Scrying Pool
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Scrying Pool (Alchemy)

Cost: $2

Type: Action-Attack

Text: +1 Action\nEach player (including you) reveals the top card of his deck and either discards it or puts it back, your choice. Then reveal cards from the top of your deck until revealing one that isn't an Action. Put all of your revealed cards into your han

Strategy Review

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Scrying Pool:

Scrying Pool Strategy Guide

Introduction: Scrying Pool is a complex Action-Attack card from the Alchemy expansion that serves multiple purposes: deck inspection, deck control, and card drawing. Its unique mechanism of revealing cards until finding a non-Action makes it particularly interesting in Action-heavy decks. Understanding how to maximize its potential requires careful deck construction and strategic thinking.

Core Mechanics:

  1. Attack Component:
  2. Each player reveals their top card
  3. You choose whether each player (including yourself) discards or keeps that card
  4. This happens before your card drawing

  5. The attack cannot be blocked by Reaction cards like Moat

  6. Drawing Component:

  7. Reveals cards until finding a non-Action
  8. All revealed cards go to your hand
  9. Gives +1 Action

Key Strengths:

  1. Card Drawing Power:
  2. Can potentially draw many cards in Action-heavy decks
  3. Doesn't stop at a fixed number like most drawers

  4. Self-replacing with +1 Action

  5. Deck Control:

  6. Allows you to manipulate opponents' top cards
  7. Can help you arrange your own deck

  8. Provides information about opponents' upcoming turns

  9. Cost Efficiency:

  10. Only costs $2 (plus a Potion)
  11. Can often draw more cards than more expensive drawers

Optimal Usage Strategies:

  1. Deck Composition:

a) Action Density - Aim for 70-80% Actions in your deck - Focus on cheap Actions that give +Actions - Consider cards like: * Village variants * Cantrips (Actions that draw 1 card) * Other non-terminal Actions

b) Non-Action Distribution - Carefully choose your non-Actions - Prefer high-impact treasures like Gold - Minimize low-value stop cards

  1. Building Your Engine:

a) Early Game: - Prioritize getting 1-2 Scrying Pools quickly - Add Action suppliers (Villages) - Begin increasing Action density - Don't neglect economy entirely

b) Mid Game: - Continue adding useful Actions - Start trimming non-Actions when possible - Consider trashing weaker treasures - Build towards critical mass

c) Late Game: - Maintain high Action density - Keep enough payload to win - Consider whether to keep any Coppers

  1. Tactical Considerations:

a) Attack Usage: - Generally discard opponents' good cards - Consider letting them keep stop cards - Watch for deck tracking opportunities - Be aware of shuffle timing

b) Self-Management: - Sometimes discard your own cards - Plan for future turns - Consider deck order implications - Track your non-Action distribution

Key Synergies:

  1. Action Suppliers:
  2. Village
  3. Fishing Village
  4. Native Village
  5. Festival

  6. Market These cards help maintain Action availability while increasing Action density.

  7. Action-Heavy Cards:

  8. Laboratory
  9. Smithy
  10. Council Room
  11. Witch

  12. Market These cards work well in Scrying Pool decks while serving useful functions.

  13. Deck Manipulation:

  14. Navigator
  15. Scout
  16. Spy

  17. Pearl Diver These help control what Scrying Pool will hit.

  18. Trashers:

  19. Chapel
  20. Steward
  21. Trading Post

  22. Forge Help optimize deck composition for Scrying Pool.

  23. Potion-Cost Cards:

  24. Familiar
  25. Possession
  26. Apprentice
  27. Golem Since you're buying Potions anyway, these can fit well.

Counter Strategies:

  1. Against Scrying Pool:
  2. Build decks with more non-Actions
  3. Rush strategies before they set up
  4. Compete for Potions

  5. Focus on quality over quantity

  6. Defending Your Deck:

  7. Keep important cards second from top
  8. Track your deck contents
  9. Consider deliberate shuffling
  10. Maintain strong card ratios

Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  1. Over-focusing on Actions:
  2. Don't forget about victory conditions
  3. Maintain enough economy

  4. Keep some powerful non-Actions

  5. Poor Timing:

  6. Buying too late
  7. Not building support first
  8. Ignoring opponent's strategy

  9. Missing key power cards

  10. Mismanaging Resources:

  11. Wasting Potions
  12. Neglecting +Actions
  13. Poor treasure management
  14. Inefficient trashing

Sample Build Orders:

Early Priority Build: Turn 1-2: Silver/Potion Turn 3-4: Scrying Pool/Village Turn 5-6: Action suppliers/More Pools Turn 7+: Engine pieces/Economy

Balanced Approach: Turn 1-2: Silver/Silver Turn 3-4: Potion/Action supplier Turn 5-6: Scrying Pool/Engine pieces Turn 7+: Optimization/Economy

Kingdom Considerations:

  1. Strong Kingdoms:
  2. Multiple Villages available
  3. Good trashing
  4. Useful Actions

  5. Alternative VP sources

  6. Weak Kingdoms:

  7. Few Action suppliers
  8. Limited trashing
  9. Terminal Action heavy
  10. Big Money dominant

Timing and Pace:

  1. Opening Decisions:
  2. Evaluate kingdom synergies
  3. Check opponent's strategy
  4. Consider alt-VP presence

  5. Assess trashing available

  6. Development Phase:

  7. Build Action density
  8. Establish engine reliability
  9. Maintain economic viability

  10. Prepare victory path

  11. Endgame Transitions:

  12. Convert to victory points
  13. Maintain engine function
  14. Time province purchases
  15. Watch pile depletion

Advanced Techniques:

  1. Deck Tracking:
  2. Monitor opponent's cards
  3. Track your non-Actions
  4. Plan shuffle timing

  5. Optimize discard decisions

  6. Engine Optimization:

  7. Balance draw and Actions
  8. Manage dead cards
  9. Time big turns

  10. Control deck composition

  11. Multi-Pool Play:

  12. Coordinate multiple Pools
  13. Manage Action supply
  14. Optimize reveal order
  15. Control draw depth

Cost Considerations:

  1. Potion Timing:
  2. Early Potion usually better
  3. Consider multiple Potion cards
  4. Don't over-invest

  5. Watch opportunity cost

  6. Support Investments:

  7. Villages needed early
  8. Trashing usually important
  9. Economy can't be ignored
  10. Victory cards eventually

Multiplayer Considerations:

  1. 3+ Players:
  2. Attack value increases
  3. More deck information
  4. Longer to set up

  5. Different pace needed

  6. Strategic Adjustments:

  7. More defensive play
  8. Different scaling needs
  9. Modified timing
  10. Altered priorities

Win Conditions:

  1. Traditional:
  2. Province stack
  3. Three pile ending
  4. Alternative VP

  5. Mixed approach

  6. Engine Goals:

  7. Draw deck reliably
  8. Generate actions/money
  9. Control opponent's draws
  10. Convert to points

Conclusion:

Scrying Pool is a powerful but demanding card that rewards careful deck construction and strategic play. Success requires: - Proper deck composition - Strong support cards - Good timing - Careful execution

The card shines brightest in kingdoms with: - Good action suppliers - Useful non-terminal Actions - Decent trashing - Synergistic cards

Players should: - Build thoughtfully - Play tactically - Watch timing - Maintain flexibility

While challenging to use optimally, Scrying Pool can create powerful engines and provide significant advantages when properly supported and executed.

Remember: - Action density matters - Support cards are crucial - Timing is important - Practice improves play

With proper understanding and application of these principles, Scrying Pool can be a formidable tool in your Dominion strategy arsenal.