Tracker (Nocturne)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Tracker:

Tracker Strategy Guide

1. Introduction Tracker is a $2 Action-Fate card that provides a modest economic boost, delivers a Boon, and offers deck control through its gaining-to-deck ability. The card comes with an Heirloom replacement (Pouch), making it a unique opening consideration. Understanding how to leverage these multiple aspects is key to using Tracker effectively.

2. Basic Characteristics

Strengths: - Low cost ($2) - Provides +$1 - Receives a Boon - Offers deck control through gain-to-deck ability - Comes with Pouch heirloom - Non-terminal (doesn't use up actions)

Weaknesses: - Weak payload (+$1 is minimal) - Boon receiving is random - Gain-to-deck ability is optional and only works while Tracker is in play

1. The Heirloom: Pouch

Before diving into Tracker strategy, it's important to understand Pouch: - Provides +1 Buy when played - Replaces one starting Copper - Counts as a Treasure

Having Pouch in your starting deck offers several advantages: - Helps split piles early - Enables double-Province turns late game - Provides flexibility in early game purchases - Can help enable engine building by allowing multiple cheap card purchases

1. Core Strategy Elements

a) Early Game Usage Tracker serves multiple purposes in the early game: - Provides economic boost - Helps set up next turn through Boons - Can place gained cards on deck for immediate use - Works well with Pouch for flexible purchasing

b) Mid-Game Utility - Helps maintain deck control - Can place important cards on top of deck - Continues providing economic support - Boons can help enhance other strategies

c) Late Game - Can help ensure Victory cards don't dead-draw - Maintains utility through gain-to-deck ability - Economic boost remains relevant - Boon effects can still provide value

1. Key Boon Interactions

Understanding potential Boon outcomes is crucial for Tracker strategy:

The Field's Gift (+2 Actions): - Excellent for engine building - Makes Tracker into a village - Can enable big turn setups

The Forest's Gift (+$1): - Stacks with Tracker's +$1 - Helps reach important price points - Good economic boost

The Flame's Gift (Trash a card): - Helps deck optimization - Can remove starting cards - Useful for trimming

The River's Gift (+1 Card next turn): - Helps with draw consistency - Good setup for next turn - Reliable benefit

The Sun's Gift (Look at top 4, discard/reorder): - Excellent deck control - Combines well with gain-to-deck ability - Helps set up next turn

The Swamp's Gift (Gain a Will-o'-Wisp): - Adds draw to deck - Thins deck of Coppers - Can be situationally useful

The Wind's Gift (Draw 2, discard 2): - Helps with hand optimization - Good for finding key cards - Assists with deck cycling

The Moon's Gift (Look at top 3, discard any): - Provides deck control - Helps avoid bad draws - Good setup tool

The Mountain's Gift (Gain a Silver): - Improves deck quality - Economic boost - Silver can be gained to deck

The Sea's Gift (+1 Card): - Immediate draw - Helps find key cards - Simple but useful

The Earth's Gift (May discard a card to gain a card costing up to $4): - Enables gainings - Good for engine building - Can gain engine pieces

The Sky's Gift (Discard 3 cards for +$2): - Situational economic boost - Can help reach key price points - Better late game

1. Key Combos and Synergies

a) Draw Cards - Laboratory variants - Cantrips - Terminal draw Benefits: Helps find Tracker more consistently, enabling its gain-to-deck ability

b) Gainers - Workshop - Artificer - Artisan Benefits: More opportunities to use gain-to-deck ability

c) Deck Control Cards - Scrying Pool - Oracle - Fortune Teller Benefits: Enhanced deck manipulation capabilities

d) Duration Cards - Wharf - Fishing Village - Caravan Benefits: Tracker stays in play longer, providing more gain-to-deck opportunities

e) Buy-providing Cards - Market - Grand Market - Festival Benefits: Works well with Pouch for multiple gains

1. Counter Strategies

When facing Tracker: - Rush strategies can be effective as Tracker is relatively slow - Junking opponents can reduce Tracker's effectiveness - Attack cards that mess with deck order can disrupt Tracker's gain-to-deck ability - Possession can take advantage of opponent's well-ordered deck

1. Kingdom Considerations

When deciding whether to pursue a Tracker strategy, consider:

Favorable Conditions: - Engine-building kingdoms - Presence of valuable $4-5 cost cards - Multiple useful gain effects - Duration cards present - Strong deck control elements

Unfavorable Conditions: - Rush kingdoms - Heavy attack presence - Limited gaining effects - Better $2-3 cost alternatives - Big money strategies

1. Opening Considerations

Tracker as an opening buy: Pros: - Comes with Pouch - Provides immediate utility - Flexible gaining control - Boon effects

Cons: - Weak payload - Random Boon effects - May be better $2-3 alternatives - Slow to build momentum

1. Multi-Tracker Strategies

Consider multiple Trackers when: - Few other action cards available - Want consistent access to gain-to-deck ability - Need reliable Boon access - Can benefit from multiple Pouches

Avoid multiple Trackers when: - Better engine components available - Terminal space is limited - Kingdom has strong alternatives - Rush strategy is viable

1. Timing and Execution Tips

a) Early Game: - Use gain-to-deck primarily for economy cards - Leverage Pouch for flexible purchasing - Don't overvalue Boon effects - Build toward engine pieces

b) Mid Game: - Use gain-to-deck for key engine components - Maintain deck control - Balance economic needs with engine building - Consider additional Trackers

c) Late Game: - Use gain-to-deck for Victory cards - Maximize Pouch's extra buy - Leverage Boons for final push - Maintain deck quality

1. Advanced Techniques

a) Boon Chaining: - Multiple Trackers can provide multiple Boons - Can create powerful turn sequences - Requires careful planning - Best with deck control

b) Gain Timing: - Consider when to use gain-to-deck - Plan for upcoming turns - Account for shuffle timing - Coordinate with other effects

c) Pouch Optimization: - Plan buy sequences - Coordinate with other +Buy effects - Consider split pile timing - Manage end game purchases

1. Common Mistakes to Avoid

2. Over-relying on random Boon effects

3. Neglecting engine building for Tracker control
4. Putting too many Victory cards on deck
5. Ignoring better alternatives

6. Not considering kingdom context

7. Alternative Strategies

When not to focus on Tracker: - Better engine components available - Strong attack kingdoms - Rush strategies viable - Better deck control options - Superior economic options

1. Conclusion

Tracker is a versatile $2 card that offers multiple benefits through its direct effects, Boon receiving, gain-to-deck ability, and Pouch heirloom. While not always a dominant strategy, understanding how to leverage its various aspects can provide significant advantages in many kingdoms.

Success with Tracker requires: - Understanding Boon probabilities and effects - Careful timing of gain-to-deck decisions - Proper use of Pouch - Kingdom context awareness - Balance between control and engine building

When used properly, Tracker can provide consistent deck control, economic support, and strategic flexibility that exceeds its modest cost. However, it's important to recognize when alternative strategies may be superior and adapt accordingly.

Remember that Tracker's strength lies not in any single aspect but in the combination of its various abilities and how they can be leveraged within the broader game context. Master these elements, and Tracker can become a valuable tool in your Dominion strategy arsenal.