Mic Qsenoch vs -Stef- 1-3
Game 1 - Apprentice, Bridge, Conspirator, Embargo, Familiar, Ghost Ship, Governor, Pirate Ship, Potion, Salvager, and Trading Post
This was a really interesting set to start with. Without any source of +actions, both Governor and Apprentice were obviously going to be the stars. Ghost ship to finish a chain, Salvager or Bridge for the +buy? The really tough choice for me was about the curses. Familiar on the board is usually a must-buy, but skipping it and try to get the vast majority of Governors was also really attractive. With huge chains involving apprentices, trashing curses away shouldnt be that hard.
I went for the governors, and Mic Qsenoch for the familiars. It turned out to be real close. I got a 7-3 governor split, resulting in a final turn gaining 3 Provinces and a Duchy. I had to sacrifice a province to pull this of, which was a rather silly miscounting-thingy that you shouldn't ask questions about. The final score 21-21 looked just fine until I realized I took both the first and the last turn. Ouch! Why am I not more carefull in a tournament?
Game 2 - Bank, Baron, Harvest, Haven, Mandarin, Market, Noble Brigand, Saboteur, Steward, and Trading Post
Yet another set without +actions but with lots of interesting interactions. In my pre-game analysis the words "haven heaven" came to mind. Three cards that love it: Baron, Trading Post & Bank. Mic Qsenoch prefered Silvers, and this was the only game that didn't feel close. 1-1.
Game 3 - Caravan, Council Room, Crossroads, Great Hall, Harem, Hunting Party, Nobles, Royal Seal, Smithy, and Wishing Well
This set features a hard-to-evaluate crossroads. All the friends from Intrige to enable lots of draw, but both +actions (only Nobles) and +buy (only Councilroom) were quite awkward. And the most important point: Hunting party was on the table, presenting a pretty serious clock.
I decided to go for it anyway, but it didnt feel good for a long long time. I think I shouldn't have made it, but he didn't buy enough Hunting Parties (3 can't be enough, right?) so despite my Councilroom plays he stalled too much.
Game 4 - Colony, Courtyard, Harem, Horse Traders, Jack of All Trades, Market, Moat, Mountebank, Peddler, Platinum, Salvager, and Watchtower
I didn't like this set. Some options (salvage a Peddler, Watchtower to block Mountebank) but they didnt seem to be worth it. So I ended up with double Jack with a Mountebank, and he played double Mountebank with a Jack. I can't really tell you which is stronger. I actually think his double Mountebank was better, but not that much. He did green too early, and that cost him the game.
All in all these were really good sets, and 3/4 of the games were very close. Not the "super engines" that make me love Dominion, but more the kind of sets that strike me as WanderingWinders favorites. Thanks for playing again, Mic Qsenoch