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[Cuzz]

Studies have shown that "It depends on the board" is the most common 5-word string used on this forum, and in the vocabulary of everyone who frequents it [citation needed]. Every rule of thumb has edge-cases. But is this really true? Are there any things that should always be done regardless of the exact specific cards available?

A few to start:

-If you are ahead in VP and can end the game on your turn, do so.
-Open Potion if all cards have Potion in their cost.
-Don't open double Curse.
-Play the game according to the rules in the rulebook.
-Don't viciously insult/attack your opponent.

[Drab Emordnilap]

-Play the game according to the rules in the rulebook.

My rulebook doesn't tell me how Black Market works. 

[mail-mi]

-Don't open Kings Court.

[Schneau]

Do open double Platinum, but only if you're cheating.

[michaeljb]

-Play the game according to the rules in the rulebook.

My rulebook doesn't tell me how Black Market works. 

We can get around this by defining "rulebook" as the rulebook that comes with the boxes, or the rule sheets that come with the promo cards

[shMerker]

-Ask yourself: "Is this card better than silver?"

-Don't viciously insult/attack your opponent.

Pretty sure it's a good idea to viciously attack your opponent in some kingdoms that have Torturer or Saboteur.

-Play the game according to the rules in the rulebook.

My rulebook doesn't tell me how Black Market works. 

We can get around this by defining "rulebook" as the rulebook that comes with the boxes, or the rule sheets that come with the promo cards

And the blue dog ruling.

[WanderingWinder]

-Open Potion if all cards have Potion in their cost.

Seems extremely dependent on the kingdom.

-Don't open Kings Court.

If you could (and in a game with enough players opening embassy t1 and enough strategic noble brigands, it's theoretically possible), I imagine that I would usually want to.

I also think you don't want to include things like 'force a win if you can' or 'follow the rules' here, because it's entirely non-specific to Dominion. Generally, it would be nicer to find positive prescriptions than negative ones, but of course both are alright.

Anyway, one of my own:

-Buy at least one card on at least one of your first two turns.

[Kuildeous]

-Open Potion if all cards have Potion in their cost.

Seems extremely dependent on the kingdom.

Well, I believe there's only one kingdom that fulfills this criterion, so "depends on the kingdom" is….well, not wrong….trivial?

And I'd say that it is not universally true that you would buy Potion since Big Money is always an option. Is it the best option? That's the question that makes this not so universal.

[Robz888]

-- Don't open Curse/Curse.

Any exceptions? I can't think of any.

[michaeljb]

I bet Curse/Curse can ge generalized to "Don't open $0 card/$0 card."

And I bet you never want to open Estate/Duchy. (even in SR games your starting average coins/hand is less than the cost of SR, and this only hurts it more)

[Davio]

If you have €5 in your opening hand, buy a card that costs at least €3.
Anyone ever opened FG/FG on 5/2? Maybe as second player?

[michaeljb]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

[Davio]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

The all Village kingdom is a candidate, as long as it doesn't include Worker's Village.

[Witherweaver]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

Secret Chamber
Duchess
Perl Diver
Moat
Vagrant
Beggar
Cellar
Poor House
Embargo
Fool's Gold

[Drab Emordnilap]

If you have €5 in your opening hand, buy a card that costs at least €3.
Anyone ever opened FG/FG on 5/2? Maybe as second player?

I've opened Squire/Chapel before. It might not have literally been a 5/2, though.

[sudgy]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

Secret Chamber
Duchess
Perl Diver
Moat
Vagrant
Beggar
Cellar
Poor House
Embargo
Fool's Gold

I buy Embargo and Embargo the Fool's Gold.

[Awaclus]

I bet Curse/Curse can ge generalized to "Don't open $0 card/$0 card."

And I bet you never want to open Estate/Duchy. (even in SR games your starting average coins/hand is less than the cost of SR, and this only hurts it more)

Estate/Duchy and Curse/Curse are both still better than the legendary Mint/Estate opening. Congratulations for your 7-card deck with two coppers as your only source of $.

[Witherweaver]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

Secret Chamber
Duchess
Perl Diver
Moat
Vagrant
Beggar
Cellar
Poor House
Embargo
Fool's Gold

I buy Embargo and Embargo the Fool's Gold.

Okay, replace Embargo with Lighthouse

[Kirian]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

Secret Chamber
Duchess
Perl Diver
Moat
Vagrant
Beggar
Cellar
Poor House
Embargo
Fool's Gold

I buy Embargo and Embargo the Fool's Gold.

Okay, replace Embargo with Lighthouse

Even though Moat is only +2 cards, I suspect BM-Moat is better than pure BM here--but only after the FGs are drained.

[itchiko]

Things not depending on the board:
Take your time to look at the board.
Try to have an idea of your strategy before your opening move.
Follow what your opponent is doing to have an idea of the strategy he is following.
If your plan don't work as well as expected, adapt and change it.
Keep an eye out for the endof the game (always have an idea of how nany turns are needed to empty three piles if you focus on it and same for your opponent)
Keep a count as precise as possible to the victory points for each users.

That is all for now.

And of course:
Don't buy that scout ;-)

[Robz888]

I don't think BM Fools Gold counts as pure BM. Fools Gold is a Treasure, but it's a Kingdom card all the same.

[Mr Anderson]

Scout is a bad card.

[Drab Emordnilap]

Estate/Duchy and Curse/Curse are both still better than the legendary Mint/Estate opening. Congratulations for your 7-card deck with two coppers as your only source of $.

Mint/Curse?

[Davio]

Another one: relax and have fun, it's still a game after all.

[Witherweaver]

Well if there's a kingdom where BM+FG is best, FG/FG would be the obvious opening. Does such a board exist?

Secret Chamber
Duchess
Perl Diver
Moat
Vagrant
Beggar
Cellar
Poor House
Embargo
Fool's Gold

I buy Embargo and Embargo the Fool's Gold.

Okay, replace Embargo with Lighthouse

Even though Moat is only +2 cards, I suspect BM-Moat is better than pure BM here--but only after the FGs are drained.

But you would still open FG/FG instead of opening Moat.  Ignoring the Fool's Gold would surely lose, right?