Bustling Village

Basic Info

• Type: Action
• Cost: 5
• Effect: +1 Card / +3 Actions / You may reveal a Settlers from your discard pile and put it into your hand.
• Split pile: 5 Settlers / 5 Bustling Village per pile.

Rating

Tier A. Empires' premier super-village: $5 for +1 Card / +3 Actions / Settlers recovery.

+3 Actions is elite — chain three terminals. Settlers recall further smooths.

Bottom of split pile (Settlers must drain first).

How to Play

Early, drain Settlers to expose Bustling Village.

$5 turn — top pick (or Gold). +3 Action village is among Dominion's best.

Settler-recall: pull Settler from discard for free hand boost.

Engine core: chain Smithy / Royal Blacksmith / attacks via Bustling Village.

When to Pick / Skip

Almost always top engine pick. Skip when:

1. Game ends before Settlers drain.
2. Strong attacks disrupt the engine.
3. Better village covers role.

Key Combos

Bustling Village + KC / TR: doubled.

Bustling Village + big terminal draw (Royal Blacksmith, Council Room): chain.

Bustling Village + Settlers: split pile + recall.

Bustling Village + attacks (Witch, Torturer, Minion): chain.

Bustling Village + Engineer: cost-5 gain.

Bustling Village + University: free gain.

Bustling Village + Market / Spice Merchant: +Buy + Actions.

Synergies

• Settlers: split pile + recall.
• KC / TR: doubled.
• Strong terminals: chain.
• Engineer / University: gain.
• Big draw: engine pioche.
• Smithy variants: chain.

Counters & Bad Matchups

• Short games — Settlers won't drain.
• Heavy attacks (Witch, Torturer).
• Copper-loyal builds — surplus actions.

Advanced Tips

Drain Settlers first to flip pile.

KC + Bustling Village: +2 cards / +6 actions / 2 Settler recalls.

Engine mid-game: 3-4 Bustling Villages chain 6-8 terminals — ideal.

3-pile to-go: Settlers + Bustling Village + extra pile.

Mirror: race for Bustling Village; village count decides.

Recall is optional. Take Settlers when handsize wanted; skip if redundant.