Alright, I think we have all seen that Targ is still a force to be reckoned with. Although it hasn't had a very strong showing lately, it has consistently been placing among the top decks in tournaments.

Given the current environment, what build do you consider the strongest out of Targ right now? I've seen Targ Wildlings and Targ burn, but haven't actually had a chance to use them, but would like to.

My second question is, do you expect Targ to have a large showing at GenCon, given the regionals results?

We didn't see a whole lot of Targ builds at the West Coast Regionals, I would be curious to see a decklist of some of these builds running around out there.

phoenixember said:

I would love to see the lists of those Targ decks that popped up in top 8 lately.

The none wildling one is a little weenielicious and can use shadows for draw (king's landing) and better burn (Dragon Pit) plus the city plots for a little spot control.

Sounds exactly like a deck I couldn't make. I primarily play Bara. They are pretty straightforward. Get power. Lots of it.

Targ seems like they don't have as much of a singular idea to building them.

Anybody think that Targ can hold their own in a melee ? With Martell's Viper, Tully/Riverrun, and Baratheon rush being prevalent how do the Targs compete? Can they possibly claim power quickly enough and keep it to defeat these decks consistently, or would any win be a bit of a fluke?

I'm going to give it a try, but any suggestions about 'essential' cards/combos would be very welcome right now. What theme(s) should a melee Targ deck be going for that will help them to win?

I think its rteaher tough on Targ in melee. Targ lacks closers - their big hitters don't help you close the game out - they just add to control themes (Drogon, new Khal) or add chroms (Rhaegar, some of the armies). You might need to add in neutral renown to finish things (Jon Nsow? Arthur Dayne? Jon arryn?) You probably DO want to build some version of teh DC Targ/wildling build - because although I'm not sold on its draw ability and finitesqaure wan't nuts about the icon spread, it ceratinly does have the mid range threat characters and some muscle to slow things up until they can get the board.

As for Joust deck - damned if I know. I'm waiitng for tehir stadn alone box which i'm betting will ahve a nice dothraki theme. meanwhile i think i'm going to see if I cna piece together something with dragons and maybe stealth/deadly to see if you can do an unopposed kind of thing - without wildlings. Superiro Claim an Make and Example might let you close things out - and maybe Balerion as a finisher? Dunno - its all theorteical at the moment, but I think that's where I'm going to go.

They are always a wild card it seems (other than year #2 when they were probably the favorite). Luke came out of nowhere really his year. I think these decks (in NYC) are taking people by surprise as well.

One of my friends in my meta has build a Targ - War deck. He didnt win the last tournament with it but didnt go bad eighter. It just had some flaws to make it run the way you need it. Basicly it was a dekc with a high STR characters due to Daemon giving WAR cres to everyone, and Randyl and Power of Arms giving everyone +3 STR. Also the summer Army that stands up after event is played was very good pumped up and could attack or defend multiple times when you had enough Forevers on your hand. He also used some light Burning like flame kiss with forevers. Also the new Khal drogo pumped up was a beast. The only problem he had with this deck was when the opponent made it winter and he could not draw more then 1 card each round and thus not been able to get his combos.

Man, all this talk really makes me want to try a Targ deck next....

Rozy said:

That's not a bad thought. If he is committed to the summer thing - he really needs to devote space to dany'chambers and Raven recursion. With the new kill event and Price of War - there is certianly some war crest tech out there worth including....

Its a mid rnage deck though - a little control, kinda character based...probably not eonugh control for a lock, porbably not enough speed to close quickly....again - a good thought but needs to focus on soem sort of unopposed etch to really power through, i suspect. Targ War Crests.....hmmm.

Targ Melee if you are going to have influence run Poisoned Wine x2-3. Bouncing those around prevents your opponents from being able to beat you in a challenge without over-committing to the point where they leave themselves open to the rest of the table. It is also a relatively easy way to keep someone from getting to far ahead from the pack weakening their best characters with renown/stealth/deadly.

Staglord is correct in them really needing a way to close out the game. Power grab events and renown are probably the best way to do it unless you get enough burn and neutering attachments (or just Balerion) that you can make one opponent completely unable to oppose your attacks and can power farm with a claim two plot out... and even then it won't be easy.

Stag Lord said:

Yeah, he run Price of War 3x and by that time there was no Die by Sword up yet. He also had Dany chambers x2 but sometimes it did not come. I think he won 3 out of 5 games and didnt make it in the top 4 (finished 5-6 i think). One he lost due to not beeing able to keep Summer and one to tricky martell when he was not able to discard the taste of Blood 3x. But the deck was pretty much able to win any challenge he wanted with so many STR and also lowering opponents str it was quite easy. And believe me it is not fun to play agains 5 STR refugees.

I know the build. Thing is (like you said) losing that extra card for the Season KILLS you. Just kills you.

Its the single most important problem for that deck to solve.

Finding a way to be able to roll with Targ, and not have it be summer solves that problem.

Of course that provides a new problem: How do you do that? lol

Yeah, Jeppedo's done that Targ WAR crest build as well. It's some pretty fun stuff and surprisingly solid if not revolutionary. The addition of Dragon Sight though gives you some pretty wicked Challenge math tricks that the WAR crest strength boosts (and self standers like that army) only serve to make all the more confusing.

Kennon said:

Playing Dragon Sight would make me feel dirty afterwards.

Kennon said:

Confusion to mine enemies...

There are certain cards and tactics whose worth exceeds just the ability of the card but comes from the ability to throw your opponents off their game. Dragon sight definitely is one of these cards.