I think people's opinion of him will improve as time passes. Joust is a very strong mechanic. I thought he was garbage until I noticed he had a power icon. That could make him pretty scary late game.

That being said, it doesn't really feel like Gregor. We're talking about the poster boy of the deadly keyword here. AFAIK This is the only Gregor Clegane card out of 6(?) without the word kill or killed somewhere in the ability text.

Personally, I think that he's been deliberately pitched so as to be good without being a nutty auto-include.

Given Lannister's ongoing strength in joust, there would probably have been groans from the global meta if they were given a brand new atom-bomb unique (who, as there's no competing versions, would be pretty much an auto if he was above a certain power level).

As is, he's decent alone (and I really do think that he'll win more challenges as a 4-Str jouster than people think - which means that he could singlehandedly give Lannister a meaningful presence in Military challenges) and has plenty of combo-opportunities. The obvious combo being 'Writ Small', which makes him deadly, kills the lone defender, then leaves you with a 6-Str jouster that your opponent will have serious problems preventing form auto-winning a challenge a turn.

In short: I like him. He's not the mega-nedly slaughtering machine that we perhaps wanted, but he's a very healthy addition to the overall meta who probably isn't about to kick off (yet another) Restricted List discussion within seven minutes of him hitting a tournament..

LoneWanderer said:

Great Post

@Saturnine: I was talking about his "kill" effect. Yeah I realize there are lots of "cannot be saved" effects (bitter crone, wildfire, etc), but AFAIK the "cannot be saved" is a rather new for a targeted claim effect.

@Starblayde: I think double-deadly would have been an interesting choice as well. If he were any more powerful, though, he'd have to be 5-cost - making him difficult to slot for most people I would imagine. I think he is pushing the 4-cost limit already. (Not saying that a "double deadly" would push him to 5-cost, especially as that could be a very situational benefit).

Zordren said:

I don't understand. There's nothing targeted about him.

So if you give Ser Gregor I'm You Writ Small does he become The Grassy Knoll That Rides?

Zordren said:

I'm not sure what you mean by double-deadly. It doesn't matter the number of any particular keyword (deadly, renown, etc.) is written on the character, what matters is the number of characters with a particular keyword. A "Deadly. Deadly." character would still only count once in terms of determining killing for deadly. It would have to be an effect such as "Ser Gregor Clegane counts as two characters with deadly." Which is a little OP imo.

Danigral said:

I mean in the same manner as Robert Baratheon (Core) has "When Robert Baratheon claims power for renown, he claims an additional power." I'd shorthand that as 'Double-Renown', so 'Double-Deadly' follows in the same way. Counting him as two characters with deadly would be, I feel, perfect. Completely overpowered, of course, but let's face it, the Mountain is overpowered in the fluff! And he would, then, have to be five cost, as only Lannisters could afford him

indeed.

As said before, a 6STR/deadly/joust/no save attacking character is something you have to deal with ><

(8STR if IYWS played during Power of arms)

Not to say that War crest strategy is something House Lannister is known for, but Lions of the Rock has still good surprises I guess..

Typical spoiled Lannister nonsesne. The Seven forbid one of their many baby killing, murderous charcters isn't an OP bomb. Heavens no!

Stag Lord said:

That made my day!

LoneWanderer said:

~I think you have Lannister confused with Martell...

Seriously though, he isn't a bad card - as I said Joust is a really good ability, and I think FFG is toning down the Joust cards since that keyword can be really good. I just wish he had Deadly

Stag Lord said:

You be quiet! You know if this was the first version spoiled of some great Bara character, you would be the one posting 'nonsence'.

rings said:

Haha! Or maybe in honor of Stag Lord, Ser Amory Lorch will make a return in the lannister box. Alongside the new House Brax Enforcer with double renown of course.

Rave said:

Hahahaha, I might literally crap myself upon seeing Stag Lord's reaction to a returned Amory Lorch! Bwahahahahaha.

Hurricane Irene would pale in comparison to teh amount of hot air I would spew in rage and frustration if that Lorch card that bettered Stannis' ability EVER comes back.

BTW - i am certainly battening down the hatches here at Storm's End in advance of Irene IRL. Good luck to all my firneds on this East Coast who may be affected by this gale. Be smart and stay safe.

Stag Lord said:

All my friends and family are freaking out, am i completely unprepared? I have beer and whiskey and that makes me feel prepared enough for some rain

Saturnine said:

OK, sorry for the confusion - maybe should have said "focused" or "specific" claim effect. Whereas stuff like crone and wildfire has a universal effect for "cannot be saved" (even affecting you), this ability of the Mountain specifically applies to a military claim payed by your opponent for a military challenge you have won.

Bottom line (regardless of my poor ability to explain) - I think this is a unique ability and I find it interesting/useful/cool.

Zordren said:

You're leaving out a lot of scenarios. There's plenty of other kill effects that can occur during a challenge in which is he participating (which could hit your opponents' characters or yours, or both), and it doesn't matter whether he's attacking or defending. So I still don't see him as "targeted" or "focused." I don't want to say you're wrong; I just don't see him that way.

One of the standard Stark Strategies during the VED <-> ITE block was to attack with brienne then play Arya's Revenge. And... then raise the claim to 2 with King Robb. And then as a result of killing the defender... winning the military challenge, playing swing the sword for a fourth kill.

All protected from cancel's/save's by brienne.

And with all the saves in the environment having a save cancel is powerful. It single-handedly owns Greyjoy. And does a number on my deck since it relies more on saves then weenie protection.