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by hamfactorial
Thu Apr 17, 2014 10:54 pm
Forum: Strategy and Theory
Topic: playing red white burn
Replies: 24
Views: 14625

The decision to attack with Mutavault depends on several factors, so the answer isn't easy to give.

Things to think about:

1. Does the value of dealing them 2 damage outweigh the potential for disaster if they kill/bounce your Mutavault? If they're at 2, or if a successful attack puts them near lethal this or next turn, probably yes. If they're at 20, probably not.

2. Will baiting an Azorius Charm or Last Breath let you resolve a more resilient threat? If they have to tap out of counterspell mana to kill/bounce your Mutavault, letting you resolve a Chandra (or whatever), it may be worth it.

3. If they're a combo deck, and you don't have an answer to their combo, will forcing them to remove your creature delay their combo? Do it.

Think about these things during the opponent's turn so you can quickly move to combat if that's the right line. Charging confidently into the red zone will entice them to
suspect that you "have it" and bias their lines towards making a safer play for them, which may be better for you.
by hamfactorial
Thu Apr 10, 2014 1:27 am
Forum: Strategy and Theory
Topic: playing red white burn
Replies: 24
Views: 14625

Can't play Mortars after blocking, but otherwise a fine line.
by hamfactorial
Tue Apr 08, 2014 8:39 pm
Forum: Strategy and Theory
Topic: playing red white burn
Replies: 24
Views: 14625

WAAC= Win at all costs

I think I've read the article you mention, but I interpret it differently. If I'm in a really poor situation (mull to 4, bad matchup, way behind on board), such that I can't see myself winning by playing conservatively, I'll play towards a high variance out (Bonfire off the top, drawing a 1-of hoser).

If the game state is even, and you can't see more upside by making a particular play, you are better off doing nothing or getting safe damage in. The situation you described was even, if not slightly weighted in your favor.

Sacrificing the Mutavault, then the Phoenix to his Demon when you were at 18 committed you to relying on a top-deck to push through the damage that the Phoenix and Mutavault previously provided.

Since YP triggers on cast instead of resolution, you can make tokens to feed to Demon or Agent triggers (or keep your Mutavault ready if in a pinch). He can't swing into your
board for fear of an attack+burn response.

You didn't say so, but I assume that agent blocked your YP and killed him, removing your first source of VCA. You sacrificing the Phoenix removed the other. Also, why not burn the Agent and keep your YP alive instead of doming him for 4?

At 18 life, you had 2 turns where you could have taken hits from a 6/6 Demon before being in danger of a single lethal attack. In 2-3 draw steps, you can expect to amass some more burn or an extra threat/chump blocker.

To me, the winning line looks most like "take 6 from Demon, EOT Helix, untap, activate Mutavault, swing with YP, token, Mutavault, holding burn up for a blocker or his face, leaving behind a token for surprise tricks/Demon sac if alpha fails".

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