I was intending originally to write a huge series of posts a while back making predictions for this GenCon. However, I also test with the best semi-regularly, and didn't want to give away anything they'd come up with, and indeed I thought the 4th CP was going to be available when I originally started writing said articles, and now that it's gone, it's rather pointless.

So now that it's here, for those of us stranded in a desolate wasteland, what are your predictions (without giving anything away)?

My prediction is that some variant of Martell Summer will be two out of the final four decks. For the other two decks, I'm guessing out loud here, but I suspect there is a Lannister deck (maesters, most likely) that will have a good shot, and believe it or not, a Baratheon deck. This isn't entirely from my testing experience - just a gut instinct.

I'm thinking that Greyjoy and Targ aren't going to do so hot this year in joust. If Baelor Blacktyde was available, I would have chosen them for first place this year, but no. In melee, I think Greyjoy and Targ are pretty creamy, though. Heir to the Iron Throne seems to be untested in melee (to my knowledge), and I think that with enough claim 2 plots, a Targ deck could really screw people up with its ability to rush faster than any other house.

What are your thoughts?

Baratheon still rushes faster than targ in all situations, even with that agenda. (At least on a more consistent basis).

I think we will see a ton of maester variants. I expect at least 2-3 in the top 8.

I think GJ will be a top house this tourney. I think probably 2 in the top 8.

Less people will be playing martell, because winter will be prevalent.

There will be a handful of alliance decks as well. How well they will do, I have no idea.

Targaryen Dragons will win Melee

A Maester and/or Martell deck will win Joust

Unless there's some kind of secret Targ sauce with dragons, it's unlikely that they'll win melee. They a) get picked on a lot because they can be so good, but b) the major melee player (GJ) has a direct counter to them, making them far, far harder to use. I'm talking the Horn of Dragons, of course.

I have no rational explanation, but I somehow feel a Targ deck will win the joust. Really not sure about melee -- Greyjoy is a strong contender, but again, my gut tells me it'll be another, more unlikely house, mayhaps a crazy Lanni deck.

I think a Stark Maester deck will be in the top 4, though just a guess.

I don't see summer martell winning, but I would say it will have some place in the top as its run alot. Lannister might do well, but they still have the freshness issue where you are mostly running the same deck you ran few years ago... I can easily see stark getting far or even winning with a search deck (you can build very solid deck that pretty much runs itself and is pain for opponent). Also GJ might have a chance this time in joust aswell.

For Melee I would guess Targ or GJ, but in melee there is alot more surprise potential than in joust, it will be interesting

Joust : Martell Maester

Melee: Lannister Maester

Joust : Martell Maester

Melee: Lannister Maester

Targ Maester will win Joust because because it has better attachment control than anything else, and will win all the mirror (Maester v Maester) because of it. Plus targ packs the heat, it just needs a lot more attention to detail and isn't easy on you if you make a mistake.

Melee I think is more about the player skill and the table setups, and less about the builds. So we know its not going to be Darryl. That being said, it won't be trait manipulation with the attachment killing chain to get rid of those horns and junk. I think it will be Bara, because Estermont + Devious Intentions = winning.

Also, any Targ deck running Battle of Astapor in melee in this environment is going to be able to shift the board like nothing we have ever seen. It can strip that board away like paint thinner takes off the tar on a railway tie.