Editing Combo: Beggar and Gardens

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{{Infobox 2CardCombo
|name1 = Beggar
|name2 = Gardens

|set1 = Dark Ages
|set2 = Base
|type = Slog
}}

'''{{Card|Beggar}} and {{Card|Gardens}}''' is a combo that uses Beggar's triple {{Card|Copper}} gaining ability to pump up the {{VP}} of Gardens, as well as for increased buying power throughout the potentially quite long game.  It is interesting in that how it plays depends highly on whether or not your opponent chooses the same strategy; normally a [[slog]], this combo becomes a [[rush (strategy)|rush]] in [[mirror]] matches.

== Article ==
''[http://dominionstrategy.com/2013/06/13/combo-of-the-day-31-beggargardens/ Original article] by Geronimoo, edited by theory''

Everyone and their mother knows about [[Combo: Workshop and Gardens|Ironworks/Gardens]], but the new standard for Gardens enabling is here. Beggar! How cool is this dude!?. If you manage to collect all Gardens by the end of the game, each Beggar play will have added 2.4 {{VP}}. Comparable to {{Card|Rebuild}}, a sick {{Cost|5}} card that adds 2 to 3 {{VP}} per play.

Now you don’t have to be called WanderingWinder, -Stef- or Geronimoo to figure out Beggar and Gardens form a great combo, but you might want to consult with these guys if you’re facing the tough choice between a strongish engine like Hunting Party/Baron or Beggar/Gardens. Here’s me to help you out.

=== How to play the combo ===

Beggar/Gardens isn’t a [[rush (strategy)|rush]] strategy like Workshop/Gardens but a [[slog]]. (You might want to read the articles by the great WanderingWinder first). One notable aspect of the slog is that Copper is a good card instead of a liability. Another important property of the slog is that it does better the longer the game takes (unlike rushes and engines).

Ideally you’ll want to be able to play a Beggar each turn for the entire game which means you need to get a healthy number of them before greening. The simulator suggests 6 Beggars if your opponent goes for a [[Combo]], [[Big Money]] or [[Engine]] strategy. If your opponent mirrors you, then you should aim for 4 Beggars before trying to win the Gardens split<ref group=notes>Comments on the original posting of this article came to a consensus that opening Beggar/Gardens will be about equivalent to getting 4 Beggars first.</ref>. This might seem late, but remember that once the Gardens are gone the game becomes a slog where being able to reach {{Card|Duchy}} {{Cost}} is very important. The extra Beggars will ensure you have enough fuel for the rest of the game. If your opponent goes for a rush (like Workshop/Gardens) use the same advice of 4 Beggars before greening.

=== Matchups ===

At game end your Gardens will often be worth 7{{VP}} which means an opponent aiming for {{Card|Province|Provinces}} needs to end the game as soon as possible. If your opponent is rushing, engining or comboing, and they try to fight you for Gardens, the green cards will hurt them a lot more than you.

==== vs Big Money ====

A typical big money strategy is {{Card|Wharf}} BM. Beggar/Gardens beats it 4 out of 5 games. The Wharf deck can’t prevent Gardens reaching the 7{{VP}} treshold which means game over most of the time.

==== vs Rush ====

Ironworks/Gardens will win only 1 out of 20 games because it’s not good at buying Duchies after the rush becomes a slog.

==== vs [[Attack|Attacks]] ====

Attacks often turn games into slogs and the reaction part of Beggar adds some more value. Now you can discard all your excess Beggars to gain Silvers and keep one in hand for the Coppers. {{Card|Curse|Curses}} don’t really hurt (8 Gardens = -2{{VP}} from 10 Curses) so a {{Card|Sea Hag}} or {{Card|Mountebank}} centered deck doesn’t stand a chance. Discard attacks like {{Card|Goons}} are a little stronger, but unless they’re part of a big engine they can’t really beat the Beggar/Gardens.

==== vs Combo ====

Let’s take the [[Golden Deck]] (a deck that consists of exactly 5 cards: 1 {{Card|Bishop}}, 2 {{Card|Silver}}, 1 {{Card|Gold}}, 1 Province which trashes a Province each turn). This can reliably empty the Province pile in 16 turns which will beat the Beggar about half the time.

==== vs Slog ====

If your opponent decides to use the Beggar for a different slog like Duchy/{{Card|Duke}} he doesn’t stand a chance because Gardens will reach 5{{VP}} when three piles are empty (Beggar, Copper, Gardens). The Duchy player doesn’t have time to gain enough 8{{VP}} Dukes to compensate.

==== vs Engine ====

{{Card|Hunting Party}}/{{Card|Baron}} is a nice simple engine which beats the Gardens player by a few percentages if the engine player builds up enough before going for the 8 Provinces. A strong engine like {{Card|Fishing Village}}/Wharf will win 9 out of 10 games so you really shouldn’t try to go for the Beggar when there’s a [[megaturn]] engine.

=== Colony games ===

The 10{{VP}} of Colony is better suited to fight 7{{VP}} Gardens. The stronger Big Money decks will now also be able to beat the Beggar and all the engines will perform much better (not just the mega ones).

In conclusion this is a very strong combo that only gets beaten by the strongest engines or in Colony games. Just remember to load up on Beggars before greening and you should easily coast to victory with this little gem.

== Notes ==
<references group="notes"/>

{{Navbox Dark Ages}}
{{Navbox Base set}}
{{Navbox Card combos}}