7 Best A Song of Ice and Fire Starter Sets (June 2026) Expert Reviews

I have spent the last two years diving deep into the A Song of Ice and Fire tabletop miniatures game, and I can tell you firsthand that picking the right starter set makes or breaks your entry into this hobby. When our team first unboxed the Greyjoy starter set, we were hooked within the first game. The miniatures are crisp, the rules are tight, and every faction feels like it plays a completely different game.

The ASOIAF miniatures game has grown into one of the most popular tabletop wargames for Game of Thrones fans. Each faction starter set gives you everything you need to start playing: miniatures, movement trays, dice, a rulebook, tactics cards, and tokens. You can literally open the box and start your first battle in under an hour.

This guide covers the best A Song of Ice and Fire starter sets available in 2026. I have played every faction on this list, tested them against each other in dozens of matches, and gathered insights from the ASOIAF community on Reddit and BoardGameGeek. Whether you are a complete beginner or a seasoned wargamer looking for a new faction, I will help you find the right set.

Top 3 A Song of Ice and Fire Starter Sets for 2026

7 Best A Song of Ice and Fire Starter Sets in 2026

1. House Greyjoy Starter Set – Best Overall for Aggressive Players

House Greyjoy was the faction that pulled me into the ASOIAF miniatures game, and it remains my top recommendation for players who want to play aggressively. The Greyjoy starter set comes with 55 miniatures, which gives you a massive force right out of the box. You get ironborn reavers, ironborn bowmen, silence crew, and some of the most distinctive character sculpts in the entire game line.

The pillaging mechanic is what sets Greyjoy apart from every other faction. When your units raid enemy positions, they gain resources and bonuses that snowball into devastating momentum. I found this creates a rewarding risk-and-reward cycle where pushing forward aggressively actually makes your army stronger. It feels thematic too, like you are truly commanding the ironborn raiders from the books.

With a 4.9-star rating across 89 reviews and a 95% five-star rate, this set has earned its reputation. The miniatures are well-cast with good detail, and the plastic quality feels durable enough for regular tabletop play. The set includes everything you need: 55 miniatures, movement trays, dice, tactics cards, a rulebook, and punchboards with tokens.

Play Style and Faction Identity

Greyjoy plays as a high-aggression, high-mobility faction that rewards bold moves over cautious positioning. If you enjoy being the attacker who dictates the pace of the game, Greyjoy is your faction. The units are fast, hit hard in melee, and have abilities that encourage pushing into enemy territory rather than sitting back.

The learning curve is moderate. New players might find the army tricky at first because Greyjoy units are not as durable as Stark or Night’s Watch troops. You need to commit to attacks and use speed to avoid getting bogged down in prolonged fights. Once you understand when to push and when to reposition, the faction clicks beautifully.

What Comes in the Box

Inside the Greyjoy starter set, you get 55 plastic miniatures representing the core of your ironborn army. The box also includes 7 tarot-sized cards, 66 poker-sized cards covering tactics and objectives, 10 mini cards, 3 punchboards with tokens, 1 tactics board, 1 rulebook, 11 dice, and 4 movement trays. This is a complete game package that requires nothing else to start playing.

2. House Martell Starter Set – Highest Rated Premium Choice

House Martell holds the distinction of being the only starter set in the entire ASOIAF lineup with a perfect 5.0-star rating. That is not a rounded figure. Every single customer review gives it five stars. When I got my hands on this set, the quality was immediately apparent. The miniatures have sharper detail than some of the earlier faction releases, and the component quality across the board is a step up.

Martell is the faction for players who enjoy outmaneuvering their opponents rather than overpowering them. The Dornish army specializes in counter-attacks, positional tricks, and punishing enemies who overcommit. I found playing Martell feels like setting traps and watching your opponent walk right into them. It is deeply satisfying when a plan comes together.

The set includes 55 miniatures covering Dornish spearmen, mounted knights, and unique characters that bring the sun-scorched flavor of Dorne to your tabletop. You also get 6 tarot cards, 50 poker cards, 34 mini cards, 3 punchboards, a tactics board, rulebook, contents leaflet, 10 custom dice, 1 D3 die, and 4 infantry movement trays. This is a full army in a box.

Is House Martell Good for Beginners?

Martell has a steeper learning curve than Stark or Greyjoy because its strength lies in reactive play and positioning. Beginners who like to think strategically and plan ahead will enjoy Martell from the start. If you prefer straightforward charge-and-smash gameplay, you might find Martell frustrating at first. That said, the reward for learning the faction is enormous. Once you understand how to bait opponents and counter-punch, Martell becomes one of the most competitive factions in the game.

Availability and Stock

One thing I want to flag: stock on the Martell starter set has been running low consistently. At the time of writing, only a handful of units remain. If this set catches your interest, I recommend not waiting too long. The combination of a perfect rating and limited availability means it sells out faster than most other factions.

3. House Stark Starter Set – Best Value for New Players

House Stark is the faction most people think of first when they hear Game of Thrones, and for good reason. The Stark starter set is the faction I recommend to complete beginners more than any other. It has a balanced, forgiving play style that teaches you the fundamentals of the game without punishing you for early mistakes. Our testing group used Stark vs Lannister as our first teaching game, and new players picked up the rules within two rounds.

The 2022 edition of this set comes with pre-colored miniatures, which is a huge advantage if you do not want to paint. Most ASOIAF starter sets require you to either paint the minis or play with plain plastic. Stark saves you that step. You can literally open the box, snap the minis into movement trays, and start your first game within 30 minutes. The colors are clean and recognizable on the tabletop.

This set packs in 55 miniatures, 6 unit cards, 26 tactics cards, 7 attachment cards, 10 objective cards, 2 NCU cards, 12 siege cards, 24 secret mission cards, 3 punchboards, 1 tactics board, 1 rulebook, a contents leaflet, 10 D6 dice, 1 D3 die, and 4 movement trays. The 2D terrain pieces included are a nice touch that many other starter sets leave out. With a 4.9-star rating and 94% five-star reviews, players consistently praise the value and quality.

Why Stark Is the Best Starting Faction

Stark units are durable, hit reasonably hard, and have straightforward abilities that are easy to remember. You do not need to juggle complex combo mechanics or tricky positioning rules. The faction rewards solid fundamentals: good unit placement, smart timing on attacks, and efficient use of tactics cards. I have seen players go from their first game to winning local tournaments with Stark in under a month.

The Stark roster also has some of the best expansion potential in the game. Once you master the starter set, you can add units like the Sworn Swords, Crannogmen Trackers, or even a certain dire wolf pack to customize your army. The faction grows with you as you get deeper into the hobby.

Assembly and Setup Time

Because the miniatures are pre-colored, assembly is minimal. You snap the figures into the movement trays and you are ready. The total setup time from opening the box to starting your first game is about 20-30 minutes. Compare that to most wargames where assembly and painting can take weeks. For someone who wants to play rather than hobby, Stark is the clear winner.

4. House Targaryen Starter Set – Best for Dragon Fans

House Targaryen is the faction everyone asks about first. Dragons on the tabletop. Fire and blood. The Targaryen starter set delivers on that fantasy, though it takes a different approach than the other sets on this list. Instead of 55 infantry miniatures, you get 20 miniatures that include some of the largest and most detailed sculpts in the ASOIAF game line. The dragon models alone are worth the price of admission for collectors.

With 671 customer reviews and a 4.8-star rating, this is the most reviewed starter set in the ASOIAF lineup by a wide margin. The feedback is overwhelmingly positive, with 90% of reviewers giving it five stars. Players consistently praise the sculpting quality and the imposing presence of the dragon models on the tabletop. I ran a Targaryen army in our testing group, and the psychological impact of dropping a dragon miniature on the board is real. Opponents respect it immediately.

The set includes 20 miniatures, 5 unit cards, 7 attachment cards, 2 NCU cards, 26 tactics cards, 1 castle wall card, 10 objective cards, 1 reference card, 20 secret mission cards, 12 siege cards, 1 tactics board, 3 punchboards, 1 rulebook, 11 dice, and 4 movement trays. While the miniature count is lower than other factions, the unit quality and firepower make up for it.

Targaryen Play Style and Strategy

Targaryen plays as a low-unit-count, high-impact faction. You have fewer models on the table, but each one hits like a truck. The dragons are the centerpiece, capable of devastating ranged and melee attacks that can wipe out entire units in a single activation. I found the faction rewards careful positioning and timing. You cannot afford to lose units carelessly because your army is small.

The tactics cards for Targaryen lean into fire-themed abilities that enhance your dragon attacks and let you control the battlefield from a distance. Players who enjoy having a few powerful pieces rather than managing a large swarm of troops will appreciate the Targaryen approach. It feels different from every other faction, which keeps the game fresh.

Miniature Quality and Assembly

The sculpting on the Targaryen miniatures is among the best in the ASOIAF line. The dragons have intricate wing detail and dynamic poses that look impressive painted or unpainted. Some reviewers noted small gaps where multi-part pieces join, which is common with larger models. A bit of plastic glue or green stuff fills those gaps easily if you plan to paint them. For tabletop play, the gaps are barely noticeable.

5. Brotherhood Without Banners Starter Set – Best for Guerrilla Tactics

The Brotherhood Without Banners is one of the newer faction starter sets, and it brings something genuinely different to the table. This is the faction for players who want an unconventional army that does not play by the standard rules of Westerosi warfare. The Brotherhood operates as a guerrilla force, using speed, ambush tactics, and unconventional unit abilities to disrupt enemy plans.

What grabbed my attention immediately is that all 54 miniatures come pre-assembled. No gluing, no figuring out which arm goes on which body. You open the box, slot the figures into movement trays, and start playing. For gamers who want minimal assembly hassle, this is a major advantage. The sculpts are detailed and have a rugged, weathered look that fits the ragtag Brotherhood aesthetic perfectly.

The set includes 54 miniatures, 6 attachment cards, 2 NCU cards, 26 tactics cards, 1 special rules card, 12 siege cards, 24 mission cards, 10 objective cards, 1 reference card, 1 castle wall card, 1 measuring stick, 71 cardboard tokens, 1 tactics board, 10 Brotherhood-themed D6 dice, 1 white D3 die, 4 movement trays, 10 terrain pieces, and 3 castle walls. That terrain inclusion is generous and adds real value to the package.

Who Should Play the Brotherhood?

The Brotherhood appeals to experienced players who want a faction that plays nothing like the major houses. It is also great for Game of Thrones fans who loved the outlaw storyline in the books. The faction rewards creative tactics and punishes predictable play. If you enjoy keeping your opponent guessing, the Brotherhood delivers that experience in spades.

Beginners can play the Brotherhood, but I would recommend starting with Stark or Greyjoy first to learn the core mechanics. The Brotherhood’s unique rules layer on top of the standard gameplay, which is easier to grasp once you have a few games under your belt.

Value and Components

With 54 miniatures, terrain pieces, castle walls, and a full set of cards and tokens, the Brotherhood starter set delivers strong value. The pre-assembled miniatures save hours of hobby time, which is worth factoring into your decision. Stock has been running low, so availability may be a concern if you are set on this faction.

6. Night’s Watch Starter Set – Best for Defensive Strategists

The Night’s Watch starter set is one of the original ASOIAF faction releases, and it still holds up as a solid choice for players who prefer a defensive, elite-army play style. With 47 miniatures, this set gives you fewer bodies than most other factions, but each unit is tougher and more capable. The Night’s Watch excels at holding ground and wearing opponents down over time.

What makes this set special is the terrain. You get 10 terrain pieces and 3 castle walls, which is more physical scenery than any other starter set includes. These terrain pieces add visual flair to your battles and create tactical options that flat-game-mat players miss out on. I ran a Night’s Watch defensive position in one of our test games, and the castle walls completely changed how both players approached the map.

With 135 reviews and a 4.5-star rating, the Night’s Watch is the second most reviewed faction set. The majority of feedback is positive, with players praising the terrain inclusion and the faction’s satisfying defensive gameplay. Some reviewers noted quality control issues like broken models on arrival or misaligned horse units, so inspect your set when it arrives.

Night’s Watch Faction Strengths

The Night’s Watch has access to healing abilities that let you recover wounded models mid-game. This makes the faction surprisingly resilient despite having fewer units. I found that opponents often underestimate how long Night’s Watch units can hold a position. The combination of high defense stats and healing creates a grinding play style that frustrates aggressive factions like Greyjoy.

The faction also has strong non-combat unit (NCU) options that give you strategic advantages on the tactics board. If you enjoy the political and scheming side of Game of Thrones as much as the battles, Night’s Watch lets you leverage both aspects effectively.

Things to Watch Out For

A few quality control notes worth mentioning. Some customers received sets with broken miniatures, likely due to shipping. The dice included are functional but feel cheap compared to aftermarket options. The rulebook is also printed on thinner paper than I would like. None of these issues affect gameplay, but they are worth knowing about if you are particular about component quality. Several reviewers also mentioned checking whether you receive the updated 2021 version of the cards versus the older print run.

7. House Bolton Starter Set – Most Affordable Entry Point

House Bolton is the dark horse of the ASOIAF starter set lineup. This faction is for players who want something different from the noble houses, and it happens to be the most affordable way to get into the game. The Bolton starter set comes with 56 miniatures, which is the highest count of any faction starter set. You get a full army plus unique characters like Roose Bolton, Ramsay Snow, Walda Frey, and Jeyne Poole.

Like the Brotherhood set, the Bolton miniatures come pre-assembled. This saves significant hobby time and means you can start playing almost immediately. The sculpts capture the sinister Bolton aesthetic well, with the flayed-man imagery and dark armor details coming through in the plastic. I found the character models in particular have strong personality in their poses.

The Bolton faction plays as a manipulation-heavy army with deep combo potential. Their tactics cards and unit abilities let you control the battlefield through debuffs, forced movements, and psychological warfare. It is a satisfying faction for players who enjoy out-thinking their opponents rather than out-fighting them.

Who Is House Bolton Best For?

Bolton is ideal for players who want a large miniature count at a lower cost and do not mind putting in the effort to learn a complex faction. The pre-assembled minis and affordable price make it an attractive entry point for budget-conscious gamers. If you are the type of player who enjoys playing villains in other games, Bolton delivers that experience with the political intrigue of the ASOIAF setting.

The faction has a steeper learning curve than Stark or Night’s Watch. Bolton rewards players who study their tactics cards and plan combinations across multiple activations. If you enjoy deck-building strategy games, you will likely appreciate how Bolton’s card interactions work.

Quality and What to Expect

The set includes 56 miniatures, 13 attachment cards, 4 NCU cards, 52 tactics cards, 1 special rules card, 12 siege cards, 24 mission cards, 10 objective cards, 1 reference card, 1 castle wall card, 1 measuring stick, 71 cardboard tokens, 1 tactics board, 10 Bolton D6 dice, 1 white D2 die, 4 movement trays, 10 terrain pieces, and 3 castle walls. That is a massive amount of content for the price.

Some customers reported receiving damaged pieces, so check your box carefully when it arrives. The 4.3-star rating reflects these quality control concerns more than gameplay issues. Most players who received intact sets praise the strategic depth and value.

How to Choose the Right ASOIAF Starter Sets?

Picking your first faction is the biggest decision you will make in the A Song of Ice and Fire miniatures game. I have guided dozens of new players through this choice, and the right answer always comes down to three things: your play style preference, how much assembly you want to do, and which Game of Thrones houses you connect with.

Match Your Play Style to the Right Faction

If you like charging forward and overwhelming enemies with aggression, go with House Greyjoy. Their pillaging mechanic rewards bold attacks and their high unit count gives you plenty of bodies to throw at objectives. Greyjoy games are fast, decisive, and exciting.

If you prefer patient, methodical gameplay where you set traps and counter-punch, House Martell is your faction. The Dornish army punishes opponents who overextend and rewards careful planning. Martell players win by being smarter, not stronger.

If you want a balanced, forgiving faction that teaches you the game while remaining competitive, House Stark is the safest bet. The pre-colored miniatures and straightforward abilities make Stark the best faction for learning the rules without getting overwhelmed.

For players who want an elite, low-unit-count army with powerful individual pieces, House Targaryen delivers an experience unlike any other faction. Managing fewer but stronger units requires different skills than commanding a large infantry force.

Assembly Time Matters More Than You Think

One thing I wish I had known when I started: assembly time varies wildly between sets. The House Stark, Brotherhood Without Banners, and House Bolton starter sets come with pre-assembled or pre-colored miniatures that are ready to play in under 30 minutes. Other sets require more setup, including sorting pieces and snapping models into bases.

Forum discussions on Reddit and BoardGameGeek consistently highlight this as a pain point for new players. If you are excited to play and do not want to spend hours preparing miniatures before your first game, prioritize a set with pre-assembled models. You can always paint them later at your own pace.

What You Need Beyond the Starter Set

Every starter set on this list is a complete game package. You get miniatures, dice, a rulebook, tokens, cards, and movement trays. You can play the game with nothing else. However, most players eventually pick up a few extras. A measuring tape or the included measuring stick helps with movement. A second faction starter set lets you play two-player games without sharing components. Some players also invest in paint sets and brushes, though that is entirely optional.

Community members on Reddit’s ASOIAF miniatures game forum recommend picking two starter sets with different play styles for the best experience. A common combination is Stark vs Greyjoy or Lannister vs Martell, since the contrasting play styles create the most interesting matchups.

Expanding Your Army Over Time

Each starter set serves as the foundation for a full army. Once you learn the basics, you can add unit boxes, attachment packs, and character expansions to customize your force. The Stark, Greyjoy, and Night’s Watch factions currently have the most expansion options available, giving you more flexibility as your collection grows. Martell and Bolton have fewer expansions but still enough to build competitive lists.

I recommend playing 5-10 games with just your starter set before buying expansions. This gives you time to understand your faction’s strengths and weaknesses, so you can make informed decisions about which units to add next.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best ASOIAF Starter Sets

Finding the best A Song of Ice and Fire starter set comes down to matching your personality to a faction. House Greyjoy earned our Editor’s Choice for its aggressive pillaging gameplay and outstanding 4.9-star rating. House Martell stands out with its perfect 5.0 rating and deeply tactical counter-attack style. House Stark remains the best starting point for beginners with its pre-colored miniatures and forgiving mechanics.

Every set on this list is a complete game in a box. You cannot go wrong with any of them. Pick the faction that excites you most, clear your table, and start your conquest of Westeros in 2026.