Haggler
Some card images may not be available for public viewing.

Haggler (Hinterlands)

Cost: $5

Type: Action

Text: +$2\dWhile this is in play, when you buy a card, gain a card costing less than it that is not a Victory card.

Strategy Review

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Haggler:

Haggler Strategy Guide

Overview Haggler is a $5 Action card from Hinterlands that provides $2 and grants a bonus gain whenever you buy a card while Haggler is in play. The gained card must cost less than the bought card and cannot be a Victory card. This dual benefit makes Haggler both an economic card and a gaining engine component.

Basic Mechanics and Timing - Haggler's +$2 is straightforward and helps you reach important price points - The gaining effect triggers for each buy you make while Haggler is in play - Multiple Hagglers stack, allowing you to gain multiple cards per buy - The gained card must strictly cost less (not equal to) the bought card - You cannot gain Victory cards with Haggler's effect - Haggler works with overpaying effects (gaining based on the card's base cost)

Key Strengths 1. Economic Boost - Provides reliable +$2, helping reach key price points - Can effectively convert money into multiple cards through its gaining effect - Helps maintain deck velocity by adding cards without using additional buys

  1. Card Advantage
  2. Gains extra cards without using additional buys
  3. Can gain multiple cards per buy with multiple Hagglers

  4. Allows for rapid deck building

  5. Flexibility

  6. Can gain any non-Victory card costing less than your purchase
  7. Works well with both engine and money strategies
  8. Can adapt gaining choices based on current game state

Key Limitations 1. Cannot Gain Victory Cards - Significantly limits late-game utility - Cannot help directly build VP - May become dead weight in endgame

  1. Must Cost Less
  2. Cannot gain cards of equal cost
  3. Limited by the cost of cards you buy
  4. May struggle to gain specific desired cards

Strategic Considerations

Early Game 1. Opening Considerations - Haggler can be a strong $5 opening - Works well with traditional $3-4 openings like Silver or useful Actions - Consider kingdom card costs when evaluating Haggler's opening potential

  1. Early Priority
  2. Getting at least one Haggler early helps establish gaining momentum
  3. Consider whether multiple Hagglers fit your strategy
  4. Balance Haggler acquisition with other key cards

Mid Game 1. Engine Building - Use Haggler to rapidly acquire engine pieces - Can gain multiple components per turn with multiple Hagglers - Consider cost spacing of desired cards

  1. Money Strategy Support
  2. Helps acquire both treasure and support cards
  3. Can convert high-value purchases into multiple useful gains
  4. Maintains deck velocity while building buying power

Late Game 1. Transition Planning - Plan transition timing as Haggler becomes less useful - Consider when to stop buying Hagglers - May want to trim Hagglers during deck thinning

  1. Victory Card Considerations
  2. Cannot directly support VP acquisition
  3. May need alternative strategies for endgame
  4. Consider timing of Victory card purchases

Key Synergies and Combinations

  1. Cost Manipulation Cards that modify costs work well with Haggler:
  2. Bridge
  3. Highway
  4. Princess
  5. These allow flexible gaining targets

  6. Can create gaining opportunities that wouldn't normally exist

  7. Multiple Buys Cards providing extra buys maximize Haggler's potential:

  8. Market
  9. Grand Market
  10. Festival
  11. Each buy triggers all in-play Hagglers

  12. Can rapidly acquire multiple cards

  13. Throne Room Effects Doubling Haggler provides both economic and gaining benefits:

  14. Throne Room
  15. King's Court
  16. Multiple Hagglers per buy

  17. Increased money for reaching higher costs

  18. Deck Control Cards helping play multiple Hagglers consistently:

  19. Laboratory
  20. Village variants
  21. Caravan
  22. Fishing Village

  23. Helps ensure Hagglers are played together

  24. Trash for Benefit Cards that convert lower-value cards into higher-value purchases:

  25. Remodel
  26. Expand
  27. Upgrade
  28. Can trigger Haggler's gaining effect with the higher-cost gain

Specific Kingdom Card Interactions

Strong Synergies:

  1. Bridge
  2. Reduces costs, creating more gaining options
  3. Multiple Bridges expand possibilities geometrically

  4. Can enable gaining normally impossible combinations

  5. Warehouse

  6. Helps find multiple Hagglers
  7. Manages extra gained cards

  8. Maintains deck quality

  9. Market

  10. Provides extra buy
  11. Good cost for Haggler to gain

  12. Supports both money and engine strategies

  13. Festival

  14. Extra buy and actions
  15. Good economic boost
  16. Supports playing multiple Hagglers

Weak Against:

  1. Gardens
  2. Haggler cannot gain Victory cards
  3. May conflict with deck-growing strategy

  4. Requires alternative approach

  5. Cursers

  6. Dilutes deck, making Haggler harder to play
  7. May need to focus on deck control
  8. Consider defensive priorities

Counter Strategies

  1. Rush Strategies
  2. May outpace Haggler's setup time
  3. Consider whether Haggler fits rush timing

  4. May need to adapt gaining priorities

  5. Alt-VP

  6. Alternative VP strategies may pressure Haggler's utility
  7. Consider balance of engine building vs. VP acquisition
  8. May need to adjust transition timing

Sample Strategies

  1. Multiple Haggler Engine Components:
  2. 3-4 Hagglers
  3. Village variants
  4. Draw cards
  5. Extra buys

Execution: - Acquire Hagglers early - Build consistent deck control - Use multiple Hagglers per turn - Convert high-cost buys into multiple gains

  1. Haggler/Big Money Hybrid Components:
  2. 2-3 Hagglers
  3. Strong treasures
  4. Key support cards

Execution: - Focus on economic growth - Use Haggler to gain efficient cards - Maintain deck velocity - Transition to Province buying

Timing Considerations

  1. When to Buy Haggler
  2. Early if kingdom supports multiple Hagglers
  3. Mid-game for single Haggler support
  4. Consider opportunity cost vs. other $5 cards

  5. Evaluate based on remaining game length

  6. When to Stop Buying Haggler

  7. When deck control becomes difficult
  8. As Victory card buying begins
  9. When other priorities take precedence

  10. When deck efficiency is paramount

  11. When to Remove Haggler

  12. During late-game deck thinning
  13. When actions are limited
  14. When money is primary concern
  15. When every play must contribute to winning

Game Phase Impact

Opening Phase: - Strong $5 opener - Supports traditional openings - Begins gaining engine early

Building Phase: - Accelerates deck building - Supports multiple strategies - Provides economic backbone

Endgame: - Diminishing utility - May need removal - Requires strategic transition

Kingdom Evaluation

Consider Haggler When: 1. Multiple cost-effective cards available 2. Strong card combinations present 3. Engine support available 4. Extra buys accessible 5. Deck control tools present

Avoid Haggler When: 1. Rush strategy required 2. Victory card gaining crucial 3. Limited action capacity 4. Specific cost requirements 5. Strong alternative $5 cards present

Optimization Tips

  1. Card Gaining
  2. Plan gaining targets in advance
  3. Consider deck composition impact
  4. Maintain strategic focus

  5. Balance immediate vs. long-term utility

  6. Deck Management

  7. Monitor deck velocity
  8. Maintain action density
  9. Consider trashing support

  10. Balance card quantities

  11. Economic Planning

  12. Track buying power
  13. Plan purchase sequences
  14. Consider cost breakpoints
  15. Maintain efficiency

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Over-investing in Haggler
  2. Don't buy too many too early
  3. Consider diminishing returns
  4. Balance with other needs

  5. Maintain deck efficiency

  6. Poor Gaining Choices

  7. Don't gain suboptimal cards
  8. Consider deck impact
  9. Maintain strategy focus

  10. Plan gaining sequences

  11. Neglecting Transition

  12. Don't hold too long
  13. Plan Victory card timing
  14. Prepare for endgame
  15. Consider removal timing

Conclusion

Haggler is a versatile card that can support multiple strategies while providing both economic and gaining benefits. Success with Haggler requires careful consideration of kingdom context, strategic timing, and efficient use of its gaining ability. Whether building an engine or supporting a money strategy, Haggler can provide significant advantages when properly utilized.

Key takeaways: 1. Evaluate kingdom support for Haggler strategy 2. Plan gaining sequences carefully 3. Consider timing of acquisition and removal 4. Balance multiple Hagglers with deck control 5. Prepare for endgame transition 6. Maintain strategic focus while gaining 7. Monitor deck efficiency and composition

Understanding these aspects of Haggler play will help maximize its potential while avoiding common pitfalls and maintaining strategic effectiveness throughout the game.