Border Guard (Renaissance)

Border Guard Strategy Guide

Border Guard is a $2 Action card from Renaissance that offers deck manipulation, card selection, and potential access to two powerful Artifacts (the Lantern and Horn). This comprehensive guide will explore how to maximize Border Guard's effectiveness in your Dominion games.

1. Basic Mechanics and Value Assessment

Border Guard's primary function is to reveal two cards and choose one to keep, similar to a mini-Harbinger or Looking Glass. This basic functionality provides: - Card selection (choosing the better of two options) - Information about your deck composition - Potential artifact acquisition - No terminal draw penalty (it replaces itself)

The card's low $2 cost makes it an attractive early-game purchase, especially when opening 2/5 or 3/4.

1. The Artifacts

Understanding Border Guard's artifacts is crucial to maximizing its potential:

Lantern: - When you play an Action, reveal the top card of your deck - If it's an Action, you may play it - Effectively enables Action chaining

Horn: - At the start of your turn, you may call this to discard any number of cards and draw that many

Both artifacts are powerful in different situations, and knowing when to pursue each is key to Border Guard strategy.

1. Early Game Strategy

Early Game Considerations: - Border Guard works well as an opening buy - Pairs effectively with other $2-3 cost cards - Can help find key cards earlier - Provides deck insight when you're still learning your deck's composition

Opening Buy Scenarios: a) Border Guard/Silver ($3/$2 split) - Solid general-purpose opening - Helps find the Silver when needed - Can improve consistency

b) Border Guard/Terminal Action ($2/$5 split) - Helps find the terminal action - Reduces terminal collision - Can potentially chain actions with Lantern

1. Mid-Game Development

As your deck evolves, Border Guard's utility changes:

Action-Heavy Decks: - Increased likelihood of triggering artifact acquisition - Lantern becomes more valuable - Can help chain multiple actions together

Treasure-Heavy Decks: - Primarily serves as deck filtering - Horn may be more valuable for hand improvement - Less likely to gain artifacts

1. Artifact Selection Strategy

Choosing between Lantern and Horn requires careful consideration:

Choose Lantern when: - Running an action-heavy engine - Multiple valuable actions in deck - Need help with action chaining - Village/drawing effects are limited

Choose Horn when: - Deck has weak cards to discard - Need hand improvement - Playing Big Money strategy - Want flexibility in hand size

1. Synergies and Combinations

Strong Synergies:

a) Action-Based Engines - Throne Room variants - Villages - Card drawers - Duration cards

b) Deck Manipulation - Scrying Pool - Oracle - Navigator - Patrol

c) Specific Card Synergies: - Laboratory variants (guaranteed action reveals) - Hunting Grounds (high-value actions) - King's Court (triple Border Guard can quickly get artifacts) - Treasury (helps ensure action reveals)

1. Number of Border Guards to Buy

Optimal Border Guard quantity depends on strategy:

Action-Heavy Engine: - 2-3 Border Guards recommended - Increases chances of getting artifacts - Provides consistent deck filtering

Big Money: - 1-2 Border Guards sufficient - Mainly for deck filtering - Less emphasis on artifacts

Mixed Strategy: - 2 Border Guards typically optimal - Balances filtering and artifact acquisition - Avoids excessive deck dilution

1. Counter-Strategy and Competition

Playing Against Border Guard:

• Rush strategies can limit its impact
• Junking opponents reduces action density
• Competing for artifacts can be important

Defending Your Border Guard Strategy:

• Maintain action density
• Consider trashing to improve reveal quality

• Plan artifact timing carefully

• Kingdom Considerations

Border Guard's value varies based on kingdom features:

Favorable Kingdoms: - Multiple useful actions - Limited trashing - Weak alternative $2 cards - Action chaining potential

Unfavorable Kingdoms: - Strong alternative $2 cards - Heavy trashing available - Few valuable actions - Strong alternative engines

1. Advanced Techniques

Timing Considerations: - Play Border Guards early in turn - Consider saving for next turn if needed - Plan artifact timing carefully

Deck Tracking: - Monitor action density - Track important cards - Use revealed information strategically

Multiple Border Guard Sequencing: - Play in optimal order - Consider artifact timing - Maximize information gained

1. Common Mistakes to Avoid

2. Over-investing in Border Guards

3. Don't buy too many
4. Balance with other needs

5. Consider diminishing returns

6. Poor Artifact Timing

7. Don't take artifacts too early
8. Consider opponent's needs

9. Plan usage timing

10. Neglecting Basic Function

11. Don't focus solely on artifacts
12. Value the filtering aspect

13. Use revealed information

14. Special Considerations

Tournament Play: - Time management important - Clear artifact calling - Proper card revelation

Multiplayer Games: - Artifact competition increases - Value may decrease - Consider table position

1. Specific Kingdom Analysis

Example Strong Kingdoms:

Kingdom A: - Laboratory - Village - Smithy - Market Border Guard excels with consistent actions and strong chain potential

Kingdom B: - Treasury - Festival - Library - Militia Horn becomes valuable for hand improvement

Example Weak Kingdoms:

Kingdom C: - Chapel - Moneylender - Gardens - Workshop Limited action value reduces Border Guard's utility

1. Strategic Decision Trees

Early Game: If opening $2: - Consider Border Guard vs. alternatives - Evaluate action density potential - Assess artifact value

Mid Game: If holding Border Guard: - Play early in turn - Choose reveals carefully - Plan artifact timing

Late Game: If holding Border Guard: - Focus on filtering - Consider discarding weak cards - Maximize artifact value

1. Practical Tips

Implementation Advice: - Clear artifact calling - Efficient revealing - Quick decision-making - Proper card handling

Online Play: - Use hotkeys efficiently - Manage time well - Clear communication

Physical Play: - Organize artifacts clearly - Reveal cards efficiently - Maintain game pace

1. Cost Analysis

$2 Investment Returns: - Card filtering - Deck information - Potential artifacts - Action chaining

Opportunity Cost: - Alternative $2 cards - Deck space - Action use - Buy phase timing

1. Conclusion

Border Guard is a versatile $2 card that offers: - Consistent deck filtering - Valuable information - Powerful artifacts - Engine support

Success with Border Guard requires: - Understanding kingdom context - Proper timing - Strategic artifact selection - Balanced investment

The card's low cost and multiple benefits make it a valuable addition to many strategies, particularly in action-heavy decks. Mastering Border Guard's nuances can provide significant advantages in appropriate kingdoms.

Key Takeaways:

1. Value both the basic function and artifacts
2. Consider kingdom context carefully
3. Time artifact acquisition strategically
4. Maintain appropriate action density
5. Use revealed information effectively

Border Guard's combination of low cost, deck filtering, and powerful artifacts makes it a valuable tool in many Dominion strategies. Understanding when and how to use it effectively can significantly improve your game performance.

Final Tips: - Start with basics before focusing on artifacts - Practice timing and sequencing - Learn from revealed information - Adapt strategy to kingdom context - Balance investment with other needs

With proper understanding and application of these principles, Border Guard can be a powerful addition to your Dominion strategy arsenal.