Dominion Awaits! - an online table game "dynasty"

[QuikSand]

So... I am not certain that this will really "stick."

But I want to improve my play in the card game Dominion. And I know from experience that I tend to get sloppy when I don't really focus. With FOF and similar things, writing a dynasty thread here has been a way to impose some discipline on myself.

So, in theory, I want to play some games of Dominion online... write about them here... explain my thinking... report back on how it went...maybe replay some of the games... and turn this into a growing experience.

If you're not familiar with the game overall, head to this thread for some background and context.

No promises, but if I can get into a workable flow of screenshotting the board of cards, I think that could make this conversation most useful.

[QuikSand]

Some bits and pieces:

-Dominion is a brilliant card-based game, nominally set in medieval times, but basically just an abstract strategy game

-The basics are unlike anything I've seen elsewhere -- each game starts with a new set of cards to play with, and the players take turns using a hand of cards drawn from their deck to either improve their deck's effectiveness, or to gather victory points toward the end-of-game scoring

-Bottom line, unlike a true CCG like Magic, Dominion requires you to start fresh each game, based on the unique set of cards available for that game, but it then incorporates the deck-building elements of those games - the mindset is pretty similar

-There's an online server at dominion.games that is free to play with the basic set of cards, or with any cards that your host opponent has purchased access to

-Online, they host head-to-head games, where you can become "rated" based on your outcomes (some Elo derivative, similar to chess ratings)... or you can play against one or more bots, who put up decent but not excellent resistance

-Personally, I played rated games online a while, but got into some bad habits, my rating suffered, and I have been out of that side of things for a while

-Right now, I am exploring a couple new sets of cards that I ponied up to access online, and am really enjoying the various angles they enable

-Ideally, I would like to build my game back up to re-enter the rated game world, and get back to being a strong player at that level... I'm hoping this thread might help me do that

-If readers get sparked to play this great game, all the better, I highly recommend it... I don't think about it in off-hours like I did with Magic and poker during those phases, but I think the game is very deep and fascinating

[QuikSand]

Let's see how this flows.

I'll play a bot game, using cards from the base set, randomly selected. My plan is to:

-post a screenshot of the board of cards available

-post my thoughts about "what I see" on the board, the possible strategies to use, and maybe what I expect the bot to do

-post a log of the entire game, pasted from the site, with some notes from me on how it played out

-if warranted, I can copy the game number and replay it with a different strategy or whatever... of (I think) you could play the same game if you like (either by selecting the game number, or by manually choosing the same set of cards)

[QuikSand]

New game, base set only

Card Layout
(I'd like to sort out a way to easily post this as a non-enormous image...)

[QuikSand]

My thinking:

I typically look for game-changing cards first. In the base set, Witch is not at the top of the list, but it's up there. And in a game with NO way to trash a non-copper card, the Witch is a really big deal. So, that's a centerpiece card here. Get to a Witch, curse your rival, and maybe just big money after that.

(Note: "big money" is shorthand for a super-simple but relatively effective strategy in Dominion... simplified a bit as: buy the best treasure card you can afford each turn until you can afford Provinces, then buy them)

My angle here will be to use the Moneylender as both my route to a $5 Witch, but also as a means to thin out the deck one copper at a time. It's less than perfect (two terminal action cards with no easy way to add extra actions) but I think that might be the best path.

I expect the bot to eschew the Moneylender, and maybe the Witch, and to go to trusty Council Room. Big Money plus one accelerant card (like CR, or Smithy, for example) is generally viewed as even better than pure Big Money. I'll see if I can beat it by using the Moneylender/Witch.

[QuikSand]

Not planning to post this much detail generally, I think, but for starters...

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Moneylender.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Moneylender.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Witch.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Game is starting pretty much as expected. Bot is going with Council Room and big money (silvers so far). I got my first trash-and-buy to get my Witch. A fair start for both of us, like an scripted chess opening that everyone expected to see.

[QuikSand]

Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

...and here's my first dilemma. I have $5 to spend. I already have two terminal action cards in a shallow deck, and short of engineering a Throne-Market or Throne-Merchant contraption, I will only have one action per turn - so there's a real risk of dead cards if I start jacking up in that direction (like taking another Witch here, which is in the range of possible moves with $5).

I decide to take a Market. If I get that plus another terminal action card, I can play both -- it's just dead if it comes up after I Witch and gain it (so far in this deck).

[QuikSand]

So, the game plays out rather conventionally from here:

Spoiler

Game #25465759, unrated.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Moneylender.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Moneylender.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Witch.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Market.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Market.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Market.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Estates, a Moneylender and a Witch.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Silver.
L plays 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Market.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate and 2 Markets.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays a Gold, 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$9)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$6)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Estates, a Moneylender and a Witch.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and a Market.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, a Market and a Moneylender.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and a Copper. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Province.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Market.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Market.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Estates, a Market and a Witch.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Market.
L plays a Gold, 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$9)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Market.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws 2 Coppers.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$6)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Copper, a Gold, an Estate, a Province and a Market.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Moneylender.
L plays 2 Golds, 2 Coppers and 3 Silvers. (+$14)
L buys and gains a Province.
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Gold and a Copper. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Market and a Witch.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Province.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Silver and a Market.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, 2 Markets and a Witch.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Market.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Province.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Duchy and a Province.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Estates, a Province and a Moneylender.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 2 Golds and 3 Coppers. (+$9)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, a Gold, a Province and 2 Markets.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Copper. (+$1)
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws an Estate.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Gold and 2 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws an Estate, 2 Provinces and 2 Markets.

Turn 17 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Duchy.
L plays a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 17 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Duchy.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Witch.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and a Moneylender.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Silver, 3 Estates and a Province.

Turn 18 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 18 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws a Copper, a Gold, a Duchy, a Province and a Market.

Turn 19 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 2 Golds and a Silver. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

I end up committing to the Market card for a series of $5 hands... that card is tempting, but it's really sub-optimal unless you have a reason to use all its facets. I only used 2x Buys once, I think... so I basically was spending $5 to get a boring (+1 Card, +1 Action, +$1) which wouldn't properly cost that much (cf. Poacher...costs $4 with a downside that wouldn't have been relevant in this game).

The game ends up as a slog at the end, we both gain lots of points, but struggle to finish off the Province pile. Council Room is a great card for these situations, and he gets one to land the final game-winning Province.

Bot 38
Quik 34

Lord Rattington:
6 Curses, 7 Coppers, 4 Silvers, 3 Golds, 5 Estates, 3 Duchies, 5 Provinces and 2 Council Rooms

QuikSand:
3 Coppers, a Silver, a Gold, 7 Estates, 3 Duchies, 3 Provinces, 4 Markets, a Moneylender and a Witch

Could have gone either way... should I have bought a second Witch and just taken silvers with my $5 hands? Perhaps. If I play this game over and over, I suspect the BM+CR bot approach and my Moneylander/Witch would roughly split it.

[QuikSand]

So, that is more or less what I expect to do in this thread. Have stuff to do right now, will leave it here.

[QuikSand]

Quick replay of the same game. This time, I don't have the $5 dilemma as sharply early, and manage to win it easily (late slog again, though).

Spoiler

Game #25465759, unrated.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Moneylender.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Witch.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Estates and a Moneylender.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and a Witch.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and an Estate.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Silver and 4 Coppers. (+$6)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, 2 Estates and a Moneylender.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays a Silver and 5 Coppers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Silver and a Copper. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver and 2 Golds.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays a Silver and 4 Coppers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver, 2 Golds and 3 Coppers. (+$11)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, an Estate and a Witch.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws an Estate.
L plays a Silver, 2 Golds and 4 Coppers. (+$12)
L buys and gains a Province.
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws an Estate and a Moneylender.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Silver and 2 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Silvers, a Gold, a Province and a Witch.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Gold and an Estate.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Silvers and 2 Golds. (+$10)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, an Estate and a Moneylender.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Silver and 2 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Estates and a Moneylender.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, a Gold, an Estate and a Province.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Witch.
L plays 2 Silvers, 2 Golds and 2 Coppers. (+$12)
L buys and gains a Province.
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and a Silver.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Silvers, a Gold and 2 Coppers. (+$9)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Silver, 2 Golds, a Province and a Moneylender.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver and 2 Golds. (+$8)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver and 2 Estates.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 2 Silvers and a Copper. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws 2 Silvers, an Estate, a Province and a Witch.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Gold and a Province.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Silvers and a Gold. (+$7)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, a Gold, an Estate, a Province and a Witch.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Gold.
L plays 2 Silvers and a Copper. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and a Silver.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Silver, 2 Golds and 2 Coppers. (+$10)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, an Estate, a Province and a Moneylender.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Silver.
L plays a Silver, a Gold and 2 Coppers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 17 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws a Silver, a Gold, 2 Duchies and a Province.

Turn 17 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver, a Gold and a Copper. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 18 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver and a Gold. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Silvers, a Gold, an Estate and a Province.

Turn 18 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Province.
L plays 2 Silvers and 2 Coppers. (+$6)
L buys and gains 2 Estates.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 19 - QuikSand
Q plays 2 Silvers and a Gold. (+$7)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, 2 Duchies and a Province.

Turn 19 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver and a Copper. (+$3)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 20 - QuikSand
Q draws a Silver, an Estate, a Duchy and 2 Provinces.

Turn 20 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and a Copper. (+$4)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 21 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws a Silver, 2 Golds, a Moneylender and a Witch.

Turn 21 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Silver.
L plays a Silver, a Gold and 2 Coppers. (+$7)
L buys and gains 2 Estates.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 22 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper and an Estate.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Silvers, 2 Golds and a Copper. (+$11)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, a Gold, an Estate and a Duchy.

Bot 30
QS 49

QuikSand:
2 Coppers, 5 Silvers, 4 Golds, 4 Estates, 3 Duchies, 6 Provinces, a Moneylender and a Witch

Lord Rattington:
7 Curses, 7 Coppers, 6 Silvers, 2 Golds, 10 Estates, 5 Duchies, 2 Provinces and 4 Council Rooms

[QuikSand]

With the same setup, tried a few more angles:

Silver-Moneylender-Mine-Markets (then Throne) ---> Lost 30-28 in a "last Province wins it" slog scenario

Silver-Silver-Witch-Mine (then Throne) ---> Lost 30-25 in similar setup, had $9 for my next turn

Nothing definitive, of course.

[QuikSand]

..the another mostly money approach:

Silver-Moneylender-Witch-Big Money (some very late action cards after Duchies gone)

Spoiler

Game #25465759, unrated.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Moneylender.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Witch.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Estates and a Moneylender.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and a Witch.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and an Estate.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$6)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, 2 Estates and a Moneylender.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 5 Coppers and a Silver. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver and 2 Golds.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays 2 Golds, 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$11)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, an Estate and a Witch.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws an Estate.
L plays 2 Golds, 4 Coppers and a Silver. (+$12)
L buys and gains a Province.
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws an Estate and a Moneylender.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Silvers, a Gold, a Province and a Witch.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Gold and an Estate.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Golds and 2 Silvers. (+$10)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, an Estate and a Moneylender.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Gold.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Estates and a Moneylender.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Council Room.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, a Gold, an Estate and a Province.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Witch.
L plays 2 Golds, 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$12)
L buys and gains a Province.
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and a Silver.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Gold, 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$9)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Silver, 2 Golds, a Province and a Moneylender.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q plays 2 Golds and a Silver. (+$8)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver and 2 Estates.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws 2 Silvers, an Estate, a Province and a Witch.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Gold and a Province.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Gold and 2 Silvers. (+$7)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, a Gold, an Estate, a Province and a Witch.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Gold.
L plays a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q draws a Copper and a Silver.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays 2 Golds, 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$10)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, an Estate, a Province and a Moneylender.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Silver.
L plays a Gold, 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 17 - QuikSand
Q plays a Moneylender.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gets +$3.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws a Silver, a Gold, 2 Duchies and a Province.

Turn 17 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, a Copper and a Silver. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 18 - QuikSand
Q plays a Gold and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Market.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Silver, a Gold, an Estate, a Province and a Market.

Turn 18 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Province.
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains 2 Estates.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 19 - QuikSand
Q plays a Market.
Q draws a Duchy.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Gold and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Witch.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, a Duchy and 2 Provinces.

Turn 19 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 20 - QuikSand
Q draws a Silver, a Gold, an Estate, a Duchy and a Province.

Turn 20 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and a Copper. (+$4)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 21 - QuikSand
Q plays a Gold and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Witch.
Q draws 2 Silvers, a Gold, a Moneylender and a Witch.

Turn 21 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Council Room.
L draws 4 cards.
L gets +1 Buy.
Q draws a Copper.
L plays a Gold, 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$7)
L buys and gains 2 Estates.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 22 - QuikSand
Q plays a Witch.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Silvers.
L gains a Curse.
Q plays a Gold, a Copper and 4 Silvers. (+$12)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Gold, 2 Estates, a Duchy and a Market.

Easy win, 48-30

[QuikSand]

Okay, new board. Catching up to my current game. I am forcing at least two cards from the Dark Ages set, which I'm still learning.

Here's the setup

Game #25472169

Quick thoughts:

-Altar seems great, but it's tough to "build" around a card costing 6... might be turn 7 before I even get to buy it. I am perplexed by Rats, have not made a successful hand with them yet. The Urchin/Mercenary combo seems intriguing, I have yet to really play it.

My first instinct -- there's not a ton to work with here. Stick to basics, mainly. Probably buy an early Monument, but basically just use it as a Silver that might generate some tiebreaker points. My first $5 hand might either turn into a Festival or a Mine, if it's super early. Past that, just money.

[QuikSand]

Now, my too-complicated instincts are taking over. I see a novelty path to big points here, basically:

First money, then get a couple Festivals, then get Altars, then use Altars to thin the deck and skip the Provinces, go instead for Duchies then Dukes

The Duke, under the right circumstances (mainly a deck that can grab at least 2x $5 cards per hand when mature), is powerful... 7 Duchies plus 4 Dukes = $21 + $28 = $49, which can be enough to win a lot of games.

It's hard to imagine this being the strongest approach here. But I can't help but think about shit like this. It's part of my problem with this game, I suspect.

[QuikSand]

Oh, it's glorious...

Spoiler

Game #25472169, unrated.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Silvers and an Estate.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Journeyman.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Journeyman.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Estates and an Altar.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Festival.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$7)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws a Copper, 3 Estates and an Altar.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals 2 Coppers and a Silver.
L puts 2 Coppers and a Silver into their hand.
L plays 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q gains a Festival.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver and 2 Festivals.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Altar.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals an Estate, 2 Coppers and a Silver.
L puts 2 Coppers and a Silver into their hand.
L discards an Estate.
L plays 5 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$9)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Festival.
Q plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Rats.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Festival and an Altar.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, a Copper and a Silver. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q gains a Festival.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Rats.
Q draws a Copper, 3 Silvers and a Festival.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals an Estate, a Gold and 2 Coppers.
L puts 2 Coppers and a Gold into their hand.
L discards an Estate.
L plays a Gold, 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$10)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Copper and 3 Silvers. (+$7)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q buys and gains a Monument.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws an Estate, a Duchy and 3 Festivals.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Silvers and a Festival.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Copper.
L shuffles their deck.
L reveals an Estate, a Gold and a Copper.
L puts 2 Coppers and a Gold into their hand.
L discards an Estate.
L plays a Gold, 3 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$10)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws a Silver, a Festival, a Monument, an Altar and a Rats.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals an Estate, a Copper and 2 Silvers.
L puts a Copper and 2 Silvers into their hand.
L discards an Estate.
L plays a Gold, 3 Coppers and 3 Silvers. (+$12)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Festival.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, an Altar and a Rats.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and a Copper. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Silvers and 2 Duchies.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 3 Silvers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 17 - QuikSand
Q plays a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, 2 Duchies and a Festival.

Turn 17 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals 2 Provinces and a Silver.
L puts a Silver and 2 Provinces into their hand.
L plays a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 18 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Duke.
Q draws a Silver, an Estate, a Duchy, a Festival and a Monument.

Turn 18 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Golds and 2 Coppers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 19 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duke.
Q draws a Silver, 3 Festivals and an Altar.

Turn 19 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Gold, a Copper and a Silver.
L puts a Copper, a Silver and a Gold into their hand.
L plays a Gold, 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 20 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Silver.
Q gains a Duke.
Q buys and gains a Duke.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Duchies, a Festival and an Altar.

Turn 20 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 21 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duke.
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, a Duchy and an Altar.

Turn 21 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 22 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duke.
Q plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 2 Silvers, 2 Duchies and a Monument.

Turn 22 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals an Estate, a Gold, a Province and a Silver.
L puts a Silver, a Gold and a Province into their hand.
L discards an Estate.
L plays 2 Golds and 2 Silvers. (+$10)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

I get a bit lucky and get an Altar pretty quickly, then fill in with Festivals. I pick up a couple Rats along the way, just using them as trash fodder, I end up with all 8x Duchies and most of the Dukes for an easy win.

QB 76
Bot 61

QuikSand:
3 Coppers, 6 Silvers, 2 Estates, 8 Duchies, 6 Festivals, 6 Dukes, a Monument and 2 Altars

Lord Rattington:
7 Coppers, 5 Silvers, 3 Golds, 4 Estates, 8 Provinces, 3 Gardens and 2 Journeymen

[QuikSand]

Win a close one with a Rats-Altar-Duchy-Duke strategy,

Spoiler

Game #25472169, unrated.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Rats.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Silver, an Estate and a Rats.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Journeyman.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Journeyman.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Festival and a Rats.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Rats.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Monument.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Silvers, a Monument and a Rats.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals 2 Coppers and a Silver.
L puts 2 Coppers and a Silver into their hand.
L plays 5 Coppers and a Silver. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Festival.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Rats.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals 2 Coppers and a Silver.
L puts 2 Coppers and a Silver into their hand.
L plays 4 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws an Estate.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Festivals and 2 Rats.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Gold, a Copper and a Silver.
L puts a Copper, a Silver and a Gold into their hand.
L plays a Gold, 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Rats.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q buys and gains a Farming Village.
Q draws a Copper, a Monument and 3 Rats.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals 2 Estates, a Journeyman, a Province and a Silver.
L puts a Silver, a Province and a Journeyman into their hand.
L discards 2 Estates.
L plays a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws an Altar.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Monument.
Q gains a Festival.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Silvers and 2 Rats.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Silvers. (+$6)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws a Festival, an Altar and 3 Rats.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Rats.
Q gains a Festival.
Q draws 2 Festivals and 3 Rats.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q buys and gains a Monument.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Festival, a Farming Village and 3 Rats.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays a Farming Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q reveals a Rats.
Q puts a Rats into their hand.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q draws 2 Silvers, a Festival and 2 Rats.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L reveals a Copper, a Province and a Silver.
L puts a Copper, a Silver and a Province into their hand.
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws 2 Festivals, an Altar and 2 Rats.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws an Altar.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Festival, a Monument and 3 Rats.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 17 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q buys and gains a Monument.
Q draws a Silver, 2 Festivals, an Altar and a Rats.

Turn 17 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, a Copper and a Silver. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 18 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws a Silver, a Festival and 3 Rats.

Turn 18 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Journeyman, a Copper and a Province.
L puts a Copper, a Province and a Journeyman into their hand.
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duke.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 19 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Gardens.
Q draws 2 Duchies, 2 Altars and a Rats.

Turn 19 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 20 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Duchy.
Q gains a Duke.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Silver, 3 Festivals and a Farming Village.

Turn 20 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 21 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Farming Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q reveals a Monument and a Duchy.
Q puts a Monument into their hand.
Q discards a Duchy.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains 2 Dukes.
Q draws a Duchy, a Duke, an Altar and 2 Rats.

Turn 21 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duke.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 22 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Festival.
Q gains a Duke.
Q draws 2 Duchies, a Gardens, a Monument and an Altar.

Turn 22 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Copper and 3 Silvers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Duke.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 23 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Monument.
Q gains a Duke.
Q draws a Silver, a Duchy, an Altar and 2 Rats.

Turn 23 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Silver. (+$2)
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 24 - QuikSand
Q plays a Rats.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gains a Rats.
Q trashes a Silver.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Silver.
Q gains a Gardens.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Gardens.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Duchy, a Festival, an Altar and 2 Rats.

Turn 24 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 25 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Rats.
Q draws a Festival.
Q gains a Gardens.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q buys and gains a Gardens.
Q draws a Gardens, a Duke, a Monument and 2 Rats.

Turn 25 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Gardens, a Copper and a Province.
L puts a Copper, a Province and a Gardens into their hand.
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

QS 58, Bot 54

QuikSand:
3 Silvers, 5 Duchies, 4 Festivals, 5 Gardens, 5 Dukes, a Monument, a Farming Village, 3 Altars and 4 Rats

Lord Rattington:
7 Coppers, 6 Silvers, a Gold, 3 Estates, 3 Duchies, 4 Provinces, 3 Gardens, 3 Dukes and 2 Journeymen

[QuikSand]

No Rats, delay getting Altar, still wins

Spoiler

Game #25472169, unrated.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws 4 Coppers and an Estate.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Monument.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Journeyman.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Monument.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Silvers and 2 Coppers. (+$6)
L buys and gains an Altar.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Silver and an Estate.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Monument.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays an Altar.
L trashes an Estate.
L gains a Journeyman.
L plays a Silver and a Copper. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Festival.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Festival and a Journeyman.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Silvers and 2 Coppers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Journeyman.
Q names Estate.
Q reveals 3 Coppers.
Q puts 3 Coppers into their hand.
Q plays 5 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Festival and a Monument.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays an Altar.
L trashes a Copper.
L gains a Journeyman.
L plays a Silver and 2 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, an Estate and 2 Festivals.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Copper.
L shuffles their deck.
L reveals an Altar and a Copper.
L puts 2 Coppers and an Altar into their hand.
L plays a Silver and 3 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Festival and an Altar.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Silvers and 3 Coppers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Monument.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Monument and a Journeyman.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L reveals 3 Coppers.
L puts 3 Coppers into their hand.
L plays 3 Silvers and 3 Coppers. (+$9)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q plays a Journeyman.
Q names Estate.
Q reveals an Altar, an Estate and a Copper.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q reveals a Duchy.
Q puts a Copper, a Duchy and an Altar into their hand.
Q discards an Estate.
Q plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Farming Village.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, 2 Festivals and an Altar.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays an Altar.
L trashes an Estate.
L gains a Silver.
L plays a Gold, a Silver and a Copper. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains an Altar.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, a Festival, a Monument and an Altar.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Silver and a Copper.
L shuffles their deck.
L reveals a Silver.
L puts a Copper and 2 Silvers into their hand.
L plays 4 Silvers and 2 Coppers. (+$10)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes an Estate.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, an Altar and a Journeyman.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Gold, a Silver and a Copper.
L puts a Copper, a Silver and a Gold into their hand.
L plays a Gold, 3 Silvers and 2 Coppers. (+$11)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q draws a Copper, a Silver, a Festival, a Monument and an Altar.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays an Altar.
L trashes a Copper.
L gains a Duchy.
L plays a Gold and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duchy.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duke.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Festivals and a Monument.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals an Altar and 2 Provinces.
L puts 2 Provinces and an Altar into their hand.
L plays a Silver and 2 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duke.
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws a Copper, 3 Duchies and an Altar.

Turn 17 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, 2 Silvers and a Copper. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 17 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duke.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Duchy, a Farming Village and an Altar.

Turn 18 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals 2 Silvers and a Copper.
L puts a Copper and 2 Silvers into their hand.
L plays 3 Silvers and a Copper. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Duke.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 18 - QuikSand
Q plays a Farming Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q reveals a Festival.
Q puts a Festival into their hand.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Copper.
Q gains a Duke.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Silver.
Q draws a Silver, a Duchy, a Duke, a Monument and an Altar.

Turn 19 - Lord Rattington
L plays an Altar.
L trashes a Copper.
L gains a Gardens.
L plays a Gold and 2 Silvers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Duke.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 19 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Monument.
Q gains a Duke.
Q plays a Silver. (+$2)
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws 3 Duchies, a Festival and a Duke.

Turn 20 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Copper. (+$1)
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 20 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws a Copper, a Festival, a Duke, an Altar and a Journeyman.

Turn 21 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Duke.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 21 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Journeyman.
Q names Copper.
Q reveals a Silver, an Altar and a Monument.
Q puts a Silver, a Monument and an Altar into their hand.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Silver and a Copper. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Gardens.
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, 2 Duchies and a Duke.

Turn 22 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Silver, a Gardens and a Province.
L puts a Silver, a Province and a Gardens into their hand.
L plays 4 Silvers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 22 - QuikSand
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, a Festival, a Gardens and a Farming Village.

Turn 23 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L shuffles their deck.
L reveals a Duke, a Silver and a Province.
L puts a Silver, a Province and a Duke into their hand.
L plays 2 Silvers and 3 Coppers. (+$7)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 23 - QuikSand
Q plays a Farming Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q reveals a Duke and a Monument.
Q puts a Monument into their hand.
Q discards a Duke.
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Monument.
Q gets +$2.
Q gets 1 VP.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Gardens.
Q draws a Duchy, a Festival, a Duke, an Altar and a Journeyman.

Turn 24 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Journeyman.
L names Estate.
L reveals a Silver, a Duchy and a Province.
L puts a Silver, a Duchy and a Province into their hand.
L plays 2 Silvers and a Copper. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Gardens.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 24 - QuikSand
Q plays a Festival.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$2.
Q plays a Journeyman.
Q names Duchy.
Q reveals an Altar and 2 Estates.
Q puts 2 Estates and an Altar into their hand.
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes an Altar.
Q gains a Gardens.
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws 3 Silvers, a Duke and an Altar.

Turn 25 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and 3 Silvers. (+$9)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 25 - QuikSand
Q plays an Altar.
Q trashes a Silver.
Q gains a Gardens.
Q plays 2 Silvers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws 3 Duchies, a Festival and an Altar.

QS 74, Bot 67

QuikSand:
2 Coppers, 2 Silvers, 6 Estates, 6 Duchies, 3 Festivals, 4 Gardens, 5 Dukes, a Monument, a Farming Village, 3 Altars and a Journeyman

Lord Rattington:
4 Coppers, 8 Silvers, 2 Golds, an Estate, 2 Duchies, 7 Provinces, 4 Gardens, 3 Dukes, an Altar and 2 Journeymen

[QuikSand]

The mental hurdle to overcome if you're playing for the Duchy-Duke strategy is to recognize you will be behind in the score most of the game, meaningfully so sometimes. (I play with visible scoring on, on the website, it's a toggle-able option)

So, it' kinda tough early on when you have $9 to spend and decide to JUST take a Ducky rather than a Province. But the point is... you NEED that Duchy to make things work, and you can't afford to help the other guy end the game sooner by depleting the Province pile. It's his difficulty in getting Province #7 and #8 that should give you the time you need to grab those last $5 Dukes for 6-7-8 points apiece.

In this setup, once you get the Altar going properly, it seems to work nearly flawlessly. I've played out this game maybe 10 times with subtle variations, and haven't lost yet when pursuing Dukes.

[QuikSand]

...and side light here, for dynasty purposes. I'm here all tickled because I'm beating a Bot AI with a parlor trick (to a point).

Against a savvy player, I should expect him to recognize that I am deliberately playing for Dukes, and he can counter that by just taking a couple Duchies himself. The bot won't do that.

Classic case of my "practice" potentially being counterproductive. If I try this obvious an end run against a capable foe, he will defuse that plan, I'd expect, and just beat me with a better-tuned deck to get the Provinces sufficient to beat my 5 Duchy+X Dukes effort.

[QuikSand]

Okay, on to a new board.

Quick thoughts of mine:

- I am potentially too enchanted with the Peddler card, and am immediately drawn to a multi-action/multi-buy deck to start grabbing them... I think it's viable but maybe not optimal

-No curses, no attacks at all, no trashers - lots of stuff won't figure into this game at all

[QuikSand]

Here's my Peddlers-focused first play.

Spoiler

Game #25497778, unrated.
L starts with 7 Coppers.
L starts with 3 Estates.
Q starts with 7 Coppers.
Q starts with 3 Estates.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers and 3 Estates.

Turn 1 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 1 - QuikSand
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Candlestick Maker.
Q draws 5 Coppers.

Turn 2 - Lord Rattington
L plays 4 Coppers. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 2 - QuikSand
Q plays 5 Coppers. (+$5)
Q buys and gains a Merchant Guild.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Merchant Guild.

Turn 3 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 3 - QuikSand
Q plays a Merchant Guild.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Candlestick Maker.
Q buys a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Candlestick Maker.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 4 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 4 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Fishing Village.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 2 Coppers, 2 Candlestick Makers and a Merchant Guild.

Turn 5 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Courtyard.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 5 - QuikSand
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Merchant Guild.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q uses 3 Coffers. (+$3)
Q buys a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Peddler.
Q buys a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Peddler.
Q buys a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Peddler.
Q draws 3 Coppers and 2 Estates.

Turn 6 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Gold.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 6 - QuikSand
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q uses 1 Coffers. (+$1)
Q buys and gains a Horse Traders.
Q draws 2 Coppers, an Estate, a Fishing Village and a Candlestick Maker.

Turn 7 - Lord Rattington
L plays 3 Coppers and a Silver. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 7 - QuikSand
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Fishing Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q uses 4 Coffers. (+$4)
Q buys and gains a Fishing Village.
Q buys and gains a Peddler.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws 3 Coppers, a Peddler and a Merchant Guild.

Turn 8 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Courtyard.
L draws 3 cards.
L topdecks a card.
L plays a Gold, 2 Coppers and 3 Silvers. (+$11)
L buys and gains a Province.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 8 - QuikSand
Q starts their turn.
Q gets +1 Action. (Fishing Village)
Q gets +$1. (Fishing Village)
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Horse Traders.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Merchant Guild.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Horse Traders.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$3.
Q discards 2 Coppers.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q buys a Province.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Province.
Q buys a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Peddler.
Q buys a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Peddler.
Q draws 3 Coppers, an Estate and a Candlestick Maker.

Turn 9 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold and 2 Coppers. (+$5)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 9 - QuikSand
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Fishing Village.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, a Fishing Village and 2 Candlestick Makers.

Turn 10 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Courtyard.
L draws 3 cards.
L topdecks a card.
L plays 2 Coppers and 3 Silvers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 10 - QuikSand
Q plays a Fishing Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q uses 6 Coffers. (+$6)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws a Copper, 2 Estates and 2 Peddlers.

Turn 11 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 11 - QuikSand
Q starts their turn.
Q gets +1 Action. (Fishing Village)
Q gets +$1. (Fishing Village)
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Fishing Village.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Fishing Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 2 Coppers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q draws a Copper, 3 Peddlers and a Horse Traders.

Turn 12 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and a Silver. (+$4)
L buys and gains a Silver.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 12 - QuikSand
Q starts their turn.
Q gets +1 Action. (Fishing Village)
Q gets +$1. (Fishing Village)
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Fishing Village.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Fishing Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Horse Traders.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$3.
Q discards 2 Coppers.
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q buys and gains 2 Peddlers.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Province, a Peddler and a Candlestick Maker.

Turn 13 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Courtyard.
L draws 3 cards.
L topdecks a card.
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 13 - QuikSand
Q starts their turn.
Q gets +1 Action. (Fishing Village)
Q gets +$1. (Fishing Village)
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q uses 2 Coffers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Duchy.
Q buys and gains a Peddler.
Q shuffles their deck.
Q draws an Estate, a Province, a Peddler, a Candlestick Maker and a Merchant Guild.

Turn 14 - Lord Rattington
L plays 2 Coppers and 2 Silvers. (+$6)
L buys and gains a Duchy.
L shuffles their deck.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 14 - QuikSand
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays a Merchant Guild.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$1.
Q buys a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains a Peddler.
Q buys an Estate.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q gains an Estate.
Q draws 2 Coppers, a Duchy and 2 Peddlers.

Turn 15 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Gold, a Copper and 2 Silvers. (+$8)
L buys and gains a Province.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 15 - QuikSand
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Copper.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Candlestick Maker.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +1 Coffers.
Q plays 3 Coppers. (+$3)
Q uses 3 Coffers. (+$3)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, a Province, a Peddler and a Horse Traders.

Turn 16 - Lord Rattington
L plays a Copper and a Silver. (+$3)
L buys and gains an Estate.
L draws 5 cards.

Turn 16 - QuikSand
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Peddler.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Peddler.
Q draws a Fishing Village.
Q gets +1 Action.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Fishing Village.
Q gets +2 Actions.
Q gets +$1.
Q plays a Horse Traders.
Q gets +1 Buy.
Q gets +$3.
Q discards an Estate and a Province.
Q plays a Copper. (+$1)
Q uses 2 Coffers. (+$2)
Q buys and gains a Province.
Q buys and gains an Estate.
Q draws a Copper, an Estate, a Province and 2 Peddlers.

The deck works basically as intended... I end up getting all the peddlers, and engine my way to several good turns later in the game.

That's enough to push me to a slight variant of a well-documented conundrum in Dominion: The Penultimate Province.

Bottom line is... if you're in a super-simple close game, where there's little trickery going on (imagine both players just using "big money")... when do you take the second-to-last Province card? If you're behind by 1-5 points, taking it gives you the lead... BUT it sets you opponent up to win if he can take the vast Province. In some cases, eschewing the PP is the right play, to avoid this risk, you take a Duchy instead. (The AI is not versed in this theory, by the way)

Here, I rolled the dice and won. Down 30-29 in Round 15, I have enough $ for the Penultimate Province card. I'm not sure my move was wise, but it paid off... Bot gets only an Estate, and I get the last province on the next turn to win 41-31.

QuikSand:
7 Coppers, 5 Estates, 2 Duchies, 5 Provinces, 3 Fishing Villages, 10 Peddlers, a Horse Traders, 3 Candlestick Makers and a Merchant Guild

Lord Rattington:
7 Coppers, 7 Silvers, a Gold, 4 Estates, 3 Duchies, 3 Provinces and a Courtyard

[QuikSand]

(not the right place for this, got it)

[britrock88]

I read along through the first board setup! I love this as a deckbuilder with infinite permutations. It's been interesting to see already how economical you are about action cards. Will check back in to read more.

[EagleFan]

Love Dominion, fun game to play.