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Drafting With Tiago – LLL #1

That’s right, folks: The “Drafting With…” series is back! Taking up where both Rich Hoaen and Kenji Tsumura left off, we have Level 6 Mage Tiago Chan. As before, Tiago takes us through a triple Lorwyn draft from pick 1 to pick 45, before sharing his insight on the draft and the games that followed. For more detailed draft debate, come to the forums!

Draft:

Pack 1:








Pestermite, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Consuming Bonfire, Wispmare, Stonybrook Angler, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Flamekin Spitfire, Fallowsage, Flamekin Harbinger, Primal Command

Pick: Lys Alana Huntmaster

Pack 2:








Cloudcrown Oak, Oblivion Ring, Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Woodland Changeling, Kithkin Greatheart, Amoeboid Changeling, Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Familiar’s Ruse, Kithkin Harbinger, Fallowsage

Pick: Oblivion Ring

Pack 3:








Dreamspoiler Witches, Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Silvergill Adept, Wizened Cenn, Turtleshell Changeling

Pick: Lys Alana Huntmaster

Pack 4:






Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Cenn’s Heir, Boggart Forager, Boggart Harbinger, Primal Command

Pick: Lys Alana Huntmaster

Pack 5:






Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Vivid Creek, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender, Rings of Brighthearth

Pick: Vivid Creek

Pack 6:






Wanderer’s Twig, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Boggart Shenanigans, Ego Erasure, Deathrender, Shields of Velis Vel

Pick: Wanderer’s Twig

Pack 7:






Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog Hoodlums, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Crush Underfoot, Vivid Creek

Pick: Lignify

Pack 8:




Bog-Strider Ash, Oakgnarl Warrior, Ponder, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Lys Alana Scarblade, Kithkin Mourncaller, Hearthcage Giant

Pick: Lys Alana Scarblade

Pack 9:




Hurly-Burly, Consuming Bonfire, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Flamekin Harbinger

Pick: Consuming Bonfire

Pack 10:




Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel

Pick: Wanderer’s Twig

Pack 11:




Hurly-Burly, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel

Pick: Hurly-Burly

Pack 12:


Inner-Flame Acolyte, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Boggart Forager

Pick: Elvish Handservant

Pack 13:


Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic

Pick: Spiderwig Boggart

Pack 14:


Protective Bubble, Boggart Shenanigans

Pick: Boggart Shenanigans

Pack 15:


Bog Hoodlums

Pick: Bog Hoodlums

Pack 16:








Goldmeadow Harrier, Glimmerdust Nap, Warren Pilferers, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Skeletal Changeling, Aquitect’s Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Crib Swap, Scattering Stroke, Sentry Oak, Guile

Pick: Crib Swap

Pack 17:








Consuming Bonfire, Wispmare, Thieving Sprite, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Hillcomber Giant, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Nath’s Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Seedguide Ash, Flamekin Spitfire, Flamekin Harbinger, Knucklebone Witch, Plains

Pick: Gilt-Leaf Ambush

Pack 18:








Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Giant’s Ire, Dawnfluke, Ethereal Whiskergill, Knight of Meadowgrain, Battle Mastery, Spinerock Knoll

Pick: Knight of Meadowgrain

Pack 19:






Lignify, Kithkin Healer, Deeptread Merrow, Kithkin Daggerdare, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Fire-Belly Changeling, Vivid Grove, Faerie Tauntings, Ethereal Whiskergill, Ingot Chewer

Pick: Kithkin Daggerdare

Pack 20:






Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Hornet Harasser, Elvish Branchbender, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect’s Will, Elvish Promenade, Entangling Trap, Windbrisk Heights, Hunt Down

Pick: Elvish Branchbender

Pack 21:






Kinsbaile Balloonist, Boggart Loggers, Adder-Staff Boggart, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Flamekin Spitfire, Vivid Crag, Spinerock Knoll

Pick: Triclopean Sight

Pack 22:






Bog-Strider Ash, Oakgnarl Warrior, Glimmerdust Nap, Fire-Belly Changeling, Skeletal Changeling, Aquitect’s Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Hoarder’s Greed, Lammastide Weave

Pick: Skeletal Changeling

Pack 23:




Hillcomber Giant, Caterwauling Boggart, Tideshaper Mystic, Broken Ambitions, Cenn’s Heir, Vivid Crag, Arbiter of Knollridge, Nightshade Stinger

Pick: Arbiter of Knollridge

Pack 24:




Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Aquitect’s Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Scattering Stroke, Sentry Oak

Pick: Kithkin Daggerdare

Pack 25:




Wispmare, Hillcomber Giant, Nath’s Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Flamekin Harbinger, Plains

Pick: Wispmare

Pack 26:




Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Giant’s Ire, Dawnfluke, Battle Mastery

Pick: Dawnfluke

Pack 27:


Ponder, Heal the Scars, Faerie Tauntings, Ingot Chewer

Pick: Ponder

Pack 28:


Herbal Poultice, Elvish Promenade, Hunt Down

Pick: Elvish Promenade

Pack 29:


Rootgrapple, Faultgrinder

Pick: Rootgrapple

Pack 30:


Lammastide Weave

Pick: Lammastide Weave

Pack 31:








Adder-Staff Boggart, Fertile Ground, Moonglove Extract, Hillcomber Giant, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Wings of Velis Vel, Caterwauling Boggart, Ghostly Changeling, Wren’s Run Vanquisher, Lys Alana Scarblade, Scion of Oona

Pick: Wren’s Run Vanquisher

Pack 32:








Moonglove Winnower, Whirlpool Whelm, Leaf Gilder, Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Streambed Aquitects, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Thundercloud Shaman, Silvergill Adept, Boggart Shenanigans, Hamletback Goliath

Pick: Leaf Gilder

Pack 33:








Leaf Gilder, Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Streambed Aquitects, Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Black Poplar Shaman, Shimmering Grotto, Elvish Eulogist, Giant’s Ire, Ceaseless Searblades, Giant Harbinger

Pick: Lys Alana Huntmaster

Pack 34:






Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Warren Pilferers, Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Turtleshell Changeling, Ghostly Changeling

Pick: Elvish Branchbender

Pack 35:






Weed Strangle, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Wellgabber Apothecary, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Kithkin Mourncaller, Ceaseless Searblades

Pick: Gilt-Leaf Seer

Pack 36:






Hillcomber Giant, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Oaken Brawler, Faerie Trickery, Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Boggart Forager, Goldmeadow Stalwart, Wild Ricochet

Pick: Warren-Scourge Elf

Pack 37:






Deeptread Merrow, Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Faerie Tauntings

Pick: Gilt-Leaf Seer

Pack 38:




Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite

Pick: Surge of Thoughtweft

Pack 39:




Adder-Staff Boggart, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Caterwauling Boggart, Lys Alana Scarblade

Pick: Lys Alana Scarblade

Pack 40:




Moonglove Winnower, Wispmare, Hunt Down, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Boggart Shenanigans

Pick: Moonglove Winnower

Pack 41:




Adder-Staff Boggart, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Giant’s Ire, Ceaseless Searblades

Pick: Ceaseless Searblades

Pack 42:


Herbal Poultice, Fistful of Force, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Lace with Moonglove

Pick: Fistful of Force

Pack 43:


Wellgabber Apothecary, Zephyr Net, Ceaseless Searblades

Pick: Ceaseless Searblades

Pack 44:


Lairwatch Giant, Boggart Forager

Pick: Lairwatch Giant

Pack 45:


Protective Bubble

Pick: Protective Bubble

Final Decklist:

Maindeck:

1 Crib Swap
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Surge of Thoughtweft
2 Lys Alana Scarblade
2 Elvish Branchbender
1 Elvish Promenade
1 Fistful of Force
1 Gilt-Leaf Ambush
2 Gilt-Leaf Seer
2 Kithkin Daggerdare
1 Leaf Gilder
1 Lignify
4 Lys Alana Huntmaster
1 Wren’s Run Vanquisher
2 Wanderer’s Twig
12 Forest
2 Swamp
3 Plains

Sideboard:

1 Arbiter of Knollridge
1 Bog Hoodlums
1 Boggart Shenanigans
2 Ceaseless Searblades
1 Consuming Bonfire
1 Dawnfluke
1 Elvish Handservant
1 Hurly-Burly
1 Knight of Meadowgrain
1 Lairwatch Giant
1 Lammastide Weave
1 Moonglove Winnower
1 Plains
1 Ponder
1 Protective Bubble
1 Rootgrapple
1 Skeletal Changeling
1 Spiderwig Boggart
1 Triclopean Sight
1 Vivid Creek
1 Warren-Scourge Elf
1 Wispmare


Pack 1 was average on power level… there were no clear cards standing out to me. I think it’s a decision between Pestermite and Lys Alana Huntmaster. Even though both cards are solid on their own, you really want more Elves with the Huntmaster. Pestermite doesn’t push you into Faeries, it just happens to be one. I still took the Huntmaster, keeping an eye on Elves. Pack 2 was weak, so I took the best card, Oblivion Ring. When I’m drafting Elves I don’t mind splashing White for Surge of Thoughtweft. For the rest of the booster I stayed on the Elves plan.


Pick 16 (Pack 2 Pick 1) I took Crib Swap, since I had two Wanderer’s Twig and I was almost definitely playing with Oblivion Ring. Crib Swap is also an Elf spell. Kithkin Daggerdare and Skeletal Changelling are not exciting as first picks. I did not get many Elves from this booster, but a 13th pick Elvish Promenade showed me it was probably because of the packs, Elves was open, and it made sense, as I drafted most of them in the first booster.


The third booster made my deck a little better, as 9 of my first 10 picks were Elves. The exception was a Surge of Thoughtweft I wanted, since mass pump is good when you have plenty of 1/1s, and I already had a couple of Kithkin Daggerdares. In the end I got the splash I was considering on Picks 2 and 16 – White for Oblivion Ring, Crib Swap, and Surge of Thoughtweft. I decided to run the Lys Alana Scarblade as well, as my mana could support them.


Round 1 I played against a White/Blue Kithkin deck. He won the roll and started with Goldmeadow Stalwart revealing Kinsbaile Skirmisher, followed by Cenn’s Heir. I started with Wren’s Run Vanquisher, so I took two from the Isamaru on turn 1, plus three from that same creature with the Skirmisher bonus, as I refused to trade. That five damage was all I took until a very large attack later on. The next turns saw the board fill with creatures. Usually Kithkin runs easily out of gas, but Fathom Trawl got him more spells including Wings of Velis Vel, which I had to play around. One turn he attacked me with everything, holding just the Wings. Thanks to Surge of Thoughtweft I managed to block favoring me, keeping Lys Alana Scarblade untapped as an insurance against the Wings. I lost the Elf tokens from Lys Alana Huntmaster, and Kithkin Daggerdare, while he lost four creatures. From here I managed to take control, winning on turn 19 by attacking with two 13/13 Forests. Game 2 did not happen, as we both mulliganed, but he kept a one-lander and never got there.


Round 2 I was up against a good Blue/Black deck. Game 1 we both mulliganed. I got a fine start of turn 2 Wren’s Run Vanquisher, turn 3 Lys Alana Scarblade, and turn 5 Lys Alana Huntmaster. He evoked Mulldrifter and later brought it back with Mannaquin, just like Constructed, but despite the card advantage, he didn’t have a good blocker this game. Scarblade killed his Ghostly Changelling, and Oblivion Ring dealt with Dread. Despite all the extra cards, he was forced to stay on defense the whole game.


Game 2 he curved out nicely: Ameboid Changeling, Pestermite, Hornet Harasser, Pestermite. I made turn 2 Kithkin Daggerdare and turn 4 Lys Alana Huntmaster, attacked with it on turn 5 to race, and pumped it for five damage. I passed. He attacked me with the two Pestermites and the two creatures… but I had Gilt-Leaf Ambush for three Elves. I blocked and lost the Daggerdare. After the attack, he had two Pestermites and his freshly cast creature left standing, to my Huntmaster and Elf token, but then I untapped, played Oblivion Ring and Elvish Branchbender, then a second Lys Alana Huntmaster, and won the race comfortably.


I split the finals.


See you tomorrow!


Tiago

Draft recording done by Blargware‘s MTGO DraftCap. Support Blargware!