The Things I Do For Win - FAQ'd Martell Maesters

With the advent of the new FAQ a couple top tier decks need to be re-examined. The most threatening deck to take the title this year is Martell Maesters. The combination of Art of Seduction and Narrow Escape kept the orange crush on the board to provide constant pressure. Also, the catch-all wonder plot Search and Detain gets relegated to the sidelines to keep the newly restricted Maester’s Path in play maintaining a tight and efficient deck.

Here was the championship deck article as of a couple months ago. Much of the content still applies.
http://www.cardgamed...rtell-maes-r173

Does losing these two key components end the reign of this archetype? Nope. Not even close. There are enough redundancy effects to keep this deck running until the agenda gets banned.

The core of this deck is a controlled power rush. Losing the ability to bounce another power rushing character with Search and Detain hurts. To combat the lessening of defense we’ll refocus on offense.

The Schemes of the Scholar reinforces the idea of not kneeling with learned characters. Seven characters in total have the ability to scoot across the battlefield and then participate during the challenge phase. This plot gives you high initiative and lets you double up on Conclave renown. The claim two intrigue is added lemon cake.

There’s nothing comparable to Narrow Escape. So, let’s keep hammering the idea of power rush. Harmon Uller is an under appreciated renown character under the sun banner. The possibility of not kneeling during two challenges is pretty enticing. If we’re not going to kneel as often with the addition of Schemes of the Scholar tossing in one Longclaw creates a threat not previously there. To add further pressure adding a Citadel Politics will let you get the most bang for your buck during a schemes and spears turn.

House (1)
House Martell (Core) x1

Agenda (1)
The Maester's Path (GotC) x1

Plot (7)
At the Gates (GotC) x1
Outwit (TIoR) x1
Schemes of the Scholar (HtS) x1
To the Spears! (PotS) x1
Valar Morghulis (Core) x1
The Art of Seduction (LotR) x1
Forgotten Plans (KotStorm) x1


Character (33)
Informed Acolyte (TIoR) x2
Orphan of the Greenblood (PotS) x3
The Conclave (CbtC) x3
Maester of Lemonwood (BtW) x1
Maester of the Sun (ASoS) x3
Maester of War (TWot5K) x3
Refugee of the Citadel (RoW) x3
The Red Viper (PotS) x1
Lost Spearman (MotM) x3
Leyton Hightower (GotC) x2
Darkstar (PotS) x1
Ser Arys Oakheart (PotS) x1
House Messenger (PotS) x3
Arianne Martell (PotS) x1
Beric Dondarrion (IG) x1
Former Champion (PotS) x1
Harmen Uller (PotS) x1

Location (12)
Summer Sea (QoD) x2
Palace Fountains (PotS) x3
Flea Bottom (TGM) x1
Shadowblack Lane (Core) x1
Street of Sisters (Core) x1
Water Garden (PotS) x3
Lord Doran's Chambers (PotS) x1

Event (7)
A Game of Cyvasse (ACoS) x3
He Calls It Thinking (PotS) x3
Citadel Politics (HtS) x1

Attachment (8)
Longclaw (ASitD) x1
Apprentice Collar (GotC) x1
Black Iron Link (MotA) x1
Bronze Link (FtC) x1
Copper Link (GotC) x1
Iron Link (MotA) x1
Tin Link (CbtC) x1
Valyrian Steel Link (HtS) x1


Character (32)



Jerod Leupold started playing AGOT during the release of Flight of Dragons and declared his allegiance to Greyjoy. He cut his teeth playing in the MN, MO, and WI regionals trying to build dominant characterless or recursion decks. He has placed first in one lowly attended regional, second in four others, and top eighted in two of the four GenCons he has attended. For one year he was the number one ranked limited player. He currently resides in Iowa City and is proud to be a part of the Knights of the Corn meta.

During the years of 2005-2011 he was the owner and tournament organizer for Critical Hit Games that ran magic events on a weekly basis including being asked to host the state of Iowa championships twice. He has been a tournament player for several ccgs including 7th Sea, L5R, Spoils, and is the current King of the Hill champion of the 2011 GenCon Invasion tournament.