Tunnel (Hinterlands)

Here's a detailed strategy guide for Tunnel:

Tunnel Strategy Guide

Introduction Tunnel is a unique card that combines Victory points with a powerful Reaction ability, making it one of the most interesting $3 cost cards in Dominion. Its dual nature as both a Victory card and a Gold-generating engine piece creates fascinating strategic decisions and enables several powerful combinations.

Basic Characteristics - Costs $3 - Worth 2VP at game end - Reaction ability triggers when discarded outside Clean-up - Gains you a Gold when revealed upon discard

Core Strengths 1. Provides Victory points without being a pure dead card 2. Can generate significant economic value through Gold gains 3. Works well with discard effects 4. Creates deck-thinning opportunities 5. Scales well throughout the game

Core Weaknesses 1. Still a Victory card that can clog your deck 2. Requires specific enablers to maximize value 3. Reaction ability doesn't work during Clean-up phase 4. Can be awkward in opening hands 5. Gold gains may not always be desirable

Opening Considerations

As an Opening Buy Tunnel is generally not a strong opening buy unless specific enablers are present. The 2VP is nice, but early Victory cards can severely hamper your deck development. However, there are specific kingdom setups where opening Tunnel can be correct:

1. When strong discard effects are present (e.g., Warehouse, Cellar)
2. In combination with certain $4 cards that enable early discarding
3. When planning a quick-ending strategy where early VP matters
4. In games where flooding Gold is particularly valuable

Opening Synergies Strong $4/$5 opening pairs with Tunnel include: - Warehouse + Tunnel - Cellar + Tunnel - Trading Post + Tunnel - Vault + Tunnel - Navigator + Tunnel

Key Enablers and Synergies

Discard Effects The most important synergies for Tunnel are cards that let you discard cards from your hand:

Strong Discard Enablers: 1. Cellar: Allows discarding any number of cards 2. Warehouse: Forces discard of three cards 3. Vault: Optional discard for +$1 each 4. Trading Post: Mandatory discard of two cards 5. Secret Chamber: Discard for money 6. Stables: Discard for draw and actions 7. Jack of all Trades: Discard down to 5 cards

Card Draw with Discard Cards that combine drawing with discarding are particularly valuable: - Library (discarding Action cards) - Watchtower (when used for drawing) - Hunting Grounds (upon trashing) - Scholar (discard entire hand)

Deck Manipulation Cards that help you find and utilize Tunnels: 1. Scrying Pool 2. Oracle 3. Cartographer 4. Vagrant 5. Wandering Minstrel

Multiplier Effects Cards that can trigger Tunnel multiple times: - Vault (multiple players can trigger discards) - Masquerade (passing cards counts as discarding) - Ambassador (returning to supply triggers discard)

Advanced Strategies

1. The Multi-Tunnel Engine When multiple enablers are present, acquiring several Tunnels can be a powerful strategy:
2. Use discard outlets to trigger multiple Tunnels per turn
3. Generate multiple Golds quickly
4. Build economic advantage while accumulating Victory points

5. Consider trashing Golds later for more valuable cards

6. Tunnel as Economy Using Tunnel as an economic engine:

7. Focus on acquiring and triggering Tunnels early
8. Use gained Golds for purchasing power
9. Consider including trash-for-benefit cards to manage Gold flood

10. Balance Victory points with economic needs

11. Rush Strategies Tunnel can support rush strategies:

12. Accumulate early Victory points
13. Generate Golds for purchasing more Victory cards
14. End game before opponents' engines mature

15. Particularly effective with Colony/Platinum

16. Control Strategies Using Tunnel in control-oriented decks:

17. Slow opponent's development with attacks
18. Generate steady Gold income
19. Accumulate Victory points gradually
20. Maintain flexibility in strategy

Timing and Execution

Early Game (Turns 1-7) - Acquire enablers before multiple Tunnels - Establish reliable discard outlets - Begin generating Golds selectively - Consider trashing weaker cards

Mid Game (Turns 8-15) - Maximize Tunnel triggers - Balance Gold generation with deck functionality - Begin acquiring additional Victory points - Adjust strategy based on opponent's approach

Late Game (Turns 16+) - Consider transitioning away from Tunnel triggers - Focus on converting economic advantage to Victory points - Potentially trash excess Golds - Time game end appropriately

Counter-Strategy and Countering Tunnels

Opposing Tunnel Strategies 1. Rush strategies to end game before Tunnel engines mature 2. Attacks that reduce hand size 3. Possession to steal Tunnel triggers 4. Cursing to dilute Tunnel draws 5. Gardens strategies that benefit from Gold flood

Defending Your Tunnel Strategy - Maintain sufficient drawing power - Include trash-for-benefit effects - Keep alternative Victory point sources available - Consider deck tracking to optimize triggers

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms 1. Multiple discard outlets available 2. Strong trash-for-benefit cards present 3. Limited alternate economy options 4. Colony/Platinum games 5. Kingdoms with few terminal actions

Unfavorable Kingdoms 1. Strong cursing attacks 2. Fast alternate VP engines 3. Better $3 options available 4. Strong trashing kingdoms 5. Kingdoms requiring complex action chains

Multi-Player Considerations

2-Player Games - More control over pace - Easier to execute combo strategies - Higher impact of individual Tunnel triggers - More predictable game length

3+ Player Games - More competition for enablers - Potential for multiple Tunnel triggers via Vault - Less predictable game length - Need for more flexible strategies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-investing in Tunnels
2. Don't buy too many without sufficient enablers
3. Balance with other deck needs

4. Consider opportunity cost

5. Neglecting Engine Development

6. Don't focus solely on Tunnel triggers
7. Maintain drawing power

8. Keep action density appropriate

9. Poor Timing

10. Don't reveal Tunnels at wrong moments
11. Track shuffle timing

12. Consider opponent's plans

13. Insufficient Support

14. Don't forget necessary enablers
15. Maintain proper action/drawer ratio

16. Include backup strategies

17. Gold Management

18. Don't flood deck unnecessarily
19. Consider trashing excess Golds
20. Time Gold gains strategically

Sample Strategies

Basic Tunnel Engine - 2-3 Tunnels - 2-3 discard outlets - Strong drawing power - Trash-for-benefit options - Alternative Victory point source

Heavy Tunnel Strategy - 4+ Tunnels - Multiple reliable discard outlets - Heavy drawing engine - Gold management plan - Rush capability

Hybrid Approach - 2-3 Tunnels - Mixed economy sources - Flexible Victory point options - Strong control elements - Multiple win conditions

Conclusion

Tunnel is a fascinating card that rewards careful planning and precise execution. Its unique combination of Victory points and economic potential makes it a powerful tool in the right circumstances. Success with Tunnel requires:

1. Proper enabler selection
2. Careful timing
3. Strategic balance
4. Adaptable gameplay
5. Good resource management

When properly supported, Tunnel can form the backbone of powerful engines or support various other strategies. However, it requires specific support cards and careful consideration of kingdom context to reach its full potential.

Remember that Tunnel's true strength lies not just in its ability to generate Golds, but in its flexibility as both an economic and Victory point source. Master its nuances, and you'll have added a powerful tool to your Dominion strategy arsenal.