veles-content/strategies/pauper/spy_combo/1/reflection.md

Reflection Template For Spy Combo

For each loss, name one primary cause and one secondary cause. For each win, name the card, package, or tactical policy that most contributed to the win. Classify each result as a card quantity problem, card selection problem, mana problem, tempo problem, matchup problem, sideboard problem, pilot sequencing problem, or closing-power problem. Report mana performance, sideboard impact, stranded cards, overperforming cards, underperforming cards, and whether the Deck Strategy or Tactical Policy guidance was followed.

• Deciding factor: Record whether the game was decided by Balustrade Spy resolving, Dread Return being available, Lotleth Giant closing, fair combat with Nyxborn Hydra, opponent graveyard hate, or the deck failing to assemble mana and payoff in time.

• Mulligans: Note whether the opening hand had functional green mana, black access, a first creature, and either velocity or payoff. Flag keeps that had Lead the Stampede or Winding Way but no stable way to cast early creatures.

• Mana: Track whether Forest, Swamp, Land Grant, Generous Ent, Gatecreeper Vine, Wall of Roots, Overgrown Battlement, Saruli Caretaker, and Quirion Ranger produced the needed colors and timing. Call out games where black access delayed Balustrade Spy, Mesmeric Fiend, Dread Return, Cast Down, or Pilfer.

• Velocity: Ask whether Lead the Stampede, Winding Way, Land Grant, and Generous Ent found the missing resource fast enough, or whether they consumed turns while the opponent’s visible clock became decisive.

• Engine: Check whether Overgrown Battlement and Wall of Roots lived long enough to make a meaningful mana jump. Note whether Saruli Caretaker required too much board material, or whether Quirion Ranger created an important extra-mana branch.

• Interaction: Record whether Mesmeric Fiend, Pilfer, Cast Down, Masked Vandal, Voracious Varmint, Jack-o'-Lantern, or Flaring Pain changed the actual deciding window. Separate interaction that protected the combo from interaction that only spent mana.

• Sideboard: Ask whether added role cards solved the matchup problem without lowering creature density too far for Lead the Stampede, Winding Way, Dread Return sacrifice material, and Lotleth Giant damage.

• Closing: Verify whether Lotleth Giant was lethal when chosen, whether Dread Return had legal sacrifice material, and whether prevention, graveyard exile, life total, or insufficient graveyard count made the kill uncertain.

• Role: Identify whether the pilot correctly chose race, stabilize, disrupt, rebuild, or fair beatdown. Flag decisions where the deck kept goldfishing after visible pressure, open interaction, or hate changed the role.

• Mistakes: Mark visible sequencing errors such as exposing Balustrade Spy before protection, spending Cast Down on a low-impact target, using Masked Vandal without a relevant artifact or enchantment, or tapping mana sources that blocked the next required action.

• Stranded cards: List cards stuck in hand and why: no black mana, no green mana, no legal target, insufficient creatures, graveyard hate, too much mana cost, or opponent pressure forcing a different line.

• Overperformers and underperformers: Compare repeated impact from Balustrade Spy, Overgrown Battlement, Wall of Roots, Lead the Stampede, Winding Way, Mesmeric Fiend, Masked Vandal, Nyxborn Hydra, Cast Down, Healer of the Glade, Pilfer, and Jack-o'-Lantern against the matchup role they were meant to fill.