Defending Amnesia

[awall]

So Slartucker at one point explained to me why gesturing PS when your opponent has DP showing is a bad idea. Given that DPP robs all flexibility from the victim, it seems the most powerful of the three gesture enchantments. I've been trying to figure out what good means are of defending against it. Here are my thoughts on it, but I'm curious as to what others think:

1) DP vs. xP favors the first player in a big way. Nothing out of P is particularly fond of getting hit with Amnesia the next turn.

2) Because of the above, DP vs. xD favors the second player. I find that if my opponent has D showing, it's typically not worth it to follow through with Amnesia.

3) DF and FS don't really seem to be worth having. At best, you get a bolt/fireball and your opponent gets an Ogre.

4) Having W or F the turn of the Amnesia seems to be a decent response. It's a pity that this encourages para, but these are the only reliable ways to stop the Ogre, and I prefer not being reduced to counterspells.

5) Targeting DPP at yourself is almost never a good idea, as you are probably screwed if you actually hit yourself with it. Only if the alternative is worse (getting hit with PSDFF/xPSDF, for example), and even so it's a risky proposition.

These are just a few thoughts, but I've wanted to ask this for a while. In particular, what are other players' thoughts on the DP vs. xD situation? Does this mean that when your opponent has D and you fear he might go for DPP, you should gesture D to discourage him?

[Slartucker]

It depends on the board. Generally xD is a good response to DP, however, the DP player can dummy (as you note) and if he's really cunning, he's sought to give himself attack options involving either the dummy, accepting the other amnesia, or both. The situation is actually unusually plannable: even though the possibility of dummying introduces some branches, there isn't much you can do with DP besides DPP and the possibility of DPP reduces the number of things the other hands are likely to attempt.

[Citanest]

Clap of lightning is often useful for Amnesia towards the end of a game-

DPPSD

xWDDC
xWPPC

The beauty is that you have a clap ready to mirror a Charm, or dispel for an ogre. Your WPP can be replaced with DPP or even stabs in a close end-game. WDDc is easily overlooked and sometimes your opponent will clap to stop it.


Obviously all this stuff applies to Storms as well, but usually you have to win the game when you cast them.

I would tentatively suggest that Paralysis is a weak defence for Amnesia. You won't actually gain anything by using it, just slam a handbrake on the game (well, I suppose if you are outclassed that's a fair enough tactic). I find that counterspell is better, because although it often leads to loops in conjunction with Amnesia, the loop is easily broken and play can continue freely.

In my worldview being reduced to Para is worse than being reduced to Counterspells

[Derfel]

Personally, I wear a helmet.