~ Prepare for the Grand Melee ~

“The tourney Lord Whent staged at Harrenhal beside the Gods Eye, in the year of the false spring. A notable event. Besides the jousting, there was a melee in the old style fought between seven teams of knights, as well as archery and axe-throwing, a horse race, a tournament of singers, a mummer show, and many feasts and frolics. Lord Whent was as open handed as he was rich. The lavish purses he proclaimed drew hundreds of challengers. Even your royal father came to Harrenhal, when he had not left the Red Keep for long years. The greatest lords and mightiest champions of the Seven Kingdoms rode in that tourney, and the Prince of Dragonstone bested them all.”

~ A Song of Ice and Fire, Volume III: A Storm of Swords ~

Lords and ladies, knights and peasants, gather round and hear tell of the next exciting cycle of Chapter Packs that will impact the great Houses of Westeros: A Tale of Champions! Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, this new expansion cycle for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game is themed around the great tournaments of the Seven Kingdoms, where knights, freeriders, mercenaries, and squires participate in mock battles for honor, glory, gold...and perhaps a lady’s favor.

Today, GTM readers will receive an exclusive look at a few of A Tale of Champions’ iconic tourney combatants. This cycle features Ser Jaime Lannister, The Smalljon, Ser Gregor Clegane, and more.

~ Hone your skills and defend your honor ~

With a strong emphasis on unique characters, Knights, Lords, and Ladies, as well as the multiplayer format, this cycle will include new cards that allow you to make (or break) alliances in the game, and get stronger the more opponents you have.

Lead Developer Damon Stone remarked that one of his goals in the design process was to feature the most famous knights in the realm. The new Ser Jaime Lannister is an example, and he is able to use his Infamy keyword together with his kneeling ability to discard characters from play.

Another of Damon’s goals during the design process was to pay particular attention to in-game alliances during the melee format.

As Damon said, “Sometimes convincing a player to ally themselves with you for mutual gain can be difficult. Some players seek to go it alone, others make alliances that shift turn after turn. Depending on an ally can be what enables you to achieve victory, but not knowing when that ally may stab you in the back can spell your doom.” The Red Viper’s ability to raise the Claim value on any player’s revealed plot card by one until the end of the current challenge may incentivize other players to ally with the Martell player.

~ Two New Keywords ~ 

A Tale of Champions also introduces two new keywords that capture the feel of the tournaments of Westeros: “Joust” and “Melee.” The ability to ride alone in a tournament or on the battlefield requires self-reliance, concentration, and a strong sense of purpose. These skills are reflected in the joust keyword, indicating a character’s ability to force defending players into a single combatant engagement. The joust keyword is defined: “when a character with the joust keyword is attacking alone, the defending opponent cannot declare more than one character as a defender.”

Ser Gregor Clegane is known for his reputation of brutality; “The Mountain that Rides” is made even more brutal with the joust keyword. Forcing opponents to defend with only one character makes it more likely that the character will perish, and with Gregor’s special ability, he cannot be saved.

In a melee tournament, or in a war, to be surrounded by enemies on all sides requires situational awareness, the ability to use your opponent’s greater numbers against them, and most of all the heart to keep fighting against impossible odds. The melee keyword allows players to identify their opponents and use their numbers against them, letting you take advantage of the fog of war to increase their own strength. The melee keyword is defined: “When a character with the melee keyword is participating in a challenge, it gets +1 STR for each participating character controlled by an opponent.” 

The Smalljon is a capable warrior, able to see through the chaos of battle and succeed. Used to fighting multiple people at a time, the melee keyword is particularly useful in that it gains him strength during battle as well as possibly raising your Claim value. 

Dynamic action is coming to you through A Tale of Champions for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game. Later in the fourth quarter of 2011 prepare to strap on your armor and enter the field of valor!