Haunted Mirror (Nocturne)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Haunted Mirror:

Haunted Mirror Strategy Guide

Introduction Haunted Mirror is a unique Heirloom card from the Nocturne expansion that combines elements of treasure, trashing, and Ghost gaining. As an Heirloom, it can only start in your deck when you buy specific Kingdom cards that specify Haunted Mirror as their associated Heirloom. Understanding how to leverage this card's abilities effectively can provide significant advantages in the right circumstances.

Basic Characteristics - Cost: $0 - Provides $1 when played - Trashing trigger for gaining Ghost - Requires discarding an Action card to gain Ghost - Heirloom status (starts in deck with specific cards)

Kingdom Cards That Come With Haunted Mirror 1. Cemetery - The primary way to get Haunted Mirror into your starting deck - Cemetery itself is a Victory card that lets you trash cards when gained - Natural synergy between Cemetery's trashing and Mirror's trash trigger

Core Strategic Considerations

1. Value as Treasure
2. Provides $1 like Copper
3. Takes up a starting deck slot instead of being bought
4. Generally better than Copper due to its special ability

5. Can contribute to early game economy

6. Ghost Gaining Potential The key feature of Haunted Mirror is its ability to gain a Ghost when trashed. Important considerations:

7. Ghost is a powerful Night-Duration-Spirit card
8. Ghost copies Action cards
9. Getting Ghost early can significantly impact game trajectory

10. Need reliable trashing and Action cards to utilize effectively

11. Timing Considerations When to trash Haunted Mirror requires careful thought:

12. Early game: May want to keep for economy
13. Mid game: Often optimal trashing timing
14. Late game: May be too late to maximize Ghost's impact

Optimal Usage Strategies

1. Early Game Approach a) Starting Hand Decisions
2. Generally play Mirror for $1 unless immediate trash opportunity exists
3. Consider keeping Action cards for potential Ghost gaining
4. Balance economic needs with trashing opportunities

b) First Few Turns - Assess trashing options in Kingdom - Plan acquisition of Action cards if lacking - Consider whether early Ghost is achievable and beneficial

1. Mid Game Strategy a) Trashing Timing
2. Ideal when deck has:
3. Reliable trashing methods
4. Multiple Action cards
5. Enough economy to function without Mirror
6. Consider trashing when you can immediately use Ghost effectively

b) Action Card Management - Keep at least one Action card in hand for Ghost gaining - Balance discard costs against Ghost benefits - Consider deck composition impact

1. Late Game Considerations
2. Ghost's value diminishes as game nears end
3. May keep Mirror for $1 if Ghost unlikely to cycle enough
4. Consider opportunity cost of discarding Actions

Synergies and Combinations

1. Trashing Synergies Strong combinations with:
2. Chapel: Early trashing power
3. Steward: Flexible trashing with benefits
4. Trading Post: Transforms Mirror while providing benefit
5. Salvager: Gains value from trashing

6. Apprentice: Can draw cards while trashing

7. Action Card Synergies Works well with:

8. Villages: Provides extra Actions for Ghost copies
9. Drawing cards: Helps find Action cards to discard
10. Throne Room variants: Powerful targets for Ghost

11. Duration cards: Extended value from Ghost copies

12. Deck Manipulation Beneficial combinations:

13. Sifters: Help find Mirror and Actions together
14. Haven: Can save Action cards for Ghost gaining
15. Scheme: Can plan Ghost timing
16. Treasury: Helps manage economy after losing Mirror

Counter Strategies and Challenges

1. Common Obstacles a) Limited Actions
2. Ghost requires Action cards to be effective
3. Need balanced approach to Action management
4. Consider non-terminal Actions for sustainability

b) Competing Priorities - Trashing valuable cards vs. keeping Mirror - Economic considerations - Action card availability

1. Kingdom Considerations Challenging environments:
2. Cursing attacks (dilute deck)
3. Junking attacks (harder to find components)
4. Limited trashing

5. Action-light kingdoms

6. Opportunity Costs

7. Discarding valuable Action cards
8. Timing of trashing
9. Ghost pile accessibility

Specific Game Situations

1. Mirror-Heavy Games When multiple players have Mirrors:
2. Ghost pile contention
3. Increased importance of timing

4. Need for differentiated strategies

5. Engine Building Incorporating Mirror into engines:

6. Plan trashing timing around engine assembly
7. Consider Ghost's role in engine

8. Balance Action card needs

9. Big Money Variants Using Mirror in money strategies:

10. May delay trashing for economy
11. Ghost less valuable without Actions
12. Consider alternative paths

Advanced Techniques

1. Ghost Timing Optimization
2. Track shuffle timing
3. Plan Ghost gains around key turns

4. Consider opponent's deck state

5. Action Card Selection Strategic considerations for Ghost targets:

6. Non-terminal Actions preferred
7. Draw cards for consistency
8. Payload cards for impact

9. Duration effects for extended value

10. Mirror Preservation When to keep Mirror longer:

11. Weak economy
12. Limited trashing
13. Ghost pile contention
14. Action card scarcity

Example Game Scenarios

1. Early Ghost Rush Requirements:
2. Early trashing available
3. Sufficient Action cards
4. Clear Ghost benefits Strategy:
5. Prioritize trashing Mirror
6. Build around Ghost copies

7. Maintain Action density

8. Mid-Game Transition Situation:

9. Established economy
10. Multiple Action cards
11. Available trashing Approach:
12. Time Ghost gain with deck improvement
13. Prepare Action infrastructure

14. Plan post-Mirror economy

15. Late Game Consideration Factors:

16. Remaining game length
17. Ghost pile status
18. Action card availability Decision making:
19. Value assessment
20. Opportunity cost analysis
21. Alternative strategies

Kingdom Recommendations

1. Favorable Kingdoms Look for:
2. Strong trashing
3. Action multipliers
4. Card draw
5. Duration cards

6. Deck control

7. Challenging Kingdoms Avoid relying heavily on Mirror when:

8. Limited trashing
9. Few Actions
10. Heavy attack presence

11. Race conditions

12. Balanced Approaches Middle-ground situations:

13. Mixed strategy potential
14. Flexible timing options
15. Multiple paths to victory

Conclusion

Haunted Mirror is a nuanced card that requires careful planning and timing to maximize its potential. Success with Mirror depends on: - Understanding timing windows - Managing Action card resources - Coordinating trashing opportunities - Evaluating Ghost's impact - Adapting to Kingdom context

The card's unique combination of immediate value and powerful transformation potential makes it an interesting strategic element that can significantly influence game development when used effectively.

Final Tips: 1. Don't rush to trash without clear benefit 2. Maintain Action card density 3. Consider Ghost pile accessibility 4. Plan economy transitions 5. Adapt strategy to Kingdom context 6. Balance immediate vs. long-term value 7. Watch opponent's Ghost intentions 8. Prepare for post-Mirror gameplay

Mastering Haunted Mirror involves understanding both its immediate role as treasure and its transformation potential. Success comes from careful timing, resource management, and strategic adaptation to game conditions.