Promo

From DominionStrategy Wiki
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Obtaining The Promo Cards)
(Obtaining The Promo Cards: + prepacked in sets)
Line 52: Line 52:
 
* The cards can typically be purchased on the [http://store.boardgamegeek.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=299&category_id=13 BGG store].  
 
* The cards can typically be purchased on the [http://store.boardgamegeek.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage-ask.tpl&product_id=299&category_id=13 BGG store].  
 
* Occasionally, game stores or conventions will offer the Promotional cards in conjunction with a purchase.
 
* Occasionally, game stores or conventions will offer the Promotional cards in conjunction with a purchase.
 +
* Various iterations of the [[Big Box]] have included one or more Promotional cards, and {{Event|Summon}} is included in the German release of [[Adventures]].
 
* [[Tournaments]] may offer Promo cards as prizes.
 
* [[Tournaments]] may offer Promo cards as prizes.
  

Revision as of 01:56, 17 September 2015

Promotional cards are official Dominion kingdom cards which do not belong to any particular set. They are a result of Donald X trying to meet the requests of his publishers, and typically either released to help promote Dominion at conventions (such as Origins or GenCon), or to commemorate the anniversary of another game, to help promote both.

Contents

Card List

There are currently 7 Promo cards, including one Event:

History

Sometimes, the publishers want promos. A magazine wants one, or a convention does, or something, and so the word comes down to me, could we have one please. And I like to be friendly. They have been given away various ways, depending on the language, but the BGG store has had them all (in English) in the long run.

With the exceptions of GovernorGovernor.jpg and SummonSummon.jpg, each Promo card is an "outtake" card or borrowed from a yet-to-be-released set . Governor was designed on the spot, borrowing a name and mechanic from the game Puerto Rico, and Summon was designed by a playtester after the release of Adventures. Further details on the design and history of the cards can be found on the individual card pages under the "Secret History" subheading.

Donald has stated that he does not have any other promo cards planned, but expects there will "probably be a couple more".

Retrospective

Promos are bad; you either deprive the game of something in order to have it as a promo, or you do something wacky in the situation where people have the least access to the rules for it, or you do something not worth doing in the game and then why is it worth doing as a promo? But people love promos so what can you do.


Impact of Promo Cards

The promotional cards range from simple, but balanced cards that there simply wasn't room for in a main set (Envoy and Walled Village), to being almost patently ridiculous in their mechanics. As such, Promo cards frequently feature in complicated engines or combos that hinge on their peculiar mechanic.

Engines

  • EnvoyEnvoy.jpg - has a draw that rivals SmithySmithy.jpg at the same cost
  • Black MarketBlack Market.jpg - can give access to a key card that makes an engine or combo work that no other player will be able to get
  • Walled VillageWalled Village.jpg - Villages are always useful, but this one ensures that it will be in a hand with other engine parts
  • GovernorGovernor.jpg - an engine unto itself at times
  • PrincePrince.jpg - ensures that a cheap component is played every turn, smoothing out your engine
  • SummonSummon.jpg - ensures that a cheap component is played immediately, without costing an Action

Big Money

  • Envoy - better than Smithy+BM
  • StashStash.jpg - four of these guarantees a ProvinceProvince.jpg every shuffle
  • Governor - gains GoldGold.jpg, for a price

Tricks

  • Black Market - aside from the power of having the sole copy of a card, it can play Treasures during your Action phase, allowing for, e.g., playing Treasures with TacticianTactician.jpg

Obtaining The Promo Cards

  • The cards can typically be purchased on the BGG store.
  • Occasionally, game stores or conventions will offer the Promotional cards in conjunction with a purchase.
  • Various iterations of the Big Box have included one or more Promotional cards, and SummonSummon.jpg is included in the German release of Adventures.
  • Tournaments may offer Promo cards as prizes.


Promo
Cards $3 Black MarketBlack Market.jpgChurchChurch.jpg $4 DismantleDismantle.jpgEnvoyEnvoy.jpgSaunaSauna.jpg/AvantoAvanto.jpgWalled VillageWalled Village.jpg $5 GovernorGovernor.jpgMarchlandMarchland.jpgStashStash.jpg $6 CaptainCaptain.jpg $8 PrincePrince.jpg
Events $5 SummonSummon.jpg
Combos and Counters Black Market/TacticianChancellor/Stash
Dominion Products
Sets DominionIntrigueSeasideAlchemyProsperityCornucopia & GuildsHinterlandsDark AgesAdventures • EmpiresNocturneRenaissanceMenagerieAlliesPlunderRising SunPromo
Collections Big BoxSpecial Edition (German) • Alchemy & Cornucopia (Japanese, German, Dutch)
Accessories Base CardsUpdate PacksPlay Mat • Base Cards MatCollectors CaseDominion Chest
Retired Products CornucopiaGuilds
Personal tools
Namespaces

Variants
Views
Actions
Navigation
Toolbox