First, a quick introduction:

I'm new to AGoT and new to CCG/LCG games in general. My only previous experience, prior to AGoT, was literally about 2 games of Magic: The Gathering that I played with a friend about 5-6 years ago, with a deck that he built for me out of what he had been collecting for years.

My wife and I picked this game because we're both fans of the books, and we thought it would be fun to learn together since neither of us have played this kind of game before. We're both really enjoying it so far, but we still haven't played a complete game, due mostly to time constraints (hard to play before our 21-month old daughter goes to bed!).

I've had several questions, but lurking around here I've been able to answer most of them on my own, and I think I'm getting a good grasp of the game. However, there's one thing I'm confused about and I don't really see it being asked already. There are a couple cards that seem to be pretty useless in jousts, and I've found some posts here that confirm that. For instance, there is a Lannister plot card (I'm sorry, I don't recall the name of it and I don't have access to my cards right now) in which you choose an opponent, and each of you chooses and kneels a character. From the way the card is worded, and having seen how the rules tend to be interpreted, I figure this means that each player can choose any card to kneel, not just their own (if that's what was intended, the card would have said that each player has to choose and kneel one of his or her characters).

I read in this thread , which talks about a different but similar card, that in a joust this would pretty much ensure that your best character is going to sit out the round. So it's basically useless in a joust, and yet, if the game goes on for more than 6 plots, I'm going to be forced to use it eventually anyways, right?

So my question is, would it be considered "legal" customization to remove those plots from the deck before the game starts? Is there a requirement for a minimum number of different types of cards (in this case, plot cards)?

Any other tips for a greener-than-green player?

(sorry for the long post, I tend to be long-winded )

OrionsByte said:

The basic game rules specify that plot decks need to be exactly seven cards. You must have 7 plots.

That said, if you and your wife are, for example, Jousting with the Lannister and Stark decks from the Core Set and don't want to play with the plots that are geared far more for Melee (like the one you mention), you could always substitute out of the Baratheon and Targaryen decks. That is, you are not supposed to "customize" the number of plots, but you are free to customize the identity of your 7 plots.

Ultimately, though, you can customize whatever you want, provided all the people you play with agree to it. So if yo and your wife want to play with 6 plots, all the more power to you! I'd suggest making sure you both play with 6 plots, though. It tends to be more interesting when plot decks are the same size.

That makes a lot of sense, thanks - I don't know why I didn't think about pulling from the other decks...

So much to learn still!