A Guide to A Game of Thrones Card Game – Cards, Strategy & Rules
Introduction
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game is a chance for us players to experience the battles, politics, intrigue, and characters of the famous book series to your tabletop. The game was first released by Fantasy Flight Games in 2002 and has evolved over the years, including a second edition that came out in 2015. It’s a ‘living card game’, which means new cards were regularly released to keep the game fresh and exciting.
The game is designed for two to four players, each taking control of one of the great houses of Westeros, competing for the Iron Throne. You’ll find that strategy, bluffing, and resource management are key to winning. The game has a loyal fan base and a competitive scene, as to be expected in the GoT universe, so whether you’re playing casually with friends or aiming for the top at tournaments, there’s a place for you in the Seven Kingdoms.
Quick Tip for A Game of Thrones
Always keep an eye on your opponent’s gold and plot cards. They can give you a hint about their next move!
Rules for playing A Game of Thrones CCG
Understanding the rules is crucial to getting good at A Game of Thrones. The game is played over a series of rounds, each consisting of seven phases: Plot, Draw, Marshalling, Challenges, Dominance, Standing, and Taxation. In the Plot phase, you choose a plot card that sets the tone for the round, providing income, initiative, and special effects. The Draw phase lets you draw two cards to add to your hand. During Marshalling, you spend gold to play characters, locations, and attachments from your hand.
The heart of the game is the Challenges phase, where you use your characters to attack your opponents in military, intrigue, and power challenges. Winning these challenges can kill opponent characters, discard their cards, or earn you power points. The Dominance phase is a check to see who has the most strength left on the table and in their gold pool, granting additional power points to the winner. Standing straightens your exhausted cards, and Taxation returns unspent gold to the treasury.
There are also keywords and abilities on the cards that can change the flow of the game. For example, “Stealth” allows you to bypass certain defenders, while “Ambush” lets you play cards by surprise during the Challenges phase. Understanding these abilities and when to use them is key to mastering the game.
Card Types for Game of Thrones CCG
There are several types of cards in A Game of Thrones: Characters, Locations, Attachments, Events, and Plot cards. Characters are your main force for winning challenges, Locations provide ongoing benefits, Attachments enhance your characters, and Events are one-time-use cards with powerful effects. Plot cards are chosen at the beginning of each round and can drastically alter the game’s state.
Your deck is made up of Characters, Locations, Attachments, and Events, while your Plot deck is separate and consists of seven cards. Starter sets, known as Core Sets, are available to help new players begin with a balanced deck from one of the main houses.
How to Play A Game of Thrones (Card Game) and Game Mechanics
- Key Game Mechanics: The game revolves around using cards to win challenges and earn power points. Each card has a cost, strength, and abilities that affect gameplay.
- Setup: Each player chooses a house, sets up their plot deck, shuffles their main deck, and draws a starting hand of seven cards. You also place your house card and power tokens nearby.
- Gameplay: Players take turns in each phase, playing cards, initiating challenges, and using abilities to gain an advantage.
- End of the Game: The game ends when a player reaches 15 power points on their house card. This player is declared the winner and claims the Iron Throne!
How to Win at A Game of Thrones
Winning at A Game of Thrones requires a mix of strategy, timing, and sometimes a bit of luck. Beginner players should focus on learning the different card types and how challenges work. Intermediate players can start to explore deeper strategies like controlling the board and managing their hand. Advanced players will need to master bluffing, predicting opponent moves, and crafting a deck that can handle various threats.
Always be aware of your opponent’s potential for a surprise attack or sudden comeback. Keep track of which plot cards have been played, as they can only be used once until all seven have been played. Balancing your offense and defense during challenges is also crucial; overcommitting can leave you vulnerable, while being too passive can let your opponent take control.
Best Strategies for playing A Game of Thrones game
One of the best strategies is to focus on winning power challenges, as these directly contribute to your victory condition. However, don’t neglect military and intrigue challenges, as they can weaken your opponent’s position. Controlling key locations and characters with powerful abilities can also give you an edge.
Sneaky tactics might include holding back key cards to play at the perfect moment or bluffing about the strength of your hand. Sometimes, sacrificing a challenge or even a character can lead to a greater strategic advantage later on.
Deck Building and Best Cards in A Game of Thrones CCG
Building a strong deck is essential. You’ll want a good balance of character strengths, cost, and abilities. Make sure to include cards that can counter various situations, such as dealing with opponent attachments or locations.
Best Cards
Some of the best cards include powerful characters like Eddard Stark or Daenerys Targaryen, locations like The Red Keep, and events like “Wildfire Assault” that can change the tide of the game.
Scenarios
Good scenarios might involve having a strong board presence with many characters and locations. In bad scenarios, you might be low on cards or facing a powerful enemy setup. To turn these around, look for opportunities to disrupt your opponent’s plans and regain control of the board.
Frequently Asked Questions about playing A Game of Thrones game
Q: How many cards can I draw each turn? A: You draw two cards during the Draw phase.
Q: Can I play more than one plot card per round? A: No, you can only reveal one plot card per round.
Q: What happens if all my characters die? A: You can still play if you have no characters, but it will be tough to win challenges and gain power.
Q: Can I change my deck between games? A: Yes, as long as it follows the deck-building rules.
Q: How do I defend against Stealth? A: You can’t defend against Stealth with characters that have been bypassed, but you can use other characters that weren’t targeted by Stealth.
Additional Tips and Tricks
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your economy. Having enough gold to play your cards when you need them is crucial. Also, try to learn from every game, win or lose. Each match can teach you something about your deck and strategy.
Lastly, engage with the community! There are many online forums and local gaming groups where you can discuss strategies and get advice from experienced players. They can be a goldmine of information and help you improve your game.
External Links
If you’re a fan of the lore behind A Game of Thrones, you might enjoy exploring the rich history of Westeros further. Check out author George R.R. Martin’s official website for more insights into the world that inspired the card game.
Game of Thrones CCG Video Review [Video]
Eve Brownlee was a gamer before gaming communities on the internet were a thing. Eve grew up playing traditional, standard deck card games like Rummy and Bezique, taking an interest in the classics Backgammon and Chess. Parlor card games like Bridge continue to keep Eve active in the community. After a long career, primarily in horticulture for USDA in Maryland, Eve now travels and writes on The Pineapple (pineapples.info) and contributes to Quora/Pinterest topics. Contact Eve via email.
