So I'm looking into getting into this game, I've watched FFG's tutorial videos and have seen a few games played at my LGS. My questions are how exactly do I get into everything? Obviously buying the core set but what all does it come with(serious lack of explanations from websites)? And once I have those cards how many of the expansion/chapter packs are necessary? Will I be hamstringing myself by not buying all of them? For instance if I want to loyally play house Stark and ignore all other expansion packs how screwed am I by not having any of the other cards?

Also mildly off topic, I'm an old Legend of the Five Rings player and would like to know what kind of things I could expect from this kind of format and how FFG supports their card games.

Thanks

Each core set comes with one of each faction-aligned Core card (two faction-aligned economy location as the exception), two of most Core Neutral cards, and either one or two copies of each Core plot. I will not insist you purchase three cores as many do, but will allow you to come to your own determination.

Each Chapter Pack and Expansion Set comes with a full playset (three) of each card so you will only ever need to buy one each, unless you find yourself wanting more than one playset of a card which is somewhat uncommon.

Even if you only wanted to play Stark, each Faction-associated Expansion Set still has two cards for each other faction and a few neutral cards so you may still find value in buying them. Using a card database such as Thronesdb will aid you in figuring out if you want a particular Chapter Pack/Expansion. If you decide to participate in tournaments, you may find yourself hamstrung against some opponents by not having the entire card pool.

You may not need to get 3x Core Sets but it is necessary. Best option is to split the cost with a friend. If you both decide to be loyalists to a house. Heaviest investment are the 3x Core sets.

Oh so the core set doesn't come with a full play set? What about the deluxe expansions, are those full sets or would you have to buy multiples of those as well. And then from that I'm guessing that the max number of any one card is 3, even unique character you can have 3 of?

What about the deluxe expansions, are those full sets or would you have to buy multiples of those as well. And then from that I'm guessing that the max number of any one card is 3, even unique character you can have 3 of?

Each Chapter Pack and Expansion Set comes with a full playset (three) of each card so you will only ever need to buy one each...

even unique character you can have 3 of?

You can place up to 3 of any card, including uniques, into your main deck. Uniques can only have one cry in play at a time unless you are duping.

My fault Kakita Shiro, missed that.

And that's interesting about unique characters. I feel like the new L5R might be using a lot of these mechanics.

So I've purchased a core set and I believe I am going to go mostly loyal Stark. Would it be more important for me to buy another core set first, or start with their expansion and a chapter pack or two? And which chapter packs have the most valuable Stark cards? I know I can see what comes from where but I'm not sure which cards are "must haves".

Definitely pick up at least a second core and Wolves of the North, the Stark expansion.

So I've purchased a core set and I believe I am going to go mostly loyal Stark. Would it be more important for me to buy another core set first, or start with their expansion and a chapter pack or two? And which chapter packs have the most valuable Stark cards? I know I can see what comes from where but I'm not sure which cards are "must haves".

Pick up No Middle Ground to get the Stark plot Wardens of the North.