Woodcutter (Dominion)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Woodcutter:

Woodcutter Strategy Guide

Introduction Woodcutter is one of the basic action cards from the original Dominion set, providing +1 Buy and +$2 when played. While seemingly straightforward, understanding when and how to incorporate Woodcutter into your strategy requires careful consideration of the game state and available kingdom cards.

Basic Properties - Cost: $3 - Provides: +1 Buy and +$2 - Type: Action - Set: Base Dominion

Core Strengths 1. Economy Boost - Provides a significant early-game economic boost - Helps reach important price points ($5, $6, $8) - Functions as "virtual money" without taking up treasure card slots

1. Buy Flexibility
2. Additional Buy allows purchasing multiple cheaper cards
3. Enables "wide" strategies that want multiple purchases per turn

4. Can help thin deck by buying multiple Chapel/trash cards

5. Accessibility

6. Low $3 cost makes it attainable on most early turns
7. Can usually be obtained even after opening with Estate + Copper

Primary Weaknesses 1. Action Competition - Takes up valuable action slots - No +Action means it can block other action cards - Generally inferior to Village variants when actions are needed

1. Scaling Issues
2. Doesn't improve as game progresses
3. $2 bonus becomes less impactful in late game
4. Buy advantage diminishes when money isn't abundant

When to Buy Woodcutter

Early Game Considerations 1. Strong Early Purchase When: - Kingdom lacks superior $3 options - No terminals competing for action slots - Buy-focused strategy is viable - Need reliable way to hit $5/$6

1. Avoid Early Purchase When:
2. Strong $3 alternatives present (e.g., Village, Chancellor)
3. Terminal action space is limited
4. Kingdom supports big money strategy
5. Better economy cards available

Mid-Game Considerations 1. Situational Mid-Game Buy When: - Need additional Buys for specific combo - Economy needs minor boost - Can reliably play multiple actions - Supporting payload strategy

1. Usually Skip Mid-Game When:
2. Deck already has sufficient economy
3. Action slots are precious
4. Better payload cards available
5. Engine is developing well

Strategic Fits

1. Multiple-Buy Strategies Woodcutter excels in strategies requiring multiple purchases per turn:
2. Gardens strategies
3. Curse-giving attacks with need to grab Victory cards
4. Trash-for-benefit card combinations

5. Rush strategies requiring multiple small purchases

6. Early Economy Boost Works well when:

7. Opening hand splits are awkward
8. Need reliable way to hit key price points
9. Kingdom lacks strong treasure alternatives

10. Early provinces are important

11. Supporting Role Can supplement:

12. Card draw engines needing extra Buys
13. Treasure-light decks
14. Strategies requiring consistent $5/$6 reaches
15. Early game development

Combo Potential

Strong Synergies

1. Card Draw Effects
2. Laboratory: Draws into Woodcutter while replacing itself
3. Smithy: Finds Woodcutter plus treasures

4. Council Room: Mass draw with built-in +Buy synergy

5. Action Enablers

6. Village variants: Allow playing multiple Woodcutters
7. Throne Room: Doubles effect for +2 Buys and +$4

8. King's Court: Triples effect for +3 Buys and +$6

9. Treasure Enhancers

10. Bank: Each Woodcutter counts as virtual money
11. Merchant Guild: Gains coin tokens with purchases

12. Quarry: Reduces action card costs for multiple buys

13. Buy Multipliers

14. Bridge: Reduces costs for multiple purchases
15. Highway: Cost reduction scales with multiple buys
16. Market Square: Provides additional resources with purchases

Weak Combinations

1. Terminal Draw Collision
2. Witch: Competes for limited action slots
3. Militia: Terminal collision reduces effectiveness

4. Bureaucrat: Another terminal that doesn't enhance strategy

5. Action-Heavy Engines

6. Laboratory chains: Better with +Action cards
7. Chapel engines: Prefers Village support

8. Kingdom viewer chains: Need dedicated action support

9. Big Money Variants

10. Basic Big Money: Prefers Silver
11. Big Money + Draw: Better with pure draw
12. Money-focused strategies: Usually want treasure cards

Counter Strategies

1. Deck Interference
2. Militia: Disrupts hand size, reducing Woodcutter utility
3. Ghost Ship: Forces Woodcutter to top of deck

4. Saboteur: Can trash Woodcutter at critical moments

5. Alternative Pressure

6. Cursing attacks: Make deck less efficient
7. Gardens rush: Can outpace Woodcutter economy
8. Province rush: May be too fast for setup time

Number of Woodcutters to Buy

Optimal Count Guidelines: 1-2 Woodcutters: - Basic economy supplement - Light buy requirements - Mixed strategy support - Limited terminal space

3-4 Woodcutters: - Heavy buy-focused strategy - Strong action support available - Multiple-purchase combos - Treasure-light deck

5+ Woodcutters: - Rarely optimal - Very specific combo pieces needed - Strong action support required - Usually better alternatives exist

Timing Considerations

Early Game (Turns 1-5): - Consider as opening buy - Evaluate against Silver - Plan terminal space - Assess kingdom synergies

Mid Game (Turns 6-12): - Buy only if fitting specific need - Consider upgrade possibilities - Evaluate against engine pieces - Watch terminal density

Late Game (Turns 13+): - Usually poor purchase - Consider trashing existing copies - Focus on victory cards - Better to improve engine

Kingdom Analysis

Favorable Kingdoms: 1. Multiple Buy Enhancers - Bridge variants present - Cost reducers available - Buy multiplier effects - Purchase incentives

1. Action Support
2. Village variants
3. Throne Room effects
4. Card draw support

5. Action chains

6. Economic Enhancement

7. Treasure boosters
8. Coin token generators
9. Virtual money synergies
10. Purchase rewards

Unfavorable Kingdoms: 1. Strong Alternatives - Better $3 cards - Superior economy options - Stronger engine pieces - More efficient strategies

1. Action Competition
2. Limited terminal space
3. Better terminals available
4. Action-hungry engines

5. Complex action chains

6. Fast Kingdoms

7. Province rush viable
8. Strong attack presence
9. Quick engine assembly
10. Rapid game end conditions

Skill Level Considerations

Beginner Level: Pros: - Simple to understand - Clear benefits - Flexible utility - Forgiving timing

Cons: - May over-value - Terminal action teaching - Economy inefficiency - Strategy limitation

Intermediate Level: Pros: - Understood limitations - Strategic flexibility - Combo potential - Timing awareness

Cons: - Better options recognized - Opportunity cost clear - Terminal space valued - Engine preference

Expert Level: Pros: - Niche use understood - Specific combo piece - Tactical flexibility - Timing mastery

Cons: - Usually suboptimal - Better alternatives preferred - Rare inclusion - Specific requirements

Common Mistakes

1. Over-Investment
2. Buying too many copies
3. Ignoring terminal collision
4. Neglecting better options

5. Missing engine opportunities

6. Poor Timing

7. Late game purchases
8. Wrong opening choice
9. Missed upgrade windows

10. Bad terminal spacing

11. Strategy Misalignment

12. Wrong deck type
13. Poor kingdom fit
14. Missed synergies

15. Better alternatives available

16. Tactical Errors

17. Bad play sequencing
18. Poor buy timing
19. Missed opportunities
20. Wrong priority setting

Conclusion

Woodcutter occupies an interesting space in Dominion strategy. While not a powerhouse card, it provides useful early game utility and can support specific strategies requiring multiple buys. Success with Woodcutter requires:

• Clear understanding of its limitations
• Recognition of appropriate kingdoms
• Proper timing of purchases
• Strategic alignment with overall plan
• Awareness of better alternatives
• Careful action management

When used appropriately, Woodcutter can contribute to successful strategies, particularly those leveraging multiple buys or needing early economic support. However, players should remain aware of its limitations and be prepared to transition to stronger options as games develop.

The key to maximizing Woodcutter's potential lies in proper evaluation of kingdom context, strategic needs, and timing considerations. While rarely a dominant strategy centerpiece, understanding when and how to incorporate Woodcutter into your plans can provide valuable flexibility and support for various Dominion strategies.