Familiar (Alchemy)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Familiar in Dominion:

Familiar Strategy Guide

Introduction Familiar is a powerful attack card from the Alchemy expansion that combines cursing with non-terminal draw. Costing $3 plus a Potion, it serves as both an engine component and a way to slow opponents down. While its high opportunity cost (requiring both Potion and an action) means it's not always the right choice, when properly leveraged, Familiar can be a devastating component of your strategy.

Basic Properties - Draws 1 card - Provides 1 action - Forces each opponent to gain a Curse - Non-terminal (doesn't use up actions) - Requires Potion to purchase

Core Strengths 1. Non-terminal nature The fact that Familiar is non-terminal is crucial to its power. Unlike most cursing attacks (like Witch or Sea Hag), Familiar doesn't consume an action when played. This means you can: - Play multiple Familiars in one turn - Include it in engine decks without disrupting your action chain - Combine it with other terminal actions more easily

1. Reliable cursing Like Witch, Familiar hands out Curses consistently. In multiplayer games, this can rapidly deplete the Curse pile while significantly hindering opponents.

2. Early accessibility At $3P (3 coins plus a Potion), Familiar can often be acquired on turn 3/4, allowing for early cursing pressure.

Key Weaknesses 1. Potion requirement - Must buy and draw Potion to acquire Familiar - Potion clogs deck early game - Reduces flexibility in purchase decisions

1. Opportunity cost
2. Competing with other $4-5 cards in early game

3. Requires both Potion and action to be effective

4. Limited utility late game

5. Less effective once Curses are gone
6. Minimal deck improvement beyond cursing

Strategic Considerations

1. Opening Decisions

When to Open Potion for Familiar: - Kingdom lacks strong $5 cards - Multiple viable Potion cards present - Opponent's strategy vulnerable to cursing - No strong curse-handling cards available - Game length likely to be medium-long

Avoid Opening Potion when: - Strong $5 cards present (especially alternate attacks) - Fast province rush possible - Strong curse-handling cards available - Better Potion cards compete for purchases

1. Quantity Considerations

Optimal number of Familiars: - 2-player games: 2-3 Familiars - 3-player games: 2-4 Familiars - 4-player games: 3-4 Familiars

Factors affecting quantity: - Number of opponents - Curse pile size - Deck cycling speed - Action density - Alternative victory paths

1. Timing Considerations

Early Game: - Prioritize getting Potion in first few shuffles - Balance Familiar purchases with economy - Consider throne effects for faster cursing

Mid Game: - Transition focus once Curses depleted - Use as engine component - Consider trashing gained Familiars if better options exist

Late Game: - Maintain as non-terminal draw - Consider stopping Familiar purchases - Focus on victory conditions

Synergies and Combinations

1. Throne Room Effects
2. Throne Room
3. King's Court
4. Procession
5. Crown

These cards multiply Familiar's cursing effect while maintaining non-terminal status. Particularly strong early when Curses remain.

1. Draw Enhancers
2. Laboratory
3. Smithy
4. Council Room
5. Drawing Village variants

Help find Potion and Familiars more consistently while building deck power.

1. Deck Inspection/Organization
2. Scrying Pool
3. Oracle
4. Navigator
5. Tracking cards

Help ensure Potion and Familiar appear together more often.

1. Trash for Benefit
2. Remodel
3. Upgrade
4. Salvager
5. Trading Post

Can convert late-game Familiars into more useful cards.

1. Duration Cards
2. Fishing Village
3. Haven
4. Caravan
5. Wharf

Help smooth out Potion/Familiar acquisition and play.

Countering Familiar

1. Direct Counters
2. Moat blocks the attack
3. Watchtower can trash incoming Curses
4. Ambassador can return Curses
5. Chapel/Steward for curse trashing
6. Masquerade can pass Curses

7. Horse Traders provides immunity

8. Strategic Counters

9. Rush strategies (Gardens, Duke, etc.)
10. Heavy trashing engines
11. Alternative victory conditions

12. Outpacing curse distribution

13. Economic Counters

14. Focus on treasure-based deck
15. Avoid action-dependent strategies
16. Build robust economy before cursing begins

Specific Kingdom Considerations

1. Strong Kingdoms for Familiar
2. Kingdoms with multiple Potion cards
3. Presence of throne effects
4. Strong trashing available
5. Multiple village effects

6. Lack of rush alternatives

7. Weak Kingdoms for Familiar

8. Strong curse handling present
9. Better attacks available
10. Fast alternate victory conditions
11. Limited action support
12. Complex treasure-based strategies

Advanced Techniques

1. Potion Management
2. Consider multiple Potions if pursuing heavy Familiar strategy
3. Time Potion purchases with deck shuffles
4. Consider trashing Potion late game

5. Use deck inspection to line up Potion plays

6. Curse Distribution Timing

7. Track opponent's shuffles
8. Time heavy cursing with opponent's key turns
9. Consider saving Familiar plays for maximum impact

10. Use throne effects strategically

11. Engine Integration

12. Balance Familiar quantity with engine needs
13. Use non-terminal nature for complex action chains
14. Consider Familiar as supplementary draw

15. Plan transition away from cursing

16. Multi-player Considerations

17. Prioritize opponents based on board position
18. Coordinate cursing with other attackers
19. Watch for king-making scenarios
20. Balance cursing between opponents

Sample Game Plans

1. Heavy Familiar Engine Early Game:
2. Open Potion/Silver
3. Get 2-3 Familiars quickly
4. Add village support
5. Establish reliable deck cycling

Mid Game: - Complete curse distribution - Build economic foundation - Add payload cards - Consider additional Familiars

Late Game: - Transform into victory point engine - Consider trashing excess Familiars - Focus on province acquisition

1. Hybrid Familiar Approach Early Game:
2. Open Potion/Economy
3. Get 1-2 Familiars
4. Balance cursing with economy
5. Add key support cards

Mid Game: - Selective curse distribution - Build primary engine - Add payload elements - Consider additional Familiars

Late Game: - Focus on victory condition - Use Familiars as engine components - Maintain pressure on key opponents

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-investment
2. Buying too many Familiars
3. Getting multiple Potions unnecessarily
4. Focusing too much on cursing

5. Neglecting economy development

6. Poor Timing

7. Opening Potion in wrong kingdoms
8. Buying Familiar too late
9. Missing key cursing windows

10. Poor throne effect timing

11. Strategic Errors

12. Ignoring opponent's counters
13. Failing to transition strategy
14. Neglecting victory condition

15. Poor action management

16. Technical Mistakes

17. Poor Potion management
18. Inefficient curse distribution
19. Weak engine construction
20. Improper throne effect use

Conclusion

Familiar is a powerful but situational attack card that requires careful consideration and proper support to be effective. Its non-terminal nature and early availability make it particularly strong in the right kingdoms, but the Potion requirement and opportunity cost demand thoughtful evaluation of when to pursue it.

Success with Familiar requires: - Careful evaluation of kingdom context - Proper timing of Potion/Familiar acquisition - Strategic curse distribution - Effective engine integration - Clear transition plan - Understanding of counter-play

When these elements align, Familiar can be a devastating force that both slows opponents while contributing to your own engine development. However, the key to mastering Familiar lies not just in knowing when to use it, but also in recognizing when to avoid it or when to transition away from it as game conditions evolve.