Okay, I'll make a little post about my kingdoms. I played nine total games.
First game: Highway, Nobles, Chancellor, Conspirator, Duplicate, Bureaucrat, Ironworks, Peddler, Apothecary, Candlestick Maker.
Apparently this was a favorite of many, but I can't say I was a fan. I opened Candlestick Maker/Potion and proceeded to make an unreliable deck with all the cantrips but Peddler, one Duplicate and Candlestick Makers. The dream was to Duplicate Provinces, so I had a triple Province turn and several double Province turns. The Candlestick Makers and Highways(?) were gone and only two Nobles were left when I ended it.
Second game: Fishing Village, Noble Brigand, Masquerade, Guide, Mine, Scavenger, Throne Room, Distant Lands, Loan, Woodcutter
So I played Ben (he has the Michigan University logo as his profile picture, his username starts with the letter 'g.') and a non-forum opponent named Angie who was quite formidable. She tried a variant of BM and lost so many Golds to Ben's Brigands, but I nabbed a few as well. I lost the Distant Lands split but I got lots and lots of Provinces. I also picked up a Woodcutter for +buy, which neither of my opponents did. I think it was the right move. Oh, and I got two Guides and tried to Throne Room my Scavenger for reliability. I won this game, too.
Third game: Duke, Bridge, Witch, Village, Workshop, Herbalist, Messenger, Treasure Trove, Mission, Raid, Dungeon, Page
I played AHoppy on this board, and let me tell you: this board was very interesting! I warmed up to it after playing it. So you have Treasure Trove and Herbalist; those are excellent support for a Duke player. There's also this weak engine with Witch/Village/Dungeon/Bridge. AHoppy decided to play it bold and open Treasure Trove/Herbalist. My opponent, Patrick (who was quite good as well) and I both opened Witch/Page. Champion would be great here. AHoppy went for an early Duchy on his second shuffle, which was super weird. Patrick and I both built, but he lost when my Warrior hit his Warrior. I got Champion in play the turn the Curses ran out, which was just great. I was ready to get Duchies like both of my opponents, but AHoppy said 'Since it's a three player game, the person who doesn't go for Duchies wins.' I withdrew my hand from the Duchy pile and picked up more Witches, but Dungeon was the real MVP. Drawing two good cards and discarding two Curses was super good. I managed to get a load of Provinces and crush AHoppy, who got seven Duchies but no Dukes. Patrick only got 3-4 Duchies, but he did manage to pick up two Dukes. Regardless, he still came in third.
Kingdom: Wharf, Giant, Throne Room, Spice Merchant, Lookout, Mystic, Bazaar, Council Room, Highway, Stash, Training, Raid
Not much to talk about here. My opponent built his engine several turns faster then picked up nine Provinces. My other opponent picked up one Province, so I came in third place.
Onto the semifinals!
I'll edit this post later, I promise.
Still promise.