This is my first draft of the next addition to the New Player Guide. I would appreciate some help putting it together. Have a look and let me know what you think needs adjusting. Thanks.

General Notes

A Game of Thrones is an LCG (Living Card Game). To start playing and building cohesive decks, you’ll want at least one Core Set plus the Deluxe Expansions for whichever Houses you find interesting. From there, you can purchase additional Chapter Packs, which contain a fixed distribution of cards. If we both purchase the same Chapter Pack, we’ll find the same 60 cards inside (3 copies each of 20 different cards). It's fairly easy to share a collection with a friend or two, which can help defray the cost significantly. For more information, see the Comprehensive New Player Thread . To view which cards come in which packs, see the Spoilers page .

Each Cycle of Chapter Packs has a theme, so if you buy an entire cycle you’ll have cards that work well together. An example is the King’s Landing cycle which features shadow cards and City plots. However, sometimes you will want to cherry-pick chapter packs for specific cards if you don’t intend to explore the theme from a certain cycle. For example, every pack in the Brotherhood cycle isn’t necessary for competitive play unless you want to construct a Brotherhood-themed deck. Also, as a general rule newer chapter packs tend to pack more punch due to inevitable power creep.

Seasons

In the Game of Thrones card game, some decks run cards like the Black Raven, which says “It is Summer”, or the White Raven, which says “It is Winter”. These decks also include cards which have effects contingent on the corresponding season. For example, Wintertime Marauders reads “If it is Summer and you reveal a plot card, kneel Wintertime Marauders. Response: If it is Winter and you win a challenge in which Wintertime Marauders is participating, choose and discard a non-unique card from play.”

To run a season themed deck, you’ll want the following packs:
A Song of Summer for Carrion Bird, Black Raven, Kings of Summer and A Song of Summer
The Winds of Winter for Carrion Bird, White Raven, Kings of Winter and The Winds of Winter
A Change of Seasons for A Time for Ravens
The Raven’s Song for Samwell Tarly
Fire and Ice for The Kingsroad

The "Best" Chapter Packs

Below you will find Chapter Pack rankings compiled with input from several veteran players. If you want to quickly build competitive decks and you have a limited budget, then these ranking are for you.

Top Overall

01. The Kingsguard (Preston, Jaime, Arys, Mandon, Tywin, Arianne, Shadow Killer, Jorah)
02. Where Loyalty Lies (Ghost of High Heart, Jorah, Daario, Asha, Finger Dance, Davos, Rickard, House Divided)
03. On Dangerous Grounds (Tourney Grounds, Harrenhal, Scourge, Fiery Kiss, Alannys, First Snow)
04. Reach of the Kraken (Black Sails, Naval Reinforcement, Fleets, Mel's Scheme, Missandei, Victarion)
05. The Horn That Wakes (Coldhands, Ygritte, Jon Snow, Yoren, Janos, Secret Orders, Mel's Favor, Gormond, Hammerhorn Raiders, Dayne Spearman)
06. Spoils of War (Catelyn, Theon, Bitterbridge, Right of Conquest, Aegon, Enraged Crewman, Doran, Murdered Her Children, Tycho, Mummer's Ford, Conquest, Defiance)
07. A Hidden Agenda (Alleras, Summoned, Sansa, Cressen, Gran, Maiden's Bane, Bloodthirst)
08. Forgotten Fellowship (Robb Stark, Harry the Riverlands, Man-at-Arms, Noble Cause, Asha Greyjoy, Storming the Shore, Old Way, Obara Sand)
09. Journey's End (Smith, Maiden, Three-Eyed Crow, Fury, Qarl the Maid, Choosing the Spear, Cape Wrath)
10. Champion's Purse (Vargo, Edmure, Robert Strong, Counterplot, A Taste of Glory, Rhoyne Poleman, Viserys, Wex Pyke, Blood Orange Grove, Desert Raider)
11. Banners Gather (Rally Cry, Northland Keep, Brightwater Keep, Storm the Gate, Southron Stronghold)
12. Captain's Command (Father, Desperate Measures, Arbor Guardsman, Khorane Sathmantes, Blood Magic Ritual, Iron Fleet Scout, Ser Cletus Yronwood)
13. A Turn of the Tide (KL Coup, Clegane Brigands, Margaery, Dale Seaworth, Braided Screamers, Greenblood Vessel)
14. Poisoned Spear (Twist of Fate, Kyle Condon, Sorrowful Man, The Sparr, Red Viper, Poisoned Spear)
15. Gates of the Citadel (At the Gates, The Maester's Path, Lucas, Widow's Watch, Laughing Storm, Daenerys, Gylbert Farwynd)
16. Refugees of War (Highgarden Refugee, Mountain Refugee, Island Refugee, Refugee of the Citadel, Refugee of the Plains, Bolton Refugee, Cat o' the Canals, Alannys Greyjoy, Gilly, War of Five Kings, Arena Knight)

Best of House Stark

Forging the Chain (Luwin, Riders of the Red Fork)
Refugees of War (Bolton Refugee, Cat o’ the Canals)
Tourney for the Hand (Meera Reed)
Trial by Combat (No Quarter, Knight of Harrenhal)

Honorable Mention:

Ancient Enemies (Fury of the Wolf, Bear Island)
Scattered Armies (Northern Cavalry Flank)
Sacred Bonds (To Be A Wolf)
On Dangerous Grounds (Harrenhal)

Others to Consider:

City of Secrets (Arya Stark, Hungry Mob)
Valar Dohaeris (Damon, Bran)
A Hidden Agenda (Sansa)
Winds of Winter (Vyman, Ranger of Winter)

Best of House Lannister

War of the Five Kings (Pyromancer's Cache, Joffrey's Guard, Jhalabar Xho)
Battle of Ruby Ford (Castellan, Devious Intentions)
City of Secrets (Tyrion, Tunnels)
Pirates of Lys (Cersei's Scheme, Lancel, Bear and Maiden Fair)
A Turn of the Tide (Brigands, Margaery)
Kingsguard (Tywin, Hound)

Honorable Mention:

Refugees of War (Mountain Refugee)
Scattered Armies (Tommen Baratheon)
Secrets and Spies (Qyburn, Littlefinger)
Battle of Blackwater Bay (Alchemist's Guild Hall)
Horn That Wakes (Janos, Secret Orders)
Forgotten Fellowship (Gregor's Dog, Ashemark Knight, Harry the Riverlands)

Others to Consider:

Wildling Horde (Balon Swann, Misinformation)
Mountains of the Moon (Timett Son of Timett, The Burned Men)
Where Loyalty Lies (Gregor Clegane, A House Divided)
A Harsh Mistress (Pentoshi Manor, Volantis Inn)
Reach of the Kraken (Little Bird, Fleet from Arbor)

Best of House Baratheon

Tales from the Red Keep (Margaery, Black Cells, Queen of Thorns)
Valar Morghulis (Stannis, Bastard of Nightsong, Willas Tyrell)
Wolves of the North (Seat of Power)
Return of the Others (Melisandre)

Honorable Mention:

Refugees of War (Highgarden Refugee)
Tower of the Hand (Eddard, Robert, Royal Entourage)
Secrets and Spies (Knight of Flowers)
Battle of Blackwater Bay (King Robert's Hammer, Davos, Blackwater Bay)
Gates of the Citadel (Laughing Storm)
On Dangerous Grounds (Fiery Kiss)
Reach of the Kraken (Melisandre's Scheme, Fleet from Lysene)
The Great Fleet (River Runner, Davos, Black Betha)
Turn of the Tide (Dale, Margaery)
A Hidden Agenda (Cressen, Mace, Riches of the Reach)
Banner's Gather (Brightwater Keep, Into the Breach, Storm the Gate)
The Kingsguard (Shadow Killer, Melisandre)
Forgotten Fellowship (Man-at-Arms, Noble Cause, Forced March)

Others to Consider:

War of the Five Kings (King Robert's Host, Florent Scouts)
Sacred Bonds (To Be A Stag, Herald)
Epic Battles (Battle at the Wall)
Pirates of Lys (Salladhor, Oakenshield Port, Ours is the Fury)
Captain's Command (Lyseni Pirate, Khorane Sathmantes)
Spoils of War (Bitterbridge, Seasoned Smuggler, Right of Conquest)

Best of House Targaryen

Where Loyalty Lies (Ser Jorah Mormont, Daario)
Trial by Combat (Dragon Knight, Meraxes)
Valar Morghulis (Magister Illyrio, Incinerate)

Honorable Mention:

Ancient Enemies (Dragon Thief, Fury of the Dragon)
Sacred Bonds (To Be A Dragon)
Refugees of War (Refugee of the Plains)
Tower of the Hand (Aegon's Hill)
Of Snakes and Sand (Jhogo)
On Dangerous Grounds (Meereen Tourney Grounds)
A Turn of the Tide (Braided Screamers, Dothraki Outrider)
A Harsh Mistress (Great Pyramid of Meereen)

Others to Consider:

Time of Trials (Street Waif)
Tales from the Red Keep (Dragonpit)
Secrets and Spies (King's Landing Assassin)
Battle of Blackwater Bay (Rhaenys's Hill)
A Sword in the Darkness (Hatchling's Feast)
Illyrio's Gift (Rhakaro, Drogo's Horde, Bitter Crone)
Rituals of R'hllor (Aggo)
Dreadfort Betrayal (Black Hatchling, Dothraki Handmaiden)
Forging the Chain (Shadow Seer, Pyrophobia)
Mask of the Archmaester (Bloodrider)
A Poisoned Spear (Sorrowful Man)
Valar Dohaeris (Young Griff, Strong Belwas, Recruitment)
Chasing Dragons (Archmaester Marwyn, Griff)
House of Black and White (Company of the Cat, Long Lances)
A Roll of the Dice (Brazen Beasts, Meereenese Fighting Pit)
Fire and Ice (Dothraki Vanguard, Khal Drogo, Slaver's Bay)
Kingsguard (Harpy's Scourge, Jorah Mormont)
A Hidden Agenda (Viserion, Drogon, Rhaegal)
Spoils of War (Aegon)
Champion's Purse (Viserys Targaryen, Rhoyne Poleman)

Best of House Greyjoy

Forgotten Fellowship (Asha Greyjoy, Storming the Shore, The Old Way)
Reach of the Kraken (Victarion, Fleet from Pyke)
Fire and Ice (Balon Greyjoy, Damphair's Drowned)
A Hidden Agenda (Gran Goodbrother, Longship Maiden's Bane)
Valar Morghulis (Aeron Damphair, Maester Kerwin)

Honorable Mention:

Ancient Enemies (Fury of the Kraken)
Sacred Bonds (To Be A Kraken)
A Change of Seasons (Wintertime Marauders, Theon Greyjoy)
Refugees of War (Island Refugee, Alannys Greyjoy)
A Sword in the Darkness (Naval Escort)
Where Loyalty Lies (Asha Greyjoy, Theon, Finger Dance)
The Horn That Wakes (Gormond Goodbrother, Hammerhorn Raiders)
Spoils of War (Enraged Crewman, Theon Greyjoy, The Reaver's Song)
Forging the Chain (Kingsmoot Hopeful, Burned and Pillaged)

Others to Consider:

Tales from the Red Keep (Distinguished Boatswain)
Rituals of R'hllor (River Blockade, Ambitious Oarsman)
Of Snakes and Sand (Bloodthirsty Crew, Refurbished Hulk)
Called by the Conclave (Master Murenmure, Longship Blackwind)
Isle of Ravens (Baelor Blacktyde)
Here to Serve (Iron Cliffs)
Tourney for the Hand (Newly Made Lord)
On Dangerous Grounds (Alannys)
A Poisoned Spear (The Sparr)
Valar Dohaeris (Victarion, Moqorro)
Chasing Dragons (Iron Fleet Captain, Victarion's Reavers, Longship Grief)
A Harsh Mistress (Captured Cog)
Pirates of Lys (Andrik the Unsmiling, Victarion's Schemes)
At Journey's End (Qarl the Maid, Ten Towers Longship)

Best of House Martell

Time of Trials (Flea Bottom Scavenger, Lost Oasis)
Battle of Blackwater Bay (Southron Mercenaries, Venomous Blade)
On Dangerous Grounds (Sunspear Tourney Grounds, Scourge, Maiden of Poisons)

Honorable Mention:

Refugees of War (Refugee of the Citadel)
Tower of the Hand (Dornish Paramour)
Forging the Chain (Ghaston Grey)
A Poisoned Spear (The Red Viper, Poisoned Spear)
Valar Doheaeris (Quentyn Martell)
Chasing Dragons (Ser Archibald Yronwood, Ser Gerris Drinkwater)
The Champion's Purse (Desert Raider, Blood Orange Grove)
A Hidden Agenda (Bloodthirst, Southron Heiress)
Spoils of War (Doran Martell, You Murdered Her Children, Spy from Starfall)

Others to Consider:

War of the Five Kings (Maester of War, Queen Myrcella's Guard)
Epic Battles (Bastard of Godsgrace)
A Song of Summer (Maester of the Sun, Open Market)
A Change of Seasons (A Game of Cyvasse)
Return of the Others (Burning on the Sand)
Mountains of the Moon (Lost Spearman)
The Isle of Ravens (Prince's Plans)
Mask of the Archmaester (Starfall Cavalry, Oberyn's Guile)
Trial by Combat (Dagos Manwoody, the Brimstone)
A Roll of the Dice (Greenblood Merchant, Deceit)
At Journey's End (Choosing the Spear, Starfall Skirmisher, Cape Wrath)
Fire and Ice (Ellaria Sand, Oberyn's Shield Bearer)
The Kingsguard (Arianne Martell)

The Deluxe Boxes
Finally, note that while Deluxe Expansions focus on only a single house, each one also comes with some neutral or dual-affiliation cards, especially plot cards, that you'll eventually want.

Lions of the Rock (Lannister) includes Frey Hospitality, Breaking and Entering, Art of Seduction, Game of Thrones, Shadows and Spiders, Street of Silk, The Only Game That Matters, and Terminal Schemes.
Lords of Winter (Stark) includes Marched to the Wall, Fortified Position, Take Them By Surprise, Nightmares, and Die by the Sword.
Queen of Dragons (Targaryen) includes Burning Bridges, Loyalty Money Can Buy, Muster the Realm, Threat from the East, Kingsroad Fiefdom, River Row, Dissension, Favorable Ground, Paper Shield and Sun Stroke.
Kings of the Storm (Baratheon) includes The King's Law, Forgotten Plans, The Power of Faith, Regroup, Lineage and Legacy, Hedge Knight, Roseroad, Searoad, Superior Claim, Narrow Escape, and Knights of the Realm.
Kings of the Sea (Greyjoy) includes Robb Stark, Myrcella Lannister, Robert Baratheon, Siege of Riverrun, Silent Sisters, Randyl Tarly, Price of War, Confession, Kingdom of Shadows, and Bay of Ice.
Princes of the Sun (Martell) includes Battle of Oxcross, Threat from the North, Red Wedding, Attack from the Sea, Parting Blow, Make and Example, Rusted Sword, Ser Arys Oakheart, Brienne of Tarth, and Ser Jorah Mormont.

The Chapter Pack Cycles
Here I’m going to briefly summarize each cycle (a set of six chapter packs) and provide a score based on the tournament-worthiness of the cards.

A Clash of Arms includes a few potent cards, such as Armies which are cheaper when you have a King or Queen in play; epic battle events that create an additional challenge phase; and events that are only active if you have a Military Battle, Intrigue Gambit, or Power Struggle plot in your used pile. This cycle also includes some duds, such as the characters that can become (mediocre) attachments in certain situations. Overall score: 3/5

A Time of Ravens introduces Summer and Winter. Stark and Greyjoy thrive in the cold; Targaryen and Martell are-pro Summer; Lannister and Baratheon feel indifferent. Overall score: 4/5 if you’re building a Season deck, 2/5 otherwise

King’s Landing introduces the Shadows mechanic, and every House except Greyjoy joins the party. Shadows are great for bluffing, for keeping cards safe until you’re reading to bring them into play, and for purchasing expensive cards in two easy payments. Overall score: 4/5

Defenders of the North introduces the conflict between the Wildlings and the Night’s Watch. Sadly, many of these cards are mediocre in tournament play, but there are a few hidden gems that redeem an underwhelming cycle. Overall score: 3/5

Brotherhood Without Banners introduces Beric Dondarrion and his band of loyal outlaws. Additionally, the Stark House Bolton, Lannister Clansman, Baratheon Asshai, Targaryen Dothraki, Greyjoy Raider and Martell Sand Snake themes are fleshed out. This is definitely a cycle for Nedly players. Overall score: 2/5

Secrets of Oldtown brings Maesters out from behind their dusty old books and into the spotlight. The agenda creates a “toolbox” that players must carefully manage by choosing the right chain attachment at the right time. Additionally, Stark gets some tutor (search) effects, Targ gets more burn and Dragon support, and Greyjoy receives plenty of generally efficient cards. Overall score: 5/5 if you’re building Maesters, 3/5 otherwise

A Tale of Champions introduces the Joust and Melee keywords, and focuses on the Knights, Lords, and Ladies of Westeros. Themes such as Martell icon control and Greyjoy chock are expanded, and almost all of the cards in this cycle are least average. Overall score: 4/5

Beyond the Narrow Sea ventures into the Free Cities and features many characters from the later novels. For example, Targ gets characters from the Mercenary companies and Greyjoy gets more Captains and Warships. This cycle introduces River plots and expands upon the City plots from the King’s Landing cycle. It also introduces the character-agenda mechanic whereby some dead characters can become your agenda if you do not have one already. Overall score: 4/5

A Song of the Sea introduces the naval enhancement mechanic and focuses on maritime battles. Each House gets new a plot card, several of which are quite powerful. This cycle is especially kind to Greyjoy, Baratheon, and Lannister, which makes sense thematically. Targ gets more attachment love while Martell and Stark gain a few useful cards but nothing cohesive. Finally, a series of interesting Prayer events evoke the seven gods. Overall score: 3/5

The Kingsroad returns us to Westeros after two cycles abroad, and it also revisits some old themes like Bannermen, Seasons, Kingsguard, Wildlings, Nights Watch, and Brotherhood. There are new agendas for Baratheon, Martell, and Greyjoy, and some support for agenda-less decks. Overall score: 5/5

The current cycle, Conquest and Defiance , handles power creep by introducing the prized keyword, which allows player to employ powerful cards that come with the drawback of handing your opponent free power. Thematically this cycle evokes the huge swings in power that result from winning and losing battles, allies, captives, and treasures. Overall score: incomplete

The most updated version of this buying guide can always be found here , or you can follow the link to the New Player Guide in my signature.