Hi guys,

We are a group of 4 students dazed by the TV series and decided to give the card game a try. It's only one week but we've been so addicted to playing the game.

Because of the nature of the group, we always play together so I guess it is called melee.

We also found out that by buying more chapter packs, we can play the game with new mechanisms such as epic phase, seasons or shadow. However, we are encountering certain problems when trying to further our experience with the game.

Firstly we are living off scholarships thus our expenses should be restricted. Secondly, as we always play together we must maintain the balance among the four houses. If we just buy some of the chapter packs, we fear that some houses will be stronger than others but we just don't have the money to buy many packs.

So I guess my questions should be

1. What are good chapter packs for each house?

2. Let say if I want to implement a new mechanisms such as Epic Phase (same for Seasons and Shadow) without compromising the balance of the game, which chapter packs (as few as possible) should I buy?

Thanks all

Get the "Refugees of War" chapter pack.

After that, I suggest each house buys it's house specific expansion.

From then, It really depends what you are looking for. Shadows mechanic is big in the Kings Landing Set, Seasons are big in the Time of Ravens Set.

I would suggest NOT getting anything from the Maester's or brotherhood or defenders of the north cycle. You will run into some themes liek brotherhood, maesters, and nights watch in those and it will be difficult to determine who gets the cards from those since they are mostly neutral characters involved.

Thanks for the reply

I've just been looking through the content of the "Refugees of War" chapter pack. I notice that some card inside the pack requires season to perform their specific effects. So is it possible to play this pack without buying more packs in the same cycle?

And one more question? How would you suggest us regarding dividing the neutral card for all 4 players?

If you haven't already, buy a second Core Set between yourselves - it will make all four house starter decks better by roughly the same amount.

finding a way to keep the 4 decks equal will be tough, mostly because of your budget it would be so much easier to buy the Baratheon, Targaryen and Stark expansions but then Lannister will be left out. .. . .but WAIT Lannister expansion is coming out for December so problem solved. You might want the Refugees of War, Ancient Enemies and Epic Battles. for some flavor but other than that i would say

you Need a second Core Set, and with 4 people probably a third

go get the 4 different expansions for each house it will cost your friends about 28 each and that will give you guys some pretty solid options for each house,

Thank you guys I'll look into it