A game is a race. Before you fight, count both clocks: how many turns each side needs to reach 8.
Count yours. Take the points you can score today. Add your Hold next turn. Does that reach 8?
Count theirs. Their Hold counts too. Can they get to 8 before you?
Score when you get there first. Make sure your point sticks: they must not be able to take it back.
Deny only when you must. Killing a unit that holds a battlefield stops its Hold. That matters when the Hold would be their 8th point. If it would only be their 7th, you're probably just trading.
Scrutinizing Sergeant: a big unit holding a battlefield. Killing it also stops its Hold.
Flame Chompers: small units. Trading them for a big one scores you nothing.
Quick check
You're on 6, they're on 6 and hold B with a big unit. Empty A is open, and a trade would kill their unit but score nothing. What do you count first?
Predict
Garen is on 3 and holds B. You're on 6 with two Flame Chompers, and empty A is open. Who wins the race if you take A?
How many turns a player needs to reach 8, counting their Holds and Conquers.
From the Core Rules (2026-10-09): 469–473 — Scoring · 471 — Hold · 473 — the Final Point
Try it on the table
2 drills
1Just Score
You're on 6, Garen is on 3. His Scrutinizing Sergeant (6) holds B; it has no Ganking[Ganking], so it can't move from B to A. You need two points: empty A today and your Hold of A tomorrow. He needs five. Your two Flame Chompers (3 each) could trade with his Sergeant, or score. Which wins first?
Need a hint?
Drag both Flame Chompers to A and Confirm. Then End Turn and press Next through Garen's turn.
The same idea, but you're both on 6. Garen's Scrutinizing Sergeant (6) holds B, and his two Demacian Diplomats (2 each) ready up on his turn. Your two Flame Chompers can trade with the Sergeant and stop his Hold, or take empty A. Count both clocks before you choose.
Need a hint?
Count both clocks: his Hold only makes 7. Drag both Flame Chompers to A and Confirm, then End Turn and press Next through Garen's turn.
