Domino – Lone Gunslinger (Protection)

"Luck isn't a strategy. Unless you're me."

Overview

A no-ally Protection build that turns Domino's DEF into her main stat. She stacks defense, blocks every attack, and converts that DEF into damage and thwart. Her kit handles deck manipulation, while the Fear No Evil "stand alone" package (Ronin, Stand Alone, Army of One, In Harm's Way) does the heavy lifting.

Built to pair with Cable (Justice) in 2-player: Cable handles threat and control, Domino is the wall that hits back.

Game plan

1. Build your defense. Armored Vest, Innate Reflexes and Ronin push Domino's DEF up fast. Ronin also gives her retaliate 1 while you control no allies.
2. Turn DEF into offense. The Best Offense... lets Domino use DEF in place of THW and ATK. In Harm's Way deals damage AND removes threat equal to your DEF.
3. Defend, then punish. Counter-Punch gives a free attack after defending, and with The Best Offense... in play that attack uses your DEF.
4. Stay ready. Indomitable, Army of One and Stand Alone keep Domino ready so she can block and still act on her turn.
5. Make your own luck. Use Domino's hero ability to swap cards onto the top of your deck and set up Domino's Pistol, A Good Workout, Luck Be a Lady and Jackpot!.

Key interactions

• Stand Alone + Indomitable: ready before the attack, defend, ready again after. The villain phase costs you nothing.
• Counter-Punch + The Best Offense...: every defense becomes a DEF-powered attack.
• The Best Offense... + Armored Vest + Innate Reflexes + Ronin: DEF 7 attacks and thwarts.
• In Harm's Way at high DEF: a 3-cost "deal 6, remove 6."
• Hero ability + A Good Workout / Luck Be a Lady: put a double resource or wild on top first to guarantee the bonus.

Card choices

• Readies & tempo: Indomitable x3, Army of One x3, Stand Alone, Counter-Punch x3
• DEF build: Armored Vest, Innate Reflexes, Ronin, The Best Offense... x3, Electrostatic Armor
• Card flow: Unflappable, The Painted Lady, Pip the Pug
• Sustain: The Night Nurse, Dr. Sinclair
• Threat removal: Right Place, Right Time x2, Probability Field, In Harm's Way x3

A note on allies

Diamondback and Outlaw are in her kit, but playing them shuts off Ronin and Stand Alone and makes Army of One / In Harm's Way cost more. Treat them as resources and top-deck fuel, or only play them in an emergency.

Mulligan

Look for: Armored Vest, Innate Reflexes, Ronin, Stand Alone, Domino's Pistol. Keep Counter-Punch and Indomitable if you already have a DEF upgrade. Pitch In Harm's Way early, it's much better once your DEF is built.

Playing with Cable (Justice)

Let Cable do the heavy thwarting while Domino soaks attacks and chips the villain down. Save In Harm's Way for turns where a scheme needs a burst of threat removal alongside damage.