Necromancer (Nocturne)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Necromancer:

Necromancer Strategy Guide

Introduction Necromancer is a unique $4 Action card from Nocturne that allows you to play cards directly from the trash. It comes with three special Zombie cards that start in the trash, ensuring there are always some targets available. Understanding how to maximize Necromancer's potential requires careful consideration of both the built-in Zombie options and opportunities to leverage other trashed cards.

Basic Mechanics - Necromancer plays a face-up non-Duration Action card from the trash - The played card remains in the trash but is turned face-down for the turn - You can't play the same trashed card multiple times in one turn with multiple Necromancers - The three starting Zombies are: * Zombie Apprentice (+2 Cards, trash a card from your hand) * Zombie Mason (Reveal cards until you reveal an Action or Treasure, trash or discard them, gain a card costing up to $1 more than the revealed card) * Zombie Spy (+1 Card, +1 Action, look at top card, discard or put back)

Key Strengths 1. Built-in Flexibility - Always has at least three different effects available - Can adapt to different game situations using the Zombies - Provides card draw, trashing, and deck manipulation options

1. Cost Efficiency
2. At $4, provides access to effects from more expensive cards
3. Can repeatedly use powerful one-shot cards like Hunting Grounds

4. Gets value from opponents' trashed cards

5. Deck Thinning Support

6. Zombie Apprentice helps trash cards
7. Can play trashed trashers multiple times across different turns
8. Works well in engines that want to eliminate weak cards

Core Strategy Considerations

1. Early Game Usage In the opening turns, Necromancer is primarily used with the Zombie cards:
2. Zombie Apprentice for early trashing and draw
3. Zombie Mason to gain better cards
4. Zombie Spy for cycling and mild deck control

Early priorities: - Use Apprentice to trash Estates and Coppers - Use Mason to find and gain key kingdom cards - Use Spy to help ensure reliable draws

1. Mid-Game Development As the game progresses, look for opportunities to:
2. Track what opponents trash (especially with Chapel or similar)
3. Position multiple Necromancers to maximize use of good trashed cards

4. Consider trashing your own valuable one-shot cards for repeated use

5. Late Game Applications In the endgame, focus on:

6. Using trashed Victory cards for their actions
7. Maintaining access to key effects without deck bloat
8. Preventing opponents from accessing crucial trashed cards

Synergies and Combinations

1. Trashing Synergies Strong combinations with:
2. Chapel: Creates many trash targets
3. Trading Post: Provides valuable targets
4. Salvager: Lets you trash expensive cards for their effects

5. Forge: Can trash multiple valuable targets at once

6. Card Draw Engines Works well with:

7. Laboratory variants: More chances to find Necromancer
8. Village variants: Allows multiple Necromancer plays
9. Hunting Grounds: Excellent trash target for massive draw

10. Cursed Village: Provides actions while creating trash targets

11. Deck Manipulation Effective with:

12. Scrying Pool: Benefits from additional deck inspection
13. Oracle: Creates trash targets while manipulating decks
14. Navigator: Helps find Necromancer and key cards

15. Patrol: Helps ensure access to Necromancer

16. Action Chains Powerful with:

17. Throne Room variants: Can play Necromancer multiple times
18. King's Court: Triple access to trashed cards
19. Crown: Flexible doubling of Necromancer
20. Royal Carriage: Can repeat Necromancer effects

Counter Strategies and Weaknesses

1. Main Weaknesses
2. Requires face-up cards in the trash
3. Can't play Duration cards
4. Competed for by other players

5. Limited by face-down status of used cards

6. Counter Tactics Opponents can:

7. Rush trashing to deny good targets
8. Turn cards face-down before your turn
9. Compete for key trashed cards

10. Focus on Duration-based strategies

11. Mitigation Strategies To overcome these weaknesses:

12. Maintain multiple Necromancers for key cards
13. Include backup strategies
14. Consider your own trashing
15. Time your plays carefully

Specific Kingdom Card Interactions

1. Strong With
2. Hunting Grounds: Massive draw when trashed
3. Fortress: Returns to hand when trashed
4. Death Cart: Powerful effect worth repeating

5. Market Square: Benefits from trashing

6. Weak Against

7. Donate: Removes trash targets
8. Graverobber: Competes for trash cards
9. Ghost: Already uses cards from trash
10. Cardinal: Exiles rather than trashes

Buying Strategy

1. Opening Considerations When to open Necromancer:
2. Kingdom has valuable trashing
3. Opponents likely to trash good cards
4. Need flexible responses

5. Want early deck thinning

6. Multiple Copies Factors for buying additional Necromancers:

7. Good cards in trash
8. Need consistent access
9. Competition from opponents

10. Available actions

11. Supporting Cards Priority supplementary buys:

12. Action providers
13. Trashers
14. Card draw
15. Deck manipulation

Gameplay Tips and Tricks

1. Timing Considerations
2. Track opponent's turns and likely trashing
3. Plan sequences of face-down cards
4. Consider when to trash your own cards

5. Time competitive plays carefully

6. Tactical Choices

7. Use Zombie Spy to set up next turn
8. Leverage Zombie Mason for gaining
9. Save Apprentice for key trashing

10. Consider opportunity costs

11. Advanced Techniques

12. Track face-down status
13. Plan multi-Necromancer turns
14. Coordinate with other players
15. Manipulate trash content

Sample Game Plans

1. Engine Building Priority sequence: a) Gain Necromancer and trashing b) Thin deck with Zombie Apprentice c) Build action density d) Add payload cards e) Create powerful trash targets

2. Big Money Hybrid Approach: a) Open Necromancer/Silver b) Use Zombies for improvement c) Add targeted trashing d) Maintain efficiency e) Transition to treasure

3. Rush Strategy Implementation: a) Focus on Zombie Mason b) Gain cheap victory cards c) Maintain minimal engine d) Leverage opponent's trashing e) End game quickly

Kingdom Analysis Examples

1. Slow Kingdom With cards like:
2. Village
3. Laboratory
4. Chapel
5. Market

Strategy: - Build engine with Necromancer support - Create valuable trash targets - Maximize card draw - Control trash access

1. Fast Kingdom With cards like:
2. Cemetery
3. Hunting Grounds
4. Gardens
5. Workshop

Strategy: - Rush valuable trash targets - Compete for key cards - Maintain tempo - End game efficiently

Conclusion Necromancer is a versatile $4 card that requires careful planning and awareness of the trash pile's contents. Success depends on: - Understanding available effects - Managing timing and competition - Creating valuable targets - Building appropriate support

The card rewards strategic thinking and adaptability while punishing inflexible play. Master these aspects to maximize Necromancer's potential in your games.

Final Tips 1. Always track face-down status 2. Plan multiple turns ahead 3. Consider opponent's options 4. Maintain backup strategies 5. Balance trashing and gains

Remember that Necromancer's flexibility is its greatest strength. Use this to adapt to game state changes and opponent strategies while maintaining focus on your victory condition.