Despite 1.5 being the most balanced version yet...

[FDL]

Not much to add to Glencocoe's post but this. You have to have a plan when you go first, AND a plan when you go second. If you hope to run your Puwen/Jas/Aldon into theirs, you will lose. You might still want to do it in order to save your health if you have a strong T4 (ability + ally) or T5 (Retreat + Ally, Dagger of Unmaking, boardwipe with Retreat and an ally for T6, etc...) play to retake the board and ways to deal late game damage to the hero. Otherwise, there are some good stall cards that will buy you time like Net Trap, Freezing Grip, Retreat, Gargoyle, Black Garb, etc. Learn to use them on the offensive and on the defensive.

If you can make it to turn 5 within 4hp of your opponent with more cards in hand, you're in great position.

There's also the best kept in the set.

[jacqui]

Going off of the statistics I keep of my own games, I have a 13% higher win rate going first. It is pretty clear going first has an advantage. And yes, I also prefer going first regardless of the deck I'm using. Whether or not that is too much of an advantage or not is subjective, but it is there.

[iClipse]

Here it usually doesn't matter going first or going second. In my opinion it's only important in mirror games and in the troll tourney ()

[Ballyworld]

I disagree as well that turn one is so important. i just finished a streak of eight games in a row going second with Victor and was something like 6-2 during the strech.

[Junk Style]

to those asking, i play lance atm, but have also played maj elad logan amber and boris in 1.5

And i will agree that first turn is most important in mirror match or mirroring allies. turn 3 or 4 aldon has won or lost me at least 6 games since the patch

in particular i had a lance v lance mirror match and i lost the game turn three from aldon. mirroring each other perfectly, but he was one turn ahead and therefor won in about 10-11 turns

[FDL]

I hate mirrors. Each hero (and some class) counters itself too well.

[Preybird]

I hate mirrors. Each hero (and some class) counters itself too well.

I agree. My mains are Gravebone and Elad, and mirror matches suck. Thankfully there aren't too many Gravebone players where I'm at. Elad however is a different story.

I find Mages do well going second, especially Elad. Her ability gives you an insane advantage with board control.

[stevevai1983]

I always want to play first.. for all my decks

[Preybird]

I always want to play first.. for all my decks

Gravebone yes. Elad I'm not too fussed to be honest.

[Junk Style]

Gravebone yes. Elad I'm not too fussed to be honest.

I think elad being a human and having such strong Burn and CC spell/tech cards gives makes going first much less important for her.

A lot of my go first vs second argument goes directly to the turn 2-4 puwen/aldon/jas/potl/IG/brut/dmt meta battle that happens in many many games. If you go second, and lose that initial 4 turn face off.... certain heroes have a harder time recovering than others and must rely on some draw luck/enemy draw fails. Other heroes can handle that better.

That said, i still find going first to be stronger.