Conspirator (Intrigue)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Conspirator:

Conspirator Strategy Guide

Introduction Conspirator is a fascinating Action card that exemplifies the "Actions matter" theme in Dominion: Intrigue. At its base, it provides $2, but its true potential emerges when you can consistently trigger its bonus effects by playing multiple Actions before it. Understanding how to maximize Conspirator's effectiveness requires careful deck construction and sequencing decisions.

Basic Characteristics - Cost: $4 - Type: Action - Base effect: +$2 - Conditional effect: +1 Card, +1 Action (if you've played 3+ Actions this turn)

Core Strengths 1. High economic output for its cost 2. Potential for card cycling when activated 3. Action-neutral when activated 4. Scales well with multiple copies

Core Weaknesses 1. Requires setup to reach full potential 2. Dead draw early game 3. Can be awkward in opening hands 4. Challenging to activate consistently without proper support

Basic Strategy

Early Game Considerations In the opening rounds, Conspirator is generally a suboptimal buy. Without support cards, it functions as an expensive Copper that takes up your Action slot. The key exceptions are: - When the kingdom offers strong cheap Actions ($2-$3) - When planning a heavy Action-based strategy - When multiple Conspirators are part of your intended engine

Opening buys that pair well with an early Conspirator include: - Villages (any variant) - Cantrips (Laboratory, Market variants) - Cheap Actions (Pawn, Vassal, Herald)

Mid-Game Development As your deck evolves, Conspirator becomes more attractive. Key mid-game considerations: 1. Aim for 3-4 Conspirators when building around them 2. Ensure sufficient Action support cards 3. Balance Conspirator acquisition with deck development 4. Consider trashing weaker cards to improve consistency

Late Game In the late game, Conspirator can serve as: - A reliable source of income - Part of an Action chain - Draw engine component - Bridge to higher-cost cards

Building Around Conspirator

Support Cards 1. Villages - Essential for playing multiple Actions - Native Village, Festival, Village variants - Allow chaining of multiple Conspirators

1. Cantrips
2. Help reach the 3-Action threshold
3. Provide deck consistency

4. Examples: Laboratory, Hunting Party, Market

5. Throne Room Effects

6. Double Action plays count twice
7. Can activate Conspirator's bonus immediately

8. Examples: Throne Room, King's Court

9. Card Draw

10. Helps find Action chains
11. Increases consistency
12. Examples: Smithy, Council Room

Engine Construction

Basic Engine Template: - 3-4 Villages - 3-4 Conspirators - 2-3 Draw cards - 1-2 Throne Room effects - Supplemental Actions/payload

Action Sequencing Proper sequencing is crucial for Conspirator success: 1. Play Villages first 2. Use non-terminal Actions 3. Play Conspirators after reaching threshold 4. Chain additional Conspirators if available

Key Combos

Strong Synergies

1. Throne Room + Conspirator
2. Counts as two Actions
3. Provides $4
4. Can trigger bonus on second play

5. Excellent efficiency

6. Village + Market + Conspirator

7. Reliable activation chain
8. Net positive Actions
9. Strong economic output

10. Card draw

11. Laboratory Chain

12. Self-replacing Actions
13. Consistent activation
14. Deck velocity

15. Card advantage

16. Native Village + Conspirator

17. Action storage
18. Flexible timing

19. Burst potential

20. Fortress + Conspirator

21. Infinite Action potential
22. Reliable activation
23. Deck thinning opportunity

Counter-Synergies

Cards to Avoid: 1. Big Money strategies - Limited Action support - Inconsistent activation - Better alternatives available

1. Heavy attack cards
2. Compete for Action slots
3. Disrupt engine building

4. Reduce consistency

5. Terminal draw without +Actions

6. Action competition
7. Reduces activation probability
8. Clogs hand

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms 1. Multiple Villages available 2. Cheap Action cards 3. Throne Room variants 4. Card draw options 5. Deck thinning available

Unfavorable Kingdoms 1. Strong Big Money alternatives 2. Limited Action support 3. Heavy attack presence 4. Terminal draw dominance 5. Better $4 options available

Countering Conspirator Strategies

1. Rush Strategies
2. Pressure before engine setup
3. Target key components

4. End game early

5. Attacks

6. Discard attacks disrupt chains
7. Duration attacks slow development

8. Hand size reduction limits options

9. Alt-VP

10. Race alternate victory points
11. Bypass engine development
12. Force suboptimal plays

Advanced Techniques

1. Multi-Conspirator Chains When multiple Conspirators are in hand:
2. Ensure activation threshold
3. Maximize draw potential
4. Calculate payload needs

5. Consider future turns

6. Engine Timing Understanding when to:

7. Start collecting Conspirators
8. Transition to engine building
9. Add payload cards

10. Switch to victory points

11. Action Management Careful tracking of:

12. Action count
13. Available +Actions
14. Draw probability
15. Chain potential

Cost Analysis

$4 Competition Conspirator competes with: - Silver ($3) - Other $4 Actions - Engine components - Attack cards

Opportunity Cost Considerations: 1. Early game - Silver typically better - Exception: strong Action support - Consider kingdom context

1. Mid game
2. Engine potential vs. immediate value
3. Support card availability

4. Victory point race status

5. Late game

6. Chain completion needs
7. Deck composition
8. Game length projection

Common Mistakes

1. Over-investing
2. Buying too many Conspirators
3. Insufficient support cards

4. Neglecting victory points

5. Poor Sequencing

6. Playing Conspirator too early
7. Mismanaging Action count

8. Inefficient chaining

9. Inadequate Support

10. Too few Villages
11. Limited draw

12. Weak deck thinning

13. Forcing the Strategy

14. Ignoring kingdom context
15. Missing better alternatives
16. Poor timing

Tips for Success

1. Planning
2. Evaluate kingdom synergies
3. Count Action sources
4. Project engine development

5. Consider alternatives

6. Execution

7. Track Action count
8. Sequence carefully
9. Monitor deck composition

10. Adjust strategy as needed

11. Adaptation

12. Recognize failing strategies
13. Pivot when necessary
14. React to opponents
15. Time victory point transition

Sample Opening Strategies

Strong Openings: 1. Village/Silver 2. Conspirator/Village 3. Silver/Silver into Conspirator 4. Double $3 Actions

Weak Openings: 1. Double Conspirator 2. Conspirator/Silver 3. Single Conspirator 4. Conspirator/Terminal Action

Conclusion

Conspirator is a powerful engine component when properly supported but requires careful planning and execution. Success depends on: - Kingdom evaluation - Support card acquisition - Proper sequencing - Timing considerations - Strategic flexibility

The card's potential ranges from mere Silver replacement to engine powerhouse, depending on kingdom context and player skill. Understanding when and how to incorporate Conspirator into your strategy is key to maximizing its effectiveness.

When to Buy - Strong Action support available - Engine strategy viable - Multiple copies accessible - Support cards in place

When to Skip - Big Money preferred - Limited Action support - Better $4 options - Rush strategy indicated

Final Tips 1. Plan your engine structure 2. Secure support cards early 3. Monitor Action count carefully 4. Practice proper sequencing 5. Stay flexible in strategy 6. Know when to transition

Master these elements, and Conspirator can become a powerful tool in your Dominion arsenal, capable of driving strong engines and contributing to decisive victories.