Legionary (Empires)

Legionary Strategy Guide

Legionary is a powerful $5 Action-Attack card that combines strong economic output with a potent hand-disruption attack. This guide will explore how to effectively use Legionary, when to acquire it, and how to both maximize its potential and defend against it.

1. Basic Characteristics

Strengths: - Provides +$3, making it an excellent economic card even without the attack - Attack portion can significantly disrupt opponents' turns - Forces discard before drawing, which is particularly devastating - The Gold reveal requirement creates interesting deck-building constraints - Can function as both economy and attack in a single action

Weaknesses: - Requires Gold to activate the attack - Less effective in the late game when hands are naturally smaller - Attack can be blocked by common defense cards like Moat - Gold requirement can make the card awkward in some engines

1. Core Uses and Timing

Early Game: - Early Legionary purchases can be strong if you can reliably acquire Gold - The +$3 alone makes it a solid early economic choice - Can help reach important price points like $8 for Province - Consider prioritizing Gold acquisition to enable the attack

Mid Game: - Peak effectiveness when you have 1-2 Golds and multiple Legionaries - Can seriously disrupt opponent's engine-building phase - Excellent for maintaining economic advantage while hampering opponents - Most devastating when opponents are trying to assemble complex turns

Late Game: - Economic component remains relevant - Attack becomes less impactful as hands naturally get smaller - Still useful for disrupting critical draw chains - May want to transition away from Legionary-focused strategy

1. Key Synergies and Combinations

Gold Generators: - Baker: Helps acquire Gold more quickly - Mine: Can upgrade Silver to Gold - Merchant Guild: Extra coin helps reach Gold - Guilds cards generally: Overflow coin can help acquire Gold

Draw Cards: - Laboratory: Helps find both Legionary and Gold together - Hunting Party: Can target Gold specifically - Council Room: Increases chances of having both components - Smithy: Basic but effective for assembling the combo

Throne Room Effects: - Throne Room - King's Court - Crown These allow multiple Legionary plays, which can be devastating when you have Gold

Gold Synergies: - Merchant: Additional coin when playing Gold - Bank: Benefits from having Gold in deck - Crystal Ball: Can help set up Gold for next turn - Fortune: Doubles money from Gold plays

1. Counter Strategies

Defense Cards: - Moat: Direct counter to the attack - Lighthouse: Ongoing protection - Guardian: Starting protection - Horse Traders: Can mitigate the discard effect

Alternative Strategies: - Rushing strategies that don't rely on hand size - Cards that work from the top of your deck - Victory card strategies that don't need actions - Cards that benefit from discarding

1. Building Around Legionary

Basic Engine Structure: - 2-3 Legionaries - 2-3 Golds - Card draw (8-10 cards) - Village effects if needed - Payload cards

Key Considerations: - Balance between Gold acquisition and engine pieces - Maintaining deck velocity to find combinations - Managing shuffle timing - Weighing attack potential vs. economic efficiency

1. When to Buy Legionary

Favorable Conditions: - Kingdom has good Gold enablers - Opponent is pursuing engine strategy - Few defense cards available - Strong draw cards present - No better $5 options for economy

Unfavorable Conditions: - Multiple defense cards in supply - Difficulty acquiring Gold - Better engine components available - Rush strategy is viable - Opponent's strategy isn't hand-size dependent

1. Multiplayer Considerations

Strengths in Multiplayer: - Attack affects all opponents simultaneously - Economic benefit scales well - Can create cascade effects as multiple players are disrupted

Weaknesses in Multiplayer: - Higher chance someone has defense - Gold revealing becomes more telegraphed - May create targeting dynamics

1. Opening Strategies

Strong Openings: - Silver/Silver into Legionary - Moneylender/Silver into Legionary - Mining Village/Silver into Legionary - Silver/Gold enabler

Considerations: - Early Gold acquisition priority - Balance between economy and attacks - Presence of key support cards - Opponent's likely strategy

1. Advanced Tactics

Timing Your Attacks: - Wait for opponent's key turn - Track opponent's deck cycling - Consider revealing Gold strategically - Sometimes better to take +$3 without attacking

Deck Composition: - Maintain proper Gold density - Balance draw and payload - Consider alternate victory conditions - Plan for late-game transitions

1. Common Mistakes to Avoid

2. Over-investing in Gold at expense of engine

3. Revealing Gold when attack isn't optimal
4. Neglecting basic economy for attack potential
5. Failing to adapt strategy when opposed

6. Not considering defense purchases

7. Kingdom-Specific Considerations

Strong Kingdoms: - Those with good Gold enablers - Strong draw support - Few defense cards - Limited alternate engines

Weak Kingdoms: - Heavy defense presence - Better $5 options - Alternative victory conditions - Strong rush potential

1. Strategy Against Legionary

When Facing Legionary: - Consider defense cards early - Build resilient strategies - Maintain smaller hand sizes - Track opponent's Gold count - Consider rushing endings

1. Sample Game Plans

Economy Focus: - Early Silver/Gold acquisition - 2-3 Legionaries - Basic draw support - Province focus

Engine Focus: - Villages and draw - 2 Legionaries - Strategic Gold acquisition - Engine payoff cards

Hybrid Approach: - Balanced Gold/engine components - Multiple Legionaries - Flexible victory path - Defense consideration

1. Special Situations

Tournament Play: - More defensive purchasing - Higher focus on efficiency - Less reliance on attack - Careful timing considerations

Casual Play: - More aggressive attacking - Creative combinations - Higher risk tolerance - Entertainment value

1. Analysis of Alternate Cards

Similar Cards: - Militia: Cheaper, no Gold requirement - Ghost Ship: Different attack mechanism - Margrave: Includes draw - Fortune Teller: Top-deck attack

Why Choose Legionary: - Stronger economic output - More devastating attack - Multiple strategic layers - Late-game relevance

1. Conclusion

Legionary is a versatile card that combines strong economic output with a powerful attack mechanism. Success with Legionary requires:

• Careful balance of Gold acquisition
• Strategic timing of attacks
• Proper support card selection
• Adaptable game plan
• Understanding of opponent's vulnerability

When properly supported and executed, Legionary can form the backbone of many successful strategies, from economic big money variants to complex engines. The key is understanding when and how to leverage both its economic and attack components while building around its unique Gold requirement.

Remember that Legionary's effectiveness varies significantly based on kingdom composition and opponent strategy. Stay flexible in your approach and be prepared to adjust your use of the card based on game circumstances.

Final Tips: - Don't over-commit to the attack - Balance Gold acquisition carefully - Consider defense when necessary - Maintain economic efficiency - Watch for key timing opportunities - Adapt strategy as game progresses

Mastering Legionary requires practice and experience, but the card's combination of reliable economy and powerful attack makes it a valuable addition to many decks. Understanding its strengths and limitations will help you make better decisions about when and how to incorporate it into your strategy.