The eagerly anticipated Always Winter Grand Tournament took place this weekend in Stirling. This is the first major event in the UK after the small patch to general rules by CMON and it has shaken the usual standings up enough to make a difference. We will be going over the top performers and some interesting stats to see how competitive play has changed with 2021.02.
Always Winter Grand Tournament
The AWGT took place at Common Ground Games on the 25th and 26th March, with a supplemental ELO event on the 24th. ELO events are super fun to play in and would highly recommend everyone exploring this style of event as a breath of fresh air to event play. The ELO was organised by Stephen McCormick and the GT event was organised by John Craig; I couldn’t find any other information on who was running the event but to everyone who was involved you have organised a smashing event as shown by the players who support it.
Something awesome about this event was the prizes and how to obtain them. Gorgeous swords were crafted for some prize winners with the best painted army gaining a replica of the catspaw dagger. There were spot prizes through the event which were small goals which award the first to achieve them with a prize. The Archmaester prize is an award going to the most themed list that you could enter a short story about, and all the filthiest lists got Reek badges. Rewarding not just your performance, but the hobbying side of the game gives players from all walks of the community the chance to earn something from the event.
Dead Meta Gaming streamed the top table at the event allowing us some insight into the atmosphere of the event, and also a peek at the top players through each round. ASOIAF-Stats helped run the event with their website which is incredibly helpful with making the organisers job less stressful. There were several groups of people from all over the country that attended and even some EU players. It is great to see the large turnout for the event and can’t wait to see it grow even bigger in the future.
Stats
Faction Representation – With 20% pick rate, Lannisters lead the most selected force at the event. This is very likely due to them being the biggest winners from the update seeing points reductions across the board with few nerfs that harm their competitive lists. Kevan has also become an incredibly popular choice for Lannister players and a strong Commander overall.
Targaryens follow close behind with 18% representation, whilst not hit too hard by the patch Khal Drogo is still a very strong Commander due to the Veterans but Mother of Dragons and Marselen are creeping into the scene.
Third most picked faction is Night’s Watch with 14%, Jon Snow being a standout pick alongside Cotter Pike showing a pattern of free actions equal to big wins for the force. It is worth noting Free Folk faction representation has dropped significantly which is likely due to Mance not being overpowered anymore.
Standouts
Jon Snow – Out of 14 games, 10 were wins. This is with no mirror matches. A 71%-win rate is a bit outrageous for something CMON stated needed to be nerfed and their change amounted to nothing in terms of this event. Furthermore, Jon Snow came in first and second at the Adepticon tournament in the same weekend. Is Jon Snow the new Mance Rayder?
Mag the Mighty – Out of 21 games, 10 were wins. This is with no mirror matches. I did not expect this. Mag looked to be a very strong Commander for the Free Folk but has performed average with a 48%-win rate. Looking at all the games it looks like the Mags faced a variety of opponents across them as well, so it isn’t a bad match up either. Perhaps on paper his list looks great but on the table, it is not the same?
Kevan Lannister – Out of 31 games, 19 were wins. This is with no mirror matches. In the top performers, the losses come mainly from mirror matches with a Varamyr sliding in there and a surprise Roose Baratheon too. Kevan is looking strong in the right hands, but once players have more practice and find the right list and method to utilise him, I think we may have an issue. Again, the free attacks are supporting the power of this choice but also Kevan’s cards are miles above any other Lannister Commander whilst being potent in their own right.
Greatjon Umber – Out of 16 games, 7 were wins. This is with no mirror matches. This time last year Greatjon was a headliner for a strong Commander. Utilise him with Shaggydog and the Tully Cavaliers and you are shaking. A popular combo now slightly nerfed was Berserkers with a Mormont Veteran. With a 44%-win rate, it is a respectable standing but perhaps Umber, and by addition Starks, need a little bump to help them compete?
Harmen Uller – Out of 11 games, 4 were wins. This is with no mirror matches. Uller has been the leading Commander for the Martells for a while, and it is a little shocking to not see him perform better here. However, it is only slightly below average. Perhaps it is still too early for Martells to tell if they need an update here.
Targaryens – MoD 11/6 55%-win rate, Drogo 16/8 50%-win rate, Marselen 10/5 50%-win rate. Whilst Drogo still holds the highest pick rate, MoD has slipped back on to stage due to the recent changes and Marselen has had a strong start out the gates. Poor Grey Worm with a 11%-win rate out of 9 games. It is nice not to see every Targaryen player sport Drogo and some diverse choices are being brought, with the faction maintaining an average win chance overall. By no means does this make the Targaryens balanced or coherent as a force though.
The event ended with Lannisters playing 44 games, with 26 wins, resulting in a 59%-win rate. Most of this held up with Kevan Lannister. Free Folk was next in line with 28 games, 16 wins, sporting a 57%-win rate. Almost all the losses were from Mag the Mighty, but also most of the games played were Mag the Mighty. Baratheons are third with 26 games played, 14 wins, resulting in a 54%-win rate. Baratheons were spread across the board with Commanders none of them breaking double figures; Eldon and Cortnay came close to this though.
Something to point out is Night’s Watch 36 games, 16 wins, and 44%-win rate. 10 of these wins were Jon Snow. If this does not show the bad internal balancing of the Night’s Watch whilst pointing out the power of Jon, then I don’t know what will. Speaking of which Targaryens overall had 48 games, 22 wins, and 46%-win rate. I don’t even know how to break this one down. It blows me away.
Overall, a strong turnout for most factions and interesting to see some of the leading Commanders for the new season of ASOIAF. Sad to see Greyjoys still having little love, almost being overtaken by Martells in games played. If CMON doesn’t do something about Greyjoys then they will become a meme faction alongside Neutrals.
Top 5 Players
5th – Kieran Scaddman – Night’s Watch – Jon Snow
Expand for List 1 Jon Snow
List 1
Commander: Jon Snow – 998th Lord Commander
Ranger Hunters ( 7 )
Jon Snow – 998th Lord Commander ( 0 )
Sworn Brothers ( 7 )
Daario Naharis – Reckless Mercenary ( 1 )
Coldhands – Mysterious Ally ( 4 )
Ghost ( 3 )
Conscripts ( 5 )
Aemon ( 4 )
Donal Noye ( 4 )
Tycho Nestoris ( 5 )
Kieran only used one list through all six games and walked away with only one loss against Kevan Lannister. Kieran has been consistently doing well with Night’s Watch and knwos the faction inside and out. He will be running the Welsh GT at the beginning of July and tickets are on sale!
4th – Shane Ankers – Baratheons – Eldon/Roose
Expand for List 1 Eldon Estermont
List 1
Commander: Eldon Estermont – Lord of Greenstone
Baratheon Wardens ( 5 )
Eldon Estermont – Lord of Greenstone ( 0 )
Baratheon Wardens ( 5 )
Champions of The Stag ( 8 )
Fortune Seeker ( 1 )
Champions of The Stag ( 8 )
Fortune Seeker ( 1 )
Cortnay Penrose ( 4 )
Margaery Tyrell ( 4 )
Petyr Baelish ( 4 )
List 2
Melisandre ( 5 )
Expand for List 2 Roose Bolton
Commander: Roose Bolton – The Leech Lord
R’hllor Queen’s Men ( 7 )
Roose Bolton – The Leech Lord ( 0 )
R’hllor Queen’s Men ( 7 )
Ramsay Snow – Sadist ( 2 )
Theon Greyjoy – Reek ( 0 )
R’hllor Lightbringers ( 6 )
Dragonstone Noble ( 4 )
Dragonstone Noble ( 4 )
Jaqen H’ghar ( 5 )
Shane played Roose twice, and Eldon the other four times. He walked away with only one loss with his Eldon list against Kieran’s Jon Snow force. He edged out ahead of Kieran in kill points in the end. Eldon is pretty survivable and it is nice to see him and Champions of the Stag survive the patch and still standing strong.
3rd – Michael Arnold – Free Folk – Varamyr/Styr
Expand for List 1 Varamyr
List 1
Commander: Varamyr Sixskins – Master Skinchanger
Varamyr Sixskins – Master Skinchanger ( 5 )
Shadowcat ( 2 )
Wolf Pack ( 3 )
Mag the Mighty ( 9 )
Free Folk Trappers ( 4 )
Jarl – Advance Raid Leader ( 1 )
Free Folk Raiders ( 4 )
Borroq – Boar Skinchanger ( 2 )
Free Folk Raiders ( 4 )
The Weeper – Cruel Tyrant ( 1 )
Lady Val ( 4 )
Craster ( 4 )
Ygritte ( 4 )
List 2
Lady Val ( 4 )
Expand for List 2 Styr
Commander: Styr – Magnar Of Thenn
Thenn Warriors ( 5 )
Styr – Magnar Of Thenn ( 0 )
Free Folk Trappers ( 4 )
Free Folk Trappers ( 4 )
Free Folk Raiders ( 4 )
The Weeper – Cruel Tyrant ( 1 )
Free Folk Raiders ( 4 )
Champion of Bone ( 1 )
Spearwives ( 5 )
Harma – The Dogshead ( 2 )
Craster ( 4 )
Ygritte ( 4 )
Mickey used Styr five times, choosing to bring Varamyr out against a Kevan list. He had one loss against Carlo’s Kevan list, and I was fortunate enough to watch this live on the Dead Meta Gaming Stream on YouTube. It was a close game. He had a few more secondary points for crushing victories throughout the event to reach 3rd place podium.
2nd – Sam Shaw – Targaryens – Khal Drogo/Mother of Dragons
Expand for List 1 Khal Drogo
List 1
Commander: Khal Drogo – The Great Khal
Drogo’s Bloodriders ( 8 )
Khal Drogo – The Great Khal ( 0 )
Dothraki Veterans ( 8 )
Jorah Mormont – The Wandering Knight ( 3 )
Hedge Knights ( 7 )
Glory Seeker ( 1 )
Illyrio Mopatis ( 4 )
Daenerys Targaryen ( 4 )
Barristan Selmy ( 5 )
List 2
Illyrio Mopatis ( 4 )
Expand for List 2 Daenerys Targaryen
Commander: Daenerys Targaryen – Mother of Dragons
Unsullied Pikemen ( 7 )
Daenerys Targaryen – Mother of Dragons ( 0 )
Dothraki Outriders ( 6 )
Drogon ( 7 )
Viserion ( 7 )
Missandei ( 4 )
Tycho Nestoris ( 5 )
Sam brought Khal Drogo twice, and Mother of Dragons the other four times. Nice to see that the top performing Targaryen is not primarily Drogo as it has not been the case for a while. Sam lost a game against 7th place Chris and his Kevan Lannister and pulled ahead of Mickey by one Secondary Point.
1st – Carlo Conner-Hill – Lannisters – Kevin/Roose
Expand for List 1 Kevan Lannister
List 1
Commander: Kevan Lannister – Protector of the Realm
Lannister Crossbowmen ( 6 )
Kevan Lannister – Protector of the Realm ( 0 )
Lannister Halberdiers ( 5 )
Lannister Halberdiers ( 5 )
Knights of Casterly Rock ( 8 )
Gregor Clegane – The Mountain That Rides ( 4 )
Pycelle ( 4 )
Petyr Baelish ( 4 )
The High Sparrow ( 4 )
List 2
Pycelle ( 4 )
Turncoat ( 1 )
Expand for List 2 Roose Bolton
Commander: Roose Bolton – The Leech Lord
Lannister Halberdiers ( 5 )
Roose Bolton – The Leech Lord ( 0 )
Knights of Casterly Rock ( 8 )
Knights of Casterly Rock ( 8 )
Gregor Clegane – The Mountain That Rides ( 4 )
Petyr Baelish ( 4 )
Tywin Lannister ( 6 )
Carlo brought out Roose once against a Jon Snow list and used Kevan the rest of the time. With the only player to have no losses, Carlo secured the victory at the event for Casterly Rock.
Summary
An awesome event that gives us an insight into what the game looks like post patch. From the snippets and images shared of the event it does seem everyone who attended had lots of fun and will be attending the following one. Make sure to keep an eye out for it and grab some tickets!
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