Objective
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game is a strategic board game where players take on the roles of the great houses of Westeros, vying for control of the Iron Throne. The objective is to gain control of a set number of territories with castles and strongholds or, at the end of ten game rounds, to have control over the most castles and strongholds.
Components
- Game board featuring a map of Westeros
- House cards for each great house
- Unit tokens for armies, consisting of footmen, knights, ships, and siege engines
- Power tokens
- Order tokens
- Various tracks and influence markers for power, supply lines, etc.
Setup
- Each player selects a house and receives their respective house cards, units, tokens, and castle/stronghold cards.
- The game board is set up with color-coded units and power tokens according to each house's starting positions.
- Influence markers are placed on their respective tracks.
Gameplay
The game is played over rounds, each divided into three phases:
Westeros Phase
- Draw three Westeros cards, which define events and tasks that will take place during the round.
- These events can impact the board, supply levels, power struggles, and more.
Planning Phase
- Players secretly assign order tokens (March, Support, Defend, Consolidate Power, and Raid) face down to the areas they control.
- Once all orders are placed, they are simultaneously revealed.
Action Phase
- Players execute the revealed orders in a specified turn order.
- March orders are used to move armies and initiate attacks on adjacent territories.
- Support and defense orders strengthen involved units.
- Consolidate Power orders increase the power of the involved area.
- Raid orders are used to remove enemy orders from adjacent areas.
A crucial part of the game is negotiation and alliance-building between players, although these alliances can be broken at any time.
Combat
- In combat, players determine the strength of their units plus the influence from orders and support.
- Each player plays a house card, providing additional combat strength and effects.
- The stronger party wins and can take control of the territory.
Influence and Supply
- Influence on the Throne and other special tracks is maintained through regular power struggles, where players bid with their power tokens.
- The supply line determines how many armies a player can maintain.
Winning the Game
The game ends after ten rounds or once a player controls enough castles and strongholds. That player is declared the winner.
Strategic planning, resource management, and diplomatic cunning are essential to succeed in the quest for the Iron Throne.
