Is it naive of me to think I can manage this with just 2 Core sets and 2 different chapter packs? (probably pick up more of the chapter packs later)

I'm not trying to make competitive or tournament-legal decks, just 8 different, fairly-balanced decks that my group of 4-6 players can choose at random and have fun with in a board-game style.

Probably be light on those Roads that seem to be popular, but each deck will have the same number.

I can not expect anyone else to purchase anything, 3 core sets per person so everyone can have tournament level decks is definitely not going to happen.

*edit: I've found a bit of info regarding this on other websites. Do any of you guys have experiences to share when playing in this fashion? Using 8 decks balanced for group play.

It's certainly possible. I built 6 demo decks that I felt were balanced 'in pairs' for three seperate demo matches , and while that was with 3 cores, I didn't have any chapter packs at the time. 8 is a bit of a stretch though (6 is much easier!).

The biggest problem you'll face is the economy - both on the gold side of it, and on the getting cards to play side of things. With 8 road locations per core, building 8 decks out of 2 cores leaves you with only 2 for each, +2 in-faction reducers and 3 reducer characters. That's 7 economy cards, when a typical 60 card deck runs about 12-15. Throw in the plots, and you only have the big economy plots (a Noble Cause, Calling the Banners, Marching Orders, Trading with the Pentoshi) as 1 per deck - again, when most decks tend to run at least two plots that'll provide more than 5g. While you can probably get the balance right here, I suspect your best bet here is either a few proxies (not a bad idea), or a third Core to help, and then constraining yourself to ~40 card decks, allowing you to build a roughly comparable 'stable' economy base.

Great info, thanks!

I think I'll grab some extra Kingsroad and Roseroad singles, there's a few up on the evilbay. It seems like the economy cards is the major reason to buy multiple core sets even with all the new expansions coming out.

The old 1st edition version of one of those is identical to the new one besides the art, may be a cheap alternative.

*edit: Nabbed 3 Kingsroad, 3 Roseroad and 2 1st edition Roseroad. I can also break the deckbuilding rules and include 4 copies of some faction reducer characters if each core includes 2.

If it still seems too few for 8 decks, I'll drop to 6 or buy a third core, but I'm wondering what economy cards are in the chapter packs, if any.

I would also be interested in doing this. What were some of the other websites you found that talked about doing this?

On Board Game Geek

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1462963/8-mono-faction-decks-2-or-3-core-sets

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/1480108/8-mono-faction-decks-3-core-sets-and-westoros-cycl

I read a bit where you should distribute plots where everyone has a total of 31~ resources from them. With some high and some low. Now with the new faction-specific plots from the Chapter packs, this could be skewed a little.

*edit: Looks like there are some economy cards in the chapter packs after all. Brandon's Gift for the Night Watch is in the Road to Winterfell Chapter Pack. It reduces the cost of a Night Watch card after you play certain character cards.

When I get a few items in the mail, each deck will have 3 roads and all the faction cards and faction plots from two Core Sets and 3 different chapter packs. I'll try to fairly distribute neutral cards, using some of the ideas from the BGG threads. Sleeving them will be a little pricey, after having so many others fall apart on me, I only use Dragon Sleeves now.