Cost: $5
Type: Action
Text: Look through your discard pile, reveal any number of Copper cards from it, and put them into your hand.
Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Counting House:
Counting House Strategy Guide
Introduction Counting House is a $5 Action card from Prosperity that allows you to retrieve Copper cards from your discard pile. While this might initially seem counterintuitive in a game where players typically want to thin their decks of Copper, Counting House can be a powerful engine piece in specific circumstances.
Core Mechanics and Basic Considerations
Requires careful deck tracking to maximize effectiveness
Copper Management
Basic Strategy
Get card draw or deck control cards to help find Counting House
Mid Game
Build toward your key combinations
Late Game
Key Synergies and Combinations
Vault: Massive discard potential for setup
Deck Control
Navigator: Controls what enters discard pile
Multi-Action Enablers
Laboratory: Draws without discarding
Copper Synergies
Advanced Strategies
Can generate $15+ in single turns
The "Control Build"
Maximize probability of strong Counting House turns
The "Hybrid Engine"
Balance Copper count with engine efficiency
The "Rush Defense"
Counter-Strategy and Weaknesses
Slow to get started
Cards That Counter Counting House
Knights: Threaten Counting House directly
Strategies That Counter Counting House
When to Buy Counting House
Good Situations: - Kingdom has strong sifters - Copper synergy cards present - Slower pace likely - Multi-action support available
Bad Situations: - Heavy attacking kingdoms - Fast rush potential - Limited actions available - Better $5 alternatives present
Kingdom Analysis Examples
Example Kingdom 1: Village, Warehouse, Counting House, Market, Laboratory - Strong potential for Counting House - Warehouse enables setup - Village/Lab provide action support - Consider this approach
Example Kingdom 2: Militia, Chapel, Festival, Counting House, Witch - Poor conditions for Counting House - Attack pressure problematic - Chapel conflicts with strategy - Look for alternative approach
Sample Turn Sequences
Setup Turn: 1. Play Village 2. Play Warehouse, discard Coppers 3. Play Counting House 4. Retrieve discarded Coppers Result: Strong buying power
Power Turn: 1. Play King's Court 2. Target Counting House 3. Retrieve 12+ Coppers Result: Massive buying potential
Optimization Tips
Plan turns ahead
Purchase Timing
Know when to stop building
Action Management
Maintain flexibility
Copper Balance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Forcing the strategy
Tactical Errors
Suboptimal discard choices
Build Mistakes
Skill Development Tips
Recognize favorable kingdoms
Intermediate Goals
Improve decision timing
Advanced Techniques
Conclusion
Counting House is a specialized card that requires careful planning and execution but can be extremely powerful in the right circumstances. Success depends on: - Proper kingdom analysis - Strong supporting cards - Careful timing - Efficient execution
While not always the optimal strategy, understanding Counting House play improves overall game knowledge and provides unique options in appropriate kingdoms.
Quick Reference Guide
Key Support Cards: - Warehouse - Village variants - Throne Room effects - Deck control cards
Important Numbers: - 8-15 Coppers ideal - Buy around turn 4-6 - Target $8+ power turns - Consider 2 copies
Critical Checks: - Kingdom support - Pace of game - Attack presence - Alternative options
This comprehensive understanding of Counting House will help players identify and execute this strategy when appropriate while avoiding its use in unfavorable circumstances.