[Dominion] Swashbuckler Card Guide - +3 Cards + Treasure Chest
Rating of the Renaissance card Swashbuckler. Cost 5 Action. +3 Cards. If discard pile has cards: +1 Coffer; if Treasure Chest mat has 4+ tokens, take Treasure Chest and Gold.
Swashbuckler
Basic Info
- Type: Action
- Cost: 5
- Effect: +3 Cards. If your discard pile is not empty: +1 Coffers; if you have 4+ Coffers, take the Treasure Chest and gain a Gold.
Rating
A Smithy-tier draw card with conditional +1 Coffers and a Treasure Chest payoff. Long-game powerhouse.
Tier B+. Excellent in engine boards and long games. Slightly worse in short rushes.
How to Play
Early: $5 buy. First play has no Coffer (empty discard) but +3 Cards is strong.
Mid: Discard always non-empty. Coffers tick up, Treasure Chest at 4 Coffers.
Late: Treasure Chest grants free Gold per turn, +3 draw, mounting Coffers.
When to Pick / Skip
Pick when:
- Engine plans on long boards.
- Manageable terminal collision.
- Long games where Chest matters.
- Weak alternative draw.
Skip when:
- Heavy terminal collision.
- Strong handsize attacks.
- Short rush boards.
2-3 copies typical.
Key Combos
Swashbuckler + Village: Avoid terminal jam.
Swashbuckler + King's Court: KC + Swash = +6 Cards + 2 Coffers.
Swashbuckler + Cellar: Cellar fills discard for Coffers.
Swashbuckler + Chapel: Chapel discards Coppers, fueling.
Swashbuckler + Haven: Save for the right turn.
Swashbuckler + Key: Stable +$1.
Swashbuckler + Treasure Chest: Self-target unlock.
Synergies
- Villages: action room.
- Cellar: discard fuel.
- Chapel: trash + discard.
- King's Court: doubled draw + Coffers.
- Haven: timing.
- Key: continuous +$1.
- Treasure Chest: self-unlock.
- Treasurer: synergistic gain.
- Baker: $ carryover.
Counters & Bad Matchups
- Terminal collision: Swash is terminal.
- Hand attacks: discarded.
- Short games: Chest doesn't mature.
- Workshop-only: needs other draw.
Advanced Tips
Discard condition: Empty just after shuffle. Make discards early to keep Coffers flowing.
Cellar synergy: Cellar fills discard, Swash adds Coffers + draw.
Chest timing: 4th Coffer gains Chest + Gold. Coffers don't reset.
KC max: KC + Swash = +6 Cards + 2 Coffers per turn.
Mirror: First to Chest wins tempo.
Haven: Save for fat-discard turn.
Province line: Swash + Coffers + Treasures = $8 reliable.
Forced discard: Torturer/Minion can paradoxically help Coffers.
3-pile-go: Chest gains pile up the deck; combine with other pile-out plans.