I just played the Core game for the first time yesterday (4 player game) and really liked the mechanics. I want to expand the game with new cards for all the houses and also get Greyjoy and Martell (they are not in the core game). Can anyone recommend a good way to buy more cards for all the houses without spending too much all at once?
What is the difference between the CCG and LCG (I am pretty sure the Core game I played was for the LCG)?
tedjoc said:
I just played the Core game for the first time yesterday (4 player game) and really liked the mechanics. I want to expand the game with new cards for all the houses and also get Greyjoy and Martell (they are not in the core game). Can anyone recommend a good way to buy more cards for all the houses without spending too much all at once?
What is the difference between the CCG and LCG (I am pretty sure the Core game I played was for the LCG)?
I've got an Getting Started With A Game of Thrones Article on my website which lists some good choices for players gettign started with the LCG. That might help and it focuses more on what to buy at first to not break the bank. I've also got a searchable spoiler with images and a deckbuilder so you can browse through cards to see what you'd like to purchase. There is also another good writeup on Board Game Geek .
The CCG cards and LCG cards are mostly the same. But if you plan on going to any tournaments they are generally LCG only. I'd stick with the LCG as it is what is supported now.
The "CCG" (Collectible Card Game) was the precursor to the "LCG" (Living Card Game). The only real difference is in distribution and competitive play restrictions. Basically, the CCG card game was packaged in the typical CCG format...randomized packs of 15-card booster packs sold for $3-4 each, like you would have with any other CCG. With the transition to the LCG 2+ years ago, the packs became fixed, so that each pack contains the same exact quantities of the same cards. Basically the transition eliminated all the buying of extra boxes of cards just in the hopes that you would get the one rare card you needed to complete your deck. (Originally the LCG distributed "chapter packs" that supplemented the Core Set with 1 or 3 copies of 20 different cards for $10. The chapter packs have since been changed to 3 copies of 20 different cards for $15, so that you have a playset of every card in one chapter pack rather than having to buy three chapter packs for a playset of every card.)
With the transition to LCG, the competitive format was also reset. FFG-sanctioned competitive play (in other words, the "standard format") allows for use of any LCG card in a deck. So basically, all the CCG cards are no longer playable in a tourney setting. Other than the distribution and competitive play rules, there's no real difference between CCG and LCG. The mechanics of the game remain the same, and the cards interact well together. One note though: The feel of some of the houses is a bit different if you play with CCG-era cards. Depending on when the cards were released, certain houses' mechanics have evolved/shifted overtime.
If you're looking to play casually (never competitively), then you can often find deals online (namely used cards on ebay and FFG's annual pre-Christmas Sale) for very cheap CCG-era cards. These tend to be cheaper because demand is lower, since the cards can't be used in "standard format" competitive play. As Darkbane mentioned though, if you ever plan to try out your deck at a tournament, you'd have to use LCG cards.
As for which new LCG products to buy, I recommend taking a look at the various online/searchable card databases. I have a couple in my signature line...CardGameDB (Darkbane's site) is great for searching cards and the best for building a deck online. I sometimes prefer Dabbler if I'm just checking card text or looking for a list of types of cards, as it's a bit cleaner/simpler (lacks all the bells and whistles but is very fast and easy to use).
Good place to start is the Kings of Winter and Kings of the Storm and the upcoming new release of Kings of the Sea. You get alot of cards for a good price and also in Winter and Storm get two decklists each that you can build with just one core set and one of each of them that are full sized decks.
Welcome!
What the others said. I just feel it's important to point out that you should stay away from the old release of the Kings of the Sea expansion (which had each card 1x) and wait for the "revised edition" which has been announced and will be out shortly, and which will carry each card 3x.
See here: http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/edge_news.asp?eidn=1893
Thanks to everyone, your answers were very helpful. I may try some ccg cards (they are cheaper) just to see what is out there and for "with friends" play. Mostly though it sounds like the new 60 card chapter packs are a great way to get new mechanics for decks.
I really appreciate all the great info!