One early scorpion, early poison chip, is usually enough. Multiple scorps with deserts start locking down :life. Epoch is great early, to slow opponent down, but may slow self down in late game. With opponent damage chipped away and stabilized in defense, use EQ on 52 pickup for heavy (often lethal) spell damage. Neurotoxin, Epoch, Rejuv, LW are all tech and easily +/- from deck. If you feel you have exhausted your opponent's creatures, you can remove desert; you also kick Epoch out with LW own creature for faster play/draw for faster draw - drawing either more defense elements or offense.