Stark/Kraken Rush, Store Championship King of Swiss 2.0

• Versions
• 2.0

This is the deck I took to our local Store Championship, and went 4-0 in Swiss. Lost my first game in Top 8, apparently fulfilling the "curse of Swiss".

The deck is inspired by Thronerunner' deck here:

http://thronesdb.com/decklist/view/7542/thronerunner-episode-9-stark-kraken-always-attackin-1.0

and modified by doomnote's ideas:

http://thronesdb.com/decklist/view/7632/northern-salt-1.0

Plots are the closer to Thronerunner's choices.

Kept Calling the Banners over Trading with the Pentoshi

I didn't think Trading with the Pentoshi was needed. If I am trying to mantain control, and rush, I don't want to make it easier for my opponent to afford any board state. I also like the 6 Initiative on Calling the Banners to make sure you can go first to leverage Stealth, Intimidate and Ice.

Counting Coppers over Summons

With the removal of Gates of Winterfell, there is needed to be dependable draw. Counting Coppers is a must have in finding Bodyguard and Iron Mines, and dupes. Summons is just too little card draw.

Kept Valar Morghulis over Wildfire Assault

I want my opponent's board wiped. They may have dupes, but I want those dupes expended. Valar Morghulis has the potential to wipe the entire board, instead of Wildfire Assault leaving your opponents best 3 characters. Valar Morghulis just synergizes wih all the saves available, over Wildfire Assault.

+1 Ocean Road.

This is an awesome 1 of. With a very wipe heavy meta, character reducers don't stay on the board, or they get eaten for claim. Free Bodyguard when you need to marshal a character for all your gold. Free The Kingsroad, when you play out Counting Coppers. I believe I saw it in 2 out of my 4 games, and was happy to have the free limited economy.

- 1 Hodor. He's an easy card to cut. Cheap, but has limitations.

- 1 Arya Stark (Core). She dupes herself. You don't need to see duplicates. You could make the argument to go back up 3 so that you have the chance of keeping her Military icon.

- 1 Gates of Winterfell. Too inconsistent draw. See Counting Coppers.

+1 Jojen Reed. Stealth with Intrigue, power icons, as well as either draw or card denial to your opponent.

Kept Littlefinger over Syrio Forel

As much as I like the Stealth of Syrio, I feel like having another draw potential besides Counting Coppers is worth it. As well, the +1 Gold could mean the ability to play another Iron Mines or Bodyguard.

Didn't add in Fishing Net

I didn't feel like Fishing Net was worth the slots. I could see them being cards 61-62, but there are more important cards necessary to the rush strategy.

+2 Milk of the Poppy

This card is still required to deal with problem cards like Tyrion Lannister (Core), and Tywin Lannister (Core). If they stick to the board, the game is over. I chose Milk over Nightmares as it has the potential to stick for multiple rounds, vs just one phase.

-3 Put to the Sword, +2 Superior Claim Zero cost event that wins you the game faster. Yes please. Put to the Sword is to expensive sometimes. I could also see slotting in Put to the Torch to counter some strong location play: The Wall, The Arbor, and even economy choke.

Games Summary

Round 1: Targ/Fealty

He setup strong getting Daenerys Targaryen out early with Ser Jorah Mormont, dragon, and Viserys Targaryen (Core).

Without too many details, I Valar Morghulis turn 3 after using Ice to clear Danny's dupe. I had enough saves at the point where I had board state, and Targ without Danny.

Round 2: Greyjoy/Crossing

I started strong with Eddard Stark (WotN) and Victarion Greyjoy with saves. He had some board presence, but was flooded with locations. Came out ahead on Valar, and pushed through the victory. Ed + Vic = Win

Round 3: Lanni/Kraken

Coolest story of the tournament:

Lanni Setup: Tywin Lannister (Core), Dork, The Roseroad

My Setup: Eddard Stark (WotN) with a Dupe and a Bodyguard.

I Turn 1 Valar Morghulis. My thought was, if they had Marched to the Wall, then I was screwed with no opening, leaving Tywin Lannister (Core) to just win. With Valar, Tywin is dead, and Ed is still in play. It worked out for me. Milked Tyrion Lannister (Core) to prevent gold income, and The Hound recycling. Victarion Greyjoy showed up, and with Ed, won the game.

Round 4: Stark/Winter

This player is a local in the meta, and I knew his opening: Wraiths in Their Midst into Heads on Spikes. Get your reserve down, and try to snipe a character. I opened with A Noble Cause, and had to go down to three cards. My hand was Robb Stark (Core), Littlefinger, and Asha Greyjoy. He sniped Asha, and then I drew into her dupe. Oh well. I ended up have both her dupes in my hand for a while. Odd coincidence. It was sloggy game, but I saw all three Iron Mines, 2 Ice, and a lot of saves. This kept me going through both our Valars. I was able to take it with a top deck Jeyne Westerling to push Eddard Stark (WotN) and Robb Stark (Core) through Robb Stark (AtSK), who was his only Military icon left.

Round 5: Tyrell/Stark

Tyrell setup with The Arbor and Paxter Redwyne, and my setup was not all that inspiring. His setup was a theme, he got all the money. He opened with Trading with the Pentoshi, and I A Noble Cause. He eventually got Renly Baratheon (FFH), with saves, and Brienne of Tarth. I had to Valar to kill Brienne, and he Wildfire Assault at the same time. I had some save, but didn't see a single Iron Mines or Ice, which might have helped. After Valar, he had Renly with a Seal of the Hand, and Randyll Tarly with Margaery Tyrell, and Heartsbane. I could not crack through that, and he took the game.

Overall I enjoyed playing the deck. It has a gameplan, and you have to exploit it. Get board, stack saves, Valar, then rush Power.