As the release of our first deluxe expansion for the A Game of Thrones Living Card Game , Kings of the Sea , draws nearer, we are once again proud to present this special preview by guest contributor Will Lentz. This preview will look at one of the great Houses of Westeros that did not appear in the Core Set, House Greyjoy. As Will expertly points out in his article, with the release of Kings of the Sea , House Greyjoy will once again become a force to be reckoned with in the A Game of Thrones metagame. The Kraken rises!

But Rises Again...

by guest contributor Will Lentz

“It is time we returned to the Old Way.”
- Balon Greyjoy

Hello and welcome to the first of the spoiler articles for the Kings of the Sea expansion to the A Game of Thrones LCG . I'm greatly pleased to be bringing you another guest spoiler article, and even more pleased with what this expansion has to offer for the environment, as I'm sure many of you will be as well, whether you are old players patiently waiting on their favorite house to become competitive again, or new players living through the thrill of a new house being added to the LCG. (Ah, the memories of those first Sea of Storms packs...)

Claimed to be descended from the Grey King of the Age of Heroes, House Greyjoy of Pyke have ruled the Iron Isles since the Conquest of Aegon Targaryen. In the old days, the Ironmen carved out kingdoms beyond their isles by force of fire and sword. Those days are long past, and yet near at hand as Balon Greyjoy's dedication to the Old Way of reaving and iron prices dies hard. In the card game, the Greyjoys have been represented as an offensively based house, ready and willing to spring in at a moment's notice to attack their opponent's resources and other weak points, while still maintaining their own position through sheer determination to keep their characters on the board. So, without further ado, let's dive in to the briny depths of what House Greyjoy will mean in the LCG environment.

Support of Harlaw

A strong banner house to the Greyjoys, the Harlaws show their loyalty with this powerful attachment. For those who've seen it before, what is left to be said about this card? For newer players: consider the potential of a card that can grant Stealth to any of your Greyjoy characters with Intimidate. How many characters will be left to defend then? Or on someone with Renown, it can surely help ensure you gaining that crucial extra power. But that second ability is the real kicker. After any unopposed challenge you win, the attached character stands. Just let the challenge phase bending possibilities here sink in. Renown is going to start adding up quickly provided you have saves for your characters to keep that power on the table. Also, the power from going unopposed on a challenge will go straight to your house card-- a much safer position. And that's not even commenting on the fact that the attached character can stand even if it’s not in the challenge which goes unopposed...

Click on the image to the left for a larger version.

Theon Greyjoy

After the Core Set , it probably surprises few people to see slightly tweaked reprints of previously released unique characters, and Theon Greyjoy follows in those footsteps. This version of Theon provides the Greyjoys with a cheap Lord and Ironborn character-- great for a number of effects, I'm sure. The more interesting feature though, is likely that “Any Phase” ability. Formerly a Marshalling effect, Theon now gives you a great way to drop an excess gold in the Standing phase after locations have been stood to deprive your opponent of resources or powerful effects for the next round, and thankfully just before you lose that extra gold to Taxation.

Click on the image to the right for a larger version.

Longship Iron Victory

Ah, what would our reaving Ironmen be without the ships necessary to carry out their lightning quick strikes of pillaging and plundering? Much less interesting, that's what. Thankfully, it's not a situation we have to deal with as Victarion Greyjoy's own Iron Victory is here to provide Greyjoy decks with some Challenge phase oomph. Traditionally, the people of the Iron Isles look down on outsiders as weaklings who should be conquered on general principle. With those values, it's no surprise that something as iconic as an Ironborn longship has a drawback that requires you to have Greyjoy characters in play to get any use out of it (or any other warships you might be playing). But what do you gain as a benefit to offset this drawback? Well, first is a way to repeatedly provide the extra boost that an offensively minded house might need to win a challenge, not to mention that additional boost to generating unopposed challenges that it provides when used on a character with Intimidate. And second, who doesn't enjoy additional in house draw tagged on to a useful ability? Card advantage, here we come.

Click on the image to the left for a larger version.

Assault of the Kraken

Attachment, character, location.... anyone up for an event card? Here we see our first brand new card, and what a doozy it is. With a Westerosi history of being more than willing to take advantage of the slightest opportunity to grab land and other possessions when other houses and armies have their backs turned, taking advantage of the unopposed mechanic is well-fitting for the Iron Fleet. In Assault of the Kraken we see this theme taken to new heights. Read that card again. Who thought they would see additional challenge enablers come so easily in the LCG environment? Not only that, but it does so in such a Nedly package. “What? You couldn't defend that first military challenge? Here, let me kick you while you're down.” When I think of the fun to be had with any challenge type and particularly with claim 2 plots, my joy over this card knows no bounds. Of course, should your opponent choose to defend the second challenge, the Greyjoys will stall out and look for easier targets, but what Ironborn worth his salt wouldn't be attacking their opponent's weakest point to begin with?

Click on the image to the right for a larger version.

So there you have it folks, just a small taste of the cards and themes coming back into the game with the release of the first deluxe expansion to the AGoT Core Set. I hope these spoilers serve to enliven your own excitement for this release. And who knows, for those with sharp eyes and quick minds, there might be more hints about forthcoming cards than you realize... Until next time, remember:

“What is dead may never die, but rises again, harder and stronger.”


Based on George R.R. Martin's bestselling fantasy epic, A Song of Ice and Fire, A Game of Thrones Living Card Game brings the beloved heroes, villains, locations, and events of the world of Westeros to life through innovative game mechanics and the highly strategic game play. The Living Card Game format allows players to customize their gaming experience with monthly Chapter Pack expansions to the core game.