The more I draft Throne of Eldraine, the more I value staying open. But staying open in this format functions a bit differently from usual. In most formats, taking the most powerful card in any color is one way of staying open, and once the proper lane presents itself, there will be a natural pair with whatever awesome cards are in the pool so far. However, this strategy isn’t as fruitful as it usually is.
Most Draft formats have about eight strategies. Ten archetypes are designed, a couple of those archetypes aren’t particularly good, and then one odd variant emerges (often Five-Color Green). In this world, it’s not possible to always end up in a truly open lane. With eight players at the table, it’s rare to find full cooperation. And hence having access to raw power to glue together your pile of cards is important. This isn’t the case in Throne of Eldraine.
In this format, almost every archetype is viable. And rather than ten archetypes, there are fifteen. Furthermore, each of these archetypes has multiple variants depending on synergy. It’s why I believe that this is one of the best formats of all time when it comes to the experience of drafting. Because you can always find an open lane, prolonging archetypal commitment as long as possible is crucial. I value colorless cards in this format higher than I ever have. And the pack below has a good colorless card, and two very powerful uncommons. They’re both better than the colorless card, but is it by enough to justify not taking the card that keeps me the most open?
Pack 1, Pick 3
The Picks So Far:
The Pack:
The Pick:
Faerie Vandal and Drown in the Loch are good in every deck that can cast them, and completely broken in the decks that optimize them. Between the two, I believe Faerie Vandal is a better start to a draft. However, does having a Garruk in my pool change that? Splashing Garruk in Dimir is possible off some Golden Eggs, but in Dimir I believe Drown in the Loch is better than Faerie Vandal. Additionally, if I were to draft Golgari, I would much rather splash Drown in the Loch than Faerie Vandal. However, it’s entirely possible that what is open is Izzet, Simic, or Azorius, all of which I would rather have Faerie Vandal.
Overall, I think either uncommon is justifiable, and the pick is close between all three options. I ended up on Scalding Cauldron. I want to bias as hard as possible towards Garruk and staying the most open is crucial to this. It also means that I don’t plan on passing the card Golden Egg, which is what I picked up in the next two picks!
Now I can be any black or green deck and play Garruk easily!
Pack 1, Pick 9
The Picks So Far:
The Pack:
For additional context, since this was on the wheel, here is the pack the first time I saw it:
The Pick:
I found this pick quite difficult. Fireborn Knight was, in my opinion, the fourth-best card in that pack, and seeing it wheel is surprising, especially because there was a huge drop-off in power-level after it. But it’s very difficult to play alongside Garruk. However, I do know that if I had the option to take an Arcanist’s Owl, that would be the pick for sure. And Memory Theft isn’t even a great card. Even if the Oakhame Ranger in my pool was any other white payoff, I’d lean closer to Fireborn Knight. But I think it’s the worst of the hybrid uncommons. Still, should I really take a below-par common that’s a good sideboard card over speculating on Fireborn Knight?
Ultimately, I don’t know the answer to that question. I wouldn’t fault you for taking the uncommon, but I took Memory Theft. I think passing zero black cards to hard signal that black is not open has some value, and I think that value is higher than the probability I play Fireborn Knight. Another important note is that, with a Wishclaw Talisman, I effectively have two copies of Garruk, and leaning away from that kind of power is not something I’m comfortable with.
Pack 2, Pick 4
The Picks So Far:
Also, for additional context, I have a strong belief that white is open based on the packs that I have seen so far.
The Pack:
The Pick:
This pack really begs the question, “What is my second color?” Malevolent Noble is an above-par two-drop with awesome synergy with Wishclaw Talisman, and I want exactly one copy in my deck, but it’s too far behind the other three cards in this pack to justify taking.
Beanstalk Giant is the most powerful card, but green hasn’t presented itself with many good cards yet. And splashing Beanstalk Giant doesn’t feel great. If I end up with at least seven green sources in my deck, Beanstalk Giant may end up being one of the best cards in my deck thanks to the crazy top-end, but is that enough to take it? Wintermoor Commander is a strong card on both offense and defense, and I’m quite confident that white is open enough to be rewarded for this pick. Then again, it’s not a card I’m going to miss in the same way I would miss Beanstalk Giant.
I ended up taking Beanstalk Giant, but I also want to discuss So Tiny. With three Golden Eggs in my pool, I would strongly consider playing So Tiny off very few or even zero Islands. Interacting for one mana is amazing, and I think it’s the best blue common by a reasonable margin. Furthermore, it’s entirely possible that blue ends up as my second color anyway. I passed a lot of good blue in Pack 1. Given that, I don’t believe I’ll be paid off until Pack 3 and hence I don’t think it beats out Beanstalk Giant. But I believe many people wouldn’t even look at So Tiny, and I think not considering the card is a mistake.
Overall, I ended up in a deck that I deem Beauty and the Beast! It’s a funky and powerful deck with a variety of combos, synergy, and interaction. I haven’t played games with it yet, but I’m extremely excited to. Maybe I’ll even stream it this week! If you’re curious, here’s the full draft log.
