How To Play: Dominion

To dominate Dominion, focus on card synergy, deck thinning, and building a strong economic engine. Start by investing wisely in your deck, balancing your buys, and upgrading efficiently. This ultimate strategy guide will ensure you crush your opponents while having a blast. Remember to learn and have fun with each game!
Dominion: Box Cover Front

Howdy board gamers! Ready to dominate the medieval world of Dominion? This ultimate guide has got you covered! We’ll outline the game rules and share some top-notch strategies to ensure you crush your opponents. Prepare to build your deck with precision and rule the kingdom!

Overview

What’s in the box

  • 500 Kingdom Cards
  • 130 Basic Supply Cards
  • 30 Curse Cards
  • 16 Province Cards
  • 12 Duchy Cards
  • 24 Estate Cards
  • 60 Copper Cards
  • 40 Silver Cards
  • 30 Gold Cards
  • 33 Randomizer Cards
  • 7 Blank Cards
  • 1 Trash Mat
  • 1 Plastic Organizer Tray
  • 1 Rule Book

How To Play Dominion: Rules Summary

Alright, folks! Gather ’round as we embark on a journey to master the classic card game, Dominion. I’ve played this gem countless times with my friends, and here’s a breakdown to get you started.

Setup

  1. First, shuffle and place the ten Kingdom cards in the center of the table. These cards make up the supply.

  2. Place the Treasure cards (Copper, Silver, Gold) and Victory cards (Estate, Duchy, Province) in the supply as well.

  3. Deal each player 7 Copper and 3 Estate cards. Shuffle and form each player’s deck. Draw 5 cards.

  4. If playing with 2-3 players, include 8 Provinces. For 4 players, include 12.

  5. Get ready to rumble! The player who most recently built a sandcastle goes first.

Gameplay

  1. Start with the Action Phase. Play one action card from your hand. Follow its instructions.

  2. Next, move to the Buy Phase. Use Treasure cards to buy new cards from the supply.

  3. Then, clean up. Discard your hand and any played cards. Draw 5 new cards.

  4. Your turn ends. Pass to the next player clockwise.

Winning

  1. The game ends when either the Province pile is empty or any three supply piles are empty.

  2. Count up the Victory points in each player’s deck.

  3. The player with the most Victory points claims ultimate glory!

Special Rules & Conditions

  1. Some cards can have various effects, like drawing extra cards or giving extra actions. Pay close attention to what each card says.

  2. Deck thinning is crucial. Trash weak cards (like starting Coppers) to make your deck more efficient.

  3. Watch for powerful card synergies. Combining certain cards can give you a big edge.

And there you have it! A quick guide on How To Play Dominion. Remember, practice makes perfect. Shuffle those decks and start scheming!

Best Dominion Strategies

Maximize Victory with Card Synergy

Winning at Dominion often comes down to understanding card synergy. You don’t need to be a wizard, just follow these tips and watch your friends groan with envy!

1. Combine Attack Cards

  1. Play Militia with Witch to force discards and load curses.
  2. Use Thief with Bureaucrat to steal and wreck their economy.

2. Chain Actions

  1. Use Village with Council Room to draw more cards.
  2. Pair Laboratory with Market to keep drawing and playing.

3. Mix and Match

  1. Combine Remodel with Mine to upgrade economy.
  2. Use Chapel and Cellar to manage and thin your deck.

Remember, knowing How To Play Dominion is critical, but mastering these combos makes you unstoppable.

Mastering Deck Thinning in Dominion

Deck thinning is key to winning Dominion. Here’s what you need to know:

Trash Junk Cards

  1. Start with Estates and Coppers. Use cards like Chapel or Remake to trash them.

  2. Removing weak cards makes your deck leaner and more effective.

Prioritize Stronger Cards

  1. Focus on Action and Treasure cards that provide better value.

  2. Buy cards like Silver and Gold to replace your trashed Coppers.

Use Draw Engines

  1. Cards like Smithy or Laboratory help draw more cards rapidly.

  2. This speeds up your deck cycling, maximizing efficiency.

Boost Your Economy to Secure Victory

Building a strong economic engine in Dominion takes cunning and foresight. First off, focus on these key strategies to ensure your deck churns out wealth and points.

1. Invest Early

In the early stages of the game, prioritize cards that provide coin boosts. This gives you a head start.

  1. Buy Silvers and Golds
  2. Incorporate cards that draw more cards
2. Balance Your Buys

Always balance your purchases. Too many actions or treasures can clog your deck.

  1. Aim for ratio of 1 action card to every 2 treasure cards
  2. Use cards that remove lesser cards from your deck
3. Upgrade Wisely

Use your gained wealth to buy higher-value cards.

  1. Replace Coppers with Silvers ASAP
  2. Upgrade Silvers to Golds when possible

So, follow these steps, and you’ll find yourself economy-rich and gloating over your friends with ease.

## Conquer Like a Pro: The Final Word on Dominion Strategy

So there you have it, folks! You’re now armed with the knowledge to build killer decks, use card synergies like a wizard, and thin your deck like a pro chef slicing onions. Remember, focusing on your economic engine early can be the difference between victory and defeat.

From my many nights huddled around the table with friends, I can tell you that mastering Dominion is a journey. You’ll make mistakes, laugh about them, and improve with each game. Stick to the basics, experiment with new strategies, and most importantly, have fun!

See you on the battlefield, and may your provinces always be plenty!

Want to know what we think of Dominion? Read our detailed review of Dominion here

Jamie in his proper element: With all of his board games
Jamie Hopkins

With years of dice-rolling, card-flipping, and strategic planning under my belt, I've transformed my passion into expertise. I thrive on dissecting the mechanics and social dynamics of board games, sharing insights from countless game nights with friends. I dive deep into gameplay mechanics, while emphasizing the social joys of gaming. While I appreciate themes and visuals, it's the strategy and camaraderie that truly capture my heart.