I’m glad that they are bringing out new abilities again. Earlier versions of the game weren’t nearly as well balanced, but they had so much more flavor.
It is great to see, right? If I remember correctly, I think the Bolton base deck had only two or three new cards. This faction definitely has a pretty clear flavor and design direction that feels cohesive across the units and cards we’ve seen so far.
For sure, I can’t wait to see the NCUs and attachments from the starter and HB1. I really hope Stoneheart adds a totally new take on the BwB. A commander can only do so much to change the flavor of a faction, but if any commander can do it, I think it’ll be her.
Note that "But the Realm remains" only targets on the turn you attach it, just like Nights watch cards, so the unit later being saved by six times to many would not stop you from benefitting from a previously attached realm remains.
Love this video. I know the other decks aren't new but I'd love to see a series breaking down all the base decks for each faction and discussing their overall strengths and weaknesses.
That’s a great idea and something I’m thinking about doing. I might tighten up my categories designations a bit first, but I definitely think that would be a fun video to make and a useful one for new and veteran players alike.
It’s a good idea. In such a production, I would also like to see the card decks assessed on thematic integrity and how well they evoke the characteristics of the faction they represent. I feel as though over the years, the community got hung up on pure performance of things at the expense of thematic integrity and more unique mechanics. As a result, while game balance has improved, it came at the cost of much of the game’s soul.
@TheMannis Yeah I think a check on the faithfulness of a deck’s theme to the faction is represents would be important. As you said, many decks have evolved greatly over the past few years, for better and worse. It’s led to the decks being more competitive against each other but that flattening out has smoothed off some of the edges of their individuality.
Good call out, Jordan. Personally, I try to block out Martells from my mind, as there’s just too much pain associated with that faction, but Rhoynish Vengeance is definitely a strong quest card.
The more of this that comes out the more i am convinced Cmon needs a serious kick in the dice... the fact they did this well for brotherhood without banners and have so thoroughly screwed boltons and Neutrals, can only be 100% intentional .
I’d rather attribute the Bolton design to incompetence than malice. It’s not in CMON’s best interest to make a badly designed faction that might not sell well. I think the designers just didn’t know yet how to design a “mini faction” so they played it waaaaay too safe. Boltons will eventually get to a decent place, but it’s just going to unfortunately take us a couple of more seasonal patches before that happens, I think. At least BwB appear to be on track to make a bigger splash than Boltons!
They’re still one of my favorite factions to play. They’ll remain a flex faction for now. If you win with them against an experience opponent, you’re flexing your ASOIAF skills. I’m confident that they’ll continue to get tweaked with each balance patch.
@@imperialminis857 i love them too, imho they need a big frontline unit, a hero box 2 with more ncus, and tweaks to their existing units (different stats when used in factions) and to a couple of cards (remorless example LOL)
I agree, they need more work. The Bolton/Neutral units need to be a little stronger in the Bolton faction. They could definitely benefit from a line-breaker type of frontline unit, like a Kings Men style of unit. Remorseless Examples should either get removed or reworked completely. It’s almost always just tossed out between rounds.
"Bolton players will also not be happy about this, but Bolton players have plenty of other things to not be happy about" Ow. True but Ow But the Realms Remain is an awesome card. I mean never getting conditions, being able to restore wounds. Plus the sheer flavour from it. Considering every BWB list probably has a couple peasants I'd say you'll usually get at least 2 tokens, unless the opponent focuses that unit, but in that case that's damage not going to the rest of the army. Probably my fav card out of the set, though Take up the Sword and Regroup and Reform also are very fun. I think what I really enjoy is just the theme of them. It really feels like these mini factions stick strong to a theme, even more so then the Major factions. I feel like they definitely learned some lessons from the Bolton release coming into this. Shame the brotherhood box got pushed back to December, but still excited to see what else is coming. I'll be curious to see what goods they have in the Hero's box, or when they start showing off some of the NCU's.
Yeah I agree with all that. The theme is very strong here. I love the semi-Bretonnian vibe the faction gives off. I also like this contrast between the peasant chaff and the knights who fight with them. The unit line-up is strong, the tactics deck is strong, and hopefully the NCUs, attachments, and remaining commanders will be strong as well. It’s shaping up to be a top faction.
I really liked this video and the way cards + commanders were explained.
Great job!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Your system of sorting the tactics deck is awesome.
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! I wanted to find a way to capture the theme of the deck in a way that made sense but wasn’t overly complicated.
I’m glad that they are bringing out new abilities again. Earlier versions of the game weren’t nearly as well balanced, but they had so much more flavor.
It is great to see, right? If I remember correctly, I think the Bolton base deck had only two or three new cards. This faction definitely has a pretty clear flavor and design direction that feels cohesive across the units and cards we’ve seen so far.
Gonna be interesting how powerful the NCUs are versus attachments or commanders. Stoneheart i anticipate to be strong NCU.
For sure, I can’t wait to see the NCUs and attachments from the starter and HB1. I really hope Stoneheart adds a totally new take on the BwB. A commander can only do so much to change the flavor of a faction, but if any commander can do it, I think it’ll be her.
Note that "But the Realm remains" only targets on the turn you attach it, just like Nights watch cards, so the unit later being saved by six times to many would not stop you from benefitting from a previously attached realm remains.
Good to know! Targeting is always a bit confusing.
Love this video. I know the other decks aren't new but I'd love to see a series breaking down all the base decks for each faction and discussing their overall strengths and weaknesses.
That’s a great idea and something I’m thinking about doing. I might tighten up my categories designations a bit first, but I definitely think that would be a fun video to make and a useful one for new and veteran players alike.
It’s a good idea. In such a production, I would also like to see the card decks assessed on thematic integrity and how well they evoke the characteristics of the faction they represent. I feel as though over the years, the community got hung up on pure performance of things at the expense of thematic integrity and more unique mechanics. As a result, while game balance has improved, it came at the cost of much of the game’s soul.
@TheMannis Yeah I think a check on the faithfulness of a deck’s theme to the faction is represents would be important. As you said, many decks have evolved greatly over the past few years, for better and worse. It’s led to the decks being more competitive against each other but that flattening out has smoothed off some of the edges of their individuality.
Thanks for this ONE! Great that the Game has a new Faction!
I hope one day the Army of the Dead will join the Game!
Don't be they will Bolton them
I think it's the second best quest card. Rhoynish Vengeance attaching to the enemy makes it better in my opinion
Good call out, Jordan. Personally, I try to block out Martells from my mind, as there’s just too much pain associated with that faction, but Rhoynish Vengeance is definitely a strong quest card.
The more of this that comes out the more i am convinced Cmon needs a serious kick in the dice... the fact they did this well for brotherhood without banners and have so thoroughly screwed boltons and Neutrals, can only be 100% intentional
.
I’d rather attribute the Bolton design to incompetence than malice. It’s not in CMON’s best interest to make a badly designed faction that might not sell well. I think the designers just didn’t know yet how to design a “mini faction” so they played it waaaaay too safe. Boltons will eventually get to a decent place, but it’s just going to unfortunately take us a couple of more seasonal patches before that happens, I think. At least BwB appear to be on track to make a bigger splash than Boltons!
Boltons getting Ls after Ls :(
They’re still one of my favorite factions to play. They’ll remain a flex faction for now. If you win with them against an experience opponent, you’re flexing your ASOIAF skills. I’m confident that they’ll continue to get tweaked with each balance patch.
@@imperialminis857 i love them too, imho they need a big frontline unit, a hero box 2 with more ncus, and tweaks to their existing units (different stats when used in factions) and to a couple of cards (remorless example LOL)
I agree, they need more work. The Bolton/Neutral units need to be a little stronger in the Bolton faction. They could definitely benefit from a line-breaker type of frontline unit, like a Kings Men style of unit. Remorseless Examples should either get removed or reworked completely. It’s almost always just tossed out between rounds.
"Bolton players will also not be happy about this, but Bolton players have plenty of other things to not be happy about" Ow. True but Ow
But the Realms Remain is an awesome card. I mean never getting conditions, being able to restore wounds. Plus the sheer flavour from it. Considering every BWB list probably has a couple peasants I'd say you'll usually get at least 2 tokens, unless the opponent focuses that unit, but in that case that's damage not going to the rest of the army. Probably my fav card out of the set, though Take up the Sword and Regroup and Reform also are very fun.
I think what I really enjoy is just the theme of them. It really feels like these mini factions stick strong to a theme, even more so then the Major factions. I feel like they definitely learned some lessons from the Bolton release coming into this. Shame the brotherhood box got pushed back to December, but still excited to see what else is coming. I'll be curious to see what goods they have in the Hero's box, or when they start showing off some of the NCU's.
Yeah I agree with all that. The theme is very strong here. I love the semi-Bretonnian vibe the faction gives off. I also like this contrast between the peasant chaff and the knights who fight with them. The unit line-up is strong, the tactics deck is strong, and hopefully the NCUs, attachments, and remaining commanders will be strong as well. It’s shaping up to be a top faction.