“There will come a day after a long summer when the stars bleed and the cold breath of darkness falls heavy on the world. In this dread hour a warrior shall draw from the fire a burning sword. And that sword shall be Lightbringer, the Red Sword of Heroes, and he who clasps it shall be Azor Ahai come again, and the darkness shall flee before him.”

–Melisandre, A Clash of Kings

Pre-order your own copy of Fury of the Storm at your local retailer or online through our website today!



In the ancient books of Asshai, prophecies speak of a hero born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone, one who will save the world from a great darkness and bring about the start of a new age. Some seek visions in fire, chasing rumors across the sea to find their savior. Now, you have the chance to turn prophecy into reality, as you must unite Westeros under your rule if the realm is going to survive the darkness to come. But what do you truly believe?

Today,we're offering a closer look at the followers of the Lord of Light that appear in the Fury of the Storm deluxe expansion for A Game of Thrones: The Card Game—now available for pre-order at your local retailer or online through our website!

Born Amidst Smoke and Salt

Fury of the Storm provides three copies each of 52 new cards to strengthen your armies in the battle for the Iron Throne. While each of the great factions gains new allies, this deluxe expansion focuses on the warring House Baratheon, where three brothers, united by ambition, are divided by duty and religion. With increasing unrest in Westeros, religious fanaticism has taken hold of the realm. The Red God of the East has crossed the sea and seized the minds and hearts of many, including Stannis Baratheon, who rejected the gods of his parents when he watched their ship torn apart in Shipbreaker Bay.

Those who have rejected the Seven alongside Stannis include the devout and ambitious Alester Florent (Fury of the Storm, 7). His true belief is debatable, but he may still serve a purpose in your pursuit of power. Melisandre sacrificed this Lord to the flames for favorable winds on Stannis’s journey to the Wall. If you can make the same show of force, when Alester Florent leave play you may choose and kneel an opposing character, so long as you have a R’hllor character to perform the proper ritual. While Alester could not fool the devout priestess of R’hllor, none would ever doubt the dedication of Selyse Baratheon (Fury of the Storm, 8). This Lady is perhaps the most fervent worshipper of the Red God, able to use her wealth and position to fund your cause by reducing the cost of each R’hllor attachment you marshal by three gold. This means that you can bring a Glamor (In Daznak’s Pit, 88) or Ruby of R'hllor (Across the Seven Kingdoms, 9) into play for free!

While the Baratheons have traditionally focused on maintaining power over other factions, Fury of the Storm introduces a variety of characters who find insight in the flames, mirroring the intrigues of the more courtly Houses of King’s Landing. The Red Priest (Fury of the Storm, 12) and Acolyte of the Flame (Fury of the Storm, 14) both grant you deeper insight into your opponent’s plans, while you can try your own hand at prophecy with Nightfire Visions (Fury of the Storm, 24). When you play this event, you may name a trait during the taxation phase. If your prediction proves true and your opponent reveals a plot card with that trait during the next plot phase, you draw three cards to help you better form a strategy to stand against their forces.

With these powerful followers and skills at your disposal, you are fully equipped to help one of your characters embrace their fate as Azor Ahai Reborn (Fury of the Storm, 20). While they bear this attachment, your chosen one is considered to participate in each challenge in which you control an attacking R’hllor character, helping them contribute to multiple challenges. And the attachment itself is not limited to R’hllor characters. You are free to choose any unique warrior in your deck, whether they align with the Lord of Light or not. You may proclaim that Robert Baratheon (Core Set, 48) is the savior of Westeros, giving you the power to intimidate your foes and claim renown on multiple challenges.

The Prince That Was Promised

Alternatively, if you choose to follow the Lord of Light, you may decide to build your deck around Stannis Baratheon (Fury of the Storm, 2) or another unique character if you truly believe they are The Prince That Was Promised (Fury of the Storm, 45). This Prophecy agenda lets you name a champion once all agendas are announced. This character is then the only one who can gain power for your side, but after you win a power challenge by at least five STR, you may kneel your faction card to stand your chosen champion and draw a card. Or, if your champion is absent from your battleline, you may execute this same action to search your deck, discard, and dead pile for them and add them to your hand. Even if they should fall in battle for a time, you won't have to fight the darkness alone for now.

In the case of Stannis, his faith already grants him insight into the future, making him impossible for your enemy to surprise him with event cards. This makes him a worthy choice as your champion, but you can create a deadly combination by equipping him with Disputed Claim (Lions of Casterly Rock, 26) to give him renown, doubling the rate at which he can accrue power. Then, you can move this power from Stannis to your faction card with Fury (Kings of the Isles, 26), to safeguard his claim if he falls to your opponent’s forces. Should Stannis be forced to leave play and then returned to your hand, you can reduce the cost to marshal him back onto the battlefield with Dragonstone Port (Core Set, 59). As much as your enemy may wish to destroy your champion, with the Lord of Light to guide him, he will come again to lead the realm into a new, glorious age.

Duty to the Realm

Stannis never asked for the crown, but it has fallen to him nonetheless. He has no choice but to assume his duty, stake his claim, and protect his subjects from the terrors of the cold and dark. Will you stand by his side as he embraces his destiny?