Being an amateur level player like yourself here are my thoughts on the cards added to Second edition additions to intrigue.
Respect the lurker, even if you aren't planning on going for lurkers, get a couple early so your opponent cannot just will themselves to gain whatever they
Replace is your friend. Buy them often. A remodel that doubles as a witch, might be my favorite card in the game.
In the presence of a discard attack, Diplomat is bonkers.
Courtier is also your friend. Buy them often. Synergies with all cards with 2 or more types, and is capable of being a non-terminal gold gainer, and + buy.
Mill is ok, a good target for vanilla tokens from adventures.
Patrol can make your deck very junk resistant. It's a little costly at $5, but can be very useful.
Secret Passage, decent card, in my opinion the weakest card added to the set. But seeing what it replaced, I'd take this over Saboteur, Scout, Secret Chamber, and Great Hall any day.