Dominion: Seaside is a highly strategic and addictive card game that is perfect for players who love building and managing their own decks. This game, designed by Donald X. Vaccarino and published by Rio Grande Games, is a standalone expansion to the popular Dominion series and adds new mechanics that add another level of complexity to the game.
Gameplay
In Dominion: Seaside, players must build their own unique decks of cards to obtain the most victory points at the end of the game. To start, each player begins with an identical set of 10 cards that include basic action and treasure cards. A set of kingdom cards are then selected from the deck and placed in the center of the playing area. These cards will be the ones that players can purchase and add to their decks.
Players take turns performing actions in three phases: Action, Buy, and Clean-up. In the Action phase, players can use any action cards they have in their hand to gain more cards, coins, or other special abilities. In the Buy phase, players can use their coins to purchase cards from the kingdom pile. The Clean-up phase is where players discard their remaining cards and draw a new hand of five cards.
There are a total of 26 cards in Dominion: Seaside, each with unique abilities that can help players gain more points or hinder their opponents. Some cards allow players to draw extra cards, such as the Caravan and the Wharf, while others allow players to gain more coins, such as the Hoard and the Pirate Ship. There are also action cards, such as the Native Village and the Island, that allow players to set cards aside for later use or remove cards from their deck entirely.
One of the new mechanics introduced in Dominion: Seaside is the duration card. These cards remain in play for one additional turn, allowing players to use them twice. For example, the native village allows players to set aside cards for later use, allowing them to play those cards during their next turn, as well.
Another new mechanic is the on-trash ability. When a player trashes a card from their deck, they can perform an additional action or gain a bonus. For example, trashing the Salvager card allows players to gain an additional two coins that can be used to purchase more cards.
Game Components
The game components in Dominion: Seaside are high-quality and durable. The cards are made from sturdy cardstock and feature vibrant artwork that’s easy to read and understand. The cards also have a matte finish, which makes them easier to shuffle.
The game also comes with a rulebook that is easy to follow and includes clear explanations of all the cards and their abilities. This makes it easy for new players to learn the game quickly and for experienced players to reference the rules as needed.
Final Thoughts
Dominion: Seaside is a fantastic expansion to the already popular Dominion series. The new mechanics, such as the duration and on-trash abilities, add another layer of strategy that makes the game even more challenging and engaging. The game is also highly replayable, as the kingdom cards can be mixed and matched to create new combinations and unique gameplay experiences.
Overall, Dominion: Seaside is a must-have for anyone who loves deck-building games or is a fan of the Dominion series. With its high-quality components, easy-to-follow rules, and addictive gameplay, this game is sure to provide hours of entertainment.