re probably drawing an extra card. Their Pentoshi Manor strips renown and stealth from Lanni’s usual closer, Tyrion Lannister (CoS), so I expect many games will last 7+ rounds and go to time. Kingdom of Shadows (KotS) could backfire by standing their Young Griff (VD), and against Dragonpit decks might have the new shadows version of Ser Jorah Mormont. Don’t forget that Alchemist's Guild Hall (TBoBB) can kneel locations. Against Targ you’ll frequently want to target something like Meereen Tourney Grounds (ODG) or even their influence locations, rather than a character. Finally, be wary of Dragon Thief or Meereenese Brothel (BtW) taking out Pyromancer's Cache (TWot5K). Most Lanni decks will run the Cache because there’s simply no better option, but it’s definitely a fragile card against Targ.

As far as general strategy goes, Lanni definitely needs to win intrigue challenges ASAP because a Burn deck thrives when it has options in hand during the challenges phase. Furthermore, hard location control like Condemned by the Council (AToT) will either slow down their card advantage (Meraxes (TBC)) or wreck their economy.

Against Stark Murder

Unfortunately, what works against Targ is often nearly useless against Stark, and vice versa. For example, Paper Shield (QoD) stops No Quarter (TBC) and The Price of War (KotS), but can’t touch Incinerate (VM) or The Hatchlings' Feast (ASitD). Kneel effects easily neutralize threats like Northern Cavalry Flank (SA) and Brienne of Tarth (PotS), but falter against characters ambushed into play after the marshalling phase. If Lanni runs Tunnels of the Red Keep (CoS) to combat burn, he’ll have to watch out for recent Stark additions like Northland Keep (TBG) and Breaching the Wall (TBG). Finally, Stark also packs answers to Cache; Meera Reed (TftH) and Frozen Solid (LoW) can both blank it, making the Cache fall off because it’s now illegally attached to a location.

Starks only runs a few characters worthy of Enslaved (THoBaW), such as Maester Vyman (TWoW), Old Nan (BoRF), and Ser Jorah Mormont (PotS). Hodor (Core) unfortunately cannot take attachments, but whatever you do “borrow” will be immune to Bear Island (AE). I wouldn’t run more than a single copy of Enslaved right now.

Timing Valar Morghulis (Core) properly against Stark Aggro is crucial. Winning intrigues and then resetting the board is usually a sound strategy against Stark, but Outwit (TIoR) cancels Valar outright, The Art of Seduction (LotR) pins you to it for an extra turn, and Call of the Three-Eyed Crow (AJE) gives Stark access to a quasi-save.

Conclusion

The boards have grown quiet lately with everyone honing their secret tech for Worlds. I’m still testing a dozen different decks and trying to figure out this hot mess. Best of luck to everyone else who’s in the same boat!

If you have local tournament results to share, or any brilliant ideas to combat the Targ / Stark murder-fest, I’d love to hear them. Thanks for reading!