Any one mana removal that relies on targetting things in combat can only be used on turn one when on the play if facing off against a hasting one drop like Goblin Guide
Finally, there are a couple ways to turn +1/+1 counters into direct damage without attacking
A seven-mana 5/5 flying creature with a ward of two mana, Emeritus of Ideation is an intimidating card to see on the battlefield before Ancestral Recall, a one-mana spell letting a target player draw three cards, is even considered
Freya Crescent Mana Value: R Rarity: Uncommon Type: Legendary Creature Rat Knight Stats: 1/1 Card Text: Jump During your turn this creature has Flying
5 1st Edition Shadowless Holographic Charizard Charizard has always been a fan-favorite
That's not a bad thing, the negative should outweigh the positive, that's what makes it a gamble, but losing it shouldn't cripple you irreparably