Lore Deck: Wings and Will

Hello and welcome to my first Lore Deck Exposition, Wings and Will. This will focus on the intersection of the story of Eternal and playable decks that you can take into Ranked. If this one is received well, I’ll be making a semiregular series of it and taking requests. First, a brief note on tactics.

This is a fairly aggressive deck, packing a solid low curve of threats into some nasty finishers (notably Amili and Geomar). Your main goal is to apply pressure (typically via Infantry and Icaria supported by a Master At Arms) and ramp up, but once you hit 5-7 power you should start holding sigils for Merchants. Definitely do not play more than 8, since this is the most expensive option you have (though Rolant coming down in this deck is game short of hard removal). Curve out your threats, use your Hammers and Blades as needed to snipe opposing threats with Mantle of Justice providing some dramatic stats onto your mostly-evasive force. Sheriff Marley should be used to stock up a ground force and just be hard to remove, particularly to hold a Vanquisher’s Blade if you need to halt an enemy void. If you are more interested in deck power at the expense of a bit of flavor, you can replace District Infantry with Unseen Commando.

Now, if you are still with me, here comes the story snapshot. The Wings and Will deck represents the Crownwatch forces, in particular the Valkyries, prior to the Rebellion invasion and First Battle of Argenport. These are led by Icaria, proud of their home and willing to let nothing break the peace they fought so long for. District Infantrypatrols the streets, carrying the lessons from their instructors, the Master-at-Arms. Overhead, Icaria, Valkyrie Captain can be seen leading her forces and coordinating with the ground troops. Valkyrie Enforcer is the most common encounter the man on the street will ever have with the winged warriors, and usually once is enough.

Icaria’s three greatest helping hands in Argenport are Geomar, Marley, and Amili. Geomar, the Steel Tempest is her champion of sorts, a specialist in heading into the most dangerous situations imaginable and ending them… messily. The Auric Bank appreciates his diligence. Amili, Cloudmarshal is the recruiter for the Valkyrie forces, always bringing more candidates to the harsh course of both training and modifications. Without this recruitment, there wouldn’t be enough wings in the sky to perform their crucial duties. Sheriff Marley, by comparison, isn’t under Icaria’s direct command. She is a leader on the ground, making sure the two halves of the forces can work together.

Even with the greatest of leadership, the Lingering Influence of the Tower and those working within it is crucial. It brings in recruits, and in times of crisis ensures that those fighting for the side of justice have their Finest Hour. The extensive training in Crownwatch Tactic is similarly important to preserving the forces and effecting needed enforcement. Rolant’s Intervention on behalf of his forces can also turn the tide, as the leader of all the Crownwatch his word is effectively law without King Caiphus there.

Of course, no amount of training, leadership, or inspiration could possibly be enough if the forces are not equipped properly. Winchest Merchant helps supply the troops with all manner of weapons and armor, for the benefit of Argenport. An Auric Runehammer or Vanquisher’s Blade are traditional means of ensuring that criminals halt their deeds, or that barbarians halt their approach. In extremis, the ordinary become extraordinary by donning the Mantle of Justice.

They could not know what was coming. When Rolant, the Iron Fist made his plans to defend the city, there was one more measure he was prepared to resort to. Should all other options be exhausted, should even his personal touch not be enough, he could eliminate an army in one blast of emerald light by enacting the Harsh Rule. This would catch friend and foe alike, but was necessary to defend the city.

Thank you if you made it this far. Tell me what you think, and if you want to see more I’m open to requests. (Now edited for card links!)