There will be at least 3 of us from Georgia.

dormouse said: Sportsmanship is more about ethics IMO than morals. We aren't talking about sins (for those that believe in them) we are talking about abuse. If it was supposed to be hidden knowledge then I would have a major problem with it. If it were open I would have a minor problem with it. The fact that they were meta mates and happening before the game is what I feel makes it emotionally more charged. If it had been any two or three players making the deal in game upon seeing you play or even your house card (say a bara or stark rush deck which could close the game out in two turns) I would actually be fine with it... especially because there is just a good as chance that one of them would stab one of the others in the back when they had weakened their own position in an attempt to keep you contained. That is melee. I would certainly consider what happened to you unsportsmanlike behavior and would have ridiculed them all mercilessly for such a decision, not only if I were you, but if I were watching, or found out later. Heck if it had been my meta mates in the game with me, I either would have stabbed them all in the back Littlefinger style for it, or mocked them incessantly like Tyrion even if it meant me facing their wrath in game or out. Of course if I were you I would have isolated one of them and said I know what you guys are planning and recognize I can't win against the three of you, but I can occupy the other two and give you the win, if you won't attack me except when it is the only logical choice. Try to turn one of them. Throw that golden apple. Yes ethics is a much better descriptor. My point stands that both were unsportsmanlike but considered ok by people but other unsportsmanlike behavior is not. Where do you draw the line? How do draw the line. For my part I was ok with both. I tried table talk to sway but it was for not. I am not saying this created a negative play experience but it is unsportsmanlike and not against the rules. There was also collusion to ensure I finished last in the one instance even in the open or not it is little different than intentional draws (which my stance is still I do not care one way or the other).

Kennon said: That's still above board communication. Three players from different metas could have just as easily agreed to clear your board and rush for power at your expense. To me the difference is hidden knowledge. Just like whispering to another player at the table, I've created a new level of hidden knowledge (what we said) that makes it impossible to verify if other hidden knowledge (cards in my hand) has been revealed. Actually it was to be hidden knowledge until I overheard by mistake. It was not above board communication until I brought it out. How do you feel if 2 players in the same meta are at a 4 player table and player 2 from the meta is in last and player 1 is in first and guaranteed to win on his turn. He has 2 choices take the easy uncontested power challenge against his meta mate or attack the third place player for a contested challenge to take his power and put his meta mate in third and then do the uncontested challenge of another type for the win vs his meta mate. Is that sportsman like? When actually defining sportsmanship you enter a very slippery slope of forcing once persons morals on another.

Kennon said: I mean really, are those that see nothing but what is specifically illegal in the game as unsportsmanlike ok with me communicating exclusively via text message to people in my meta if we happen to sit at the same table at Melee Worlds? While not specifically disallowed, I would rule that it's against the spirit of the game. But hey, if it comes to it, maybe I'll do it just to play Devil's Advocate. What is the difference if you text it or not? Last year I was at a table at worlds melee with 3 others from the same meta and they proceeded to guarantee my last place finish very verbally in front of me. Texting or no texting it would have been the same result. I was playing 3 vs 1 from the start.

Deathjester26 said: Well, let's not turn one instance of poor communication into anything more than it is, or was. As far as I have experienced, AGoT is full of friendly, encouraging, helpful players. Many of them go above and beyond in hosting outstanding tourneys at a highly competitive level. QFT! At the Tennesse regional I watched a player miss the cut because he was helping his opponent beat him. I have played this game off and on from the beginning and you would be hard pressed to find a nicer more helpful group of gamers.

Hey we have 5 players that meet semiregularly at the Tower. I would be more than willing to teach the game to you. Send me a friend request and we will work out the details of getting together. Shayne

I emailed you but I will have no access after 3. I left my phone number if after 3.

Now I fall in the middle. ID's do not bother me at all. @hKlown What you are doing though is bringing a subjective take to it. You are trying to define what is unsportsmanlike when others can and will have different definitions. It is not as clear cut as the anit-ID people think. If there was not ambiguity there would be no issue.

Lars said: Dobbler said: As you mention, there is much subjectivity there, which makes it an opinion, not a standard. I think you are looking at standards the wrong way. lets look at the food industry for example. There are minimum requirements for cleanliness as proscribed by some board (aka the rules). then there are the standards each establishment holds itself too (i.e. its own opinion of what is right or not). Mcdonalds, the local diner, and 5 star places all have different standards of cleanliness and while they are all acceptable under the rules certain people prefer different sets of standards and while either go to one of those places or not based on those standards. therefore its is fine for people to hold intentional draws up to differeing sportsmanship standards. As long as you are not holding others to your standards. You can't expect others to only go to 5 star places if that is all you will accept. What I am seeing is numerous different people defining spoprtsmanship (in different ways) and then trying to hold someone else up to that. I was always taught to never hold others up to your own standards. I think that is the valuable lessen here. Different people have different standards and as long as the system allows for it people will do it and there is abasolutely nothing wrong with that even if your standards will not allow you to do it. I have been on the outside looking side of the intentional draw. Not once did I blame the ID on me not advancing. I said "If I had played better then I would be in."

We should be participating in it.

There are 4 of us coming from Georgia. The 5th just dropped out this week but 4 are guaranteed.

Will the cut off street date for for legality for Lords of Winter and Return of the Others be the 19th?

Staton said: This does seem like quite a nasty deck, and definitely something that I do not want to play against! I think that more posting of decklists like this, and the added discussion about the reasoning behind your card selection, and just how you played the deck, is the best way to get people thinking about new deck ideas and really promotes discussion on the boards. So kudos to you! Also, congrats on the second place! I did have one question though, were you using the old mance or the new mance to blank your own agenda for the win? New Mance is from Return of the Others which is not available. So he was likely using the old Mance.

Lars said: Venryk said: People want to playwith their cards when they get them not a week later. What about those that are unable to buy them in the week from release to the tourney? its those people the rule is designed for, so that they are not disadvantaged....its not just an arbitrary time limit. Why are the unable to buy them? I show up to the store and buy them. What if they can't get it within two weeks maybe it should be two weeks. Hey I only buy online and it is 3 weeks shipping so the rule should be three. Yes it is arbitrary unless their is some science behind choosing a week (and there is no science behind it just an unpublished decision made). Keep in mind some people will not be able to have access for up to a month after release. The problem is it is an unpublished rule for a different point in the game. Don't hide behind something announced years ago so only old hats know about it. I know about it because I played back then but most people do not. Also realise there is a slightly different target for players now. Do they really want to drive players away with negative experiences like this. The fact is with out it published it can only cause negative experiences. I rule only a few know about cannot be good for the game. If you want to have a delay between legality then it cannot be too much effort to place those few sentences in the tourney rules.

The problem is a rule announced right before a tourney will create bad experiences. People generally do not travel with their entire collection so they can modifiy their deck because their cards are not legal. Not publishing it in the tourney rules and then enforcing it at a tournament is a huge mistake. If it is a rule publish it in the tourney rules. And honestly it is a pretty silly rule any way IMO. People want to playwith their cards when they get them not a week later.

We are in North East Atlanta (Gwinnett County). There will be between 3 and 5 of us attending the regional.

A group of us from Georgia are planning on making the trip to Tennessee for the regional. Does anyone have any information on this event? Like start time? Is it melee or joust? What side events if any? I appreciate any information I can get.

One thing to note it is Baratheon "card" not character. So it increases its utility some.

BenStark said: Thirdly, how big is the player base? I live in the Southeast U.S. Is there any sizeable play groups that go to, say, Dragoncon,etc.? Thanks in advance!! Where in the Southeast are you located? We have a small group here in the suburbs of northeast Atlanta. Our league/tournaments usually have 4-6 people depending on schedules for that week.

I will have to agree as well. We played 4 three player melee and the Kingsmoot variant not only sped up the game but made the players more aggressive. We had loads of fun with each player picking up a win.

Yeah once you are through Gardens of the Moon and you understand how the world and its magic and gods/ascendants work the rest just flows.

Another book series that is fantastice especially if you end up liking Erikson, is the Black Company books by Glen Cook. I have read all but the final for and the first 2 of the final four will be re-released this fall.

I would recomment - Scott Lynch's Gentlemen Bastards Series. Currently Lies of Locke Lamora and Red Seas Under Red Skies are available. Patrick Rothfuss's Kingkiller Trilogy - Name of the WInd (book one) is available and book 2 should be available soon. Steven Erikson's Malazan Empire books are fantastic. Currently 8 of 10 are out. Book 1 is hard to get through but it just rolls after that. I will second the Dresden Files suggestion. One of the best reads you will have.

Her reasons are actually very valid. If she finishes her term she will need to spend a bulk of that time defending meritless ethics charges against herself while collecting tax payer money. It is funny how it is glossed over that she is not willing to waste the taxpayer money and collect a paycheck for not doing her job. I an day when most politicians waste as much tax payer money as they can we prosecute one who isn't. Also, I would not jump to the conclusion that it is political suicide. She is still a lightning rod that people feel the need to constantly attack her unprovoked. Those types of attacks are usually due to fear.

I will be there and will play in at least one event but I may have a conflict with the Joust Championship and another championship. Since Greyjoy will not be legal for champs I put preference in the other championship. If I am doing poorly in that one I will drop to play thrones though. With a 1pm start time it allows for me to know where I stand. I will be there with one more who is in the same boat as me.