Swindler (Intrigue)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Swindler:

Swindler Strategy Guide

Introduction Swindler is a $3 Action-Attack card from Intrigue that combines economic gain with deck interference. While its +$2 benefit is straightforward, its attack can range from mildly annoying to devastatingly effective depending on the kingdom context and timing. Understanding how to maximize Swindler's potential requires careful consideration of the available kingdom cards and your opponents' likely deck compositions.

Basic Mechanics 1. You get +$2, making Swindler at least as economically efficient as Silver 2. Each opponent must reveal and trash the top card of their deck 3. You choose a replacement card of the same cost for each trashed card 4. The replacement card must be from the Supply 5. If there are no cards of matching cost, the opponent gains nothing

Key Strengths - Provides economy (+$2) while attacking - Can severely disrupt opponent's deck composition - Forces unfavorable exchanges at critical moments - Multiple Swindlers stack well - Can deny opponents access to key cards by depleting piles

Key Weaknesses - Random nature of attack (depends on top card) - Replacement must be same cost - Can occasionally improve opponent's deck - Less effective in late game - Vulnerable to typical attack countermeasures

Timing and Early Game Strategy

Early Game Acquisition Swindler is typically worth considering as an early purchase for several reasons: - The +$2 makes it economically viable - Early attacks are generally more impactful - Opponents' decks are more predictable - More same-cost alternatives available in Supply

When to prioritize Swindler early: 1. Kingdom lacks strong $3 alternatives 2. Multiple harmful same-cost replacements exist 3. Opponents likely to pursue specific build paths 4. Terminal space is available in your deck

Early game targets: - Copper → Curse (if available) - Silver → Chapel (trading economy for nothing) - Early game engine pieces → less useful action cards

Mid-Game Strategy

As the game progresses, Swindler's effectiveness can either increase or decrease depending on several factors:

Positive scenarios: 1. Critical pile depletion opportunities 2. Targeting known deck components 3. Multiple Swindlers in play 4. Clear inferior alternatives at key price points

Negative scenarios: 1. Diluted attack impact due to deck size 2. Fewer meaningful exchanges available 3. Terminal collision issues 4. Opponents have attack protection

Mid-game considerations: - Track opponent's deck composition - Monitor pile counts for depletion strategies - Balance terminal actions - Consider transitioning away from Swindler if effectiveness wanes

Late Game Considerations

Swindler's utility often diminishes in the late game, but certain situations maintain its value:

Beneficial late-game scenarios: 1. Provinces can be exchanged for Duchies 2. Key engine pieces remain vulnerable 3. Critical pile control situations 4. Deck tracking reveals high-value targets

Factors reducing late-game effectiveness: 1. Larger deck sizes 2. Fewer meaningful exchanges 3. Terminal draw priority 4. Victory card density

Key Interactions and Combos

Throne Room Effects Throne Room, King's Court, and similar multipliers can make Swindler extremely powerful: - Multiple +$2 gains - Multiple attacks per action - Increased probability of hitting key cards - Enhanced pile control potential

Deck Inspection Cards that let you see opponents' top cards enhance Swindler's effectiveness: - Spy - Scout - Crystal Ball - Cartographer

Trashing Synergies Cards that interact with the trash can capitalize on Swindler's effects: - Graverobber - Rogue - Lurker - Trading Post

Draw Attacks Combining with other draw attacks can increase impact: - Militia - Ghost Ship - Margrave - Fortune Teller

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms

1. Limited same-cost alternatives
2. Fewer options make harmful exchanges more likely
3. Easier pile control

4. More predictable outcomes

5. Critical cost-specific cards

6. Important $3 engine pieces
7. Key $4 payload cards

8. Essential $5 draw cards

9. Strong cost disparities

10. Clear best-in-slot cards
11. Obvious inferior alternatives
12. Meaningful downgrades available

Unfavorable Kingdoms

1. Multiple strong same-cost options
2. Harder to force bad exchanges
3. Less impact from attacks

4. More flexibility for opponents

5. Attack counter presence

6. Moat
7. Lighthouse
8. Horse Traders

9. Reaction cards

10. Alternative victory conditions

11. Gardens strategies
12. Rush approaches
13. Alt-VP focused games

Specific Card Interactions

Strong Synergies

1. Masquerade
2. Additional deck interference
3. Complementary attacking styles

4. Similar price point

5. Ambassador

6. Pile control combinations
7. Enhanced cursing potential

8. Supply manipulation

9. Treasury

10. Economy boost
11. Action chain support
12. Deck quality maintenance

Counter Cards

1. Watchtower
2. Gains to top of deck
3. Trash protection

4. Curse prevention

5. Royal Seal

6. Control over gained cards
7. Reduced attack impact

8. Top-deck management

9. Trader

10. Gain control
11. Silver preference
12. Attack mitigation

Strategic Considerations

Deck Tracking Maintaining awareness of opponent's deck composition helps maximize Swindler's impact: - Note key purchases - Track shuffle timing - Monitor deck cycling - Identify vulnerable cards

Pile Management Strategic pile depletion can enhance Swindler's effectiveness: - Eliminate favorable alternatives - Force suboptimal gains - Create cost gaps - Control endgame timing

Terminal Action Balance Managing terminal density with Swindler requires careful consideration: - Village support evaluation - Action chain planning - Draw card priority - Stop card assessment

Multi-Player Dynamics

2-Player Games - More predictable outcomes - Stronger pile control - Focused attacking - Clearer counter-play

3+ Player Games - Distributed attack impact - Complex pile dynamics - Table politics - Varied counter strategies

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-valuing early Swindlers
2. Terminal collision issues
3. Opportunity cost
4. Build delay

5. Economy disruption

6. Poor replacement choices

7. Giving useful cards
8. Ignoring deck context
9. Missed pile control

10. Suboptimal exchanges

11. Neglecting economy

12. Over-focusing on attacks
13. Insufficient treasure
14. Weak payload

15. Stalled development

16. Improper timing

17. Wrong phase attacks
18. Poor shuffle timing
19. Missed opportunities
20. Wasted actions

Advanced Techniques

Shuffle Timing Understanding opponent's shuffle patterns can maximize impact: - Track deck size - Note discard composition - Time attacks accordingly - Force inefficient reshuffles

Pile Reading Using Supply information to inform decisions: - Monitor key piles - Track gained cards - Anticipate needs - Plan depletion

Psychology Leveraging opponent behavior: - Induce reactions - Force suboptimal plays - Create uncertainty - Manipulate decisions

Conclusion

Swindler is a nuanced attack card that requires careful consideration of kingdom context, timing, and opponent strategy. Its combination of economic benefit and targeted disruption can be powerful when properly utilized, but success demands thorough understanding of available exchanges and careful attention to game state.

Key takeaways: 1. Early acquisition can be powerful in appropriate kingdoms 2. Effectiveness varies significantly with context 3. Requires careful terminal action management 4. Benefits from strategic pile control 5. Demands attention to opponent deck composition

When to buy Swindler: - Strong same-cost exchanges available - Terminal space exists - Early attack value present - Pile control relevant - Kingdom lacks superior $3 options

When to skip Swindler: - Better $3 alternatives exist - Terminal space limited - Attack counters prevalent - Few meaningful exchanges - Rush strategy preferred

Mastering Swindler requires balancing its economic benefit with attack potential while maintaining awareness of kingdom context and game state. When properly utilized, it can be a powerful tool for disrupting opponent strategies while maintaining your own development.