Cutpurse (Seaside)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Cutpurse:

Cutpurse Strategy Guide

Overview Cutpurse is a $4 Action-Attack card from Seaside that serves two purposes: providing $2 and forcing opponents to discard Copper. While this might seem straightforward, understanding when and how to use Cutpurse effectively requires careful consideration of multiple factors.

Basic Characteristics - Provides +$2, making it equivalent to Silver in terms of money production - Forces opponents to discard Copper (if they have any) - Costs $4, competing with other important price point cards - Attack that doesn't give cursing or junking

Core Strengths 1. Economic Disruption - Directly attacks opponent's buying power - Most effective in early-to-mid game when Copper is prevalent - Can prevent crucial $5 or $6 purchases - Particularly strong against Big Money strategies

1. Reliable Treasure
2. Always provides $2, making it reliable even when attack misses
3. Not terminal (doesn't end your Action phase)
4. Can function as economy in Action-heavy decks

When to Buy Cutpurse

Strong Situations:

1. Early Game (Turns 1-4)
2. When opponents haven't yet trimmed much Copper
3. When competing strategies rely on precise money amounts

4. When few other compelling $4 options exist

5. Mid Game

6. When opponents still have significant Copper
7. When denying specific purchase amounts is crucial
8. When additional $2 sources are needed

Weak Situations:

1. Late Game
2. When opponents have already removed most Copper
3. When victory cards are the primary focus

4. When deck space is precious

5. Kingdom Context

6. When stronger $4 options exist
7. When opponents have easy access to Silver/Gold
8. When attack immunity is readily available

Strategic Considerations

1. Timing Opening with Cutpurse:
2. Can be strong in 4/3 openings
3. Less appealing in 5/2 openings where stronger $5 cards are available
4. Consider whether early attack pressure justifies passing on other $4 cards

Mid-game Acquisition: - Evaluate remaining Copper in opponent's deck - Consider if $2 payload is still valuable - Assess opportunity cost versus other purchases

1. Quantity How many Cutpurses?
2. Usually 2-3 is optimal
3. More can be warranted if:
4. Opponents heavily rely on Copper
5. Few other money sources available
6. Multiple actions per turn are common

7. Diminishing returns after 3-4 copies

8. Deck Composition Impact

Positive Synergies: - Card draw (more chances to play multiple Cutpurses) - Action multipliers (Throne Room effects) - Duration cards (consistent timing) - Treasure-focused attacks

Negative Interactions: - Terminal draw (competing for limited actions) - Victory card rushes (too slow) - Alternative treasure strategies

Combos and Synergies

Strong Combinations:

1. Card Draw
2. Laboratory: Non-terminal draw helps find Cutpurse
3. Hunting Party: Helps find unique cards including Cutpurse

4. Library: Can draw into Cutpurse while opponents discard treasures

5. Action Multipliers

6. Throne Room/King's Court: Multiple Cutpurse attacks
7. Crown: Both multiplies actions and treasures

8. Village variants: Enable playing multiple Cutpurses

9. Duration Cards

10. Fishing Village: Provides actions for multiple turns
11. Wharf: Draw and actions support Cutpurse play

12. Haven: Can set up Cutpurse for optimal timing

13. Treasure Attacks

14. Noble Brigand: Additional treasure attack pressure
15. Pirate Ship: Compound treasure removal
16. Taxman: Transform opponent's Silver while removing Copper

Counter Strategies

Defending Against Cutpurse:

1. Deck Composition
2. Aggressive Copper trashing
3. Early Silver acquisition

4. Alternative treasure sources

5. Specific Counters

6. Moat: Direct immunity
7. Lighthouse: Ongoing immunity

8. Horse Traders: Beneficial reaction

9. Strategic Approaches

10. Rush strategies that minimize game length
11. Heavy trashing to remove Copper quickly
12. Alternative economy engines

Kingdom Considerations

Favorable Kingdoms:

1. Limited Trashing
2. Few or weak trashers
3. Expensive trashing options

4. Slow trashing mechanisms

5. Action Support

6. Villages available
7. Card draw present

8. Duration card synergies

9. Economic Context

10. Few alternative money sources
11. Important price points
12. Treasure-dependent strategies

Unfavorable Kingdoms:

1. Strong Trashing
2. Chapel available
3. Multiple efficient trashers

4. Fast deck thinning

5. Alternative Economy

6. Plenty of Silver gainers
7. Strong treasure alternatives
8. Price-independent strategies

Sample Strategies

1. Cutpurse/Draw Engine Components:
2. 2-3 Cutpurses
3. Village variants
4. Non-terminal draw
5. Light trashing

Goal: Consistently play multiple Cutpurses while maintaining deck control

1. Cutpurse Big Money Components:
2. 2-3 Cutpurses
3. Silver/Gold
4. Light trashing
5. Optional terminal draw

Goal: Leverage Cutpurse's $2 while disrupting opponent's economy

1. Cutpurse/Duration Control Components:
2. 2 Cutpurses
3. Duration villages
4. Card draw
5. Control elements

Goal: Establish consistent Cutpurse pressure while developing board control

Timing and Efficiency

Early Game: - Focus on acquiring initial Cutpurse - Develop action support if needed - Consider trashing needs

Mid Game: - Evaluate need for additional copies - Monitor opponent's Copper density - Balance economy development

Late Game: - Transition to victory cards - Consider trimming Cutpurses - Maintain pressure if still effective

Multiplayer Considerations

2-Player Games: - More consistent attack impact - Easier to track Copper density - Stronger overall effect

3+ Player Games: - Dispersed attack impact - More potential for immunity - Consider quantity carefully

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-investment
2. Buying too many copies
3. Focusing too heavily on attack

4. Neglecting victory condition

5. Poor Timing

6. Late game acquisition
7. Ignoring opponent's trashing

8. Missing crucial price points

9. Strategic Misalignment

10. Forcing into wrong strategies
11. Ignoring better alternatives
12. Poor support card choices

Advanced Tips

1. Tracking Effectiveness
2. Monitor opponent's hand reveals
3. Track trashing progress

4. Assess economic impact

5. Tactical Considerations

6. Order of operations with other attacks
7. Timing with duration cards

8. Managing action economy

9. Strategic Flexibility

10. Adapting quantity to game state
11. Transitioning to alternate strategies
12. Leveraging as economy vs. attack

Conclusion

Cutpurse occupies an interesting space in Dominion strategy. While not as devastating as some attacks or as economically efficient as pure money cards, it combines moderate versions of both effects in a way that can be surprisingly effective in the right circumstances.

Key Takeaways: - Most effective in early-to-mid game - Usually want 2-3 copies - Requires careful kingdom analysis - Best with action support - Consider opportunity cost at $4 - Monitor effectiveness as game progresses

Success with Cutpurse comes from understanding both its strengths and limitations, timing its acquisition appropriately, and supporting it with complementary cards. While rarely a dominant strategy centerpiece, it can be a valuable component in many decks when used thoughtfully and efficiently.