Category Archives: Individual Card Analysis

Prosperity: Peddler

Posted on November 25, 2010 by rrenaud

Without the variable pricing, Peddler should probably be priced at $4, as a Market without the +Buy.  With the variable pricing, it’s a steal at $2 or $0, and you should try to set up a deck with spammable non-terminal … Continue reading →

Posted in Prosperity | Tagged | 20 Comments

Intrigue: Minion

Posted on November 22, 2010 by theory

Minion is one of those game-warping cards, whose presence greatly changes the strategic landscape.  Though not necessarily a must-buy, its availability forces players to either buy it or give serious thought to how to respond to it. Strengths Minion’s primary … Continue reading →

Posted in Intrigue | Tagged | 32 Comments

Prosperity: Monument

Posted on November 18, 2010 by theory

Despite having one of the most awesome card images, Monument is one of the most boring cards.  It’s not bad: the VP token power is decent, and can really add up.  Certainly if there are no better terminal Actions, then … Continue reading →

Posted in Prosperity | Tagged | 6 Comments

Prosperity: Bishop

Posted on November 18, 2010 by theory

There’s two ways to view Bishop.  The first is by lumping it with Salvager and Remodel, as a 4-cost, single-card trasher that provides some kind of benefit.  (In this sense, Island is a bit like a one-time version of Bishop: … Continue reading →

Posted in Prosperity | Tagged | 14 Comments

Seaside: Haven

Posted on November 18, 2010 by theory

Haven is my personal second-favorite $2 card (after you-know-what).  It significantly reduces the luck of the draw by allowing you to control card distribution.  For instance, it allows you to shuffle the Explorer, Treasure Map, or Throne Room around in … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaside | Tagged | 6 Comments

Dominion: Chapel

Posted on November 17, 2010 by theory

This is the best card in the game. Simply put, no other card fundamentally alters the game as much as Chapel and its deceptively simple ability.  In the base game, Chapel was so important that Dominion was essentially two different … Continue reading →

Posted in Dominion | Tagged | 41 Comments

Seaside: Embargo

Posted on November 16, 2010 by theory

The guiding principle behind effective use of Embargo is Embargoing cards that your opponents need more than you.  It is always worthwhile to hurt your own deck so long as you hurt your opponents’ more. For example, if you have … Continue reading →

Posted in Seaside | Tagged | 19 Comments

Prosperity: Watchtower

Posted on November 16, 2010 by theory

At $3, Watchtower is the most expensive Reaction thus far, but well worth the price.  It is one of the most versatile cards in the game, and the only Action thus far that provides a benefit even without playing it. … Continue reading →

Posted in Prosperity | Tagged | 15 Comments

Prosperity: Trade Route

Posted on November 16, 2010 by theory

Depending on which way you look at it, Trade Route is either a useful card throughout the whole game, or a card that anti-synergizes with itself.  The forced trashing ability is quite valuable early but a pain in the late … Continue reading →

Posted in Prosperity | Tagged | 17 Comments

Prosperity: Loan

Posted on November 16, 2010 by theory

Loan is a much-maligned card.  In the mid- to late-game, Loans do more harm than good, bypassing your good Actions only to discard your Platinums or Golds.  Effective use of the Loan is very situational. First, Loan is a good … Continue reading →

Posted in Prosperity | Tagged | 23 Comments