Moat (Dominion)

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

Moat Strategy Guide

Introduction

Moat is one of the original cards from base Dominion and serves two distinct purposes: as a simple card drawer and as protection against Attack cards. This dual functionality makes it an interesting card to evaluate, as its utility can vary dramatically depending on the kingdom cards available and your opponents' strategies.

Core Functions

1. Card Drawing (+2 Cards)
2. Provides modest deck cycling
3. Helps reach key cards in your deck
4. Can improve consistency of hands

5. Costs only $2, making it very accessible early

6. Attack Protection

7. Blocks all Attack cards when revealed from hand
8. Must have it in hand when the Attack is played
9. Only protects the player revealing it
10. Can be revealed multiple times per turn

Basic Strategy

Early Game Considerations

When deciding whether to buy Moat early, consider:

1. Attack Density
2. How many Attack cards are in the kingdom?
3. How likely are opponents to pursue Attack strategies?

4. Are the Attacks particularly devastating (like Witch) or minor (like Militia)?

5. Alternative Card Drawing

6. Are there better card drawers available?
7. Do you need early card draw for your strategy?

8. Can you afford more expensive card draw options?

9. Opportunity Cost

10. What else could you buy for $2?
11. Would Chapel, Cellar, or other cheap cards serve your strategy better?
12. How will this affect your deck density?

Mid-Game Usage

Using Moat effectively in the mid-game requires:

1. Timing Considerations
2. Don't play Moat for cards if you might need its defensive ability
3. Consider holding Moat in hand if you expect Attacks

4. Balance the need for card draw versus protection

5. Deck Composition

6. More Moats increase protection chances but dilute deck
7. Consider trashing Moats if Attack threat diminishes
8. Maintain appropriate ratio to other cards

Advanced Strategy

Synergies and Combinations

1. Card Draw Chains
2. Works well with other cheap card drawers
3. Can help find key cards more consistently
4. Enables longer action chains
5. Pairs well with:
6. Laboratory
7. Village variants

8. Other cheap card drawers

9. Reaction Synergies

10. Can be combined with other Reaction cards
11. Particularly effective with:
12. Horse Traders
13. Watchtower

14. Secret Chamber (in older editions)

15. Duration Card Protection

16. Can protect against multi-turn Attack effects
17. Particularly relevant against:
18. Swamp Hag
19. Bridge Troll
20. Haunted Woods

Optimal Number of Moats

The ideal number of Moats depends heavily on context:

1. Heavy Attack Environment
2. 2-3 Moats recommended
3. Provides reliable protection

4. Still allows space for engine building

5. Light Attack Environment

6. 0-1 Moats sufficient
7. Focus on card drawing benefit

8. Consider skipping entirely if better options exist

9. No Attack Environment

10. Generally skip unless desperate for card draw
11. Better $2 options usually available
12. Consider only as part of specific strategies

Specific Attack Card Interactions

1. Strong Protection Value
2. Witch (blocks curse)
3. Young Witch (blocks curse)
4. Ghost Ship (blocks deck disruption)

5. Torturer (blocks tough choice)

6. Medium Protection Value

7. Militia (blocks minor hand reduction)
8. Margrave (blocks hand reduction but not +Buy)

9. Sea Hag (blocks curse)

10. Lower Protection Value

11. Bureaucrat (blocks minor deck disruption)
12. Bandit (blocks gold/platinum trash)
13. Swindler (blocks card transformation)

Counter-Strategy

Playing Against Moat

1. Timing Attacks
2. Play Attacks when opponents likely lack Moat
3. Consider multiple Attack cards in one turn

4. Force opponents to reveal Moat early

5. Alternative Strategies

6. Pivot to non-Attack strategies
7. Focus on engine building

8. Utilize alt-VP strategies

9. Deck Inspection

10. Track opponent's Moat purchases
11. Estimate probability of Moat in hand
12. Adjust Attack timing accordingly

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-investing in Moats
2. Don't buy too many early
3. Consider trashing excess copies

4. Balance protection versus deck efficiency

5. Playing Moat Too Early

6. Don't use for card draw if Attack protection needed
7. Consider hand composition

8. Think about opponent's likely plays

9. Neglecting Other Options

10. Don't fixate on Moat for protection
11. Consider alternative strategies
12. Evaluate opportunity costs

Special Considerations

1. Multiplayer Games
2. More players mean more potential Attacks
3. Higher value for Moat

4. Consider position relative to Attack players

5. Kingdom Composition

6. Evaluate alternative card draw options
7. Consider trash-for-benefit cards

8. Assess victory condition requirements

9. Opening Buys

10. Usually not ideal as sole $2 opening
11. Better paired with stronger $4/$5 card
12. Consider alternative $2 cards

Specific Game Situations

Early Game Opening

1. Strong Opening Scenarios
2. Kingdom has multiple Attack cards
3. No better $2 options available

4. Complements $4/$5 card strategy

5. Weak Opening Scenarios

6. No Attack cards present
7. Better $2 options available
8. Strong engine components available

Mid-Game Transitions

1. When to Add Moats
2. Opponents building Attack-heavy decks
3. Need additional card draw

4. Protecting key engine components

5. When to Remove Moats

6. Attack threat diminishing
7. Deck becoming too diluted
8. Better card draw available

Late Game Considerations

1. Keeping Moats
2. Continuing Attack pressure
3. Part of draw engine

4. Protection still valuable

5. Trashing Moats

6. Streamlining for Province purchases
7. Attack threat gone
8. Better cards available

Advanced Tips and Tricks

1. Hand Management
2. Track opponent's Attack cards
3. Position Moat appropriately in hand

4. Balance protection versus action usage

5. Deck Tracking

6. Monitor Moat distribution
7. Estimate protection probability

8. Adjust strategy accordingly

9. Tactical Considerations

10. Use as fake out (showing Moat presence)
11. Force opponent strategy changes
12. Leverage information advantage

Kingdom Analysis Examples

1. Attack-Heavy Kingdom Example Kingdom:
2. Witch
3. Militia
4. Ghost Ship
5. Moat
6. Village Strategy:
7. Higher priority on Moat
8. Consider multiple copies

9. Balance with engine building

10. Mixed Kingdom Example Kingdom:

11. Witch
12. Laboratory
13. Market
14. Moat
15. Chapel Strategy:
16. Moderate Moat priority
17. Focus on engine building

18. Consider alternative protection

19. Non-Attack Kingdom Example Kingdom:

20. Market
21. Village
22. Laboratory
23. Moat
24. Gardens Strategy:
25. Skip Moat unless desperate for draw
26. Focus on engine components
27. Consider alternative strategies

Conclusion

Moat is a versatile card that requires careful consideration of the game state to use effectively. Its dual nature as both protection and card draw makes it valuable in many situations, but proper timing and quantity are crucial for optimal use. Understanding when to buy, hold, play, or trash Moat can significantly impact game outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

1. Evaluate kingdom context carefully
2. Attack presence and severity
3. Alternative card draw options

4. Victory conditions

5. Consider optimal quantity

6. Usually 1-3 copies maximum
7. Adjust based on Attack presence

8. Balance protection versus deck efficiency

9. Practice proper timing

10. Hold for protection when needed
11. Use for draw when safe

12. Monitor opponent's strategies

13. Maintain flexibility

14. Adapt to changing game state
15. Consider trashing when unnecessary
16. Balance multiple uses effectively

Moat's strength lies in its flexibility and accessibility, but maximizing its potential requires careful consideration of game context and strategic timing. Used properly, it can provide both protection from devastating Attacks and the card draw needed to execute your strategy effectively.