House Baratheon in A Storm of Swords

Last week we examined how mechanically straightforward components can still be interesting from both a flavor and gameplay perspective, using House Martell as our example. This week we explore part of the new role that Power tokens play in the game, including some of the new ways that they are acquired and spent.

Read on…

House Baratheon

Melisandre of Asshai is arguably the most memorable and visible character in House Baratheon's stables. She is described as "red, and terrible, and red," and well does it suit her. A sorceress and a priestess of Rh'llor, the Lord of Light, her affinity for the dark magics of shadow are responsible for more than one mysterious death.

Everything she does, of course, is to aid Stannis in his bid for the throne and to save Westeros from the threat of the Others. In A Storm of Swords, she uses her sorcerous powers to turn your opponent's strength against him, gaining power for House Baratheon (and Stannis) in the middle of a battle. Her strength is only moderate, but moderate is often enough to secure victory, and her ability has ramifications reaching far beyond the outcome of one battle.

Power in A Game of Thrones has many uses - securing control of territory, bidding for position on the influence track, and fighting off Wildling attacks. As you'll see, in A Storm of Swords, Power tokens can have several more uses than that. In addition to bidding for Claim over Westeros, fueling powers found on the various Ally cards, and utilising some of your tactics to their fullest extent, certain Houses may find Power even more valuable…

Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight, received his knighthood for smuggling food and supplies in to Storm's End when it was besieged during Robert's Rebellion. For his crimes as a smuggler, Stannis took his fingers. For his bravery and heroism, Stannis gave him knighthood. In many ways, he is Melisandre's polar opposite. Where she deals in absolutes, he is a reformed smuggler and comfortable with shades of grey. Where she has a burning, passionate faith in her new god, Davos has a troubled and conflicted loyalty to the Seven. Above all, Ser Davos is a good man and an honest and devoted servant of King Stannis.

Davos has survived more hardship than most men, and he seems to persevere. He lends some of this (and perhaps a healthy supply of onions) to the men under his command, able to whisk them safely away when retreating - after all, Davos is a smuggler. He knows both when it is time to flee, and how best to do so.

Davos also provides the Baratheon player with a way to spend those Power tokens he's just accumulated. Saving a unit's life - particularly one that will not be routed, and can be used again later that same turn - is almost certainly worth the investment.

There are no surprises on King Stannis, in Leader token form. Stannis is a hard man, a proud man, and a just man. Trickery and deception are not in him, but he believes he is the rightful king and he will have his due. As such, he triggers during the March phase and brings with him a high strength on the attack - and in addition, some extra Power. Perhaps Power that can be spent to - well, we'll let you discuss that yourselves…