Dominion Board Game Review
Dominion, designed by Donald X. Vaccarino and published by Rio Grande Games in 2008, created an entirely new genre of tabletop gaming. This deck-building card game puts 2-4 players in the roles of medieval monarchs competing for territory. Sessions run 30 minutes for experienced players. The recommended age is 13 and up. This review covers gameplay, components, and whether Dominion belongs in your collection.
Dominion Overview
Players start with identical ten-card decks containing seven Copper treasures and three Estate victory cards. Each turn follows a simple structure: play action cards, spend treasure to buy new cards, then discard everything and draw five fresh cards.
The goal is straightforward. Acquire the most victory points by game’s end. Province cards deliver six points each, Duchy cards provide three, and Estates give one. The catch? Victory cards clog your deck during play. They do nothing when drawn. This creates the core tension that drives every decision.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Designer | Donald X. Vaccarino |
| Publisher | Rio Grande Games |
| Year Released | 2008 |
| Players | 2-4 |
| Age Range | 13+ |
| Playing Time | 30 minutes |
| Game Type | Deck Building, Strategy |
| Complexity Rating | Medium-Light |
What’s in the Dominion Box
The base game includes 500 cards across multiple categories. You get treasure cards in three denominations: Copper, Silver, and Gold. Victory cards come as Estates, Duchies, and Provinces. Curse cards add negative points when opponents attack you.
Twenty-five different Kingdom card types form the strategic heart of the game. Each session uses only ten of these, selected randomly or by player choice. Card quality is standard for hobby games. The cardstock holds up to regular shuffling, though sleeving extends their lifespan considerably.
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Copper Cards | 60 |
| Silver Cards | 40 |
| Gold Cards | 30 |
| Estate Cards | 24 |
| Duchy Cards | 12 |
| Province Cards | 12 |
| Kingdom Card Types | 25 (10 copies each) |
| Curse Cards | 30 |
| Trash Card | 1 |
Dominion Pros and Cons
Pros
- Quick setup once cards are organized. Games start within five minutes.
- High replay value from 25 Kingdom cards creating millions of combinations.
- Rules teach in under ten minutes. New players grasp basics quickly.
- Games finish in 30 minutes. Easy to play multiple rounds in one session.
- Balanced starting positions. Everyone begins with identical decks.
- Eleven expansions available for those wanting more variety.
Cons
- Limited player interaction in the base set. Feels like parallel play sometimes.
- Card organization requires storage solution. The included insert is inadequate.
- Theme feels thin. The medieval setting barely connects to gameplay.
- Analysis paralysis can slow games with new players learning card effects.
- Some Kingdom card combinations create dominant strategies.
How to Play Dominion
Setup
Place the treasure and victory card stacks in the center of the table. For two players, use eight of each victory card type. Three or four players use twelve copies. Select ten Kingdom card types and create supply piles of ten cards each. Each player takes seven Coppers and three Estates, shuffles them, and draws five cards.
Turn Structure
Turns follow an ABC pattern: Action, Buy, Cleanup. During the Action phase, play one action card from your hand. Many actions grant additional plays, letting you chain multiple cards together. The Buy phase lets you spend treasure cards to purchase one new card from the supply. Purchased cards go to your discard pile.
Cleanup requires discarding your entire hand and played cards, then drawing five new cards. When your draw pile runs empty, shuffle your discard pile to create a new deck. This cycling mechanic means purchased cards eventually reach your hand.
Game End and Scoring
The game ends immediately when the Province pile empties or when any three supply piles run out. Players count victory points across all cards they own, including those in hand, discard pile, and draw deck. Highest total wins. Ties go to the player with fewer turns taken.
Where to Buy Dominion
| Retailer | Notes |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Regular stock, competitive pricing |
| Target | Available in stores and online |
| Walmart | In-store and online availability |
| BoardGameGeek Market | New and used copies from collectors |
| Local Game Stores | Support local retailers, may offer play copies to try |
| Rio Grande Games | Direct from publisher |
Dominion Game Mechanics Explained
Dominion pioneered the deck-building mechanic now found in hundreds of games. Unlike collectible card games where you build decks before playing, Dominion makes deck construction the actual gameplay. Every purchase shapes your strategy.
Deck efficiency matters more than deck size. A lean deck with strong cards outperforms a bloated collection. This creates strategic decisions around trashing weak cards, timing victory card purchases, and building card combinations. Some Kingdom cards let you draw extra cards. Others provide additional actions or buys. Learning how cards interact takes practice.
The variable setup using ten Kingdom cards from twenty-five options means strategies shift between games. A strategy dominant in one session may not exist in the next. Experienced players read the available cards and adapt their approach accordingly.
Who Should Play Dominion
Dominion suits players who enjoy strategic card games and quick decision-making. The thirty-minute playtime makes it accessible for weeknight gaming. Groups who like popular strategy games will find familiar satisfaction here.
New hobby gamers benefit from Dominion’s straightforward rules and balanced competition. The game teaches core concepts found in modern strategy board games. Veterans appreciate the depth hidden beneath simple mechanics.
Skip Dominion if you prefer heavy player interaction or narrative experiences. The base game plays somewhat solitaire, with players focused on their own deck-building rather than direct conflict. Those wanting confrontation should consider expansions like Intrigue that add more interactive elements.
FAQ
Is Dominion good for beginners?
Dominion works well for beginners. The core rules take ten minutes to teach. Starting decks are identical, so newcomers compete fairly against experienced players. Card text explains effects clearly. First games run longer as players learn, but the learning curve is gentle.
How long does Dominion take to play?
Experienced players finish games in about thirty minutes. First-time players should expect forty-five minutes while learning card effects and strategic patterns. Setup adds five minutes once cards are organized. The game moves quickly once everyone knows their options.
What’s the best player count for Dominion?
Three or four players provide the optimal experience with good pacing and competition for key cards. Two-player games feature tighter strategy and more control over the game state. Four players adds unpredictability but can extend play time slightly.
Is Dominion worth buying in 2025?
Dominion remains relevant with its 2025 Hall of Fame induction and BoardGameGeek rating of 7.6 from over 95,000 reviews. The base game offers substantial replay value. Eleven expansions provide years of additional content for those who enjoy the core system.
What games are similar to Dominion?
Star Realms offers deck-building with direct combat. Clank! adds board movement to the formula. Ascension features a constantly changing card market. Legendary uses deck-building in cooperative superhero settings. Each took inspiration from Dominion’s foundational mechanics.
