Bara Kraken Pinch of Powder: Thronestoberfest Report 1.0

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• 1.0

I took this Bara Kraken deck to Thronestoberfest and went 3-4 with many close and/or interesting matches. Salladhor and Raider from Pyke jump Pinch into play. Robert, Melisandre, stealth and boats help push through the 5+ wins to trigger Pinch as much as possible.

I'd like to thank Roy for organizing and TO'ing the event, Vac and my Bara teammates for making the best of the worst faction in the game, and my Atlanta meta mates for making the 12 hour drive up to Philly worth it. The whole weekend was a blast, my opponents were all excellent sports, and I thoroughly enjoyed the WAR format.

Rd 1 vs. Tom M. Lanni Crossing

Tom went first, attacked twice with Jaime, and Pinched my Davos on intrigue, but I managed to Pinch his Jaime and return the favor. On the next turn, he reached 11 power with Superior Claim, but the Bastard of Nightsong took some power back and kept Tom from getting too far ahead. Turn 3 I won initiative with Clash of Kings against his Forced March, so I was able to go first and trigger Pinch, keeping his board in check and preventing any Crossing power. Turn 4 he used Valar D to my YWoYD. I kept Melisandre and a Raider, then added Davos and Marya, and triggered Pinch some more to establish a commanding lead in board position.

1-0

Rd 2 vs Storm H. Night's Watch Crossing

I setup Theon, a duped Salladhor, and no locations. Trading with the Pentoshi gave me enough money to marshal Mel, Raider, and Sea Bitch. Storm had about 6 chuds, but I sent three back to his hand in a single challenge with 2 ambushed Pinches plus a Salladhor trigger. Over the next two rounds, Storm played all three Cravens, so I never got off another Pinch trigger, but my Fishmonger did some work, winning an unopposed power challenge every turn with the help of a Raiding Longship. It was a weird game.

2-0

Rd 3 vs Wendy H. Targ Lion

I fell behind quickly and struggled to maintain any board presence. Turn 2 she ambushed the Hound to prevent a Pinch trigger (also the only Lanni card she played the whole game). Wendy had Hizdar, Khal Drogo, Meereen -- all the usual suspects. Turn 3 she played King in the North and all I could do was oppose challenges. Turn 4 I Wildfire'd, triggered Pinch on Khal Drogo, and knelt Drogon with Marya to prevent a nasty military attack. Mel even killed Drogo in dominance. Unfortunately, time was called just as I had gotten back into the game. My next turn would have been YWoYD and likely a big comeback, but alas.

2-1

Rd 4 vs Todd M. Tyrell Kraken

Margaery, Highgarden Courtier, Crown of Golden Roses, and Renly's Pavilion made Pinch very difficult. I only triggered it once I think. Todd had dupes and flipped Valar Morghulis around turn 4 or 5. I had no dupes, and my only Iron Mines was in the bin courtesy of Newly Made Lord. No chance here.

2-2

Rd 5 vs Fred B. Martell Wars

I used Raiding the Bay on his early Dorne, but that was about the only thing that went right. Fred had Ricasso and Yronwood early, so he won initiative every round. Big Arianne kept whoever had King at the Wall in check, so I wasn't able to draw. Eventually he marshalled the Intimidate Armies and pushed through a 6 or 7 power Doran's Game.

2-3

Rd 6 vs James M. Greyjoy Fealty

This game started slowly. Bastard of Nightsong kept me close enough in power until my Pinches got rolling, hitting Asha, Victarion and Tris over the course of the game. By the time James flipped Valar M, it was too late.

3-3

Rd 7 vs David L. Stark Wars

Double Forced March gave me a hard time, making it impossible to push through enough 5+ challenge wins to trigger Pinch. Meera kept Robert in check so I just never got rolling. I also didn't see the Raider at all, and no Salladhor until too late, so I had to pay money for Pinch a couple times, which hurt.

3-4