Lighthouse (Seaside)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Lighthouse in Dominion:

Lighthouse Strategy Guide

Introduction Lighthouse is one of the most powerful $2 cards in Dominion, combining economic benefit with strong defensive capabilities. As an Action-Duration card that provides both economy and protection, it offers exceptional value and flexibility that makes it relevant in nearly any game where it's available.

Core Benefits

1. Economy
2. Provides $2 total (+$1 now and +$1 next turn)
3. Self-replacing with +1 Action
4. Duration effect means it stays in play, reducing hand variance

5. Very efficient money-per-card ratio

6. Defense

7. Complete immunity to Attack cards while in play
8. Proactive rather than reactive defense (unlike Moat)
9. Doesn't use up an action or card when defending
10. Protection lasts until your next turn

Basic Strategy

Early Game Lighthouse is almost always a strong early-game purchase for several reasons: - At $2, it's accessible on most opening splits - Provides immediate economic benefit - Helps protect against early attacks - Duration effect helps smooth out early deck variance

The key early-game decision is usually not whether to buy Lighthouse, but how many to acquire. In most games, getting 2-3 Lighthouses early is beneficial because: - They stack well for both money and protection - Multiple copies increase the chance of having protection active - The economic boost is significant in thin decks

Mid Game During the middle phase of the game, Lighthouse continues to provide value: - Reliable source of +$1 per turn - Maintains protection against increasingly powerful attacks - Helps maintain action chains - Doesn't interfere with deck-drawing strategies

Late Game Lighthouse's utility can decrease in the late game, but it remains relevant: - Still provides essential attack protection - Economic contribution helps reach important price points - Duration effect keeps it from cluttering your deck

Advanced Tactics

1. Timing Considerations
2. Play Lighthouse late in your action phase if you don't need the immediate $1
3. This maximizes the duration of attack protection

4. Consider keeping a Lighthouse in hand if you expect attacks next turn

5. Stacking Strategy

6. Multiple Lighthouses in play compound both benefits
7. Protection remains even if some are drawn back into deck
8. Can create a reliable economic engine

9. Consider the opportunity cost vs. other $2-$3 cards

10. Card Interactions

Positive Synergies:

a) Duration Cards - Wharf: Creates powerful economic sequences - Caravan: Helps maintain continuous card draw - Haven: Provides complementary deck control - Fishing Village: Forms strong action chains

b) Treasury - Lighthouse's clean $1 production helps hit exact amounts - Duration effect means money is guaranteed for next turn

c) Action Chains - Self-replacing nature helps maintain chains - Works well with Villages and other +Action cards - Reliable source of money without terminal actions

d) Bridge - Cost reduction makes buying multiple Lighthouses easier - Economic boost helps leverage Bridge's power

Negative Interactions:

a) Possession - Lighthouse doesn't protect against Possession - Can reduce effectiveness of your own Possessions

b) Terminal Draw - Competes for action space in heavy drawing strategies - May need to be more selective with Lighthouse quantity

Defense Strategy

1. Attack Protection Lighthouse protects against all Attack cards, including:
2. Militia/Militia variants
3. Witch/cursing attacks
4. Ghost Ship/deck manipulation
5. Saboteur/trash attacks

6. Pirate Ship/treasure attacks

7. Advantages over Other Defenses Compared to Moat:

8. Doesn't require holding the card
9. Provides economic benefit
10. Doesn't use up an action to defend
11. More reliable protection

Compared to Horse Traders: - No need to discard - Continuous protection - More consistent benefits

1. Protection Gaps Understanding when Lighthouse doesn't protect:
2. Must be in play to provide protection
3. Doesn't stop Possession
4. Can't prevent passive negative effects
5. Vulnerable during reshuffle turns

Kingdom Considerations

1. When to Prioritize Lighthouse

High Priority: - Attack-heavy kingdoms - Engine-building environments - Duration card synergies - Thin deck strategies - Limited alternative economy

Medium Priority: - Balanced kingdoms - Multiple defense options - Strong alternative $2-$3 cards - Big money strategies

Low Priority: - No attack cards present - Very fast kingdoms - Strong alternative economy - Heavy trashing available

1. Quantity Guidelines

How many Lighthouses to buy:

Optimal (3-4): - Heavy attack presence - Duration synergies - Limited alternative economy - Engine-building strategy

Moderate (2-3): - Some attacks present - Balanced strategy - Multiple economic options - Mixed duration effects

Minimal (1-2): - Few or weak attacks - Strong alternative options - Fast game pace - Terminal action pressure

Competition Considerations

1. Mirror Matches When opponents also buy Lighthouse:
2. Consider racing to secure more copies
3. Focus on leveraging economic benefit
4. Look for complementary strategies

5. May need to diversify approach

6. Rush Strategies Against rush strategies:

7. Lighthouse helps maintain economy
8. Protection prevents disruption
9. May need to limit quantity

10. Balance with victory card acquisition

11. Engine Battles In engine-building competitions:

12. Helps protect engine development
13. Provides reliable economy
14. Maintains action chains
15. Consider opportunity cost

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Over-investment
2. Buying too many Lighthouses early
3. Neglecting other important cards
4. Relying too heavily on $1 payments

5. Ignoring terminal action density

6. Under-utilization

7. Not buying enough against attacks
8. Failing to recognize economic value
9. Overlooking duration synergies

10. Missing timing opportunities

11. Tactical Errors

12. Playing too early in turn
13. Not maintaining protection coverage
14. Neglecting reshuffle timing
15. Overvaluing in non-attack kingdoms

Advanced Tips

1. Deck Tracking
2. Monitor Lighthouse cycling
3. Track protection coverage
4. Plan for reshuffle gaps

5. Adjust quantity based on deck size

6. Timing Optimization

7. Consider opponent's likely plays
8. Plan action sequences
9. Maximize protection duration

10. Balance immediate vs. future needs

11. Strategic Flexibility

12. Adapt quantity to game state
13. Combine with complementary cards
14. Adjust role as game progresses
15. Balance defense and economy

Conclusion

Lighthouse is an exceptionally versatile and powerful $2 card that combines reliable economy with strong defense. Its duration effect and self-replacing nature make it valuable in almost any strategy, while its protection ability can be game-changing against attacks. Understanding when and how to leverage Lighthouse's capabilities is crucial for maximizing its potential.

Key Takeaways: - Almost always worth buying in attack kingdoms - Valuable economic contributor in any strategy - Quantity should be tailored to kingdom context - Timing and positioning matter significantly - Protection gaps need to be managed carefully - Synergizes well with other duration cards - Consider opportunity cost vs. other options

Success with Lighthouse comes from understanding both its strengths and limitations, while adapting your approach based on the specific kingdom context and opponent strategies. Whether as a primary defense, economic contributor, or supporting piece, Lighthouse's flexibility makes it one of the most consistently valuable $2 cards in Dominion.