Game of Thrones: The Board Game (Second Edition)

Overview

• Based on the book series and TV show of the same name
• Genre: Area control game
• Players represent great houses competing for control of Westeros
• Objective: First player to control 7 castles/strongholds wins, or player with most control at the end of 10 rounds wins

Key Components

• Players: Each represents a great house
• Map: Features areas with castles and strongholds
• Power Tokens:
  • Show control over areas
  • Can be spent and must be earned back

Gameplay Phases

1. Westeros Phase
   • Reveal top card of three decks
   • Skip this phase in the first round
2. Planning Phase
   • Players assign order tokens to areas with their units
   • Orders are placed facedown and revealed simultaneously
3. Action Phase
   • Execute assigned orders in player order
   • Most gameplay occurs here

Order Types

• Raid Orders:
  • Cancel adjacent enemy orders
• March Orders:
  • Move units to adjacent areas
  • Only initiate one combat per march
• Consolidate Power Orders:
  • Gain power tokens from the pool
  • No effect if placed in sea areas
• Defense Orders:
  • Provide combat bonus during attacks
• Support Orders:
  • Lend strength to combat in adjacent areas

Influence Tracks

• Iron Throne Track:
  • Determines turn order
  • Player in first position gets Iron Throne token, breaking ties
• Fiefdom Track:
  • Used to break ties in combat
  • First position gets Valyrian Steel Blade token (+1 combat modifier)
• Kings Court Track:
  • Determines number of special orders players can use
  • First position gets Messenger Raven token (can change orders or peek at wildling deck)

Westeros Phase Details

• Advance round marker and reveal cards
• Wildling icons determine movement on the Wildling track
• Events from cards can include adjusting supply track, mustering units, and starting bidding for influence tracks

Bidding for Influence Tracks

• All players secretly bid using power tokens
• Highest bidders gain positions on tracks, ties resolved by Iron Throne token holder
• Bid power is spent and must be earned back later

Wildling Attacks

• Occur when Wildling track reaches the final space or specified by cards
• Players must collectively bid power to defend against attacks
• Successful defense resets Wildling track; failure moves it back

Action Phase Details

• Resolve orders in player order
• Raid Resolution: Cancel enemy tokens, target adjacent areas
• March Resolution: Determine combat, calculate strengths, and resolve outcomes
• Combat:
  • Players choose house cards to add strength
  • Calculate combat strength and resolve casualties
  • Retreat rules apply based on outcomes

Combat Mechanics

• Total strengths are announced
• Winning player destroys units based on swords icons; losing player retreats
• Routed units cannot fight or retreat again; siege engines are destroyed if involved in combat

Post-Combat and Cleanup

• Clean up remaining tokens
• Reset Valyrian Steel Blade and Messenger Raven tokens

Alliances and Information

• Alliances are off the board and non-binding
• Players cannot trade items or reveal secret information
• Public information includes available power tokens and house cards

End of Game

• After 10 rounds, if no player has 7 strongholds, the player with the most wins
• Ties resolved by: strongholds, supply track, available power tokens, and Iron Throne track

Conclusion

• Game involves strategic planning, alliances, and combat
• Encourage consulting the rules for clarifications during play
• Enjoy the gameplay!