Just a quick note about the Vynnset match up for future, the Zen State token from the chest piece absolutely ruins her for 2 turns, cancels out all runechant damage and her flail. Towards the late game, you can throw a lower damage turn by saving the chi and then ruining her next 2 turns. That should help you close out the game easier.
You're totally right! I would need to look back at this game to find where I could've gotten Zen State value. If I see that she's setting up for a big turn, it's likely worth breaking Kasaya on my turn.
You could argue aspect of tiger is still a good choice. Its the same damage and you keep a red hundred winds in deck to combo with one of the 3 blue ones. At life total one, blue winds into red winds is huge.
That’s an interesting point and worth considering! On the other hand, that line takes the last Aspect out of my deck which ruins potential Chase the Tail lines (assuming I had the time to play that).
I watch almost every video you put out and regularly think your line of reasoning is spot on. This video I feel like there we're a few moments you we're off the mark even with your review after the fact. Aspect wouldn't have helped at the end. The one line you mentioned was Estrike for 5 go again into hundred winds for 3/4 (harmony turn) when you would just do it the other way around for 10/11 or 8/9 + draw a card. Still love the content! Zen's new, the lines come easier the more you play it. Also, one last thing, it's worth considering to board out red harmony of the hunt and keep the blues even if you go to 33 blues with Diplo. You're deck is able to explode easier, as well as transcend more consistently.
I definitely missed Aspect at the end, though I would like to think that I caught the lack of combo during the game (and that's why I took Hundred Winds from Bonds). Discussing the Harmony play was my attempt at decoding my reasoning during the game itself, because in hindsight playing the card instead of pitching it to Khakkara seems objectively wrong. I totally concede that Zen lines are a lot to take in at the start, and even in the review I'm going to trip over some of the logic! I expect the gameplay and the reviews to improve as I get more reps. To your point about 33 blues, while I agree that Transcending is important I also think that I need to keep threat density in the deck. Exploding is important but I'm going to miss a lot of damage if my combat chain is entirely blue (not to mention that a good density of reds will enable Aspect lines!).
@@Lupinefiasco Yeah I should have read the comments before pointing out the Aspect again. Your first line is correct in my opinion as well, which is just pitch the harmony and Staff Estrike for 9. I just meant in the hypothetical you gave where you would top deck the (R) Hundred Winds, you said the line would be to Estrike with go again into Hundred Winds for 4 which would be 9, but you could just flop that and make it 11, or still 9 but draw a card. Just no reason to give estrike go again when your other card has it. Regarding the number of blues and threat density, I don't necessarily disagree with you, but Zen can't be looked at as the damage values being your main point of threat density. I'm way more threatened by a blue harmony than a red, because that can mean anything is coming. For the Vynsett specifically(and Azalea) You cannot treat Diplo as a blue, because you want to play it as a chain ender for it to achieve its goal. Not going to 33 actually starved you of three blues. If I'm sitting down across from a Vynsett my concern isn't the extra potential 6 points of damage I'm missing switching from red to blue Harmonies, it's do I have what I need to deal consistent enough damage and transcend enough to out value the Vynsett. Then you do the math with Shukos being enabled by your blue, you're probably looking at a 3 point total difference and three extra cards to transcend off of. It also let's you play a tiger out a bit easier without having to pay to Staff to get a ping off the tiger, giving you more line options. Edit: Also, wasn't going to reiterate because someone else already said it but Zen State is absolutely busted against Runechants. the only reason I edited this in is because if you have the ability to block and the chain not be closed you can still activate it on the link for the 2 points of value. Obviously you know the game well, and your ninja gameplay is great, so I'm not going to ramble on like I know more than anyone. I've just tested Zen for ~200 hours with a very strong team. the only general comments I would make to people switching to Zen is, run both needles or 0, If the needle is only for Kano, then you have better options for slots. (that assumption is based on the fact you didn't run Needle/Lantern into a Runeblade.) Mauling Qi is very strong, even as a 1 for 5 it's a completely fine card. I understand Evan was able to win nats without it, but had a different tech card for Prism in Blanch. You could cut the 3x Blanch, and run 2x Mauling Qi + Time skippers(If you're that afraid of Prism loop) where your Mauling Qi will actually be usable in more matchups outside of Prism/Azalea. with the addition of Estrike, 9 cards dedicated to Azalea RITL (Blanch, CnC, Estrike), you start to lose value into overall matchups. If you ever want to run a game or two feel free to DM me!
@@Lupinefiasco don't think there will be a long game if you can't block arcain. On average they do 3 arcane per trun that is max 13 turns assuming you take 0 physical damage. I assume average game length is 4-6 rounds vs vynnset. But a good point, personally I feel that zen has amazing OTK hands and some other hands where you just want to block
And zen already does the most damage, companion doesn't fit in the cost curve as it costs two. the most that you want any of your cards to cost is 1 and bonds gets away with this by being free after gustwave. Getting one more point of damage is not worth it at that cost
@@dozermox9785 I'm sorry to be so blunt, but Companion of the Claw is awful. The cost does not fit the curve of the deck and there's a reason 0 top decks are running it. I don't know if you really believe this card is good, but there are several better options. The card does not have combo, only blocks for 2, and if you we're to consider a 2 cost, it should be Qi Unleashed as a 1 of copy to Zen out on turns you can utilize the extra resource. Trying to convince him to use this card is only a hinderence to learning Zen not a way to get him to master it faster.
