Bandit Camp (Dark Ages)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Bandit Camp:

Bandit Camp Strategy Guide

Introduction Bandit Camp is a Dark Ages kingdom card that combines village functionality with the ability to gain Spoils cards. At $5, it competes with many powerful cards in Dominion but offers unique advantages through its combination of effects. Understanding how to best utilize Bandit Camp requires considering both its role as a village and its Spoils-generating capability.

Basic Properties - Draws 1 card - Provides 2 additional Actions - Gains a Spoils card from the Spoils pile - Costs $5

Core Functions

1. Village Role Bandit Camp functions as a "village" card, providing +2 Actions. This allows you to play multiple terminal actions in your turn. The +1 Card means it replaces itself in your hand, making it a non-terminal drawer. This is particularly valuable as it doesn't decrease your hand size while enabling action chains.

2. Spoils Generation Each play of Bandit Camp adds a Spoils to your deck. Spoils are special treasure cards worth $3 that return to the Spoils pile when played. This creates a renewable source of money that doesn't permanently dilute your deck.

Key Strengths

1. Deck Control
2. Maintains hand size while providing actions
3. Doesn't add permanent cards to your deck (Spoils return to supply)

4. Enables action chains without reducing drawing power

5. Economic Benefits

6. Generates valuable $3 Spoils
7. Spoils can be saved for key turns

8. Flexible spending power that doesn't clog deck

9. Combo Potential

10. Works well with other Action cards
11. Synergizes with cards that benefit from treasures
12. Enables certain engine builds

Weaknesses

1. Cost Competition At $5, Bandit Camp competes with many strong cards:
2. Laboratory provides more drawing
3. Market offers more diverse benefits

4. Other villages might provide better specific benefits

5. Spoils Limitations

6. Spoils must be manually played
7. Spoils return to supply, requiring constant regeneration

8. Limited by size of Spoils pile in multiplayer games

9. Setup Time

10. Takes time to accumulate meaningful Spoils
11. Requires multiple plays to generate significant money
12. May be too slow for some strategies

Strategic Considerations

1. Early Game Early game acquisition of Bandit Camp requires careful consideration:

Pros: - Provides immediate village capability - Starts generating Spoils early - Helps establish engine potential

Cons: - $5 cost could delay other important purchases - May be too slow for aggressive strategies - Competing priorities at $5 price point

Early Game Tips: - Consider opening with Bandit Camp if planning an action-heavy strategy - Balance against need for drawing power - Watch opponent's strategy to gauge tempo requirements

1. Mid Game Mid game is where Bandit Camp often shines:

Key Functions: - Enabling larger action chains - Building up Spoils reserve - Supporting deck development

Focus Areas: - Acquire multiple Bandit Camps if action density warrants - Balance with terminal drawing cards - Use Spoils strategically for key purchases

1. Late Game Late game considerations change:

Advantages: - Established action chains - Accumulated Spoils - Flexible purchasing power

Disadvantages: - May be too slow for finishing moves - Could be overshadowed by stronger effects - Spoils pile may be depleted

Key Synergies

1. Draw Cards Bandit Camp works exceptionally well with:
2. Laboratory
3. Smithy
4. Council Room
5. Other drawing cards

These combinations help cycle through your deck faster while maintaining action capability.

1. Treasure-Based Cards Strong synergies with:
2. Bank
3. Merchant Guild
4. Plaza

5. Cards that count or interact with treasures

6. Action Chain Enablers Complementary cards include:

7. Other villages
8. Fishing Village
9. Festival
10. Cards that provide additional actions

Counter Strategies

1. Rush Strategies Opponents might counter Bandit Camp by:
2. Pursuing faster victory point accumulation
3. Depleting key piles before engine establishes

4. Creating pressure on Spoils pile

5. Deck Attack Possible counters include:

6. Militia/discard attacks to disrupt chains
7. Curse-giving cards to dilute deck

8. Attacks that reduce hand size

9. Pile Control Opponents might:

10. Compete for Spoils
11. Target shared piles needed for engine
12. Force alternate strategies

Building Around Bandit Camp

1. Engine Construction Basic engine template:
2. 2-3 Bandit Camps
3. 2-4 terminal drawing cards
4. Payload cards

5. Support cards for specific strategy

6. Money-Based Deck Alternative approach:

7. Multiple Bandit Camps
8. Treasure-synergy cards
9. Big money support

10. Selective action cards

11. Hybrid Strategies Flexible incorporation:

12. Mixed victory point approach
13. Balanced action/treasure ratio
14. Adaptive purchasing based on game state

Specific Kingdom Considerations

1. Favorable Kingdoms Bandit Camp excels when:
2. Multiple terminal actions present
3. Treasure synergies available
4. Longer game likely

5. Drawing power abundant

6. Unfavorable Kingdoms Consider alternatives when:

7. Strong attacks present
8. Fast victory strategies available
9. Better $5 options exist

10. Limited action support

11. Key Decisions Evaluate based on:

12. Available card synergies
13. Opponent's strategy
14. Game pace
15. Victory card distribution

Multiplayer Considerations

1. Two-Player Games
2. More reliable Spoils access
3. Easier to control game pace

4. Clearer strategic decisions

5. Three+ Player Games

6. Competition for Spoils
7. More complex interaction considerations
8. Need for adaptable strategies

Tips for Success

1. General Guidelines
2. Don't over-invest in Bandit Camps early
3. Balance action providers with terminals
4. Monitor Spoils pile carefully

5. Track opponent's capability to use Spoils

6. Timing Considerations

7. Plan Spoils usage for key purchases
8. Consider when to play vs. hold Spoils

9. Time Bandit Camp purchases with strategy development

10. Advanced Techniques

11. Use Spoils for spike turns
12. Coordinate with other village cards
13. Maintain flexible purchase options
14. Track deck composition carefully

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Strategic Errors
2. Over-investing in Bandit Camps
3. Neglecting drawing power
4. Ignoring opponent's strategy

5. Poor Spoils management

6. Tactical Mistakes

7. Playing Spoils too early
8. Insufficient action support
9. Poor timing of purchases

10. Inflexible strategy adherence

11. Engine Building Errors

12. Inadequate village density
13. Poor balance of components
14. Insufficient payload
15. Weak end game preparation

Conclusion

Bandit Camp occupies a unique position in Dominion strategy, offering both village functionality and economic benefits through Spoils generation. Success with Bandit Camp requires:

• Understanding its dual role
• Careful timing of acquisition
• Strategic use of Spoils
• Proper engine building
• Awareness of game context

While not always the optimal $5 purchase, Bandit Camp can be a powerful component of many strategies when properly utilized. Its flexibility and ability to support various approaches make it a valuable card to master.

Final Recommendations

1. Always consider:
2. Kingdom context
3. Opponent's strategy
4. Game pace

5. Available synergies

6. Remember:

7. Balance is key
8. Timing matters
9. Flexibility helps

10. Adaptation is necessary

11. Practice:

12. Different combinations
13. Various strategies
14. Timing optimizations
15. Spoils management

With proper understanding and application of these principles, Bandit Camp can be a powerful tool in your Dominion strategy arsenal.