symbols ... worth it?

[ESSandyman]

What do you guys think? Since symbols are an investment, of sorts, I've taken to buying them only in the early game (when I can't afford it ) and then I stop buying them about halfway through, figuring I won't get my money back.

However, this strategy doesn't appear to be that good. Is there an effective way to use symbols that I'm too stupid to figure out?

[Aldin temp]

I know there are wise people who use symbols well. I am not one of them. I can say, however, that I've had excellent success using symbols in mono-color decks where I know I will be converting lands to my color and building my color exclusively. In that situation the initial investment can pay off big. Let's say I buy 50 symbols at an average price of 13G, a 650G investment. In a mono-color deck I can get symbols up to 35G easy. That's a total magic gain of 1,100G PLUS a bonus at the castle of 175G each go around so long as no one else has more than 50. For extra fun, do it with mono-blue and add some Lungs to the deck for late game punch.

~Aldin

[ESSandyman]

Thanks!

[TheForgottenTaxi]

I use symbols on every map I get the chance. Early in the game they're the investment that can not fail. Even late in the game you can almost always find a symbol that has about a 90% likelihood of going up for you rather than down. You don't have to worry about "getting your money back," because they increase your magical power just by having them. All you have to worry about is whether or not they're gonna actually lose value. That only happens when a chain is broken up or a square gets converted. If you buy them when the price is relatively low this shouldn't be a problem, as a low price means that there aren't many chains built up yet.

In short, buy them, buy them often, buy them at every juncture in the game. The best ones to buy are ones that are currently cheap but which, based on your deck or even your opponents' decks, you think will probably go up.

[ESSandyman]

thanks for the advice! I currently buy 5-10 symbols but will start getting more. I played this game extensively last year and have started getting into it again. My kids are playing it as well.

[cerealkiller251]

I never buy symbols, but I will steal them with Sanctum guard.

[Pirate2004]

I like symbols and buy frequently but I can see why a lot of people would be uncomfortable. My advice is this. If you are uncomfortable buying symbol as an investment you should at least by symbol as a way to shield your cash from magic drains etc. If you are playing against characters with no magic drains or ways to punish you for carrying cash then don't worry, but if thy have cash cow killers you need to use the symbol temples just like a bank. A way to keep you cash from getting stolen.

Pirate

[cerealkiller251]

Same here Pirate. I discovered just the other day how much it can pay off when you have a few Grace spells in your deck.

[quikdraw77]

When it comes to Symbols.....i usually wont bother with them...its just becuase i dont understand how they factor in when your Castle bonuses and land values....the only way i see them useful, is if you summon Lung, as his HP is reliant on them. Although, I have seen them useful as bailing cepters out of losing ALOT of land, as they can sacrafice them to lessen the loss of G.

[imagineer]

If you have a lot of magic in hand and have no place to use it, you can try to buy some symbols. Or other players will steal your magic with spell card ---- Drain Magic.

If you want to use more magic some time, you can sell these symbols.
You won't lose magic by the deals