Remodel (Dominion)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Remodel:

Remodel Strategy Guide

Introduction Remodel is one of the original Dominion cards and exemplifies a core game mechanic: trashing cards to gain better ones. While seemingly simple, Remodel's flexibility makes it a versatile tool that can serve multiple strategic purposes throughout a game. Understanding when and how to use Remodel effectively can significantly improve your Dominion gameplay.

Basic Mechanics - You must trash a card to use Remodel (it's not optional) - The gained card must cost exactly $0-2 more than the trashed card - The gained card goes to your discard pile - You can't exceed the $2 cost increase, even if you have other money or effects in play

Key Strengths 1. Deck improvement through targeted trashing 2. Ability to upgrade cards throughout the game 3. Flexibility in gaining cards at various price points 4. Potential for engine acceleration 5. Late-game scoring potential

Key Weaknesses 1. Terminal action (no +Actions) 2. Requires having cards worth trashing in hand 3. Limited by the $2 upgrade restriction 4. Can be awkward with certain card costs 5. Takes up a hand slot that could be used for other actions

Early Game Strategy

1. Opening Considerations Remodel is generally not recommended as an opening buy for several reasons:
2. Early on, you mainly have Coppers ($0) and Estates ($2) to trash
3. The upgrades available from these cards are limited
4. You need economy more than trashing in most early situations

However, Remodel can be a strong second or third buy after establishing some basic economy. Consider picking up Remodel early if: - The kingdom has valuable $3-4 cards you want to acquire - You need selective trashing but stronger trashers (like Chapel) aren't available - You have a clear upgrade path in mind for your starting cards

1. Early Game Targets Common early-game Remodel conversions:
2. Estate ($2) → Silver ($3)
3. Copper ($0) → Cellar/Moat ($2)
4. Silver ($3) → Gold ($6)

Mid-Game Strategy

1. Engine Building As your deck develops, Remodel becomes more versatile:
2. Upgrade cheaper engine components into more expensive ones
3. Convert surplus money into action cards
4. Transform less useful cards into more relevant ones

5. Help thin your deck while gaining better cards

6. Key Mid-Game Uses a) Action Card Upgrades:

7. $3 actions → $5 actions
8. $4 actions → $6 actions
9. Building towards specific engine pieces

b) Treasure Upgrades: - Copper → Silver - Silver → Gold - Converting basic treasure into specialized treasure cards

c) Deck Thinning: - Remove early-game purchases that have outlived their usefulness - Gradually eliminate starting cards - Create more consistency in your deck

1. Timing Considerations
2. Use Remodel early in your turn to potentially play gained actions
3. Consider waiting if you might draw better trash candidates
4. Plan sequences of multiple Remodels carefully

Late Game Strategy

1. Victory Card Conversion One of Remodel's strongest uses is converting cards into victory points:
2. Gold ($6) → Province ($8)
3. Duchy ($5) → Province ($8)

4. Silver ($3) → Duchy ($5)

5. End-Game Timing

6. Start converting to victory cards when the Province pile is getting low
7. Consider the risk/reward of trashing engine pieces for points
8. Watch for opportunities to deny opponents key cards

Advanced Strategies and Combinations

1. Card Cost Combos Remodel works particularly well with cards that have useful costs for upgrading:
2. $3 cost cards can become $5 cards
3. $4 cost cards can become $6 cards

4. $6 cost cards can become $8 Provinces

5. Specific Card Synergies

Strong Synergies: a) Throne Room/King's Court - Multiple Remodel actions in one turn - Can quickly upgrade multiple cards - Accelerates victory point conversion

b) Watchtower - Gained cards can go to deck top - Helps acquire and use key cards faster - Can prevent gained victory cards from clogging deck

c) Workshop - Gains $4 cards that Remodel can upgrade - Creates efficient upgrade paths - Helps establish engine pieces

d) Royal Seal/Tracking - Control where gained cards go - Improve timing of upgrades - Better management of victory card gains

1. Counter-Synergies

Cards that don't work well with Remodel: - Cards with odd costs (harder to find useful upgrades) - Terminal action chains (competes for limited actions) - Cursers (fills deck with cards hard to upgrade)

1. Multi-Card Strategies

a) Workshop/Remodel Chain 1. Use Workshop to gain $4 cards 2. Remodel the $4 cards into $6 cards 3. Eventually convert to Provinces

b) Money-to-VP Conversion 1. Build up Golds 2. Use Remodel to convert to Provinces 3. Time conversion based on game pace

Strategy Against Specific Opponents

1. Big Money
2. Use Remodel to thin faster than they can build
3. Convert to Provinces before they establish full buying power

4. Focus on efficient money-to-points conversion

5. Engine Decks

6. Target key engine pieces with your upgrades
7. Consider racing for Provinces if their engine is slower

8. Use Remodel to maintain flexibility in your strategy

9. Rush Strategies

10. Prioritize engine building over early point conversion
11. Keep enough economy to contest key piles
12. Be prepared to pivot to defense if needed

Situational Considerations

1. Kingdom Evaluation Consider Remodel's value based on:
2. Available card costs and upgrade paths
3. Presence of other trashing
4. Victory card alternatives

5. Engine components available

6. Number of Players

7. 2 players: More time to execute long-term strategies
8. 3-4 players: Faster games require quicker conversion

9. Adjust timing of victory point conversion accordingly

10. Pile Conditions Watch for:

11. Key pile depletion
12. Province pile count
13. Alternative victory card availability
14. Critical card shortages

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Technical Errors
2. Forgetting to trash before gaining
3. Miscalculating upgrade costs
4. Not considering all gain options

5. Trashing without clear purpose

6. Strategic Mistakes

7. Converting to points too early
8. Trashing engine pieces prematurely
9. Ignoring better upgrade paths

10. Over-investing in Remodel copies

11. Timing Errors

12. Using Remodel at wrong point in turn
13. Missing critical pile-emptying opportunities
14. Poor sequencing with other actions
15. Waiting too long to start point conversion

When to Skip Remodel

Remodel might not be worth buying when: 1. Better trashing options exist 2. Kingdom lacks good upgrade paths 3. Game pace requires faster strategies 4. Card costs don't align well 5. Action density is critical

Conclusion

Remodel is a versatile card that rewards careful planning and strategic thinking. Its strength lies in its flexibility - it can help build engines, convert money to points, and thin decks effectively. Success with Remodel requires: - Clear upgrade paths - Good timing - Understanding of game pace - Awareness of kingdom synergies - Careful hand management

While not always a game-defining card, Remodel's utility makes it a valuable addition to many strategies. Master its use, and you'll have a powerful tool for improving your deck throughout the game.

Quick Reference Guide

Early Game: - Skip as opener - Buy after basic economy - Focus on clear upgrade paths

Mid Game: - Upgrade engine pieces - Convert excess money - Thin weak cards

Late Game: - Convert to victory points - Time Province purchases - Watch pile depletion

Key Numbers: - Copper ($0) → $2 max gain - Estate ($2) → $4 max gain - Silver ($3) → $5 max gain - Gold ($6) → $8 max gain

Remember: - Must trash to gain - Limited to +$2 cost - Terminal action - Gain to discard pile - Consider timing

This comprehensive understanding of Remodel will help you maximize its potential in your Dominion games. Practice these strategies, remain flexible, and always consider the specific kingdom context when deciding how best to use this versatile card.