Played my first game recently with a group of 4 other friends. About 3 turns into the game we all got devastated by a wildling attack as we had all spent our tokens just beforehand, leading to a truce and then alliance between the above 3 factions which held for the rest of the game. Just curious to see if anyone else has seen this before we play our next game. I was playing as the Starks so any advice would be appreciated too

In a 5 players game, Baratheon and Tyrell have the advantage of having neutral tokens on their south borders. This unbalances the game a little and more than often results on a win for one of the aforementioned house. Some house ruling already exists to fix this potential issue.

I have never seen an alliance last a full game. Usually, it may lasts 3-4 rounds but at some point a player needs to broke it in order to have a chance at winning.

Finally, as house Stark:

- You absolutely need to get and maintain control of The Narrow Sea. Be a potential threat to House Baratheon in order to attempt slowing its expansion to the south.

- Do not neglect Bay of Ice. It is an open invitation to be invaded by House Greyjoy. You can use this sea area for a potential late game invasion of Pyke after both Lannister and Greyjoy are weakened by mutual war.

- Control Moat Cailin early on. You can use the narrow sea for supporting your defense but beware the raids from House Baratheon from Shipbreaker Bay (in other word, don't be too obvious in your order placement)

- Bay of Ice offers a good support to control Flint's Finger

- You MUST control the supplies (barrels) available in the north and hope for a supply track adjustment. I found that being under-supplied early in the game is one of the main weakness of House Stark.