Sea Hag (Seaside)

Here's a comprehensive strategy guide for Sea Hag:

Sea Hag Strategy Guide

Introduction Sea Hag is a $4 Attack card from Seaside that combines two powerful negative effects: forcing opponents to discard a card and giving them a Curse that goes directly to the top of their deck. While not as devastating as Witch, Sea Hag's ability to place Curses on top of opponents' decks creates unique tactical opportunities and challenges.

Core Mechanics and Basic Strategy

1. Timing of the Attack
2. The two-part nature of Sea Hag's attack is important:
3. First, opponents discard their top card
4. Then, they gain a Curse to the top of their deck
5. This means opponents will draw the Curse on their next draw
6. Unlike Witch, there's no chance for the Curse to get buried in the deck

7. The guaranteed draw of the Curse makes Sea Hag's attack more reliable in the short term

8. Key Differences from Witch

9. Costs $4 instead of $5
10. Places Curses on top instead of in discard
11. Forces discard of top card
12. Doesn't draw cards for the attacker
13. These differences make Sea Hag more tactical but less strategically powerful

Strategic Considerations

1. Opening Buy Considerations
2. Sea Hag is a valid opening buy at $4
3. Best opened with:
4. Another $4 card that provides economy
5. A $3 card that helps with deck control
6. Consider skipping if:
7. Kingdom has strong Curse protection
8. Multiple terminal actions compete at $4

9. Strong alternative engine components exist

10. Timing Your Sea Hag Plays

11. Early Game:
12. Play as soon as possible to start Curse distribution
13. Particularly effective before opponents establish deck control
14. Mid Game:
15. Consider opponent's deck composition
16. Most effective when opponents have just shuffled
17. Late Game:
18. Less effective as Curse pile depletes

19. Can still disrupt opponent's deck order

20. Multiple Sea Hags

21. Generally want 2-3 in your deck
22. Diminishing returns after 3 copies
23. Benefits of multiple Sea Hags:
24. More consistent cursing
25. Higher chance of hitting key cards
26. Can overcome Curse resistance
27. Drawbacks:
28. Terminal collision
29. Opportunity cost of other $4 cards

Synergies and Combinations

1. Duration Cards
2. Sea Hag works well with duration cards:
3. Fishing Village provides extra actions
4. Wharf helps draw through terminal collision

5. Caravan helps ensure consistent Sea Hag plays

6. Deck Inspection Cards

7. Spy and Scrying Pool reveal what you're making opponents discard
8. Navigator helps manage your own deck order

9. Scout can help you avoid discarding valuable cards

10. Throne Room Effects

11. Throne Room
12. King's Court
13. Crown Benefits:
14. Multiple Curses per turn
15. Higher chance of depleting Curse pile

16. More consistent attack pressure

17. Card-Gaining Effects

18. Ironworks can gain Sea Hags efficiently
19. Workshop hits the $4 price point

20. Gains during opponent's turn (Smugglers) can be particularly effective

21. Trashing Effects

22. Chapel helps manage Curses you receive
23. Trading Post can convert Curses into Silver
24. Salvager turns Curses into coin

Counter Strategies

1. Direct Counter Cards
2. Moat blocks the attack completely
3. Watchtower can trash incoming Curses
4. Market Square benefits from discarded cards

5. Trader can convert Curses to Silver

6. Deck Management

7. Secret Chamber can protect valuable top cards
8. Treasury can manage deck order

9. Haven can save key cards from discard

10. Alternative Strategies

11. Big Money can sometimes outrace Sea Hag
12. Strong engines can overcome Curse penalty
13. Rush strategies may end game before Curses matter

Multiplayer Considerations

1. Three+ Player Games
2. More effective due to multiple targets
3. Curse pile depletes faster
4. Consider opening Sea Hag more strongly

5. Terminal collision less problematic

6. Team Games

7. Coordinate attacks with teammate
8. Can protect partner from other Sea Hags
9. Share burden of buying counter cards

Kingdom Analysis

1. Strong Kingdoms for Sea Hag
2. Lacks strong $5 cards
3. Limited trash effects
4. No Curse protection
5. Good action support

6. Terminal draw present

7. Weak Kingdoms for Sea Hag

8. Strong Curse counters
9. Competing terminals at $4
10. Heavy trashing available
11. Rush strategies viable

Advanced Tactics

1. Deck Tracking
2. Monitor Curse pile
3. Track opponent's shuffle timing
4. Count opponent's key cards

5. Note counter cards in play

6. Selective Targeting

7. Target players without protection
8. Focus on players with good deck setup

9. Consider king-making in multiplayer

10. Curse Management

11. Know when to stop buying Sea Hags
12. Calculate victory point differential
13. Consider opportunity cost

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overcommitting
2. Buying too many Sea Hags
3. Focusing too much on attacks
4. Neglecting economy

5. Ignoring victory conditions

6. Poor Timing

7. Playing into counter cards
8. Attacking after Curse pile depletion

9. Missing key moments for maximum impact

10. Strategic Errors

11. Ignoring alternative win conditions
12. Failed to adapt to counters
13. Overvaluing attack impact

Sample Opening Strategies

1. Sea Hag/Silver Pros:
2. Solid economy
3. Early attack pressure
4. Flexible development Cons:
5. Terminal collision

6. No deck control

7. Sea Hag/Chapel Pros:

8. Strong deck control
9. Can trash received Curses
10. Good progression Cons:
11. Weak early economy

12. Vulnerable to counter-attacks

13. Double Sea Hag Pros:

14. Maximum early pressure
15. Consistent cursing Cons:
16. Terminal collision
17. Weak economy
18. Vulnerable to counters

Sample Game Progression

Early Game (Turns 1-5): - Acquire Sea Hag - Establish basic economy - Begin Curse distribution - Watch for counter purchases

Mid Game (Turns 6-12): - Build supporting infrastructure - Continue attack pressure - Adapt to opponent's strategy - Consider additional Sea Hags

Late Game (Turns 13+): - Transition to victory points - Use Sea Hags tactically - Consider opposing deck composition - Monitor game-end conditions

Conclusion

Sea Hag is a unique attack card that requires careful tactical consideration. While not as powerful as Witch, its ability to place Curses directly on top of opponents' decks creates interesting gameplay dynamics. Success with Sea Hag requires: - Good timing - Understanding of kingdom context - Proper support cards - Awareness of counter strategies - Balanced approach to attack pressure

The card shines in multiplayer games and kingdoms lacking strong counter cards but requires careful handling to avoid overcommitment and terminal collision issues. When used properly, Sea Hag can be a powerful tool for disrupting opponent strategies and gaining tactical advantages throughout the game.

Final Tips: - Don't over-prioritize Sea Hag - Build proper support infrastructure - Remain flexible in strategy - Monitor game state carefully - Consider opportunity costs - Adapt to opponent's responses

With proper understanding and application of these principles, Sea Hag can be a valuable addition to many Dominion strategies, particularly in kingdoms where its unique abilities can be leveraged effectively against opponents' plans.