by Feral_Knight
Thanks for the thoughts! I never meant to imply that Stark doesn't need to hold the narrow sea, just that they will have to put more effort into its defense if Baratheon decides to go for it. Usually Baratheon will concede this sea to Stark, unless Stark makes some pivotal mistake early on.Also, I don't recognize Cracklaw as a Baratheon outpost. Initially, of course it is, but most people I've seen play as Baratheon have a tendency to leave Cracklaw under-manned. When I'm Stark and I have a good relationship with Greyjoy, it allows a greater force to be put to work in the east. If Stark can amass a decent force in the Mountains of the Moon, they will have their own unraidable support (unraidable after they take Cracklaw that is) to counter the Baratheon's Blackwater Bay. It's not exactly easy for Baratheon to hold this castle if Stark decides to make a play for it, especially with the threats of Tyrell and Lannister coming out of the west. I do, however, recognize Storm's End as a Martell outpost. I think the difference here is that Storm's end has a port, from which Martell can readily raid Shipbreaker Bay, while supporting themselves from 2 seas. Also, Martell will have an easier time taking the territories surrounding Storm's End than Baratheon will have of holding the Mountains of the Moon.
Again, all of this is reliant on Alliances, which I have found to be one of the most (if not THE most) important aspects of the game.