Bank (Prosperity)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Bank in Dominion:

Bank Strategy Guide

Introduction Bank is a powerful terminal Treasure card from Prosperity that can generate significant amounts of money when played with other Treasures. Its unique scaling ability makes it particularly effective in treasure-heavy decks, but requires careful deck construction and timing to maximize its potential.

Basic Mechanics - Bank's value depends on the number of Treasure cards in play when you play it - It counts itself, so it's always worth at least $1 - Multiple Banks each count all Treasures in play - Order of play matters significantly with Bank

Key Strengths 1. High Scaling Potential - Can generate more money than Gold in many situations - Value increases throughout the Buy phase - Multiple Banks compound effectively

1. Flexibility
2. Works with any Treasure cards
3. Doesn't require specific Action cards to function

4. Can fit into various deck strategies

5. Terminal Nature

6. Unlike most terminal cards, being terminal doesn't hurt Bank
7. No Action requirement means it doesn't compete for Action space

Key Weaknesses 1. High Cost - $7 cost makes it difficult to acquire early - Competing with Provinces for purchases - Opportunity cost of not buying other important cards

1. Requires Support
2. Needs other Treasures to be effective
3. Less valuable in isolation
4. Can be awkward in starting hands

Optimal Use Strategies

1. Deck Composition The ideal deck composition for Bank varies based on the kingdom, but generally:

a) Treasure Density - Aim for higher than normal Treasure density - 40-50% Treasure composition can be appropriate - Consider keeping some Coppers rather than aggressive trimming

b) Multiple Banks - Usually want 2-3 Banks - More can be good but diminishing returns apply - Consider kingdom context for optimal number

1. Play Order Proper play order is crucial with Bank:

a) Basic Principle - Play smaller Treasures first - Play Banks last for maximum value - Consider carefully when multiple Banks are in hand

b) Specific Orders - Copper → Silver → Gold → Bank - With multiple Banks: smaller Treasures → Bank → Bank - Consider any special Treasures in the kingdom

1. Timing Considerations When to acquire and play Banks:

a) Purchase Timing - Usually not a first or second gain - Often best as a mid-game improvement - Can be worth delaying Province purchases

b) Play Timing - Sometimes worth holding a Bank for a bigger turn - Consider deck tracking for optimal plays - May split Treasure plays across turns

Synergies and Combinations

1. Treasure-Focused Cards Strong synergies with:
2. Merchant Guild (extra coin per Buy)
3. Treasury (good deck cycling)
4. Quarry (cost reduction for Actions)
5. Venture (reveals more Treasures)

6. Fortune (doubles Treasure value)

7. Deck Control Cards that help manage Bank plays:

8. Library (draws to specific hand size)
9. Warehouse (helps find Treasures)
10. Scout (reveals/arranges Treasures)
11. Royal Seal (helps arrange next draw)

12. Counting House (gets Coppers)

13. Multiple Buys Cards that grant extra Buys work well:

14. Grand Market
15. Market
16. Worker's Village
17. Villa

18. Baker

19. Treasure Gainers Cards that help accumulate Treasures:

20. Mine (upgrades Treasures)
21. Trader (gains Silvers)
22. Mint (copies Treasures)
23. Leprechaun (gains Gold)
24. Crystal Ball (reveals/gains Treasures)

Counter Strategies and Responses

1. Attack Vulnerability Bank strategies can be weakened by:

a) Deck Attack - Ghost Ship (reduces hand size) - Militia/Torturer (discards) - Saboteur (trashes expensive cards) - Swindler (can hit Banks)

b) Junking - Curse givers dilute Treasure density - Ruins/Locusts weaken deck quality - Consider adding deck cleanup

1. Defense Mechanisms Protecting a Bank strategy:

a) Deck Control - Add trashing for cleanup - Include drawing for consistency - Consider defensive cards

b) Pace Adjustment - May need to rush Banks - Might require earlier greening - Consider alternative strategies

Kingdom Considerations

1. Fast Kingdoms In quick kingdoms:
2. Bank may be too slow
3. Consider alternative strategies

4. Focus on cheaper alternatives

5. Slow Kingdoms In slow kingdoms:

6. Bank has time to shine
7. Can accumulate multiple copies

8. More time for support cards

9. Kingdom Features to Watch Important factors:

10. Trashing availability
11. Draw quality
12. Attack presence
13. Alternative payoff cards

Optimization Tips

1. Early Game Focus on:
2. Building towards Bank cost
3. Maintaining Treasure density
4. Essential support cards

5. Trashing selectively

6. Mid Game Priority on:

7. Acquiring first Bank
8. Supporting card infrastructure
9. Deck control elements

10. Timing Bank purchases

11. Late Game Consider:

12. Additional Banks vs. green cards
13. Maintaining Treasure density
14. End game timing
15. Victory card rushing

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Deck Building Errors
2. Over-trashing Coppers
3. Neglecting support cards
4. Too many Banks too early

5. Insufficient Treasure density

6. Play Mistakes

7. Wrong play order
8. Poor timing decisions
9. Suboptimal Bank holding

10. Mismanaging multiple Banks

11. Strategic Errors

12. Forcing Bank in wrong kingdoms
13. Ignoring attacks/counters
14. Poor end game timing
15. Neglecting alternative strategies

Sample Opening Strategies

1. Standard Opening
2. Silver/Silver
3. Silver/Chapel

4. Moneylender/Silver

5. Support-Focused Opening

6. Warehouse/Silver
7. Library/Silver

8. Market/Silver

9. Kingdom-Specific Adjust based on:

10. Available $5 cards
11. Trashing options
12. Draw quality
13. Attack presence

End Game Considerations

1. Timing
2. When to switch to green cards
3. Managing deck dilution
4. Maintaining Bank effectiveness

5. Province pile control

6. Final Turns

7. Calculating maximum potential
8. Managing remaining Treasures
9. Considering 3-pile endings
10. Province/Colony decisions

Advanced Techniques

1. Bank Chaining
2. Multiple Banks in sequence
3. Calculating optimal plays
4. Managing hand composition

5. Timing considerations

6. Hybrid Strategies

7. Action/Bank balance
8. Draw/Bank coordination
9. Attack/Bank combinations

10. Engine/Bank integration

11. Special Cases

12. Possession turns
13. Way interactions
14. Project considerations
15. Landmark impacts

Conclusion

Bank is a powerful but nuanced card that requires careful deck building and thoughtful play. Success with Bank depends on: - Proper kingdom evaluation - Careful timing decisions - Appropriate support cards - Good play order - End game management

When used correctly, Bank can provide superior buying power compared to traditional Treasures, but it requires investment and support to reach its full potential. Always consider the specific kingdom context and available support cards when deciding whether to pursue a Bank strategy.

The key to mastering Bank is understanding both its potential and limitations while maintaining the flexibility to adapt your strategy based on kingdom context and opponent actions. With practice and careful attention to the principles outlined above, Bank can be a powerful tool in your Dominion arsenal.

Remember that Bank strategies, while powerful, aren't always optimal. Be prepared to pursue alternative strategies when the kingdom or game state demands it. Success with Bank comes from knowing not just how to use it, but when to use it.