Mardu Energy goes wide quickly with Ocelot Pride tokens and Guide of Souls triggers, backed by Goblin Bombardment as a sacrifice outlet that makes spot removal less reliable. Engineered Explosives at 0 or 1 efficiently clears token swarms, while Damnation and The Meathook Massacre handle larger boards and punish their tendency to overextend. Quantum Riddler's exile effect is irrelevant against a linear creature strategy, and Soul Spike's two-card cost is too steep when you need clean, efficient answers. Keep your full suite of Fatal Push, Force of Despair, and hand disruption — Thoughtseize and Inquisition of Kozilek are critical for taking Goblin Bombardment and Ocelot Pride before they land. Sheoldred and Orcish Bowmasters are your best threats here, as both punish their aggressive life-trading and card-drawing patterns.