- BGG rank
- BGG #1,634
- BGG rating
- 6.8
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- Complexity 3.3/5
- 2008
- BGG rating
- 7.6
Expansion for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition)
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black
2015
Rules assistance for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.
- 2–4 players
- 60–120 min
- 14+
- Complexity 3.5/5
Rules assistant for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black
What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black is an expansion for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) released in 2015 for 2–4 players, 60–120 minutes per game, and ages 14 and up. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Simultaneous Action Selection.
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About the game
From the publisher's website: Under the wounded pride, Will could sense something else in the older man. You could taste it; a nervous tension that came perilous close to fear. –George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones Start at the beginning of A Song of Ice and Fire with Taking the Black, the first Chapter Pack in the Westeros cycle for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game. As A Song of Ice and Fire begins, Westeros is at peace. But this deceptive calm will not long remain. Already, conflict between the Great Houses is on the horizon. You can take your place at the very beginning of the story with Taking the Black. In the Westeros cycle, the focus rests on the first book of A Song of Ice and Fire. Here, you’ll also find iconic characters like Renly Baratheon, the Hound, and Maester Luwin for the first time. You’ll also find four brand-new plot cards in this expansion, two neutral and two faction-specific. Begin your journey to the Iron Throne!
Publishers
- Edge Entertainment
- ADC Blackfire Entertainment
- Fantasy Flight Games
- Heidelberger Spieleverlag
- Galakta
- Asterion Press
Questions and answers
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black supports 2–4 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black is 60–120 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black for ages 14 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black has a complexity rating of 3.5 out of 5 from BoardGameGeek players, which makes it a medium-weight game. The rating reflects how much rules knowledge, planning and decision-making a typical game demands. Expect a longer first teach for heavier games, and use a preparation guide before game night.
A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black belongs to these categories: Card Game, Fantasy, and Fighting. Its main mechanics are Variable Player Powers, Hand Management, and Simultaneous Action Selection. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The catalogue lists A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) – Taking the Black as an expansion for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition). Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) to use it. Check that your edition of A Game of Thrones: The Card Game (Second Edition) is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.