Vagrant (Dark Ages)

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

Vagrant Strategy Guide

Introduction Vagrant is a $2 action card from Dark Ages that serves as a simple cantrip (draws 1 card and gives 1 action) with a bonus ability to draw certain types of cards that are typically "dead" in your deck. While not a powerhouse card, understanding when and how to use Vagrant effectively can give you an edge in specific kingdom setups.

Basic Properties - Always at least replaces itself (+1 Card) and maintains action chain (+1 Action) - Can potentially draw an extra card if it hits specific card types - Very affordable at $2 - Non-terminal (doesn't end your action chain)

Core Functions

1. Basic Cantrip At its most basic level, Vagrant functions as a reliable cantrip, similar to cards like Village. This means it will:
2. Keep your turn moving
3. Maintain action density
4. Thin your deck slightly by drawing through it faster

5. Never hurt to play

6. Bonus Card Drawing Vagrant's special ability allows it to draw additional cards of specific types:

7. Victory cards
8. Curses
9. Ruins
10. Shelters

This selective drawing can be particularly valuable in certain situations:

Victory Cards: - Provinces, Duchies, Estates - Kingdom victory cards (e.g., Gardens, Duke, Silk Road) - Victory/Action hybrids (e.g., Great Hall, Mill)

Curses: - Basic Curse cards - Particularly relevant when facing attack cards

Ruins: - All five types of Ruins from Dark Ages - Typically enter your deck through Looters

Shelters: - Necropolis, Overgrown Estate, Hovel - Only present in some Dark Ages games

Timing and Usage

Early Game During the opening turns and early game, Vagrant is: - An acceptable $2 opening - Useful for seeing more cards early - Helpful in games with starting Shelters - Good with early Estate cycling

Mid Game As the game progresses, Vagrant becomes: - A way to draw through growing numbers of victory cards - Useful against curse-giving attacks - Support for action chains - Deck velocity maintenance

Late Game In the endgame, Vagrant shines by: - Drawing victory cards as they accumulate - Maintaining deck functionality - Supporting final province grabs - Helping find key cards through a victory-cluttered deck

Synergies and Combinations

Strong Synergies:

1. Victory Card Kingdoms Vagrant becomes significantly stronger in kingdoms with:
2. Multiple victory cards
3. Victory/Action hybrids
4. Alternative victory cards

5. Cards that care about victory cards (like Duke)

6. Curse-Heavy Games Particularly effective when:

7. Witch is present
8. Multiple cursing attacks exist
9. Young Witch is in play

10. Curse-giving landscapes are active

11. Ruins Generators Better value when playing with:

12. Cultist
13. Death Cart
14. Marauder

15. Other Looters

16. Draw-to-X Cards Works well with cards like:

17. Library
18. Watchtower

19. Jack of all Trades Helps ensure victory cards don't get discarded

20. Victory Card Manipulation Synergizes with:

21. Scout
22. Tunnel
23. Patrician

24. Mill

25. Action Chains Supports strategies using:

26. Villages
27. Fishing Village
28. Native Village
29. Other non-terminal actions

Specific Card Combinations

Strong Pairs: - Duke/Vagrant: Helps find Duchies for Duke scoring - Gardens/Vagrant: Maintains deck velocity while building deck size - Mill/Vagrant: Draws both portions of the card reliably - Tunnel/Vagrant: Can trigger Tunnel's gold-gaining ability - Library/Vagrant: Prevents victory card discarding

Supporting Cards: - Treasury: Helps manage victory card density - Scheme: Can set up Vagrant draws - Warehouse: Helps manage unwanted cards - Haven: Can set up valuable Vagrant reveals

When to Buy Vagrant

Good Times to Buy: 1. Early game when: - Starting with Shelters - Planning victory card strategy - Expecting curses - Need cheap non-terminals

1. Mid-game when:
2. Victory cards increasing
3. Curse attacks present
4. Ruins entering deck

5. Action density needed

6. Late game when:

7. Provinces cluttering deck
8. Need help finding key cards
9. Want to maintain action chains

Skip Vagrant When: - Better $2 options available - No victory/curse/ruins synergy - Terminal space is tight - Draw power is abundant

Counter-Strategies and Weaknesses

Limitations: 1. Weak raw drawing power - Only guaranteed one card - Conditional second draw - Many dead reveals

1. Opportunity cost
2. Takes up deck space
3. Competes with other $2 cards

4. May delay key purchases

5. Diminishing returns

6. Multiple Vagrants less effective
7. Can't chain special ability
8. May slow down strong hands

Countering Vagrant: - Junking attacks less effective - Discard attacks hurt setup - Deck inspection reduces surprise value - Deck order manipulation weakens reliability

Kingdom Considerations

Kingdom Features That Favor Vagrant:

1. Victory Card Density
2. Multiple kingdom victory cards
3. Victory/Action hybrids

4. Alternative victory conditions

5. Curse Presence

6. Multiple cursers
7. Young Witch kingdoms

8. Curse-giving events/projects

9. Action Support

10. Villages available
11. Non-terminal actions

12. Action chain strategies

13. Deck Composition

14. Slower kingdoms
15. Less trash available
16. Higher average hand size

Kingdoms to Avoid: - Fast engines - Heavy trashing - Strong terminal draw - Better $2 options

Number to Buy

Optimal Vagrant count varies by kingdom:

Minimal Investment (1-2): - Basic action support - Light victory card presence - Better alternatives available

Medium Investment (2-3): - Moderate victory strategy - Some curse/ruins presence - Decent action support

Heavy Investment (3+): - Heavy victory focus - Multiple curse/ruins sources - Strong action chains - Few better options

Strategy Tips and Tricks

1. Deck Tracking
2. Remember revealed cards
3. Track victory card location

4. Monitor deck composition

5. Timing Considerations

6. Play early in turn
7. Consider order with other reveals

8. Watch for shuffle timing

9. Purchase Timing

10. Early for shelter games
11. Mid-game for victory support

12. Late for province management

13. Action Management

14. Use as action bridge
15. Consider with other non-terminals
16. Watch action density

Advanced Techniques

1. Deck Manipulation
2. Use other reveals first
3. Consider ordering effects

4. Track known cards

5. Victory Card Management

6. Balance victory density
7. Time victory purchases

8. Consider alternative scoring

9. Action Optimization

10. Calculate draw probability
11. Plan action chains
12. Consider hand composition

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-Investment
2. Buying too many early
3. Ignoring better options

4. Relying too heavily on bonus draw

5. Poor Timing

6. Playing in wrong order
7. Buying at wrong time

8. Missing key purchases

9. Strategic Errors

10. Ignoring kingdom context
11. Poor action management
12. Misreading game pace

Conclusion

Vagrant is a subtle card that requires careful consideration of kingdom context and game state. While not typically a game-defining card, it can provide valuable support in the right circumstances. Key points to remember:

• Reliable cantrip base
• Strong with victory card strategies
• Valuable in curse/ruins games
• Supports action chains
• Requires kingdom context
• Benefits from careful timing

Understanding when to include Vagrant in your strategy and how to maximize its effectiveness can provide an edge in specific kingdoms, particularly those featuring victory cards, curses, or ruins. While not always an essential purchase, its low cost and potential upside make it a valuable tool in the right circumstances.

Remember to: - Consider kingdom context - Watch victory card density - Monitor deck composition - Time purchases carefully - Maintain action balance - Track revealed cards

With proper understanding and application, Vagrant can be a valuable addition to your Dominion strategy arsenal, particularly in games where its special ability can be leveraged effectively.