Psychatog, Priority, and Timing

[Bardo]

(@ Mods - I'm not sure what the right forum for this is; please move the thread accordingly.)

I'd like to get some advice from some expert Tog players. Basically, what is the most effective way to maxize your damage and minimize your risk when attacking with Psychatog?

For instance, let's say I'm playing U/b/g Tog (outdated, fine). I have Berserk in hand, a Tog on the board, and enough cards between my hand and graveyard to make Tog lethal with Berserk. It's my pre-combat Main Phase and I need to win this turn because I'll lose, otherwise, during my opponent's turn. I have no disruption (counters, Duress) and my opponent has one card in hand, which might be StP.

In general, is it better to pass priority after each Tog pump or cast Berserk and then respond to that by pumping Tog to lethal range before passing priority?

Thanks for the help.

[Matt]

So if he has the STP, you lose no matter what. If he doesn't, you win no matter what. I don't see how it matters what order you do things in.

[Bardo]

So if he has the STP, you lose no matter what. If he doesn't, you win no matter what. I don't see how it matters what order you do things in.

If he has StP, I'd like to get as much life as possible--even though it would be difficult to win from then on, it wouldn't be impossible.

For instance, let's say my opponent has StP, I cast Berserk, respond to that by feeding my whole hand/GY to Tog, pass priority, my opponent StPs, I end up gaining 1 life, but have no Tog and on hand/GY. But if I pump Tog, pass priority, etc., etc., I'd end up gaining more life.

In general, though, I'm wondering what the are the 'good habits' of Tog players--facing an uncertain situation, what are most Tog players likely to do. I hope that clarified my question.

[Mixing Mike]

If he has StP, I'd like to get as much life as possible--even though it would be difficult to win from then on, it wouldn't be impossible.

You just respond the the StoP by pumping it more if you so choose to gain more life.  People usually wait until after you have pumped all the way so you RFG your Hand and Graveyard.

Facing an uncirtin situation, you can:

-> Duress them (so you're no longer uncirten)
-> Keep double counter back-up (it'll answer mostly anything they will do once you attack)

[Rico Suave]

If I, a Tog player, am facing a situation where I feel the opponent may have removal for Tog and I don't want to swing and lose it all, I will hit for 3-6 a turn.  The idea is to put them on a substantial clock without sacrificing it all in one shot.  That way if they bite, you will likely have enough cards so your 2nd Tog can still be lethal.

If you are faced with Berserk in hand, well, don't use it.  I don't know about you,  but my only Berserk is in the SB so I would not fetch it with C.Wish if I was afraid my opponent had removal.

If you don't have enough time because you will lose if you don't win this turn, and you are afraid they hav StP, tough luck.  You put it all on the line and pray that the rest of your deck did it's job.  If the rest of the deck didn't do it's job, well, that's why I don't play Tog anymore.

[Matt]

If he has StP, I'd like to get as much life as possible--even though it would be difficult to win from then on, it wouldn't be impossible.

I need to win this turn because I'll lose, otherwise, during my opponent's turn.