Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne (2016) Board Game

Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne is a board game released in 2016, based on the popular TV series “Game of Thrones.” Designed by Bill Eberle, Justin Kemppainen, Peter Olotka, and Greg Olotka, the game allows 3-5 players to immerse themselves in the treacherous world of Westeros, where alliances are fragile and betrayal is common.

Game Components of Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

Character cards: Each of the five Great Houses has five unique characters.

Leader sheets: Representing the leader of each house.

Character tokens: For the four non-leader characters of each house.

Event deck: Indicates the player against whom an encounter must be initiated.

Influence boards: For tracking influence points.

Numerical cards: Ranging from 1 to 20 for resolving encounters.

Truce cards: For agreeing to truces during encounters.

Hostage and power tokens: For various gameplay effects.

How To Setup Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

To set up the game, each player selects a Great House and chooses a leader character, taking the corresponding leader sheet and placing it before them. They also gain the support of the other four characters, represented by tokens. Each player starts with a set of character cards and initial influence points. The event deck is shuffled and placed within reach of all players.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Encounter Resolution: Players initiate encounters against each other, resolved through character card play and numerical cards.

Truces and Hostilities: Players can agree to truces or engage in hostilities, with the outcome determining influence point distribution.

Character Abilities: Each character has unique abilities that can be used during encounters.

Alliances and Betrayals: Players can form temporary alliances and betray each other.

Event Cards: The event deck dictates which players engage in encounters.

Game Objective: The primary goal is to spread influence and achieve five influence points to win the game.

Player Experience

**Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne** offers a tactical and engaging experience, filled with opportunities for cunning strategy, devious intrigues, and brokered alliances. Players must negotiate, bluff, and sometimes betray each other to advance their influence. The game is balanced, making it more about strategic thinking than random chance.

Pros

Strategic Depth: Offers a rich, tactical gameplay experience.

Thematic Integration: Deeply rooted in the Game of Thrones universe, making it immersive for fans.

Social Interaction: Encourages negotiation, alliances, and betrayals, enhancing player interaction.

Balanced Mechanics: Ensures a fair and balanced game environment.

Cons

Complexity: May be overwhelming for new players due to the numerous mechanics and strategies involved.

Length: Games can take between 30 to 60 minutes, which may be too long for some players.

Player Count: Limited to 3-5 players, which might restrict group sizes.

Personal Thoughts on Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne

**Game of Thrones: The Iron Throne** is ideal for fans of the series and those who enjoy strategic, socially interactive board games. It is best suited for players who relish negotiating, forming alliances, and outmaneuvering their opponents. The game’s complexity and thematic depth make it a great addition to any board game collection, especially for those who appreciate the intricacies of the Game of Thrones universe. However, it may not be the best fit for casual gamers or those looking for a quick, simple game.

We are supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no extra cost for you. Learn more.