Announcing the Fifth Chapter Pack in the Wardens Cycle

“It is too dark to see them, but the steps are there. Too steep and narrow for horses, but mules can manage them most of the way. The path is guarded by three waycastles, Stone and Snow and Sky. The mules will take us as far up as Sky.”
   –George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

Fantasy Flight Games is proud to announce House of Talons, the fifth Chapter Pack in the Wardens cycle for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game!

Stand strong with Renly’s Rainbow Guard, ride the sweeping plains of Essos with the Dothraki, or raid Westeros with the Clansmen of the Vale in this Chapter Pack. The major themes of the Wardens cycle continue in House of Talons, offering more support for trait-based decks, limited responses, and high-cost, iconic characters from A Song of Ice and Fire. Aside from offering support to each of the six Great Houses in A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, House of Talons also includes new characters bearing the House Arryn trait, offering new ways to take advantage of Castle plots.

Kings of Mountain and Vale

Castle plots have been gaining strength throughout the Wardens cycle, rewarding you for planning ahead and patiently playing the long game. These plots offer a variety of powerful effects, but unlike most plots, which offer a benefit for the round in which they are played, Castle plots only trigger their effect when they are placed in their owner’s used pile. The unique timing of these plots makes them very difficult to counter – you can rest assured when you rely on the strength of your Castles.

In House of Talons, you’ll find another Castle plot that offers you a way to build card advantage over the long-term: Kings of Mountain and Vale (House of Talons, 100). After Kings of Mountain and Vale is placed in your used pile, you draw one card and discard one card at random from each opponent’s hand. Developing card advantage is one of the most important aspects of A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, and Kings of Mountain and Vale aids your efforts to seize and maintain card advantage over the course of the game.

Of course, if you’re playing the long game with Castle plots, you need some ways to stall your opponent’s power gain. House of Talons offers some help with Bronze Yohn Royce (House of Talons, 97). This character can help you gain power of your own with his renown keyword, and after a Castle plot is placed in your used pile, you can choose and discard one power from any character. Many decks claim power directly to characters with renown or special abilities. With Bronze Yohn Royce or a character like Melisandre (Core Set, 74) supporting your claim to the Iron Throne, you can start working to slow these decks down, giving you enough time to build your armies and plot your own path to victory.

You’ll also find a way to channel your Castle plots into the path to the Iron Throne in House of Talons. You can gain power from your Castle plots by supporting the claim of Robert Arryn (House of Talons, 98). Robert Arryn is free to play, and although he has a power icon, he has zero STR, so his greatest benefit lies in his ability. His text reads, “Response: After a Castle plot card is moved to your used pile, Robert Arryn claims 2 power. (Limit once per round.)” By claiming two power whenever a Castle plot moves to your used pile, Robert Arryn allows you to increase your power intake beyond what you win in your challenges. What’s more, Robert Arryn’s Noble crest means that you can safeguard him (and his power) with The Power of Blood (Core Set, 194).

Gather Your Allies

In House of Talons, you decide which path to victory you will pursue. You may seek vengeance for past wrongs with the Sand Snakes of Dorne, you may devote yourself to duty and honor with the men and women of House Tully, or you may rely on the impregnable Castles of House Arryn to claim power. No matter which path you choose, you’ll find plenty of cards to support your goals in this Chapter Pack.

Look for the House of Talons Chapter Pack in the first quarter of 2015!

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