Author Archives: theory

Alchemy: Transmute

Posted on June 7, 2012 by theory

This is a revised version of a guest article by chwhite, originally posted in the forum. Is there any card more unloved than Mr. Transmute, with his sad eyes and mountain man beard, futilely trying to turn lead (Estates) into … Continue reading →

Posted in Alchemy | Tagged | 26 Comments

Intrigue: Courtyard

Posted on May 29, 2012 by theory

Appearances can be deceiving.  Courtyard looks (and is priced as) a gimped Smithy, effectively only drawing 2 cards instead of 3.  In reality, the top-decking effect makes Courtyard a far stronger card than Smithy, at least when you aren’t actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Intrigue | Tagged | 14 Comments

A review of Dominion, 4000 plays later

Posted on May 29, 2012 by theory

This was an entry for the Voice of Experience review contest, which aims to compile reviews written by those that are experienced with the games they review. Like reading a novel, playing a board game in depth involves trust. You … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments

Annotated Game #11

Posted on April 23, 2012 by theory

(Friday’s preview) Scrying Pool, Scheme, Warehouse, Apprentice, Harvest, Ambassador, Tunnel, Conspirator, Counting House, Bank This is a 2-player game played between me and Captain_Frisk.  The log is available here (spoiler alert!).  (If Council Room is down, the original Isotropic link … Continue reading →

Posted in Annotated Games | 40 Comments

Annotated Game #11 Preview

Posted on April 20, 2012 by theory

Below is a 2-player game on Isotropic, with Colonies and Platinums.  I will post the annotated game on Monday, April 23.  You’re welcome to comment on the set (how you think players should open, what cards to go for) and try … Continue reading →

Posted in Annotated Games | 36 Comments

Seaside: Tactician

Posted on April 10, 2012 by theory

Tactician highlights the general Dominion principle that one good thing is usually better than two mediocre things.  There are two very different ways to play Tactician: Single Tactician, which is how you’d normally think of the card, and Double Tactician, … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaside | Tagged | 26 Comments

Intrigue: Torturer

Posted on March 26, 2012 by theory

I had a game in which one of my friends stood up, enraged, and went into the other room to calm down. This card was the reason. Don’t let it happen to you! The secret to happiness is, do not … Continue reading →

Posted in Intrigue | Tagged | 49 Comments

Intrigue: Bridge

Posted on March 19, 2012 by theory

A single Bridge is a terminal Silver.  Like most of the terminal Silvers (Swindler, Woodcutter, Chancellor) it gives you a little plus: you could think of it as a Silver with +Buy that gives you $1 more per buy.  So … Continue reading →

Posted in Intrigue | Tagged | 19 Comments

Seaside: Ghost Ship

Posted on March 12, 2012 by theory

The following is an expanded and revised version of a guest article by HiveMindEmulator, originally posted in the forum. A ship by the side of the sea reduces hand sizes to three. And when played every turn will quite often … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaside | Tagged | 10 Comments

The Five Best $4 Cards, 2011

Posted on March 2, 2012 by theory

Disclaimer: Dominion does a really great job of balancing its Kingdom cards.  Every card has some situations where it shines, and some situations where it doesn’t.  Nevertheless, some cards just end up being flat-out better than others, either because they … Continue reading →

Posted in Rankings | Tagged , , , , , | 32 Comments