Noble Brigand (Hinterlands)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Noble Brigand:

Noble Brigand Strategy Guide

Introduction Noble Brigand is a $4 Action-Attack card from Hinterlands that combines several effects: a small economic boost, targeted treasure trashing, and potential treasure gaining. What makes it unique is that it triggers both when played and when bought, making it an interesting tactical option in games where treasure attack can be effective.

Core Mechanics and Basic Usage

1. Dual Trigger Timing
2. Noble Brigand's attack occurs both when played and when bought
3. This means you get two attacks from a single card acquisition
4. The buy trigger makes it unique among most attack cards

5. Consider timing purchases to maximize impact

6. Attack Components

7. Reveals top 2 cards of opponents' decks
8. Selectively trashes Silver or Gold
9. You gain the trashed cards
10. Forces Copper gaining on opponents who reveal no treasures
11. Discards non-trashed revealed cards

Basic Strategic Considerations

1. Economic Impact
2. +$1 when played is minimal but helpful
3. The real economic value comes from stealing treasures
4. Can create a two-way swing: you gain while opponents lose

5. Copper-forcing can pollute opponents' decks

6. Timing Considerations

7. Early game: Less effective (fewer valuable treasures to hit)
8. Mid-game: Peak effectiveness when Silvers are common
9. Late game: Can be crucial for stealing key Gold cards

When to Buy Noble Brigand

Strong Situations for Acquisition: 1. Early-to-mid game transitions - When opponents are likely starting to buy Silver - Before major deck-thinning occurs - When alternative $4 options are weak

1. Treasure-heavy kingdoms
2. Games with few alternative money sources
3. When opponents are pursuing Big Money strategies

4. Kingdoms lacking strong engine components

5. Slow kingdoms

6. Games without strong card draw
7. When deck cycling is relatively slow
8. When treasures stay on top longer

Weak Situations: 1. Engine-heavy kingdoms - When treasures are minimal in decks - Against strong deck manipulation - When actions are the primary economy

1. Strong alternative $4 cards
2. When competing with cards like Gardens or Tournament
3. In presence of strong deck-thinners at $4

Strategic Synergies and Combinations

1. Deck Inspection Synergies
2. Spy/Scrying Pool: Help predict treasure locations
3. Navigator: Control what opponents will reveal

4. Oracle: Similar deck inspection utility

5. Treasure Attack Synergies

6. Thief: Combined treasure attacking pressure
7. Pirate Ship: Multiple ways to attack treasures

8. Cutpurse: Additional treasure disruption

9. Gain-on-Buy Synergies

10. Haggler: Extra gains when purchasing
11. Talisman: Potential double Brigand acquisition

12. Innovation (from Empires): Additional buy trigger

13. Copper Synergies

14. Coppersmith: Leverage forced Copper gains
15. Loan: Help process forced Coppers
16. Mine: Transform forced Coppers into Silver

Counter-Strategies and Defenses

1. Direct Counters
2. Moat: Blocks both play and buy attacks
3. Lighthouse: Ongoing protection

4. Horse Traders: Protection plus deck manipulation

5. Strategic Counters

6. Heavy deck thinning to reduce treasure density
7. Alternative money sources (Platinum, Bank, etc.)

8. Strong engine building that minimizes treasures

9. Tactical Adjustments

10. Keeping fewer high-value treasures
11. Using Copper alternatives (Quarry, Market)
12. Deck manipulation to protect treasures

Advanced Tactics and Considerations

1. Buy Phase Timing
2. Consider buying last in turn order
3. Watch for opponents' deck stacking

4. Time purchases with opponent shuffle timing

5. Multiple Brigand Strategy

6. Benefits of having 2-3 copies
7. Diminishing returns beyond 3

8. Impact on overall deck composition

9. Treasure Management

10. Balancing stolen treasures in your deck
11. Managing gained Silvers vs. other $4 cards

12. Considering trashing for stolen treasures

13. Opportunity Cost Analysis

14. Comparing to other $4 cards
15. Evaluating attack effectiveness
16. Considering kingdom context

Sample Game Scenarios

Scenario 1: Early Game Decision Kingdom includes: - Noble Brigand - Silver Mine - Various engine components

Decision points: - Whether to open Brigand - Timing against opponent's likely Silver purchases - Balancing engine building vs. attack

Scenario 2: Mid-Game Treasure Attack Kingdom includes: - Noble Brigand - Thief - Market

Strategy considerations: - Combining treasure attacks - Managing deck composition - Balancing economy disruption

Building Around Noble Brigand

1. Aggressive Treasure Attack Build Key components:
2. Multiple Brigands
3. Supporting treasure attacks
4. Deck inspection cards Strategy focus:
5. Maximum treasure disruption
6. Economic warfare

7. Copper flooding

8. Hybrid Engine Build Key components:

9. 1-2 Brigands
10. Strong deck draw
11. Alternative economy Strategy focus:
12. Selective treasure attacking
13. Balanced approach

14. Maintained engine efficiency

15. Support Role Build Key components:

16. Single Brigand
17. Primary strategy cards
18. Complementary actions Strategy focus:
19. Opportunistic treasure attacks
20. Maintained core strategy
21. Strategic disruption

Kingdom Analysis Examples

Kingdom 1: Strong Brigand Environment Cards present: - Noble Brigand - Market - Warehouse - Silver Mine Analysis: - High treasure density likely - Limited deck manipulation - Strong Brigand potential

Kingdom 2: Weak Brigand Environment Cards present: - Noble Brigand - Chapel - Laboratory - Village Analysis: - Strong engine potential - Easy treasure thinning - Limited Brigand utility

Closing Considerations

1. Player Count Impact
2. 2 players: More predictable, focused attacks
3. 3-4 players: More opportunities, diluted impact

4. Multiplayer politics considerations

5. Game Length Considerations

6. Early game: Setup and positioning
7. Mid game: Peak effectiveness

8. Late game: Diminishing returns

9. Risk vs. Reward

10. Investment in attack strategy
11. Opportunity cost evaluation
12. Strategic commitment level

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-investment
2. Buying too many copies
3. Focusing too heavily on attacks

4. Neglecting core strategy

5. Poor Timing

6. Buying too early
7. Missing peak effectiveness

8. Poor buy phase execution

9. Strategic Tunnel Vision

10. Ignoring alternative strategies
11. Over-committing to treasure attack
12. Missing kingdom context

Conclusion

Noble Brigand occupies an interesting tactical space in Dominion. It's not always a must-buy card, but in the right kingdom and against the right strategies, it can be a powerful tool for both economic gain and opponent disruption. Success with Noble Brigand requires careful attention to timing, kingdom context, and strategic balance.

The dual trigger mechanic makes it unique among attack cards, offering immediate value upon purchase. However, its effectiveness is highly dependent on opponent strategies and kingdom composition. Understanding when to invest in Noble Brigand and how to maximize its impact is key to using it effectively.

Best used as part of a broader strategy rather than a primary focus, Noble Brigand can provide significant advantages when properly timed and supported. Whether using it as a primary attack card or as strategic support, careful consideration of kingdom context and opponent strategies will determine its ultimate utility in any given game.