Editing Specialist

As a card that can play another card twice, Specialist can be compared to {{card|Crown}}. Unlike Crown, Specialist has to be played in the Action phase, so it uses up an action even if playing a Treasure card twice. On the upside, it offers up the choice between playing a card twice or gaining a copy allowing more versatility. This also allows it to combine well with {{card|Elder}}, which allows Specialist to both play another card twice while also gaining another copy. Targetting Specialist with Elder is particularly good for powerful expensive cards that you could want multiple of, like {{card|Grand Market}}, {{card|King's Court}}, {{card|Laboratory}}, {{card|Fortune}}, or {{card|Platinum}}.

Unlike cards like {{card|Counterfeit}} and {{card|Crown}}, Specialist plays Treasure cards during the Action phase. In some kingdoms this can be beneficial if the treasure cards have beneficial effects besides {{cost}} or +Buy. For example playing {{card|Collection}} twice during the Action phase allows other gaining Action cards to bring in {{VP}}, an interaction particularly powerful in kingdoms with {{card|Horse}} gainers. Playing {{card|Quarry}} during the Action phase brings down the cost of action cards, benefitting Workshop variants played later, as well as Command cards that limit the cost of cards played. Playing Quarry twice during the Action phase can also benefit Remodel variants if you trash non-actions, for example after using Specialist on Quarry one can use {{card|Remodel}} or {{card|Modify}} to turn junk cards like {{card|Copper}} or {{card|Curse}} into {{cost|6}} Action cards. Playing Treasure cards during the Action phase can also be beneficial to get a sufficient number of cards in play for timing {{card|Leprechaun}} plays. Finally, playing a Treasure card in your hand during the Action phase benefits "draw-to-x" effects, increasing their draw.