Patron (Renaissance)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Patron:

Patron Strategy Guide

Introduction Patron is a versatile $4-cost Action-Reaction card from Renaissance that provides both immediate economic benefits and ongoing rewards through its reveal reaction. Its dual nature as both an economy card and a reaction makes it an interesting addition to many strategies, though it requires some careful consideration to maximize its potential.

Basic Functions

1. Action Phase Benefits
2. Provides +1 Villager

3. Gives +$2 These immediate benefits make Patron a solid economic card even without considering its reaction ability.

4. Reaction Ability

5. Triggers whenever Patron is revealed
6. Adds +1 Coffers each time
7. Important: Must use the word "reveal" specifically
8. Can trigger multiple times per game

Core Strengths

1. Economic Flexibility
2. The combination of +$2 and +1 Villager offers both immediate and stored economic potential
3. Villagers provide action flexibility for future turns

4. Can help hit important price points ($5, $6, $8) reliably

5. Self-Synergy

6. Multiple Patrons work well together
7. Each Patron can potentially generate multiple Coffers through reveal effects

8. Scales well with both quantity and reveal opportunities

9. Non-Terminal

10. Doesn't consume an action
11. Can be played alongside other actions without creating action conflicts
12. Helps maintain deck flow

Using Patron Effectively

1. Basic Play Patterns
2. Early game: Use as standard economy
3. Mid game: Begin leveraging reveal synergies

4. Late game: Convert stored resources (Villagers/Coffers) as needed

5. Quantity Considerations

6. Generally want 2-3 copies minimum
7. Can support up to 4-5 copies in reveal-heavy games

8. More valuable in kingdoms with multiple reveal effects

9. Timing Considerations

10. Early acquisition can maximize reveal opportunities
11. Consider whether to play immediately or hold for reveal effects
12. Balance between immediate money and potential future Coffers

Synergies

1. Reveal Cards Strong synergies with cards that reveal:
2. Sentinel
3. Rabble
4. Oracle
5. Ghost
6. Wishing Well
7. Hunting Party

8. Jack of all Trades

9. Deck Inspection Cards Cards that look at your deck can reveal Patron:

10. Advisor
11. Scout
12. Navigator

13. Spy variants

14. Coffers/Villager Synergies Works well with:

15. Plaza (convert Villagers to Coffers)
16. Scholar (clean hand management)
17. Investment
18. Capitalism

19. Bank

20. Draw Effects Cards that reveal while drawing:

21. Library
22. Watchtower
23. Menagerie
24. Harvest

Specific Combo Examples

1. Patron + Sentinel
2. Sentinel reveals top card repeatedly
3. Each reveal of Patron generates Coffers

4. Can create consistent Coffers engine

5. Patron + Library

6. Library reveals cards until reaching hand size
7. Multiple Patrons can generate multiple Coffers

8. Helps build economy while drawing

9. Patron + Hunting Party

10. Reveals cards until finding different one
11. Multiple Patrons increase chances of triggers
12. Generates both draw and economy

Counter-Strategies

1. Opposing Considerations
2. Rush strategies can outpace Patron's gradual value
3. Attack cards that bottom-deck can reduce reveal opportunities

4. Cursing attacks can dilute deck and reduce Patron reveals

5. Defensive Measures

6. Consider trashing to maintain deck quality
7. Balance reveal opportunities with deck efficiency
8. Don't over-invest in Patrons without sufficient reveal effects

When to Buy Patron

1. Early Game ($4 Opening) Favorable conditions:
2. Kingdom has reveal effects
3. No strong alternate $4 plays
4. Plan for longer game

5. Need flexible economy

6. Mid Game Consider buying when:

7. Reveal effects become available
8. Need non-terminal actions
9. Want flexible resources

10. Building engine infrastructure

11. Late Game Usually avoid unless:

12. Specifically needed for combo
13. Have strong reveal engine
14. Need flexible resources for finish

Kingdom Considerations

1. Fast vs. Slow Kingdoms
2. Better in slower kingdoms
3. Needs time to accumulate value

4. Less effective in rush environments

5. Engine vs. Big Money

6. Stronger in engines with reveal effects
7. Decent in Big Money with relevant reveals

8. Better with action-heavy strategies

9. Attack-Heavy Kingdoms

10. Resilient to hand-size attacks
11. Vulnerable to deck-ordering attacks
12. Consider defensive priorities

Optimization Techniques

1. Deck Positioning
2. Keep Patrons near top when reveal effects coming
3. Consider deck tracking for maximum reveals

4. Balance with other key cards

5. Resource Management

6. Save Villagers for crucial turns
7. Convert Coffers strategically

8. Plan around key price points

9. Timing Reveals

10. Maximize reveal opportunities
11. Coordinate with other players' turns
12. Consider opportunity costs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-Investment
2. Buying too many without reveal support
3. Neglecting other important cards

4. Focusing too much on reveal potential

5. Poor Resource Management

6. Using Villagers/Coffers too early
7. Not saving resources for key turns

8. Inefficient conversion timing

9. Missed Opportunities

10. Failing to track reveal possibilities
11. Poor deck management
12. Suboptimal play sequencing

Advanced Strategies

1. Multi-Player Considerations
2. More players = more reveal opportunities
3. Consider table position

4. Watch for reveal attacks

5. Engine Building

6. Use as supplement, not core
7. Balance with draw and actions

8. Leverage flexibility for engine consistency

9. Endgame Tactics

10. Convert resources for province buys
11. Time reveal effects for maximum impact
12. Consider victory card pile control

Sample Strategies

1. Patron/Sentinel Engine Goal: Consistent Coffers generation Key components:
2. 3-4 Patrons
3. 2-3 Sentinels
4. Supporting draw Development:
5. Early Patrons and Sentinel
6. Build reveal engine

7. Convert resources for provinces

8. Patron/Library Draw Goal: Efficient deck cycling with economy Key components:

9. 2-3 Patrons
10. 2 Libraries
11. Action support Development:
12. Establish draw engine
13. Add Patrons for economy

14. Use reveals for additional resources

15. Patron Support Strategy Goal: Flexible resource generation Key components:

16. 2 Patrons
17. Various reveal effects
18. Core strategy pieces Development:
19. Build main strategy
20. Add Patrons for support
21. Leverage reveals opportunistically

Conclusion

Patron is a versatile card that offers both immediate economic benefits and long-term potential through its reveal reaction. Success with Patron requires: - Understanding reveal opportunities - Proper resource management - Strategic timing - Appropriate quantity - Kingdom context awareness

While not always a game-defining card, Patron can provide significant value in the right circumstances and deserves careful consideration in kingdoms with reveal effects. Its flexibility and non-terminal nature make it a solid addition to many strategies, particularly those that can leverage its reveal potential effectively.

Remember to: - Evaluate reveal potential in kingdom - Consider timing and quantity - Manage resources effectively - Balance with other strategic needs - Watch for key synergies and opportunities

With proper understanding and application, Patron can be a powerful tool in your Dominion strategy arsenal, providing both immediate value and long-term advantages through careful resource management and reveal optimization.