I am starting a new thread because the other kubla thread is already multiple pages long.

Here is the Joust house/agenda breakdown.

Targ: 9 (Average Place: 19.5)
Lanny: 6 (Average Place: 8.8)
Martell: 6 Average Place: 14.1)
Stark: 5 (Average Place: 15.2)
Greyjoy: 2 (Average Place: 16.5)
Bara: 2 (Average Place: 21)

Targ was the most prevalent, but Lannister was clealy the most successful with 5 of the 6 Lanny players taking top 10 out of 30.

JOUST

Quarters
Joey def. Alex
Greg def. Dan
Lucas def. Ram
John B def. Matt L.

Semis
John B. def. Joey
Lucas def. Greg

Finals
John B. def. Lucas

Rank PLAYERS H/A Swiss Record: W-Mw-T-L

1 John Bruno H: Lannister , A: n/a 4-0-0-1
2 Lucas Sydlaske H: Stark , A: n/a 3-1-0-1
3 Joey Kreins H: Martell , A: KoS 5-0-0-0
4 Greg Atkinson H: Targaryen , A: KoS 3-0-0-2
5 Daniel Machado H: Martell , A: KoS 4-0-0-1
6 Ram DeLeon H: Lannister , A: Maester 4-0-0-1
7 Matthew Ley H: Lannister , A: Knights 4-0-0-1
8 Alex Esposito H: Lannister , A: Maester 3-0-0-2
9 Eric Prescott H: Stark , A: Siege 3-0-0-2
10 John Deatrick H: Lannister , A: n/a 3-0-0-2
11 Jesse Mariona H: Stark , A: North 3-0-0-2
12 Kevin Yin H: Baratheon , A: Knights 3-0-0-2
13 Jeff Lebow H: Martell , A: Knights 3-0-0-2
14 Ryan Jones H: Martell , A: KoS 3-0-0-2
15 Rich Johnson H: Targaryen , A: KoS 2-0-0-3
16 Brooks MItchell H: Greyjoy , A: Alliance 2-0-0-3
17 Ben Tully H: Greyjoy , A: KoW 2-0-0-3
18 James Speck H: Targaryen , A: KoS 2-0-0-3
19 James Kelly H: Targaryen , A: KoS 2-0-0-3
20 Garrett Kiesz H: Targaryen , A: KoS 2-0-0-3
21 Jeff Yin H: Lannister , A: Knights 2-0-0-3
22 Chris Patzner H: Martell , A: KoHH 2-0-0-3
23 Eric Wood H: Targaryen , A: n/a 1-1-0-3
24 John Kraus H: Targaryen , A: n/a 1-1-0-3
25 Margo Franks H: Stark , A: n/a 1-0-0-4
26 Jessica Thomas H: Targaryen , A: Heir 1-0-0-4
27 Jen Wolchick H: Targaryen , A: Heir 1-0-0-4
28 Ronnie Rivas H: Martell , A: Brotherhood 1-0-0-4
29 Matt Rogers H: Stark , A: Siege 1-0-0-4
30 Dave Schwartz H: Baratheon , A: n/a 0-0-0-5

Wow, interesting thanks!

EDIT: Looking at this again, and combined with earlier regionals results, I'd say Targ remains a tier-2 house, at best. So far we've had only 3-4 Targ decks place in the top 4 this regionals season, and none in the top 2 (I think). There have also been a number of very skilled players run Targ (in other words, this isn't just a question of the deck vs. driver). All that despite the obvious boost in popularity from the box.

In fact, it seems to me the only other house with this sort of consistently low performance is GJ...though to be fair, there really hasn't been enough Bara to say for certain exactly where it comes down (statistically, it's outperforming Targ though).

I think the post regionals stats will be pretty interesting. I know it's still early, but my guess is that for joust it will be (1) Martell, (2) Lanni, (3) Stark, (4) Bara, (5) GJ, and (6) Targ.

Wow, sick. Lanni is definitely not dead.

Twn2dn said:

I agree. The only person who played Targ with any success was Dobbler, and his deck was creative as hell.

Edit: Also, I clearly must have missed Joey's already-created Regional report thread here: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_foros_discusion.asp?efid=16&efcid=4&efidt=499256

Twn2dn said:

I agree - though I think Targ will perform well this summer and be a factor at GenCon. Tehy are hard to grok - but people will gain familiarity over the next two months and teh maester cycle looks to eb very good for them. They don't even need to run the Summer agenda to have some serious draw power these days - i put together a Targ deck over the weekend that can get the engien rolling pretty reliably

Wow, i'm shocked to see how many Targ there was. It seems like there was so many more Lannister but I guess I just ran into a lot of them. Also kind of a nice accomplishment noticing that the worst any of my opponents from the swiss rounds finished was 11th.

Here is my report of the Melee tournament I won.

I think we had 16-20 players, but I don't have the breakdown yet.

House: Greyjoy
Agenda: KOTHH

Plots: (7)
Feast or Famine
Valar
Rise of the Kraken
Fury of the Kraken
Spending the Winter Stores
At the Gates
Condemned by the Realm

Characters: (25)
3x Euron Crow’s Eye (GJ Set)
3x Wendamyr
2x Balon (GJ Set)
1x Wex Pyke
2x Salt Wife
1x Alannys Greyjoy
1x Victarion
1x Dagmer Cleftjaw
3x Refugee
3x Ancient Mariner
1x Asha
1x Nute the Barber
3x Pirates of Orkmont

Locations: (23)
3x Refurbished Hulk
2x Bloody Keep
2x Iron Island Fiefdoms
3x Scouting Vessel
1x Longship Iron Victory
3x Naval Escort
3x Sunset Sea
1x Longship Foamdrinker
3x Iron Mines
2x River Blockade

Attachments: (7)
2x Support of Harlaw
3x Pulled Under
2x Fishing Net

Events: (5)
3x Risen from the Sea
2x Ahead of the Tide

The core concept of this deck revolved around saves, warships, winning initiative and unopposed challenges. Pretty typical for Greyjoy, right? I sacrificed a quick start each game by playing KotHH, but that agenda proved to be invaluable. My initial plan each game was to get a solid save mechanic into play.

Plots were potentially the scariest thing for my deck (3 in particular). I knew Fear of Winter is catastrophic for my agenda, but with the restricted list, it didn’t see much play. Blockade was also a concern. I couldn’t afford to get hit with blockade first turn, so I think I dropped Feast or Famine first round every single game but one. Once, I played Condemned by the realm first first because one of the starks flopped a Robb and I felt pretty confident none of the decks were running those plots. The third plot I was afraid of was fleeing to the wall. With 23 locations, that is always a concern. I think I got hit by this once in 4 games, but I only lost 3 reducers if I recall.

I usually followed up second turn with either At the Gates or Fury of the Kraken. This was the phase I needed to complete my save mechanic and set up my location machine. At this point in the game, I had no power on my house, so I was not a target for power challenges. I had a save mechanic in place so I was not a target for military challenges. As a result, I tried to get the redirect whenever possible to try and avoid intrigue as well.

Third turn was usually valar or spending the winter stores. If I could clear the board (except for my characters) I would valar. If they had a fat bob or beric or something scary in play with a dupe, I would search for a pulled under and then valar the next turn.

Fourth/5th turn (Post valar) was Rise of the kraken for the win (assuming I had at least 6-7 power at this point). Usually with a combination of winning dominance, or having power on balon and/or victarion plus 3 unopposed challenges with valar out, I was typically in striking distance to win at this point. Rise of the kraken plus scouting vessels, stealth on every character because of euron, and either a pumpable intimidate character or Balon in play made 3 unopposed fairly easy. 2 power, plus 6 unopposed netted at least 8 this turn, and won me the game 3 of 4 times.

Notes:

• Yes. Ahead of the tide wins games. (Twice for me, in fact). I took out another player’s hand when they played Taken by Surprise TWICE as well.
• Pulled under is underrated in my opinion, especially with Spending the winter stores. I had to drop two of them on a Beric in the 2nd game to get rid of him. Having this at your disposal whenever you need it is amazing.
• Condemned by the realm first turn plus KOTHH is sexy.
• Many of you are thinking “Why did he run so many locations?” Well. Kneel 7 warships to give 7 characters +7 is just too cool. In the future, people might not fall for the tricks my deck had in place, but it was very effective this weekend.

Game 1:
Eric Prescott (Stark Siege)
Jennifer Lebow (Greyjoy Mill)
(I can’t remember who the 3rd player was)

This was a relatively tough game, but I flew under the radar for the first half of the game (thanks in part by FoW and blockade turn 1 and 2 by Eric). I amassed like 15 locations and powered through to win.

Game 2:
Matt Rogers (Stark Siege)
Margo Franks (Stark Wolves)
Greg Atkinson (Lannister Beric Maesters)

Two Starks was a pain in the neck, but I never felt like they were the real threat. Greg got Beric out early with 2 maesters links, a devious intentions, a head of a dwarf and a dupe. He didn’t threaten early, but when he got the trait manipulation link +carrion bird combo going, I knew Beric had to die. I played a pulled under on 2nd turn, but he used ill tidings to discard the attachment (I was previously unaware of this card). I baited a second ill tidings with a fishing net on beric, and sealed the deal a couple turns later with 2 more pulled unders on Beric just in case. I am sure Greg regrets choosing me for Spending the Winter stores. Unfortunately, I spent too many resources on Greg, and Matt ended up taking the table. I took 2nd and Margo took 3rd.

Game 3:
Jennifer Lebow (Greyjoy Mill)
John Kraus (Stark Siege)
Alex Esposito (Greyjoy Maesters)

Now, I know John was playing siege of winterfell, but it was the 3 GJ decks who were laying the siege down on the hometown of the Starks.
Jenn never really threatened this game, taking last place, but she definitely affected the outcome. A milk of the poppy on Alex and my Wendamyr was much more fatal to Alex, however. She kept the other 2 players in check (Especially John).
I won this table, John took 2nd, and Alex third.

Final Table:
Daniel Machado (Lannister)
Lucas Sydlaske (Bara Knights)
Matt Rogers (Stark Siege)

This was easily the most fun and competitive table all day. The table talk was intense, and there were SO many hard decisions to be made.

Matt got off to a super fast head start thanks in part by Dan giving him a Condemned by the Realm to use on Lucas first turn. I flew under the radar as usual, but I wasn’t fooling anyone this game. Two Frozen Solids on two Scouting Vessels by Matt hurt me pretty bad. I couldn’t draw the location beasts I needed to really run away with it.

Lucas and Matt both threatened pretty hardcore on turns 2 and 3. I think they both had 8-10 power at the end of the 2nd turn. Matt bluffed his Power of Blood to save Eddard, but I called him on it and valared early to stop the power rush. The following turn, Lucas played An Empty Throne, and had a bastard, Edric storm, and a Robert (I think) with banner vigilance on him. Matt was still at like 9-10 power at this point, and I went first. Danny and Lucas were trying to get me to kneel out at Matt to stop him, but I thought otherwise. Lucas had three power challenges (potentially) and he supported Matt.
Danny had no power on his house, so I saw myself as the obvious target for Luke. I barely avoided a bullet on this one. I stole a power from Matt and passed turn. Lucas attempted to hit Danny for the unopposed and renown, and I redirected it to myself and won. Lucas played Distinct Mastery but Danny countered with You Killed the Wrong Dwarf and Lucas was done. Danny did just enough to stop Matt from winning he game later that turn and the game continued.

Point of note: On one of the turns before Matt hit me with his second frozen solid, Danny and Lucas were conspiring to discard my euron by turning him into a raven and having Danny win a challenge with his carrion bird. I thought I was done for. Danny turned him into a raven, and lucas sent a 1 strength military challenge at Danny. Danny blocked with carrion bird plus the Military title for a total of 4. I almost gave up hope, but at the last minute realized I had a scouting vessel available and used it on Lucas' character so it went through on Danny unopposed. (Phew)

The next turn, I played Rise of the Kraken (I was 8 power from winning) and Matt played Taken by surprised. I believe it was Luke who said “That’s game for Matt” but Matt knew better, and pointed to my hand. I played ahead of the tide for the second time this tournament which resulted in Matt discarding his hand and me going first. I had to figure out who I needed to attack with no scouting vessels or intimidate to speak of. I sent a power challenge at luke with a unpumped balon stealthing his one character with 3+ strength. Balon bypassed the other 3 and I was 5 power closer to winning. An unopposed intrigue at Matt and a military at Lucas sealed the deal.

I took the Melee, Matt took 2nd, Lucas 3rd, and Danny 4th. It got heated, intense, and was a very close game, but loved playing with all of them as usual. I am glad John Bruno gave me the opportunity to wint he tournament by sitting this one out (haha).

Please comment and critique this! I know I had some unusual choices, and I would love to answer any questions out there.

Very nice TR, Fieras. Looks like you made some really good card choices and play decisions. Thanks for posting this!

Great report Fieras. It seems that GJ is still a great way to go for melee. Did you ever have a hard time with only 25 characters? Even with saves, I wouldn't think you'd ever have enough characters on the board.

Risen from the Sea x3
Iron Mines x3
Duplicates x5
Maester Wendamyr x3
Salt Wife x3

Maester Wendamyr could save himself plus another character every turn at the very least, plus himself multiple times in a turn. 2 influence from the agenda is an automatic extra save, plus I took the hand title a few times, and I had some influence providing locations.

The short answer is no. I had no trouble keeping characters alive.

I think the worst that happened was Wendamyr got Milked one time (but didn't die). I took full advantage of titles, saves, and most importantly, looking like a non-threat until it was too late.

I know you have a lot of saves. I meant that drawing into characters seems like it would be inconsistent.

Great right up Fieras! I'm pretty proud of my 15th place finish given my short time playing. It was fun coming out and seeing players from other players. I wish I could have stayed for the chosen few and melee on Sunday.

I didn't make the 8 in the joust, and I got crushed in the draft. However, once Sunday hit, I went undefeated. Won the Melee, the Warhammer regional, and various other drinking games later that night

I still regret not getting "I made the 8" shirts for the top 8 in the joust.

Danigral said:

All I need is wendamyr. The others can wait. I agree, starting hand is hugely important in a KOTHH deck. I took master of laws whenever possible, and I guess I got lucky? Drew into Euron almost every game.

A big congratulations Fieras... I've still got a lot to learn about Melee. I'm simply to obvious in my machinations to be sly. :/

I'm intrigued to contrast the decks you and Kennon played... I'm wondering if this will be enough to convince people not to play "Taken By Surprise" in multiplayer. I lost a 3rd round game at ChiCon 3 to the eventual champion, the Shiek, when we both played that plot in our Eyrie decks. So much pain to lose a game on the roll of a d20. But at least I have the memory.

Kudos again on the great play as well.

Maester_LUke said:

Thanks! Melee is a different beast. I don't claim to be a master at it, but I certainly have more experience in it than in joust. My old play group in Chico only plays melee, so until about a month or two ago, that was the only format I played outside of conventions.

I think the key to melee is making it look like you aren't going to win - and then winning. You need to have some sort of trick or mechanic to burst to 15 at the last moment. In greyjoy's case, it's Rise of the Kraken and unopposed. Other houses can do it with Renown, Make an Example etc. Its pretty hard to win a melee with just regular unopposed and power claim. (Although some decks can do it).

Taken by surprise is a great card. However, I'd only run it in a deck that has extra bumps of initiative. I didn't run it in my greyjoy deck, because I've had no problem up to this point in winning initiative when I need to. If I had room for bay of ice in the deck, I think I might have included it.

I feel like the deck, and Greyjoy in general, synergizes really well. Saves make me less of a target, and keep my important characters on the board. Warship pumps plus intimidate is golden. Also, winning initiative is the key to winning melee. I don't know how many games I've played where the winner was determined based on who won initiative on the final turn. I had a blast playing with everyone. The last table got really intense, and I barely got away with the win.

Let me just say, Fieras, I was commenting to people while you were playing the final table about what a sweet talker you are during melee. You have an amazing ability to convince people that another player is more of a threat.

There were times when you had more power, and still convinced another player that someone else was the bigger threat... and they listened to you. It was pretty fun to watch.

Deathjester26 said:

One of my friends in my AGOT group is the same. He really knows how to manipulate people into making plays that benefit him, it's amazing and annoying at the same time

Deathjester26 said:

Haha. Thats about the highest compliment you can pay me. My meta in Chico can attest that diplomacy was never my strong suit. I guess I've come a long way.