Optimizing Baratheon threaty with the North deck

By michaelius, in 4. AGoT Deck Construction

The whole idea for this deck was making as fast power rush as possible while abusing Stark ability to produce free duplicates and search for King characters. Which also thins deck at amazing speed and makes sure almost everything drawn in draw phase can be played. And also Robb and Eddark synergizes greatly with lord and noble trait of baratheons.

House (1)

House Baratheon (Core) x1

Agenda (1)
Treaty with the North (LoW) x1

Character (36)
Melisandre (RotO) x2
Robert Baratheon (TTotH) x3
Stannis Baratheon (Core) x2
Eddard Stark (TTotH) x2
Robb Stark (LoW) x2
Renly Baratheon (TRS) x2
Knight of Flowers (SaS) x3
Brienne of Tarth (PotS) x2
Jon Snow (Core) x2
Ser Jorah Mormont (PotS) x1

Marya Seaworth (KotStorm) x1
Jeyne Westerling (ASoS) x2
Highgarden Refugee (RoW) x3
Bolton Refugee (RoW) x3
Loyal Guard (WotN) x3
Royal Entourage (TTotH) x3

Location (15)
Lord Eddard's Chambers (LoW) x1
Narrow Sea (KotStorm) x3
Widow's Watch (GotC) x3
King Robert's Chambers (KotStorm) x1
Seat of Power (WotN) x3
River Row (QoD) x1
Shadowblack Lane (Core) x1
Street of Sisters (Core) x1
Street of Steel (Core) x1

Event (3)
Distinct Mastery (Core) x3

Attachment (6)
Bodyguard (Core) x3
Pyromancer's Cache (TWot5K) x3

Plot (7)
The Power of Blood (Core) x2
Alliance (PotS) x1
An Empty Throne (KotS) x1
The King's Law (KotStorm) x1
Fleeing to the Wall (Core) x1
Valar Morghulis (Core) x1


Would you change anything ? I'm mostly wondering about the bolded cards.

Funny, looks super similar to a deck I've been building but haven't had a chance to play with yet. If it was me I'd remove Jon Snow. There's just no reason for him to be there since it's not as if you're hurting for renown. I'd add a third copy of Jeyne just because she's just so good in this deck. I think in mine I was going to use Obey the King rather than Distinct Mastery but that's a matter of preference and a question of meta and which might be more useful. At 2 cost for 3 str all icons Jorah can certainly stay. You'll find the stealth especially useful as I think it's the only one you have. Fleeing is frankly a meta choice and it will depend on how much you feel you may need it.

Must be the case of great minds thinking alike ;)

Hmm third Jane - i didn't have that much problem with getting good characters so far (6 games) - maybe a second copy of Marya would be better as she was priceless in all the games i got her.

And yeah Jon Snow so far was rather dissapointing - I'll drop him and get either Jayne or Marya copy and that leaves me one space so maybe Pylos/Luwin/Mad Hunstman.

Distinct vs Obey - hmm I played against Lannisters and Baratheon shadows and ability to use it on guys with no power on them was very usefull quite a few times. But obey could kneel enemy chars like KOF or Mellisandre under Power of Faith

So far my biggest problem was location destruction as it kills my draw too unfortunatly.

I focused entirely on rush so I believe I planned to run Val x2-3 instead. If I could get her great I'd great draw for a round or two. If I needed more draw than that I was probably gonna lose anyway. Marya is good, but easily removeable so I focused more on Robert, KoF, and my favorite Bara combo, Smuggler's Coves and Massey's Hook.

All comes down to personal style choices.

This deck is also similar to my Noble Rush deck that I've been using for quite awhile. Have you considered using core Robb Stark instead? I have found him useful to deal with troublesome characters since I don't like playing Valar in rush. Smuggler's cove is incredibly useful, I'd add 3 no question. I use pyromancer's cache currently as well, but I'm worried about relying on an attachment for draw with so many maester decks running around, as other decks are likely to be running more attach-hate. I might switch to Val and see how she works. If you feel comfortable taking out valar you could replace it with The Red Wedding, which I have found to be incredibly useful for character removal or grabbing those last two power to win. I'd also consider adding the no-shadows Sansa, she seems to fit right in.

I did but he is STR 2 which is problematic with so many Martels around. And the trait version has amazing synergy with deck where almost everything has Lord or Lady trait as well as 6 refugees.

I also had another idea:

-remove Fleeing to the Wall- add At the Gates

- remove Jon Snow and Jorah - add all 3 Baratheon Maesters - that way I'd have a counter against condition attachments (GJ/Lanni), shadows (with Pylos) or general protection against Valar and STR 3 Int icon char

But it needs to be tested more carefully.