how exactly does a round in which multiple events initiating epic phases work out after the dominance phase? what about playing multiple of the same "epic battle" event -- say, opposing baratheon players both play battle at the wall, or a single baratheon player plays two copies in the same plot phase?

I believe the answers differ depending on which Epic Battle is played.

Example 1: Both players play The Battle at the Wall, which reads "Plot: After the dominance phase this round, there is an epic phase during which each player may initiate a single challenge with normal claim. The winner of each challenge may draw three cards. (Place this card next to your plot deck until the end of this epic phase.)"

Example 2: Both players play War of Five Kings, which reads "Plot: After the dominance phase this round, there is an epic phase in which each player may initiate an additional challenge of his or her choice. Instead of the normal claim effects, any player who loses one of these challenges as the defender must select his or her next plot card at random. (Place this card next to your plot deck until the end of the epic phase.)"

I believe this is a case of following the exact wording of the card. In example 2, each copy of WFK adds an additional challenge, whereas TBATW still limits you to a single challenge. Interesting question, and I eagerly await ktom's wisdom... :-)

There can be more than one epic phase, I think. So if two epic phase events are played, there are two epic phases. I kind of remember Nate saying something along those lines, anyhow.

Good thought, I hadn't considered that. There is an FAQ entry for Multiple Epic Phases, entry 3.34. Essentially, multiple epic phases can be created, and they are resolved in the order they are created. Fascinating.

jmccarthy said:

Yup. The FAQ already addresses this. If 2 Epic Battle plot cards are played in the Plot phase, regardless of which ones they actually are, there will be two Epic phases that round as written on each card. The first Epic phase will be the one created by the first event card played, and so on.

Note that the "bonus" may not always be that great for multiple Epic phases. The "draw cap" would still be in effect, for example.