# Dominion: Intrigue (Second Edition) ## General Info - **Year Published**: 2016 - **BGG Rating**: 8.1 - **BGG Rank**: — - **Players**: 2-4 (Best with: 2) - **Duration**: 30 min - **Weight**: 2.28 / 5 - **Designers**: Donald X. Vaccarino - **Artists**: Alexander Jung, Christof Tisch, Claus Stephan, Franz Vohwinkel, Harald Lieske, Joshua J. Stewart, Lars-Arne "Maura" Kalusky, Lorraine Schleter, Marcel-André Casasola Merkle, Martin Hoffmann, Matthias Catrein, Ryan Laukat - **Publishers**: Rio Grande Games, 999 Games, ASS Altenburger Spielkarten, Conclave Editora, Devir, Giochi Uniti, Hobby Japan, Korea Boardgames, Laguna - **Categories**: Card Game, Expansion for Base-game, Medieval - **Mechanics**: Deck, Bag, and Pool Building, Delayed Purchase, Hand Management, Open Drafting ## Verdict Perfect for those who have mastered the basics and want more layers of strategy and cunning. The highlight is the complete overhaul of the victory dynamic.Victory cards with actual utilityComplex and rewarding synergiesRevised and clearer rulesHigh replayability through combinationsRequires the base game to playSteeper learning curveRECOMMENDED ## Description Ever felt that vibe of conspiracy, whispers in castle hallways, and the feeling that everyone is plotting something? That's exactly what Dominion: Intrigue brings to the table. If you already enjoy the deck-building dynamic, get ready, because things get much spicier here. This expansion isn't just 'more cards'; it shifts how you interact with the game, introducing victory cards that actually do something useful (yes, your points can now help you win!) and mechanics that require you to plan moves in advance. In this Second Edition, the experience has been refined. Some cards from the first version were replaced with new, more balanced and interesting options, and the rulebook was completely rewritten to clear up any confusion. The focus here is versatility: you'll find cards that let you choose between different effects, forcing you to adapt your strategy as the match evolves. It's the kind of expansion that transforms basic Dominion into a much more strategic and, at times, slightly treacherous game. One crucial detail: this version is not 'stand-alone'. This means you cannot play it on its own. You will need the base game (Dominion or Dominion Second Edition) for the basic cards and essential rules. If you want to play with 5 or 6 people, remember to use the extra basic cards from the base game. The beauty of Intrigue is that it blends perfectly with any other expansion you already own, allowing you to create wild card combinations and discover synergies that can crush your opponents' strategies. If you're looking for depth and want to move beyond the basics, the kingdom's intrigues are waiting for you. ## How to Play Game Objective In Dominion: Intrigue (Second Edition), players take on the role of rulers seeking to expand their domains. The objective is to accumulate the most victory points by the end of the game, acquiring Victory cards and using strategies to build an efficient deck. The game ends when three Supply card piles are depleted or when all Province cards are purchased. The player with the most victory points wins. Preparation (Setup) To set up the game, follow the steps below: Separate the Treasure, Victory, Curse, and Trash cards from the base game Dominion. Choose 10 Kingdom cards to form the Supply. You can use the Randomizer cards to select them randomly. Prepare the Victory piles: 8 cards for 2 players or 12 cards for 3-6 players. Each player receives a starting deck composed of 7 Copper cards and 3 Estate cards. Refer to the manual for details on this section. Game Flow The game is divided into turns, where each player performs the following phases: Action Phase: The player can play Action cards to perform special effects. Buy Phase: The player uses their Treasure cards to buy cards from the Supply. Clean-up Phase: The player discards all played cards and those remaining in hand, drawing a new hand of 5 cards. Refer to the manual for details on this section. Actions and How to Play Action cards offer various strategic options. Here are some examples: Mining Village: Draw a card and gain +2 Actions. You may choose to trash this card to gain +3. Baron: Choose to discard an Estate to gain +1 or gain an Estate if you don't discard. Conspirator: If you have played 3 or more Actions this turn, gain +1 Card and +1 Action. Courtier: Reveal a card from your hand and choose effects based on the revealed card's types. Refer to the manual for details on this section. End of Game and Scoring The game ends when three Supply card piles are depleted or when all Province cards are purchased. To calculate the score: Sum the points of all Victory cards in your deck. Cards like Harem, Mill, and Nobles are worth victory points and can be used as Action cards during the game. The player with the most victory points wins. Tips for Winning Here are some tips to improve your chances of victory: Prioritize cards that offer multiple options, such as Courtier and Steward, to adapt your strategy as the game progresses. Use cards like Bridge to reduce the cost of other cards, allowing for more advantageous purchases. Maintain a balance between Action, Treasure, and Victory cards to ensure an efficient deck. ## FAQ ### Can I play Intrigue as a standalone game? No! It's an expansion. You need the base game for the basic cards and fundamental rules. ### What's different in this Second Edition? Some cards were replaced with more balanced versions, the manual was rewritten, and there were minor tweaks to some abilities. ### Is it much harder than the base game? Yes, the complexity increases. The cards have more elaborate effects, and hand management requires more planning. ### How many players can play? 2 to 4 players with the box, but up to 6 if you use the extra basic cards from the base game. ### Can I mix it with other expansions? Absolutely! Dominion is modular, so you can combine Intrigue with any other expansion you own. ## Price Comparison ### Best International Offers - **BoardGamePrices.com**: $ 39.91 (https://boardgameprices.com/item/go?source=A&storeitemid=2225960&utm_source=boardgamesbot.com) - See all on BoardGamePrices: https://boardgameprices.com/item/show/19387/dominion-intrigue-second-edition?utm_source=boardgamesbot.com