Black Celebration - 7th place @Stahleck 2024 1.0

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Tourney of Stahleck 2024 (GOT World Championship) rundown https://thrones.tourneygrounds.com/tournaments/8691

Round 1 vs Markanp Banner of the Wolf (WIN)

Opening game against a super nice Canadian guy. The match was decided by Put to the Sword. Not much else to add.

Round 2 vs Dimi Banner of the Wolf (WIN)

Tough match-up. In the first round, he reset my board, killing three characters: I had to force Harrenhal on Forest Patrol (I had Great Ranging and Jon in hand), and he killed two characters with Bolton Flayer. In the second round, he killed Great Ranging with Roose Bolton. Bit by bit, I rebuilt the board and regained control. I then won the game with Outwit against his Valar.

Round 3 vs Chrisssie The Brotherhood Without Banners (WIN)

I ran into an old friend at the table, Chris. The last time we met at Stahleck, he was playing Stark and I was playing Night’s Watch. A tough match, but it was decided by Milk on Lady Stoneheart and later by Outwit against his reset. He also made the Top 16 with a great deck, well piloted.

Round 4 vs marti.farrera Trading with Qohor (LOSS)

A very good game, but I lost on time by 1-2 points. With one more plot, I would have won easily—he was left with Aegon and another small character, while I had a massive board plus The Wall. He also made the Top 32.

Round 5 vs Roberto Casas Fealty (WIN)

I faced a super nice Spanish guy, Roberto. A fairly straightforward game, decided by Put to the Sword played at the right moment.

Round 6 vs Francis Cote "The Rains of Castamere" (WIN)

Game against Francis, a new friend and an excellent player! Definitely one of the most challenging and enjoyable games of the entire tournament. A very cool deck, masterfully piloted. Craven and Milk were the MVPs. Francis went on to have an amazing tournament, finishing 5th! Well done mate!

Round 7 vs Anselme Assault from the Shadows (LOSS)

An impossible match-up against Anselme, whom I know to be the master of Baratheon Assault from the Shadows. In five rounds, I wasn’t allowed to make a single challenge (maybe just one). Black Cells in setup and Storm’s End on the first plot were a death sentence. Shadow Priestess and Melisandre sealed the deal. He also made the Top 32. Remember Anselme, you owe me a beer ;)

Round 8 vs Ermengol Coma The Many-Faced God (WIN) The most difficult game of this tournament. I think I played a perfect game, in particular I won by delaying Valar Morghulis by one turn than my opponent expected. From 14 powers to 1 for him, I then won the game. Very nice and interesting deck, good job man!

Top 32 BYE

Top 16 vs tomas.hrnciar Battle of the Trident (WIN) Uphill game with my opponent getting within a few powers of victory. Match decided by Pinch of Powder and Valar Morghulis at the right time. Kudos to my opponent for a great result with an original deck.

Top 8 vs Alex (France) Fealty (LOSS) I knew it was a very difficult match-up against a really strong player. Game lost already in setup with Alex setupping mono The Iron Throne calling Great Raging that I was going to play first turn (I had 2 in hand). I still try to get him in trouble but unfortunately I can't manage Raiding Longship in any way. My tournament ends here against one of the strongest players of the moment. I hope to have a rematch, maybe without Throne in setup ;)

The Deck

I chose this deck because I have been developing it for many months (as friends who have played with me on The Iron Throne will know) and because it is a granite deck. And I really like to draw cards ;) . For this tournament I included a surprise effect that no one (or almost anyone) expected in a Night's Watch Aloof: Put to the Sword. It turned out to be a great meta-call. However, I have already identified a couple of points of improvement after this tournament. Feel free to ask.

Final considerations

The absolute first thing I want to say is THANK YOU to all those people who are giving years of life to our favorite game. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, to the people who organize Stahleck, to the design team, to everyone who gives their time to allow us to have fun and good times together.

Another thank you to all my opponents, every game was yes competitive but always fair and fun. And I also apologize to all my opponents for my English level, I promise I will come more prepared next year.

Thank you to all old and new friends: returning to Stahleck and finding you is always an immense joy.

Finally, thank you to my fellow travelers and friends: TeoOo, Hagen, Khal Prono, hidasuka, Simone Serafini.

See you in Stahleck 2025!

Francesco Folladori (audioslavexxx)