Product Description
Product Description
King Robert Baratheon is dead, and the lands of Westeros brace for battle. Can you claim the Iron Throne? Designed for ages 14 and up, A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition is a classic game of warfare, diplomacy, and intrigue for three to six players. Taking control of the well-known characters from George R.R. Martin’s beloved fantasy series, players must fight for dominance of the realm. Will you take power through force, coerce your way onto the throne with persuasive speeches, or rally the townsfolk to your side? With opportunities for strategic planning, masterful diplomacy, and clever card play, this game gives you a host of ways to spread your influence over Westeros.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition
At a Glance:
A board game based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novels
Muster armies and march to war on a map that accurately portrays Westeros
Negotiate alliances with your opponents in an ever-shifting political struggle
Six distinct Great Houses each offer unique, asymmetrical play experiences
Detailed artwork and intricately crafted components create a classic aesthetic
Age Requirements:
14 years and older
Player Recommendation:
3 to 6 players
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition
A game of warfare, diplomacy, and intrigue, based on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy novels.
Claim the Iron Throne
Based on the bestselling fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin (now a hit HBO series), A Game of Thrones: The Board Game draws players into a war-torn world of sun-scorched sands, lush forests, and chilling northlands. Each player takes control of one of six Great Houses of Westeros, then sets out on an epic campaign of combat and politics to secure total dominance.
This board game includes clear, detailed rules to guide you through setup and gameplay. Play begins when each person receives an army of footmen, knights, siege engines and ship units as well as a set of order tokens and other necessary components. Each player also receives a deck of unique house cards, which represent important characters from A Song of Ice and Fire and are used as leaders in battles against rival houses.
Vibrant Art and Intricate Detailing
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game captures the most memorable elements of George R.R. Martin’s popular series. The detailed board represents an accurate map of Westeros, and the tokens and cards convey many of its most significant locations and characters. Attractive marbled plastic figures shaped as footmen, knights, ships, and siege engines display your military might to the realm while contributing to the game’s overall medieval aesthetic.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition
Game play proceeds over the course of ten rounds, after which the player who has claimed the most areas containing castles or strongholds is declared the winner. If at any time throughout the game a player controls seven such areas, that player may immediately claim victory.
Each round in the game is made up of three phases: the Westeros Phase, the Planning Phase, and the Action Phase. The Westeros Phase represents special events and the day-to-day activities in Westeros. In the Planning Phase, players secretly assign orders to all of their units. This portion of the game emphasizes diplomacy and deduction. Can players trust their so-called allies, or is a timely betrayal in the making? Finally, during the Action Phase, orders are revealed, alliances crumble, and fierce battles decide the players’ fates.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game Second Edition
A World of Intrigue, Diplomacy, and Warfare
Fragile alliances will form and break over the course of each game, as players promise support to neighboring Houses only to betray them for their own selfish ends. But beware; as the war unfolds, the barbaric Wildings (which are controlled automatically by the game) work to amass their forces in the far north. Players must occasionally set aside their differences to face a common foe–or face the consequences together.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game draws you into a vibrant gaming world, bringing your favorite characters to life. The board resembles paint on distressed parchment for an old-world look, while the token and card art exhibits intricate detailing fans of the novels will recognize and enjoy.
What’s in the Box
Game board, rule book, 138 plastic units, 105 cards, 6 player screens, and 266 tokens and overlays.
Tyson P – :
I ended up with three copies of this game for Christmas. I guess my family and friends know I’m a Song of Ice and Fire fan. I’m also a pretty experienced gamer and roll player, so I wasn’t daunted diving into this with some gaming friends. Though it looks intimidating at first, we were surprised by how simple game play is. Each round goes quickly once you get the hang of it.
The part I really like which distinguishes it from many other strategy or resource based games is that there are so many areas to choose to focus on. The section of the board called the “Influence Tracks” ranks your dominance in three areas. You can control the Iron Throne, giving you the ability to break ties and take your turn first. Your position in the Fiefdom track gives you an advantage in battle. Or you can control the King’s Court, allowing you advantages in sending orders and obtaining information. Another area called the Supply track controls the number of armies you can have in play. Like the books, these Influence and Supply Tracks gave the game levels upon levels of strategy.
The game itself is beautiful and well made. Though the credits list many artists, I recognized that some of the house cards feature artwork from the 2009 calendar by Michael Komarck. I thought the house cards were a creative way to include the individual characters from the book into game play.
Overall, very fun. I wish I had more opportunities to play because I haven’t won yet.
Charles Jk – :
When you play the game of thrones you win or you die. There is no middle ground.
I played the original first edition and enjoyed the interaction, playability, and challenge to rule Westeros. I had the opportunity to play the second edition (this one) two times and absolutely love it. The changes to Westeros cards and the addition of battlecards to randomize the fights to some degree create an amazing and tense game. I played with 4 and find it quickly breaks down to everyone vs. Baratheon. Then Lannister gets the edge.
With 6, the game has balance. Greyjoy and Lannister need to get along early…but for how long? Stark hopes for Greyjoy to go South…but can he count on this. Lannister seeks Eastern and Southern lands…but will Greyjoy keep the peace?
The game is designed that peace will not last forever between alliances. The game does not make it easy to raise armies, or make attacks, so strategy and dimplomacy are critical.
I love the theme, strategies, and gameplay. Oh and the quality of parts is great too.
games – :
I absolutely love this board game. I am a huge fan of the series and was given this as a Christmas present. I played with my family, none of whom are familiar with the “Song of Ice and Fire” franchise. Still, everyone had a great time! The game is extremely complex but, that complexity makes forming and carrying out strategies even more enjoyable. We played 3 times in 3 days and each time, it went a good deal faster.