Inn (Hinterlands)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Inn:

Inn Strategy Guide

Introduction Inn is a dual-purpose card from Hinterlands that functions both as a sifting action card and as a deck manipulation tool when gained. Its unique on-gain ability makes it particularly interesting, as it can help recover actions from your discard pile at opportune moments. Understanding when and how to use Inn effectively requires considering both aspects of the card.

Core Mechanics

1. Action Phase Effects:
2. Draw 2 cards
3. Gain 2 actions
4. Discard 2 cards

5. Net card change: +0 cards in hand

6. On-Gain Effect:

7. Look through discard pile (including the Inn just gained)
8. Reveal any number of Action cards
9. Shuffle revealed cards into deck

Basic Strategy

1. As a Terminal Draw Card Inn's primary function during play is as a sifter - it helps you see more cards while maintaining action capacity. The +2 Actions means it doesn't terminate your action chain, making it more flexible than many other sifting cards.

Key advantages: - Helps find key cards in your deck - Maintains action chain - Can discard unwanted cards (like Coppers or Curses) - Doesn't reduce hand size

Limitations: - No net card advantage - $5 cost is relatively expensive for the effect - Requires good discard decisions

1. As a Deck Manipulation Tool The on-gain ability is what makes Inn truly special. It allows you to recover action cards from your discard pile at strategic moments.

Key uses: - Recover key engine pieces - Reset your deck composition mid-game - Save important actions from being shuffled poorly - Get immediate access to newly purchased actions

Advanced Strategies

1. Engine Building Inn excels in action-heavy decks where both its playing and gaining effects are valuable.

Key considerations: a) Action density - Higher action density makes the on-gain ability more powerful - Aim for 8+ action cards to maximize value

b) Timing of purchases - Consider buying Inn when valuable actions are in discard - Can help recover engine pieces after a shuffle

c) Action chain maintenance - +2 Actions helps maintain complex engines - Can enable playing multiple terminal actions

1. Combo Potential

Strong combinations with:

a) Villages and other +Actions - Can create robust action chains - Helps find other villages when needed - Works well in "village-smithy" style engines

b) Gainers - Workshop - Workshop variants - Gain-for-benefit cards The ability to gain Inn through other means can trigger its shuffle effect at strategic moments.

c) Throne Room variants - Multiple plays increase sifting power - Can help find key cards more consistently

d) Draw-to-X cards - Library - Watchtower - Inn's discard effect can help optimize hand size

1. On-Gain Timing Strategies

Optimal timing for gaining Inn:

a) Early game - When building initial engine pieces - To recover early action purchases

b) Mid-game - After buying important actions - When discard pile contains key cards

c) Late game - To recover scoring actions - To optimize deck for final turns

1. Discard Selection Strategy

When playing Inn, careful discard selection is crucial:

a) Priority discard candidates: - Victory cards - Copper - Terminal actions without remaining +Actions - Duplicate cards

b) Cards to keep: - Key engine pieces - Payload cards (Gold, etc.) - Victory points in endgame - Cards needed for immediate plans

Counter-Strategies and Weaknesses

1. Kingdom Considerations

Inn is weaker in: - Big Money strategies - Kingdoms with few actions - Rapid rush strategies - Kingdoms where $5 could buy better alternatives

1. Attack Vulnerability

Inn can be weakened by: - Discard attacks (reducing on-gain effectiveness) - Deck inspection attacks (making sifting less valuable) - Hand size attacks (reducing options for discard)

1. Opportunity Cost At $5, Inn competes with many powerful cards:
2. Market
3. Laboratory
4. Other engine pieces Consider whether Inn's effects justify its cost in the current kingdom.

Specific Kingdom Scenarios

1. Action-Heavy Kingdoms

In kingdoms with many actions, Inn shines: Pros: - More targets for on-gain ability - Better engine building potential - Higher value from sifting

Strategy: - Buy early to mid-game - Focus on action density - Use as engine accelerator

1. Mixed Strategy Kingdoms

When multiple strategies are viable: Pros: - Helps find key cards - Maintains flexibility - Can support hybrid approaches

Strategy: - Be selective with purchases - Consider alternative $5 cards - Use as support rather than focus

1. Treasure-Heavy Kingdoms

In kingdoms favoring Big Money: Cons: - Less value from on-gain ability - Competing with stronger $5 options - Slower than direct draw

Strategy: - Generally skip Inn - Consider only if actions are crucial

Optimization Tips

1. Deck Tracking
2. Keep mental track of action cards in discard
3. Plan Inn gains around valuable actions

4. Consider deck composition when discarding

5. Action Management

6. Use +2 Actions efficiently
7. Plan action chains carefully

8. Consider future turns when discarding

9. Timing Optimization

10. Buy when valuable actions are in discard
11. Gain at strategic moments using gainers
12. Consider shuffle timing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overvaluing the On-Gain Effect
2. Don't buy Inn just for the shuffle effect
3. Ensure the action cards you'll recover are worth it

4. Consider alternative ways to achieve similar results

5. Poor Discard Choices

6. Discarding needed cards
7. Keeping dead cards

8. Not planning for future turns

9. Bad Timing

10. Gaining when discard pile is empty
11. Missing opportunities to recover key actions
12. Poor shuffle timing

Sample Game Plans

1. Early Game Engine Building Turn 1-2: Silver/Silver Turn 3-4: Key engine piece/Inn Turn 5+: Build engine with Inn support

2. Mid-Game Recovery

3. Buy Inn when key actions are in discard
4. Use to recover engine pieces

5. Build toward payload

6. Late Game Optimization

7. Use Inn to maintain engine consistency
8. Recover scoring actions
9. Prepare for game end

Conclusion

Inn is a versatile card that requires careful consideration of both its immediate play effect and its on-gain ability. Success with Inn depends on: - Understanding both aspects of the card - Timing purchases correctly - Making good discard decisions - Building appropriate support

The card shines brightest in action-heavy engines but can support various strategies when used thoughtfully. While not always a kingdom-defining card, Inn can be a powerful tool in the right circumstances, particularly when its dual nature can be fully leveraged.

Remember: - Value both aspects of the card - Time purchases strategically - Make thoughtful discard decisions - Build appropriate support - Consider kingdom context - Don't force it when alternatives are better

With proper understanding and application of these principles, Inn can be a valuable addition to many decks and strategies in Dominion.