Dear all,

I'm very new to fantasy based games, if that's an appropriate term. I have been looking at AGOT living card game and think I may really enjoy it as it's not a board game or a role play game. But I haven't got a clue where to start, so I thought I had best ask before I go purchasing anything.

So what's the best thing to do to get into the game? Does the board game include a full living card game starter set, or are they completely seperate games? I understand that the 'Iron Throne' starter set may be the best option to get started, but what does this include and can I start playing a multi player game on purchase?

I also understand that you can buy and collect monthly cards? I live in the UK I can't recall ever seeing this kind of thing other then pokemon cards in our local new agents. If I wanted to collect, where can I get these? I know I can get the expansions from Amazon uk.

Any help in getting started would be greatly appreciated.

Han

The board game and the card game are two distinct things. No relationship to each other at all.

To get into the game the best thing you can do is purchase the Core Set (maybe from here: www.gameslore.com/acatalog/Games_Game_of_Thrones_148.html#aFFGGOT36). It's really good value and gives you everything you need to start playing with up to four players. Additional cards come out maybe every 5 or so weeks and they're called the chapter packs. You can get the core set and chapter packs from specialist online retailers - I use www.gameslore.com, but www.iguk.co.uk may work out cheaper for small purchases. Sometimes you can pick up the slightly larger expansions for good prices on Amazon, as you've already suggested.

Other than that, make sure you download the latest FAQ from this site. The instructions in the box are a bit limited. You'll find the community here very friendly if (no, make that when) you run into problems. It's not the easiest of games to learn, but it can be very rewarding if you stick at it.

What Shrewsbury said. In addition, what you refer to as the Iron Throne starter is from the CCG (Collectible Card Game) era of AGoT gaming. I understand that some of the cards from the CCG era would be considered overpowered in today's LCG (Living Card Game) format.
Tzumainn operates a website which clearly delineates what's what.

FYI, anything Core Set and on are LCG good: this includes A Clash of Arms cycle* (the cards in this cycle are black bordered as opposed to the regular LCG white borders). If you are a stickler for uniformity, then I suggest you skip that cycle.
*A cycle consists of 6 monthly chapter packs.

Chapter Pack Cycles: 3 cycles completed. 1 just started. Listed in order of release.
1. A Clash of Arms (black bordered): introduces the epic phase (an extra phase to do stuff).
2. A Time of Ravens (white bordered): introduces the seasons mechanic (an attachment based mechanic). Stark & Greyjoy are winter based houses, while Martell and Targaryen are primarily summer. Baratheon seems to have it both ways. Lannister too, but much more weakly than Bara. You need the first CP A Song of Summer for each summer houses & The Winds of Winter for each winter houses. A Change of Seasons pack has the vital A Time for Ravens plot which is a must for each house sporting a season (assuming you are building more than 1 primary house for your gaming enjoyment). The last CP in the cycle, Scattered Armies, can be skipped on since it does very little for the seasons.
3. King's Landing (white): introduces a major change in the form of the shadows mechanic (a slow controlling mechanic). Lannister is primarily shadows, but other traditional 'control houses' like Targaryen & Martell can play this game too. Bara control can play at shadows, but I prefer Bara rush myself. Stark & Greyjoy seems to sit out on this one.
4. Defenders of the North (white): introduces the stackable agenda mechanic. Only one CP released so far.

Deluxe Expansions: 2 released. 1 announced. The last two Deluxe Expansions were released in between chapter pack cycle.
1. Kings of the Sea: Makes the House Greyjoy playable. This box contains only singles. You may want to consider buying at least two.
2. Princes of the Sun: Makes the House Martell playable. This box comes with copies of two cards each.
3. Lords of Winter (yet unreleased): Adds to the Core Set's House Stark. This box comes with 3 copies*.
*A triplicate is a complete set in AGoT LCG.

It would be super to try before you buy, but if that is not an option, then my recommendation as a casual gamer is to buy a single Core Set and then try it. If you like it a lot and would like to try other houses, then round out your collection with Kings of the Sea & Princes of the Sun. At this point, you may want multiple copies of them and another Core Set or two for your deckbuilding pleasure. If you are keen on following up with the monthly releases, then start by picking a CP cycle that interests you (or a CP cycle that favors the houses that interest you) and go from there. Starting with the Lords of Winter Deluxe Expansion as mentioned above and the CP cycle following the Defenders of the North, AGoT LCG will assume the triplicate distribution model as it can be seen here.

Ruvion said:

Great summary! I wish I'd had it explained to me this way when I started!

On a final note, as a casual gamer who provides all necessary moving parts to his gaming group, I find all that's needed is doubles of each card. It is the primary reason why I bought two CPs of each so far unless otherwise required (such as the seasons pack).

Wow!

Thank you so much for your responses. It does sound a bit confusing and complext to say the least, but I'm guessing once I get into it I will become completely addicted.

I will definately shop around for my initial starter pack, as I suspect it's not the cheapest hoby to have once you get going. :-)

Many thanks for all your replys. I'll let you know how I get on.

Han

Sorry..I forgot to ask if reading the books before playing is a good idea? I'm assuming it doesn't make that much of difference other then to give a bit of context?

Han

I'm sure knowledge of the source material helps to immerse oneself in a fashion...I happened to have first played the game and then caught up a little using wikipedia. I'll eventually get the actual reading started, but having spoiled myself already, I find it hard to get it going at this point.

On the note on collectibility...the actual expenditure is of course totally under your control. If you should skip out on all past CP cycles and jump right into the next one, it should save you quite a few penny.

Since it wasn't George R. R. Martin's world that hooked you into taking a look see, did any of the other LCGs (Call of Cthulhu & Warhammer) interest you by any chance?

Amnell said:

read the books just for the joy of it, man! :]

Thanks guys. I order the core set and have played a few tentative games, I've decided that house Stark is my house. . There are a few things I need clarifying on the rules, but I'll be good and post that it the right place.

I was a little naughty and brought the first book in the series as well, so hopefully it will be a good read. Although if it does turn out to be a good read my bank balance will be horrific.

Does anyone know if there are any UK, specifically Bedford based groups that play AGOT? I was thinking it may be an idea to either see it played or have a game with someone that knows what they are doing?

Thanks

Han

Ruvion said:

No I hadn't looked at other LCGs. I'll be honest, it was the AGOT's name that first attracted me, and then when I read about it further I decided it sounded like a good game. I have had a look at Call of Cthulhu and it looks quite interesting, but I think I'll master AGOT first.

Han