Curser

From DominionStrategy Wiki
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎Trivia)
 
(37 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
[[Image:Witch.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Witch]], a curser card.]]
 
[[Image:Witch.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Witch]], a curser card.]]
  
−
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.
+
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.
  
 
== List of cursers ==
 
== List of cursers ==
 +
The cards in ''italics'' have been removed.
 
=== Primary cursers ===
 
=== Primary cursers ===
  
−
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:
+
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:
  
 
* [[Dominion (base set)|Dominion]]: {{Card|Witch}}
 
* [[Dominion (base set)|Dominion]]: {{Card|Witch}}
−
* [[Seaside]]: {{Card|Sea Hag}}
+
* [[Seaside]]: ''{{Card|Sea Hag}}'', {{card|Sea Witch}}
 
* [[Alchemy]]: {{Card|Familiar}}
 
* [[Alchemy]]: {{Card|Familiar}}
−
* [[Prosperity]]: {{Card|Mountebank}}
+
* [[Prosperity]]: {{Card|Charlatan}}, ''{{Card|Mountebank}}''
−
* [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Young Witch}}
+
* [[Hinterlands]]: ''{{Card|Ill-Gotten Gains}}''
−
* [[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}}
 +
 +
{{ally|Circle of Witches}}, from [[Allies]], is not a Kingdom card itself, but it allows you to use [[Liaison]] Kingdom cards as cursers.
  
 
=== Secondary cursers ===
 
=== Secondary cursers ===
Line 22: Line 25:
 
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:
  
−
* [[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.
+
'''Cards that depend on the top card of your opponent's deck:'''
−
* [[Intrigue]]: {{card|Replace}}—it only distributes Curses if the player playing Replace gains a [[Victory]] card
+
* [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Swindler}}—may give a Curse when they reveal a card costing {{cost|0}}, often a Copper.
−
* [[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
+
* [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Jester}}—gives a Curse when they reveal a [[Victory]] card.
−
* [[Seaside]]: {{Card|Ambassador}}—it can only distribute a Curse if the player playing Ambassador has a Curse in hand
+
* [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Giant}}—gives a Curse when they reveal a card not costing between {{cost|3}} and {{cost|6}}.
−
* [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Followers}}—as this is a [[Prize]], it is difficult to gain, especially early in the game when cursing is most valuable
+
* [[Allies]]: {{card|Barbarian}}—gives a Curse when they reveal a card not costing {{cost|3}} or more.
−
* [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Jester}}—whether it distributes a Curse depends on the top card of the opponent's deck
+
 
−
* [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Giant}}—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|Swamp Hag}} — the opponent may forgo gaining a Curse if they choose to buy no cards on their turn
+
* [[Intrigue]]: {{card|Replace}}—it only distributes Curses if you gain a [[Victory]] card
−
* [[Empires]]: {{Card|Catapult}} — distributes a Curse if the player is willing to trash a card costing {{cost|3}} or more
+
* [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Followers}}—as this is a [[Prize]], there is only a single copy which is rather difficult to gain.
−
* [[Nocturne]]: {{Card|Idol}} — distributes a Curse only if the current player has an even number of Idols in play
+
* [[Hinterlands]]: {{card|Cauldron}}—only distributes a Curse when you gain your third Action card of the turn
 +
* [[Hinterlands]]: {{card|Witch's Hut}}—only distributes a Curse if you discard two Action cards
 +
* [[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
 +
 
 +
'''Cards whose effect can be avoided by your opponent in some circumstances:'''
 +
* [[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
 +
* [[Seaside]]: {{card|Blockade}}—it only distributes Curses to players who gain the same card you chose
 +
* [[Cornucopia]]: {{Card|Young Witch}}—your opponent can reveal the Bane to avoid gaining a Curse
 +
* [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Swamp Hag}} — your opponent may avoid gaining a Curse if they choose to buy no cards on their turn
 
* [[Menagerie (expansion)|Menagerie]]: {{card|Black Cat}}—distributes a Curse only when another player gains a [[Victory]] card
 
* [[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.
  
 
=== Other cards that can distribute Curses but are not usually considered cursers ===
 
=== Other cards that can distribute Curses but are not usually considered cursers ===
  
−
Unlike the primary and secondary cursers which always affect other players, the cards in this category may affect the current player.
+
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.
  
−
* [[Intrigue]]: {{Card|Masquerade}}—cannot cause Curses to be gained, but can pass a Curse from one player's custody to another's
+
* {{Card|Masquerade}} (from [[Intrigue]]) and ''{{Card|Ambassador}}'' (from [[Seaside]]) can only redistribute {{Card|Curse|Curses}} after they have been gained through other means.
−
* [[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
+
* [[Seaside]]: ''{{Card|Embargo}}''— is an effect that can sometimes be played around and which also affects the user.
−
* [[Adventures]]: {{Card|Messenger}}—causes all players to gain a card costing up to {{Cost|4}}, which can be a Curse
+
* [[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.
−
* [[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
+
  
−
[[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}}.
+
Some effects use gaining {{Card|Curse|Curses}} as a drawback or penalty to the user:
  
−
== Trivia ==
+
* [[Nocturne]]: {{Card|Cursed Gold}}
 +
* [[Empires]]: {{Event|Ritual}}
 +
* [[Renaissance]]: {{Card|Hideout}}—gives you a Curse if you trash a [[Victory]] card
 +
* [[Menagerie (expansion)|Menagerie]]: {{Event|Desperation}}
  
−
[[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.
+
[[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}}.
  
−
It can be argued that the main curser from each early expansion closely represents the expansion's theme:
+
==Strategy==
 +
For strategic advice, refer to the strategy sections on the relevant card pages, especially [[Witch#Strategy|Witch]].
  
−
* [[Dominion]]: Witch has only a ''minor "[[vanilla]]" effect'' other than cursing; the [[base]] game's theme is cards with simple effects.
+
==Gallery==
−
* [[Intrigue]]: Torturer gives the opponent a ''choice'' about whether to be cursed; Intrigue's theme is cards with a choice of effects.
+
===Primary Cursers===
−
* [[Seaside]]: Sea Hag puts a curse ''on top of the opponent's deck''; Seaside's theme is cards that affect the next turn.
+
{{CardImage|Charlatan}}{{CardImage|Coven}}{{CardImage|Familiar}}{{CardImage|Old Witch}}{{CardImage|Sea Witch}}{{CardImage|Siren}}{{CardImage|Soothsayer}}{{CardImage|Trickster}}{{CardImage|Witch}}{{LandscapeImage|Circle of Witches}}
−
* [[Alchemy]]: Familiar is ''[[non-terminal]]'' and has ''{{p}}'' in its cost; Alchemy's theme is {{Card|Potion|Potions}} and action chains.
+
 
−
* [[Prosperity]]: Mountebank distributes ''{{Card|Copper}}'' in addition to Curses; one of Prosperity's themes is [[Treasure]]s.
+
===Secondary Cursers===
−
* [[Cornucopia]]: Young Witch increases the number of ''differently-named cards'' in the Kingdom; Cornucopia's theme is variety.
+
{{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}}
−
* [[Hinterlands]]: Ill-Gotten Gains distributes Curses ''when it is gained'', not when it is played; Hinterlands's theme is cards with on-gain effects.
+
 
−
* [[Adventures]]: Giant uses adventure's journey token, and swamp hag is a duration; Adventures contains expanded duration cards.
+
===Removed cards===
−
* [[Empires]]: Though Catapult on-play ability doesn't fit with Empires theme, it is part of a split pile; split piles are one of the themes in Empires.
+
{{CardImage|Ill-Gotten Gains}}{{CardImage|Mountebank}}{{CardImage|Sea Hag}}
−
* [[Nocturne]]: Idol, when it doesn't give out Curses, gives out Boons, and Plague is from the Hexes pile; one of Nocturne's themes are Boons and Hexes.
+
 
−
* [[Renaissance]]: Old Witch allows the attacked players to trash a Curse from their hand; One of Renaissance's themes is trashing.
+
== Trivia ==
−
* [[Menagerie]]: Coven and black cat match two of Menagerie's themes: exiling and reactions, respectively.
+
[[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.
  
 +
=== Cursers relating to expansion theme ===
 +
It can be argued that the main curser from most expansions (with the exception of [[Guilds]]) closely represents the expansion's theme:
 +
{{Quote
 +
|Text=
 +
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.
 +
|Name=[[Donald X. Vaccarino]]
 +
|Source=[http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=5799.msg358383#msg358383 Interview with Donald X.]
 +
}}
 +
* {{Set|Dominion}}: {{Card|Witch}} has only a ''minor "[[vanilla]]" effect'' other than cursing; the [[base]] game's theme is cards with simple effects.
 +
* {{Set|Intrigue}}: {{Card|Torturer}} gives the opponent a ''choice'' about whether to be cursed; Intrigue's theme is cards with a choice of effects.
 +
* {{Set|Seaside}}: {{Card|Blockade}} and {{Card|Sea Witch}} are [[Duration]] attacks; Seaside's main theme is Duration cards.
 +
* {{Set|Alchemy}}: {{Card|Familiar}} is ''[[non-terminal]]'' and has ''{{p}}'' in its cost; Alchemy's theme is {{Card|Potion|Potions}} and action chaining.
 +
* {{Set|Prosperity}}: {{Card|Charlatan}} turns {{Card|Curse}}s into {{Card|Copper}}s; one of Prosperity's themes is [[Treasure]]s.
 +
* {{Set|Cornucopia}}: {{Card|Young Witch}} increases the number of ''differently-named cards'' in the Kingdom; Cornucopia's theme is variety.
 +
* {{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.
 +
* {{Set|Adventures}}: {{Card|Giant}} uses the ''Journey token'', and {{Card|Swamp Hag}} is a ''duration''; Adventures expands on [[Duration]] cards and uses miscellaneous tokens.
 +
* {{Set|Empires}}: {{Card|Catapult}} is part of a ''split pile''; split piles are one of the themes in Empires.
 +
* {{Set|Nocturne}}: {{Card|Idol}} can give you ''Boons'', and {{Hex|Plague}} is a ''Hex'', which are new mechanics in Nocturne.
 +
* {{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.
 +
* {{Set|Menagerie}}: {{Card|Coven}} and {{Card|Black Cat}} match two of Menagerie's themes: ''Exiling'' and ''Reactions'', respectively.
 +
* {{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.
 +
* {{set|Plunder}}: {{card|Siren}} is a ''[[Duration]]'', and {{card|Trickster}} interacts with ''[[Treasure]]s''; Plunder's main themes are Durations and Treasures.
 +
=== More Cursing attacks in recent expansions ===
 +
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.
 +
{{Quote
 +
|Text=
 +
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.
 +
|Name=[[Donald X. Vaccarino]]
 +
|Source=[http://forum.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?topic=5799.msg899462#msg899462 Interview with Donald X.]
 +
}}
 
== See Also ==
 
== See Also ==
  

Latest revision as of 17:47, 7 January 2023

Witch, a curser card.

A curser is any card which has the potential to distribute CurseCurse.jpg cards to other players. Cursers are generally considered among the strongest cards at their price points, since the effect of putting CursesCurse.jpg 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 CursesCurse.jpg in the supply, cursers often lose most or all of their value after all the CursesCurse.jpg have been distributed, for example WitchWitch.jpg is a very strong card, but its secondary effect of drawing two cards is very weak at $5. Most cursers are Action–Attack cards.

Contents

[edit] List of cursers

The cards in italics have been removed.

[edit] Primary cursers

These are Kingdom cards that consistently cause other players to acquire Curses in ways that they do not always have the option to avoid:

Circle of WitchesCircle of Witches.jpg, from Allies, is not a Kingdom card itself, but it allows you to use Liaison Kingdom cards as cursers.

[edit] Secondary cursers

These cards can cause opponents to gain Curses, but in more restricted circumstances:

Cards that depend on the top card of your opponent's deck:

Cards that require a specific condition from the user:

Cards whose effect can be avoided by your opponent in some circumstances:

  • Intrigue: TorturerTorturer.jpg—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
  • Seaside: BlockadeBlockade.jpg—it only distributes Curses to players who gain the same card you chose
  • Cornucopia: Young WitchYoung Witch.jpg—your opponent can reveal the Bane to avoid gaining a Curse
  • Adventures: Swamp HagSwamp Hag.jpg — your opponent may avoid gaining a Curse if they choose to buy no cards on their turn
  • Menagerie: Black CatBlack Cat.jpg—distributes a Curse only when another player gains a Victory card
  • Allies: SorcererSorcerer.jpg—distributes a Curse only to opponents who can't guess what card is on top of their deck.

[edit] Other cards that can distribute Curses but are not usually considered cursers

Unlike the primary and secondary cursers which always affect other players, the cards in this category have other primary purposes than handing out CursesCurse.jpg or they do not only affect the opponent of the user.

  • MasqueradeMasquerade.jpg (from Intrigue) and AmbassadorAmbassador.jpg (from Seaside) can only redistribute CursesCurse.jpg after they have been gained through other means.
  • Seaside: EmbargoEmbargo.jpg— is an effect that can sometimes be played around and which also affects the user.
  • Adventures: MessengerMessenger.jpg—causes all players to gain a card costing up to $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.

Some effects use gaining CursesCurse.jpg as a drawback or penalty to the user:

Doom cards are cursers when they reveal certain Hexes: PlaguePlague.jpg, and sometimes LocustsLocusts.jpg. This can both be from an attack like WerewolfWerewolf.jpg or as a drawback to an effect, in the case of LeprechaunLeprechaun.jpg or Cursed VillageCursed Village.jpg.

[edit] Strategy

For strategic advice, refer to the strategy sections on the relevant card pages, especially Witch.

[edit] Gallery

[edit] Primary Cursers

Charlatan.jpgCoven.jpgFamiliar.jpgOld Witch.jpgSea Witch.jpgSiren.jpgSoothsayer.jpgTrickster.jpgWitch.jpgCircle of Witches.jpg

[edit] Secondary Cursers

Barbarian.jpgBlack Cat.jpgBlockade.jpgCatapult.jpgCauldron.jpgFollowers.jpgGiant.jpgIdol.jpgJester.jpgReplace.jpgSorcerer.jpgSorceress.jpgSwamp Hag.jpgSwindler.jpgTorturer.jpgYoung Witch.jpgWitch's Hut.jpg

[edit] Removed cards

Ill-Gotten Gains.jpgMountebank.jpgSea Hag.jpg

[edit] Trivia

Dark Ages is the only expansion that does not contain a curser; however, it does contain two cards (MarauderMarauder.jpg and CultistCultist.jpg) that cause opponents to gain Ruins, serving a similar function.

[edit] Cursers relating to expansion theme

It can be argued that the main curser from most expansions (with the exception of Guilds) closely represents the expansion's theme:

It was just a coincidence. Or, if you like, a natural consequence of "each other player gains a CurseCurse.jpg" being simple, every set wanting simple on-theme cards, and no set wanting too many ways to give out Curses.
—Donald X. Vaccarino, Interview with Donald X.

[edit] More Cursing attacks in recent expansions

Many of the more recent expansions/second editions (specifically MenagerieMenagerie (expansion).jpg, AlliesAllies.jpg, Seaside 2ESeaside2.jpg, Hinterlands 2EHinterlands2.jpg, and PlunderPlunder (expansion).jpg) have included multiple Cursing attacks.

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, MilitiaMilitia.jpgs are less fun and harder to vary the attack on; KnightsKnights.jpg are hated/loved; SpiesSpy.jpg are awful; and none-of-the-above Duration attacks are just hard to come by.
—Donald X. Vaccarino, Interview with Donald X.

[edit] See Also


v . t . e
Attacks Attack immunity • Curser • Deck inspection attack • Deck order attack • Handsize attack • Junking attack • Trashing attack • Turn-worsening attack
Buy/Money +Buy • Cost-reducer • Disappearing money • Overpay • Peddler variant • Terminal silver • Virtual coin • Virtual +Buy
Cycling Deck discarder • Deck inspector • Digging • Discard for benefit • Sifter
Terminality Cantrip • Non-terminal • Non-terminal draw • Soft terminal • Terminal • Terminal draw • Throne Room variant • Village • Conditional non-terminal
Other Alt-VP • Basic cards • Duration draw • Command variant • Gainer • Luck-based • Non-Attack interaction • One-shot • Remodeler • Split pile • Top decker • Trasher • Vanilla • Extra turn
Retrieved from "https://wiki.dominionstrategy.com/index.php?title=Curser&oldid=68045"
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Views
Actions
Navigation
Toolbox