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| [[Image:Witch.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Witch]], a curser card.]] | | [[Image:Witch.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Witch]], a curser card.]] |
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− | A '''curser''' is any card which has the potential to distribute {{Card|Curse}} cards to other players. Cursers are generally considered among the strongest cards at their price points, since the effect of putting {{Card|Curse|Curses}} into an opponent's deck is very powerful: it simultaneously reduces their {{VP}}, puts useless cards in their future hands, and usually slows down their future deck cycling. The presence of one or more cursers in a kingdom therefore has a major influence on gameplay; most winning strategies will involve gaining cursers. This early-game strength is sometimes offset by late-game weakness: since there are a finite number of {{Card|Curse|Curses}} in the supply, cursers often lose most or all of their value after all the {{Card|Curse|Curses}} have been distributed, for example {{Card|Witch}} is a very strong card, but its secondary effect of drawing two cards is very weak at {{Cost|5}}. Most cursers are [[Action]]–[[Attack]] cards. | + | A '''curser''' is any card which has the potential to distribute {{Card|Curse}} cards to other players. Cursers are generally considered among the strongest cards at their price points, since the effect of putting Curses into an opponent's deck is very powerful: it simultaneously reduces their score, puts useless cards in their future hands, and usually slows down their future deck cycling. The presence of one or more cursers in a kingdom therefore has a major influence on gameplay; most winning strategies will involve either gaining cursers or finding a way to defend against them. This early-game strength is offset somewhat by late-game weakness: since there are a finite number of Curses in the supply, cursers often lose most or all of their value after all the Curses have been distributed. Most cursers are [[Action]]–[[Attack]] cards. |
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| == List of cursers == | | == List of cursers == |
− | The cards in ''italics'' have been removed.
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| === Primary cursers === | | === Primary cursers === |
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− | These are [[Kingdom card|Kingdom cards]] that consistently cause other players to acquire Curses in ways that they do not always have the option to avoid: | + | These are [[Kingdom card|Kingdom cards]] that specifically cause other players to acquire Curses in ways that they do not always have the option to avoid: |
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| * [[Dominion (base set)|Dominion]]: {{Card|Witch}} | | * [[Dominion (base set)|Dominion]]: {{Card|Witch}} |
− | * [[Seaside]]: ''{{Card|Sea Hag}}'', {{card|Sea Witch}} | + | * [[Seaside]]: {{Card|Sea Hag}} |
| * [[Alchemy]]: {{Card|Familiar}} | | * [[Alchemy]]: {{Card|Familiar}} |
− | * [[Prosperity]]: {{Card|Charlatan}}, ''{{Card|Mountebank}}'' | + | * [[Prosperity]]: {{Card|Mountebank}} |
− | * [[Hinterlands]]: ''{{Card|Ill-Gotten Gains}}'' | + | * [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Young Witch}} |
| + | * [[Hinterlands]]: {{Card|Ill-Gotten Gains}} |
| * [[Guilds]]: {{Card|Soothsayer}} | | * [[Guilds]]: {{Card|Soothsayer}} |
| * [[Renaissance]]: {{Card|Old Witch}} | | * [[Renaissance]]: {{Card|Old Witch}} |
| * [[Menagerie (expansion)|Menagerie]]: {{card|Coven}} | | * [[Menagerie (expansion)|Menagerie]]: {{card|Coven}} |
− | * [[Plunder (expansion)|Plunder]]: {{card|Siren}}, {{card|Trickster}}
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− | {{ally|Circle of Witches}}, from [[Allies]], is not a Kingdom card itself, but it allows you to use [[Liaison]] Kingdom cards as cursers.
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| === Secondary cursers === | | === Secondary cursers === |
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| These cards can cause opponents to gain Curses, but in more restricted circumstances: | | These cards can cause opponents to gain Curses, but in more restricted circumstances: |
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− | '''Cards that depend on the top card of your opponent's deck:'''
| + | * [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Swindler}}—whether it can distribute a Curse depends on the top card of the opponent's deck; may give a Curse only when they reveal a card costing {{cost|0}}, often a Copper. |
− | * [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Swindler}}—may give a Curse when they reveal a card costing {{cost|0}}, often a Copper. | + | * [[Intrigue]]: {{card|Replace}}—it only distributes Curses if the player playing Replace gains a [[Victory]] card |
− | * [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Jester}}—gives a Curse when they reveal a [[Victory]] card. | + | * [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Torturer}}—the opponent is always free to not take the Curse and discard instead; in games without [[villages]] it's relatively likely that few Curses will be distributed by Torturer |
− | * [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Giant}}—gives a Curse when they reveal a card not costing between {{cost|3}} and {{cost|6}}. | + | * [[Seaside]]: {{Card|Ambassador}}—it can only distribute a Curse if the player playing Ambassador has a Curse in hand |
− | * [[Allies]]: {{card|Barbarian}}—gives a Curse when they reveal a card not costing {{cost|3}} or more.
| + | * [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Followers}}—as this is a [[Prize]], it is difficult to gain, especially early in the game when cursing is most valuable |
− | | + | * [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Jester}}—whether it distributes a Curse depends on the top card of the opponent's deck |
− | '''Cards that require a specific condition from the user:''' | + | * [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Giant}}—whether it distributes a Curse depends on the top card of the opponent's deck |
− | * [[Intrigue]]: {{card|Replace}}—it only distributes Curses if you gain a [[Victory]] card | + | * [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Swamp Hag}} — the opponent may forgo gaining a Curse if they choose to buy no cards on their turn |
− | * [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Followers}}—as this is a [[Prize]], there is only a single copy which is rather difficult to gain. | + | * [[Empires]]: {{Card|Catapult}} — distributes a Curse if the player is willing to trash a card costing {{cost|3}} or more |
− | * [[Hinterlands]]: {{card|Cauldron}}—only distributes a Curse when you gain your third Action card of the turn | + | * [[Nocturne]]: {{Card|Idol}} — distributes a Curse only if the current player has an even number of Idols in play |
− | * [[Hinterlands]]: {{card|Witch's Hut}}—only distributes a Curse if you discard two Action cards | + | * [[Menagerie (expansion)|]: {{Black Cat}}] —distributes a Curse only when another player gains a [[Victory]] card |
− | * [[Empires]]: {{Card|Catapult}} — distributes a Curse only if you trash a card costing {{cost|3}} or more | + | |
− | * [[Nocturne]]: {{Card|Idol}} — distributes a Curse only if you have an even number of Idols in play | + | |
− | * [[Allies]]: {{card|Sorceress}}—distributes a Curse only if you can guess what card is on top of your deck
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− | '''Cards whose effect can be avoided by your opponent in some circumstances:'''
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− | * [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Torturer}}—your opponent is always free to not take the Curse and discard instead; in games without [[villages]] it's relatively likely that few Curses will be distributed by Torturer
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− | * [[Seaside]]: {{card|Blockade}}—it only distributes Curses to players who gain the same card you chose
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− | * [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Young Witch}}—your opponent can reveal the Bane to avoid gaining a Curse
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− | * [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Swamp Hag}} — your opponent may avoid gaining a Curse if they choose to buy no cards on their turn
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− | * [[Menagerie (expansion)|Menagerie]]: {{card|Black Cat}}—distributes a Curse only when another player gains a [[Victory]] card | + | |
− | * [[Allies]]: {{card|Sorcerer}}—distributes a Curse only to opponents who can't guess what card is on top of their deck.
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| === Other cards that can distribute Curses but are not usually considered cursers === | | === Other cards that can distribute Curses but are not usually considered cursers === |
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− | Unlike the primary and secondary cursers which always affect other players, the cards in this category have other primary purposes than handing out {{Card|Curse|Curses}} or they do not only affect the opponent of the user. | + | Unlike the primary and secondary cursers which always affect other players, the cards in this category may affect the current player. |
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− | * {{Card|Masquerade}} (from [[Intrigue]]) and ''{{Card|Ambassador}}'' (from [[Seaside]]) can only redistribute {{Card|Curse|Curses}} after they have been gained through other means. | + | * [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Masquerade}}—cannot cause Curses to be gained, but can pass a Curse from one player's custody to another's |
− | * [[Seaside]]: ''{{Card|Embargo}}''— is an effect that can sometimes be played around and which also affects the user. | + | * [[Seaside]]: {{Card|Embargo}}—causes anyone who buys a certain card in the supply to gain a Curse; this affects the player who plays Embargo as well as all opponents |
− | * [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Messenger}}—causes all players to gain a card costing up to {{Cost|4}}, which can be a Curse; but it affects the user as well as their opponents and is more likely to be used for something else. | + | * [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Messenger}}—causes all players to gain a card costing up to {{Cost|4}}, which can be a Curse |
| + | * [[Empires]]: {{Event|Ritual}}—gives the buyer a Curse when bought, as a penalty |
| + | * [[Renaissance]]: {{Card|Hideout}}—gives the current player a Curse if they trash a [[Victory]] card |
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− | Some effects use gaining {{Card|Curse|Curses}} as a drawback or penalty to the user:
| + | [[Doom]] cards are cursers when they reveal {{Hex|Plague}}, and sometimes when they reveal {{Hex|Locusts}}. The current player can receive a [[Hex]] if given by {{Card|Leprechaun}} or {{Card|Cursed Village}}. |
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− | * [[Nocturne]]: {{Card|Cursed Gold}}
| + | == Trivia == |
− | * [[Empires]]: {{Event|Ritual}}
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− | * [[Renaissance]]: {{Card|Hideout}}—gives you a Curse if you trash a [[Victory]] card
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− | * [[Menagerie (expansion)|Menagerie]]: {{Event|Desperation}}
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− | [[Doom]] cards are cursers when they reveal certain [[Hex]]es: {{Hex|Plague}}, and sometimes {{Hex|Locusts}}. This can both be from an attack like {{Card|Werewolf}} or as a drawback to an effect, in the case of {{Card|Leprechaun}} or {{Card|Cursed Village}}. | + | [[Dark Ages]] is the only expansion that does not contain a curser; however, it does contain two cards ({{Card|Marauder}} and {{Card|Cultist}}) that cause opponents to gain [[Ruins]], serving a similar function. |
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− | ==Strategy==
| + | It can be argued that the main curser from each early expansion closely represents the expansion's theme: |
− | For strategic advice, refer to the strategy sections on the relevant card pages, especially [[Witch#Strategy|Witch]].
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− | ==Gallery==
| + | * [[Dominion]]: Witch has only a ''minor "[[vanilla]]" effect'' other than cursing; the [[base]] game's theme is cards with simple effects. |
− | ===Primary Cursers===
| + | * [[Intrigue]]: Torturer gives the opponent a ''choice'' about whether to be cursed; Intrigue's theme is cards with a choice of effects. |
− | {{CardImage|Charlatan}}{{CardImage|Coven}}{{CardImage|Familiar}}{{CardImage|Old Witch}}{{CardImage|Sea Witch}}{{CardImage|Siren}}{{CardImage|Soothsayer}}{{CardImage|Trickster}}{{CardImage|Witch}}{{LandscapeImage|Circle of Witches}}
| + | * [[Seaside]]: Sea Hag puts a curse ''on top of the opponent's deck''; Seaside's theme is cards that affect the next turn. |
− | | + | * [[Alchemy]]: Familiar is ''[[non-terminal]]'' and has ''{{p}}'' in its cost; Alchemy's theme is {{Card|Potion|Potions}} and action chains. |
− | ===Secondary Cursers===
| + | * [[Prosperity]]: Mountebank distributes ''{{Card|Copper}}'' in addition to Curses; one of Prosperity's themes is [[Treasure]]s. |
− | {{CardImage|Barbarian}}{{CardImage|Black Cat}}{{CardImage|Blockade}}{{CardImage|Catapult}}{{CardImage|Cauldron}}{{CardImage|Followers}}{{CardImage|Giant}}{{CardImage|Idol}}{{CardImage|Jester}}{{CardImage|Replace}}{{CardImage|Sorcerer}}{{CardImage|Sorceress}}{{CardImage|Swamp Hag}}{{CardImage|Swindler}}{{CardImage|Torturer}}{{CardImage|Young Witch}}{{CardImage|Witch's Hut}}
| + | * [[Cornucopia]]: Young Witch increases the number of ''differently-named cards'' in the Kingdom; Cornucopia's theme is variety. |
− | | + | * [[Hinterlands]]: Ill-Gotten Gains distributes Curses ''when it is gained'', not when it is played; Hinterlands's theme is cards with on-gain effects. |
− | ===Removed cards===
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− | {{CardImage|Ill-Gotten Gains}}{{CardImage|Mountebank}}{{CardImage|Sea Hag}}
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− | == Trivia ==
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− | [[Dark Ages]] is the only expansion that does not contain a curser; however, it does contain two cards ({{Card|Marauder}} and {{Card|Cultist}}) that cause opponents to gain [[Ruins]], serving a similar function. | + | |
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− | === Cursers relating to expansion theme ===
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− | It can be argued that the main curser from most expansions (with the exception of [[Guilds]]) closely represents the expansion's theme:
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− | {{Quote
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− | |Text=
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− | It was just a coincidence. Or, if you like, a natural consequence of "each other player gains a {{Card|Curse}}" being simple, every set wanting simple on-theme cards, and no set wanting too many ways to give out Curses.
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− | |Name=[[Donald X. Vaccarino]]
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− | |Source=[http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=5799.msg358383#msg358383 Interview with Donald X.]
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− | }}
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− | * {{Set|Dominion}}: {{Card|Witch}} has only a ''minor "[[vanilla]]" effect'' other than cursing; the [[base]] game's theme is cards with simple effects.
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− | * {{Set|Intrigue}}: {{Card|Torturer}} gives the opponent a ''choice'' about whether to be cursed; Intrigue's theme is cards with a choice of effects.
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− | * {{Set|Seaside}}: {{Card|Blockade}} and {{Card|Sea Witch}} are [[Duration]] attacks; Seaside's main theme is Duration cards.
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− | * {{Set|Alchemy}}: {{Card|Familiar}} is ''[[non-terminal]]'' and has ''{{p}}'' in its cost; Alchemy's theme is {{Card|Potion|Potions}} and action chaining.
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− | * {{Set|Prosperity}}: {{Card|Charlatan}} turns {{Card|Curse}}s into {{Card|Copper}}s; one of Prosperity's themes is [[Treasure]]s.
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− | * {{Set|Cornucopia}}: {{Card|Young Witch}} increases the number of ''differently-named cards'' in the Kingdom; Cornucopia's theme is variety.
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− | * {{Set|Hinterlands}}: {{Card|Cauldron}} cares about how many cards you've ''gained'', while {{Card|Witch's Hut}} is a sifter; Hinterland's main theme is on-gain effects, with a sub-theme of discarding.
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− | * {{Set|Adventures}}: {{Card|Giant}} uses the ''Journey token'', and {{Card|Swamp Hag}} is a ''duration''; Adventures expands on [[Duration]] cards and uses miscellaneous tokens.
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− | * {{Set|Empires}}: {{Card|Catapult}} is part of a ''split pile''; split piles are one of the themes in Empires.
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− | * {{Set|Nocturne}}: {{Card|Idol}} can give you ''Boons'', and {{Hex|Plague}} is a ''Hex'', which are new mechanics in Nocturne.
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− | * {{Set|Renaissance}}: {{Card|Old Witch}} allows attacked players to ''trash'' a Curse from their hand, and is relatively ''simple''; One of Renaissance's themes is trashing, and having simpler cards than previous expansions.
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− | * {{Set|Menagerie}}: {{Card|Coven}} and {{Card|Black Cat}} match two of Menagerie's themes: ''Exiling'' and ''Reactions'', respectively.
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− | * {{set|Allies}}: {{card|Sorcerer}} and {{card|Sorceress}} are part of ''[[split pile]]s'', and {{ally|Circle of Witches}} is an ''[[Ally]]''; those are the Allies expansion's main structural themes.
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− | * {{set|Plunder}}: {{card|Siren}} is a ''[[Duration]]'', and {{card|Trickster}} interacts with ''[[Treasure]]s''; Plunder's main themes are Durations and Treasures.
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− | === More Cursing attacks in recent expansions ===
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− | Many of the more recent expansions/second editions (specifically {{Set|Menagerie}}, {{Set|Allies}}, {{Set|Seaside|ed=2|Seaside 2E}}, {{Set|Hinterlands|ed=2|Hinterlands 2E}}, and {{Set|Plunder}}) have included multiple Cursing attacks.
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− | {{Quote
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− | |Text=
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− | It's something I've decided to embrace, due to all the ways Witches are the best attacks. They're simpler, they work, they're the most fun. As you know, {{Card|Militia}}s are less fun and harder to vary the attack on; {{Card|Knights}} are hated/loved; {{Card|Spy|Spies}} are awful; and none-of-the-above Duration attacks are just hard to come by.
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− | |Name=[[Donald X. Vaccarino]]
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− | |Source=[http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=5799.msg899462#msg899462 Interview with Donald X.]
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− | }}
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| == See Also == | | == See Also == |
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