Bazaar
Some card images may not be available for public viewing.

Bazaar (Seaside)

Cost: $5

Type: Action

Text: +1 Card\n+2 Actions\n+$1.

Strategy Review

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Bazaar:

Bazaar Strategy Guide

Introduction Bazaar is a $5-cost action card from the Seaside expansion that provides +1 Card, +2 Actions, and +$1. While it might seem like a modest package of effects, Bazaar's versatility and action-enabling capabilities make it a valuable component in many engines and action chains.

Core Functions

  1. Action Generation
  2. Bazaar's primary strength is providing +2 Actions while replacing itself with a card
  3. This makes it an excellent "village" card (cards that provide extra actions)

  4. Unlike pure villages like Village (+1 Card, +2 Actions), Bazaar adds economic value with its +$1

  5. Economy

  6. The +$1 bonus means Bazaar partially pays for itself when played
  7. Unlike most villages, Bazaar contributes to your buying power

  8. This economic component makes it more flexible than pure villages

  9. Deck Cycling

  10. The +1 Card ensures Bazaar replaces itself
  11. This prevents action chains from stalling
  12. Helps maintain hand size while building action chains

When to Buy Bazaar

Early Game Considerations: - Consider Bazaar when you see multiple valuable terminal actions (actions that don't give +Action) - Good early purchase if you plan to build an engine - Can work as an opening buy, though $5 openings often have stronger alternatives - More valuable when there are strong $3-4 terminal actions available

Mid-Game Considerations: - Useful for expanding action capacity as your deck grows - Helps incorporate additional terminal actions - Can support transition from money-based strategy to engine - Valuable when adding payload cards that need actions

Late Game Considerations: - Less valuable as a late purchase unless specifically needed for combos - Better to focus on victory cards or game-ending components - Can still be useful if trying to enhance existing engine reliability

Synergies and Combinations

Strong Terminal Action Partners: 1. Smithy/Council Room - Bazaar enables multiple card drawers - +$1 helps offset the cost of not having treasure cards - Creates reliable draw engines

  1. Festival/Market
  2. Combines economic boost with action generation
  3. Creates sustainable action chains

  4. Helps reach important price points

  5. Laboratory

  6. Lab's +1 Action pairs well with Bazaar's +2 Actions
  7. Creates reliable draw while maintaining actions

  8. Good foundation for more complex engines

  9. Witch/Curse-givers

  10. Enables multiple attacks per turn
  11. Maintains economy while executing attacks
  12. Helps find victory cards for defense

Engine Components: 1. Throne Room/King's Court - Can double/triple Bazaar's benefits - Creates massive action surplus - Economic boost becomes significant

  1. Duration Cards
  2. Bazaar helps play multiple duration cards in one turn
  3. Good with Fishing Village, Wharf, etc.

  4. Creates sustained economic and action growth

  5. Treasure Map

  6. Bazaar's +Actions help play multiple Treasure Maps
  7. +$1 helps reach important buy thresholds

  8. Supports quick gold gain strategies

  9. Draw-to-X Cards

  10. Library, Watchtower benefit from action surplus
  11. Helps ensure consistent hand sizes
  12. Maintains action availability for drawn cards

Building Around Bazaar

Basic Engine Structure: 1. Core Components - 2-3 Bazaars for reliable action generation - Terminal draw cards for hand cycling - Payload cards for victory points or attacks

  1. Support Elements
  2. Additional villages for redundancy
  3. Trashing cards to remove basic treasures

  4. Card selection to find key pieces

  5. Victory Condition

  6. Point-generating actions
  7. Multiple-buy enablers
  8. Attack cards for interference

Sample Engine Progression: Early Game - Acquire 1-2 Bazaars - Add terminal draw - Include basic trashing

Mid Game - Build to 3-4 Bazaars - Incorporate payload cards - Develop reliable draw

Late Game - Add victory cards - Maintain engine reliability - Execute winning strategy

Countering Bazaar-Based Strategies

  1. Rush Strategies
  2. Fast Province rushing can outpace engine building
  3. Gardens strategies can win before engine matures

  4. Colony rush in appropriate kingdoms

  5. Deck Attack

  6. Discard attacks disrupt action chains
  7. Junking attacks slow engine development

  8. Hand-size reduction affects reliability

  9. Alternative Engines

  10. Competing engines with stronger payload
  11. Money-based strategies in appropriate kingdoms
  12. More efficient action generators

Comparing to Other Villages

vs. Village ($3) Advantages: - Provides economy - Higher deck quality - Better late-game value

Disadvantages: - More expensive - Harder to obtain multiples - Competes with other $5 cards

vs. Fishing Village ($3) Advantages: - Immediate +$1 - More actions at once - Better with shuffling

Disadvantages: - No duration effect - Less total economy - Higher cost

vs. Festival ($5) Advantages: - Draws a card - More flexible - Better with draw cards

Disadvantages: - Less economy - No +Buy - Less terminal payload

Kingdom Considerations

Strong Kingdoms: 1. Multiple valuable terminals 2. Limited alternative villages 3. Important $5-6 price points 4. Draw-heavy strategies 5. Action-based attacks

Weak Kingdoms: 1. Strong money strategies 2. Alternative village abundance 3. Limited terminal actions 4. Rush-friendly boards 5. Superior $5 cards

Special Situations

  1. Gardens Kingdoms
  2. Bazaar adds cards while providing actions
  3. Supports broader strategy

  4. Helps reach key price points

  5. Colony Games

  6. Supports building to higher price points
  7. Enables complex engines

  8. Works well with Platinum

  9. Shelter Games

  10. Helps overcome Overgrown Estate
  11. Supports early engine building
  12. Provides needed economy

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Over-investing
  2. Don't buy too many Bazaars
  3. Balance with payload cards

  4. Consider alternative investments

  5. Under-investing

  6. Need enough for reliable chains
  7. Account for shuffle variance

  8. Consider deck size

  9. Poor Timing

  10. Don't delay necessary engine pieces
  11. Balance with victory cards

  12. Watch opponent's strategy

  13. Neglecting Economy

  14. Don't rely solely on +$1
  15. Include sufficient treasure
  16. Consider additional economy cards

Advanced Techniques

  1. Action Management
  2. Track action count carefully
  3. Plan optimal play order

  4. Consider future turns

  5. Deck Composition

  6. Maintain proper ratios
  7. Account for deck cycling

  8. Balance components

  9. Timing Considerations

  10. When to transition to engine
  11. When to add victory cards
  12. When to go for provinces

Sample Game Plans

Basic Engine: - 2-3 Bazaars - 2-3 Smithies - 1-2 trashers - Victory cards

Draw-Heavy: - 3-4 Bazaars - 4-5 drawing terminals - Payload cards - Support cards

Attack-Based: - 2-3 Bazaars - 2-3 attacks - Card draw - Victory cards

Conclusion

Bazaar is a versatile village that provides a balanced mix of benefits. Its combination of action generation, card draw, and economy makes it a valuable component in many engines. While not always the optimal choice, its flexibility and reliability make it a strong contender in many kingdoms.

Success with Bazaar requires: - Proper evaluation of kingdom context - Balanced deck composition - Good timing of purchases - Understanding of engine building - Careful action management

When used correctly, Bazaar can support a wide range of successful strategies and provide the foundation for powerful engines. Its moderate cost and balanced benefits make it a valuable tool in any player's strategic arsenal.