Quote Originally Posted by Adan View Post
Though I was always of the opinion that pyroclasm is simply overrated like hell against Goblins, my opinion changed when people started to play Mad Aunties.
Mad Aunties are annoying when you are playing with Engineered Plague as it neuters the effect of 1 Plague. you will need a second one to sweep the board an keep it clear, but Pyroclasm sweeps every Goblin (because it kills the Auntie immediately; yes, the Goblin player will regenerate 1 Goblin, but so what?).
I always thought (and still do think) that Blue Elemental Blasts and Hydroblasts are the best hate against Goblins:
  • They are cheap which is nice when facing Wastelands and Ports or when wanting to advance your own gameplan (playing aggressively is the key to victory against Goblins)
  • They are in your main colour which is especially nice when playing the 5c manabase
  • They are Instants which is relevant to stop Warchief/Piledriver or Vial shenanigans which seem to always let Goblins recover post-Pyroclasm.
  • They aren't only removal which is very relevant against Ringleaders/Matrons
  • They are also good in other matchups - they can come in against a number of decks, most prominently Dragon Stompy, Aggro Loam and Belcher/TES.


Pyroclasm and Plague also offer some flexibility but their uses are rather limited if you compare them to Blue Blasts: Plague and Pyroclasm can both come in against Ichorid which is an abysmal matchup anyway - you'll still loose. They are also some use against Empty the Warrens, which is a point but Blue Blasts are usually better against combo as they destroy Vexing Shusher or counter Rituals/Burning Wishes - they disrupt early whereas Pyroclasm or Plague just stop one of their finishers. Plague can also be boarded in the Breakfast matchup but does that deck still exist?
On the other hand, Blue Blasts actually make relevant bad matchups better (i.e. anything with Moon) which I like.