In the new Elder Scrolls Online card game Tales of Tribute there are eight Patrons for players to choose from. Patrons represent the decks that players can choose cards from in Tales of Tribute, and each comes with their own particular ability and a sort of "theme" to the cards. There are four available from the start, and four that can be unlocked.
Ansei Frandar Hunding is one of four Patrons that aren't unlocked from the start. To unlock Hunding, a legendary figure in Redguard history who settled Hammerfell, players must complete the main story of the Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle Chapter. His deck is based on choices, and offers players lots of ways to achieve victory.
Ansei Frandar Hunding: Patron Overview
- Favored: No ability, if Favored you at the start of your turn you gain an additional 1 Coin to start with
- Neutral: Pay 2 Power to gain 1 Coin and Favored status
- Unfavored: Pay 2 Power to gain 1 Coin and Favored status
Frandar Hunding was one of the most famous Yokudans in Tamrielic history. Frandar Hunding's title "Ansei" means "Saint of the Sword" and was only given to the most skillful Sword-Singers. Hunding is known for his Way of the Sword philosophy and for being one of the first settlers of Hammerfell, making him one of the primary ancestors of the Redguard people.
As a Tales of Tribute Patron, Ansei Frandar Hunding's ability is unique as it gives his Favored player a bonus for remaining Favored. By paying 2 Power, players instantly gain Favored status (even if they are Unfavored) and receive 1 Coin. At the start of their net turn, if they are still Favored by Hunding, they start with 1 Coin.
Best Cards And Combos in the Hunding Deck
|
Name |
Action Type |
Play Effect |
Combos |
Coin Cost |
Upgraded From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ansei's Victory |
Normal |
Gain 5 Power and one Tavern card with a cost of up to 9 |
N/A |
9 |
Ansei's Assault |
|
Conquest |
Normal |
Gain 3 Power OR one Tavern card with a cost of up to 4 |
2: Gain 2 Power |
4 |
N/A |
|
Grand Oratory |
Contract |
Gain 2 Power and place one Cooldown card on top of your deck |
2: Gain 2 Coin |
3 |
Battle Meditation |
|
Hel Shira Herald |
Agent |
Place two Cooldown cards on top of your Draw deck |
2: Gain 1 Power |
6 |
No Shira Poet |
|
Hira's End |
Action |
Gain 4 Power and place four Cooldown cards on top of your deck |
3: Gain 3 Power |
6 |
March on Hattu |
Ansei Frandar Hunding cards are mostly based on choices. Almost all cards in Tales of Tribute only have one, non-optional Play Effect. Hunding cards usually have two to choose from on play, often involving taking cards from the Tavern, gaining Power, or setting up future plays by combing through the Cooldown pile. The deck is very adaptable as having multiple optional abilities on each card greatly opens up a player's ability to change strategies depending on the situation.
The best Ansei Frandar Hunding cards to use in Tales of Tribute are those with powerful Combo abilities and provide multiple effects at once. The Ansei's Victory card, for example, lets players get a significant amount of Power and also acquire a card worth up to 9 Coin from the Tavern. Cards that return a card from the Cooldown pile to the top of your Draw deck are extremely powerful, too, as they let players reliably trigger combos by guaranteeing certain cards will be drawn.
Strategies And Synergies With Other Patrons
Because Ansei Frandar Hunding lets players set up their next hand by sorting through the Cooldown pile, his cards pair well with Patrons who offer lots of high-tier Combos. By sorting through your Cooldown pile, Hunding players can reliably use the same combos over and over again. This is especially useful earlier on, when building your deck out and gaining more resources is key to gaining the advantage. Be sure to pick these Cooldown sorting cards earlier than other Hunding cards so that you can maximize your Combo potential earlier.
If you want to go for a Hunding deck, the best Patrons to also go for are the Duke of Crows and Saint Pelin. A Duke of Crows and Frandar Hunding deck has good Coin and Power gain each turn and the ability to instantly draw cards you put on top of your deck - lots of Duke of Crows cards are oriented around card draw, so play the Hunding cards first to get things from your Cooldown pile back into your hand. Saint Pelin is another viable choice as it is oriented around gaining Power, which many Hunding cards also provide.
Avoid pairing Hunding cards with the Delmene Hlaalu deck, as they both let you take cards from the Tavern and you will eventually find your viable options running out as your deck gets too big to strategize with. Psijic Loremaster Celarus provides similar deck manipulation effects, so unless you want to spend all game setting up turns rather than playing them, avoid him too.
The Elder Scrolls Online: High Isle is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Stadia, and Xbox One and Series X|S