With Regional locations being announced a week from today (to the organizers, if not the public), I got to thinking about all the events I've been to in the past that had some sort of side event. Side events were usually some alternate format of the game that were played primarily for fun, rather than serious competition. Draft was always a popular one, but we've seen all sorts of others made up by the organizers - like dual Agenda or team Melee.

So for those of you who have played "side events," what were some of your favorites? One of mine was "Littlefinger," where each player had a separate pool of "coins" that could be used to bribe other players in to doing stuff, attacking a particular opponent, not attacking a certain opponent, using an ability on their character, etc. The additional wheeling-and-dealing with a set money pool could make things fun.

For everyone, what kind of new "side events" can you envision? What kind of variations would you like to try just for fun? Unique only? Speed-GoT? Pauper? (I have no idea what these would look like; define the variant for yourself.)

Good topic. I may try (assuming we get approved) to run a "two-headed" format of 2v2, with each team required to play different houses. I think some interesting synergy (or at least some good competitive gameplay) could result from a format like that and be a lot of fun. Probably first team to a cumulative 15-20 power wins.

We used to play alot of 2v2 before the multiplayer titles came out. But we always played to cumalitive 30-40 depending on the agendas of the players(if any). It was alot of fun and I would enjoy playing that as a side event at a Regional.

I personally enjoyed playing Littlefinger format as well, and I would like to try the one where you play randomly and try to win as many in a row as possible. The name had something to do with the khal's braids.

I've always wanted to try Littlefinger, but haven't had the opportunity yet. Perhaps we'll have the chance this time around. Honestly, I think I'd really be looking for more chances to play Civil War. We did so here with a bunch of my ITE and up cards and it was a total blast. Fun variety and a chance to put those older cards to good use. I'll have to take a look at putting together Civil War decks for a couple other houses as well.

Our last tournament was Civil War, and it really was a blast. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it.

longclaw said:

longclaw said:

I thought there was an official team format: 2v2, first team to 30 power wins. I don't know what order everyone goes in though. Official format or not, I've been wanting to play in a 2v2 tournament for quite some time. Draft would be cool but LCG chapter packs don't seem as fun as CCG draft packs. Civil War seems like fun as well. The Kings of the Sea variant is interesting, but don't play it if you only have 3 players....just don't.

This variant idea just popped into my head so forgive me if it's bad:

Permanent Alliance - Melee or Joust play with no OOH gold penalties and/or no "House X only." Maybe just no OOH penalty would be better as it would still give each House a few cards to call their own.

Also, melee with everyone playing The Only Game that Matters Agenda is always tons of fun. It's a House rule in Long Island that when playing friendly melees you can use this CCG Agenda.

http://www.tzumainn.com/agot/cards/card.php?card_id=2691

Woops, don't know how I quoted twice

We did a "two Agenda" event once at one of the ChiCONs. Players were required to run 2 (different) Agendas in each deck - with the benefits and limitations of both. This was back in the day before The North stackable Agendas. A whole bunch of interesting decks popped up and people seemed to have a good time coming up with decks that leveraged the combination they chose.

That sounds like fun. =) I think this could easily be revamped by forcing one Agenda to not be a 'The North' Agenda, and making all 'The North' Agendas count as one (so you can have any amount of them, but if you do, it takes up one of your agenda choices).

Erwo ran a AGoT board game/CCG hybrid at Kublacon a few years back. People were split into teams (for each house) and then battled for territories on a huge (~6' x 8') map of Westeros.

Everyone drafted their decks (after being told which house they were going to play), and then duked it out using the CCG to battle for control of the map.

Cool event. Except someone let Mathlete sit out and play the Circle of Spies deck. His job was to go around and create chaos for everyone, and he cherished every minute of it. Especially when he tied my team's forces up (House Stark) in a 3 on 1 battle while Doormouse and his ragged band of deserters ran amok on the map and won! (I'm still bitter)

Last Stahleck, there was a "Peasant Tourney", you were only allowed to play cards from the boxes once and from the chapter packs only the cards which came three times. Stark pretty much ruled. Was fun though, wish I had prepared more.

C

I just build and plan to test a civil war variant.

No House... everything is considered "In house".

It also has cards from the Classic Environment.

I remember one year at ChiCon there was going to be a "team" multi-player event, where each member of a team revealed different plot cards, and team members couldn't gain power of of their partner's card effects. We did this event at our store, since none of us to make it to AJ's that year, and had a blast. Nickler and I made Holy decks mine greyjoy, his lanni and jsut worked the table. My favorite was when Nick flipped Outfox and all 6 of our opponent's had "When Revealed" plots.

I had the happy opportunity to draft this last weekend, and enjoyed it immensely. I hope that there is a draft variant released from Thrones similar to what Eric Lang came up with for Warhammer. I may even just make up some similar cards for drafting locally.

JerusalemJones said:

The team multi-player was fun. There were a lot of interesting combos that only really worked if two players coordinated.

Ditto. Team multi was way fun. Too bad Staton and Ironborn just narrowly stole the victory from Dobbler and myself.

I'm curious, what table talk was allowed b/w teammates? Could you explicitly or implicitly indicate what cards you had in your hand or was that forbidden?

LetsGoRed said:

If I recall, the special rules were as follows:

1. Partners had to play the same House, but could use different Agendas.
2. The partner was not considered an "opponent" as far as card effects were concerned.
3. Partners could attack each other, but absolutely no power could be gained (including Renown) during challenges between partners. In essence, the total power of the two players could not change if they challenged each other. (This prevented you from just attacking each other and letting the challenges go unopposed just to gain power, for example.)
4. Table talk, etc. was encouraged, but partners could not actually show each other their hands or otherwise reveal information that is normally considered to be hidden.
5. Only one partner had to reach their victory total for the team to win.

ktom said:

For reference sake, I know one table was won by Melnick/Ingsve playing Greyjoy, where one had a pile of Lords and the other a pile of influence for " The King Must Be a Kraken ." Our table had 6 Martell House cared and everyone was thinking "Devious Machinations" to copy the hell out of something like " Veteran Builder ." JohnnyMcguy and I were building from a Mill (or Raid, as JJ just coined) direction, and didn't anticipate the speed of things finishing, as Dobbler/Kennon won on turn two I believe.

If I make it (50/50 at this point), I will certainly bring my cube for a cube draft which has been VERY popular at the two events it was held at (Kubla last year and the Seattle Lannisport tourney). If not, I can probably get it to Luke or someone if anyone is interested. Or, obviously, someone can just make one ~much inferior to mine of course which has been tested estensively

It is 'LCG illegal' cards only - i.e. cards now not usable (including the 2 LCG ones), so a good way to play with older cards.