Jester

Basic Info

• Type: Action-Attack
• Cost: 5
• Effect: +2 Coin. Each other player discards the top card of their deck. If it's a Victory card they gain a Curse; otherwise they gain a copy of the discarded card or you do, your choice.

Rating

A unique two-pronged attack. Cost 5: +2 Coin (2 Silvers) + "Curse distribute or card-gain". In the Province phase, "opponent's Province → Curse distribution" is a brutal swing.

Big strength: opponent's deck-content determines effect. VP-heavy decks → Curse; treasure-heavy → you snatch (Gold gain!). Province-phase devastation: turns opponent's Province into "VP + Curse to them".

Weakness: high randomness, +2 Coin is unremarkable for cost 5. Pre-Province phase, Curse-distribution probability is low.

Overall B+ to A. Strong in Province phase, mediocre early-mid. Cost 5 has tough competition (Witch, Gold, Hunting Party).

How to Play

5-coin slot when nothing better. Or for late-game decisive attack.

Mid-game: fire each turn. Provinces revealed = curse spread = huge VP swing.

End-game: disrupt opponent's draws + steal Gold for self.

Effect Patterns

Opponent's top card:

• Estate / Duchy / Province / Gardens / Duke (VP) → opponent gains Curse
• Copper / Silver / Gold / Platinum → you or opponent gains copy (you decide)
• Action card → you decide (good = you, bad = opponent)
• Curse → you decide (give to them)

"VP = Curse" is strongest. Force Province draws in late game.

Key Combos

Jester + Fortune Teller: lock opponent's top deck on VP → Jester curses.

Jester + Witch / Young Witch: stacked curser.

Jester + Ghost Ship: hand→deck topping makes Jester predictable.

Jester + Library: self-defense.

Jester + Throne Room: TR + Jester = +4 Coin / 2 attacks.

Synergies

• Fortune Teller: lock top to VP.
• Witch / Young Witch: curser stack.
• Ghost Ship: top-deck stacking.
• Library: self-defense.
• Throne Room: doubled.
• Remodel / Expand: convert stolen cards.
• Smithy: simple draw boost.

Counters & Bad Matchups

• Thinned engines: little VP/Curse/Copper to hit.
• Top-deck manipulation: opponent controls top.
• Speed games: Jester's mid-game value insufficient.
• 4-player: effect dilutes but Curse spread compounds.

Advanced Tips

Province phase = peak. With opponent VP-heavy, Jester revealing Province → Curse.

"Self-gain vs opponent-gain" rule:

• Strong card (Gold / Platinum / good Action): self-gain
• Weak card (subpar Action): give to opponent
• Copper / Curse: give to opponent (deck pollution)
• Silver: depends on relative wealth

+2 Coin steady but unremarkable. Province line aid.

Multi-Jester: 2-3 enough; more redundant.

Jester mirror: trades curses, drags game out. First-Jester buyer gains tempo.

Note: Jester is an Attack — Moat / Lighthouse blocks.