The banners of House Targaryen are flying high! What a journey it has been. For the past months, my painting table has been dedicated to the CMON´s A Song of Ice and Fire: Tabletop Miniatures Game. Today, I am proud to present the full, finalized, and painted force of the Mother of Dragons.
This army represents a queen’s claim to the Iron Throne, backed by Unsullied discipline, Dothraki bloodriders, and the primal force of dragons.
Comparing CMON Preassembled Quality with Games Workshop Kits
Coming from a background primarily rooted in Games Workshop’s high-end plastic kits, the transition to CMON was new for me. To be honest, in terms of pure technical detail and sharpness, these models are "okay," but they don't quite reach the level of a modern GW kit. You can definitely feel that CMON is aiming for a middle ground between dedicated hobbyists and board gamers.
However, there is a massive upside that completely offsets the slightly softer detail: Speed. In a world where my free time is squeezed between a demanding job and family life, the "Unpack and Play" nature of this game is a godsend. There is zero assembly required. You open the box, and the miniatures are ready for the table. They are also colored which makes it event easy to play unpainted if you prefer. No hours spent clipping or gluing tiny bitz. For a project of this scale (over 60 models!), this was the only reason I was able to finalize the entire army so quickly. If you want to get an army on the table fast this is the system for you.
Exploring the Three Layers of Gameplay Strategy
What first drew me to ASOIAF TMG was the setting, but the gameplay convinced me to stay. Many tabletop games are simply about bashing two armies together, but A Song of Ice and Fire offers a unique three-tiered system:
- The Tabletop: The classic battlefield where my Unsullied form a shield wall and the Dothraki Cavalry charges.
- The Tactics Cards: A hand of powerful cards representing hidden ploys and political maneuvers. Deciding when to play these "hand management" cards is just as vital as moving your units.
- The Tactics Board and NCUs: This is the "Aha!" moment. You use Non-Combat Units (NCUs) like Daenerys or political allies who take positions on a separate board. They don’t fight physically, but they activate devastating abilities and exert political influence to change the tide of battle.
The core rules are easy to learn, but the strategic depth makes it hard to master. This "Easy to learn, hard to master" philosophy is exactly what I look for in a modern game.
Showcasing the Painted Units of my Targaryen Host
The final painted army features:
- Daenerys Targaryen leading the way.
- The Dragons Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion.
- Unsullied Core Units Pikemen and Swordmasters.
- Dothraki Cavalry Screamers, Blood Riders, Outriders and Veterans.
- Heroes including Jorah Mormont and Grey Worm.
Learning the Tactics to Achieve my First Victory
To be honest, I have played several games with this finished army and lost every time. My main opponent mainly plays Baratheon, with lots of well-armoured infantry units, and I’ve realised that the Targaryens are not easy to control. Their 'glass cannon' nature requires precise timing and positioning.
My losses haven’t discouraged me; they’ve challenged me. My goal for the next few months is to stop "guessing" my moves and start mastering the army’s optimal strategies. I want a Targaryen victory! That will be my claim to the Iron Throne for 2026. 😁
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