Picking the right planeswalker ability

[Thomas David Baker]

I just Inquisitoned a guy with Sorin Markov and Grave Titan in my hand to see that he had a Volition Reins.  He also had Inkmoth Nexus and Trinket Mage on the board.  I made Sorin because I want him to Reins that then I can kill it with Grave Titan and go on to win the game.

 

So I make Sorin.

 

Then I have to decide what ability to use.  Make his life total 10?  No way!  Then his Mage or Nexus can kill it.  Do 2 damage and gain 2?  No way!  Then he can put it to 8 on his turn then Mindslaver me immediately after I make Grave Titan.

 

Correct play?  Use no ability!

 

He Reins-ed Sorin and I made Grave Titan and killed it and went on to win the game.  Which was nice.

 

[Raymond Wat]

did he not wonder why you used no ability?  Nice play though.

[Ben Titmarsh]

2 life and 2 damage isn't worth getting mindslavered for so you made the right decision.

[Paul Young]

U made the good play, but surely the best play would have been shoot yourself for 2, redirect to sorin, gain 2.

[Tom Reeve]

It might have been the best if it were legal!

[Charlie Grover]

As long as you are doing nothing with Sorin its clearly correct for him to not cast volition reins either I think; cos you are probably sandbagging a better threat. At lesat you gave your opponent a chance to misplay

[James Mills]

Yeah especially since your opponant know's that you've seen his hand, he must have thought something was up or he just thought you were a complete donk.

Charlie Grover said:

As long as you are doing nothing with Sorin its clearly correct for him to not cast volition reins either I think; cos you are probably sandbagging a better threat. At lesat you gave your opponent a chance to misplay

[Thomas David Baker]

Yeah, I actually thought he might not Reins Sorin.  But then he has to decide what to do before I draw something else useful (particularly good: counterspell or Jace).  Attacking Sorin just kills his Trinket Mage the following turn and gains me two life.  So I guess his plan probably should have been to just attack me and watch me NOT use my 6 mana planeswalker and both try to draw something that swung the status quo one way or another.  It was an interesting situation anyway!

And of course if I do draw the counterspell or other super useful thing I then have a Sorin on board ready to go Sorin-you-to-10, swing with 10 power of guys :)

[Charlie Grover]

Im pretty sure you just have to pass till you draw something non terrible while he gets to beat you down. Awkward situation is somewhat awkward :p