Game of Thrones Diplomacy
This boardgame is a mash-up of the world of westeros and the fantastic boardgame diplomacy.
Design Summary
The design is heavily inspired by the game Diplomacy (obviously) and Westeros (again, obviously). The different regions and starting positions are balanced to a degree, but some players will face a starting disadvantage. An addition to the basic game of Diplomacy is the ability to hold titles, such as ‘Master of Ship’ or ‘Master of Coin’ which are either selected (depending on the state of the game) or elected (depending on the state of the players).
This, alongside the map design brings a bit of Westerosi flair into the game.
The Map
Standard diplomacy rules apply generally. Specials landmarks on the map are:
- The Arbor: A Unit on the Arbor may move to any sea on the outside of the map. This means Soldiers may be transported when standing on the Arbor. A Ship standing on the Arbor may not transport other units.
- Mistwood: A Ship may move from Shipbreaker Bay over Mistwood directly into the Sea of Dorne
- Ironman’s Bay: Greyjoy may recruit into Ironman’s bay. The Star is only a Star for Greyjoy.
- Greywater Watch: A ship may move to any other water, no matter from which side it entered, as it is a swamp.
Rules
The game progresses as in diplomacy. If you need a refresher on diplomacy itself, look no further than this wikibook.
Startup
The players each select one of the houses as their starting house. They place their starting pieces as descriped in the following table.
| House | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stark | White Harbor (Ship) | Deepwood Motte (Ship) | Winterfell | Dreadfort |
| Greyjoy | Ten Towers (Ship) | Ironman’s Bay (Ship) | Pyke | |
| Arryn | Gulltown (Ship) | Eyrie | The Vale | |
| Lannister | Lannisport (Ship) | Casterly Rock | Golden Towers | |
| Tyrell | Highgarden | Ashford | Bitterbridge | |
| Martell | Starfall (Ship) | Yronwood | Sunspear | |
| Baratheon | Dragonstone (Ship) | Summerhall | Storms End |
In addition, the following Kings Council positions are given to the following players:
| House | Title |
|---|---|
| Stark | Master of Ships |
| Greyjoy | - |
| Arryn | Master of Whispers |
| Lannister | Master of Coin |
| Tyrell | Kingsguard |
| Martell | - |
| Baratheon | - |
which will be explained in the following section.
Kings Concil
The game progresses as in diplomacy. Every second spring, the Kings Council convenes for a count and a vote. First, the counting positions are redistributed. Then a vote on the votable positions takes place, in the order of their numbering.
- Grand Maester: Holder of Oldtown
- Recruit in enemy home countries, once you hold them.
- Kingsguard: Player with the most Soldiers
- One Attack has +1 in spring (needs to be noted)
- Master of Ships: Starts with Iron Men, Most Ships
- Recruit ships directly into a sea adjacent to a recruitment star
- Law Master: Voted on (1)
- Remove any player’s bonus for next round or take voted position away from player, thereby losing the power of the law master yourself.
- Master of Coin: Starts with Lannister, Voted on (2)
- Stops any one land from supporting per turn
- Master of Whispers: Starts with House Arryn, Voted on (3)
- Allow any one Unit to support/convoy and hold simultaneously
- Kings Hand: Voted on (5)
- The tiebreaker during counts or votes
- King: Holder of Kings Landing
- Chose any one position for any one player on the council.