1. Is this game still alive and well?

2. If so, I am friends with a local shop owner who might allow me to run a demo and if there is enough interest stock the game, is there anyone to speak with about obtaining some demo product?

3. As a new player what is the easiest way to get caught up with the game? Do all the core sets contain the same base so that I can simply buy a set of the latest core and then any expansions I might need?

This is exciting and the concept of a living card game is something I've never heard of until now but like very much.

Unfortunately your retailer is likely going to have trouble getting his hands on enough stock for players at this point. FFG is in the midst of re-printing their core set, to the frustration of many aspiring players. Fortunately, it looks like the ETA is sometime in September, so the wait shouldn't be too too bad; use the next few weeks to stir up interest, I suppose. As far as "alive and well", I'd say it's currently a very, very good time to be playing. What with the Television series and the release of ADWD, ASoIaF products are all flying off shelves as the fan base expands and diversifies.

I'm not aware of a specific demo kit, as it were, but I'd recommend grabbing two or three copies of the core set, which allows you to build 4 fluid, competitive (albeit towards the bottom of the pile) decks for the core set houses. As far as further supplementing the decks... it depends! There are two other houses to pick up, Martell and Greyjoy, which are certainly worthwhile investments if you don't quite click with any of the other houses. The corresponding purchases are Kings of the Sea and Princes of the Sun. I'd recommend waiting until the PotS reprint - you'll get 3x of every card, rather than the current 2x. What sets you grab are up to you; If you decide you really one of the core houses, you could skip the Martell/Greyjoy sets and grab the corresponding "upgrade" expansion. Lions of the Rock is forthcoming, so if you want to run with Lannister, you'd probably be best waiting till you can grab that.

fenixink said:

I asked my local shop about AGoT and they were aware the game existed, but that was it. They did say that if I wanted to, I could schedule a time to go there and offer a demo, but I'd be using my cards. Dunno why that makes me nervous.

I wonder if FFG offers any kind of demo kits for any of their games? I know Wizards of the Coast provides free "starter decks" for Magic, one 30-card deck in each color. They are very basic cards with no resale value. Would FFG consider putting together a very basic scaled-down deck in two different houses just to be able to show people the mechanics? I also know that some game stores buy full copies of games then leave them open for demo purposes.

Incidentally, I would suggest buying a Core Set just to get acclimated, and get comfortable with the rules and timing. Then use sites like Card Game DB and Dabbler to shop around for cards or decks that fit the house you like, then buy the appropriate expansions or chapter packs. Have fun and welcome!

Awesome that's perfect timing my birthday is in September so I'm looking at grabbing the new Core Set and maybe some chapters.

Also is the Core Set essentially reprints with a few new cards each time so I can just get the latest core set and have all the core set goodies or will I need to buy former Core Sets?

The Core Set doesn't change -- all Core Sets are identical (except for possible fixed errata in the Re-Release).

Sweet I'm downloading all the stuff to play via OCTGN2 so I can check it out until the new core set release.
Anyone willing to walk me through a game? And does anyone know somewhere I can find the core set decklists?

fenixink said:

I had the same problem a couple weeks ago, luckily I saved the link I used in case someone else needed the Core Deck List

http://boardgamegeek.com/geeklist/64493/a-game-of-thrones-lcg-official-decklists

I'd offer to walk you through a game, but I'm almost as new as you are so I wouldn't trust myself to get everything right

Thanks for the link that helped a ton just played a game of Stark vs. Lannister running both decks and Lannister is very strong. I also first hand experienced the issue with Eddard's Stalwart just causing him to block draws.

You know, it's not like the core set isn't out there to buy. Just get it on Amazon. They've still got stock, and haven't even farmed it out to third-party retailers yet. Also, you can usually find it at Barnes & Noble as well- I saw a core set there on a big table full of Song of Ice and Fire books. Chapter packs and deluxe expansions are pretty hit and miss, though.