Cursed Gold (Nocturne)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Cursed Gold:

Cursed Gold Strategy Guide

Introduction Cursed Gold is a unique treasure card from the Nocturne expansion that offers a significant economic boost at a painful cost. Providing $3 per play while forcing you to gain a Curse, it creates interesting strategic tensions and requires careful deck management to use effectively. This guide will explore when and how to incorporate Cursed Gold into your strategy.

Basic Characteristics - Costs $4 to buy - Provides $3 when played - Forces you to gain a Curse (-1 VP) when played - Is a Treasure-Heirloom card

Core Advantages 1. Strong Economic Output - Provides $3 for a $4 investment - Better money density than Silver - Can enable early Province purchases - Helps hit important price points consistently

1. Reliability
2. As a treasure, it's always playable
3. Not terminal (doesn't use up actions)
4. Can't be blocked by attacks

Core Disadvantages 1. Curse Accumulation - Each play adds a Curse to your deck - Curses clog your deck and cost VP - Curse pile can be depleted - Can create devastating deck bloat

1. Self-Limiting
2. Generally can't be played repeatedly without severe consequences
3. May need to avoid playing it in later game stages
4. Creates tension between economic needs and VP loss

Key Strategic Considerations

1. Timing of Acquisition Early Game:
2. Often strong to get 1-2 copies early
3. Can jumpstart your economy
4. More time to deal with Curses
5. Better than Silver in many cases

Mid Game: - Becomes riskier as deck gets refined - Must weigh economic need vs. deck control - Consider alternative money sources

Late Game: - Generally avoid buying late - Exception: desperate need for $3 coin - Risk of Curses becomes more significant

1. Quantity Management Optimal Copy Count:
2. Usually 1-2 copies maximum
3. More copies increase Curse frequency
4. Consider deck size and cycling speed
5. Balance with other treasure sources

Playing Multiple Copies: - Avoid playing multiple copies per turn when possible - Consider selective play based on needs - Track Curse pile carefully

1. Deck Composition Factors Deck Size:
2. Larger decks dilute Curse impact
3. Smaller decks feel Curse pain more acutely
4. Consider impact on deck consistency

Draw Quality: - Strong drawing power helps offset Curses - Weak drawing makes Curses more problematic - Card selection becomes more valuable

Action Density: - Action-heavy decks may prefer other options - Treasure-focused decks can better absorb Curses - Consider action-treasure ratio

Synergies and Combos

1. Curse Management Watchtower:
2. Can trash Curses immediately upon gain
3. Preserves economic benefit
4. Excellent combo if available

Chapel/Steward/Other Trashers: - Regular Curse removal - Maintains deck quality - May need multiple trashers

1. Deck Manipulation Scrying Pool/Oracle:
2. Help manage Curse appearance
3. Can set aside problematic cards
4. Improve overall deck flow

Haven/Native Village: - Can set aside Cursed Gold strategically - Helps control when Curses enter deck - Provides timing flexibility

1. Alternative VP Sources Gardens:
2. Curses contribute to pile size
3. Can turn liability into asset
4. Requires specific strategy

Duke/Silk Merchant: - Alternative VP paths - Less impacted by -1 VP from Curses - Can offset VP loss

1. Economic Enhancers Bridge:
2. Cost reduction makes purchases easier
3. Can maximize value of $3 output
4. Less plays needed for key cards

Market Square/Haggler: - Additional benefits when gaining cards - Help offset Curse disadvantage - Create additional value

Counter Strategies

1. Against Cursed Gold Users Curse Depletion:
2. Empty Curse pile prevents gaining
3. Can disable Cursed Gold entirely
4. Consider Curse-giving attacks

Junking Attacks: - Ruins/Curses compound problems - Makes deck management harder - Increases pressure on resources

1. Playing Around Counters Curse Pile Management:
2. Track remaining Curses
3. Consider alternative strategies if depleted
4. May need backup plan

Deck Control: - Maintain strong filtering/trashing - Keep deck relatively slim - Preserve key card access

Specific Kingdom Considerations

1. Fast vs. Slow Kingdoms Fast Kingdoms:
2. Cursed Gold shines in quick games
3. Less time for Curses to impact
4. Economic boost more valuable

Slow Kingdoms: - Curse accumulation more problematic - Need stronger mitigation strategies - Consider alternative options

1. Kingdom Characteristics Heavy Trashing:
2. Makes Cursed Gold more viable
3. Easier Curse management
4. Better deck control

Strong Drawing: - Helps dig past Curses - Makes economic boost more accessible - Improves overall effectiveness

Sample Strategies

1. Minimal Impact Approach
2. Buy 1 Cursed Gold early
3. Focus on trashing/filtering
4. Play selectively when needed
5. Transition to other money sources

Benefits: - Limited Curse exposure - Maintained deck quality - Early economic boost

1. Maximum Leverage Strategy
2. Get 2-3 Cursed Gold
3. Heavy emphasis on trashing
4. Aggressive economic development
5. Race to Provinces

Benefits: - Strong buying power - Potential for quick victories - Maximum economic impact

1. Hybrid Approach
2. 1-2 Cursed Gold
3. Mixed money sources
4. Balanced deck building
5. Flexible play patterns

Benefits: - Adaptable strategy - Moderate risk/reward - Multiple paths to victory

Situational Considerations

1. Player Count Impact 2 Players:
2. Curse pile smaller concern
3. More control over game pace
4. Can be more aggressive

3-4 Players: - Curse pile depletes faster - Need more careful management - Consider other players' strategies

1. Board State Factors Available Trashing:
2. Strong trashing → more viable
3. Weak trashing → more risky
4. Consider trashing competition

VP Distribution: - Alternative VP cards available - Impact on end game timing - Victory condition flexibility

1. Opening Considerations 4/3 Opening:
2. Strong Cursed Gold candidate
3. Early economic boost
4. Time to manage Curses

5/2 Opening: - Less attractive - May prefer other $4 cards - Consider board context

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcommitment
2. Buying too many copies
3. Playing too aggressively

4. Insufficient mitigation planning

5. Poor Timing

6. Late game purchases
7. Playing when unnecessary

8. Missing key purchase opportunities

9. Inadequate Support

10. Insufficient trashing
11. Weak deck control
12. Poor complementary cards

Advanced Tips

1. Curse Pile Tracking
2. Monitor Curse quantity
3. Track opponent's Curse-giving

4. Plan for pile depletion

5. Selective Play

6. Don't play automatically
7. Consider current needs

8. Watch deck composition

9. Transition Planning

10. Plan exit strategy
11. Prepare alternative money
12. Time province purchases

Conclusion

Cursed Gold is a powerful but double-edged economic tool that requires careful planning and execution to use effectively. Success with this card depends on:

• Appropriate timing of acquisition and play
• Strong support mechanisms
• Clear strategic planning
• Careful pile management
• Understanding of board context

When used properly, it can provide a significant economic advantage that outweighs its drawbacks. However, poor implementation can lead to severely compromised decks and lost games. Consider your kingdom context carefully and plan your approach accordingly.

Remember: - Start with 1-2 copies maximum - Ensure adequate trashing/filtering - Play selectively and strategically - Monitor Curse pile carefully - Have a clear game plan

With proper understanding and execution, Cursed Gold can be a valuable addition to your strategic arsenal in appropriate kingdoms.