So, you are one of the millions of people who have been literally sucked into the Game of Thrones series. But you still want more. Whether you’ve read the books or watched the series you don’t want to stop. So, while you’re waiting for the next HBO series on the early days of the saga, perhaps you’d like to try your hand at one of the many board games that cover this exciting world of secrets, wars and betrayals. But where to start? There are indeed a number of games that take up the Game of Thrones universe and they are all very different. That’s why we’re going to review them for you to help you find the game that suits you best and that will allow you to immerse yourself in this incredible universe again. But remember one thing: in the game of thrones, you win or you die…
Game of Thrones – The Card Game
In this expert card game, which has several mechanics in common with Magic the Gathering, you can play in duel or up to 4 players. Each player controls a house and has a deck of 60 cards to impose their dominance over their opponent(s). Place locations to obtain resources, then recruit characters in one of three areas of battle: military to kill opposing characters, intrigue to discard cards from your opponent’s hand, and politics to gain power points. The first player to reach 15 power points wins the game. Some characters are specialised in one area while others can act in several areas. Each house has its own specialities, which gives an infinite number of possibilities for your games. There are thousands of different cards, which allows you to create a huge number of different decks and strategies. There are hundreds of them over the internet, and we even have selected and presented a few of them. Moreover, this game was so successful that it was re-released in 2015 and even if the two editions are quite similar they are both worth a look.
https://gamerules.com/rules/game-of-thrones-the-card-game-1st-edition/
https://gamerules.com/rules/game-of-thrones-the-card-game-2nd-edition/
Game of Thrones – Risk
Risk has been adapted for many different licenses, and Game of Thrones is no exception. It is possible to play in the classic way, with the basic Risk rules, on the continents of Westeros and/or Essos, depending on the number of players. Then, for the more experienced players, the Domination rules introduce many additional game mechanics that give the game the particular flavour found in the series: attacks by sea, income allowing to recruit more troops, or to buy Maester cards to intrigue and surprise the opponent. But that’s not all: there are also secret objectives, special units with bonuses that can tip the balance, and finally character cards specific to each faction that can be activated each turn.
https://gamerules.com/rules/risk-game-of-thrones/
Game of Thrones – The Board Game
In this strategy game, which can be compared to Risk, each player takes on the role of one of the houses of Westeros. However, this is a slightly more expert game: it takes about an hour per player in total, and up to 5 players can play. You have to plan one action per controlled territory at the beginning of each turn: raid (to cancel adjacent enemy orders), move troops (possibly to attack), defend, gain power points and support (an adjacent territory). Then each player reveals his actions which are executed one after the other in turn order. This system offers many tactical possibilities, and as many difficult choices, which you will have to deal with. But beware, a wildling attack on the wall can happen at any time, and players will have to spend power points to block it or suffer penalties. Battles are resolved not only with the troops on the board, but also with character cards that can turn the tides of a seemingly hopeless situation. To win the game and become the undisputed king of the Seven Kingdoms, you must control seven castles. Finally, there is an expansion that adds the continent of Essos and the Targaryen faction, allowing 6 players to compete for the Iron Throne.
https://gamerules.com/rules/game-of-thrones-the-board-game/
Game of Thrones – Trivia
This variation of the famous question game in the Game of Thrones universe is cleverly done. Indeed, the players will have to answer questions about the universe of the series, in order to gain influence points on the different main regions of the 7 kingdoms. The more difficult the question, the more influence is gained. A player with more influence than the other players in a region controls that region, but it is possible to remove the opponent’s counters by answering more difficult questions. As soon as a player has placed all his influence counters, he wins the game, otherwise the player with the most influence at the end of the game is the winner. There are even advanced rules allowing for alliances – temporary, of course, this is Game of Thrones after all! – and a resource mechanic allowing for the use of famous characters from the series! Be sure to review your Game of Thrones series before playing…
https://gamerules.com/rules/game-of-thrones-the-trivia-game/
Game of Thrones – Westeros Intrigue
In this quick and easy game by Reiner Knizia, each player has different coloured character cards, corresponding to the main houses of the 7 Kingdoms, which they must lay down to form a pyramid together with the other players. The objective of each round is to be the last still having cards in hand, knowing that it is only possible to place a card on a card of the same colour. A simple rule which does not prevent elements of surprise and twists. It is also the most accessible Game of Thrones game, with a game lasting less than an hour in general.
https://gamerules.com/rules/game-of-thrones-westeros-intrigue/
Game of Thrones – Battles of Westeros
As the name suggests, this game takes you back to the fierce battles between the Starks and Lannisters in the early seasons of the series. It is an adaptation of the Battle Lore game series into the Game of Thrones universe. Troops move around a board of hexagonal squares, following the orders you give them by strategically positioning your commanders on the battlefield. These commanders are not only the pivot points of your army, from which you can play powerful Command cards to launch group attacks, but they also have their own special rules when fighting, which makes them unique and precious assets. The basic box contains around 150 miniatures and 10 different scenarios, plus rules for creating your own scenarios. There are also expansions for the Lannister and Stark factions and a third faction, the Baratheons. This is a rather expert game, with games lasting several hours.
https://gamerules.com/rules/battles-of-westeros/
Lastly, if you like Monopoly, it also has its Game of Thrones variant, however the rules are the same as the base Monopoly game, so you won’t find them here.