The original Game of Thrones board game does suffer a little bit from “death by convoluted procedure”. Whilst the expansion does add an exciting dynamic to the game with a new house with unique powers (Targaryen) it also adds to the complexity of finishing a turn.

“Where are we up to?” Is a common phrase said during this game, so be prepared to play with sober, experienced board gamers or the game will resolve itself eventually with “this is too hard” and people quitting.

With the introduction of the vassal system, games with less than 6 players are more viable but turns become a lot more process intensive. Keeping a blue tak’d list of the turn order and procedure of things to do was handy to keep track of everything, and even then it was hard.

The iron bank is fun, and adds a more random aspect to the game, and playing with the Targaryens looming makes for more interesting strategy among the other players. It does make the game better, but even harder to get through than the original.

Sorry. It was a present to someone else