How to Play Dominion

Ready to Play Dominion? A Simple Guide

Hey there! Ever heard of Dominion? It's this awesome card game that's won tons of awards. It's super simple to learn, but there's a surprising amount of strategy involved. Think of it like a puzzle you build with cards. This guide will teach you everything you need to know to get started.

What's Dominion All About?

Dominion is a card game where you build your own deck of cards. Your goal? Get the most victory points. You do this by buying powerful cards. Each game is different because you choose different sets of "Kingdom cards". That's what makes it so replayable! It's a mix of planning, managing your resources, and a little bit of luck.

Setting Up the Game: It's Easy!

Setting up is a breeze. You'll need:

• The Dominion Base Game (or an expansion): This has all the cards.
• 2-4 Players: More players make it more fun and competitive!

Here's how to set up:

1. Pick Kingdom Cards: Choose ten Kingdom cards. This is what makes every game different!
2. Shuffle and Deal: Shuffle the Kingdom cards, and the other cards (Victory cards, Curses, and Treasure cards). Each player starts with 7 Copper and 3 Estate cards. Each card does something different, and has a cost.
3. Shuffle Your Deck: Shuffle your starting cards.
4. Set Up the Supply: Put all the cards face up – Kingdom cards, Victory cards (Provinces, Duchies, Estates), Curses, and Treasure cards (Gold, Silver, Copper). This is the "supply" you'll buy from.

Playing the Game: Your Turn

Your turn has a few steps:

1. Draw Cards: Draw 5 cards from your deck.
2. Action Phase: Play any "Action cards" you have. These do cool things, like letting you draw more cards or buy more cards.
3. Buy Phase: Buy cards from the supply using your "Treasure cards" (Copper, Silver, Gold). Each card costs a certain amount.
4. Discard Phase: Get rid of any cards left in your hand.
5. Cleanup Phase: Discard your hand and draw 5 new cards. That's your turn!

Types of Cards: What They Do

Dominion uses different types of cards:

• Victory Cards: These score points at the end (like Provinces, Duchies, Estates). You need these to win!
• Treasure Cards: These are your money (Gold, Silver, Copper). Copper is worth 1, Silver is 2, and Gold is 3.
• Action Cards: These let you do special things. This is where the strategy is!
• Curse Cards: These lose you points. Try to avoid them!

Kingdom Cards: The Key to Variety

Kingdom cards are what make each game unique. They do all sorts of things – some give you extra actions, some let you get more cards, and some even let you get rid of bad cards. It's amazing how different each game feels!

Winning the Game: How to Be a Champion

The game ends when:

• Three Province piles are empty: Provinces are usually the best victory cards.
• Three piles of any other card (except Curses) are empty: Means not many cards left!

Then you count your points. Most points wins!

Advanced Strategies and Expansions

Once you get the hang of it, you can try more advanced strategies. And there are tons of expansions with new cards and ways to play!

Dominion is super fun because it’s easy to learn, but hard to master. It’s great for all skill levels! This guide is a great start. Now go play!

Where to Buy Dominion

You can find Dominion at most game stores or online. There are lots of expansions too!

Conclusion: Go Build Your Kingdom!

Dominion is more than just a game. It's a challenge, a puzzle, and a really fun way to spend time with friends. Use this guide to learn the ropes, and you'll be building your own kingdom in no time!