Cost: $4
Type: Action
Text: +1 Card\n+2 Actions\n+1 Buy
Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Worker's Village:
Worker's Village Strategy Guide
Introduction Worker's Village is a powerful village card (action-providing card) from the Prosperity set that offers a balanced package of +1 Card, +2 Actions, and +1 Buy for $4. Its versatility and efficiency make it a cornerstone card in many engine strategies, and understanding how to best utilize it is crucial for improving your Dominion gameplay.
Core Benefits
Action Generation The +2 Actions provided by Worker's Village is its primary strength. This allows you to play multiple terminal actions (actions that don't give +Actions) in a single turn, which is essential for building effective engines.
Deck Cycling The +1 Card ensures that Worker's Village at least replaces itself, maintaining hand size while providing its benefits. This is crucial for maintaining engine consistency.
Buy Flexibility The +1 Buy is a significant bonus that sets Worker's Village apart from many other village cards. This additional purchasing power enables multiple-card acquisition turns and supports various strategic approaches.
When to Buy Worker's Village
Early Game Considerations: - If there are strong terminal actions in the kingdom - When building an engine is viable - If multiple-buy strategies are possible - When competing with other players for limited action providers
Mid-Game Considerations: - To support newly acquired terminal actions - When transitioning from money strategy to engine - To enable more complex card combinations - When additional Buys become valuable for gaining victory cards
Late Game Considerations: - Usually lower priority unless needed for specific combinations - Can still be valuable for enabling multiple victory card purchases - May be worth picking up if opponents are heavily contesting actions
Comparison to Other Villages
Worker's Village vs. Village ($3): Advantages: - Provides +1 Buy - More robust against attacks that give copper - Better terminal draw support due to buy flexibility
Disadvantages: - Costs $1 more - Competes with other important $4 cards - Slightly harder to obtain early
Worker's Village vs. City ($5): Advantages: - Immediately provides full benefits - More reliable in the early game - Lower cost allows earlier acquisition
Disadvantages: - Doesn't scale like City - Less powerful in the late game - No potential for extra cards/coins
Building Around Worker's Village
Worker's Village excels in engine strategies due to its balanced benefits. Key considerations:
Terminal Draw Support: - Pairs excellently with cards like Smithy, Council Room, or Witch - Enables consistent drawing of deck - Supports multiple terminal draws per turn
Terminal Action Support: - Allows playing multiple attack cards - Enables combinations of terminals like Remodel/Mine - Supports action chains with cards like Market
Buy Utilization: - Enables gaining multiple cards per turn - Supports faster deck building - Allows flexible victory card acquisition
General Guidelines: - 2-3 Worker's Villages: Minimal engine support - 3-4 Worker's Villages: Medium engine support - 4-5 Worker's Villages: Heavy engine support - 5+ Worker's Villages: Specialized strategies
Factors Affecting Quantity: - Number of terminal actions in deck - Presence of other villages - Game pace - Opponent's strategies - Available kingdom cards
Draw Cards: - Smithy - Council Room - Witch - Laboratory - Drawing Attack cards
Terminal Actions: - Remodel - Mine - Chapel - Militia - Market
Buy Multipliers: - Bridge - Haggler - Highway - Market Square
Treasures: - Bank - Grand Market - Venture - Platinum
Victory Cards: - Gardens (multiple buys help accumulate cards) - Duke (faster acquisition of Duchies) - Colony (extra buys for end-game rush)
Specific Strategies and Combinations
Core Components: - 3-4 Worker's Villages - Strong terminal draw - +Buy cards (Market, Grand Market) - Payload cards
Strategy: - Build engine quickly with multiple villages - Add terminal draw for deck cycling - Use multiple buys for rapid deck improvement - Transition to victory card acquisition
Core Components: - 2-3 Worker's Villages - Multiple attack cards - Deck drawing capability
Strategy: - Establish village base early - Add multiple attack cards - Chain attacks to pressure opponents - Maintain control while building victory points
Core Components: - 2-3 Worker's Villages - Bank/Venture - Market variants - Multiple buys
Strategy: - Use villages to play multiple treasures - Leverage buy flexibility for efficient gains - Build toward high-value turns - Capitalize on treasure synergies
Countering Worker's Village Strategies
Attacks
Ghost Ship to interfere with deck order
Competing for Villages
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Consider opportunity cost
Neglecting Terminal Support
Maintain action balance
Ignoring Buy Potential
Utilize buy flexibility
Poor Timing
Advanced Tips and Techniques
Plan early game trajectory
Mid-Game Optimization
Adjust strategy based on opponents
Late Game Transitions
Maintain engine functionality
Multi-Player Dynamics
Sample Turn Sequences
Early Game: Turn 1-2: Silver + Worker's Village Turn 3-4: Add terminal draw or payload Turn 5-6: Second Worker's Village + terminal action
Mid Game Engine: - Worker's Village - Smithy - Worker's Village - Market - Terminal action - Multiple card gains
Late Game Victory Point Rush: - Worker's Village - Draw cards - Payload actions - Multiple victory card purchases
Conclusion
Worker's Village is a versatile and powerful village card that provides essential engine support while offering valuable buy flexibility. Its balanced benefits make it suitable for various strategies, from simple action chains to complex engines. Success with Worker's Village comes from understanding its role in your strategy, maintaining appropriate quantities, and leveraging its multiple benefits effectively.
Key Takeaways: - Essential engine component - Flexible support card - Buy benefit adds strategic options - Balance quantity with needs - Consider kingdom context - Watch timing and opportunity cost
Mastering Worker's Village usage will significantly improve your Dominion gameplay and enable more complex and powerful strategies. The card's straightforward benefits belie its strategic depth, and proper utilization can often be the difference between victory and defeat.