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Core Set Cards

A Friendly Open review:

House Martell Banner of the Lion.

Goal:

Learn the basics of the game starting from the Core Set. We are reviewing decks that performed well, back in 2015, and why they were good back then. The idea is to help newer player understand the existent mechanics within a faction. Some of these mechanics are still strong today, many years later.

Themes:

Intrigue, Going Second, Long Game

The gameplan:

The main objective of the Martell player is to play as the second player and adjust its strategy. Having access to the Banner of the Lion to generate economy with Tyrion Lannister (Core)) and Lannisport Moneylender will help to play your events or play ambush cards.

• Going second: Palace Spearman will have 3 icons, playing Arianne Martell so she can't be Milked, Ghaston Grey, Sunspear (Core).
• Intrigue and Long game: Doran's Game (Core) as always been a threat in this game, especially with Doran Martell (Core) and The Red Viper (Core).

Setup:

Try to get a combination of the following in your starting hand:

• Tyrion Lannister (Core), Arianne Martell (Core), Greenblood Trader, Lannisport Moneylender, Ghaston Grey
• A combination of cards costing 6, 2 and 0
• A combination of cards costing 7, 1 and 0
• A combination of cards costing 5, 2, 1 and 0
• A combination of cards costing 3, 2 and 2
• The economy of the Core Set is limited, but having access to Lannisport Moneylender and Tyrion is excellent.

As in any deck, a starting hand with an economy card (limited locations, Blood Orange Grove, The Kingsroad, The Roseroad) is always advantageous. Optionally Littlefinger (Core), Lannisport Moneylender and Desert Scavenger are there to help. Note: Littlefinger (Core) would be better if used in marshalling for his draw ability.

Plots:

• If you have a Lord or a Lady in hand, open with A Noble Cause.
• If you already have great characters on setup, you may try to open with A Game of Thrones to win initiative, and go second player.
• The first turns are there for you to setup your deck's main game plan (think about draw with Greenblood Trader and then going into pushing the win with Doran's Game (Core).
• Keep going second player with Heads on Spikes turn 2 and 3.
• Filthy Accusations may also benefit you to protect yourself against challenges or kneel Greyjoy characters with stealth.
• Heads on Spikes will remove a card from your opponent's hand, which is always annoying. But if you're lucky, you might get a character. Go second.
• Sneak Attack will be for a big challenge with The Red Viper (Core). You can also go second player with Sneak Attack and defend the challenge and play Doran's Game (Core) on defence. Try to loose the challenge to trigger Sunspear (Core) so you can attack back with a challenge to get 3 claim.

Key cards:

• The Red Viper (Core) + Doran Martell (Core) + Doran's Game (Core)
• Arianne Martell (Core) + Areo Hotah (Core)
• Doran's Game (Core) on attack or on defence
• Tyrion Lannister (Core): can generate up to 4 gold per challenge phase. This is enough gold when you have Ambush cards or tricks in hand such as Tears of Lys, Put to the Sword, Widow's Wail.

We inspired ourselves with decks that performed well in 2015, original list made by "mikerebby". You can contact the Friendly Open on Discord where you'll find more advanced decks, discussion with other players and you'll find information on how to join our weekly tournaments. We hope this deck will help you learn more the basics of the game. Enjoy! :)