I’ve been drafting a lot (and also playing Sealed) to prepare for Grand Prix Toronto. Let me tell you that this format is, in my opinion, the best small-set Limited format I have ever seen. The archetypes are pretty balanced and the games are interactive. I’ve really been enjoying it so far!
We’ve started off with a pretty great rare. Unfortunately there aren’t any good options in that color, but there are three great uncommons in the pack!
Pack 1, Pick 2
The Picks So Far:
The Pack:
The Pick:
I’ve been really impressed with Eternal of Harsh Truths. The creature has drawn me a card more than I expected. And even when it doesn’t, “Afflict 2” is always relevant. Combat warps around the card, and I’ve always been happy to pick it. I’m not taking it here, but I wouldn’t fault you if that was your decision.
Accursed Horde is a card that I still find a little difficult to evaluate. It’s certainly good in any black deck. A Hill Giant that can make itself indestructible on attacks is a card I would put in any deck. And being able to make any other attacking creature indestructible as well is awesome. Overall, I’ve found the Zombie deck to be not as good as it was in Amonkhet, though, so I’m less inclined to pair my white card with this black one, even though it is a Zombie card. Again, I wouldn’t fault you for taking this, but I’m not going to.
Burning-Fist Minotaur has really impressed me. I take two-drops very highly in Limited, and this one is about as good as it gets. It’s nearly impossible to block, or even attack into. It’s simple and elegant that the cheapest threat is just the pick, but that’s what I’m going for here!
Many players think the first picks are so important because they can dictate the rest of the draft, but this isn’t correct. The fact of the matter is that you could end up with a good deck regardless of which of these uncommons you choose. All have merit, but I’m going with the red one!
Pack 1, Pick 3
The Picks So Far:
The Pack:
The Pick:
I have not been impressed with Lethal Sting. The -1/-1 counter is a significant downside, as combat is so relevant to any game of Limited. The card is still good, and I love the first copy in all my black decks, but it doesn’t make me want to be black.
Ramunap Ruins is severely underrated. I think it’s worse than Open Fire but better than every other red common. Lands that have spell-like effects are just so powerful. And you get the Desert bonus to boot? I promise you should take Deserts higher than you do, especially the untapped uncommon ones. It’s likely that Ramunap Ruins is the correct pick, but from my last article, you should know that I have a soft spot for blue tempo cards.
I’ve had Nimble Obstructionist a couple of times, and it’s great. Certainly a first-pick-quality card. That fact of the matter is that a three mana 3/1 flash flier is just a great Magic card. The cycling text is pretty much just flavor text, but hey, it’ll save you once in a blue moon! I think blue is the best color, and seeing both Spellweaver Eternal and Nimble Obstructionist gives me hope that I can get a solid blue deck out of the draft. I’m taking it and moving in, but my guess is that in a week or so, blue will no longer be underdrafted and the pick will be close and lean towards the Desert.