Board Game Geek Avg Player Rating: 7.00
Players: 2 to 0
Published: 2018
Content Notes: Kickstarter “Hand of the King” Pledge Edition of A Song of Ice and Fire Table Top Game. Includes core game, KS Exclusive non-combat character “The High Seneschal,” plus all stretch goals. Please note: unless otherwise stated, paid add ons from the Kickstarter Campaign are not included.

A Song of Ice & Fire comes with:

• 103 Miniatures
• 7 Infantry Movement Trays
• 1 Cavalry Movement Tray
• 1 Solo Movement Tray
• 98 Game Cards
• 62 Tokens
• 10 Dice
• 2 Measuring Sticks
• 1 Tactics Board
• 1 Rulebook
• 1 Scenario Book
• Plus KS Exclusive non-combat character “The High Seneschal,” and additional KS Exclusives (see below)

Description from the publisher:

A Song of Ice & Fire: Tabletop Miniatures Game lets players take control of their favorite Houses from the novels — represented by trays of high-quality, pre-assembled miniatures — and lead them into battle against their opponents. Players can recreate their favorite moments from the series or create their own stories. What if the Red Wedding never happened, and Robb Stark assaulted King’s Landing? Now fans can find out!

Battles can range from large-scale wars with hundreds of miniatures to simple skirmishes between a few units without complicating the elegantly designed rules. The game features several unique systems, including alternating activations that keep the players engaged; a Rank System that changes a unit’s capabilities as the battle rages on; a Tactics System that provides strategic powers fueled by a finite resource each round; and, most importantly, the iconic Heroes, such as Robb Stark and Jaime Lannister, that can change the course of war both on and off the battlefield.

Note that anything marked with this:

is an Exclusive item for Kickstarter backers, with remaining stock available at conventions and special promotions only.

The Maesters are an ancient order of scholars, healers, and scientists who are trained in the Citadel, located in Oldtown. Chief among them and charged with the governance of the Citadel is the Seneschal. TheHigh Seneschal is a Kickstarter Exclusive Non-Combat Unit that all backers will receive! As a NCU, The High Seneschal doesn’t take directly to the battlefield, but rather, influences the behind-the-scenes stages of war through his NCU card, which features a very unique effect. The High Seneschal is a Mercenary Character, meaning that he can be played with any Faction in the game!

Gameplay

These are the options you have when activating a unit:

Just before starting a game, players must build their armies, based on an agreed upon amount of points. Using these points, players forge the core of their army with powerful Combat Units, such as the Stark Sworn Swords or Lannister Guards into their army. Each of these units has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Attachments

A player can also augment these units with powerful Attachments, which range from generic additions, like the Lannister Guard Captain, to legendary figures such as Ser Gregor Clegane: The Mountain.

Non-Combat Units

However, wars are not fought solely on the battlefield. Players may also choose to spend points on various Non-Combat Units (NCU), such as Tyrion Lannister and Catelyn Stark. These individuals work behind the scenes, influencing the course of events through their skills at politics, negotiation, or battlefield strategy.

After constructing armies, players take to the field in one of five unique Game Modes, each giving different strategic objectives. Victory in these Game Modes may consist of controlling objectives across the battlefield, outlasting your opponent in prolonged siege-warfare, completing hidden objectives, and much more!

During the game, players take alternating turns activating the various units they have brought to the battleground. Will you command your Umber Berserkers to lead a devastating charge against your opponent’s Lannister Halberdiers?

Or perhaps have Catelyn Stark take an action onto the Tactics Board, utilizing her Non-Combat skills to rally Bannermen to your cause, restoring lost units? These are the choices you’ll have to make, deciding whether a battlefield assault or a political move is the next step toward victory.

Tactics

You’ll have access to more than the units’ abilities alone. Each House comes with its own Tactics Deck: cards containing strategies and abilities to aid you in your fight. Each Houses’ deck is unique, reflecting that faction’s preferred methods. With House Lannister, subterfuge and manipulation are every bit as powerful as raw strength. Their deck focuses on disrupting enemy units and strategies, sowing chaos across their ranks. Meanwhile, the brave and loyal Bannermen of House Stark are more focused on the field itself. Flanking maneuvers and swift re-positioning are backed by a hearty amount of raw Northern Ferocity!

Your Tactics Deck will be further expanded by your choice of Army Commander: a powerful Hero you have selected to lead your forces into battle! They will add cards of their own to your Tactics Deck, augmenting your strategic arsenal. Do you prefer the cunning counter-play of Jaime Lannister: The Kingslayer? Or if a more direct approach is to your liking, then Gregor Clegane: The Mountain will give you the offensive punch you desire. Your choice of Commander is a customization option that will radically change how your army plays.

Build your army, take to the battlefield, weave your political plots, and claim the Iron Throne!

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