Old version dragons, I mean dragons in core set. New version dragons, I mean those those in Queen of Dragons expansion pack. Does anyone still using old versions? I read new versions and I think they're much more powerful than old versions. Is that because the designers think old versions are too weak?

ktei2008 said:

Overall, the new dragons fit better in a Targaryen deck than the old ones. The effects of the earlier ones cost gold, which Targ often doesn't have a whole lot of, while the new ones have Ambush, and all Targ decks need to have lots of Influence anyway.

Looked at individually, the new Viserion is a lot better than the old one, which is, frankly, crap.

The old Drogon is better, but I still think many players will pick the new version. With Dragon Lore, the old one might see some more play. Play him for free, then use the money you saved for putting terminal effects on two characters, then Hatchling's Feast them - sweet.

The old Rhaegal is pretty boss, I'm not surprised when I see him in a Dragon deck instead of the old one.

Ratatoskr said:

Old Drogon is limit once per phase. And I assume you meant to say " new Rhaegal is pretty boss."

Saturnine said:

Dammit, you're right. In that case, yeah, the new one is better.

Saturnine said:

Nope, that part is right. What I wanted to write is this:

The old Rhaegal is pretty boss, I'm not surprised when I see him in a Dragon deck instead of the new one.

Ratatoskr said:

Huh. I don't think I'd ever run the old one again. Different strokes, I suppose ... *shrug*

I find the it interesting to see the old Rhaegal be preferable over the new one, considering the old Rhaegal only allows you to get its duplicates out quickly as it's only ability. The new one not only has Ambush but basically makes all dragons renown if they are the only characters participating. I guess it's a difference of playing aggressively or playing conservatively.

The trouble with the dragons is they instantly become the biggest target for all the control your opponents have. Old Rhaegal gives you some guaranteed protection for a turn or two at least and get some use out of any Dragon support cards you have.

I think I would still lean towards using new Rhaegal in any dragon deck though.

Alando said:

In my experience, if you're playing a Dragon deck, your biggest worry is usually keeping Dany in play. And the new Rhaegal (ideally) helps you rush to victory before your opponent has the control answers he needs whereas the old one doesn't really do much for you. And if I'm playing a non-dragon deck, I'm not likely to play any dragons, old or new (except for Brotherhood Black Hatchling).

Alando said:

Hence having 2-3 Meereen and 3 Dance with Dragons in a Dragon deck is mandatory.

Ratatoskr said:

Its been my experience that no one really cares if they see a Dragon on the table. Its just another big character and the new ones have better cost acceleration due to Ambush. Daenerys on the other hand is loathed and always attracts a great deal of attention. Generally, I find if people want to slow a Dragon deck down they'll play temporary effects on the Dragons and permanent removal effects on Dany. Duplication on the Dragon's is rarely helpful. One re-occurring instance is Valar. Even then the new Rhaegal comes out easier because of Ambush and can usefully be used even with 0 claim via his response.

Do people also run hatchlings in dragon decks ?

I can see going either way with Rhaegal really. Play the old one and you could maybe even pull out the Dance with Dragons for The Dragon Strike's and know for sure that you have at least one dragon will make it thru the Valar. Besides with old Rhaegal we can put three copies of that Tully card in and have 5 dupes now instead of 2. Or play the new and just try to go that much faster.

I find looking at cards that as much as I like it I can rarely fit in The Dragon Strikes unless I pull Dance with Dragons otherwise I feel I have too many 1 influence events. Playing Old Rhaegal lets me shift those. Just depends on what your primary concerns are I guess. Speed? Or stability?

I don't know about other people but the only hatchling I tend to run is 1-2 copies of the tricon Black Hatchling. Remember if you run the shadow hatchlings that once out of shadows you can play a dupe of the shadow hatchling to the hatchling, but if you want to play a hatchling onto a Adult dragon you still have to pay to play into shadows and then pull out of shadows. Unless you are specifically trying to say build a Dragon City of Shadows deck I find that to not be worth the effort or cost.

Isn't Dragon Strike kinda redundant ?

New Dragons have stealth built in, deadly + intrigue icon can be gained from location, and renown comes from second location if you want it.

If you were to cut any locations from a dragon deck though, those 2 would be the first to go probably. Or maybe you have them but don't have them out yet. And more to the point deadly unsuspected is far, far better than deadly your opponent can see coming, especially in a challenge type other than military. I'm You Writ Small should have taught us all that. Along the same lines if your opponent isn't expecting the renown and it can close a game for you they may overextend themselves making plays they might not otherwise had they realized that you were able to run it if you could just get those last couple power.

This has always been the strength of events vs repeatable cards on the table. They may not be reusable but sometimes the value of surprise is more effective.

Plus, the renown location only buffs one dragon. Where as if you're rolling you generally have 2-3 out with Dany, in which case the Dragon Strike is very good.

I only play melee so I don't know about joust but the old Rhaegal is imho better in a non-dragon deck due to the fact that he can get 2 cards from your deck (thinning your deck) and gives some claim soak which targ can use in melee since they seem to be, on average, a bit slower to get going.

Freerider said:

Well now I feel stupid. Still new to the game, and it had literally never occurred to me to play those events after initiating a challenge. Doy. Still have much to learn.

alpha5099 said:

Yep, one of the best times to start messing around with events and triggered abilities is in the middle of challenges and often as late as possible to keep your options open or to do the most damage. Declare your power challenge and your dragon, pass actions, declare stealth, let the opponent defend and THEN play the Dragon Strikes. Win or lose if they defended someone is gonna die (or burn out a save), and sometimes it's worth losing a challenge if you have deadly and can kill a character off instead. Nothing to feel stupid about, we all learned these lessons at some point. Learning how to really manipulate the game via timing is one of the major steps in becoming a more advanced player.