“We both want to help people. We can only help them from a position of strength. Sometimes strength is terrible.” – Daenerys Targaryen
If Ned Stark had known what Daenerys Targaryen would become, would he have agreed with his friend Robert Baratheon that she had to be killed as soon as possible ? No one will ever know. But what everyone knows is that House Targaryen is the most feared house in the Seven Kingdoms. Coming from the antique Valyrian civilization, the Blood of the Dragon has conquered Westeros and ruled it with an iron fist during three hundred years. Their dragons spread fear in the heart of their enemies even before they’ve seen them. And for reasons. Daenerys Targaryen’s will burns as hot as her dragon’s fire. She has passed through so much pain that she doesn’t know fear anymore. She’s ready to do anything to take back what is due to her. And everyone knows what she will bring to those who do not bend the knee.
Fire and Blood.
In Game of Thrones: The Card Game, House Targaryen combines all areas of confrontation quite effectively, although a more power-oriented strategy is often met in Targaryen decks. After all, power is what Daenerys Targaryen wants more than anything, and she knows that her three dragons are major assets. In fact, many strategies are based on the synergy between Daenerys and her dragons. The effect of surprise is also one of the keys of House Targaryen, with surprise attacks from dragons but also from the formidable Dothraki cavalry. Actually, some decks can turn towards the military without any problem.
In the first edition, the Targaryen have the Ambush keyword to play cards by surprise by paying influence instead of gold. This works for dragons, that also have the Stealth keyword more often than not by the way, but also for other non-character cards, giving this faction a wide range of tools to surprise the opponent. And that’s without counting on the devastating effects of its most powerful characters such as Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen.
In the second edition, the Ambush keyword is also very present among the Targaryen, even if it is no longer reserved for them. The strategies haven’t changed too much, the synergy between Daenerys and his dragons is still very present, which makes these characters major assets but also choice targets. Fortunately, many options exist to help them survive, and even bring them out of the dead pile, like phoenixes rising from their ashes to sow death and destruction on their enemies.
First Edition Deck – Joust – The Greatest Khalasar of All Times
“I will take my khalasar west to where the world ends, and ride the wooden horses across the black salt water as no khal has done before. I will kill the men in the iron suits and tear down their stone houses. I will rape their women, take their children as slaves, and bring their broken gods back to Vaes Dothrak to bow down before the Mother of Mountains, as the stars look down to witness.“ – Khal Drogo Nothing will be able to stop the biggest khalasar ever formed, led by Khal Drogo and Daenerys Targaryen. This unscrupulous deck is designed to bury your opponent under an avalanche of military challenges won by Dothraki armed to the teeth. Having more attachments than your opponent is key to winning with this deck, as it will open the door to many devastating effects.
Across the Summer Sea can be a good starting point to give your khalasar the time to gather, ideally with the help of the Dothraki Vanguard.
Placing the Braided Screamers at the beginning of the game makes it very easy to retrieve the Dothraki characters you miss. Then, impose your attachment advantage by stealing your opponent’s attachments with the Crown of Meereen, and re-taking your own attachments with Griff.
The Mad King’s Legacy, The Prince That Was Promised and Power and Wealth plots further strengthen your dominance through attachments.
Then, with the arrival of Summer and your attachment dominance established, Khal Drogo will make your khalasar unstoppable. That will be the perfect moment to multiply the assaults with Storm of Swords and Blood-Crazed Screamer.
In case of strong military opposition, use Overwhelming Numbers, Bloodrider and Horseback Archers to create surprise and win the challenges.
Daenerys Targaryen, on the other hand, will be able to kill opposing characters during other types of challenges, and Deadly Khalasar will allow you to straighten up your Dothraki to attack again or, ideally, play Wedding Feast for a grand finale.
First Edition Deck – Melee – Fear of the Winged Shadow
“When my dragons are grown, we will take back what was stolen from me and destroy those who have wronged me. We will lay waste to armies and burn cities to the ground. Turn us away and we will burn you first.” – Daenerys Targaryen
While rumours swell about Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons, many pawns are moving into the shadows to weaken the enemies of the only legitimate heir to the Iron Throne, Daenerys Targaryen. This very synergistic deck relies on the weakening of the opponents’ strength.
Cards such as Flame-Kissed, Poisoned Wine or King’s Landing Assassin will hurt your opponent, make good use of them by targeting the most threatening enemy characters.
Khal Drogo will be able to finish off weakened characters during power challenges, and if you have enough gold in stock, Drogon will be able to take even more casualties by targeting a minor or temporarily weakened character.
Take advantage during challenges with Dragon Sight, accumulate power over the Brazen Beasts with the effects of weakening enemy strength, while Shadow Parasite will gain strength.
Don’t forget to accumulate influence as it will be useful to play your Ambush cards such as The Long Lances ideally combined with Magister Illyrio.
This will allow you to trigger more and more strength-diminishing effects such as The Hatchling’s Feast ideally combined with New Khalasar.
Second Edition Deck – Fire and Blood
https://thronesdb.com/decklist/view/240/fire-and-blood-1.0
“So many men have tried to kill me, I don’t remember all their names. I have been sold like a broodmare. I’ve been chained and betrayed, raped and defiled. Do you know what kept me standing through all those years in exile? Faith. Not in any gods, not in myths and legends. In myself. In Daenerys Targaryen.” – Daenerys Targaryen
This competition-level deck combines an extensive use of Dragons with several Strength reduction effects to crush any enemy daring to face the Mother of Dragons and her hatchlings. It also has many options to stand knelt characters in order to relentlessly attack.
The famous Fealty agenda is useful to recruit loyal characters, but also to play cards during challenges, and in this case it is perfectly combined with one of the most powerful cards of the deck, namely Dracarys ! to kill enemy characters with one of your dragons or Daenerys.
This can even be combined with the many strength reduction effects of the deck, such as those of Daenerys Targaryen, Plaza of Punishment or the Unsullied.
Your three dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion, each reinforce their mother Daenerys for a maximum effect when you have them all in play.
Daenerys Targaryen and Khal Drogo are two important pieces, so put them in play as soon as possible with the help of the A Noble Cause plot.
To stand your characters and use them again, you have Magister Illyrio, Waking the Dragon and Seal of the Hand.
If you’re not lucky with your card draws in the beginning of the game, use the Filthy Accusations or Marched to the Wall agendas to prevent your opponent from taking an edge on you.
Keep Littlefinger and the Counting Coppers agenda for later in the game, when you lack cards in your hand.
If your opponent somehow manages to resist your legitimate claim for victory, you have the Wildfire Assault agenda. Don’t fear to lose your dragons, you can bring them back directly into play thanks to Fire and Blood !
