Welcome back to our fantasy coverage of Game of Thrones, which will obviously come with a massive SPOILER ALERT in case you haven’t watched the first episode of the eighth and final season of the HBO series.
Ready?
Last week, we introduced you to the scoring system some leagues use to score fantasy GoT, and it covers all the bases: Points are earned by characters for acts including violence, canoodling, various acts of “status and power,” wits and schemes and eating and drinking. And as you’ll see below our “best bets” and “sleepers,” six For The Win writers and editors are competing in a league of their own.
First, a reminder of the scoring system:
And here’s a preview for Episode 2:
Best bets
Arya Stark
It looks like all the big action in this episode will happen in Winterfell, so if I’m in a league in which you can pick different characters each week, I’m focusing all my efforts there. It looks like everyone there is ready for the army of the undead to descend, and that Arya shoots a crossbow. That’s got to mean some violence points are coming her way.
Jaime Lannister
He’s going to have to talk his way out of the situation he rode into, and maybe he proves his loyalty to the North by killing some White Walkers.
Bran Stark
He’s going to be a huge part of this episode after he stared down everyone. I bet he has a vision of the Night King, triggering points for that and magic use.
Sleepers
Grey Worm
We see him kiss Missandei, and if there’s any fighting in Winterfell, he’ll be involved.
Sansa Stark
I’m not sure if arguing with Daenerys will produce fantasy points, but maybe you take a shot here.
Tormund Giantsbane
Here’s my thinking: He, Beric and the others who found Ned Umber killed by the Night King have to get back to Winterfell to warn everyone about how close the White Walkers are. So maybe they need to do some killing along the way if they bump into a group of countless undead warriors.
For The Win league update
We all joked with Henry McKenna about taking Drogon and Rheagal with two of his first three picks. But thanks to Beric Dondarrion using his magic flaming sword (50 points) and him killing McKenna’s teammate Ned Umber (25 points for a death), who was turned into a wight, he’s in first place.
Ted Berg is 55 points behind in second thanks to Bronn (10 points for eating and 15 for sex/nudity), Nick Schwartz is in third with a strong week from Dany and Euron Greyjoy, and myself, Nate Scott and Michelle Martinelli follow from there.
Somehow, my first-rounder Bran Stark got a goose egg despite the fact that he’s using magic all the time and staring at people isn’t worth a point. Nate might get more from Jon Snow and Jaime Lannister this week. And maybe a rescued Yara Greyjoy scores for Michelle.
Henry — 120
Ted — 65
Nick — 55
Charles — 35
Nate — 25
Michelle — 0
