Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2016 21:16:51 GMT 1
It's that time again: Yomi endgame. You have gotten off that clutch dodge/combo starter/pump able move that can mean victory. But wait! Your opponent had placed a card facedown! What do you do?
There is a mantra among the Yomi community, "if lethal, then lethal." If you have the means and the opportunity to kill your opponent then take the shot. But is this always true? If not, when is it not?
The answer is yes, it is pretty much always true. If the only thing standing between you and a dead opponent is one flimsy facedown then by all means get in there. But this DOES NOT mean that it is always true. I am going to try and lay out the situations where going for lethal may not be the best choice.
IF COMBOING WILL CRIPPLE YOU
If playing the lethal damage will leave your hand in such a state that if it is in fact a blue burst you will almost definitely lose. Example: putting you at top deck Vendetta vs. Geiger. Hopefully this situation only arises when you are in the red zone though, because if you are playing options that are that vulnerable to blue burst perhaps you should consider blocking instead.
IF THE OPPONENT IS CLEARLY PLAYING AS IF THEY HAVE A BURST
What I mean by this is if you are playing Troq vs Lum and are fully grown with known Beast Unleashed in your hand, and they have attacked for the last five turns in a row, including with high normals, you can almost be certain they have a joker ready for when you dodge. Unfortunately, with some matchups you are forced to have to grind their jokers like in this instance though, it must be a clear cut case that they have it. If it's only a gut feeling, play the lethal anyway, because let's face it, reads don't real, right?
IF YOU CAN GUARANTEE A LETHAL SETUP FOR NEXT TURN
Somerimes it may take a little extra thought, but if you can get a 100% (or nearly 100%) setup to kill them if you DON'T combo, then forego it for the next turn kill. Because if they do have a joker they are almost always going to play it to prevent this turn's fatality anyway. There was an unusual circumstance during one game where if I left the opponent down after I threw them I could guarantee a chip kill next turn with Maximum Ven. Other times it's easier to tell if the kill is ensured, such as with Jaina or Gloria. In these cases there is no need to give them the extra cards for the chance to mount a comeback.
WHEN THE % CHANCE THEY HAVE A JOKER IS,THROUGH THE ROOF
If they have gone through all but three cards in their deck and have not played a joker... Do the math, yo.
Now some of you are still going to want to hold back from playing lethal for some reason. I don't know, maybe it's faulty genes or bad upbringing. So if you find your finger hovering over the pass button keep these situations in mind, situations that - assuming they don't fall under one of the outlined situations above - you should ALWAYS go for the fatal damage.
IF YOU ARE IN A DISADVANTAGED ENDGAME SITUATION OR YOU WILL DIE IN ONE HIT
If the very next combat is a combat for your life, kill them now. Do NOT lose the game next turn because of a timid reaction this turn. Even if it is a real burst you need to do everything you can to end the game as soon as possible. If you are in the Deathstrike Dragon 50/50 do not roll the dice on being right another turn.
IF THE COST TO PLAY LETHAL IS NEGLIGIBLE
If all you have to do for the last bit of damage is combo into a J with DeGrey or play a 3 normal off of dodge, don't even think twice. This one I think everybody already does... Usually.
this information might be old news to many players, but I still see it in pickup games and in tournaments; people losing because they did not kill when they had the chance and were bluffed. DON'T LET IT BE YOU.
if anyone has any situations that they feel should be in one of the above categories feel free to reply, or if you think I'm wrong feel free to reply to that too. I will edit OP if I think you're onto something, and shame you mercilessly if I don't. But is that just a bluff? Doesn't matter! Go for it!
There is a mantra among the Yomi community, "if lethal, then lethal." If you have the means and the opportunity to kill your opponent then take the shot. But is this always true? If not, when is it not?
The answer is yes, it is pretty much always true. If the only thing standing between you and a dead opponent is one flimsy facedown then by all means get in there. But this DOES NOT mean that it is always true. I am going to try and lay out the situations where going for lethal may not be the best choice.
IF COMBOING WILL CRIPPLE YOU
If playing the lethal damage will leave your hand in such a state that if it is in fact a blue burst you will almost definitely lose. Example: putting you at top deck Vendetta vs. Geiger. Hopefully this situation only arises when you are in the red zone though, because if you are playing options that are that vulnerable to blue burst perhaps you should consider blocking instead.
IF THE OPPONENT IS CLEARLY PLAYING AS IF THEY HAVE A BURST
What I mean by this is if you are playing Troq vs Lum and are fully grown with known Beast Unleashed in your hand, and they have attacked for the last five turns in a row, including with high normals, you can almost be certain they have a joker ready for when you dodge. Unfortunately, with some matchups you are forced to have to grind their jokers like in this instance though, it must be a clear cut case that they have it. If it's only a gut feeling, play the lethal anyway, because let's face it, reads don't real, right?
IF YOU CAN GUARANTEE A LETHAL SETUP FOR NEXT TURN
Somerimes it may take a little extra thought, but if you can get a 100% (or nearly 100%) setup to kill them if you DON'T combo, then forego it for the next turn kill. Because if they do have a joker they are almost always going to play it to prevent this turn's fatality anyway. There was an unusual circumstance during one game where if I left the opponent down after I threw them I could guarantee a chip kill next turn with Maximum Ven. Other times it's easier to tell if the kill is ensured, such as with Jaina or Gloria. In these cases there is no need to give them the extra cards for the chance to mount a comeback.
WHEN THE % CHANCE THEY HAVE A JOKER IS,THROUGH THE ROOF
If they have gone through all but three cards in their deck and have not played a joker... Do the math, yo.
Now some of you are still going to want to hold back from playing lethal for some reason. I don't know, maybe it's faulty genes or bad upbringing. So if you find your finger hovering over the pass button keep these situations in mind, situations that - assuming they don't fall under one of the outlined situations above - you should ALWAYS go for the fatal damage.
IF YOU ARE IN A DISADVANTAGED ENDGAME SITUATION OR YOU WILL DIE IN ONE HIT
If the very next combat is a combat for your life, kill them now. Do NOT lose the game next turn because of a timid reaction this turn. Even if it is a real burst you need to do everything you can to end the game as soon as possible. If you are in the Deathstrike Dragon 50/50 do not roll the dice on being right another turn.
IF THE COST TO PLAY LETHAL IS NEGLIGIBLE
If all you have to do for the last bit of damage is combo into a J with DeGrey or play a 3 normal off of dodge, don't even think twice. This one I think everybody already does... Usually.
this information might be old news to many players, but I still see it in pickup games and in tournaments; people losing because they did not kill when they had the chance and were bluffed. DON'T LET IT BE YOU.
if anyone has any situations that they feel should be in one of the above categories feel free to reply, or if you think I'm wrong feel free to reply to that too. I will edit OP if I think you're onto something, and shame you mercilessly if I don't. But is that just a bluff? Doesn't matter! Go for it!