Editing Hearts' Game (Guide)

{{GuideFor|Concept=Concept:Hearts' Game|Pages=A Heart-Shaped Trophy#An Ace in Hand#An Overplayed Hand#Discovered: A King in Rags#Elusiveness of your Target#Page of Quills Reaction randomizer#Poison Tolerance of Your Target#Poisoner's Progress#Poisonous Preparation#The Embalmer's Mark}}<!--
-->{{Audience|LatePoSI|Evergreen=yes}}[[Has icon::File:meat.png|right]]<!--
-->{{ActivitySummary
|Activity=Hearts' Game
|Length=Limited
|Starting Actions={{Tooltip|1/5|1 during a run, 5 if you need to pick accomplices.}}
|Progress Actions=7
|Ending Actions=1
|Progress Details=Raise {{IL|Poisoner's Progress}} to 8 before {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target}}. Same payout, win/lose.
|Output Items=*{{IL|Bessemer Steel Ingot}}
*{{IL|Salt Steppe Atlas}}
*{{IL|Puzzling Map}}
*{{IL|Partial Map}}
*{{IL|Map Scrap}}
*{{IL|Intriguer's Compendium}}
*{{IL|Leviathan Frame}}
*{{IL|Elemental Secret}}
*{{IL|Starstone Demark}}
*{{IL|Brass Ring}}
*{{IL|Whirring Contraption}}
*{{IL|Scrap of Ivory Organza}}
|Boost Items=*''{{IL|Dangerous Gains}} 20''
*''{{IL|Shadowy Gains}} 20''
*''{{IL|Persuasive Gains}} 20''
*''{{IL|Watchful Gains}} 20''
|Raw EPA = 4.73
}}
Hearts' Game is a murder-themed, Knife-and-Candle-adjacent pastime for high-level players. The first component was [https://www.failbettergames.com/news/hearts-game released] on April 13, 2023. Play involves managing a team of miscreants with murder-monikers to poison a chosen target, with a number of restrictions to ensure good sportsmanship and fair hunting.

Because of the nature of Hearts' Game, '''Any generalisation in this guide should be taken to include "Unless otherwise stated"''' given the frequency of exceptions. This is to clarify the core mechanics of the game and to make the exceptions more prominent .

Current [[Hearts' Game Season (Placeholder)|Season]]: '''{{Current Value|Hearts' Game Season (Placeholder)}}'''
==Getting Started==
To be eligible, a player must first become a Tier 2 PoSI and reach 200 {{IL|Dangerous}} (with equipment). The card to gain entrance to the activity will be drawn [[High Urgency|immediately]], and succeeding in a {{IL|Watchful}} check at Watchmaker's Hill lead you to {{IL|The Gamekeeper's Cottage, Renovated}} in Watchmaker's Hill.

Your first Round is a tutorial, with a smaller set of available Accomplices and a lower requirement for victory. With some luck and planning you should be able to win the first round.
==A Note==
The single most important thing to remember about Hearts' Game, before any talk of strategy, is that every action, succeed or fail, makes progress toward a reward. Winning and losing rounds does not affect this progress. Put another way, '''it does not matter if you win or lose!''' Yes, failing checks is hardly pleasant, and there are unique one-time rewards for amassing enough victories in particular ways, but all that is unimportant in the grand scheme.

The majority of this guide assumes you will be playing to win, but victory is by no means required, or even likely. The key point is that even with relatively low modified stats, one can profit as a casual murder-game player!

==Mechanics of Play==
First, you assemble a team of Accomplices (three, unless you recruit the {{IL|Accomplice: King of Motley|Short=y}}). The Accomplices you may choose from are determined by the RNG, using card mechanics. The cards you draw cannot be discarded, so you must pick one of the Accomplices presented. Your hand is discarded after each choice, so your decision should not be influenced by which other cards you have drawn. Lodgings do not affect hand size here, which is limited to four cards at a time.

After you choose your team, you begin a Round. During a Round, you cannot leave {{IL|The Alleyways of London}} and cannot change equipment. A Round will probably take between ten and twenty actions; due to the progress of {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target}}, the longest possible Round is probably around 25 actions.

During a Round, you play Cards that are unlocked by your Accomplices and attempt to reach {{IL|Poisoner's Progress|8}} either before or on the same action that you reach {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|8}}. When at least one of these qualities reaches 8, the Round ends.

You may keep the team of Accomplices that you have selected for up to ten consecutive Rounds, which is called a Run. Winning at least 7 Rounds out of 10 in a Run earns a {{IL|A Heart-Shaped Trophy|Appearance=Trophy}}. Wins are also grouped by Seasons, and some equipment from the [[Rewards from the Page|Page of Quills]] cannot be purchased without at least 7 victories within the current Season.

While aborting a Round that is still in session is possible, it will be counted as a loss '''and will not allow you to pick a different team'''. To do so you need to reach the conclusion of a Round by raising either of its progress qualities to 8 and choose to [[Separate from your accomplices]]. You will also be forced to assemble a team again after a Run ends. You also cannot pick a different team if you choose to take a break after a Round, since doing so will only allow you to resume play when you return.

The Season changes every month, on the first Tuesday of the month. When the season changes, your current run will be stopped prematurely, so be careful starting runs late in the season!

===Qualities===
In Hearts' Game, the progression of a Round is influenced by two positive and three negative qualities:

===={{IL|Poisoner's Progress}}====
*[[Poisoner's Progress|Progress]] tracks how close you are to winning the round. You win when Progress reaches level 8 (36 CP).

Generated by offensive actions and reduced by the current level of {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=Tolerance}} to a minimum of 1. Maximising this quality is your goal in Hearts Game.

===={{IL|Poisonous Preparation}}====
*[[Poisonous Preparation|Preparation]] is gained from support actions and are a requirement for advanced actions.

Some of these options require only 1 level of Preparation; others require as much as 8. Preparations are not consumed and can be considered an investment towards more powerful actions in later Turns.

===={{IL|Elusiveness of your Target}}====
*[[Elusiveness of your Target|Elusiveness]] tracks how close you are to losing the Round. You lose if Elusiveness reaches level 8 (36 CP) before Progress does.

Elusiveness does not decrease and can be considered the round's ticking clock. From the third turn onwards, all actions have a chance to increase Elusiveness by 3 CP with the probability resulting from the following equation: <code>(turn number - 2) / 7</code>. As such, on average Elusiveness will end the game after 17 ±3 rounds as shown in the graph below.

{| class="mw-collapsible article-table"
|+'''Likelihood of Elusiveness Gain'''
! colspan="20" |{{IL|Elusiveness of your Target}} Chance per Turn
|-
! Turn
!3
!4
!5
!6
!7
!8
!9+
|-
!Chance %
! 14
!29
!43
!57
!71
!86
! 100
|-
|}

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!Graph of likely Elusiveness value in CP per turn
|-
|
[[File:Hearts Game Elusiveness Progression Chart.png]]
|}

===={{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target}}====
*[[Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Tolerance]] is a building resistance to your {{IL|Poisoner's Progress|Apperance=Progress}}, reducing [[Poisoner's Progress|Progress]] value by the Tolerance level to a minimum of 1.

After the first turn, each action you take has a chance to increase [[Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Tolerance]] by 2 CP with probability resulting from the following equation: <code>(turn number - 1) / 12</code>. Most actions that generate Progress CP have their effectiveness reduced by Tolerance. Some actions are guaranteed to increase Tolerance, and only one accomplice can decrease it.

{| class="mw-collapsible article-table"
|+'''Likelihood of Tolerance Gain'''
! colspan="20" |{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target}} Chance per Turn
|-
!Turn
!2
!3
!4
!5
! 6
!7
!8
! 9
!10
!11
!12
! 13+
|-
!Chance %
!8.33
!16.66
!~25
!33.33
!41.66
!~50
!58.33
!66.66
!~75
!83.33
!91.66
!100
|-
|}

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
!Graph of likely Tolerance Level per turn
|-
|
[[File:Graph of likely Tolerance Level per turn .png]]
|}

===={{IL|Hearts' Game: Counterplay|Appearance=Counterplay}}====

*[[Hearts' Game: Counterplay|Counterplay]] adds negative autofire cards to your deck.

Offensive Basic actions and Failures on Advanced Actions grant {{IL|Hearts' Game: Counterplay|Appearance=Counterplay|0–1}}, which are "cashed out" on negative autofire cards. These cards decrease Progress, increase Elusiveness and Tolerance, and, at high enough levels, can give {{IL|An Overplayed Hand}}, a Burden which will make winning significantly harder. Counterplay events do not count towards turn count and can be considered to happen between turns.

===Action Types ===
Each Accomplice unlocks two cards, and each card has an ''Basic Action'' and an ''Advanced Action''.

==== Basic Actions====
*Require no {{IL|Poisonous Preparation|Appearance=Preparation|Short=}}
*Require no Stat Challenge
*When raising {{IL|Poisonous Preparation|Appearance=Preparation}} raise it by 1
*When raising {{IL|Poisoner's Progress|Appearance=Progress}} raises {{IL|Hearts' Game: Counterplay|Appearance=Counterplay}}.

====Advanced Actions====
*Require {{IL|Poisonous Preparation|Appearance=Preparation}}
*Require a Stat Challenge
*When raising {{IL|Poisonous Preparation|Appearance=Preparation}} raise it by 2
*Always raises {{IL|Hearts' Game: Counterplay|Appearance=Counterplay}} on a failure.

Both cards for an Accomplice test against the same quality. With a few exceptions, challenges against Main Stats have a [[Broad difficulty]] of 200 and challenges against Advanced Skills have a [[Narrow difficulty]] of 12.

=== Accomplices===

{{GuideNeedsWork|Collapse=|Reason=Gambits' ranges require investigation}}
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible"
!Accomplice (stat)
!Card
! Basic Action
!Advanced Action
|-
!PAGES
!Paired with [[PRIEST OF MAGPIES]]
! colspan="2" |Lowered Difficulty with {{IL|Ace of Pages}}
|-
| rowspan="3" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Lures|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Watchful}})}}
| rowspan="2" |[[Four of Lures: The Reel]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}<ref>Without {{IL|Poisonous Preparation}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(7 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|-1|Appearance=Preparation}}}}<ref>With {{IL|Poisonous Preparation}}</ref>
|-
|[[Seven of Lures: Bait]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(10 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|-1|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Papers|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Persuasive}})}}
|[[Three of Papers: Within]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Six of Papers: Correspondence]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Roots|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}})}}
|[[Six of Roots: The Climb]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+2/3|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|+1|Appearance=Tolerance}}}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+4|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|+2|Appearance=Tolerance}}}}
|-
|[[Ten of Roots: Generosity]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+3/4|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|+1|Appearance=Tolerance}}}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+5|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|+2|Appearance=Tolerance}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Teeth|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Dangerous}})}}
|[[Two of Teeth: Impulse]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4/5 - 2 x {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|1|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Ten of Teeth: The Mob]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4/5 - 2 x {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Inversions|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shapeling Arts}})}}
|[[Four of Inversions: Exposure]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4/5 - 2 x {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Nine of Inversions: Fortress]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3/4 - 2 x {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|1|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Gambits|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shadowy}})}}
|[[Six of Gambits: Postal]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5–12? - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|+1-6?|Appearance=Elusiveness}}}}
|-
|[[Nine of Gambits: Social]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|({{IL|Shadowy}} 220){{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6–15 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|+1–9?<ref>Has a small chance to give 36 change points of Elusiveness</ref>|Appearance=Elusiveness}}||}}
|-
!KNIGHTS
!Paired with [[PRIEST OF SMITHS]]
! colspan="2" |+1 {{IL|Poisoner's Progress|Appearance=Progress}} with {{IL|Ace of Knights}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Flames|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Watchful}} 180)}}
|[[Four of Flames: Fumes]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+3|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|-5|Appearance=Tolerance}}}}
|-
|[[Eight of Flames: Ignition]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|-6|Appearance=Tolerance}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Livers|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shadowy}} 180)}}
|[[Three of Livers: The Duel]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|1|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+2|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|-
|[[Nine of Livers: The Calculations]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Ribs|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Dangerous}})}}
|[[Two of Ribs: Pursuit]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(7 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Eight of Ribs: Close Quarters]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(7 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Skin|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Watchful}} 150)}}
|[[Two of Skin: Precision]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+2|Appearance=Preparation}}|}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|-
|[[Eight of Skin: Infiltration]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+2|Appearance=Preparation}}|}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Talons|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}}<ref name=KnightNobility>Can be substituted with {{IL|Glasswork}} with {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Short=y}}.</ref> 9)}}
|[[Four of Talons: The Wild]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Five of Talons: Entanglement]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Disintegrities|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shapeling Arts}}<ref name=KnightNobility />)}}
|[[Two of Disintegrities: Play]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Eight of Disintegrities: Tartare]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Short=y}}'''<ref>Adds {{IL|Glasswork}} option with identical effect to {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Talons|Short=y}} and {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Disintegrities|Short=y}}.</ref>|({{IL|Glasswork}})}}
|[[Five of Nobility: Conscription]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Seven of Nobility: Repose]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|1|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+2|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|-
!QUEENS
! colspan="3" |
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Queen of Loins|Short=y}}'''|(N/A)}}
|[[Two of Loins: Kindness]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|-
|[[Seven of Loins: Reflection]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+1|Appearance=Progress}}|Clears hand}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Queen of Cod|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shadowy}} 190)}}
|[[Nought of Cod: Decoction]]<ref>Drawn once per round, as the first card.</ref>
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Queens|+}}}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Ace of Queens|+}}|Clears hand}}
|-
|[[Four of Cod: Proximal and Distal]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
||{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|1|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+2|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|-
!KINGS
!Paired with [[PRIEST OF BRIARS]]
! colspan="2" |+1 {{IL|Poisoner's Progress|Appearance=Progress}} with {{IL|Ace of Kings}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: King of Knuckles|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Dangerous}})}}
|[[Seven of Knuckles: Details]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|5|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(2 x {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|Appearance=}} - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Ten of Knuckles: Mechanisms]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|5|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(2 x {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|Appearance=}} - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: King of Roses|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Persuasive}})}}
|[[Five of Roses: Appearances]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|6|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(7 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Four of Roses: Desire]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(0/1/2 + {{IL|Poisonous Preparation|Appearance=}} - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: King of Spines|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shadowy}})}}
|[[Six of Spines: Singularity]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|7|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(12 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Ten of Spines: Trajectory]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|6|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(9 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: King of Tallow|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}})}}
|[[Seven of Tallow: Recollection]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|7|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(8 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Nine of Tallow: Fortune]]
|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|8|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(10 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: King of Ambivalences|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Shapeling Arts}})}}
|[[Four of Ambivalences: Reservations]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}})}}
|-
|[[Seven of Ambivalences: Goad]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Ace of Ambivalences|+}}}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|5|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+([5 × {{IL|An Ace in Hand|Appearance=Aces}}]<ref name="AceScale">Grants 5 Progress per Ace Boon currently active.</ref> - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: King of Motley|Short=y}}'''<ref>Removes the limit on the number of accomplices you can recruit</ref>|({{IL|Persuasive}})}}
|[[Three of Motley: Comedy]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|6|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(? +
{{IL|Hearts' Game: Accomplices|Appearance=}} - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Nine of Motley: Tragedy]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|7|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(? +
{{IL|Hearts' Game: Accomplices|Appearance=}} - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
!PRIESTS
! colspan="3" |
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Priest of Briars|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Persuasive}})}}
|[[Two of Briars: Snarl]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Kings|+}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}<ref name="boonAceKings">If you already have the {{IL|Ace of Kings}}.</ref>}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}|Clears hand}}
|-
|[[Ten of Briars: Optima]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Kings|+}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}<ref name="boonAceKings" />}}
||{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Ace of Kings}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+2|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Priest of Magpies|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Watchful}} 180)}}
|[[Two of Magpies: Joy]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Pages|+}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Ace of Pages}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+1|Appearance=Progress}}|{{IL|Ace of Pages|-}}|Clears hand}}
|-
|[[Seven of Magpies: A Secret, Never to Be Told]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Pages|+}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(3 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}|}}
||{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Priest of Smiths|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Dangerous}})}}
|[[Four of Smiths: Artifice]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Knights|+}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
||{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|2|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|-
|[[Nine of Smiths: Needle]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Knights|+}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
||{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|3|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(4 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|-
!FOOLS
!
! colspan="2" |Affected by {{IL|Ace of Pages}}, {{IL|Ace of Knights}} and {{IL|Ace of Kings}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |{{TableList|'''{{IL|Accomplice: Fool of Audacities|Short=y}}'''|({{IL|Persuasive}} 180)}}
|[[Six of Audacities: Cache]]
|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(6 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|[[Eight of Audacities: Authority]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Ace of Fools|+}}|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|+1|Appearance=Preparation}}}}
|{{TableList|{{IL|Poisonous Preparation|4|Appearance=Preparation}}|{{IL|Poisoner's Progress|+(5 - {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=}})|Appearance=Progress}}}}
|-
|}
<references />

===Class generalisations===
See [[Hearts' Game (Guide)#General Strategies|the General Strategies section]] below for discussion on accomplice roles and individual accomplices. However, in general: 
*Pages
:Pages generate some Progress without requiring much Preparation. They do not generate Preparation.
*Knights
:Knights generate Preparation. With Preparation, Knights can generate Progress or decrease Tolerance. The {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Short=y}} also allows two other Knights to check {{IL|Glasswork}}.
*Queens
:Queens are primarily for support, combining giving preparations with other varied mechanics, such as clearing a hand or granting a multi-purpose Boon.
*Kings
:Kings can generate large amounts of Progress, given sufficient Preparation. Some Kings can generate Progress without Preparation, while others can generate their own Preparations.
*Priests
:Priests provide a [[Boon]] which can make other Accomplices more effective. They can also generate Preparation, Progress, and clear hands.
*Fools
:The Fool is a rat in a Master's cloak. It behaves similarly to a Knight, but is also affected by all Priest Boons.

==Rewards==
===Exploits for the Page of Quills===
Every action in the Alleyways gains one {{IL|Hearts' Game: Exploits|short=s}}, which can be spent with the Page of Quills. Exploits are worth between {{e}}4 and {{e}}5. Some options only become available with certain amounts of [[Raising Attribute Caps (Guide)|Gains]].
==== Items which can only be claimed once====
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible"
!Action
!Item
! Cost ({{IL|Hearts' Game: Exploits|Short=yes}})
!Value
!Value / Action
|-
|[[The large wooden box]]
|{{IL|Soothe & Cooper Long-Box}}
|11
| 62.5 {{e}}<ref>Alternatively can be [[Sell a Soothe & Cooper Long-Box|sold]] for 50 {{e}} + 3 x {{IL|Favours: The Docks}}</ref>
|5.20 EPA
|-
|[[The imposing metal meathook]]
|{{IL|Honest Butcher's Tool}}
|60<ref name="wins">Also requires {{IL|Hearts' Game: Wins this Season}} 7</ref>
| colspan="2" |<ref name="kt">Shared Best-in-Slot {{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}} Weapon</ref>
|-
|[[The ampoule of thick black liquid]]
|{{IL|Ichorous Alarm}}
|60<ref name="wins" />
| colspan="2" |<ref>Home Comfort which reduces Wounds gain</ref>
|-
|[[A nod from Mr Hearts]]
|{{IL|A Silent Nod of Acknowledgement from Mr Hearts}}
| 500<ref>Also requires Distinctions for winning Runs under various conditions</ref>
| colspan="2" |<ref>Affiliation which grants {{IL|Insubstantial}} and reduces Suspicion gain</ref>
|-
|[[The blood-coloured sapling]]
|{{IL|Heart-Caught Sapling}}
|500<ref>Also requires winning a Run in every Season</ref>
| colspan="2" |<ref>Home Comfort of unknown distinction.</ref>
|-
|[[The book in charred and blackened leather]]
|{{IL|The Black Book of Hearts}}
|500<ref>Also requires previous two rewards</ref>
| colspan="2" |<ref name="kt" /><ref>Grants {{IL|Inerrant}}</ref>
|}
<references />
====Items continuously available====
{{GuideNeedsWork|Reason=Ivory Organza value needs to be updated for Rat Market changes}}
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible"
!Action
!Item
!Cost ({{IL|Hearts' Game: Exploits|Short=yes}})
!Value ({{E}})
! Value / Action
|-
|[[The assemblage of ticking brass]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Brass Ring}}|{{IL|Whirring Contraption}}}}
|5
|18.5
|3.08 EPA<ref>A good source for grinding {{IL|Whirring Contraption}}</ref>
|-
|[[A consignment of steel]]
|{{IL|Bessemer Steel Ingot|100 x}}
|14
|(50)<ref name="assumed">Assumed value</ref>
|6.67 BSI/A
|-
|[[An illicit secret]]
|{{IL|Mortification of a Great Power}}
|18
|(62.5)<ref name="assumed" />
| (3.25 EPA)<ref>Only repeatable use is when constructing Cover Identities</ref>
|-
|[[The dusty book]]
|{{TableList|{{IL|Salt Steppe Atlas}}|{{IL|Puzzling Map|4 x}}|{{IL|Partial Map|4 x}}|{{IL|Map Scrap|5 x}}}}
|25–32<ref>  Cost scales with Gains qualities, starting at 32 exploits going down to 25 at 40 total Gains ({{IL|Watchful Gains|Appearance=across}} {{IL|Shadowy Gains|Appearance=all}} {{IL|Dangerous Gains|Appearance=four}} {{IL|Persuasive Gains|Appearance=qualities}}) </ref>
|{{TableList|123
|{{TableList|3.73–4.73 EPA
|-
|{{TableList|[[The curious antique book]]|''{{IL|Dangerous Gains}} 20''}}
|{{IL|Intriguer's Compendium}}
| 65
|312.5
|4.73 EPA
|-
|{{TableList|[[The huge fossil ribcage]]|''{{IL|Shadowy Gains}} 20''}}
|{{IL|Leviathan Frame}}
|65
|(312.5)<ref>Assumed value, can be boosted with an optimal Zoological Mania value</ref>
|4.73 EPA
|-
|{{TableList|[[The battered journal]]|''{{IL|Persuasive Gains}} 20''}}
|{{IL|Elemental Secret}}
|65
|312.5
|4.73 EPA
|-
|{{TableList|[[The Correspondence-marked stone]]|''{{IL|Watchful Gains}} 20''}}
|{{IL|Starstone Demark}}
|65
|312.5
|4.73 EPA
|-
|[[An antique scarf]]
|{{IL|Scrap of Ivory Organza}}
|80
|312.5 / 4000 {{r}}
|3.85 EPA / 48.7 RPA
|}
<references />

===Victories===
Winning a Run (by winning at least 7 Rounds out of 10) earns a Trophy, a vanity Curiosity item with no uses beyond showing off on your profile mantelpiece. Claiming the {{IL|Honest Butcher's Tool}} or the {{IL|Ichorous Alarm}} requires both Victories and Exploits, where in this case victories are counted over the course of an entire season as opposed to over the course of a single run.
==General Strategies==
===Drafting Tips ===
First and most importantly: '''drafting is random. Do not come in with a specific idea of what build you would like to have.''' If you are looking for a specific team (for example for Distinctions), accept that you may have to draft, fail, play one round with the team, and then disband it. The good news is that '''bad RNG has no effect on profit''', so the only thing you lose here is a handful of actions. If you're looking to get a Trophy in a given season, you may have to draft a non-optimal team, try them for a round, and then disband and try again. I do recommend actually giving a shot during your one required round though: you may find an unexpected strategy!

There are a few things to keep in mind when doing your gacha pulls for Accomplices: 
#'''Skill and outfit management.''' This will be explained more in its own section.
#'''Flexibility.''' Especially for your first draft, try to keep your options open. You want to pick characters with Supportive options first.
#'''Utility.''' An important thing to realise is that you do not have to fully utilise every part of a character's kit just because they're on your team. '''It is extremely viable to only use some of a character's options and never play others in a given run'''.
#'''Strategy and role.''' The game divides characters in terms of the classes of Page, Knight, King, Queen, Priest, and Fool, but this can actually be unhelpful for our purposes. Instead it's more useful to think of accomplices as fitting in three different roles: '''Progressers''', '''Supports''', and '''Synergists'''.
===Accomplice Roles ===
In terms of drafting, it helps to think in terms of the metagame roles for Accomplices:
*'''Progressers''' are Accomplices which directly make Progress. The {{IL|Accomplice: Page of Roots|Appearance=Page of Roots}} is a good example: his cards do nothing other than increase Poisoner's Progress.
*'''Supports''' are Accomplices which don't deal damage directly, but enable others to do so. There are two subtypes:
**'''Prep supports''', who build Preparations to allow other accomplices to use their stronger options. The {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Skin|Short=yes}} is the archetypal example here, able to build multiple Preparations in a single action or make progress at the same time.
**'''Deck supports''', who help you manage the cards in your hand. The {{IL|Accomplice: Queen of Loins|Appearance=Queen of Loins}} is the archetypal Deck Support character, unable to make real progress herself but able to clear your hand and help with Preparations.
*'''Synergists''' open up team archetypes that are otherwise not viable on their own. The {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Apperance=Knight of Nobility}} is a good example, as she turns two other Accomplices, the Knight of Disintegrities and the Knight of Talons, into {{IL|Glasswork}} users, opening up an entirely new skill to the game.

These classifications are not 1:1 to the actual game: the Page of Lures, for example, can act as both a Progresser and a Synergist since he consumes Preparations. '''These are not classes which characters fall into: rather, they are roles a character can fulfill on your team.'''

Here are a handful of generic team archetypes that it can help to keep in mind during drafts. 
{| class="article-table mw-collapsible sortable"
! Archetype||Roles||Strategy
|-
|Dual-Damage||{{TableList|Progresser|Progresser|Support}}||Generally the goal here is straightforward: use the Support to build Preparations, and then use the other cards to attack the enemy. Usually one or both Progressers will be Pages since they can get away with only a small number of Preparations.
|-
|Hybrid Damage||{{TableList|Progresser|Progresser/Support Hybrid|Support}}||Similar to the dual-damage comp, some accomplices can both build Preparations and deal respectable damage. Usually the hybrid damage-dealer will be a Knight, but not always.
|-
|Carry||{{TableList|Progresser|Support|Support}}||The preferred setup for many Kings, this is a backloaded setup where two units set up for a much stronger unit to win the game in just a few heavy hits.
|-
|Hyper Offence||{{TableList|Progresser|Progresser|Progresser}}||This one is a strange build and will be smacked around by Counterplay quite a bit: extremely not recommended for Embalming runs. But certain combinations can actually make respectable progress with no Preparations and no skill checks whatsoever. It doesn't matter if you get hit with that nasty Burden if you were never rolling against your skills anyway, after all!
|-
|Wildcard||{{TableList|Synergist|Synergist|Support}}||Some builds rely on one character's unique gimmick very heavily and are built around it. You may be collecting Priests for the {{IL|Accomplice: Fool of Audacities|Appearance=Fool of Audacities}} or collecting Boons for {{IL|Accomplice: King of Ambivalences|Appearance=King of Ambivalences}}.
|}

Example team strategies that follow these archetypes are provided in a subpage of the guide.

Here is a cheat sheet for what each Accomplice can offer in terms of archetypes for when you are drafting. Remember: '''it is not necessary to fully utilise every Accomplice's kit.''' It is perfectly viable, for example, to take a King solely for their ability to build Preparations and never actually use their damage-dealing options.

{| class="article-table mw-collapsible sortable"
!Accomplice||Stat||Max {{IL|Poisonous Preparation|Appearance=Prep}}||Progress|| Prep support|| Deck Support ||Synergy
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Lures|Appearance=Page of Lures}}||{{IL|Watchful}}||2||Strong attacks that consume {{IL|Poisonous Preparation}}|| None ||None ||Requires a teammate to build Preparations, ideally two per action. Weaker than other Accomplices if Preparations runs below 2.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Papers|Appearance=Page of Papers}}||{{IL|Persuasive}}||3||Steady progress with 2-3 Preparations.||None ||None||Just a straightforward DPS<ref>Many RPGs refer to their damage-dealers as DPS, which stands for "damage per second". If you think this term doesn't really apply to Fallen London as a turn-based browser game, take it up with the Treachery of Clocks.</ref>.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Roots|Appearance=Page of Roots}}||{{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}}|| 3||Slightly weaker Progress but resistant to {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=Tolerance}}, even checkless.||None ||None||Always increases {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target}}. Checkless options are not affected by Tolerance at all.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Teeth|Appearance=Page of Teeth}}||{{IL|Dangerous}}||2||Strong Progress even checkless but very affected by {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=Tolerance}}.||None||None||Needs {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Apperance=Tolerance}} kept low.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Inversions|Appearance=Page of Inversions}}||{{IL|Shapeling Arts}}||2||Strong Progress even checkless but very affected by {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Appearance=Tolerance}}. <ref>Note that currently Inversions is strictly worse than Teeth in terms of progress, but this may be fixed in a future update.</ref>||None||None||Needs {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Apperance=Tolerance}} kept low.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Page of Gambits|Appearance=Page of Gambits}}||{{IL|Shadowy}}||3||Increases {{IL|Poisoner's Progress|Progress}} as well as {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|Appearance=Elusiveness}} semi-randomly, and one rare "success" can instantly end a run.||None||None||A straightforward damage-dealer for gamblers.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Flames|Appearance=Knight of Flames}}||{{IL|Watchful}}||2||Only small, fixed amounts.||Both cards have {{IL|Poisonous Preparation}} options||None||Can reduce {{IL|Poison Tolerance of Your Target|Apperance=Tolerance}} and so pairs well with late-strikers and characters that need it kept low.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Livers|Appearance=Knight of Livers}}||{{IL|Shadowy}}||4||Expensive and mediocre progress but can build Prep at the same time||Can give 2 {{IL|Poisonous Preparation}} at a time|| None ||Great at building Preparations
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Ribs|Appearance=Knight of Ribs}}||{{IL|Dangerous}}|| 4||One decent checkless option, 4 Prep options are strong.||One card gives one Preparation.||None|| Wants Prep support
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Skin|Appearance=Knight of Skin}}||{{IL|Watchful}}||3||Can do mediocre progress while building Preparations||No free checks, but gives 2 Preparations at a time.||None || Great at building Preparations
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Talons|Appearance=Knight of Talons}}||{{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}}||4||Decent Prep for decent damage with easier checks||Checkless Preparation available on both cards||None ||Can use {{IL|Glasswork}} instead with {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Appearance=Knight of Nobility}}.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Disintegrities|Appearance=Knight of Disintegrities}}||{{IL|Shapeling Arts}}|| 4||Decent Prep for strong damage||Checkless Preparation available on both cards||None||Can use {{IL|Glasswork}} instead with {{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Appearance=Knight of Nobility}}.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Knight of Nobility|Appearance=Knight of Nobility}}||{{IL|Glasswork}}||4||Expensive and mediocre progress but can build Prep at the same time||Can give 2 {{IL|Poisonous Preparation}} at a time||None||Great at building Preparations. Can open {{IL|Glasswork}} as an option for play with good accomplice draws.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Queen of Loins|Appearance=Queen of Loins}}||None.||None.||One very bad checkless option|| Can build Preparations with checkless options on both cards||One card can clear your hand.||Just a generally strong support.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Queen of Cod|Appearance=Queen of Cod}}||{{IL|Shadowy}}||2||None||One card can give 2 Preparations at a time||One guaranteed card draw at the start that is then dismissed for the rest of the round and gives a general-purpose Boon, the {{IL|Ace of Queens}}. This card can also clear your hand one time only with some Preparations. ||Cod is the only Accomplice who actually reduces your deck size.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: King of Knuckles|Appearance=King of Knuckles}}||{{IL|Dangerous}}||5||Strong options which get more powerful with high {{IL|Elusiveness of your Target|Appearance=Elusiveness}}||None||None||Something of a late bloomer.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: King of Roses|Appearance=King of Roses}}||{{IL|Persuasive}}||6|| Needs high Prep and one option scales with ever more preparations||None||None ||Ideally prefers ''both'' of his partners to be able to build Preparations to build up to a win with only a couple of extremely strong hits.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: King of Spines|Appearance=King of Spines}}||{{IL|Shadowy}}||7||Very high Prep requirement, very strong attacks in return||One checkless option on one card gains prep||None||Ideally prefers ''both'' of his partners to be able to build Preparations to build up to a win with only a couple of extremely strong hits.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: King of Tallow|Appearance=King of Tallow}}||{{IL|Kataleptic Toxicology}}|| 8|| Very high Prep requirement, very strong attacks in return||One checkless option on one card gains prep||None||Ideally prefers ''both'' of his partners to be able to build Preparations to build up to a win with only a couple of extremely strong hits.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: King of Ambivalences|Appearance=King of Ambivalences}}||{{IL|Shapeling Arts}}|| 5||High progress that scales with every Ace, but also increases Counterplay||Checkless Preparations on both cards||None||Grants {{IL|Ace of Ambivalences}}, which can be useful if you have the other Shapeling Arts Accomplices in your party. Wants at least one other Ace-giving accomplice, or else his damage options are not worth playing.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: King of Motley|Appearance=King of Motley}}||{{IL|Persuasive}}||7||High progress that scales with number of Accomplices you have||Can build Preparations on both cards with checkless options. ||Thoughts and prayers. ||See the section on his Distinction for a full analysis. His damaging options are not really worth using in a standard run, instead use him to build Preparations. Given how expensive his options are, he needs at least 5 total accomplices to be worth using as a main damage dealer, ideally more.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Priest of Briars|Appearance=Priest of Briars}}||{{IL|Persuasive}}||2||None ||Can build Preparations 2 at a time ||One card can clear your hand||The {{IL|Ace of Kings}} is a nice bonus but the Preparation and hand clearing options are strong for nearly all accomplices, making his utility far from limited to King runs.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Priest of Magpies|Appearance=Priest of Magpies}}||{{IL|Watchful}}||4||Can give small checkless Progress and mediocre Progress on one card for Preparations||'''Cannot build Preparations''', unlike the other two Priests.||Grants {{IL|Ace of Pages}} and can be consumed to clear your hand on one card||Magpies is sadly underpowered and situational currently, being relegated only to builds where a Page is your main damage-dealer and you have some other way of building Preparations. The Ace reduces difficulty rather than increasing progress gained, which can help players whose wardrobe is rather thin.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Priest of Smiths|Appearance=Priest of Smiths}}||{{IL|Dangerous}}||3||Can give decent Progress with Preparation||Checkless options build Preparations||None ||The {{IL|Ace of Knights}} is a very nice boost to builds with Knight Progressers.
|-
|{{IL|Accomplice: Fool of Audacities|Appearance=Fool of Audacities}}||{{IL|Persuasive}}||4||Decent progress that increases when paired with Priests||Checkless options build Preparations||None ||Grants {{IL|Ace of Fools}}, which does nothing, and actually benefits ''more'' from all Priests than their intended targets. With Smiths and Briars, the Fool does King-level Progress with only Knight-level prep.
|}
<references />
==== Example Builds====
See [[Hearts' Game (Guide)/Example Builds]] for a list.
===Outfit Preparations===
It can be useful to maintain a dedicated "flex" outfit slot for Hearts' Game. After you have drafted your team but before you begin your first round, take a moment to consider. Whose attribute check options are you actually planning on using to inflict damage? These are the ones whose attributes you should prioritise, since you will be playing their cards the most. Try not to have more than one or two of these on a team or you will spread yourself very thin.

This is obvious but it bears making explicit: '''Failing skill checks in Hearts' Game increases your chance of losing, though it's important to stress you make the same profit regardless'''. You can recover from a handful of failures without too much difficulty, but the clock is against you: you will accumulate Counterplay from your failure and Elusiveness and Poison Tolerance will accrue without you having made corresponding progress. In order to try to be consistent, '''try to keep your main accomplice's skill checks at or above 90%''', and '''70-80% is acceptable for the others'''. These are just tips, though: Hearts' Game is about experimentation and you may find different outfits schemes work better for you, so this is just provide as a rule of thumb to start out with.

Other important considerations:
*Highway stat checks generally require 334 points to succeed. You will likely not be able to hit this for two stats, but depending on your gear you may be able to hit around 300 for two which is 90%, an acceptable level of risk.
**For Pages, the Priest of Magpies reduces the maximum to 300.
** Hearts' Game is a great use for [[Second Chances]] in the endgame; you will rarely encounter skill checks more difficult than these. A 70% chance to succeed with a Second Chance is equivalent to a 90% chance to succeed without one. This should only be done with options you only plan on playing a few times, such as [[A duel in the old style]], as otherwise it gets expensive quickly.
*Advanced Skills require reaching 17 in the skill to maximise (19 with Embalmer's Mark) to guarantee. They hit 90% at 16 (18). That likely means using almost all of your equipment slots for this one stat, and may be fully impossible for newer players of the game.
**For Pages, the Priest of Magpies reduces the guaranteed breakpoint by 2 points to 15.
**Even if you cannot consistently pass Advanced Skill checks, '''these accomplices can still be useful, albeit not as a main Progresser'''. The advanced skill Kings and Knights can all provide Prep support, the Page of Inversions can give you a nice checkless head start on Progress, and the Page of Roots can help push you over the finish line since his checkless options are unaffected by Poison Tolerance.

=== Playing The Game===
Now that you've drafted your Accomplices and adjusted your outfit, it's time to actually play! Here's some general play tips:

*Your base deck has six cards in it, five if you're running with the Queen of Cod. Counterplay cards are slowly added in as Counterplay increases and are about half as likely to be drawn as a standard card in your deck.
* This means that effectively, you only ever have to actually play four cards in your deck, because you can hold two in your hand and draw. Thus, the general strategy is to figure out what the two worst cards in your deck are at the point in the game you're at, and hold them in your hand. Play your other cards one at a time. As a rule of thumb:
**Early on, hold damaging cards in your hand and draw for Supports to build required Preparations, gather Aces, and so on. Then you can fire a large opening volley as soon as you hit the necessary threshold.
**Later, hold the Support cards in your hand. This way when you draw you will draw the Progress cards over and over again.
*If you have them, play hand-clearing cards as soon as your hand has two other junk cards for maximum efficiency.
*Some builds may occasionally end up with three undesirable cards in their hand. This isn't a big deal if it happens a couple times in a run, but if you find yourself losing multiple Rounds because of it, you should rethink your strategy and perhaps draft new Accomplices.
**If you have to play an undesirable card, the checkless option is likely better than risking a failure on the check option, but be wary of Counterplay.
*Tips for managing {{IL|Hearts' Game: Counterplay}}:
**Counterplay accrues from two main sources: checkless progress options and failures. Avoid playing the former unnecessarily and avoid the latter with proper outfit management, and you can mitigate much of your risk.
**Don't underestimate it. The Counterplay autofire cards only adjust the qualities a marginal amount, but while that isn't a big deal with Elusive or Poisoner's Progress an increase in Poison Tolerance early on can make a round unwinnable.
**Try to avoid hitting Counterplay 5 if possible, as {{IL|An Overplayed Hand}} can be a very nasty burden to deal with. It's not a death sentence to your run by any means, but it does make defeat more likely.
**Hand management strategies for dealing with Counterplay:
***Instead of holding two cards in your hand, instead when you draw you should play everything in your hand that doesn't give you Counterplay before you draw again (though don't play Preparations options if you don't actually need them, as then you're just running out the clock with no benefit). This maximises your chance of drawing non-Counterplay cards because of how deck maths works.
***If you already have some Counterplay and want to avoid hitting 5, draw cards one at a time until you get a few Counterplays, which will reduce it with the more manageable tweaks to Elusiveness and Tolerance. Obviously, be sure to avoid playing options which give more Counterplay!

==Strategies for Distinctions==
See [[Hearts' Game (Guide)/Distinctions]] for in-depth strategic discussion.

[[Category:Guides]]