More Women Commanders for Song of Ice and Fire

[ARA1920]

Hello, I have been a fan of this game since we got into it in 2022 and was able to play in my first official tournament in Thailand's CMON Expo last year, November 2024. However, it has been a struggle to draw more women into this game in my opinion, because: 1.) It is very killy (which is normal for a wargame), and 2.) lack of female commanders that other women can identify with. It would be worth considering adding female commanders to your lineup for each house if possible to draw in more of the female market into this game. One of the players I was talking to recently was wondering which army to get his wife, an army with a strong female commander but I could only think of either Targaryen (Daeny, of course), Starks (Maege), FF (Harma), and now Caitlyn (BWB). What about an army with Cersei as commander or Margaery Tyrell, Sansa, Brienne, or now that Tactics will be out soon, possibly, Rhaenyra or Alicent? Most women who want to try ASOIAF will get the Targs but we do feel our options are limited for strong women characters we can identify with. Hope to hear back from you with some good news on this... thank you!

 

[carlosPajares]

This is exciting feedback @ARA1920, we are seeing an increase in the number of women players in our Expos and this is a very valuable contribution to the future of our games.

 

[Nods2222]

What about some of these as commanders?
House Stark
Dacey Mormont
Alysane Mormont
Barbrey Dustin
Sybelle Glover
Alys Karstark

House Martell
Nymeria Sand
Arianne Martell

House Arryn
Lysa Arryn
Anya Waynwood

House Lannister
Gemma Lannister
Cersei Lannister

House Tully
Shella Whent

 

[LordofBrewtown]

As an avid fan of the books, I personally view most of the female characters as non-combat units; but, I can see how others might not. Definitely could have some with more control, movement, or token generating abilities. Maybe due to the Sand Snakes and Dorne also recognizing female inheritance, that faction comes to mind first for me when thinking of potential female commanders. Some of my suggestions for all factions:

Martell:
Nymeria Sand/Lady Gym. Recognized as dangerous. I would add in a Heroes box with the Fowler twins as an NCU - hopefully some synergy for her with the twins and good combo with a new House Fowler unit, or Skyreach Bowmen.
Arianne Martell: Makes sense as heir to Dorne, and from story standpoint has led her small group (even if unscussful) in an effort to crown Marcella. Style should be less focuses on direct fighting.

Starks: I don't see Catelyn at a commander. Maybe if/when they release Tully as a mini-faction. They do have some good candidates though:
Dacey Mormont and/or Alysanne Mormont would be good choices, and could be more combat focused.
I also suggest Meera Reed. She clearly has more of a role 'in the field' than in the background/politics (how I view the NCU's).

Baratheon: I do think Brienne should be a commander. Even though she hasn't had a 'leadership' role per say in the books, I could see her in that role, and similar to Meera, I view her as more of a 'in the field' type than NCU. Strong defense abilities would make sense.

Lannister: I think Cersei would make sense as commander focused more on control type abilities/cards.

Those would be my top choices. Hard for Night's Watch & Targaryen given the storylines/nature of the Night's Watch and Dothraki (which make up a big part of Dany's strength). As mini-factions, not much to choose from for Bolton or the Brotherhood. I feel like it would make sense to have other Free Folk or Ironborn female commanders, but no characters come to mind.

Going back to Dance of Dragons or Hedge Knight era's could open up some interesting possibilities though (Aly Blackwood, Rohanne Webber).