A Game of Thrones: Hand of the King (2016) Board Game

A Game of Thrones: Hand of the King is a board game based on the popular book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin. The game was released in 2016 by Fantasy Flight Games and designed by Bruno Cathala. The game is set in the fictional world of Westeros and players take on the roles of the most cunning and ambitious characters vying for power in the realm.

Game Components of A Game of Thrones: Hand of the King

36 character cards: 35 characters from seven different Houses of Westeros (Starks, Lannisters, Targaryens, etc.) and Varys.

Companion cards: 14 different cards featuring supporting characters, with 6 drawn at the start of each game.

7 House banner tokens: Representing the support of each Great House.

Varys card: Used for navigating the court and collecting characters.

How To Setup A Game of Thrones: Hand of the King

To set up the game, shuffle the 36 character cards and lay them out in a 6×6 grid, representing King’s Landing. Draw 6 companion cards and place them face up next to the grid. Each player starts with no characters or banners.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Player Turns: Move the Varys card in a chosen direction to the farthest member of a selected House, collecting all characters of that House passed over.

Character Collection: Claim characters and any corresponding House banner if you have at least as many characters of that House as your opponents.

Companion Cards: Use these cards for special abilities, such as killing characters or pulling characters to your side, when the last character of a House is collected.

Game End: The game ends when no more moves are possible for Varys or the court runs out of characters.

Objective: The player with the most House banners at the end of the game becomes the new Hand of the King.

Player Experience

Playing *Hand of the King* involves a mix of strategy and adaptability. Each turn, you must think ahead to anticipate how your moves will affect future turns and your opponents’ strategies. The game is highly interactive, with players influencing each other’s moves through the use of Varys and companion cards. Alliances can be forged and broken, adding a layer of social intrigue to the game.

Pros

Fast-Paced: Games typically last between 15-30 minutes.

Strategic Depth: Requires planning multiple moves ahead and adapting to changing circumstances.

High Replayability: Different companion cards are drawn each game, offering varied strategies.

Simple to Learn: Basic gameplay mechanics are easy to understand, but the game offers complexity in its strategic depth.

Cons

Cognitive Load: Managing the intricate chain of choices and consequences can be challenging, particularly for players with cognitive impairments.

Indirect Competition: Much of the competition is indirect, which can sometimes feel frustrating as players’ progress can be undermined by others’ actions.

Luck of the Draw: The availability of certain companion cards can significantly impact gameplay, introducing an element of luck.

Personal Thoughts on A Game of Thrones: Hand of the King

*Hand of the King* is ideal for fans of the *A Song of Ice and Fire* series and those who enjoy strategic, social card games. It is suited for players who appreciate intrigue and are comfortable with a level of unpredictability. While it may not be the best fit for players seeking straightforward, direct competition or those with severe cognitive impairments, it offers a engaging and challenging experience for most gamers.

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