Dominion > Puzzles and Challenges

Infinite stalemate game

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pubby:
The only way to end a Dominion game is by running out of piles. Buying/gaining cards from a pile is optional, and so it is possible for games to last an infinite number of turns.

Do any scenarios exist where the only optimal play for both players is to prolong the game? Think of a situation where a player will lose next turn if they attempt to buy/gain from any pile.

Here's a silly example I thought of:
Both players have only 1 card in their deck: chapel. The chapel pile is empty and both copper and curses are down to 1 card each. The copper pile has an embargo token on it. Attempting to buy a copper will lose you the game. The optimal move is to pass your turn every turn.

Can you think of any other scenarios? Bonus points for a scenario that could realistically happen.

faust:
Basically any Golden Deck (Monument or Bishop/Fortress) with both players being able to generate the same amount of VP tokens every turn, 2 supply piles empty and 1 down to 2 copies, no +buys and any additional card clogging up your deck works.

Things get more difficult without VP tokens. Here's something: No +buy, both of you have 2 Highways, and can play KC/KC/Smugglers/Smugglers/Smugglers each turn. Two piles are empty. If you gain any kingdom card or VP card, your opponent can empty that pile AND buy another VP card. Money doesn't help your deck. You do nothing.

qmech:
Hard mode: make sure the stalemate is reachable through best play on both sides.

faust:

--- Quote from: qmech on January 23, 2015, 05:01:25 am ---Hard mode: make sure the stalemate is reachable through best play on both sides.

--- End quote ---

I actually think the Smugglers scenario satisfies this. On a board as described above, it is probably the best strategy. If both players reach a state where they can play their deck, and player 1 drains a second pile via Smugglers, then the described scenario is reached.

RTT:
not with knights though but those dont have to be in the kingdom.

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