Scheming on the Sands - Events

Scheming on the Sands – “Events”

Oberyn wanted vengeance for Elia. Now the three of you want vengeance for him. I have four daughters, I remind you. Your sisters, my Elia is fourteen, almost a woman. Obella is twelve, on the brink of maiden-hood. They worship you, as Dorea and Loreza worship them. If you should die, must Elia and Obella seek vengeance for you, then Dorea and Loreza for them? Is that how it goes, round and round forever? I ask again, where does it end?
- A Dance with Dragons, George R.R. Martin

Welcome to Scheming on the Sands, since this is my first article on here I will do a quick introduction of myself. My name is Brandon and I go by mnBroncos on basically everything, I live in Minnesota, in the middle of nowhere 3 hours north of the twin cities. So since I live in a tiny town, I currently don’t really have a “meta” it is basically my friends, family, and myself. However, I read as much as I can on the meta and game in general from cardgamedb, teamcoveant, and also the 2Champs and a Chump podcasts, along with playing online to get an okay understanding. My love for this game originated from my love for the books, being a big fan of the books and card games, I have played a TON, but this is first one competitively. Once I found out there was a game based on the books instantly got hooked.

I will admit I am still pretty new to the game, getting into it last September, however, I will also admit I am probably too obsessed with this game. After playing for only two months I traveled to worlds, since I live in Minnesota, figured why not. It was my first ever card game tournament and I went 3-3 so I was pretty happy with my performance. Afterwards I have gotten even more into the game, and am excited for regional season, even with the painful damage to Martell from the recent restrictions. But in a weird way like that they were hurt because I like to play uncommon decks. So now Martell might not be as popular, well until maybe if can pull of a Days of Ice and Fire win in couple weeks .

So in my first article I'm going to talk about the cards that made me choose Martell as the house that I wanted to first play with and then fell for as my favorite house, and that is of course their powerful events.

Restricted Events in alphabetical order

A Game of Cyvasse (ACoS)

One of the new hard hits to Martell through the restricted list was this wonderful event. This was in almost all my Martell decks before, unfortunately it isn't now. This event was great for challenge control by returning the attacker, to preventing one of your own characters from being killed, and maybe just as meta changing was that it was great control for brotherhood (returning Beric) and Maester characters, to make them discard the attached chains. It was a staple before but now I am unsure how many decks will use this as their restricted card, but it is still very powerful so it is a valid choice for the restricted slot.


Burning on the Sand (RotO)

This was restricted before the new FAQ, and was maybe the least played restricted card in Martell decks. However, if you have read the Martell KOTHH deck thread recently, I have posted that this is currently my restricted card of choice. Why? Mainly because of the popular rush decks that are out right now, Siege isn't as big of a deal if they don’t win that Military challenge, Lanni PBtT isn't as scary if they can’t win the Intrigue challenge. The ability to just shut down a complete challenge is so handy in the current meta IMO. Only downside is it can be canceled with Paper Shield, but running as Martell you always have a good number of valid targets for opponents to hit with Paper Shield. I would advise any Martell player to test this as their restricted card in their builds right now.

Commonly Seen

He Calls It Thinking (PotS)

I’d be surprised if this isn’t in every Martell deck, it doesn't even need the influence that most of the more powerful events need. It is an event that doesn't only cancel other events, but is one of the few events that can cancel character abilities as well, not to mention the bonus of then being a strength buff. I will admit though the one downside it does have, is that it doesn't cancel all events, and I often have a hard time putting paper shields in the same deck with HCiT because it is hard to dedicate six event spots to cancels.

Red Vengeance (PotS)

I can’t say how much I love this card, this might single handily be the card that made me want to try out Martell. This is a must have in any KOTHH deck and any Martell deck that can get two influence easily. The ability to make your opponent (or any opponent in melee) to have to discard cards or kill a character(s) can be game changing when trying to control the game. It can also be combined with a lot of Martell responses that resolve from losing the challenge, just be aware that they still can trigger responses as if they have won. This still maybe my favorite card in the game and also hard to build a non-KOTHH without putting in influence so I can still use this card.

The Prince's Plans (TIoR)

This card isn't a common one included in decks, but I believe it at least should be popular in a KOTHH deck because the four influence is easier to get. In a house that uses many events, along with characters that discard themselves for a positive result (Dornish Paramour (TTotH)) the ability to get those cards back, along with the obvious card advantage, can be game changing. Also, even though it was errataed to be deathbound, if discarded from your hand for claim or a Rule by Decree, it goes into the discard pile. So if you have another one it can be great way to recover from having your hand being hit. When you play it you are netting 3 card gain, and Martell loves their hand probably just as much if not more than any other house.

Other Great Options

A Gentle Prison (WotN)

I posted on teamcovenant a while ago about how I felt this is the most underrated card in the game. Once I really looked at this card, and then got others to try it out, it seems its popularity is on the rise. For those that haven’t seen this card in use it is great because it is versatile. How often does someone attack with a single character in a challenge you can't defend? You play this event and you cancel their challenge. Or you only have a one claim military challenge and they chump block with claim soak, play this in a challenge with that chump they now must decide to kill someone else for claim. I will admit it isn't as good now with the new naval enhancement but there are still a great number of valid targets for this event. Also, Gentle Prison can end a challenge by removing the only participating character. So if they only declare a single attacker and are holding back naval characters it is possible to remove the single character in the challenge thereby not allowing the opponent to use their navel enhancements for that challenge.

The Prince's Wrath (PotS)

With the restriction of the Orphan of the Greenblood (PotS) this seemed to be the obvious choice for replacement, to get similar results. Also, with the one influence cost it may be harder to cancel than the orphan since it is immune to paper shields and there are not many common cancels outside of Greyjoy that could cancel it. When you can control the board by shutting off the strongest character it makes your job as a Martell player much simpler. Also I like that you can trigger this when you want to, if going first and need to be able to push a challenge through or to prevent them from winning that first challenge they may want to declare.

The Viper's Rage (TftRK)

My first impression of this event was that it was awesome, then I played it and wasn't overly impressed. Since then I've tried it a number of times and in some games it is amazing, but then other games it falls flat. It is the one event I am probably always going back and forth on just because it is so situational. First you have to lose a challenge, which will often be the challenge you want to stop, and if it is an Intrigue challenge you risk losing the card to claim before you can use it. Second, has to be by 4 strength, which can be hard to achieve at times. And third, isn't nearly as good if you are the first player and doing your challenges first. I will say though if you play this after a Red Vengeance it does make the card amazing, but then you need two cards to pull it off. But, if PBtT becomes a huge thing shutting them down to just that one Intrigue challenge could be a key way to stop them, or a siege deck that is doing multiple Mil challenges in the challenge phase.

Words Are Like Arrows (WLL)

This one will be a quick one, because currently I think it isn't the best option. However with Game of Cvyasse restricted this card might be a valid replacement. Depending on your meta if you are seeing alot of power on single characters like in brotherhood decks or some rush decks this can be a good option if you are not running Ghaston Grey. This seems to be a card to keep your eye on depending on how other decks are being played.

Melee

Deceit (ARotD)

Now i know melee isn't as big of a deal for a lot of players, but if your a Martell player it allows you to play with a lot more of your cards due to a smaller restricted list, and also get some other events that can be useful. Deceit is great for melee for its first option when there is two or three players to choose keywords from, leading to greater options. It can also be fun to use after attackers and defenders have been declared to give someone deadly since neither of the characters have to be your own. Also, with the rush aspect of melee taking a renown or vigilant can be key in some situations.


No Use For Grief (DB)

This is more of a fun deck build for melee, however, it happened before I was playing but heard that a deck using this have won a tournament in the melee setting. As long as no one is using Wildfire Assault (Core) you will be in an amazing situation to win the game, and even if someone is running wildfire assault you can choose to not play them all out of your deck, so just play out as many as you need so have cards to play later.

Secret Alliance (TBC)

Although this isn't really Martell only, is limited to them and only one other house. This can be a big card in melee when your Viper gets killed if building a rush deck using the The Red Viper (PotS) or after you kill everyone with The Red Viper (TftRK). Getting to replay your The Red Viper is always huge. Also, if combined with No Use For Grief can get your Viper back out with all the Sand Snakes.

Honorable Mention

Westeros Bleeds (Core)

I wanted to keep this article limited to House Martell only events, but to me this card is almost a Martell only event, although I have seen it in a few other builds, but I believe is primarily used out of Martell. The reason is simple once you got a hand of 10 cards and only one character or so on the board a clean sweep is huge! Also, I think many Martell players will agree that Greyjoy is our worst match up and since they often have many saves to being killed, discarding their board might be your only hope for survival. Also, with The Red Viper (PotS) being immune you might come out ahead in the deal. Also goes well with the Prince’s Plans next turn if you want some of those discarded characters back.


Well I hope you've enjoyed my first article and I am looking forward to making many more. If you have any suggestions feel free to let me know in the comments or in a private message. I still believe Martell has what it takes to be a very competitive house after the FAQ, so go out and dominate your regional events Martell players. We have so many good events if they get more powerful events I will be struggling to decide which ones to use.

Until next time don't give up on Martell, and just keep Scheming on the Sands, who knows regional season is basically here lets try to prove Martell is still a top house! (although, if it happens it might lead to more restrictions )