Scrying Pool, Market Square, Steward, Caravan, Marauder, Nomad Camp, Bandit Camp, Bazaar, Journeyman, Mine
http://gokosalvager.com/static/logprettifier.html?http://dominion-game-logs.s3.amazonaws.com/game_logs/20160128/log.0.1453957344431.txtI am at a loss here (literally). This is why I can't reach that next level in Dominion. I think critically about the board, try to base every decision I make on tried-and-true facts instead of on "gut feeling", and try to apply everything I've learned on the forums and elsewhere to these types of games. But I still get completely crushed. And boy, I've been in quite a slump lately.
Ok, I feel better after that rant. Anyways... about this board.. I see Scrying Pool, good thinning, +buy, virtual economy, and also real economy with Golds from Market Square. I see Marauder, but (1) there is good thinning, (2) Ruins gel with Scrying Pool, and (3) I don't necessarily want Spoils (at least I think I don't). So I ignore Marauader, and open Potion/Steward. Opponent opens Marauder (Ok, I'm fine with that) and Market Square (seem bad if you're not playing a Steward).
Game goes on. I get somewhat bad luck, not getting to trash Estates (or Ruins) until T8 and drawing Potion dead on T4. Meanwhile my opponent is giving me Ruins. I still sort of feel like I'm in good shape. Also, opponent is buying Bandit Camps, Journeymen, and a Caravan along the way. I feel Bazaar is better than Bandit Camp early in the game here because Spoils no bueno for Scrying Pool. I also feel you just don't need Caravan nor Journeymen at all as long as you have Scrying Pool for draw.
Long story short, I got completely owned. I could never really recover from the Ruins. I didn't pick up a Bazaar until T14 (!).
So, what is best here?? I was so incredibly confident that I was playing it correctly, but then was beaten so incredibly badly.