A Game of Thrones | BoardGameGeek

Thread: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: General:: Play-by-Forum

MasterDinadan — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 21:16:37 +0000

For anyone interested, I'm looking for players to play Storm of Swords here on the forums. I've set up a thread in the play-by-forum section. Just follow the link:

http://boardgamegeek.com/article/3663239

If you are interested in playing, please post a reply on the other thread (or geekmail me directly). I won't be watching this post for players, I'm just announcing it so you all know about it!

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: A question about the books.

snit27 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:22:10 +0000

by snit27

www.towerofthehand.com

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: A question about the books.

hank__hill — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:04:07 +0000

by hank__hill

I just started reading "A Feast for Crows", but its been too long since I read the other three books. Is there anywhere on the net that has a good synopsis of each of the three books to help jog my memory?

New Image for Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion

jsper — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 02:07:12 +0000

by jsper

French cover

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Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Variants:: Re: Testing a thematic game balance

Unitoch — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:45:51 +0000

by Unitoch

anathemus wrote:
I'm going to try a game with Lannister playing with the card deck from Clash of Kings while other players will play the normal aGoT decks.

Your thematic argument is spot on. I too wish Lannister was stronger to more accurately represent their status in the books.

That said, I don't think that giving them the CoK house cards is the way to fix it. Tywin, Jaime, and Gregor Clegane in particular are crazy powerful. Clegane is automatically one strength better than any card that another house plays, Jaime two better, and Tywin is able to buy as much power as he needs. In the base game, where military strength is so difficult to come by, that's huge. I suggest a more moderated approach. How about house-ruling Tywin or Jaime or both from the base set to a 4, which will be signifiant enough without giving them the full trio of amazing cards from CoK. I bet that'd be enough to give the Lion some teeth.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Is this good with 4? Or Storm of Swords instead?

MasterDinadan — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 14:34:23 +0000

by MasterDinadan

In my opinion, Storm of Swords is amazing. It's gotten to the point where I don't like having more than 4 people because I don't want to play WITHOUT Storm of Swords.

However, for your first game, it may not be a good idea. There's just a lot going on and it's hard enough to get everything right much less know enough about what's going on to enjoy it!

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Is this good with 4? Or Storm of Swords instead?

Haggis — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:28:38 +0000

by Haggis

I'd recommend playing the base game. Add ports but don't use the four player rules in the base rulebook, just eliminate Pyke (and make Ironman's Bay impassible).

The balance is surprisingly good with that small modification. Lannister will be the strong house instead of Baratheon.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Is this good with 4? Or Storm of Swords instead?

Excalabur — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:55:10 +0000

by Excalabur

If you can, read up and play SoS. The four-player base game is questionably balanced, esp without tweaking it a bit to sort that out.

The Storm of Swords rules are slightly more complicated, so if getting them sorted out in time isn't going to happen then play the base game, but be aware that Lannister will need some taking down.

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Is this good with 4? Or Storm of Swords instead?

BartowWing — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 01:35:01 +0000

by BartowWing

I recently purchased this game and also, A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords. We are either going to play this or A Storm of Swords tomorrow. There are 4 of us.

I've read the rules and don't think picking up and playing the base game is going to be any problem but I was wondering how the base game is with only 4 players. I note that A Sword of Storms is specifically for 4 players.

I can take the time tomorrow before our gaming session to read/review A Storm of Swords but only want to do that if A Storm of Swords is significantly better.

In short, should we play this or A Storm of Swords since we only have 4 players?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Variants:: Re: Testing a thematic game balance

JVKhoury — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:33:48 +0000

by JVKhoury

The problem is the board itself is so heavily slanted towards certain houses that balance can only be achieved by several changes. To date, I don't know if anyone has come up with a satisfactory solution.

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: Variants:: Testing a thematic game balance

anathemus — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 03:59:39 +0000

by anathemus

Hey guys, I've been playing aGoT a lot and as we all know (experienced players) Lannister is really hard job, it's very unbalance, especially if you can't secure some alliances really early in the game, I would even say, the first turn is almost vital (especially if you have greyjoy against you, conquering the sea).

So my proposal for me and for you all to try out in future games, is to change the Houses card decks.

I'm going to try a game with Lannister playing with the card deck from Clash of Kings while other players will play the normal aGoT decks.

This will give Lannister a clear advantage towards other players, maybe too much of advantage on the battles, maybe if the advantage was too much, some work could be done by creating card decks with all the cards available on the expansions, in order to try to balance the game.

And on my point of view this would also work thematically, because Lannister shouldn't be the weak House on the game (Altough I hate them xD).

I believe something could be done with these options... hoping to see some feedback and if it was already done

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Strategy:: Re: House Lannister Guide

donnyrides — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:23:48 +0000

by donnyrides

you seem to be taking my post personally. I am sorry if you feel it is a personal attack on you. It is only a second opinion. ;)

I have played many live games, but the only part of the game that takes any strategy is the fight for kings landing at the beginning of the game. everything else is too up in the air to determine. If you play a D+2 on KL and use an ally card you should be fine for the first turn. That puts you at 9 D and Baratheon at 7 att. If Baratheon uses control westeros he can take KL as a 9 att, but the ally card that Lannister draws, should help out. Most of the live games I play, have Baratheon using careful planning to determine what Lannister is going to do, then reacting accordingly. So if Lannister plays the defense card, Baratheon just pays 2 and chooses an ally. Now Lannister is really hosed because they got nothing for their card and Baratheon has a helpful Ally card for next turn. If Lannister spends too much time taking one for the team, by turn 3 or 4 they are stuck in a worse position than they would have been had they just worried about themselves. Lannister needs to worry more about Greyjoy then they do Baratheon.

You should try playing a few mock games yourself and try your tactics. Then try mine. let me know what you find. have fun :)

New Image for A Game of Thrones

YancyS — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:19:04 +0000

by YancyS

Bachelor's Party. The winner. Notice the frame around the game board...

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

YancyS — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:17:43 +0000

by YancyS

The Bachelor's Party Game. Middle Game. I am green.

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

YancyS — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:15:32 +0000

by YancyS

Bachelor's Party. Camping. Beer. Game of Thrones. What else is the...

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

Jasly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:50:35 +0000

by Jasly

Tyrell prepare to conquer Pyke (Russian edition)

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

Jasly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:04:40 +0000

by Jasly

Tyrrel captured 6 castles n won after 10 turns (Russian edition)

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

Jasly — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:37:01 +0000

by Jasly

Tyrrel forces surround Lannister (Russian edition)

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Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Strategy:: Re: House Lannister Guide

Umbratus — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:40:40 +0000

by Umbratus

Well, you cannot really say all that without taking into account which events and allies are up. All hypothesis and maybe working on one specific scenario but surely not on every one. If Lannister plays Forge Alliance Turn 1 he definately risks to lose KL right away. Maybe thats one point why you were never able to hold on to it beyond Turn 3 or 4 ;)

Also, I am talking about real games, not mock ones, important point :)

If Lannister successfully fights for the outskirts of the capital he can very well hold on to it for more than 2 or 3 turns. What he has to do precisely in order to achieve that depends ALOT on allies, events and what the others are doing. So I was giving more general advise with my guide and not pick one specific scenario.

Trying to hold on to KL might have you end up with nothing in your hands, but it might mean victory as well. If you give it up early and fall back to Harrenhal and Silverhall, my experience from many REAL games is that you will win with a VERY low chance only, since Baratheon is simply growing too strong too quickly. So in the long term, my experience clearly is that its an inferior strategy to give up KL and go for Harrenhal and Silverhall too early.

Edit: Also, you just played your mock games until Turn 4 ? Well, the game doesnt end there :) Even if Lannister situation looked nice to you, if he lost KL and Baratheon starts collecting power unharassed behind the lines, it doesnt take much longer for him to excessively pick up allies and win claim bids, making quick way to victory. Also, what Stark can really do to put pressure on Baratheon is all grey THEORY, in practice, its a long way to go for him to do anything, especially while you are not taking into account Greyjoy, who, if he is not after Lannister, is after Stark. He may be able to raid The Eyrie some day, but then Baratheon might not even need that anymore as a power harvesting spot.

Ergo: I must greatly doubt that 20 mock games played by one player until Turn 4 is telling you ANYTHING as for how to win a game eventually :) So I humbly suggest you play some good amount of REAL games and then we continue this discussion - have fun :)

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Strategy:: Re: House Lannister Guide

donnyrides — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:03:32 +0000

by donnyrides

I disagree with your plan for Lannister. I have created a VASSAL engine game mod for AGOT ASOS and I played through about 20 mock games up to turn 4. In all but 2 cases, Baratheon took Kings landing within 2 to 3 turns. The only times that they didn't were in a case where Stark came to Lannister's rescue from the north to draw attention away and a case where Baratheon was wishful thinking and tried to take kings landing from Dragonstone. If the Baratheon player serounds Kings Landing from the north and south, Kings Landing falls no later than turn 3 almost every time.

I think that Lannister's first 3 moves should be:
************TURN 1 **********
* Use Forge Alliances tactics card* (0 power left)

*Move Jamie and a Knight to GoldRoad and a Footmen to Cornfield

*Move Tywin and a Footmen to Acorn Hall with a Crown Order,leave a Footmen on Trident Woodland.

*D+2 on Kings Landing.

Work a deal with Stark: trade 4 or 5 power for Ned and ask that they try to provide pressure from the north by threatening from Upper Kings Road or The Eyrie

This will leave you in position to use Control Westeros and take both Silverhall and Harenhall on turn 2 and prepare you for a counter attack on Kings Landing.

At this point you should be at 5 to 6 power and in good position for any bidding
*****************************

******* Turn 2 **************
*Use Control Westeros tactics card* (5 or 6 power left)

*Move Jamie and his Knight to Cornfield and then again into SilverHall leaving a power token on GoldRoad and a Footmen on Cornfield (saving power is critical for Lanninster)

*Chain 2 Crown Orders together to move Tywin and his 2 Footmen into Harenhall. leaving a power token on the Trident Woodland and just leave Acorn Hall empty (don't worry). You should be back to 5 or 6 power again after collecting power for Tywin activating.

*D +2 on Kings Landing

You are now looking at Mustering 5 or 6 new units depending on the status of Kings Landing. This is second only to Stark in troop growth. You are much more powerful at this point with 2 units on Lannisport, 2 on Cornfield, 3 and Jamie on Silverhall, 3 and Tywin on Harenhall and with some luck 2+ a 6 garrison on kings landing. you are also sitting on 5 or 6 power.

************************

*****Turn 3*************
*Use Forge Alliance tactics card* (3 or 4 power left)
On this turn, start connecting your forces.

*Move Jamie and his Knight onto Tumbleton and leave the new Mustered Footman on Silverhall or leave a power if a muster hasn't happened yet (probability says it will happen on the first 2 turns. Happened 17 out of 20 games I simulated)

*Move Tywin and a Footman from Harenhall back onto Acorn Hall (This is why we didn't leave a power token.)

**IF a muster happened move your Knight or Footmen that were Mustered on Lannisport to Cornfield

*move a Footman to GoldRoad from Cornfield ** If a muster happened you may want to move units north or onto Silverhall or both

**IF you still have Kings Landing play the normal D+2
**IF you have been kicked out of Kings Landing, move your unit closer to Tywin or Jamie, Don't try to hold the fort with a single Footman and D+2 on Souther Gods Eye. you could probably get away with it on Rose Road though.
*************************
The best and worst part of the ASOS expansion is that anything can happen based on the Ally cards and the Westeros cards. So this walkthrough is not set in stone, this is just how I have created the most success for Lannister.

With this setup, Baratheon is now trapped in his 3 castle bubble, Meanwhile Stark should be at least a presence to worry about from the north and they really can't move east. The Lannister Army can move anywhere they want at this point. Black should have some guards on their southern border while they mount an attack against Winterfell or the never ending battle for Oldstone. One thing I have learned it that you need to ally with the player across the table from you. You can’t get backstabbed that way. If you think that Greyjoy is going to leave your capital alone while you run off to war with Jamie at Kings Landing, your crazy. Greyjoy's special tactics card says they gain a claim if they control another capital. THAT'S A 3 CLAIM SHIFT!! He's not going to let that opportunity pass him up.

I think this walkthrough is more realistic, safer and stronger than the original poster's plan. If you try to hold King's Landing you will have nothing to show for your game by this time and the end result is inevitable, KINGS LANDING WILL FALL.

File: A Game of Thrones:: 4 players map adapted (v. 2.0)

thiagbs — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:59:24 +0000

by thiagbs

4 players map adapted (v. 2.0) for Board Game: A Game of Thrones ]]>

File: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Summary of the House Cards

Netlimpopo — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:03:35 +0000

by Netlimpopo

Summary of the House Cards for Board Game: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion ]]>

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Re: Question about Power Token Placement

aaxiom — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:10:53 +0000

by aaxiom

galonso wrote:
Do you have to place a power token on say Winterfell if you are Stark and move out of it since it already has the Stark Icon until someone else controls it?

No. That's a power token that remains in force unless an enemy possesses the region (or leaves the region and places a power token there).

HTH.

EDIT: When regaining control, all that need be done by House Stark is to occupy and remove the enemy power token.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Variants:: Re: 5 or 6 player variant that uses aspects of original and expansions

Buth — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:18:54 +0000

by Buth

Silverbeacher wrote:
yeah, we've actually have started using the House Cards from the ASOS expansion, as they are a bit more balanced. As such, we have been toying with the idea of using the triggering function again with the Leaders. Our main concern, since we like using the OTOs still, is that some, in particular Stark, would end up having too much marching power.

I saw you tried to balance this with naming different leaders than the original ones (Theon instead of Asha, Areo instead of Doran). But I think it's almost impossible to get a perfect balance (Tywin is the best example).

For the OTOs I think at the contrary that Stark suffers having a special OTO not so powerful since the others can now move during the raids. I'd say if you want to keep the OTO's with leaders and tactics you'll have to remove the particular ones of each house at least. It is highly recommended by the game's creators.

Lastly I don't think Leaders are interesting at all without the triggering function. I simply can't see the advantage of using them.

Silverbeacher wrote:
By the way for anyone that doesn't know- when you win a battle and you have Sword Icons on your card, if you attacked a territory that had leaders on it, you may choose to capture a leader instead of killing a unit. Some people forget about this,

IF you have more swords than your opponent's tower icons on his card...

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Re: Question about Power Token Placement

galonso — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:00:44 +0000

by galonso

Do you have to place a power token on say Winterfell if you are Stark and move out of it since it already has the Stark Icon until someone else controls it?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: First play in and we had a question...

Nahain — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:54:00 +0000

by Nahain

Support orders in the hinterlands can create a powerful defensive position but as Paul already said most of the time you would rahter collect power there. Take King's Landing for an instance which is a key position in the defending of Baratheon's main land territory. A support order in King's Landing can hold your line against attacks from almost all directions but every time you don't place a consolidate power there because you expect an attack will hurt you deep in your heart as you look at those two shiny crowns.
You might say that Baratheon won't need that power every single turn but it shows how I think AGOT really works. It's not easy to attack and even harder to kill units but when you pressure a player he or she will have to sacrifice something. Maybe he didn't lose those two barrels at Blackwater or the mustering point at Crackclaw Point but he will get behind in power every turn you chill out in front of his gates.

When it comes to attacking it's rather hard to place a support order where it can support two attacks on different zones unless the support is sea based in which case somebody should be able to raid it and if that somebody isn't you then this is where diplomacy comes into play.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

JVKhoury — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:07:05 +0000

by JVKhoury

And the unraidable support in Blackwater Bay, covering King's Landing, the sea surrounding Dragonstone, Crackclaw Point, and The Kingswood, makes a strong defensive position that is a tough nut to crack.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

JVKhoury — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:04:06 +0000

by JVKhoury

Thematically, I don't see any reason why Lannister shouldn't have the strongest army in the game. Also, if we compare this to Diplomacy, Russia is the only nation with 4 starting units specifically because she has so many borders to defend.

Also, I think a downgrade of island knights could help in the early game.

I haven't really studied the mustering/barrel/crown distribution of the map, but it always seemed to me that Tyrell had an advantage in all of that wide open south and southeast to exploit. If Tyrell can make an alliance with either Lannister [Yes please! -Lan] or Baratheon [carving up that part of the map between them], I think they have a decent shot. Of course, the nature of their alliance probably would put them at risk of the knife in the dark, but hey, that's diplomacy for you.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Re: Extended FAQ Posted !

Haggis — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 02:21:31 +0000

by Haggis

We play the way Umbratus' group plays. Try to downgrade first, then a random removal from the *d orders.

If the player is new, we'd probably try to remove the order that makes the least impact to his game. New players have a hard enough time as-is...

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

JVKhoury — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:55:11 +0000

by JVKhoury

Cool, I earned a good amount of GG for this session and can now buy this:

Kind of ironic, but I wanted to play the Starks in the game anyway. But, as the only one who had played the game, I deferred my House choice until the end.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

JVKhoury — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:47:57 +0000

by JVKhoury

LatinaNakita wrote:
I just read this book and really enjoyed it, for some reason I thought this game was a CCG - but your report sure makes it sound like a board game?

My brother, curse his eyes, just started me reading the series by giving me the first three books for my birthday. [Like I have time to read a 7 book, 1000 pages per book, half the books not even written yet and who knows when they will be, fantasy epic.] I'm just finishing the first book and it's fantastic. My brother, meanwhile, is "borrowing" my birthday present, reading about one book ahead of me because he started reading the first one while waiting to give it to me. Another player at the game had just started reading the series as well [Greyjoy], and one of them was even fully caught up with book 4 [Stark]. No spoilers were discussed however.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

JVKhoury — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:42:12 +0000

by JVKhoury

Thanks for the clarification. The question came up on the fly and we didn't have the intrawebs handy [we were playing in the Cathedral of Learning in Pittsburgh BTW, which adds great atmosphere if anyone is familiar with the building]. We checked rulebooks as much as we could, but time was of the essence so we flipped for it.

Umbratus wrote:
On the other hand this might confuse them even more.

I am a big fan of the Westeros Variant when it comes to playing by email with experienced players. In a face2face game I am reluctant to use it since it can increase playing time quite alot when trying to plan ahead too much.

Good report btw.

JVKhoury wrote:
We had a rule question that had to be settled with a coinflip: Martell, who only had one footman in the area, played a card that "immediately" upgraded it to a knight, Tyrell played a card that "immediately" slew a footman. Which happened first?

Since both cards are of category II, Fiefdoms order decides which is resolved first !
There are three categories of cards. Any Cancel/ignore go first, second any immediate or combat strength affecting effect take place. Third, any other effects such as "if you win this battle". If both cards played are of the same category, fiefdoms order decides which is resolved first.

Check official FAQ or my extended FAQ in BGG's file section of the base game.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/39104

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

Umbratus — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:59 +0000

by Umbratus

Its both actually. This is the boardgame section here.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

LatinaNakita — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:38:53 +0000

by LatinaNakita

I just read this book and really enjoyed it, for some reason I thought this game was a CCG - but your report sure makes it sound like a board game?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

Zen Postman — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:45:14 +0000

by Zen Postman

JVKhoury wrote:

Greyjoy left Lannister strangely unmolested and quietly nibbled at the coast, holding Flint's Finger,

Fortunately for everyone involved, he didn't pull Flint's Finger....

Nice report.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

Umbratus — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:24:22 +0000

by Umbratus

On the other hand this might confuse them even more.

I am a big fan of the Westeros Variant when it comes to playing by email with experienced players. In a face2face game I am reluctant to use it since it can increase playing time quite alot when trying to plan ahead too much.

Good report btw.

JVKhoury wrote:
We had a rule question that had to be settled with a coinflip: Martell, who only had one footman in the area, played a card that "immediately" upgraded it to a knight, Tyrell played a card that "immediately" slew a footman. Which happened first?

Since both cards are of category II, Fiefdoms order decides which is resolved first !
There are three categories of cards. Any Cancel/ignore go first, second any immediate or combat strength affecting effect take place. Third, any other effects such as "if you win this battle". If both cards played are of the same category, fiefdoms order decides which is resolved first.

Check official FAQ or my extended FAQ in BGG's file section of the base game.
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/filepage/39104

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

azuredarkness — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:42:27 +0000

by azuredarkness

An idea came up in a recent thread, that I avidly adopted: when playing with new players - play with the "three cards revealed variant from the ACOK expansion.
It would make planning much easier for the newbs :)

Session: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Stag, Lion, & Rose: Deadly Dance at King's Landing

JVKhoury — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 09:11:21 +0000

by JVKhoury

Reference

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Setup

We played a 6-Player game using no expansion materials other than the board overlays and House Martell. I've played once before, the others were all new. With most of the players choosing Houses based on color preference, I ended up with House Baratheon. Victor, who is Russian, chose House Lannister because he always uses the red pieces, always.

Some of the guys' eyes glazed over during rules explanation. Martell and Lannister especially had a hard time. Stark and Tyrell meanwhile, already seemed to be plotting their first moves.

Opening Rounds

House Baratheon made quick work of the Garrison at King's Landing, making themselves comfy amongst all of those crowns, taking also Crackclaw Point and the Kingswood. With a ship in Blackwater Bay, [and its near constant +1 support order], and another in Stormbreaker Bay, Baratheon had a strong interior defensive line.

Greyjoy left Lannister strangely unmolested and quietly nibbled at the coast, holding Flint's Finger, Greywater Watch, and Seagard with very little opposition.

Stark holed up around Winterfell and greedily sucked up power tokens at Karhold and Castle Black while casting covetous eyes on the Eyrie.

Lannister struck east and south, taking Riverrun, Blackwater, and Harrenhall.

Martell made it as far as The Boneway and Prince's Pass before disaster struck.

Tyrell took Oldtown, The Reach, and the Dornish Marches, but with near utter disregard for a free roaming Lannister, began pressing Martell fiercely, first attacking The Boneway and slaying a lone knight [poor House Martell has NO castles on its House Cards]. Tyrell then went after Prince's Pass and almost got another knight. We had a rule question that had to be settled with a coinflip: Martell, who only had one footman in the area, played a card that "immediately" upgraded it to a knight, Tyrell played a card that "immediately" slew a footman. Which happened first? Martell won the flip and retreated to Starfall.

Martell was in a bad way. His pieces were all spread out, while the Tyrells were all bunched up and ready to steamroll him. I took it upon myself to order a King's Peace. In no way did I want to see a player eliminated that early, not to mention all of the territory that Tyrell could gobble up. I called upon the Lion of Lannister to sweep into the Searoad Marches and force the Tyrells to defend their backside at Highgarden. The Lannister's weren't interested, telling me instead to come out from my Walls at King's Landing and do the job myself. Frustrated, I told the Tyrells, in no uncertain terms, that I would intervene if they pressed Martell too hard. I wormed a reluctant truce from Lannister to allow me to keep the King's Peace without attacking my weakened defenses--if it came to that.

Events/Tracks

The event draws were really odd for this game. A Wilding attack came up immediately [the only one for the whole game], but with strength of 0, the entire Kingdom laughed it off. We had no musters, several "No Raids this Turn", a whole bunch of supply cards, lots of "Last Days of Spring" and "Winter is Coming", and bidding rounds, lots of bidding rounds. The positions on the tracks changed multiple times in the game. Early on, I was able to gather a decent amount of power tokens and hold onto the Iron Throne, while moving up both of the other tracks [the starred orders would become particularly useful later on]. Stark, with his ever growing pile of tokens slowly moved up the tracks. Greyjoy and Lannister were bottom dwellers pretty much the entire game, often earning power tokens solely by event cards.

Midgame

Martell managed to stabilize his lines. Tyrell and Lannister meanwhile became agitated with the Baratheons, who did they think they were? Kings? They entered into an alliance to wipe Baratheon from the map. The Stag knew that it could never stand against an alliance of both the Lion and the Rose. House Martell, who had just been saved by Baratheon meddling proved most reluctant allies, prefering to hole up and dress their wounds rather than press the Tyrells for their King. As the new bedfellows circled King's Landing licking their chops, the Stag lowered its horns and struck first, knocking Tyrell out of the Boneway [and upgrading a footman to a knight via House Card], but only after pleading support out of a Martell ship in The Sea of Dorne by promising to withdraw from The Boneway.

The following turn saw a grave miscalculation by Baratheon, Knowing King's Landing to be safe from either individual besieging force, they instead laid orders to again sortie out, this time against the Lannisters who had taken Crackclaw Point unopposed. Expecting defensive consolidation from their enemies, the Baratheon's were totally surprised by Lannister march order on King's Landing and Tyrell's support. By the Stag's eyes, the Rose gained nothing-nothing, while the Lion swept into King's Landing. The routed Baratheons fled to the Kingswood, taking no significant losses, but were further insulted by being forced to discard their march order in The Boneway [Lannister House card]. A march order that had been intended for the taking of Storm's End, which Martell gladly occupied. [Had the Baratheons placed a raid in The Boneway and a Defense in King's Landing, the Capital would have still been theirs, but they didn't factor on Tyrell's unrelenting grudge for interfering in the south, and their willingness to hand King's Landing to the Lannisters upon a platter.]

House Tyrell had one more move up their sleeves, sneaking a ship clear around the horn and attacking Shipbreaker Bay, somehow forgetting the ever-present +1 Support from Blackwater Bay. True to its name, the Tyrell fleet was dashed upon the rocks and sunk by a wrathful Baratheon.

The Greyjoys sat upon their Coastal holdings while Lannisport and Riverrun remained ghost towns and the Starks sucked the North dry of power tokens.

Stark moved into The Narrow Sea and provided some annoyance for the fleet at Shipbreaker Bay, but nothing more. Instead, the long-calculated move upon the Eyrie seemed imminent.

Events/Tracks

More "Winter is Coming" and "Last Days of Spring". The only muster of the game came up immediately following the sack of King's Landing and with Baratheon in possession of only a single Stronghold to muster up a measly 2 points. The last significant bidding round placed Stark at the head of all 3 tracks while Baratheon was able to earn second place in each as well. Greyjoy brought up the rear in all.

Endgame

We ended the game on turn 8 due to time restrictions, the last two turns being hotly contested in some areas, a turtled lockdown in others.

Greyjoy finally made a move on Lannister and Stark, taking Riverrun and landing on The Stony Shore to Threaten Winterfell itself.

Lannister turned some of its newly mustered troops back to Lannisport as the Kraken's tentacles wrapped the shore.

Baratheon marched their rallied troops out of the Kingswood [leaving behind a power token], using support from the Knight in the Boneway [the one that was prevented from moving into Storm's End] to wrest The Reach from the Tyrells, slaying one of their Footmen as they fled back to Highgarden. The newly raised knight on Dragonstone landed at Crackclaw Point and with the Blackwater Bay fleet supporting [+1!] slew the Lannister Footman there.

Martell, buffed up by reinforements, took the Dornish Marches and put another Tyrell footman to the sword, the rest scurried to Oldtown.

Tables had turned rapidly on Tyrell and they holed up in Highgarden, licking their wounds, and were not a factor for the final rounds. Martell, eying the two garrisons at Highgarden and Oldtown, turtled at the Dornish Marshes, not wanting to overextend, and were likewise not a factor.

In a hard fought battle during the last turn, Robb Stark's Knights managed to eek out a victory over Balon Greyjoy at Seagard. The Eyrie continued to be just a daydream as the Starks consolidated more and more power, but just never seemed to get around to ordering an assault on the mountain fortress.

For the final turn House Baratheon devised a daring plan to retake King's Landing. A single raid order from Harrenhall or The Narrow Sea, however could wreck the plan entirely. Knowing that the Lannisters still held their 3 card, and only having his two 0's in hand, the Stag needed to make up a lot of ground on the Lion, maneuvering about him in a dance of death that involved every single Baratheon piece and order upon the board. Luckily, the Lion, fat and lazy in the comforts of King's Landing could play no star orders, but the sly Stag, fled to the Kingswood, could play three, and thus outsmart his stronger opponent.

Lannister's 5 point army in King's Landing could defend at +1, while receiving +1 from Blackwater [+2 if he marched from Harrenhall to Blackwater-which he did], and +3 from his house card for a total of 11.

A -1 march sent the ship in Shipbreaker Bay to Blackwater Bay where a +1 support order already awaited. [+3]
A 0 march sent the knight in The Boneway to The Reach to join a knight and footman there.
A +1 attack order in The Reach sent the army marching on King's Landing [+6]
A support order for the Knight on Crackclaw Point provided the final push. [+2]

With his best option an 11/11 tie [which they would lose on tiebreaker] the Lions tossed off a low house card. Baratheon played the 0 card that forced Lannister to discard their 3 anyway. Lannister had nowhere to retreat save Blackwater [power token in The Kingswood], where they already had two footmen, giving them an army of five, and forcing them to eliminate two footmen for supply reasons.

The Starks won the game on a tiebreaker [collected power--go figure] with a final breakdown as follows:

Stark-4: Winterfall, Seagard, Moat Cailin, and White Harbor.
Baratheon-4: King's Landing, Dragonstone, Crackclaw Point, The Reach
Greyjoy-3: Pyke, Riverrun, Flint's Finger
Martell-3: Sunspear, Yronwood, Starfall
Lannister-2: Lannisport, Harrenhall
Tyrell-2: Highgarden, Oldtown

What if?

If the game had continued, Baratheon would have been in good shape against Lannister, while Tyrell cowered in Highgarden. Martell might have caused trouble, but most likely they were looking for revenge against the Rose. Stark however could have been an enormous threat that only a timely muster could have saved Baratheon from. They needed to build a new fleet in Shipbreaker Bay as Stark, acting first in the turn order, would have been able to sail a ship in unopposed, defend it [he still had his +3 House Card], and land troops on the undefended island.

Baratheon would have still been behind Stark, Greyjoy, and Martell on mustered troops and probably couldn't have done much more than raise a fleet and cosolidate around King's Landing. Greyjoy probably had the strength of arms to knock out Stark [especially with them fooling around with the Eyrie expidition and menacing the Baratheons], but the horrible way they neglected power tokens probably would have left them hamstrung to do it.

Thoughts

I concede the victory to the Starks, but a little bitterly as they did nothing the whole game save collect power and watch the four southern powers beat the snot out of each other. I feel a good deal of personal vindication in not only fending off two houses, but inflicting multiple loses and casualties upon them and leaving both of them in 5th and 6th place, without suffering a single casualty myself, and doing it with much less strength [the midgame muster that got everyone else a good bump in army size saw me gain a single knight].

I consider it a great victory in dueling both the Rose and the Lion in a Dance of Death surrounding King's Landing. Let the Direwolf have its cold victory of power tokens--the Stag was blooded, but it trampled the Rose and kicked down the Lion.

Edit

OK, so I appear to have missed something. For starters, we played the game under the following misinterpretation: we thought victory was based on the POINT value of cities and strongholds [1 & 2 respectively], while the rulebook says it's based on total number of cities and strongholds. When writing this review, I realized late that we had done that, and corrected the final scoring appropriately. Unfortunately, I also forgot that Martell ended the game with possession of Storm's End, giving him 4, and a three-way tie for first, which he would have won based on a higher supply track, all of Stark's power tokens be damned. However, because we played the game as if the intent was to value strongholds at 2 and cities at 1, there is no way to reverse that at the last minute and give the win to Martell. Because I fudged the numbers to omit our rule gaffe, I have to unfudge them to show how we really valued and calculated victory.

Stark-6: Winterfall [2], Seagard [2], Moat Cailin, and White Harbor.
Baratheon-6: King's Landing [2], Dragonstone [2], Crackclaw Point, The Reach
Greyjoy-5: Pyke, [2] Riverrun [2], Flint's Finger
Martell-5: Sunspear [2], Yronwood, Starfall, Storm's End
Tyrell-4: Highgarden [2], Oldtown [2]
Lannister-3: Lannisport [2], Harrenhall

Personally, I kind of like that better, as it provides better separation of endgme numbers, but I'm not sure if the game should be played that way. I'd like to say that it might cause passive players to be more aggressive towards certain territories, like, say King's Landing, but there was plenty of pacifism in our game. More than I would have liked--I was the only one who came close to cycling his house cards [I had one 0 left], but I also think the single muster, and the shorter game length contributited a bit to that.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Re: Extended FAQ Posted !

Umbratus — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:45:36 +0000

by Umbratus

That rarely happened in my games, since I always remind folks to watch their amount of allowed star orders.

But when it happens, we try to downgrade orders first. Like if there is a Def+2 placed somewhere, but that player has another regular Def+1 left we just downgrade the Def+2 to a regular. Same goes for raids and supports. If the issue is with marches, we try to downgrade as well, switching the march+1 to march+0 and the march+0 to a march-1. Again, thats only possible when that player didnt assign his march-1 during planning phase.

If thats all impossible to solve like this, we've been simply dropping the order that was not allowed. Thats a pretty good reminder to be careful next time ;)

If there are several star orders too many at once, we'd randomly determine which order has to be dropped to get back to the allowed amount. No way there is something like a vote which order is to be dropped. Usually some players have an interest to rather get rid of this order instead of another.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Question.

AdrianU — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:07:53 +0000

by AdrianU

What should we do, when a player put more special orders that he can? For example he is 4th on the King's Court (Raven track) and place 2 or 3 special orders.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: First play in and we had a question...

Unitoch — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:12:04 +0000

by Unitoch

I wouldn't call them overpowered. You have to be careful about placing them on border areas, or they can be raided, as you note. They can also be attacked directly to displace them and render them useless. Finally, a lot of the time you'll really want to be gathering influence with that army that's supporting. Also, I think you'll find that in most cases, a support order will still only be used once (or 0 times!) in a turn. In my average game, of all the support orders played by all players, maybe one is used twice all game.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: First play in and we had a question...

FearlessFred — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:30:03 +0000

by FearlessFred

Ok I guess we played correctly then.

Does anyone with more experience feel that a support order is overpowered?

I suppose with more experience you learn that raid orders are good and that the support order is vulnerable to the raid...

Thanks for the responses

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: First play in and we had a question...

Tatsu — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:50:58 +0000

by Tatsu

Correct, support are there for the entire round regardless of how many times they support other areas

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: First play in and we had a question...

Eeeville — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:44:22 +0000

by Eeeville

You leave the Support orders on the board until the end of the round unless the Support Order is raided. That's the way I remember it and how we've played for the past few years.

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: First play in and we had a question...

FearlessFred — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:38:37 +0000

by FearlessFred

First off I have to say I really enjoyed this game, I totally messed up my first couple turns as Tyrell in a six player game, by not taking Oldtown, but I'll learn my lesson.

The question we have is very basic. With Support Orders are they removed once support is given in a particular battle? I read and read and couldn't find where it says that they do, but if they don't the support order seems very strong, maybe overly so.

Thanks in advance.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:03:53 +0000

by Umbratus

My opinion is that diplomacy helps the weaker houses only as long as they are weak. If Lannister grows too strong, he'll surely get messed up by at least one of his various neighbours.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Bighab — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:33:09 +0000

by Bighab

I will agree with Joel that the game board needs some tweaking to make things more "balanced". But maybe it was designed that way some some of the weaker houses(Lannister/Tyrell) have to use diplomacy more to win? I have fooled around with some ideas regarding the starting mustering points. The Greyjoy/Baratheon knight downgrade that Joel suggest was one. I liked adding a 3rd footman to Lannister on Stoney Sept :) One of the biggest complaints in my game group is the house cards being unbalanced(original deck)

bert_nerdsen wrote:
So we're discussing the most imbecible single design decision.

My #1: Mustering Point Distribution
Your #1: The Game Board

Anyone else?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:28:37 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

Umbratus wrote:

Probably I misunderstood you, thats what happens when two non-native speakers try to discuss things in a foreign language ;)

Diese Problematik hätte sich leicht beheben lassen können :D

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Is there an online version anywhere?

Danny Peeters — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 12:00:09 +0000

by Danny Peeters

The online game very similar to AGOT is called War of the Realm (look at https://www.waroftherealm.com)

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Is there an online version anywhere?

6649er — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:10:30 +0000

by 6649er

try http://agotpbem.yuku.com/

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:50:41 +0000

by Umbratus

I thought we did when you posted this:

bert_nerdsen wrote:
So we're discussing the most imbecible single design decision.

My #1: Mustering Point Distribution
Your #1: The Game Board

Anyone else?

Probably I misunderstood you, thats what happens when two non-native speakers try to discuss things in a foreign language ;)

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:41:54 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

Umbratus wrote:
So, it seems to me that we agree after all.

Did we disagree in the first place?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:33:43 +0000

by Umbratus

So, it seems to me that we agree after all.

Unfortunately I cannot contribute anymore than two or three games with evened out mustering points either. As we couldnt really notice any major difference with that change alone, the sentiment of wasting a whole evening of 4 or 5 hours when playing either Lannister or Tyrell didnt really diminish, noone was really willing to try out more things to fix a broken game. Understandably we moved along to other games more suited for having fun for an evening while I continued playing online by email.

If you fix the starting units, you still have the issue of Tyrell needing another crown down south for being competetive, probably needing another mustering point as well. Or is that mustering point alone enough so he can actually contest the available crowns at hand ? Or is it the other way round, one more crown in order to have sufficient income to contest the influence tracks and thus the mustering points at hand ?

While that may still be somehow fixed, the next and probably most difficult issue is with Lannister. His position allows for almost everyone to pick on him if he wants to. He can go in any direction but in case he is doing well and coming close to win, others will intervene without much effort or stretching far. Its mainly because of Lannister that I think the board needs to be revised. There are too many contested strongholds nearby that make the game too easy if played with less than 5 players. And if you have 5, Lannister is surrounded and has nowhere to go really. His only chance is in a foolish Greyjoy, other than than, he will not win a game. Thats not what I'd call balanced or balanced enough to fix with a few minor tweaks.

The map is broken, thats my oppinion after playing, discussing and analyzing this game for many years. Initially face2face and in the end exclusively online win lots of games on various systems. Its also online that hasty and noobish errors are less likely since only very enthusiastic folks will commit to even play online and there is enough time to consider each and every move. Apart from the heat of the night, play is optimized and balance issues will appear even more blatant in online play with experienced players. Even out mustering point does or does not help, I can neither proof nor disproof it, but it certainly cannot fix a broken map.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 16:06:46 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

A year ago my group had an active phase of AGOT. During this phase, many laments on balance came up. We managed to play two sessions with lowered mustering points and without any extra rules (ecept for harbors of course). I can't remember to have Greyjoy a hard time anyway. If I remember correctly: one victory Stark, one victory Grejoy.

A group specific problem: My group never saw Baretheon that strong (In the poll, I voted: GJ - Stark - Bar - Tyr - Lan), so they were quite wary of the Baretheon MP reduction. While I saw no problem in that, especially the Stannis Baretheon Fan of my group was lamenting about this. Since Lannister and Tyrell did a little better due to the distribution, the group hasn't accepted the MP Change as the final balance fixer (but neither did I) and I haven't played AGOT since then (as I said a year ago).

Two games make no empiric argument, I know, but I didn't want to offer the MP Reduction as solution to the balance issue. As I said above, it's simply the most incrompehensible design decision. Fixing this still gives no real balance but it surely doesn't shift the odds against Greyjoy or Baretheon (IMO). I suggest everyone who still wants to play this game to adopt this very obvious change (as it has been discussed in this forum again and again).

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:51:15 +0000

by Umbratus

So have you actually tried out revising mustering point distribution and how did it work out over how many games ?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:43:20 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

So we're discussing the most imbecible single design decision.

My #1: Mustering Point Distribution
Your #1: The Game Board

Anyone else?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:30:54 +0000

by Umbratus

Since the whole balance of the base game with any number of players is a blatant misjudgement, its a reasonable explanation to me.

Consider the fact that the games first edition was actually shipped with Greyjoy having one star order available at setup, balance was even further at awe. So I really cannot see much thinking there.

Obviously playtesting and balancing the game has come way too short. I love this game, but it just aint balanced. Being pragmatic, its no use to discuss what the designers were thinking on this detail. Fact and result is, it doesnt provide equal chances for any house to win as it is.

I've always said, since a long time back, that in favor of having an additional ship to start with, Baratheon and Greyjoy should have their knights downgraded to footmen to even out mustering points while providing the same amount of troops to cover ressources. Then, their issue of starting on islands and having to cover them sufficiently, since there may be no retreat, is reasonably well covered without giving too much free advantage. But then this still doesnt solve all the balance issues there are, but its for sure one necessary thing to do if you want to establish balance. Better revise the map though and take away the necessity of trading ships for knights in the first place.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:11:44 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

Joel,

you suppose that the designers have totally underestimated the positional advantage of islands. Openly they have but I really wonder why. They have designed the rules, they have playtested the game. How could they have misjudged the issue that hard?!?

Your benevolent explanation argues for more naval power from the beginning. Of course the island houses should get more naval power than the other houses. But why should they get more mustering points? There is a very obvious distribution to give them more naval power, the same number of land units and the same number of mustering points as any other mainland house. I just don't get why one deliberately decides against this distribution and in favor of more mustering points. I just don't see any reasonable explanation for that (remember: blatant misjudgement is no reasonable explanation;)).

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:37:47 +0000

by Umbratus

bert_nerdsen wrote:
How can one even dare to think about distributing more mustering points as starting units to the island houses than to the mainland houses?!?

I think there is a pretty simple answer to that.

If Lannisport is attacked, defeated forces my retreat to several available spots, same is true for Highgarden and Winterfell. But, if on the other hand Pyke or Dragonstone is attacked, all forces will be inevitably destroyed.

So I can clearly see the designers thinking there, making the naval nations starting on islands abit stronger on the seas initially in order to prevent them from falling apart totally should they screw up their early play.

It just didnt pay off like intended since their natural/initial position is probably already good enough as it is, with Blackwater Bays unraidable support and Greyjoy holding the Valyrian Steel Blade at the beginning of the game.

Of course, I am speculating here, I havent designed this game, but its the only traceable explanation for me.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Is there an online version anywhere?

mjacobsca — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:54:07 +0000

by mjacobsca

There is a "different" game on-line that is very similar AGOT but with different units, as far as I remember. I saw a post about it a few months ago (maybe longer), and the game looked interesting. I'm too lazy to search for it, and I don't remember its name, but it is probably worthwhile for you to find it! Let me know if you do find it becuase I wouldn't mind checking it out again to see what's changed.

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Is there an online version anywhere?

donnyrides — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 22:30:43 +0000

by donnyrides

Is there an online version of this game anywhere? I have a hard time getting 4 or 5 people together.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 08:26:53 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

Umbratus wrote:
But there are also other influences to be considered. Evening out starting forces is not the only issue to be set aright. I have been through many discussions, thought of and tried many tweaks and changes by myself. Today, I am pretty sure the 5 player game cannot be properly balanced with the existing map. In order to have a fair and balanced game the map needs remodelling to a certain extend that is beyond a few simple tweaks.

Of course, the balance issue of the game is much more sophisticated than the simple aspect of the mustering point imbalance. I just wanted to stress what I consider to be one of the most incomprehensible design decisions. Since the positional advantage of the island houses is disputable (I would say that they've got a major positional advatage) the question should be: should those houses get less mustering points as starting units than the mainland houses (or rather the same). How can one even dare to think about distributing more mustering points as starting units to the island houses than to the mainland houses?!?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Sessions:: Re: AGOT Ultimate 4 Player Mod - Second PBEM

madyoss — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:22:50 +0000

by madyoss

Hey guys, may I ask where are these game screens from? Looks like some sort of online version I've been looking for.

Cheers.

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: General:: Re: The claim track

Buth — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:44:17 +0000

by Buth

okay I played again last week, and then I realized I was mistaken, there are only 6 slots on the track :D

so to correct my last post, the average in my games was 5-6 claim tokens on the board, so maybe 4 or 5 slots only would be better for the game balance ? ^^

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Peter Dinklage as Tyrion in AGoT miniseries

burrie — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 02:51:28 +0000

by burrie

Well, GRRM needs to finish book 5 by 2013, book 6 by 2014 and 7 by 2015 to make it a nice and smooth series for HBO, assuming book 1 will be shown in 2010. Should be doable I guess (not sure, I have never written a book).

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Game of Thrones card game

Tatsu — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:08:00 +0000

by Tatsu

Kalidor wrote:
The older cards from the standard A Game of Thrones CCG was excellent as a 2-player. It handled multi-player well enough, too,

The newer A Game of Thrones LCG is built for multi-player and excells at it. It's not quite meant, at least out of the Core Set Box, to be 2 player...

The LCG plays two ok, but really shines with 4

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Game of Thrones card game

elfrododumbo — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:50:25 +0000

by elfrododumbo

Many thanks Jim and Justin.
Will make sure I get the CCG version. :)

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Game of Thrones card game

Kalidor — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 21:12:17 +0000

by Kalidor

The older cards from the standard A Game of Thrones CCG was excellent as a 2-player. It handled multi-player well enough, too,

The newer A Game of Thrones LCG is built for multi-player and excells at it. It's not quite meant, at least out of the Core Set Box, to be 2 player...

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Game of Thrones card game

jpat — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:58:57 +0000

by jpat

Yes.

Check the LCG entry:
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39953

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Game of Thrones card game

elfrododumbo — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 20:29:17 +0000

by elfrododumbo

Does anyone know if the crd game can be played with two players ?
Thanks in advance.

New Image for A Game of Thrones

hillep — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:27:48 +0000

by hillep

Bold step for Greyjoys

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

hillep — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:13:36 +0000

by hillep

Dragons in Westeros

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

hillep — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:13:03 +0000

by hillep

Lannisport and Casterly Rock taken by the Kraken Warriors

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New Image for A Game of Thrones

hillep — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 04:01:47 +0000

by hillep

9-player game - everyone are still happy

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Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Playing time for newcomers

ERPriest — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:28:21 +0000

by ERPriest

Five hours was my gut feeling. The idea of a teaching game is a great one, but we will need to see how well this is received. Thanks for all the input.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Playing time for newcomers

Sobriquet — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:29:47 +0000

by Sobriquet

I'm gonna weigh in on the 5 hour or more side as well. If it's a five player game, it's just gonna take awhile. Having said that, once you're familiar with the game it will speed up tremendously.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Playing time for newcomers

jpat — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:23:52 +0000

by jpat

I think 5 hours might be more likely. It depends on the group. I was the real foot-dragger in ours, unfortunately, although I did win. :what:

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Playing time for newcomers

Dagda — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:18:13 +0000

by Dagda

Our group of five played it for the first time this past weekend and while I don't feel that we were prone to too much analysis paralysis, it still took us over 5 hours including instruction time. I agree with Nogser about simply treating it as a learning expereince - it's a compelling game and worth savoring rather than rushing through. I'm sure they'll want to come back for more.
BTW, we included the port rules from the Clash of Kings Expansion - they are easily implemented even without the expansion as the rules are posted on FFG's site (and I think also available through a link on BGG's page for the expansion). Rather than using the port markers that come in the expansion, your group can agree that navies hugging the coast are in port and those clearly out to sea are not. If your group are contentious then simply use small chips denoting which navies are in port. The ports serve an important function of preventing Lannister being severely crippled early on,and bring more balance to the game.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Playing time for newcomers

randusnuder — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:16:54 +0000

by randusnuder

We have finished games in 4 hours with varying levels of players.

The tough part is figuring out where to start. The first sentence out of my mouth is "This game is about controlling cities and castles, and the person who controls the most after 10 rounds wins. Also, if someone gets 6 (or 7, or whatever the end condition is,) they automatically win."

Then, start by showing how the march order works (remember, this is "March," not "Attack!") Start by telling everyone how commands are all placed face down at the same time and then revealed. Step through resolving a march order, and it will naturally flow into attacking, and showing how the cards from your hand work. Then you can add in the defense command, and the support command. Now that you have discussed support, you can talk about raid commands, and lastly, the consolidate power command. This flow leads first time players through a large chunk of what they will be doing in the game.

Once you have talked about consolidate power, players will want to know what to use those power chits for, and this will let you explain how they can be used as territory markers, and for bidding on the three tracks. Explain the three tracks and what a person gets from being first Lastly, explain that power will be used for defeating the wildlings.

Finish up your presentation, by discussing the Westeros decks, supply, ports, and how ships work. Go over how ships work twice, because someone will win the game due to a lack of understanding how ships work if you don't. I strongly recommend ports the first time around. I tell my players how ports generally work, and then admit that we will have to look up any specific situations that arise with ports (usually placing commands, and who owns the port,) due to them being half land/half sea, and having some particular rules.

When I presented it to a large group of first timers, I used the variant that flips over three cards in each Westeros Deck, so that people can see what will happen over the next three turns. This resulted in people asking to play without that foreknowledge the next time. This was much better than not showing the cards in advance, and people complaining bitterly that they never saw a muster stage, or that they were completely blindsided, and never wanted to play the game again.

Also, I usually stress how devestating losing troops can be, since muster does not happen every turn, and how much the game needs diplomacy to make things happen.

Most people quickly get the hang of the commands, but questions on what a raid can do will come up multiple times, as well why one of the Consolidate power tokens has a star on it. (Note: That command does not gain you extra power!) Also, at least two players will spend 4+ rounds placing the defend +2 command against each other, and someone will usually win by blitzkriegging into 2-3 cities/castles, when no one was looking.

I don't talk about the strategies of each individual house, as I find that with my group, they quickly see those strategies anyway, and it just clouds the rules explanation. Also, I don't talk about the books at all. The people that couldn't stop themselves from going on and on about what happens to the starks in the books tended to be distracting, and slightly irritating, to the others that hadn't read the books. And, it didn't add anything to the winning of the game. Also, it creates a nice inside joke when Theon ventures forth from the Pike, and takes Winterfell while Stark is involved in the neck...

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Playing time for newcomers

Nogser — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:52:32 +0000

by Nogser

Are the players quick on the update and play fast? If so maybe, otherwise unfortunately not.

I have found that the main issues for new players are not so much the rules, which can be tricky, but what to do with your order markers and the need to form at least temporary aliances. You can tell everyone that Yellow will win if left alone but it is different from seeing it yourself. It is a beeter game second time round.

On the otherhand, if you play it as a learning game and everyone understands the game will end based upon time rather than rounds you should enjoy it and be able to play much quicker next time.

Enjoy

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Playing time for newcomers

ERPriest — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:32:45 +0000

by ERPriest

I am hoping to get this to the table for game night with 5 players. I have played only once but know the rules fairly well. The others have not. Unfortunately, we have only 4 hours including time for the rules explanation. Is this possible?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Re: Westeros Cards Question

Nogser — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:58:03 +0000

by Nogser

Maybe you could list what you do have? There are 3 decks and multiples of cards in some.

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: Rules:: Westeros Cards Question

oldfirebush — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:49:48 +0000

by oldfirebush

Greetings All,

I was lucky enough to find a copy of this game at a thrift store. Taking inventory I have found that it is complete, except for three of the westeros cards. Any chance that someone might be able to post a list complete list here? I would be forever grateful.

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: General:: Re: Does anybody have pics of the new westeros cards and ally cards?

donnyrides — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:40:47 +0000

by donnyrides

I bought the expansion over the last weekend. I have everything i need. the VASSAL Engine game I made is awesome. I just wish Fantasy Flight would let me put it out for everyone to enjoy for free.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:14:16 +0000

by Umbratus

I share that sentiment. But there are also other influences to be considered. Evening out starting forces is not the only issue to be set aright. I have been through many discussions, thought of and tried many tweaks and changes by myself. Today, I am pretty sure the 5 player game cannot be properly balanced with the existing map. In order to have a fair and balanced game the map needs remodelling to a certain extend that is beyond a few simple tweaks.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

bert_nerdsen — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:36:53 +0000

by bert_nerdsen

once more, the houses with the most units gather at places 1 and 2 of a house rating poll. strange...

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Sun, 31 May 2009 11:09:17 +0000

by Umbratus

DavidM wrote:
I have played about 10 games and Tyrell has won at least 3 of them, but clearly this is not the general finding.

That was roughly true for the first 10 games I played as well.
But then Tyrell never won a 5 player game ever again as people have become familiar with the game. In your first couple of games, any house can win, as play is dominated by rather clueless strategies and alot of mistakes will happen. This game has its learning curve for sure.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

DavidM — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:34:51 +0000

by DavidM

As I just voted Tyrell as best chance, before seeing the other votes, I thought I had better explain - I have played about 10 games and Tyrell has won at least 3 of them, but clearly this is not the general finding. In each case it was based on a strong fleet taking either Pyke or Dragonstone.

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Have all three games: Looking for most balanced combination of game mechanics for 5-6 player games

Haggis — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:18:23 +0000

by Haggis

Buth wrote:
I don't say it's impossible, just not meant so. I read somewhere (could not remember where sorry) that ASOS house cards are not advised to play with the original game because there is no boat affecting cards. But that is not a real problem.

Good point about the ships! Like you said, it's a minor issue, but I had forgotten about that.

Buth wrote:
I just said they are normaly designed to be played with the leaders because the strength 4 and one of the strength 2 cards are directly linked to the leader tokens. But it is of course possible to play them without the leader option. The opposite is not possible however. Do not play the leaders without the ASOS house cards, because it's unbalanced. If Doran, for example, is executed, Martell would loose a 0 strength house card, while Stark would loose a strength 2 or 3 if one of his leaders was executed.

Absolutely.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Haggis — Sat, 30 May 2009 19:11:13 +0000

by Haggis

Umbratus wrote:
Tyrell has the worst chances to win - ever - not far from Lannister of course.

I agree. Lannister can get a win with a Greyjoy mistake (losing Ironman's Bay for example), Tyrell can do well but in a five player game I have never seen them win even when neighbors make mistakes.

Reply: Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Sea Border between Highgarden and Searoad Marches

jkenney23 — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:18:31 +0000

by jkenney23

But you said it was number two...

Reply: Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Sea Border between Highgarden and Searoad Marches

DuckAndCower — Thu, 28 May 2009 02:55:33 +0000

by DuckAndCower

Josh, when will you learn? The official ruling will always turn out to be what I say it is.

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: General:: Re: The claim track

Buth — Wed, 27 May 2009 15:58:17 +0000

by Buth

guyincorporated wrote:
Haggis wrote:
a typical 10 turn game

Is that actually "typical" for anybody? I've never had a GoT game or SoS game go past about turn 6. Maybe 7 or 8 once as a fluke.

In fact I played 3 times the ASOS game, and we reached the 10th turn twice, the third game finished on turn 8 or 9. So in my experience, ASOS takes much longer than a typical AGOT/ACOK game.

Now I agree that the claim track is a bit long if it was really intended to push off some claims. We filled it once, I'd say the average was 7/8 claims for our complete games (10 turns). Maybe it would be interesting to play with a shorter track, 6 or 7 slots could do it right. By the way, the "filthy accusations" card never came into play in my games, so no claim was removed.
Therefore, I think it is a good tactic to avoid being the first or second one to put a claim, for they are the one risking to be removed.

What do you think about the idea of playing the game with a 6 slot claim track ?

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:54:47 +0000

by Umbratus

Oh, and whoever thinks that Tyrell is the 2nd best house of all, which quite a few people voted for, will have to proof that in a game where I am taking part ;)

Tyrell has the worst chances to win - ever - not far from Lannister of course.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:52:40 +0000

by Umbratus

-Johnny- wrote:
One thing that I find is that while Lannister is the most likely house to get pounded, they still have a better shot at winning than Tyrell, who just always seems to do okay - never getting creamed but never winning.

So true ! Very good statement, exactly the part I spared but just how I voted. There is a slight chance for Lannister to turn the tide against Greyjoy, it happens very rarely but then there is an actual chance to win for Lannister. For Tyrell, there is almost no chance of claiming the throne at all, he can only win in games where alot of noobishness is involved. Mind you I am talking about 5 player which this vote is about, not 6 player which is quite a bit differently.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

-Johnny- — Tue, 26 May 2009 16:09:48 +0000

by -Johnny-

One thing that I find is that while Lannister is the most likely house to get pounded, they still have a better shot at winning than Tyrell, who just always seems to do okay - never getting creamed but never winning.

Also, until two days ago, I always figured that Baratheon was by far the best house, but after getting another win with Geyjoy, I'm starting to come around and figure them about even.

Reply: Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Port question

Umbratus — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:41:18 +0000

by Umbratus

Martti is right there, orders without troops are to be removed at once, by the rules/FAQ.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Umbratus — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:14:34 +0000

by Umbratus

You're talking Martell there which is not in a basic 5 player game at all. Including Martell with ACOK is actually a dramatic change in balance of the game.

Talking the standard 5 player game though, there is a clear range of chances for winning with Greyjoy and Baratheon on top, Stark in the middle while Lannister and Tyrell get the far end of it.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

dotmrt — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:51:08 +0000

by dotmrt

I don't think you can really put it that way.

You might think Greyjoy and Lannister are too close to each other in the beginning. So they need to co-operate or start beating each other already on the first round to get the Riverrun. I've annihilated Lannister myself that way, but I believe that was a lucky break (my first game and probably nobody was expecting anything from the "green" Greyjoy :arrrh: .. they were surprised).
And then there was time when I thought Martell was overpowered, when the South was conquered by the sand snakes, but then there was another, where I beat Martell back to stone age with Baratheon. And then there was a game when I got my ass kicked while playing Baratheon. :p

So now I've come to the conclusion that every house has a pretty good chance. There are some cards that might give you the upper hand for a while, like Robb Starks' immediate second march with knights after the first march. In one game we had an occasion where Stark almost made it to Highgarden with his "task force", because he won one battle in the beginning with Lannister (he was allied with Greyjoy who asked help) and decided to move onwards to South. Only problem was that I took his Winterfell with Baratheon, because he didn't really have any defence left at home :cool: .

So there you go. Every action there has an (un-)equal and opposite reaction. Hopefully the reaction wont kill you as things might turn real ugly real quick.

Reply: Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Port question

dotmrt — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:30:42 +0000

by dotmrt

No. The Port is conquered by the enemy, the ship there is converted to the enemy ship (they take the place over). There is no-one to order around there. All pointless orders are removed from the board immediately as illegal. The same goes to special orders when you have no Raven-stars to spend on playing the orders with stars, but you have forgotten it.

Reply: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Re: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

Nogser — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:37:21 +0000

by Nogser

I seen Baratheon win plenty of times and within 5 turns on one occasion. Greyjoy always seems to me as if it should be stronger but it proves actually tricky to fashion that win. I haven't yet seen Lannister win but it has finsihed second a number of times and the satisfaction when the win comes will be great.

Thread: A Game of Thrones:: General:: Poll: Rank the houses best to worst

-Johnny- — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:53:46 +0000

by -Johnny-

[poll=27453]

I'm curious how people good people think each house is...

Thread: Game of Thrones, A: A Clash of Kings Expansion:: Rules:: Port question

-Johnny- — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:26:19 +0000

by -Johnny-

Hello,

Question: Do conquered ports keep orders that have been placed on them?

Example:
Stark has a ship with a march order in White Harbor's port. Baratheon conquers White Harbor & replaces the Stark ship with it's own. Does the Stark march order stay there?
If Stark reconquers White Harbor later in the round, and then reverts the ship in port to it's own, will the ship be able to use the original march order?

Thanks!

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: General:: Re: Does anybody have pics of the new westeros cards and ally cards?

ColtsFan76 — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:49:55 +0000

by ColtsFan76

FFG doesn't allow you to reproduce their games online without explicit permission and then the two other conditions are that you own the game and don't use text.

Thread: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: General:: Does anybody have pics of the new westeros cards and ally cards?

donnyrides — Thu, 21 May 2009 15:12:30 +0000

by donnyrides

Does anybody have pics of the new westeros cards and ally cards? I would like to know more about them because I want to make a VASSAL engine mod for this game and i only own the original AGOT board game. If anybody can post images of the cards, that would help me out a lot.

Thanks.

Greyjoy RULES

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Have all three games: Looking for most balanced combination of game mechanics for 5-6 player games

Buth — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:14:26 +0000

by Buth

Haggis wrote:
Buth wrote:
Moreover, those ASOS House cards were designed to be associated with leaders. There is one leader with strength 4 and one with strength 2 for each house. I think there is no interest in playing those cards if not associated with leaders.

Not sure what you mean here, the cards don't relate to the leader tokens unless executed. They work fine on their own. I'm not sure why there would be no interest in playing those cards without the leaders... maybe a rules misunderstanding?

I don't say it's impossible, just not meant so. I read somewhere (could not remember where sorry) that ASOS house cards are not advised to play with the original game because there is no boat affecting cards. But that is not a real problem.
I just said they are normaly designed to be played with the leaders because the strength 4 and one of the strength 2 cards are directly linked to the leader tokens. But it is of course possible to play them without the leader option. The opposite is not possible however. Do not play the leaders without the ASOS house cards, because it's unbalanced. If Doran, for example, is executed, Martell would loose a 0 strength house card, while Stark would loose a strength 2 or 3 if one of his leaders was executed.

Haggis wrote:

All of Deck 3 is different if you play on the original map (no Claim Westeros, for example). The Punish the Guilty card (holder of the Blade gets to choose) chooses between Storm of Swords (no defense orders), Swing the Sword, or nothing.

Both the ASOS House Cards and Westeros cards work fine on the original map, no problems.

Ok, thanks for this answer :)

New Image for A Game of Thrones

bigreddog — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:17:48 +0000

by bigreddog

]]>

New Image for A Game of Thrones

bigreddog — Sat, 16 May 2009 05:17:41 +0000

by bigreddog

learning the rules

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Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Have all three games: Looking for most balanced combination of game mechanics for 5-6 player games

Haggis — Sat, 16 May 2009 02:16:45 +0000

by Haggis

Buth wrote:
Moreover, those ASOS House cards were designed to be associated with leaders. There is one leader with strength 4 and one with strength 2 for each house. I think there is no interest in playing those cards if not associated with leaders.

Not sure what you mean here, the cards don't relate to the leader tokens unless executed. They work fine on their own. I'm not sure why there would be no interest in playing those cards without the leaders... maybe a rules misunderstanding?

Buth wrote:
IMHO Forts are interesting but Siege sucks, I think they are unbalanced since they provide a too strong power in attack but may be destroyed too easily. However playing with only one per player could be interesting.

Absolutely, we hated the three sieges. Too much power. One works out really well.

Buth wrote:
@Rob C. : I haven't played with the new Westeros cards in the old game. what about the "swing of sword" cards if you do not play with the leaders ? and what is the other choice for the Valyrian Blade since there is no "Claim for Westeros" card ? (I'm sorry I don't get the exact names of the cards)

The Swing the Sword card prevents March +1 orders from being played, and it has a Wildling symbol.

All of Deck 3 is different if you play on the original map (no Claim Westeros, for example). The Punish the Guilty card (holder of the Blade gets to choose) chooses between Storm of Swords (no defense orders), Swing the Sword, or nothing.

Both the ASOS House Cards and Westeros cards work fine on the original map, no problems.

File: A Game of Thrones:: AGOT-rules for 9 players CZE

kubis — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:07:56 +0000

by kubis

AGOT-rules for 9 players CZE for Board Game: A Game of Thrones ]]>

Reply: A Game of Thrones : A Storm of Swords Expansion:: Rules:: Re: Have all three games: Looking for most balanced combination of game mechanics for 5-6 player games

Buth — Thu, 14 May 2009 13:48:57 +0000

by Buth

Eeeville wrote:

I agree with everything above except, ASoS House cards. I prefer either low power (base game) or high power (ACoK). I think the ASoS cards suit the ASoS board but I don't like them in the base board.

I would also consider using the Wildling Attack cards from ASoS expansion.

Tactics and leaders definitely add too much mobility.

I haven't tried Seige/Forts yet but I think I will like them when I do start using them.

Moreover, those ASOS House cards were designed to be associated with leaders. There is one leader with strength 4 and one with strength 2 for each house. I think there is no interest in playing those cards if not associated with leaders.

Still, I really want to test the "old game" with leaders and tactics...

IMHO Forts are interesting but Siege sucks, I think they are unbalanced since they provide a too strong power in attack but may be destroyed too easily. However playing with only one per player could be interesting.

@Rob C. : I haven't played with the new Westeros cards in the old game. what about the "swing of sword" cards if you do not play with the leaders ? and what is the other choice for the Valyrian Blade since there is no "Claim for Westeros" card ? (I'm sorry I don't get the exact names of the cards)