The Storm’s Resolve — House Baratheon’s Rise in AOH - Round 8

For this 8th round of AOH, we have the honor of representing House Baratheon. The competition is particularly intense this time, as we face some of the biggest opponents we’ve encountered yet.

Our team has also undergone some changes ahead of this round. STORMZ, our spear rally leader, made the decision to leave the team along with her friend Odyssef. They both chose to join the roster of a friend, motivated by the desire to help him secure rewards during the event. While we fully respect their decision and the spirit of camaraderie behind it, their departure did leave two vacant spots within our lineup.

These spots were swiftly filled for this match by two new recruits: IANQ and PubEmperor. Both have stepped in with determination and enthusiasm, and we are confident they will rise to the occasion and bring valuable strength to our team in this critical round.

The Enemy Lines

Now that that parenthesis is out of the way, let’s focus on our opponents of the day :

House Greyjoy stands out as the most fearsome adversary. Their roster includes МишанЯ, a player who is nearly maxed out, as well as Evgen, who ranks among the finest infantry players I’ve ever seen. There's also ХАБАР, whose infantry stats are equally impressive, making this house a true powerhouse on the battlefield.

House Targaryen also presents a serious challenge. Their strength lies particularly in cavalry and spear units, with Achronand Toms1209 both boasting excellent cavalry stats, and Alan556 contributing powerful spear formations. Their lineup makes them a well-rounded and dangerous opponent.

We also face House Stark, a house that already defeated us in the previous round. Their team includes Arthurion, a seasoned cavalry player, and Don Stephan, a skilled specialist in spears. Given our recent history with them, they are certainly not to be underestimated.

House Lannister comes to this round with a solid team as well. Players such as Nachu bring great cavalry stats, while Syakiri reinforces their strength with impressive spear commanders and a balanced combat profile overall. This house combines both tactical experience and raw power.

Finally, we have House Tyrell, which seems to rely heavily on the presence of Lowells. He possesses good spear stats and appears to be the strongest element of his team, although the rest of the house does not seem as competitive in comparison.

The Calm Before the Storm

With such a diverse and talented array of opponents, this promises to be an exciting and unpredictable round.  The real question now is: who will claim victory in this thrilling round of AOH?

Given the fact that the map is teeming with powerful enemies, our team made the most secure and pragmatic choice: to focus on scoring through the control of Trading Posts and various altars, such as the Altars of the Maiden, which yields a significant amount of points.

This strategy, while less offensive, offers consistent returns in terms of points, and we won’t waste time trying to fight for the Glory City.

Interestingly, House Targaryen appears to have opted for the same tactical approach, positioning them as our direct rivals in the race for second place. It’s clear that the battle for key point-generating locations will largely be between our two houses.

House Greyjoy, on the other hand, made a surprising decision. Rather than seizing the opportunity to dominate the Glory City — a strategy that seemed all but guaranteed given the overwhelming power of МишанЯ — they too shifted their efforts toward the Trading Posts. This was unexpected, as МишанЯ’s presence on the map was thought to be uncontestable, with no player apparently strong enough to challenge and kick him out of the Glory City. Their conservative pivot raises questions, but may reflect a broader, long-term strategy.

As for House Stark, their approach could be seen as bold — or perhaps, miscalculated. Rather than pursuing the Trading Posts, they chose a more offensive path. It’s possible they believed Arthurion could stand up to МишанЯ’s infantry, which would certainly be an ambitious wager. Whether this decision pays off remains to be seen, but it undeniably introduces a high level of risk into their campaign.

House Tyrell has similarly leaned into an offensive approach, though in their case, the motivation appears more resigned. With a lack of players capable of matching the strength of the other houses, their options were limited, and they likely understood that a top placement was beyond reach. Their aggressive stance seems more like a final attempt to shake the board, knowing they had little to lose.

To sum up, the strategies adopted in this round vary widely. House Baratheon and House Targaryen have chosen “stability” through point control, putting them in direct competition for second place. House Greyjoy, despite having the upper hand in strength, surprised everyone by leaning toward a defensive, point-focused game. House Stark is taking a gamble with an aggressive push, while House Tyrell is making one last stand, likely aware of their underdog status.

The field is set, the strategies are in motion — now all that remains is to see which house’s choice will prove to be the wisest.

The Unshaken Throne

As expected, House Greyjoy swiftly claims the Glory City without facing any real resistance. МишанЯ takes control of it with ease, solidifying their dominance and securing first place with remarkable composure. No other force on the map was capable of challenging their might — their supremacy in this round is unquestionable.

Fire and Steel

However, the battle is far from over. The true clash now lies in the fierce struggle for second place. House Baratheon and House Targaryen find themselves locked in an unrelenting confrontation, each vying for control over the altars that generate critical points. We launch attacks to seize their altars, and in turn, they retaliate with equal determination, attempting to claim ours. The fighting is brutal, stretching over long minutes of relentless and bloody skirmishes. Countless soldiers fall on both sides as the conflict rages on without pause.

At this stage, the other houses no longer pose a significant threat. Our full attention, our every resource and ounce of strength, is now directed at House Targaryen. They are our sole obstacle, our final rival. Our mission is clear and singular: to diminish their gain of points, to disrupt their control, and to deny them every altar we can. We must defend what is ours with everything we have — and strike hard where it hurts.

Victory in this duel for second place will not be given. It must be earned, seized in the chaos of fire and steel.

The Last Seconds

The battle rages on until the very last seconds. Both sides give everything they have — no ground is left undefended, no altar unchallenged. Every point matters, and every move counts. The tension is palpable as the timer ticks down, second by second, with both houses locked in a desperate struggle.

And then, as the dust settles and the final scores appear… it is House Baratheon who emerges victorious in this fierce race for second place!

Our determination, coordination, and resilience paid off. We fought with heart, defended with grit, and struck with precision. Despite the strength of House Targaryen and the pressure they put on us throughout the match, we managed to hold our ground and claim the edge we needed. Every altar we defended, every point we denied them, brought us closer to this hard-earned triumph.

Though the Glory City remains in the hands of House Greyjoy, this round will be remembered for the relentless war between Baratheon and Targaryen — a battle of willpower and strategy that we were proud to win.

Victory is ours. And we earned every bit of it!