AI attacking and blocking Observations

[shteev]

AI chump blocks my Noggle Bridgebreaker with a Hoof Skulkin enchanted by Power of Fire, and shoots me for 1 pt of damage... if it had shot the creature it blocked instead, it would have killed it.

[abbyjaneway]

I was playing a duel against the Galadriel (Mana Ramp) deck and after I declared my attackers - 5 creatures, all with flying, who were about to deliver lethal damage - the AI used Ant Queen's activated ability repeatedly to summon a bunch of Insect tokens, which was completely useless as they don't have reach or flying.

[shteev]

AI cast Invigorate in it's pre-combat main phase, when it could have waited to see if I'd blocked with my creature first, which would have swung the combat in it's favor.

[shteev]

I've been noticing questionable blocks that the AI has been making against trample creatures when it is on low life recently. Here's a good example of one:

The AI seems to be somehow prioritizing reducing the damage done by the trampling Charging Monstrosaur, but without killing it, instead choosing to kill the deathtouch Deadeye Brawler. (It didn't have any combat tricks up it's sleeve, and used it's mana to activate the Atzal, Cave of Eternity after combat).

I think it would be better for the AI to prioritize *killing* the Charging Monstrosaur (in this case, by blocking with the Orazca Frillback + Blossom Dryad). It could then chump block the Deadeye Brawler with a single creature, giving it a couple of turns to find an out.

[shteev]

AI blocked a Blossom Dryad with a Fanatical Firebrand and a Sun-Collared Raptor.

It had no mana to pump the Sun-Collared Raptor; presumably if it had, it would not have blocked with the Fanatical Firebrand as well.

After blocking, however, it sacrificed the Fanatical Firebrand to shoot *me*, so it lost both it's creatures, and mine survived.

[Xyx]

AI leads with Vicious Conquistador. I cast Fathom Fleet Captain. AI does not attack and passes the turn back without casting anything.

• If I block, it trades a 1-drop for a 2-drop (and I lose 1 life.)
• If I don't block, at least it races 2 for 2.
• It's not going to block either (because menace.)

[Xyx]

Also, AI leads with Dusk Legion Zealot (an expendable 1/1.) I cast Vraska's Conquistador (a not entirely expendable 2/1.) AI then does not attack, then casts Deadeye Tormentor without being able to trigger raid.

[Xyx]

AI attacked its 3/3 into my two 2/2s, no tricks.

[Xyx]

AI has Skittering Heartstopper, I have a random 3/3. AI does not attack, but taps out for a discard spell. I wouldn't have blocked (because possibility of deathtouch) but now it can't block either.

[Xyx]

AI does not attack with Grasping Scoundrell when all I have is Grizzly Bears, but does so a turn later when it has a 1/4 to send along with it.

[shteev]

AI taps Ghosts of the Damned, which reduces damage dealt by my attacker, but the damage is still lethal.

It should be chump blocking instead.

[shteev]

AI blocked my 2/2 Rigging Runner with a 1/1 Rigging Runner and a 1/1 Merfolk (no combat effects).

He'd have been better off chump blocking with a single creature... or was he (mistakenly) trying to kill my creature?

[timmermac]

I was playing a quest matchup vs my super sliver deck when that deck had a Coat of Arms and 3 slivers, including 2 winged, out. I had no flyers and was at 16 life. It could have killed me in two turns, but elected not to attack and wound up dying. Shouldn't the AI be more aggressive when it has the tactical advantage?

[shteev]

Here, the AI blocks with 3 creatures, seemingly to kill my Brassclaw Orc; but then it sacrifices one of the blockers, resulting in my Brassclaw Orc surviving, but one of it's blockers dying anyway.

[shteev]

AI blocks with 1/1 Thallid instead of 1/1 Saproling token.