How to Use the Provost in Caylus
- 1). Calculate the maximum unwanted backwards movement from the bailiff. This will be three spaces for each player in the game. Try to place pieces behind that space if possible, since any pieces behind the line will be safe no matter what.
- 2). Look at the actions three spaces in front of the bailiff. If any of them are incredibly good (for example, take gold), it may be worth the risk to push the provost forward and grab one.
- 3). Weigh the benefits of controlling the provost. Taking the provost space will let you move the provost an additional three spaces in either direction, thereby allowing or restriction actions of any workers placed near the bailiff. However, taking the provost space also costs money and deprives you of taking a different space (such as gathering resources) instead. You must calculate whether it is worth your while to take the provost space.
- 4). Take the provost space if you want to place more than one worker next to, or especially in front of, the bailiff. Also take the provost space if your opponent(s) have placed workers in front of the bailiff, and you haven't.
- 5). Keep in mind that the last player to pass is also the last player to move the provost. This means that if you and an opponent have adjacent workers near the bailiff, you may want to let your opponent pass first, so you can choose the provost's final location.
- 6). Move the provost onto the square of your final worker, as the last player moving the provost. Any workers in front of you will fail to take action, but all of your workers will succeed.
- 7). Place the provost out of harm's way if you are not the last player to move the provost. If you place it on your own worker, the next player may move it backwards and deprive you of resources. Generally speaking, moving the provost one space ahead of where you want it is enough to deter other players from paying two coins just to deprive you of one action.
- 8). Take advantage of two-player games by taking the provost space whenever you will be the second player to pass. This will allow you to move the provost anywhere in a six-space radius. If the other player then pays to try to move the provost, you can simply pay the same amount to move it back.
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