I'm an enthusiastic Call of Cthulhu and Warhammer Invasion player who is just getting into A Game of Thrones. Forgive me if these questions are obvious:

1) Special keywords: I don't see the special house keywords in any of the characters in Lannister or Stark core cards. Am I overlooking them, or do I misunderstand the use of those key words? Should I expect to see the word "Stalwart" on a card, or do I take it that all Stark cards are Stalwart?

2) Challanges: As active player do I do all three of my challanges then pass play to my opponent? Or do I do one, they do one, etc.?

3) Use of Plot / Event Cards in expansions: Are the plot and event cards in the expansions restricted to use with any particular house? or I can mix them into my plot deck for any house I want to play?

4) Deck Construction: So far as I can tell I can mix in any number of houses into one deck, with the only downside being I have to select one house to be my main house (represented by my House card), and it costs two extra gold to play the other House cards I mix in. Is that correct or are there other down sides?

The game is very cool, and I'm looking forward to playing it; I'm even going to read the books to get the flavor.

BrooklynMike said:

Welcome, man! I hope you'll enjoy this great game!

So...

1) There are two cards, which come to mind, with house keywords.

- Eddard Stark S5 (stalwart)

- Flame Kissed T103 (ambush)

That's the answer to the second part: you have a special keyword when you read it. ;-)

2) No. When firstr player quits declaring challenges, the oppo becomes the active player.

3) You'll find some play restrictions written in the card. Let's take a look to:

- Hear me roar L192 (Plot, House Lannister only).

- Forever burning T174 (Event, House Targaryen only).

The House X Only is the only play restriction in these terms. It's a "building" restriction actually, because you cannot include an House X only card if you're not running the proper House card.

P.S. Anyway, there are some events that you may find useful with a single house, but have not the play restriction...They're rare case like "Winter is coming S156".

4) No, that's correct. The only thing is the restriction I wrote above.

As a personal note, I'd pay attention in playing lots of OOH cards in a deck. Sometimes you'll get the illusion to find a great deal in an Out of House card, but when you think about it with a little bit of "wisdom", you may find more reliable In house drops, most of the time (I.E. You may find a 3-Cost in house good char more than an 1-cost OOH char).

Hope it helps ;-)

DB_Cooper said:

There is one card with the House-specific keyword in each of the Core Set decks. Jaime Lannister (L 37) is the Infamy card and the attachment Lightbringer (B 68) is the card with Vigilant. So yes, just like the "non-specific" keywords, it must be written on the card in order to have it. There just aren't that many in the Core Set.

And just because it has confused so many people, make sure that when you read the Rule Book from the Core Set, you are not thinking that the symbols that show up on the page for the House-specific keywords stand for the keyword. That little wolf-head symbol does not stand for "Stalwart" when it appears on a card; it stands for Stark. So if you're looking at something like Godswood, it is saying you can reduce the cost of the next STARK character by 2, not the cost of the next Stalwart character by 2.

DB_Cooper said:

Just to be clear, a player declares all three of their challenges before the next player can declare any of them. It's "my three, then your three" instead of "I get one, you get one" until all players have had a chance to initiate three.

Regarding House-specific key words, it seems like the core decks have an awful lot of events and effects applicable to characters with those keywords, and it is surprising to me that only two cards in the entire deck can be targeted. Are there a lot more in the expansion decks?

You'll find more house-keywords in the CPs and so will be, I guess. The game is expanding and some cards that you may find in the core set will gain more sense in the future, as you approach to new mechanics.

BrooklynMike said:

Let's try this again:

"And just because it has confused so many people, make sure that when you read the Rule Book from the Core Set, you are not thinking that the symbols that show up on the page for the House-specific keywords stand for the keyword. That little wolf-head symbol does not stand for "Stalwart" when it appears on a card; it stands for Stark. So if you're looking at something like Godswood, it is saying you can reduce the cost of the next STARK character by 2, not the cost of the next Stalwart character by 2."

There are pretty much no cards in the Core Set that are applicable to characters with those keywords. There are a lot of events and effects that use the little "wolf head," "lion head," "stag head" and "dragon head" symbols, but those symbols stand for the HOUSE, not the keyword.

Almost everyone makes the same mistake, it's one of the most confusing parts in the rulebook.

ktom said:

BOY am I glad you decided to try that again! This makes a hell of a lot more sense to me: the little wolf head thingy means any Stark card. The House-specific keywords have the little symbol next to them in the rules just to show that the keyword is associate with that House, ie Stalwart will be found on Stark cards. Thanks. So much clearer now.

Thanks so much for keeping this straight.

ktom said:

Thanks that has solved a rather large confusion for us, we'd read it exactly the wrong way you described....and now we're all in filled with relief! Thanks

khunkwai said:

Is it wrong that every time I see this specific confusion from others it makes me feel a little better for making the same mistake?

That said, I hope those that keep explaining don't get tired of answering. I can't tell you how nice it is to come here for answers and the awesome respect I have for those that spend time responding in a patient/understanding way.