Mastermind

Basic Info

• Type: Action-Duration
• Cost: 5
• Effect: At the start of your next turn, you may play an Action card from your hand 3 times.

Rating

One of Dominion's strongest "Throne" effects. King's Court ($7) at $5, but Duration so you choose the target after seeing your next hand. Tier A, top priority pick.

Biggest strength: guarantees a powerful next turn. Pick best Action from next hand and triple-fire — Coven / Cavalry / Bounty Hunter / Remodel become game-ending plays.

How to Play

5/2 split: Mastermind immediately. Next turn = triple-fire your strongest Action.

Mid: 2 Masterminds → guaranteed every-turn triple-firings.

Key Combos

Mastermind + Coven: +3 Actions / +$6 / 3 Curse waves.

Mastermind + Cavalry: +$6 / 6 Horses / 3 phase rewinds.

Mastermind + Bounty Hunter: 3 Exiles + Exile-cash conversion.

Mastermind + Smithy: +9 cards.

Mastermind + Remodel: 3-chain gain. Estate → Duchy → Province.

Mastermind + Black Cat: +6 cards / reaction stack.

Mastermind + King's Court: KC × Mastermind = 6 firings.

Synergies

• Coven: 3 Curse waves.
• Cavalry: Horse + phase loops.
• Bounty Hunter: Exile chain.
• Smithy / Council Room: Mass draw.
• Remodel / Expand: Gain chain.
• Black Cat: Double firing.
• Snowy Village: Action support.
• Throne Room / King's Court: Double Mastermind.

Counters & Bad Matchups

• Heavy attacks: Hand disruption removes Mastermind targets.
• Single-terminal boards: Without strong Actions, Mastermind whiffs.
• Duration-counters: Effect canceled.
• Trash: Mastermind too valuable to trash.

Advanced Tips

Target picking: See next hand first, choose optimal Action.

Stagger: 2 Masterminds = alternating fire/duration cycle.

Mirrors: Whoever stockpiles Masterminds wins.

3-pile end: Mastermind + gainers empty piles fast.

Mastermind-BM: Silver / Mastermind → Silver → next turn triple-Action → Province.