Strategy for when I get stuck with Fugger

[Ametralladora]

Hey everyone. When I get stuck playing with Fugger, I feel like I am starting the game off with a disadvantage because my concession is at the end of the Western trade route, and I only have 3 florins to start the game and have to pay full price for all the cards on the market. The only time I see an advantage is if there is an especially powerful card that I can buy before my opponent. Are there strategies that experienced players specifically think about to capitalize off of Fugger's starting position? (Or does it just depend on what's available in the market?) Thank you.

[Ametralladora]

After thinking about it, I came up with one possible opening.

The Fugger-It Opening

The situation is that you find that you are stuck with Fugger in a 2 player game. There are no especially important cards in the market that you can afford to buy (suppose it has apostasies and one shots with single agents that don't give you a strategic concession, etc.)

1) Before deciding on this move, consider what your opponent will have access to buy on their turn.
2) If you feel it is relatively safe, just call an Eastern trade fair followed by a Western trade fair
3) Fugger's first move is the only time this can be done reliably without raising levies and setting yourself too far behind.
4) Resume play as the second player with 5 florins and your pick of a fresh market.

[Horsard612]

I think Fugger in 2-player games is pretty strong because you are only at a 1 florin disadvantage but you get to grab the powerful card(s) off the market. Especially if opponent starts on east route, you are almost no different from others.

My regular opening strategy in 2-player game:

1) Check powerful cards, especially those that can quickly consolidate holy victory or the only queen/conspiracy in a unique location
- There is none: proceed to following points
- There is 1 at florin 1-2: definitely purchase
- There are 2 at florin 1-2: purchase both unless there are cards to counter them
- There are >2 at florin 1-3: either keep at least 3 of those in market after your 1st turn or purchase 1 or 2
- Upcoming powerful cards (at florin 3-5): try keeping them at position 4 (or 3). This is only the last resort if you can do nothing else

2) See if the opponent starts on east or west trade route
- Purchase cards opposite of what they start with. Purchasing 2 west cards always passes this check
- If opponent starts on east, you may do purchase a west card then west trade fair

3) Block opponent's early conspiracy
- If there is a card with strong conspiracy you are not purchasing, try a trade fair that adds levy to conspiracy location

4) Purchase cards with useful agents, actions & prestige
- Kill/suppress (opponent) concession > Add (safe) trade-route concession > Vote > Discovery > Law > Inquisition > Bishop & Religious prestige
- Kill/suppress only ranks first if you are able to suppress in turn 1
- Safe means that no immediate cards can suppress/kill that concession. The concession can come from an empire you acquire in turn 1

The fun of the game is that everyone has different approach to the opening strategy. Personally, I NEVER open passively by doing two trade fairs because functionally it's like your opponent starts 1st with 4 florin and you start 2nd with 5, giving them 1 more florin to be first.

Hope it helps and inspires you! :D

[Ametralladora]

Thanks for your thorough reply. It definitely has a lot of useful information.

[Raw Bear Toe]

I like Horsard's 2. advice as it can be a good strategy.
If you are against a western opponent to trade fair west and then buy the card. But as you said, it comes down to the market. Lately I see many games where the first person has a slight benefit, but this could change tomorrow. I do like to play astrology variant so that you can plan ahead as well.

[Horsard612]

You're so right. Especially in reformation where west starts at Red Sea - the Ottoman-Mamluk concession can largely determine the winner!