Iconic Maester, the deck I did not play at London's SC

Hi everyone,

This is the deck I did not play at London's SC ! I wanted to manipulate icons, I chose Maester's path, because it provided a chain that manipulate icons, draw, and the standing location for the Scourge.

But it can certainly be played with some other builds such as NoA or HoD Brimstone for example. The will to build this deck came from the card "Hotah's Axe", it removes an icon and kill the character if it was the last icon. With Brimstone it means that after an intrigue challenge you can kill any bicons characters (or tricon if it's a 2 claim). I added as many manipulation cards as I could. Maybe there are too many of them in the end. At first I chose to go for high initiative plots to make sure I could be second player and to get extra draw with bay of ice. Then I entered the lost oasis and it wasn't really necessary anymore, apart the bays. Changing the plots and the draw module maybe a good way to start, trying to lower the number of characters on the field so that each of you kill is efficient.

I played Viper's Rage for some time, it would have been better if I had the Iron Link to make sure I could play it. but it's easier said than done ^^. I did not really push further the thinking on the chains either. The iron link could be a nice addition that's for sure... I do not play Valar, maybe I should play it as well... But I would need to find a way to save my maesters or my chains somehow...

Well here is the list, as it is of now, still in the testing process ^^. Please if you have any ideas/questions/suggestions, just shout !

House Martell
Agenda
Maester's Path (Restricted)

Plots (7)
Shadows and Spiders 1
The Aftermath 1
At the Gates 1
Stoic Resolve 1
Fallen from Favor 1
Retaliation! 1
Fury of the Sun 1

Characters (28)
Maester of the Sun 3
Carrion Bird 1
Maester Myles 1
Refugee of the Citadel 3
Greenblood Merchant 3
Dorea Sand 1
Dornish Paramour 1
Informed Acolyte 1
Maester of Lemonwood 1
Dayne Spearman 3
Tyene Sand 1
Ghost of High Heart 1
Darkstar 1
Maester of War 1
Ygritte 1
Obella Sand 1
Ser Arys Oakheart 1
Desert Raider 3

Events (2)
Choosing the Spear 2

Locations (17)
Palace Fountains 2
Summer Sea 2
Bay of Ice 3
River Row 1
The Roseroad 3
Lost Oasis 2
The Scourge 2
The Brimstone 2

Attachments (13)
Valyrian Steel Link 1
Apprentice Collar 1
Lead Link 1
Steel Link2
Black Iron Link 1
Copper Link 1
Poisoned Spear 3
Prince of Dorne1
Hotah's Axe 2

Vince, are you playing the sand snakes for any reason other than making your copper link good? Because there has to be better things than the sand snakes you can do with them. Also, I struggle to understand the reasoning behind 0 He Calls it Thinking.

You got it pinpoint. Using the sandsnakes helps me give use to the copper link. It has multiple benefits, the Stelth helps me get my challenges through, though I'll admit that most of the time once I get this point (giving stelth) I most of the time already have the control of the game. But giving Vengeful is quite useful as it also means that my maester will be able to stand multiple times in the challenge phase, which most of the times means I'll be able to draw 2 in Dominance through the Valyrian Steel link. That being said I'm not eager on keeping the Sandsnake, any suggestions will be more than welcome.

Regarding the Calls it, I know they are good, it's just that I needed space and I wanted to test the deck with Viper's Rage and Choosing the spear. If I was to optimize this it is quite likely that they would find their way in. Though I'm not that eager either on forcing them in. I would rather take an active part in the game with this deck than prevent my opponent to do something...

Still you have 2 valid points, if you can suggest changes I will certainly try them.

Well, you have 3 sand snakes you'd consider taking out and 3 HCiT you'd consider putting in... Seems like a reasonable starting point doesn't it?

Here's my suggestions with some reasoning.

-1x Dorea, -1x Tyene, -1x Obella
+2x Spy From Starfall, +1 Iron Link

Spy from Starfall not only gives you all the benefits they provide, but also by giving them a military icon with Iron Link they become a miniature "Burning on the Sand" for military challenges when defending (unless the attacker has mono cons of course)

This will push your gold curve up slightly of course, but I think it's manageable given the set up potential here.

Also, its a matter of taste I know but I would be tempted to also -1x Ghost of High Heart with +1x Ghost Hill Elite.

Definitely, though I'm not how it would impact the set-ups... These are not great great so far to be honest. Not that bad, but not great.

But I'll try it that's for sure., note that I may take 2 choosing the Spear out first

Thanks for your feedback OldShrimpEyes (Shrimp?), I can add two Spy from Starfall, though I woudl'nt take Ghost of High Heart out, as with Brimstone it also removes or gives one icon.

One thing I always wanted to consider was to add one cbk Coldhands . the swag factor of the deck would improve so much .

Ah, of course, I missed that interaction between Ghost and Brimstone!