Crazily, I have barely thought of it, and I am leaving in less than two days as well! Per the norm, I will be the most un-ready person there to play

I have two boxes. One small box (from the Days of Fire and Ice @ FFG's HQ) for what I think are playable cards. Then the big box, by set and then by house for the cards I don't (yet!).

Some interesting discussion from HBO on why staying at 10 episodes for Season 2 (and some good reassurances that HBO loves the series): tv.ign.com/articles/118/1184812p1.html

Stag Lord said: I think you're underrating him slightly rings. Its good to kill knights. You might be right. I just never (outside of trait manip decks) had any use for cards that could be 100% dead vs. some decks (Greyjoy Winter, another Targ deck, some Martell builds, Maester decks, Wildling decks, Holy decks maybe), and then is vulnerable against two main deck's repeatable kill (Martell and Stark), not to mention burn. *shrug*

Kennon said: Of course, one of the standard comments that I see around on the boards is that every Martel deck is playing He Calls it Thinking, and unlike Aerys, Daario can't be canceled. This is plus in some situations, a minus in others. I'd call it roughly a wash between the two. In general card costing math (Assuming that Aerys Oakheart is an average to aggressively costed character- and I'd vote aggressive) we'll use him as a baseline. 3 gold for 3 strength, two icons, two keywords, and a good ability. Now lets assume that from our baseline, subtracting a major feature subtracts 1 gold, and adding a major feature adds 1 gold. Seems like a pretty decent general formula, and one that I know I saw Eric or Brian or someone write about in the early stages of the game in a Designer Journal. Now in comparison, we'll subtract one strength to 2 (-1g= 2 cost), add an icon (+1g= 3 cost), subtract a keyword (-1g= 2 cost) and add a crest (+1g= 3 cost). It seems like he's right in line here. And heck, some would argue that the no attachments except Weapon keyword on Aerys is actually a drawback, in which case removing it would be +1g rather than -1g. All in all though, I'd say the costing of the two is exactly in line for the game. *Shrug* Now overall, I'll admit Targ still needs a little oomph, but Daario as a specific example is spot on with where he should be. I see the potential logic, but unlucky it would be really hard to use this formula with only 4-5 gold spots available. Having 2 strength is a HUGE disadvantage in the current meta, I would take 3 strength over an icon + a crest + a keyword anytime, and probably 2 of the 3. The math doesn't work IMHO. Oakheart is in (or should be) in every Martell/Lanni build. I would be surprised if Daario is in 25% of Targ decks (and it has been established that Targ already has a lower number of playable 3-costers). *shrug*

Sure, you can get rid of it, but after your opponent has already killed Daario most likely. So they got a 2-for-1 card advantage kill probably, and a 3-for-2 gold advantage. And that is if you successfully get your attachment control off (assuming you dont' have a 'kill it in shadows' card I haven't seen). That is best case. 3/2's are still very hard in the current environment with Blade, Grey Wolf, and in a mirror targ burn (which hits the 2-strength most easily). Don't get me wrong, I actaully like that there is a 3/2 spot open for very good cards that comes with a price. I just haven't seen many 3/2's to justify it

Wasn't Khal Drogo still legal at that time as well? They just seemed to have a ton of very efficient characters that had kill effects, to combine with probably the best control events in the game (since you couldn't save vs. them). Alliance house card was available as well? I played Lanni/Targ to great effect at this point (although scrubbing out of 'Worlds' for the only time) - Lanni for draw and some additional income, and Targ for control. The only time I played something other than Lanni or Martell.

There have been a couple of banned cards (you can find the FAQ in the news here), and now they restrict cards (you can have 3X of any one restricted card) which has been a great success (at least IMHO). Some people love competative melee and some not so much. Kennon and Dobbler (etc.) have found the light, but others of us have not (me, Mathlete, etc.) - while I totally agree with you in theory about not only playing one opponent in the books, that doesn't ring true when you are at a table with 2-3 people from the same meta, or who want someone else to win (or you to lose). Is that like the books? Of course. But that doesn't make it fun (again IMHO)...shooting your dad is in the books and I wouldn't do that (BTW I am not trying to start the fight up about MP again, I love that it gets more people into the game - just giving the other side of the story on COMPETATIVE MP, not the game in general which is probably the best MP game I have played...excepting maybe Vampire). Overall, I don't think you will find many changes from when you played - with the possible exception of Agendas. Deadly and other keywords have their place and players need to know them, but they don't materially change the game. At this point we haven't heard word #1 about cycling from FFG. Personally, I think they SOMEDAY will just restrict competative building to X number of sets, whatever that number is. But that might be awhile off - you just can't assume they can playtest 10X this number of cards, or 100X (heaven hope we get that far!). Although the restricted list might change that...it is just hard to get new players in w/o any type of restriction so they don't have to drop $500, or $1,500 or $5,000 someday. And you get into some sort of power creep (or lower sales) if you keep printing the same sort of cards (although FFG has done a pretty good job with subthemes). Good luck again!

www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php aGoT at Comic-Con. Not a lot of new stuff...

Just wanted to say it is great to hear that Fieras and Sheik are coming!

I remember you as well - hope to have you back! Stag did a good job of explaining. There are some new mechanics as well, and some new rules - but nothing earthshattering. Each house has a keyword (infamy, ambush, etc.). And now you keep your gold through the whole turn and use it for events and dominance (which I had hoped would kill influence, but alas). If Stag is right on the timing, they also introduced Agendas which are probably the biggest change since they are 'start in play' cards. Other than that, the house strengths are about the same.

rings said: Maester_LUke said: Well, to continue the derailment, what are most people using for Draw in GJ winter... Samwell? I am assuming Sam plus the LIV (which is actually really good - I have lost to basically that card before). Oh, and draw isnt' especially good when playing with or against choke (depending on the # of locations, and to a lesser amount events, you play).

Maester_LUke said: Well, to continue the derailment, what are most people using for Draw in GJ winter... Samwell? I am assuming Sam plus the LIV (which is actually really good - I have lost to basically that card before).

ShivesMcShivers said: I will admit, I didn't read all the posts above. I will say that I am 100% in agreement with the chapter packs that are legal for gencon. Although the cards have been spoiled via uncut sheets for a solid amount of time, some of the most competitive players in thrones have had inside access and knowledge of the cards and their interactions for much longer then the general public via playtesting on behalf of FFG. Well, playtesters are always going to have a bit of an edge. Unluckily that is life (full disclosure, I have playtested, but not currently or in some time). I am torn this year, the pack released last week - you could order direct from FFG and get them in time, and the proxies have been up for months. It is a crazy pack though, so glad we don't have to deal with some of the cards the first time competatively in a big tourney.

#1 - you did miss naming me in an episode about a month ago. ~*sniff* I assume I will have to drink w/ you guys heavily to get on the full playlist? #2 - pretty good episode. Not sure if I can follow the Chump's logic on a few things, but I respect his arguing #3 - I am a Stannis player as well as K-dog. There have been repeated cards that I refused to play due to power level and overall yukiness - Castellean being lately, Prince's Loyalist in the CCG days being the worst offender. #4 - Boo trait manip going away (for now at least!) as a playable deck (IMHO). It needs something repeatable, like...Carrion Birds. #5 - couldn't find the Facebook page...? 2champs1chump I thought?

Stag Lord said: Legos? Really? What are we: children? I;m not amused. You know, many people would think people who play card games and read fantasy are children, so it is all in the eye of the beholder. Don't be so superior... I haven't bought legos for years, but love looking at the Star Wars and these ones! Amazing that using existing legos he (she?) can make something so close to the charcacters IMHO.

Ratatoskr said: Well, if you don't have lots of draw, you won't get results at worlds anyway, so that should be covered. Maybe...GJ Winter doesn't have a ton, and they seem to do alright (and won Worlds two years ago, granted that was a long time ago)... ~Luke, do you miss Lorch, or just MadK complaining about him?

Maester_LUke said: I can't specific definitively, but even if I don't make it to GenCon to play, I'm probably going to justify a trip to Indy to socialize that night. Cryptic...cryptic. Why wouldn't you play?

They look great. Stannis will need a closely shorn beard, and Mel the red hair...but pretty on to me. BTW this rocks as well: www.tor.com/blogs/2011/07/a-song-of-ice-and-lego

I has always been after the Joust for sure, in that it is also after all the (major) tourneys so no one was worried about being hung over. Although I actually play better that way We usually all need to eat as well - we won't get as much of a turn out if we do it TOO quickly. I can't remember last year that well though, maybe it was fairly quickly after the overall winner was named? I am just mad I don't have a client in town anymore (I used to bank The Ram Bar and Grill which was out of Washington). I knocked up that business credit card good for years...

It wouldn't be a drunk draft without me...drafting...drunk...heck the first year we mostly used my 'winnings' from 'Worlds'...and Prof AJ's huge supply of beer if I remember right. Ah, nothing like paying influence with drinks... My favorite story is Brooks (TheKingg) hailing down a 'cab' he was so goners and trying to get to the airport for a VERY early flight. Turned out the cab was a cop. You know nothing, Brooks. That was the same night I forgot the name of my hotel, so just walked around aimlessly until I remembered it was close to the capitol building. I have some product too, if needed - just tell me ahead of time. Even some Czech House of Talons and French Thorns.

Stag Lord said: So - its up for an Emmy for Best Drama (Won't win: Mad Men has a lock on that award for some reason) and Peter Dinklage is up for Best Supporting Actor for Tyrion - and THAT he has shot at. Good news - and pretty much what I expected. I didn't really think Emilia Clarke or Sean Bean would get nominations - though I read some speculation to that effect. I was hoping Bean as well, but he wouldn't be supporting I assume, and that is hard in the series. Two nominations are not bad, especially Best Drama.

Quick rules question (since I am horrible at them): Can she react to herself going out of play? I.e. is she close to unkillable since she goes into shadows while being moribund?

Some decks defend, and some don't really (I admit to rarely defending). It does get you in trouble, especially against a faster deck where that power can build up quick (3X undefended plus power claim plus dominance is 5 right there, and without Renown). However, many times I defend the military challenge with the person that will be dying. It is called 'chump blocking' and is pretty normal. Good luck!

Some pretty cool stuff! I don't remember anything last year of note...I did keep some of the tokens from the league stuff