A Burning ColdFire and Ice is Now Available for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game
“He is the prince that was promised, and his is the song of ice and fire.”
–George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings
Whether you support a House acclimated to the heat of Summer, or you prefer the icy cold of Winter, there are cards for you in Fire and Ice, the second Chapter Pack of the Kingsroad cycle for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game. Fire and Ice is now on sale at your local retailer, and online through our webstore!
The Fire and Ice Chapter Pack marks a dramatic return to the themes of Summer and Winter, beginning with the two new Seasons agendas, A Song of Fire (Fire and Ice, 39) and A Song of Ice (Fire and Ice, 40). As we covered in our announcement article, these agendas give Summer or Winter decks a boost in reliablity. In this Chapter Pack, each House receives powerful new season-based effects. House Greyjoy will find powerful new discard effects, House Targaryen receives a vital new Dothraki character, and Houses Stark and Martell find new ways to grab power as they race to the Iron Throne.
Winter Winds
The winds of winter have always been House Stark’s friend in A Game of Thrones: The Card Game, as they possess an array of characters whose abilities are enhanced by Winter. Now, as the winter winds howl, House Stark will be able to press their advantages with a new copy of Winterfell (Fire and Ice, 34).
The original version of Winterfell (Lords of Winter, 23), focused on a strong defense, rewarding Stark players for pushing back against enemy challenges. Although it is equally useful, the new version of Winterfell has a more offensive focus. While it is Winter, you have the option to kneel Winterfell to raise the claim of the current challenge by one. In addition, Winterfell has the text “No attachments,” meaning it is immune to cards like Poisoned Well (The Banners Gather, 12).
You can even combine Winterfell’s effect with Winter is Coming (Core Set, 156), boosting a two-claim plot up to four claim, potentially wiping out an opponent’s characters, destroying his hand, or making one quick power grab to claim victory. Winterfell is sure to make its power known as you lead House Stark on the attack.
Summer Heat
To the south of Westeros, in the land of Dorne, House Martell bides its time, stewing on past wrongs and waiting for the opportune moment to claim its vengeance against the other Great Houses. One of those with the most cause for revenge is Ellaria Sand (Fire and Ice, 30), the paramour of Oberyn Martell, known as The Red Viper.
In addition to gaining the Stealth keyword, this new version of Ellaria Sand has the text “While it is Summer, Ellaria Sand gains: ‘Response: After an opponent plays or puts a character into play, Ellaria Sand claims 2 power if that player controls more characters than you.’” This ability can be triggered three times per phase, offering you a potentially heavy power bonus each time your opponent marshals.
Naturally, Ellaria Sand pairs excellently with The Red Viper (Princes of the Sun, 1). The threat of Ellaria Sand claiming power added to a non-kneeling The Red Viper could be enough to keep your opponents cautious about how many characters they play. Your opponent is put in a difficult position. If he plays more characters, he risks Ellaria’s power-grab and The Red Viper’s attacks. If he chooses to keep his character count low, you will face him on equal ground, and you may be able to dismantle his defenses by using Lost Oasis (A Time of Trials, 36) and other tricks.
With characters like Ellaria Sand and The Red Viper on the loose, your opponent will be looking for any opportunity to take them out. And what better way is there to defuse your opponent’s tricks than by using Oberyn’s Shield Bearer (Fire and Ice, 31)? If it is Summer, you won’t just be benefiting from Ellaria claiming power. If you discard Oberyn’s Shield Bearer, you can cancel the next three effects triggered by a single opponent in a round. By using him at the opportune moment, you can keep yourself safe from character abilities and event cards, leaving Ellaria and The Red Viper to live for another day. As an added bonus, you’ll be reducing your character count by one, potentially activating both Ellaria Sand and The Red Viper!
Pick Up Your Copy Today
Whether you draw strength from the frigid chill of Winter or the steaming warmth of Summer, you can be sure to benefit from the new tricks and traps contained in Fire and Ice, the second Chapter Pack in the Kingsroad cycle. Learn to use the new tricks and strategies made possible by Summer and Winter, and head to your local retailer to pick up your copy of Fire and Ice today.
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A Burning Cold
