How do you use Necropotence!? (Specifically in ANT)

[chewy01234]

I have been playing vintage on and off for about 10 years but there is one thing I just can't figure out....


How do you use necropotence to it's maximum value?
If you draw more than 7 cards you still have to discard down to 7 right?
Why would I want a necro instead of an ad nauseum?

I've been searching for a while but I can't the answers I'm looking for.

[Tobi]

Really depends on the situation and board-state. If you start with Swamp, Ritual, Necro without any other permanents it may be worth not to go all-in, but keep some life for a second Necro activation.

Then again, in most situations you will be able to sculpt a winning 7 from 13-14 extra cards.

I usually keep some spare life for a fetchland, a Force of Will (Thoughtseize in ANT) and a double Vampiric/Imperial Seal (play vamp to find Will, draw Will with Preordain and then Vamp again in Will Turn to get Tendrils). The magic number used to be 7 life here. In case things go wrong you have some life left to Necro some more.

[chewy01234]

Thanks for the response. That makes sense. So it's a hand sculpting thing. I get it.

[AmbivalentDuck]

Thanks for the response. That makes sense. So it's a hand sculpting thing. I get it.

Bingo.  The goal is to win next turn.  If your hand needs a lot of help doing that, draw 10+ cards.  If it's almost sufficient to go off, draw to 7 or 8 cards in hand or draw 3-5 cards.

[chewy01234]

That makes it much more clear. Thanks.