As I've been playing more and more magic, I am still often confused on how to handle creatures with mismatched power and toughness like a 2/1.
For example, should I be cautious with my 2/1 since they are fragile or just recklessly make use of the extra power for generally a low mana cost? Should I only play something like a 2/1 when it has utility or evasion since my opponents 1/1 can just trade for it any time they want?
Has anyone found any good discussions (article/podcast) on how to look at creatures' power and toughness and how to use them in combat
(ignoring other abilities).
Just use your common sense. If your 2/1 can get through, than you might as well swing.
If you'd rather trade with your opponent's 3/2, than you can hold it back to block. If if has an ability, and you don't want it to die, than don't swing.
vanilla 2-power creatures for 1 are normally playable in aggressive decks, but you should look at the meta. If you're in a land full of goblin arsonist, maybe you don't want to take the savannah lions plan.
It is severely dependent on the format and your game plan. 2/1 for 1 is good in aggro and if all your creatures could be dropped in the first 4 turns. But if you're playing midrange, fat creatures or control; then a vanilla 2/1 is not really worth it.
You've hit on what could be considered an inconsistency in the game, at least in terms of initial impression vs actual play.
On the surface something with higher power than toughness looks like it should be a dedicated attacker. Yet 2/1's, 3/1's, etc...can often "trade up" with a more expensive or bigger creature when used as blockers. OTOH when used as attackers they are vulnerable to exactly what you mentioned, the "trade down" where they die to something small.
Ultimately there is no right answer, as the right play will always depend on the context. But in general you could look at what I said earlier and usually do well by trading up when possible and avoiding trading down when possible.
As I've been playing more and more magic, I am still often confused on how to handle creatures with mismatched power and toughness like a 2/1.
For example, should I be cautious with my 2/1 since they are fragile or just recklessly make use of the extra power for generally a low mana cost? Should I only play something like a 2/1 when it has utility or evasion since my opponents 1/1 can just trade for it any time they want?
Has anyone found any good discussions (article/podcast) on how to look at creatures' power and toughness and how to use them in combat
(ignoring other abilities).
There's a lot of time/effort/kilobytes we can spend breaking down everything involving a 2/1 in combat and outside of combat.
On turns 1-3, a 2/1 is usually a smooth move, you get damage in and avoid/deflect damage from X/1 and X/2's provided you are willing to trade it.
On later turns, a 2/1 won't do much unless it has an ability.
So you want to play it early and you want to be aggressive with it. Of course, throwing it into a definite 2/3 is pretty stupid unless you have other combat tricks, but there is plenty of reason to play 2/1s
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As I've been playing more and more magic, I am still often confused on how to handle creatures with mismatched power and toughness like a 2/1.
For example, should I be cautious with my 2/1 since they are fragile or just recklessly make use of the extra power for generally a low mana cost? Should I only play something like a 2/1 when it has utility or evasion since my opponents 1/1 can just trade for it any time they want?
Has anyone found any good discussions (article/podcast) on how to look at creatures' power and toughness and how to use them in combat
(ignoring other abilities).
If your 2/1 trades with a 1/1, the 1/1 probably has utility, otherwise it wouldn't be on the field. If it is among a bunch of 1/1 tokens, then since it's a token deck the 1/1s are probably going to get buffed soon, so it should still be a good trade.
I think maybe the idea you're toying with is holding back a 2/1 or 3/1 waiting for that "perfect" 2/2, 3/3, or 8/2 to show up. Often when it shows up, it has evasion, your 2/1 was removed while you waited, or maybe it never shows up. If you don't have a plan for improving the staredown between you 2/1 and two 1/1s, it's better to trade material in the general case, because having a creature alive on your side gives your opponent removal options, and leaving the 1/1 alive on your opponent's side gives them buffing options. Unless you are looking to buff or remove yourself, it's best to simplify.
You should also look out for first strike. Thalia, Guardian of Thraben is only a 2/1, but she has First Strike so she can kill anything with a toughness of 2 or less (that does not have First Strike) and live to brag about it.
For example, should I be cautious with my 2/1 since they are fragile or just recklessly make use of the extra power for generally a low mana cost? Should I only play something like a 2/1 when it has utility or evasion since my opponents 1/1 can just trade for it any time they want?
Has anyone found any good discussions (article/podcast) on how to look at creatures' power and toughness and how to use them in combat
(ignoring other abilities).
A 2/1 for 2 is ok, hopefully it has some ability.
A 2/1 for more than 2 CMC better have some other reason to play it, because that is overcosted as hell.
If you'd rather trade with your opponent's 3/2, than you can hold it back to block. If if has an ability, and you don't want it to die, than don't swing.
vanilla 2-power creatures for 1 are normally playable in aggressive decks, but you should look at the meta. If you're in a land full of goblin arsonist, maybe you don't want to take the savannah lions plan.
On the surface something with higher power than toughness looks like it should be a dedicated attacker. Yet 2/1's, 3/1's, etc...can often "trade up" with a more expensive or bigger creature when used as blockers. OTOH when used as attackers they are vulnerable to exactly what you mentioned, the "trade down" where they die to something small.
Ultimately there is no right answer, as the right play will always depend on the context. But in general you could look at what I said earlier and usually do well by trading up when possible and avoiding trading down when possible.
There's a lot of time/effort/kilobytes we can spend breaking down everything involving a 2/1 in combat and outside of combat.
On turns 1-3, a 2/1 is usually a smooth move, you get damage in and avoid/deflect damage from X/1 and X/2's provided you are willing to trade it.
On later turns, a 2/1 won't do much unless it has an ability.
So you want to play it early and you want to be aggressive with it. Of course, throwing it into a definite 2/3 is pretty stupid unless you have other combat tricks, but there is plenty of reason to play 2/1s
1. It allows me to express multiple thoughts without a need to write an essay or make multiple posts.
2. I tend to have multiple thoughts at the same time.
3. Having the right first opinion is sometimes more glorious than having a grammatically correct second opinion.
4. It allows you as a reader to pick out the most erroneous point and counter-comment, allowing you the chance to express an opinion and look like a sensible person when I sound like a dummy.
If your 2/1 trades with a 1/1, the 1/1 probably has utility, otherwise it wouldn't be on the field. If it is among a bunch of 1/1 tokens, then since it's a token deck the 1/1s are probably going to get buffed soon, so it should still be a good trade.
I think maybe the idea you're toying with is holding back a 2/1 or 3/1 waiting for that "perfect" 2/2, 3/3, or 8/2 to show up. Often when it shows up, it has evasion, your 2/1 was removed while you waited, or maybe it never shows up. If you don't have a plan for improving the staredown between you 2/1 and two 1/1s, it's better to trade material in the general case, because having a creature alive on your side gives your opponent removal options, and leaving the 1/1 alive on your opponent's side gives them buffing options. Unless you are looking to buff or remove yourself, it's best to simplify.
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