Militia (Dominion)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Militia:

Militia Strategy Guide

Introduction Militia is one of the original attack cards from the base Dominion set and remains a solid choice at the $4 price point. It combines economic benefit (+$2) with a disruptive hand-size attack that can significantly impact opponents' turns. Understanding when and how to use Militia effectively is key to maximizing its potential.

Core Strengths 1. Economic Value - Provides +$2, making it equivalent to Silver in terms of money production - Unlike Silver, can be enhanced by card-playing effects (Throne Room, etc.) - Helps reach important price points like $5, $6, and $8 - Functions as both economy and attack, saving deck space

1. Disruptive Power
2. Forces opponents to discard down to 3 cards
3. Can severely limit opponents' options on their turn
4. Most effective in early-to-mid game before deck engines are built
5. Particularly strong against big money strategies
6. Creates difficult discard decisions for opponents

When to Buy Militia

Strong Situations: 1. Early Game ($4-5 Opens) - Excellent opening buy when no strong $5 cards are available - Provides both economy and attack potential from turn 3-4 onward - Can disrupt opponent's early development

1. Big Money Matchups
2. Very effective against decks relying on raw money
3. Forces discarding of treasure cards

4. Can prevent opponents from reaching key price points

5. Slow Kingdoms

6. More impactful when game pace is slower
7. Better when few card draw options exist
8. Strong when other terminals are limited

Weak Situations: 1. Engine-Heavy Boards - Less effective against decks with strong card draw - Weak when opponents can easily recover from discarding - Poor choice when competing with essential engine pieces

1. Strong $4-5 Alternatives
2. Skip when competing with cards like Laboratory, Council Room, or Festival
3. Less valuable when better economy options exist
4. May be too slow for racing situations

Playing with Militia

Timing Considerations: 1. Early Game - Play as soon as possible to maximize attack impact - Try to hit opponents before they establish defense - Focus on disrupting key early purchases

1. Mid Game
2. Continue playing but expect diminishing returns
3. Watch for opponents building immunity through deck improvement

4. Consider transitioning away if attack becomes ineffective

5. Late Game

6. May become less relevant as decks improve
7. Can still be useful for reaching price points
8. Attack portion often matters less

Quantity to Buy: 1. Early Phase - Usually want 1-2 copies - More can lead to collision problems - Balance with other essential purchases

1. Terminal Considerations
2. Watch total terminal action density
3. Usually don't exceed 2-3 copies without +Action support
4. Consider village support if buying multiple copies

Combo Potential

Strong Synergies:

1. Duration Cards
2. Wharf/Fishing Village provide actions for reliable playing
3. Help mitigate terminal collision

4. Can set up strong multi-card turns

5. Throne Room Effects

6. Double Militia hit can be devastating
7. Provides $4 while forcing heavy discarding

8. Strong early game combo

9. Card Draw

10. Library/Laboratory help recover from own terminal actions
11. Can find Militia more consistently

12. Provides flexibility in playing timing

13. Villages

14. Enable multiple Militia plays
15. Support higher Militia density

16. Allow incorporation into engines

17. Deck Inspection

18. Spy/Scrying Pool help time attacks better
19. Can see what opponents might discard
20. Improves strategic decision-making

Weak Combinations:

1. Other Terminal Actions
2. Can cause action conflicts
3. May force choosing between effects

4. Reduces consistency

5. Slow-Building Engines

6. Competes for deck space
7. May delay engine development
8. Could be better served by pure engine pieces

Defending Against Militia

Direct Counters: 1. Moat - Complete immunity to attack - Clear best defense when available - Worth considering even just for Militia defense

1. Reaction Cards
2. Horse Traders provides good protection
3. Secret Chamber can help mitigate damage
4. Watchtower can protect key cards

Strategic Counters:

1. Card Draw
2. Laboratory/Smithy help recover quickly
3. Council Room can offset discard effect

4. Market/Village combinations maintain tempo

5. Engine Building

6. Strong engines eventually outpace Militia's impact
7. Multiple actions per turn reduce vulnerability

8. Card draw abundance makes discarding less painful

9. Deck Acceleration

10. Faster deck cycling reduces impact per attack
11. More frequent access to key cards
12. Higher probability of having counter cards

Playing Against Militia

Discard Strategies: 1. Prioritize Keeping - Action cards that provide multiple effects - Key treasure cards for planned purchases - Cards that enable combos or engines

1. Safe to Discard
2. Duplicate treasures
3. Victory cards
4. Situational action cards
5. Extra reaction cards

General Tactics: 1. Hand Management - Try to play important cards before Militia hits - Consider turn order when planning purchases - May need to adjust strategy timing

1. Deck Building
2. Include more card draw when Militia present
3. Consider increasing deck velocity
4. Maybe include counter cards

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms: 1. Limited Card Draw - Opponents can't easily recover - Attack remains relevant longer - Discard decisions more impactful

1. Big Money Viable
2. Attack disrupts primary strategy
3. Economic boost remains valuable

4. Slower pace favors attack

5. Few Counters

6. No Moat or reactions available
7. Limited recovery options
8. Attack consistently effective

Unfavorable Kingdoms: 1. Strong Engine Support - Multiple villages available - Abundant card draw - Quick deck cycling

1. Better $4 Options
2. Strong economy alternatives
3. Essential engine pieces

4. Better attack cards

5. Many Counters

6. Moat available
7. Multiple reaction cards
8. Strong recovery options

Advanced Strategies

1. Timing Optimization
2. Track opponent's shuffle timing
3. Hit when they're likely to have good hands

4. Consider waiting for key moments

5. Multi-Player Considerations

6. Attack impacts multiple opponents
7. Can create interesting table dynamics

8. May need different strategy than 2-player

9. Opening Buy Decisions

10. Consider split opens with Militia
11. Balance with other important $4 cards

12. Plan for early game trajectory

13. Late Game Transitions

14. Know when to stop buying Militia
15. Plan transition to stronger late-game cards
16. Consider trashing Militia late

Conclusion

Militia serves as both an economic card and a disruptive force, making it a versatile option at the $4 price point. Its effectiveness varies significantly based on kingdom composition and opponent strategies, requiring careful consideration of when to include it in your deck-building plan.

Key Takeaways: 1. Strong early game card, particularly against big money strategies 2. Requires careful balance with other terminal actions 3. Effectiveness decreases as game progresses and decks improve 4. Benefits from support cards but can function independently 5. Must be prepared for counter-strategies

Success with Militia comes from understanding both its strengths and limitations, timing its purchase and play appropriately, and adapting its use as the game evolves. While not always the optimal choice, it remains a solid option in many kingdoms and can be a powerful tool when used correctly.