End Game vs Mage From ESGN Fight Night
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[su_spoiler title=”WATCH STRIFECRO vs. NYHX VOD” open=”no” style=”fancy” icon=”plus-circle”][youtube url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRw193yrjbE][/su_spoiler]
The first season of ESGN Fight Night series was incredibly fun to watch, packed with excitement and full of nail biters. I’d like to break down a pivotal moment and turning point in the series between StrifeCro and Nyhx playing, Mage vs. Shaman. Both players had some inspired moves in the series and when you’re in game, the pressure is on. So it’s all too easy to sit back and pick apart one moment after the fact. This analysis isn’t a criticism but just an opportunity to learn about late game strategy using a great match as an example. With Shaman vs Mage, late game is often where you end up seizing victory or being burned to death.
Game 3, the series is 1-1, Nyhx (Shaman) has taken little damage and StrifeCro (Mage) is at 20 health. With an Ice Block secret in play, the Mage lays down an Alexstrasza bringing the Shaman to 15 health. Being way ahead as a Shaman vs Mage and then all of the sudden being 2 turns away from death is a familiar and frustrating feeling for me. The Shaman looked to be in bad shape but luckily drew Al’Akir the Windlord a 3/5 with Windfury, Charge, Divine Shield & Taunt and had both Rockbiters already in his hand. With an 8/8 Alexstrasza staring down at him and with 0/2 taunt totem, 0/2 healing totem and 2/1 loot hoarder on his own board, the Shaman did have a way out. But he didn’t take it, instead his Shaman used both rock biters to make Al’Akir a 9/5 and then charged with his first attack at the Mage hero for 9 damage + 4 additional from the Loot Hoarder and Stormforged Axe leaving the Mage at 7 health. Then used Al’Akir’s 2nd attack to take out Alexstrasza successfully clearing the Mage’s board. But the Mage’s Ice Block was still protecting him so StrifeCro froze the board and dealt 10 damage with Pyroblast, finishing off Nyhx’s Shaman on the next turn.
As a Shaman with no healing against a Mage its critically important in the late game to achieve a win condition as soon as possible. Specifically, within Lethal damage (preferably direct damage) having removed any Ice Blocks on board — and in this game Nyhx’s Shaman could have done exactly that. Taking out Alexstrasza probably wasn’t the best play here. Attacking the Mage hero twice with Al’Akir would have brought him to down to 2 health. Next the Shaman could have used the Loot Hoarder to deal 2 more damage triggering the Ice Block and leaving the Mage at 2 health. Then Shaman would have had the 0/2 taunt totem and 3/5 Al’Akir with its Divine Shield & Taunt as well as 2 other minions left on board. On the next turn with a Lightning Bolt in hand or with the last charge of his Stormforged Axe, the Shaman would have killed the Mage and won the game.
But what if the Mage lays down a 2nd Ice block? He survives an additional turn and if he has Lethal would deliver a killing blow to Shaman, but in that case leaving Alexstrasza on the board wouldn’t have made a difference. He can’t use Alexstrasza to hit the Shaman hero because of the tuanters on board, one of which has Divine Shield, so either way Alexstrasza isn’t the biggest threat. In the case of a 2nd Ice Block when the Mage does not have Lethal, the best play is to take out the 2nd Ice Block with the Stormforged Axe and keep the Lighting bolt as direct damage for the killing blow on the next turn before Alexstrasza can get through the taunters and deal damage. Shaman is victorious again.
There are a lot of cards in the Mage’s hand and different plays he could make to change how the scenario plays out, but I believe in the majority of situations when you have board control with taunters and 15 health it’s important to remove the Ice Block and get your opponent as close to Lethal as possible giving you the best chance to take him out before he can hit you with his Fireballs and Pyroblasts.
glhf,
][{obayshi ][/][aru
@Kobayshi Maru
For more of my content check out the latest episode of Master Class and the latest episode of Turn 2 where I talk with Doa, Ek0p & Monk about all things Hearthstone.
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