Young Witch (Cornucopia)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Young Witch:

Young Witch Strategy Guide

Overview Young Witch is a unique $4 Action-Attack card that not only affects gameplay through its direct effects but also changes the fundamental structure of the game by adding an extra Kingdom pile designated as the Bane pile. Understanding both aspects is crucial for mastering this card.

Basic Effects Analysis 1. Draw Effect (+2 Cards) - Young Witch's draw effect helps maintain hand size after the discard requirement - Net card change is zero (draw 2, discard 2) - Allows for selection of which cards to discard, enabling hand filtering

1. Discard Requirement (Discard 2 cards)
2. Mandatory cost that must be paid
3. Can be both an advantage and disadvantage depending on deck composition
4. Enables deck cycling and removal of unwanted cards

5. Can hurt if you lack cards you're willing to discard

6. Attack Effect (Curse distribution)

7. Forces opponents to either reveal a Bane card or gain a Curse
8. Creates pressure to acquire and maintain Bane cards
9. Can significantly slow opponent's deck development

The Bane Pile Mechanic

Selection Considerations 1. Cost Requirements - Must cost either $2 or $3 - Common options include: * $2: Chapel, Cellar, Harbinger, Vassal * $3: Village, Fishing Village, Market Square, Courtyard

1. Strategic Implications
2. The chosen Bane card becomes a crucial component of the game
3. All players must consider acquiring Bane cards for defense
4. The Bane pile's utility beyond defending against Young Witch becomes important

Using Young Witch Effectively

1. Deck Construction Optimal Support Cards:
2. Card draw (Laboratory, Smithy)
3. Action suppliers (Village variants)
4. Throne Room effects for multiple attacks
5. Deck tracking cards to know opponent's Bane status

Key Ratios: - Aim for 2-3 Young Witches in most decks - Maintain sufficient action suppliers (3-4 Villages per Young Witch) - Include complementary draw cards

1. Timing Considerations Early Game:
2. Purchase Young Witch early to maximize Curse distribution
3. Consider rushing multiple Young Witches before opponents establish defenses
4. Balance Young Witch acquisition with economic development

Mid Game: - Use Young Witch attacks to maintain pressure - Track opponent's Bane card acquisition - Consider transitioning to alternate strategy if defense becomes prevalent

Late Game: - Young Witch's effectiveness often decreases - May become primarily a drawing tool - Consider trimming from deck if better options exist

1. Discard Strategy Optimal Cards to Discard:
2. Copper and other basic treasures
3. Already-played actions
4. Victory cards
5. Curses

Retention Priority: - Key action cards - Important treasure cards - Critical combo pieces - Bane cards (when facing other Young Witches)

Combo Potential

Strong Combinations:

1. Throne Room variants
2. Multiple attacks per turn
3. Increased drawing power

4. More opportunities to force Curses

5. Duration cards

6. Provide consistent action supply
7. Help manage Young Witch's action requirement

8. Examples: Fishing Village, Village Green

9. Deck trackers

10. Help predict opponent's Bane card possession
11. Improve attack timing

12. Examples: Scout, Vagrant, Spy

13. Trash-for-benefit cards

14. Convert discarded cards into advantages
15. Help manage deck composition

16. Examples: Apprentice, Remodel

17. Draw-to-X cards

18. Maximize hand size after discards
19. Ensure consistent resources
20. Examples: Library, Watchtower

Countering Young Witch

Defense Strategies:

1. Bane Card Acquisition
2. Primary defense mechanism
3. Consider multiple copies for consistency

4. Balance defense needs with overall strategy

5. Deck Thinning

6. Improves chances of drawing Bane cards
7. Reduces impact of Curses

8. Makes defense more reliable

9. Alternative Victory Strategies

10. Rush strategies can outpace Curse distribution
11. Engine-building may overcome Curse penalty

12. Consider abandoning traditional VP cards

13. Curse Management

14. Trash Curses when possible
15. Use Curse-interaction cards if available
16. Consider letting some Curses through if defense is costly

Choosing and Using Bane Cards

Optimal Bane Card Characteristics:

1. Utility Beyond Defense
2. Cards that contribute to overall strategy
3. Economic benefit

4. Deck improvement capability

5. Deck Compatibility

6. Synergy with existing strategy
7. Action requirements
8. Resource management

Notable Bane Options:

1. Chapel ($2)
2. Excellent deck thinner
3. Removes Curses

4. Powerful utility beyond defense

5. Fishing Village ($3)

6. Provides actions for Young Witch
7. Economic benefit

8. Duration effect ensures availability

9. Market Square ($3)

10. Drawing capability
11. Economic boost

12. Reaction benefit

13. Courtyard ($2)

14. Hand management
15. Deck control
16. Action efficiency

Game Phase Considerations

Opening (Turns 1-4): - Evaluate Bane pile utility - Consider early Young Witch if terminal draw needed - Balance economy vs. attack potential

Development (Turns 5-9): - Establish Young Witch engine if pursuing - Secure defensive capabilities - Monitor opponent's vulnerability

Mid-game (Turns 10-15): - Maximize attack effectiveness - Maintain defense consistency - Evaluate transition needs

End-game (Turns 16+): - Consider removing Young Witch if ineffective - Focus on victory condition - Manage deck efficiency

Kingdom Evaluation

Favorable Conditions:

1. Limited Curse removal
2. Increases attack impact
3. Makes defense more critical

4. Slows game pace

5. Strong action supply

6. Supports multiple Young Witches
7. Enables consistent attacks

8. Maintains deck functionality

9. Beneficial Bane options

10. Adds strategic depth
11. Improves overall deck quality
12. Creates interesting decisions

Unfavorable Conditions:

1. Strong Curse interaction
2. Reduces attack effectiveness
3. Negates primary benefit

4. Wastes resources

5. Limited action supply

6. Constrains Young Witch use
7. Reduces attack frequency

8. Hampers deck development

9. Poor Bane options

10. Forces suboptimal purchases
11. Reduces strategic options
12. Wastes resources

Advanced Strategies

1. Multi-Witch Pressure Advantages:
2. Consistent attack pressure
3. Increased drawing power
4. Higher Curse distribution

Requirements: - Strong action supply - Efficient deck cycling - Resource management

1. Hybrid Approaches Benefits:
2. Balanced strategy
3. Flexibility
4. Reduced vulnerability

Components: - Limited Young Witch investment - Alternative victory path - Defensive capabilities

1. Rush Variants Concept:
2. Leverage early Curse distribution
3. Transition to alternate strategy
4. Capitalize on opponent's defensive investments

Execution: - Early Young Witch acquisition - Minimal support infrastructure - Clear transition timing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Strategic Errors
2. Over-investing in Young Witch
3. Neglecting economy
4. Ignoring alternative strategies

5. Poor Bane pile selection

6. Tactical Mistakes

7. Improper discard choices
8. Poor timing of attacks
9. Insufficient defense

10. Overvaluing Curse distribution

11. Resource Management

12. Inadequate action supply
13. Poor treasure management
14. Inefficient deck cycling
15. Suboptimal card ratios

Conclusion

Young Witch is a complex card that requires careful consideration of multiple game aspects. Success with Young Witch depends on: - Understanding the balance between attack potential and deck functionality - Proper evaluation of Bane pile impact - Efficient resource management - Strategic flexibility - Careful timing and execution

When used properly, Young Witch can be a powerful tool for both deck development and opponent hindrance. However, its effectiveness largely depends on kingdom composition, player skill, and proper support infrastructure. Players must carefully weigh the costs and benefits of pursuing a Young Witch strategy against other available options.