Report—A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition by Fantasy Flight
“When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground.”
–Cersei Lannister, A Game of Thrones
Fantasy Flight’s A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition is a Living Card Game. If you aren’t familiar with that term, a Living Card Game allows players to expand their Core Card Games, which helps to break away from the traditional mold of the same old boring board games. Once you’ve played it a few times and won (or lost), why play it anymore? With the Living Card Game model, Fantasy Flight offers a whole new outlook for card and board game players.
We recently had the opportunity to play and review Fantasy Flight’s A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition, and got a first-hand look at the Living Card Game experience.
Image Credit: Personal Photo Library David Harris
Made for two to six players, A Game of Thrones: The Card Game features all the twisty plots and iconic characters that you’re used to from the hit HBO show. The game itself is set in the world of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, but you don’t need to have read the books to enjoy the game. As the player, you can choose to be the head of a major house in Westeros or the Night’s Watch. Each game requires players to take command of their own factions as they battle for ultimate power.
Image Credit: Personal Photo Library David Harris
The way to win the game is to expertly command the characters that you control under your banner. However, you must also play the part of Varys or Littlefinger, as cunning plots are also necessary to win your bid to the Iron Throne.
Image Credit: Personal Photo Library David Harris
There are two distinct decks: a plot deck and a player deck.
- The player deck contains the characters, locations, attachments and events that you you hold in your hand. Players use these to defeat their opponents to claim power for their faction.
- The plot deck consists of seven carefully chosen plot cards, which represent schemes, tricks and maneuvers you can use to gain the upper hand during a certain round.
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition comes with a starter deck for every faction, which is included in the Core Set.
- House Lannister
- House Stark
- House Baratheon
- House Greyjoy
- House Martell
- House Targaryen
- House Tyrell
- The Night’s Watch
Image Credit: Personal Photo Library David Harris
Players can make their deck with cards from a single faction, however. As on the show, games are filled with alliances. Every deck gives players the option to use an agenda to call upon the support of another faction, which makes things very interesting. All in all, as a diehard fan of all things Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire, I would give Fantasy Flight’s A Game of Thrones: The Card Game Second Edition a 10/10, because it has everything a fan of both the show and the books needs and loves.
Image Credit: Personal Photo Library David Harris
The art on the cards is amazing, and the gameplay and intrigue are a blast. I highly suggest buying this game and playing it with your friends and family this holiday. You can order the game by visiting the Fantasy Flight website, where it will set you back $39.95.