Baker

Basic Info

• Type: Action
• Cost: 5
• Effect: +1 Card / +1 Action / +1 Coffers.
• Setup: Each player gets 1 Coffers.

Rating

A pure cost-5 cantrip plus +1 Coffers. The +1 Card / +1 Action body matches Laboratory and adds a stored coin. The setup gives every player 1 Coffers, which subtly changes opening dynamics — sometimes turning a 4/3 split into a 5-coin opening for Baker itself.

Rating A. Cost-5 cantrip is already strong (Lab-class). Adding storable coin economy makes it a top-tier engine piece. The setup Coffers means richer flexibility on turn 1.

Coffers can be spent any time for +1 Coin. Convert 4 → 5 to grab a Silver/Smithy, or 7 → 8 for Province.

Almost always buy 1-2 on Baker boards. Strong in engines and Big Money alike.

How to Play

Setup Coffers means a 4/3 player can spend their token to make 5 turn 1 and buy Baker immediately — the dominant line. 3-coin side typically takes Silver.

Mid-game, Baker cycles every shuffle while accumulating Coffers. Spend tokens on Province / Gold thresholds.

End-game, dump tokens for multi-Province turns combined with +1 Buy.

Opening Impact

"Setup Coffers" turns 2-5/3-4/4-3/5-2 splits into effective 3-5/4-4/5-3/6-2 (since tokens spend optionally).

• 4/3: spend token to reach 5 → Baker; 3-coin side Silver.
• 5/2: 5-coin Witch/Throne, 2-coin side becomes 3 → Silver / Workshop.

Key Combos

Baker + Chapel: Thinning while Baker cycles + accumulates.

Baker + Bridge: +1 Buy + Coffers for multi-Province.

Baker + Laboratory: Stack cantrip + economy.

Baker + Throne Room: TR + Baker = +2 cards / +2 Actions / +2 Coffers.

Baker + Pirate Ship / Sea Hag: Boost Coffers via repeated cycling.

Baker + Inn (Hinterlands): Reuse Baker for more cycling.

Synergies

• Chapel / Masquerade: Thin + cycle.
• Throne Room: Doubled Coffers.
• Merchant Guild / Candlestick Maker: Stack Coffers gains.
• Bridge: +1 Buy.
• Laboratory: Pile cantrips.
• Smithy: Terminal draw pair.

Counters & Bad Matchups

• Short games: Coffers spent before end-game?
• Strong 5-cost cards: Witch / Wharf / Throne competing.
• Terminal-heavy: Baker itself is fine but priority drops.

Advanced Tips

Spend Coffers at Province/Gold thresholds rather than hoarding.

Baker doubles as a cantrip + Coffers source. Engines run 3-4. BM runs 2.

Setup Coffers usually best spent immediately to push opening to a 5 → Baker buy, rather than saving.

Coffers don't decay but unused tokens at game end are wasted — count down to Province lines.

Baker-BM: Baker/Silver → Silver → Gold → Province. Solid mid-game stability.

Multiple Bakers accelerate Coffers gains. Engines: 3-4. BM: 2.