Cultist
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Cultist (Dark Ages)

Cost: $5

Type: Action-Attack-Looter

Text: +2 Cards\nEach other player gains a Ruins. You may play a Cultist from your hand.\dWhen you trash this, +3 Cards.

Strategy Review

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Cultist:

Cultist Strategy Guide

Introduction Cultist is one of the most powerful cards in Dark Ages and can be a game-defining presence when it appears in the Kingdom. It combines strong card draw with a brutal attack effect, while also featuring unique self-chaining capability and a beneficial on-trash effect. Understanding how to properly leverage Cultist – and how to defend against it – is crucial for success in games where it's available.

Core Strengths 1. Strong Card Draw - +2 Cards per play makes Cultist an excellent draw engine - The ability to chain multiple Cultists creates massive hand size - Can effectively dig through your deck to find key cards

  1. Powerful Attack
  2. Forces Ruins onto opponents
  3. Ruins are particularly damaging because they:
  4. Take up hand space
  5. Provide minimal or no benefit
  6. Count as Actions (competing with useful action cards)

  7. Clog deck permanently unless removed

  8. Self-Chaining

  9. Unique ability to play additional Cultists from hand
  10. No terminal collision between multiple Cultists

  11. Creates potential for explosive turns

  12. Beneficial Trashing Effect

  13. +3 Cards when trashed
  14. Creates interesting strategic options
  15. Provides value even when transitioning away from Cultists

Key Strategic Considerations

Early Game Strategy

  1. Opening Considerations
  2. Cultist is an excellent $5 opening
  3. Consider split openings with:
  4. Trashing cards ($2-$3)
  5. Silver
  6. Early economy cards

  7. Prioritize getting at least 2-3 Cultists early

  8. Early Priority Goals

  9. Acquire multiple Cultists quickly
  10. Establish basic economy
  11. Consider trashing weak starting cards
  12. Begin attacking opponent's deck before they establish engine

Mid-Game Development

  1. Deck Composition
  2. Aim for 3-5 Cultists in most games
  3. Balance with:
  4. Additional draw cards
  5. Action providers if needed
  6. Payload cards

  7. Consider deck tracking to optimize Cultist chains

  8. Timing Considerations

  9. Play Cultists early in your turn
  10. Chain multiple Cultists when possible

  11. Save some draw for after gaining payload cards

  12. Economy Building

  13. Use increased hand size to play multiple Treasures
  14. Consider adding +Buy to leverage larger hands
  15. Balance Cultist purchases with other key cards

Late Game Transitions

  1. Maintaining Effectiveness
  2. Keep enough Cultists to maintain pressure
  3. Consider trashing excess Cultists for +3 Cards

  4. Watch deck composition as game progresses

  5. Victory Point Conversion

  6. Use large hands to acquire multiple Victory cards
  7. Consider trashing Cultists to thin deck for final turns
  8. Time transition based on pile depletion

Combo Potential

Strong Synergies

  1. Throne Room Effects
  2. Throne Room
  3. King's Court
  4. Copy effects multiply both draw and attack

  5. Each copy can chain into another Cultist

  6. Action Providers

  7. Village variants
  8. Festival
  9. Market Square

  10. Enable playing other actions after Cultist chains

  11. Gainers

  12. Workshop
  13. Ironworks
  14. Gain additional Cultists mid-turn

  15. Enable faster accumulation of Cultists

  16. Trashing Synergies

  17. Chapel
  18. Trading Post
  19. Remove Copper/Estates early

  20. Selective trashing improves Cultist chains

  21. Draw Cards

  22. Laboratory
  23. Smithy
  24. Complement Cultist's draw
  25. Help find Cultists for chaining

Counter-Synergies

  1. Duration Cards
  2. Fishing Village
  3. Caravan

  4. Less effective with Cultist's immediate draw

  5. Deck Inspection

  6. Scout
  7. Adventurer

  8. Less reliable with Ruins in deck

  9. Action-Heavy Engines

  10. Can compete with Cultists for action space
  11. May suffer from Ruins pollution

Defending Against Cultist

Prevention Strategies

  1. Watchtower
  2. Blocks Ruins gains
  3. Strong defensive option

  4. Can be used offensively as well

  5. Moat

  6. Blocks attack completely
  7. Less versatile than Watchtower

  8. Still allows opponent's draw

  9. Lighthouse

  10. Duration protection
  11. Reliable defense if maintained
  12. Requires action space

Mitigation Strategies

  1. Trashing
  2. Chapel
  3. Steward
  4. Remove Ruins when possible

  5. Maintain deck quality

  6. Deck Acceleration

  7. Drawing cards
  8. Sifting effects

  9. Offset Ruins dilution

  10. Alternative Victory Paths

  11. Gardens
  12. Rush strategies
  13. Minimize impact of deck pollution

Advanced Techniques

Cultist Chains

  1. Optimal Sequencing
  2. Play Cultists before other actions
  3. Track remaining Cultists in deck

  4. Consider hand size for payload

  5. Chain Breaking

  6. When to stop chaining
  7. Save Cultists for later turns

  8. Balance attack pressure vs. economy

  9. Multi-Chain Turns

  10. Combining with action providers
  11. Managing hand size
  12. Maximizing efficiency

Trashing Timing

  1. Strategic Trashing
  2. When to trash Cultists
  3. Using trash for benefit effects

  4. Deck composition considerations

  5. End Game Conversion

  6. Trashing for final shuffle
  7. Victory card acquisition
  8. Pile depletion timing

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms

  1. Slow Kingdoms
  2. Limited trashing
  3. Few alternate engines

  4. Time to establish Cultist engine

  5. Action Support

  6. Villages available
  7. +Buy available

  8. Draw support

  9. Weak Attack Protection

  10. No Moat/Watchtower
  11. Limited trashing
  12. Susceptible to Ruins

Unfavorable Kingdoms

  1. Heavy Trashing
  2. Chapel
  3. Ambassador

  4. Quick deck thinning

  5. Strong Defense

  6. Multiple block cards
  7. Efficient trashing

  8. Watchtower presence

  9. Fast Alternate Strategies

  10. Province rush possible
  11. Alternative VP paths
  12. Engine acceleration

Multiplayer Considerations

  1. Attack Impact
  2. More players = more Ruins distributed
  3. Faster Ruins pile depletion

  4. Increased attack effectiveness

  5. Timing Adjustments

  6. Earlier Cultist acquisition
  7. More emphasis on chaining

  8. Faster game pace

  9. Political Implications

  10. Target priority
  11. Defense sharing
  12. Table position importance

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Over-Investment
  2. Buying too many Cultists
  3. Neglecting economy

  4. Insufficient payload

  5. Poor Timing

  6. Playing other actions first
  7. Breaking chains unnecessarily

  8. Missing optimal trash opportunities

  9. Defensive Errors

  10. Ignoring opponent's Cultists
  11. Over-investing in defense

  12. Poor trash targeting

  13. Strategic Misalignment

  14. Wrong end game transition
  15. Improper support card mix
  16. Missed timing windows

Conclusion

Cultist is a powerful card that requires careful strategic consideration both when using it and defending against it. Success with Cultist depends on: - Quick acquisition and establishment - Proper support card selection - Understanding timing and transitions - Adapting to Kingdom context - Managing defense appropriately

When played well, Cultist can dominate games through its combination of strong draw and devastating attack. However, it requires careful deck management and strategic planning to maximize its potential while avoiding common pitfalls.

Remember that Cultist's effectiveness can vary significantly based on Kingdom composition and player count. Always evaluate the specific context when determining how heavily to invest in Cultist strategy.

Final Tips: - Start acquiring Cultists early - Build appropriate support - Monitor deck composition - Plan transitions carefully - Stay flexible in approach - Watch for defensive needs

With proper understanding and application of these strategies, Cultist can be one of the most effective cards in your Dominion arsenal.