For your entertainment today, I present two full Lorwyn draft walkthroughs from Magic Online. They were both 8-4 drafts, and both involved some interesting choices. Sorry for the lack of pictures… I’ll have that ironed out for the next time I walk through a draft. As usual, thanks to DraftCap for their software!
Pack 1:
Dreamspoiler Witches, Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Pestermite, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Pollen Lullaby, Vivid Creek, *, Mosswort Bridge, Boggart Forager
I was going back and forth in this pick between Dreamspoiler Witches, Vivid Creek, and Battlewand Oak, all for completely different reasons. The most powerful overall card in the pack is clearly Dreamspoiler Witches… however, I’ve never actually drafted a Black deck that has won a game in this format. I usually toggle between W/R Giants, U/W Merfolk/Faeries, G/W Treefolk/Kithkin, or G/U/R/W Fertile Ground Or Bust. Those are my comfort zone archetypes, and one of the most important thing about drafting (and being successful at it) is drafting decks that you are very familiar with, just like in Constructed.
Vivid Creek appeals to me since first picks tend to be pretty irrelevant in this format, and first picking a universal card that can aid me in a powerful splash doesn’t seem that bad given the blehness of this particular pack. Battlewand Oak is one of my favorite dudes in this format, since he is insanely hard to block in a G/W deck if you have any amount of tricks and a decent amount of removal. He also reminds me a lot of Coldsnap draft for some reason, since once you have him you just go balls-to-the-wall Treefolk, often getting several copies of him in the process, since he is a little under the radar right now.
Despite all these things going in my head, I decided to take the best Blue card in the pack for a few reasons.
1) It’s Blue.
2) If I take it here it might not be too hard to cut the person I’m passing to off Blue, thus ensuring more quality picks.
3) Blue is the best color in every format, including LLL limited.
Pick: Pestermite
Pack 2:
Oakgnarl Warrior, Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Goldmeadow Harrier, Fistful of Force, Eyeblight’s Ending, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Shields of Velis Vel, Fire-Belly Changeling, Sylvan Echoes, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Ethereal Whiskergill, Mirror Entity
This is actually my first time seeing this pack. As soon as it popped up on the screen I auto picked Mirror Entity without even thinking. Pretty busty pack though, with tons of quality playables spread across several different archetypes.
Pick: Mirror Entity
Pack 3:
Streambed Aquitects, Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Runed Stalactite, Neck Snap, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Warren Pilferers, Blades of Velis Vel, Seedguide Ash, Kithkin Mourncaller, Nettlevine Blight
This pack brought an interesting choice, since this is the pack that decides my route for the draft. I have the option to dip into Green by choosing Lys Alana Huntmaster, for a GW Aggro deck enhanced by Mirror Entity. I could take the on-color removal with Neck Snap. Or take Warren Pilferers to pick up my dead Mirror Entity. Or hope for a W/R deck with Consuming Bonfire. Or head for a U/W Merfolk deck with Streambed Aquitects.
Pick: Streambed Aquitects
Pack 4:
Wanderer’s Twig, Avian Changeling, Bog-Strider Ash, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Needle Drop, Captivating Glance
Pick: Avian Changeling
Pack 5:
Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Boggart Harbinger, Kithkin Mourncaller, Blind-Spot Giant
Up to this point I had two Blue cards and two White cards. Both White cards have synergy with the W/R Giant deck, and there hasn’t been any decent Blue in two packs. Kithkin Healer isn’t exactly my idea of an acceptable 5th pick since I almost always cut him to make room in the crowded three-drop slot. I suppose I could take Ponder here, but if Giants is being passed to me I’d be missing a big opportunity by not taking the Blind-Spot Giant, so I confidently added him to my stack to keep my options open.
Pick: Blind-Spot Giant
Pack 6:
Inner-Flame Acolyte, Paperfin Rascal, Nath’s Elite, Wings of Velis Vel, Caterwauling Boggart, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender, Favor of the Mighty
Hmm, three good Blue cards.
Pick: Wings of Velis Vel
Pack 7:
Kithkin Healer, Deeptread Merrow, Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Fire-Belly Changeling, Skeletal Changeling, Aquitect’s Will, Spring Cleaning, Scattering Stroke
Pick: Deeptread Merrow
Pack 8:
Moonglove Winnower, Whirlpool Whelm, Wispmare, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Giant’s Ire, Dawnfluke, Merrow Commerce
Pick: Whirlpool Whelm
Pack 9:
Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Rootgrapple, Crush Underfoot, Boggart Forager
Pick: Crush Underfoot
Pack 10:
Oakgnarl Warrior, Deeptread Merrow, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Shields of Velis Vel, Sylvan Echoes
Pick: Skeletal Changeling
Pack 11:
Runed Stalactite, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Warren-Scourge Elf, Kithkin Mourncaller
Pick: Runed Stalactite
Pack 12:
Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Captivating Glance
Pick: Captivating Glance
Pack 13:
Axegrinder Giant, Exiled Boggart, Heal the Scars
Pick: Axegrinder Giant
Pack 14:
Goldmeadow Dodger, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
Pick: Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
Pack 15:
Herbal Poultice
Pick: Herbal Poultice
Pack 16:
Moonglove Winnower, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Peppersmoke, Paperfin Rascal, Nath’s Elite, Moonglove Extract, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Imperious Perfect, Ceaseless Searblades, Vivid Meadow, Masked Admirers
Gawd, it’s such a kick in the gnards to open such a juicy pack and have to take the 3rd best card.
Pick: Moonglove Extract
Pack 17:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Aethersnipe, Tarfire, Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Shields of Velis Vel, Fire-Belly Changeling, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Battle Mastery, Turtleshell Changeling, Drowner of Secrets
I almost timed out on this pick. Turning down an Aethersnipe is something I rarely do, I assure you… however, Drowner is just far too absurd in the right deck. This is also the point of no return in regards to Red or Blue as my secondary color, since I wouldn’t be able to put enough playables together to make a R/W deck unless I was passed extremely high quality stuff.
Pick: Drowner of Secrets
Pack 18:
Springleaf Drum, Goldmeadow Harrier, Glimmerdust Nap, Warren Pilferers, Soulbright Flamekin, Springjack Knight, Heal the Scars, Inkfathom Divers, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, *, *, Vivid Marsh
Pick: Goldmeadow Harrier
Pack 19:
Avian Changeling, Warren Pilferers, Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Aethersnipe, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, *, *, Vivid Meadow
Those *’s are starting to get really annoying, and I apologize. It might have something to do with some kind of coding error with the Vivid lands since it seems that there is always one in the same pack.
This pick features Avian Changeling opposite Aethersnipe. Given my commitment to Merfolk it felt wrong to take Aethersnipe here… however, I could be extremely wrong. This is the most questionable pick of draft I think, and given the already semi-crowded three-drop slot it might be correct to take Big Snipes.
Pick: Avian Changeling
Pack 20:
Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Runed Stalactite, Neck Snap, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Wings of Velis Vel, Caterwauling Boggart, Wizened Cenn, Boggart Shenanigans
Honestly, I really hate Neck Snap. It’s such an awful removal spell, and I feel so dorky every time I cast it. Plus I’ve got a lot of Changelings to make Wizend Cenn efficient if I get a few more Kithkin in the next 25 picks.
Pick: Wizened Cenn
Pack 21:
Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Fertile Ground, Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Dawnfluke, Broken Ambitions, Makeshift Mannequin, Guardian of Cloverdell
Pick: Broken Ambitions
Pack 22:
Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Cenn’s Heir, Ringskipper, Shimmering Grotto, Ethereal Whiskergill, Scattering Stroke
I really should have taken Ethereal Whiskergill here. There just aren’t enough sizable creatures to make the Balloonist worth it. Every time I play him in the U/W deck it’s so awkward, since all of my creatures either already have flying or I don’t want to attack with them. Definitely not worth his casting cost in this archetype.
Pick: Kinsbaile Balloonist
Pack 23:
Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Boggart Harbinger, Entangling Trap
Pick: Kinsbaile Skirmisher
Pack 24:
Kinsbaile Balloonist, Peppersmoke, Paperfin Rascal, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart
This should have been Triclopean Sight.
Pick: Kinsbaile Balloonist
Pack 25:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Herbal Poultice, Oakgnarl Warrior, Shields of Velis Vel, Amoeboid Changeling, Battle Mastery
Pick: Amoeboid Changeling
Pack 26:
Springleaf Drum, Heal the Scars, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Vivid Marsh
Pick: Springleaf Drum
Pack 27:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Boggart Birth Rite
Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary
Pack 28:
Spellstutter Sprite, Caterwauling Boggart, Boggart Shenanigans
Pick: Spellstutter Sprite
Pack 29:
Oaken Brawler, Dawnfluke
Pick: Oaken Brawler
Pack 30:
Cenn’s Heir
Pick: Cenn’s Heir
Pack 31:
Pestermite, Leaf Gilder, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Flamekin Spitfire, Fallow sage, Boggart Harbinger, Doran, the Siege Tower
After doing a quick check on the Online price of Doran (1 ticket), I had to decide between Fallowsage and Pestermite, with the Pestermite being much more reliable and a better finisher. On the other hand I could commit myself to a hardcore Merfolk deck though, especially since I already have two good outlets to make Mr. Fallows insane.
Pick: Pestermite
Pack 32:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Aethersnipe, Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Familiar’s Ruse, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender, Makeshift Mannequin, Dolmen Gate
I got destroyed by Dolmen Gate at the prerelease, and given its impressive effect I rated it a bomb. It might be, but in a true Merfolk deck Judge of Currents is clearly a superior pick here. Another detractor about Dolmen Gate in UW is that none of your ground pounders ever attack, and are there mostly for defensive purposes.
Pick: Dolmen Gate
Pack 33:
Lowland Oaf, Aethersnipe, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Cloudcrown Oak, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Amoeboid Changeling, Spring Cleaning, Vivid Meadow, Sylvan Echoes, Auntie’s Hovel
‘Bout time.
Pick: Aethersnipe
Pack 34:
Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Stonybrook Angler, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Cenn’s Heir, Boggart Forager, Vivid Creek, Captivating Glance, Wanderwine Prophets
Pick: Stonybrook Angler
Pack 35:
Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Mulldrifter, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Boggart Shenanigans, Boggart Harbinger
If I had taken Fallowsage and Judge of Currents earlier, this pack it would have made for a much more interesting pick, with the Judge most likely winning. But I didn’t take those cards, and Mulldrifter is an extremely welcome 5th pick.
Pick: Mulldrifter
Pack 36:
Adder-Staff Boggart, Fertile Ground, Hillcomber Giant, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Giant’s Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Vivid Meadow
Pick: Sentinels of Glen Elendra
Pack 37:
Whirlpool Whelm, Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Nath’s Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Entangling Trap
Pick: Whirlpool Whelm
Pack 38:
Axegrinder Giant, Footbottom Feast, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Lys Alana Scarblade, Kithkin Mourncaller
Pick: Ponder
Pack 39:
Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel
Pick: Faerie Trickery
Pack 40:
Herbal Poultice, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Familiar’s Ruse, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
Pick: Ponder
Pack 41:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Spring Cleaning, Sylvan Echoes
One noteworthy feature about Protective Bubble is when combined with Mirror Entity and enough lands on turn 4 you can kill your opponent unhindered three turns later.
Pick: Protective Bubble
Pack 42:
Tideshaper Mystic, Cenn’s Heir, Boggart Forager, Captivating Glance
Pick: Tideshaper Mystic
Pack 43:
Springleaf Drum, Soaring Hope, Boggart Shenanigans
Pick: Springleaf Drum
Pack 44:
Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Lairwatch Giant
Pick: Stinkdrinker Daredevil
Pack 45:
Goldmeadow Dodger
Pick: Goldmeadow Dodger
Final Decklist:
Maindeck:
1 Goldmeadow Harrier
2 Ponder
1 Whirlpool Whelm
1 Amoeboid Changeling
1 Kinsbaile Skirmisher
1 Stonybrook Angler
1 Whirlpool Whelm
1 Wizened Cenn
2 Avian Changeling
1 Mirror Entity
1 Moonglove Extract
2 Pestermite
1 Streambed Aquitects
1 Broken Ambitions
1 Faerie Trickery
1 Kinsbaile Balloonist
1 Oaken Brawler
1 Sentinels of Glen Elendra
1 Mulldrifter
1 Aethersnipe
9 Island
8 Plains
Sideboard:
1 Axegrinder Giant
1 Blind-Spot Giant [FOIL]
1 Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender
1 Captivating Glance
1 Cenn’s Heir
1 Crush Underfoot
1 Deeptread Merrow
1 Dolmen Gate
1 Drowner of Secrets
1 Goldmeadow Dodger
1 Herbal Poultice
1 Protective Bubble
1 Runed Stalactite
1 Skeletal Changeling
1 Spellstutter Sprite
1 Kinsbaile Balloonist
2 Springleaf Drum
1 Stinkdrinker Daredevil
1 Tideshaper Mystic
1 Wellgabber Apothecary
1 Wings of Velis Vel
Round 1 – Phu Q Dao
Phu is a phrantic phriend phrom the phantastic city of Houston, and a phiendishly phrieghtening mage when it comes to Limited phormats.
Game 1
Ah, my first game back to Magic Online in about 4 months. After Phu cast a turn 2 Flamekin Spitfire, my two Pestermites in hand weren’t looking too appealing, so I traded one for the Spitfire and tapped one of his lands to stop him from playing a spell for the turn. The turn after he goes for an Inner-Flame Acolyte, but I tap it with my other Pestermite and follow it up with a Sentinels of Glen Elendra on his next turn. He was stuck on three lands the entire time and conceded. It was then that I noticed that he only had two cards in hand, along with only four in play and one in the graveyard! Hmm, he must have mulliganed to four…
Game 2
After a couple of Ponders on my side, Phu started to heat things up with a Boggart Harbinger chaining into another Harbinger, which eventually didn’t search for anything because he was behind on lands again this game. He got Flamekin Spitfire going with Ceasless Searblades, which dealt with my Pestermite before he dropped Chandra on me, and shotgunned my entire team in combination with the Spitfire over the next few turns.
Game 3
After curving out on the draw with turn 1 Flamekin Brawler, turn 2 Adder-Staff Boggart, turn 3 Incandescent Soulstoke, Phu failed to play another land and was stuck on three Mountains the entire game. He got me down to eight before Mirror Entity did him in, with Kinsbaile Balloonist and Goldmeadow Harrier holding the fort.
Round 2 – duotianshi203
Game 1
A turn 1 Ponder found another Ponder for me to ponder things with, but the second was met with a timely Spellstutter Sprite, which pretty much set the tone for the game. He got that freaking Fallowsage I passed to stick, and supported it with Pestermite and Wings of Velis Veil. I got him down to three with a few attacks with Kinsbaile Balloonist, Aethersnipe, and Sentinels of Glen Elendra. Eventually the cards he had drawn caught up with me though, and he overwhelmed me with dudes and made the life back up with Knight of Meadowgrain after taking down Snipes and Sentinels.
During sideboarding I brought in my Merfolk package, with Wellgabber Apothecary, Deeptread Merrow, Wings of Velis Vel, and Drowner of Secrets.
Game 2
This game I finally got the turbo Mirror Entity draw, with four dooders out by turn 4, and I killed him pretty quickly. His only disruption was an evoked Aethersnipe on my Entity on turn 5 or so.
Game 3
A turn 5 Drowner of Secrets ended up milling his entire library with the help of Deeptread Merrow, both Avian Changelings, Streambed Aquitects, and Ameboid Changeling all working in motion. He put up a little bit of a fight at the end with an Ethereal Whiskergill, but being his only attacker and me at a cozy 19 life, he couldn’t deal enough damage to catch up to my six cards a turn off the top.
Round 3 – runningreg
Game 1
I had an excellent starting hand that soon got destroyed by double Oblivion Ring, double Tarfire, and a Lash Out for good measure, while he beat down with an upgraded Adder-Staff Boggart and eventually finished me off with that stupid White Siege-Gang Commander dude [Cloudgoat Ranger — Craig]. There was also a ton of clashing that went on this game, and I didn’t win any of them… 0-6 while clashing game 1!
Game 2
After trading a few times, his hand was running low on supplies. Mulldrifter showed up and provided me with enough gas to kill his White Siege-Gang Commander dude, stabilize at four life, and take him down with my air force before he could find some burn to chuck at my dome. This game also saw me losing another two clashes.
Game 3
Lashed Out, Tarfired, Neck Snapped, and Bonfired into Oblivion. Nice removal. Nice face. I hate losing! White Siege-Gang Commander dude killed me in this one too. Another three clashes happened this game too, and thankfully I was able to win one of them, enabling my Whirlpool Whelm to bounce one of the Siege-Gang tokens to the top of his library. Despite being completely mauled by a better deck in the finals, I actually had a pretty enjoyable time playing Magic Online. But of course it had to crash while I was writing up my game reviews.
Sob sob.
…
Pack 1:
Adder-Staff Boggart, Fertile Ground, Moonglove Extract, Hillcomber Giant, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Warren-Scourge Elf, Blades of Velis Vel, Cenn’s Heir, Silvergill Adept, *, *, Thousand-Year Elixir, Mountain
It’s pretty common to open up a mediocre booster with no clear direction in this format, which has made Moonglove Extract a pretty acceptable first pick. I thought about going off the deep end and trying to draft a Thousand-Year Elixir, but this was my last draft set and papa needs to bring home some bacon.
Pick: Moonglove Extract
Pack 2:
Runed Stalactite, Nath’s Elite, Neck Snap, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Smokebraider, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Caterwauling Boggart, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Glarewielder, Faerie Harbinger, Hearthcage Giant, Needle Drop
This is another pack with little direction. Neck Snap, Smokebraider, and Sentinels are all a bit weaker than the Harbinger, who also gives me more options throughout the draft for splash options in the form of Changelings.
Pick: Faerie Harbinger
Pack 3:
Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Consuming Bonfire, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Wizened Cenn, Ceaseless Searblades, Kithkin Harbinger
Another bleh pack. Two good Green cards and two good White cards. I went to time on this one, and honestly just picked the thing closest to my mouse, which sadly was Wizened Cenn. Kithkin Harbinger is probably the worst of all the Harbingers, and I didn’t really want to bother shuffling my deck if I played with him. I really wanted to take one of the Green cards here as a signal to move in – which I should have – but I wanted a pick that could go with the Faerie Harbinger, and U/G isn’t a very good combination.
Pick: Wizened Cenn
Pack 4:
Glimmerdust Nap, Cloudcrown Oak, Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant
Pick: Cloudcrown Oak
Pack 5:
Warren Pilferers, Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Rebellion of the Flamekin
Pick: Fistful of Force
Pack 6:
Moonglove Winnower, Leaf Gilder, Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Caterwauling Boggart, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Hunter of Eyeblights, Howltooth Hollow
Pick: Leaf Gilder
Pack 7:
Kithkin Daggerdare, Weed Strangle, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Treefolk Harbinger, Seedguide Ash
Pick: Treefolk Harbinger
Pack 8:
Oakgnarl Warrior, Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Amoeboid Changeling, Prowess of the Fair
Pick: Oakgnarl Warrior
Pack 9:
Adder-Staff Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Blades of Velis Vel, Cenn’s Heir, Entangling Trap, Mountain
Pick: Mountain
Pack 10:
Runed Stalactite, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Caterwauling Boggart, Elvish Handservant, Hearthcage Giant, Needle Drop
Pick: Gilt-Leaf Ambush
Pack 11:
Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Rootgrapple, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder
I was extremely excited to see this guy table after completely cutting Green. This also means that I will probably have a fair amount of Green for the next pack, with the nearest Green drafter probably being a couple seats over.
Pick: Battlewand Oak
Pack 12:
Soaring Hope, Lace with Moonglove, Battle Mastery, Hoarder’s Greed
Pick: Lace with Moonglove
Pack 13:
Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Rebellion of the Flamekin
Pick: Lace with Moonglove
Pack 14:
Caterwauling Boggart, Goldmeadow Dodger
Pick: Goldmeadow Dodger
Pack 15:
Bog Hoodlums
Pick: Bog Hoodlums
Pack 16:
Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Neck Snap, Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Dawnfluke, Broken Ambitions, Nath’s Buffoon, Drowner of Secrets, Pollen Lullaby, Ego Erasure
I’ve already expressed my distaste for Neck Snap, but there just isn’t any other decent options.
Pick: Neck Snap
Pack 17:
Woodland Changeling, Kithkin Greatheart, Footbottom Feast, Lowland Oaf, Lignify, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, *, *, Merrow Reejerey, Colfenor’s Urn
Pick: Woodland Changeling
Pack 18:
Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Cloudcrown Oak, Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Needle Drop, Crush Underfoot, Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pick: Cloudcrown Oak
Pack 19:
Moonglove Winnower, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Peppersmoke, Paperfin Rascal, Nath’s Elite, Boggart Forager, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Vivid Marsh, Vivid Grove, Tideshaper Mystic
Pick: Nath’s Elite
Pack 20:
Wispmare, Thieving Sprite, Faerie Trickery, Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Boggart Forager, Guardian of Cloverdell, Lammastide Weave, Hoofprints of the Stag
The draft has pretty much been on autopilot, taking the best Green card in each pack up until this point. This isn’t a big decision, but Wispmare is the pick here, and the only reason Hoofprints made my pile is because its worth a 1/3rd of a ticket. Whenever you’re drafting online, the most important part is playing as much as you can, and taking the card that is worth slightly more will pay off in the long run if you draft enough.
Pick: Hoofprints of the Stag
Pack 21:
Wanderer’s Twig, Bog-Strider Ash, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Fire-Belly Changeling, Aquitect’s Will, Prowess of the Fair, Treefolk Harbinger, Guardian of Cloverdell
Pick: Treefolk Harbinger
Pack 22:
Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Lignify, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Veteran of the Depths
Pick: Lignify
Pack 23:
Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Giant’s Ire, Primal Command, Forest
Pick: Kinsbaile Balloonist
Pack 24:
Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Dawnfluke, Broken Ambitions, Nath’s Buffoon, Ego Erasure
Pick: Broken Ambitions
Pack 25:
Exiled Boggart, Heal the Scars, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Scattering Stroke, Colfenor’s Urn
Pick: Colfenor’s Urn
Pack 26:
Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Needle Drop
Pick: Spring Cleaning
Pack 27:
Peppersmoke, Boggart Forager, Hunt Down
Pick: Peppersmoke
Pack 28:
Guardian of Cloverdell, Lammastide Weave
Pick: Guardian of Cloverdell
Pack 29:
Protective Bubble
Pick: Protective Bubble
Pack 30:
Fertile Ground, Moonglove Extract, Hillcomber Giant, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Dreamspoiler Witches, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, *, Shriekmaw, Inner-Flame Igniter, Elvish Promenade, Arbiter of Knollridge
Arbiter of Knollridge is a complete house when you land him at the right time. However, I don’t think he’d be too great in this deck given its aggressive nature. I really didn’t want to take Shriekmaw here either, since I have zero cards to splash with, meaning I’d have to pick up at least two fixers and play a Swamp to be able to cast him reliably enough to warrant the pick. In the end I’d rather have the artifact removal spell than the more powerful less-consistent bomb.
Pick: Moonglove Extract
Pack 31:
Kithkin Healer, Deeptread Merrow, Lash Out, Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Shields of Velis Vel, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Vivid Grove, Nectar Faerie, Squeaking Pie Sneak
Pick: Avian Changeling
Pack 32:
Leaf Gilder, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Faultgrinder, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel, Thorntooth Witch, Elvish Harbinger, Timber Protector, Needle Drop
This was another interesting pick in a busty pack featuring many good cards for my deck. The difference between Timber Protector and Thorntooth Witch is a bit closer than Extract to Shriekmaw… however, the decision is practically the same. I also have two Treefolk Harbingers, and Timber Protector is another card – along with Changeling Hero – that makes them usable after the tutor effect.
Pick: Timber Protector
Pack 33:
Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Fertile Ground, Dawnfluke, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Wings of Velis Vel, Changeling Berserker, Boggart Shenanigans
Pick: Fertile Ground
Pack 34:
Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Battlewand Oak, Hurly-Burly, Plover Knights, Paperfin Rascal, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Makeshift Mannequin
Plover Knights would be a welcome addition to the deck, but I doubt there is a card I’d rather have than Battlewand Oak in this deck.
Pick: Battlewand Oak
Pack 35:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Herbal Poultice, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Woodland Guidance, Flamekin Harbinger, Goatnapper, Colfenor’s Plans
Pick: Bog-Strider Ash
Pack 36:
Hornet Harasser, Fistful of Force, Soulbright Flamekin, Heal the Scars, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Woodland Guidance, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Ceaseless Searblades
Pick: Fistful of Force
Pack 37:
Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Glimmerdust Nap, Soulbright Flamekin, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Wellgabber Apothecary, Merrow Commerce
Pick: Kinsbaile Skirmisher
Pack 38:
Hillcomber Giant, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Promenade
Pick: Hillcomber Giant
Pack 39:
Kithkin Healer, Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Shields of Velis Vel, Nectar Faerie, Forest
Pick: Kithkin Daggerdare
Pack 40:
Leaf Gilder, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Faultgrinder, Goldmeadow Dodger, Needle Drop
Pick: Leaf Gilder
Pack 41:
Dawnfluke, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Boggart Shenanigans
Pick: Black Poplar Shaman
Pack 42:
Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Nath’s Buffoon
Pick: Hunt Down
Pack 43:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Herbal Poultice
Pick: Quill-Slinger Boggart
Pack 44:
Heal the Scars
Pick: Heal the Scars
Final Decklist:
Maindeck:
2 Treefolk Harbinger
1 Kithkin Daggerdare
2 Leaf Gilder
1 Woodland Changeling
1 Avian Changeling
2 Battlewand Oak
1 Gilt-Leaf Ambush
2 Cloudcrown Oak
1 Kinsbaile Balloonist
1 Changeling Hero
1 Nath’s Elite
1 Timber Protector
1 Oakgnarl Warrior
2 Fistful of Force
1 Lignify
2 Moonglove Extract
1 Neck Snap
11 Forest
6 Plains
Sideboard:
1 Black Poplar Shaman
1 Bog Hoodlums
1 Bog-Strider Ash
1 Broken Ambitions
1 Colfenor’s Urn
1 Faerie Harbinger
1 Fertile Ground
1 Goldmeadow Dodger
1 Guardian of Cloverdell
1 Heal the Scars
1 Hillcomber Giant
1 Hoofprints of the Stag
1 Hunt Down
1 Kinsbaile Skirmisher
2 Lace with Moonglove
1 Mountain [FOIL]
1 Peppersmoke
1 Protective Bubble
1 Quill-Slinger Boggart
1 Spring Cleaning
1 Wizened Cenn
The final decklist turned out real spicy. After playing with Oakgnarl Warrior I’d much rather have had Bog-Strider Ash in that spot, but I didn’t lose any games because of it so I can’t really complain. I wanted it in there as a Harbinger tutor target for the late game, but there are just so many other more important Treefolk that he is much too low on the totem pole to be realistically relevant.
It really plays like a well-oiled machine, and with so many Treefolk, Battlewand Oak is near unstoppable once you untap, especially with the Harbinger synergies and Changeling Hero. The Harbingers also do a damn good job of setting up favorable Clashes for the pair of Fistful of Force and Nath’s Elite. While Kinsbaile Balloonist didn’t even make the cut in my last draft, here he is a force to be reckoned with, by strapping wings onto my trees enabling a much quicker kill.
Round 1 – secretstash
Game 1
My opening hand for this one was 2 Forest, 1 Plains, Cloudcrown Oak, Treefolk Harbinger, Changeling Hero, Moonglove Extract. Turn 1 Harbinger searched up Battlewand Oak to fill out the curve, and secretstash took some serious beatings from it while all he could muster was a Theiving Sprite and Dreamspoiler Witches. After Changeling Hero stuck, he scooped.
Since he was playing Swamps, I boarded in Bog-Strider for the super clunky Oakgnarl Warrior.
Game 2
This opening hand wasn’t as good with 2 Forest, Leaf GIlder, Cloudcrown Oak, Treefolk Harbinger, Nath’s Elite, and Moonglove Extract. After tutoring for Battlewand Oak again with Harbinger on turn 1, I drew the necessary land to cast Cloudcrown Oak a couple of turns later and curved out nicely. He put up a bit of a fight with Dreamspoiler Witches, killing Battlewand Oak with Eyeblights Ending and blocking Cloudcrown to kill it after playing another instant. The turn after I dropped Nath’s Elite, and he had to make an awkward trade to deal with it. Bog-Strider Ash finished him off by Swampwalking over.
Round 2
BYE!
This was so disappointing. Not only do I have to sit around and wait for some schmuck to play in the finals, but I also don’t get to play with this busted deck.
Round 3 – bad action
Game 1
After mulliganing to six, I had a slow start with Kithkin Daggerdare on turn 2 and Cloudcrown Oak on turn 4. Treefolk Harbinger showed up, but since I only had four lands I couldn’t get any of the juicy targets, and had to fetch another Cloudcrown Oak to replace my other (killed by Boggart Loggers). The second Cloudcrown met a Weed Strangle, and I was dead in water with Fistful of Force and Neck Snap in hand, while bad action built a team of Lowland Oaf, Adder-Staff Boggart, and Caterwauling Boggart.
Game 2
I mulliganed again, this time on the play, into a hand of 2 Forest, Plains, Changeling Hero, Avian Changeling, Treefolk Harbinger. I drew into Cloudcrown Oak and played Treefolk Harbinger on my second turn to thwart any unlucky clashes from Adder-Staff Boggart, putting Battlewand Oak on top. Lash Out killed Battlewand before he ever attacked, and thankfully I drew another land to cast Cloudcrown Oak the turn after Avian Changeling fell to a Moonglove Extract. Muddbutton Torchrunner clogged the red zone, so Changeling Hero came down championing Harbinger.
The Shriekmaw I passed pack 3 came back to haunt me, and took out Changeling Hero. Treefolk Harbinger fetched Timber Protector this time, and I got an attack in for 4 with Cloudcrown on my next turn, with Harbinger and Protector on defense to his Torchrunner, Lowland Oaf, and Soulbright Flamekin. On his turn he won the Clash on Weed Strangle, taking Timber Protector out and putting him at a lofty 22 life to my 13.
The next turn he dropped Warren Pilferers, getting Boggart Loggers back, and waited a turn before killing Cloudcrown Oak. All the while I was drawing lands and couldn’t keep up with his insane removal-heavy B/R deck. Which is pretty disappointing, since my deck did what it was designed to do that game… he just had all the removal in the World to deal with me.
Sob sob.
Yeah, thats all I got for this week, so I’ll leave you with my fantasy picks for Worlds that will be underway by the time you read this, barring some kind of catastrophic event. I really wish I could go, but unfortunately real life stuff has been kicking my butt lately, and I have a lot of work to get done before Christmas and several heavy deadlines to meet.
Top 8 Picks: Paulo Vitor Damo Da Rosa, Katsuhiro Mori, Antonino De Rosa, Rich Hoaen, Tiago Chan, and Yuuta Takahashi as my 6th.
PV and Mori I picked because of their back to back Worlds Top 8’s. Ant has been overdue this entire year, with no Top 8 finishes other than his three-peat at Nationals. Hoaen is also pretty overdue in PT success as well. Tiago Chan is a bit of a risky pick, but I think he’ll come through and make Saitou sweat out the POY title.
Thanks for reading,
Kyle
…
Top 5 Picks
1) Jesus Christ – Brand New
2) Us Placers – Lupe Fiasco, Kanye West, & Pharrell ft. Thom Yorke
3) My Blue Heaven – Taking Back Sunday
4) Ernie, the Fastest Milkman in the West — Bennie Hill
5) This Is Not An Exit – Saves the Day