Connect this turn to the next three

Link small choices to a goal

Trades, targets, Mana, and action order are your current-turn choices. Your larger plan is how you expect to win over several turns.

A neat trade can still be wrong if it uses the only card your larger plan needs.

Choose a clear goal. You may need to live until a defense is ready, force a clear, finish a combo, or bring the hero into damage range. List what you need to reach that goal.

Plan for a few responses

Do not expect the enemy to follow your script. Try plans like these:

• If they clear, I play my saved threat.
• If they play minions, I trade and deal some damage.
• If they heal, I need another way to apply pressure.

Playing two threats now may deal more damage soon. Playing one now and saving one may be better against a likely clear. Ask whether the extra threat makes your win faster.

Find what is missing

What stops you from winning? You may need damage, cards, Mana, time, a combo piece, or a safe turn to play a minion.

More cards do not solve a lack of Mana. Another attacker may not help if a Taunt still blocks the win. Work on the real problem.

Change a plan that no longer works

A key card can be lost. A new threat can appear. Your role can change. After a large swing, state your new way to win and build a short plan around the board you have now.