Some really good thoughts so far. Was too busy to post properly yesterday. Let's see if I can add anything of value now that has not already been said.



There Is My Claim was always going to be the most impactful chapter pack to date due to Valar, another chapter pack 4 spike. But the power level gear shift in some factions is noticeable in this cycle. Let's lurch from one dominant meta to another, shall we?



Pyat Pree

He has a slot in Targaryen Crossing which needs his 2 icons, and can achieve deep digs during a multi-character third challenge. He works in defence where you get at least search 1. Shuffling your deck on a 0 win could be useful if running Green Dreams jank wanting that bottom card now or facing Small Council Tywin seeding your next draw. Magical Christmas Land is when you Dracarys for extra +4 dig, transferring 2 of the target's power to Vaes Tolorro, then Isle of Ravens to shuffle the event in your deck to then find it in your deck. Pyat Pree is a good add for any deck that needs to overcommit in those 2 challenges - namely Targ Crossing Rush with Shirek Qiya (uses Shadowblack's faction card kneel) and Targ Rains if it ever works. He is one of those non-loyal cards that are effectively loyal due to their text but will get better when the Bloodriders get their unique Weapon attachments.



Vaes Tolorro

What's to dislike about this card? Unfortunately there should be a (lagged) shift towards location control once Valar hits as locations finally see more play. It is important to note that the card (like Boy King) does nothing to improve your board or hand position and triggers on specific situations but a Rush deck like Targ Crossing or decks with plenty of targeted kill and burn (with Funeral Pyre to fuel event draw) will play it x1.



Isle of Ravens

Now this feels like a trap card - currently. There are edge cases (Close Call plot action, use Kingsroads / Ghaston facing Euron, protect against Yoren and Night Gathers, foil Kevan returning Harrenhal discarded by Taena or character set up for Rebuilding) but generally these occasions are just Shagga jank you can't control but based on opponent's deck. One use is in a 3x Support of the People plus toolbox of 1x locations build, probably Tyrell Fealty for 3x Cunning. But because of Shadowblack Lane search and Targ's 4 powerful cards of Dracarys and Crown of Gold, this is probably just a Targ 1x card at best currently (because it does nothing to the game state and unlike Tolorro, doesn't even help you in the power race). However, this is a great early seed for a Maesters agenda (Oldtown neon sign) which could appropriately focus on deck manipulation.



Tanda Stokeworth

Who? Alerie Tyrell (who never appears in the book) before Mace, Pyat Pree before Xaro, now another bit player to join Taena (not even a Companion like Taena to make some money via Hot Pie or find via Street of Silk) as the second non-loyal Lannister Lady. Given the choice between a 3G for 3 STR monocon and Taena's 3G for 2 STR bicon (the Maester costs), I think I prefer the former because of the STR 2 cards (Plaza, Blade, Priestess etc) though both fall prey to the clunky "3 printed cost" threshold (Ilyn, First Snow, location control) which they are trying to undo with cards like Oxcross. Power is Lanni's weak icon but they don't play Joffrey. Whilst some jank comes to mind (Levies, Chataya), this strictly go second card is perhaps only potentially worth a slot in Crossing decks that want to go wide fast (her effect is similar to Trading vs Noble Cause). But 3 cost needs a stand-out ability and she's pap. Sorry dear



I really like the fact Lannister cards have been visibly weakened (the awful Without A Beard was the pack's other card with its interaction with Queen Cersei and First Snow not saving it from the binder) and this feels appropriate after the Lannister Box and their benefit from Valar,



Red God's Blessing

I strangely like this. Magical Christmas Land = 11 Rh'llor distinct characters in play. Of course this would be the same overcommit as Outrider. But cards that value STR (Balon, Quentyn, Intimidate, Warhammer etc) may play this in Stag. And it enables Seen By Flames plus with Mel in play gives you a Military deterrent by repeat play on dying chuds. Not too shabby. The reason I like it is because Bara are gaining 3 cards all with the dull Dominance theme (Edric, Disputed Claim, King Stannis) and it's good to see the more proactive Hyperkneel theme get some love too.



Shadow Tower Mason

Well, at least it's not an actual tricon with drawback text (too strong with Fortified Position renown stall). Of course it's great for Night's Watch defence and yet another piece along with 1x The Haunted Forest in the same pack (really FFG?) that auto-opposes every first challenge. I realise there are so many Night's Watch fans out there but it is getting too much, too oppressive. I always wondered about the wisdom of having the faction (we used to call them houses once) which does not vie for The Iron Throne and mechanically, the non-interactivity of a defence theme after trying out Tully defence in 1E. What happens in a Night's Watch defence mirror? The player who stays awake longer wins? More reason for location control in a Valar meta. It's not the end of the world but a Night's Watch dominant meta will be so much worse than prior metas. On a positive, I do like how they have made sleeper card Brandon's Gift more playable so quickly. Aggro do have Political Catastrophe (reserve 4) against all these locations, Iron Mines vs Valar etc.



Burning on the Sand

Why nerf it so much that you must give unopposed power (and trigger GJ tech)? Lacks card advantage and claim replacement benefits of 2 cost Vengeance (and cancel vulnerable). Has its uses (mainly protect hand, opponent fishing for Viper Eyes first) and is more events for Tower of the Sun jank but seriously cannot see deck space given for this card that triggers any lose challenge effects. It needed to be a loyal 1 cost cantrip then it would see play in some decks (like Fealty). At least Martell gained a nice lose challenge Sand Snake in Elia (that needs to be 2nd). I feel sad that they have over-nerfed this once-broken card (yet printed In The Name of Your King). Lurching from one extreme to another.



Overall, it's a good pack for many factions (I hope Night's Watch Defence love ends) and our second pack 4 Seismic Meta Shift.



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