Possession (Alchemy)

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

Possession Strategy Guide

Introduction Possession is one of the most unique and complex cards in Dominion, offering a powerful but unusual effect that can dramatically impact the game. This guide will explore how to effectively use Possession, when to pursue it, and how to both maximize its benefits and defend against it.

Core Mechanics and Important Rules

1. Turn Sequence
2. After playing Possession, your left-hand opponent (LHO) takes their turn under your control
3. You see all cards they can see and make all decisions for them
4. You gain any cards they would gain
5. Their trashed cards are set aside and returned to their discard pile

6. Victory Points earned during the possessed turn still go to the possessed player

7. Key Rules Interactions

8. Cards that refer to "you" still refer to the possessed player
9. Attack cards played during possessed turns affect all other players normally
10. Duration effects started during possessed turns belong to the possessed player
11. Debt and -coin tokens acquired during possessed turns affect the possessed player

Basic Strategy

1. When to Buy Possession

Good situations for Possession: - When your deck can reliably play $6-cost cards - When your opponent has strong engines or combo potential - When the kingdom has strong gaining effects - When there are powerful cards you want but can't easily gain yourself

Poor situations for Possession: - Against weak decks or basic money strategies - When your deck is too slow to play $6 cards - When gaining effects are limited - In games where timing is crucial (such as Province endings)

1. Deck Considerations

To effectively use Possession, your deck should: - Generate at least $6 regularly - Have good deck drawing/cycling - Include multiple Actions per turn - Have treasure management capabilities

Advanced Strategies

1. Maximizing Possessed Turns

Key objectives during possessed turns: a) Gaining valuable cards - Use opponent's resources to gain expensive cards - Target engine pieces you need - Grab key attack cards or defense cards - Consider gaining Provinces if possible

b) Deck manipulation - Position opponent's deck suboptimally - Create awkward card combinations - Leave their deck worse than you found it

c) Resource management - Use up Coffers/Villagers if available - Spend opponent's resources inefficiently - Create situations that benefit your future turns

1. Timing Considerations

Optimal timing for Possession: - Early-mid game when building - When opponent has just reshuffled - Before opponent's strong turn - When opponent has valuable resources stored

Avoid playing Possession: - When opponent's deck is weak/depleted - Late game with few gains available - When you need immediate defense - When better alternatives exist

Notable Combinations

1. Strong Synergies

Card drawing: - Laboratory - Smithy - Council Room - Drawing engines

Action generation: - Village variants - King's Court - Throne Room - Festival

Resource generation: - Market - Worker's Village - Festival - Bazaar

Special interactions: - Throne Room/King's Court on Possession - Ways (from Ways expansion) - Projects and Landmarks - Duration cards

1. Specific Combos

a) Possession + Throne Room - Take two possessed turns - Can target different opponents - Extremely powerful but expensive

b) Possession + Draw engines - Reliable access to Possession - Can play multiple copies - Better deck control

c) Possession + Gardens - Gain cards during possessed turns - Build opponent's deck size - Score points yourself

Defensive Strategies

1. Playing Against Possession

Prevention: - Keep deck lean and efficient - Avoid storing resources - Maintain balanced deck composition - Consider timing reshuffles

Mitigation: - Build simple money strategies - Focus on immediate gains - Limit engine complexity - Consider rushing strategies

1. Counter Cards

Strong counters: - Moat (blocks some attacks during possessed turns) - Watchtower (controls gains) - Royal Seal (deck control) - Laboratory (simple efficiency)

Kingdom Considerations

1. Favorable Kingdoms

Look for: - Strong gaining effects - Multiple valuable $5-$6 cards - Engine potential - Resource generators

Examples: - Workshop/Artisan kingdoms - Markets and drawing - Village/smithy engines - Treasure-heavy kingdoms

1. Unfavorable Kingdoms

Avoid with: - Limited gaining - Attack-heavy environments - Rush strategies - Simple money strategies

Multiplayer Considerations

1. 3+ Player Games

Advantages: - More targets available - Complex political dynamics - Multiple deck types to exploit

Disadvantages: - Less control over game pace - More competition for cards - Harder to track opportunities

1. Team Games

Strategies: - Coordinate with partner - Share gained cards effectively - Plan possessed turns together - Consider team-wide benefits

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Tactical Errors

2. Over-investing in Possession

3. Playing it too early
4. Neglecting your own deck

5. Poor timing of possessed turns

6. Strategic Mistakes

7. Focusing too much on hurting opponent

8. Ignoring victory conditions
9. Poor resource management
10. Insufficient support cards

Advanced Tips and Tricks

1. Optimization Techniques

2. Track opponent's deck carefully

3. Plan multiple turns ahead
4. Consider all gaining options

5. Maximize action efficiency

6. Special Situations

7. Managing reactions

8. Handling duration effects
9. Dealing with landmarks
10. Using events effectively

Sample Opening Strategies

1. Fast Possession

Turn 1-2: - Silver/Silver Turn 3-4: - Gold or engine pieces Turn 5+: - Possession

1. Engine into Possession

Turn 1-2: - Village/Silver Turn 3-4: - Drawing/Actions Turn 5+: - Engine pieces + Possession

Conclusion

Possession is a powerful but complex card that requires careful consideration and skilled play to use effectively. Success with Possession depends on:

• Strong deck building fundamentals
• Careful timing and planning
• Understanding opponent's deck
• Proper kingdom analysis
• Good resource management

Key Takeaways:

1. Build your deck first
2. Ensure reliable $6
3. Include supporting cards

4. Maintain efficiency

5. Time your Possessions well

6. Watch opponent's deck state
7. Consider game stage

8. Plan gaining opportunities

9. Stay focused on winning

10. Don't over-invest
11. Keep victory conditions in mind

12. Balance aggression and building

13. Adapt to kingdom

14. Evaluate gaining options
15. Consider alternate strategies
16. Watch for counters

When used properly, Possession can be a game-changing card that provides unique advantages and interesting gameplay decisions. However, it requires significant skill and experience to use effectively and should not be pursued in every kingdom where it's available. Consider the specific game context and your overall strategy when deciding whether to include Possession in your deck.