If you even remotely like the original Game of Thrones Board Game, you MUST get the expansion. If you haven't picked up the original game, because of worries about balance/random elements etc. then you should consider picking up both the expansion and the original game. The best thing about the expansion is that it allows players to decide which of a series of nice additional features to add. The replay value of this expansion is huge, as each game option has the ability to DRASTICALLY affect gameplay. My only complaint is that the rules suggest not to play with the new House Martell except in a 6 player game. As someone who frequently plays with 3 or 4 players, i strongly dislike this rule. I reccomend that players in three and four player games choose (or randomly draw) from all six houses. If one player starts in a stronger position, it is the other player's job to recognize that and balance the power. Aside from this minor complaint though, i can strongly reccomend the game. As with the first game, the pieces, cards, and board layouts are high quality. Over all, I think this is a first rate expansion to a first rate game.

  -- By Anonymous from Albany, NY on October 03, 2004