I really like the cards in the second preview. It's nice to see things like the new Euron and The Sparr. The Seastone Chair is the kind of clunky utility card that I would like to mess around with, but there haven't been enough Greyjoy nobles to support it yet.

I love the reintroduction of Joust in a set with a melee focus. Going to back to my post above, Joust is one good solution to making sure things keep happening in melee instead of stalling out.

Arya's ability seems nice. I am interested to see what other abilities we get that can strongly affect multiple melee opponents at once.

Joust looks to be just as good as it used to be (well, no Training Grounds for each house that really broke the mechanic - at least for Bara and Lanni).

Melee looks interesting, but the only two spoiled cards are tough to see. A 3/1 is always tough. A 3/2 is already a negative with so much 2-strength hate, plus it has it's own 'swing' mechanic which can be awesome or horrible. I usually don't like those type of cards.

Still very excited for the direction of the packs though!

Agreed with rings - Joust looks incredible and I think the new characters look like a lot of fun. i am very excited about this cycle - will be great when it starst rolling out.

rings said:

You don't like Aerys Oakheart or KL Varys?

lol. +1 Kennon.

I'm totally stoked. The "focus" on melee I'm willing to bet is not too big. I mean they couldn't possibly make every card melee-centric. If even 15% of the cards are melee-centric that would be extremely awesome. I do love melee, but playing it in tournaments you do occasionally see people enter into a game with a pre-established alliance. If I can mess that up with cards, or force an alliance on someone (even in only a limited fashion) it lets me and my cards control the situation. I'm a fan.

Kennon said:

I love Aerys since it is optional (and he is a knight, and has renown, etc., etc.). Varys isn't making as many builds after Dissension came out.

schrecklich said:

I agree, although I think Euron does a good job of straddling the line. Mill isn't a great strategy in Melee. Most of the cards do not hit all opponents, so you're unlikely to deck anyone, and if you're proceeding too quickly, you'll likely get ganged up on.

I would very much like to see some encouragement to clash, and to attack stronger players. Or at least to dissuade farming the weakest. I"m happy to play in a meta where I can be all sorts of rambunctious and instigation-y. Turtling be lame... and my group is controllish enough that even when you "expose yourself" your safe due to mutual fear. >