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Drafting With Tiago – LLL #39

Draft With Tiago Chan... every day at StarCityGames.com!
Tiago Chan, Portugal’s Magic dynamo, takes us by the hand and leads us through the choppy waters of a triple-Lorwyn draft on Magic Online. He shares each and every pick, from one to forty-five, and supplies expert commentary on the draft and the games. For more detailed information, visit the forums!

Draft:

Pack 1:










Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Goldmeadow Harrier, Fistful of Force, Eyeblight’s Ending, Soulbright Flamekin, Inkfathom Divers,
Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Wellgabber Apothecary, Battle Mastery, Lys Alana Scarblade, Changeling Hero, Thoughtweft Trio

Pick: Eyeblight’s Ending

Pack 2:










Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Goldmeadow Harrier, Glimmerdust Nap, Warren Pilferers, Soulbright Flamekin, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Treefolk Harbinger, Hearthcage Giant, Sentry Oak

Pick: Warren Pilferers

Pack 3:










Kinsbaile Balloonist, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Peppersmoke, Paperfin Rascal, Nath’s Elite, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Cenn’s Heir, Boggart Forager, Goatnapper, Hunter of Eyeblights, Shelldock Isle

Pick: Peppersmoke

Pack 4:







Stonybrook Angler, Thieving Sprite, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Hillcomber Giant, Streambed Aquitects, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Faerie Trickery, Warren-Scourge Elf, Rebellion of the Flamekin

Pick: Streambed Aquitects

Pack 5:







Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Blades of Velis Vel, Cenn’s Heir, Ringskipper, Black Poplar Shaman, Squeaking Pie Sneak, Fallowsage, Battle Mastery

Pick: Fallowsage

Pack 6:







Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Herbal Poultice, Oakgnarl Warrior, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Fire-Belly Changeling, Veteran of the Depths, Hunter of Eyeblights, Wanderer’s Twig

Pick: Wanderer’s Twig

Pack 7:







Boggart Loggers, Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Veteran of the Depths

Pick: Boggart Loggers

Pack 8:




Kithkin Healer, Kithkin
Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Needle Drop, Scattering Stroke

Pick: Mournwhelk

Pack 9:




Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Wellgabber Apothecary, Battle Mastery

Pick: Inkfathom Divers

Pack 10:




Springleaf Drum, Glimmerdust Nap, Soulbright Flamekin, Exiled Boggart, Heal the Scars, Hearthcage Giant

Pick: Glimmerdust Nap

Pack 11:




Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Broken Ambitions, Boggart Forager, Goatnapper, Shelldock Isle

Pick: Shelldock Isle

Pack 12:

Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Warren-Scourge Elf, Rebellion of the Flamekin

Pick: Nightshade Stinger

Pack 13:

Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Ringskipper, Battle Mastery

Pick: Ringskipper

Pack 14:

Herbal Poultice, Protective Bubble

Pick: Protective Bubble

Pack 15:

Nightshade Stinger

Pick: Nightshade Stinger

Pack 16:










Whirlpool Whelm, Leaf Gilder, Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Streambed Aquitects, Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Broken Ambitions,
Nath’s Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Ethereal Whiskergill, Fodder Launch, Captivating Glance, Brigid, Hero of Kinsbaile

Pick: Streambed Aquitects

Pack 17:










Lash Out, Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Goldmeadow Harrier, Fistful of Force, Aquitect’s Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Flamekin Harbinger, Ego Erasure, Merrow Reejerey, Colfenor’s Urn

Pick: Merrow Reejerey

Pack 18:










Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Springjack Knight, Heal the Scars, Inkfathom Divers, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Nectar Faerie, Lammastide Weave, Squeaking Pie Sneak, Incandescent Soulstoke

Pick: Inkfathom Divers

Pack 19:







Glimmerdust Nap, Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Aquitect’s Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Merrow Harbinger, Glarewielder, Surgespanner

Pick: Surgespanner

Pack 20:







Hillcomber Giant, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Dreamspoiler Witches, Battlewand Oak, Shimmering Grotto, Giant’s Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Flamekin Spitfire, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Horde of Notions

Pick: Dreamspoiler Witches

Pack 21:




Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Shields of Velis Vel, Fire-Belly Changeling, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Summon the School, Vivid Grove

Pick: Summon the School

Pack 22:







Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Giant’s Ire, Dawnfluke, Spellstutter Sprite, Fallowsage, Familiar’s Ruse

Pick: Fallowsage

Pack 23:




Hurly-Burly, Paperfin Rascal,
Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Boggart Forager, Prowess of the Fair, Hoofprints of the Stag, Mountain

Pick: Paperfin Rascal

Pack 24:




Adder-Staff Boggart, Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Broken Ambitions, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Captivating Glance

Pick: Broken Ambitions

Pack 25:




Aquitect’s Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Ego Erasure, Colfenor’s Urn

Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary

Pack 26:




Quill-Slinger Boggart, Springjack Knight, Heal the Scars, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer

Pick: Boggart Birth Rite

Pack 27:

Glimmerdust Nap, Aquitect’s Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net

Pick: Aquitect’s Will

Pack 28:

Giant’s Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Flamekin Bladewhirl

Pick: Lairwatch Giant

Pack 29:

Shields of Velis Vel, Amoeboid Changeling

Pick: Amoeboid Changeling

Pack 30:

Dawnfluke

Pick: Dawnfluke

Pack 31:










Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Silvergill Douser, Oblivion Ring, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with
Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Treefolk Harbinger, Boggart Shenanigans, Ceaseless Searblades, Sygg, River Guide

Pick: Sygg, River Guide

Pack 32:










Nath’s Elite, Neck Snap, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Moonglove Winnower, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Tar Pitcher, Briarhorn, Merrow Commerce, Ashling’s Prerogative, Forest

Pick: Neck Snap

Pack 33:










Bog-Strider Ash, Aethersnipe, Tarfire, Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Judge of Currents, Treefolk Harbinger, Rebellion of the Flamekin, Jace Beleren

Pick: Judge of Currents

Pack 34:







Whirlpool Whelm, Wispmare, Streambed Aquitects, Consuming Bonfire, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Wings of Velis Vel, Caterwauling Boggart, Inner-Flame Igniter, Woodland Guidance, Wanderwine Prophets, Plains

Pick: Streambed Aquitects

Pack 35:







Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Leaf Gilder, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Warren-Scourge Elf, Thorntooth Witch, Woodland Guidance, Twinning Glass

Pick: Wings of Velis Vel

Pack 36:







Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Wispmare, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Rootgrapple, Incremental Growth, Vivid Grove

Pick: Tideshaper Mystic

Pack 37:







Footbottom Feast, Lowland Oaf, Lignify, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Amoeboid Changeling, Spring Cleaning, Hoarder’s Greed

Pick: Lignify

Pack 38:




Wanderer’s Twig,
Bog-Strider Ash, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Glen Elendra Pranksters, Kithkin Harbinger

Pick: Judge of Currents

Pack 39:




Kithkin Healer, Axegrinder Giant, Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Boggart Shenanigans

Pick: Ponder

Pack 40:




Moonglove Winnower, Hunt Down, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Merrow Commerce, Ashling’s Prerogative

Pick: Merrow Commerce

Pack 41:




Herbal Poultice, Oakgnarl Warrior, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Treefolk Harbinger

Pick: Zephyr Net

Pack 42:

Whirlpool Whelm, Wispmare, Caterwauling Boggart, Woodland Guidance

Pick: Whirlpool Whelm

Pack 43:

Goldmeadow Dodger, Warren-Scourge Elf, Woodland Guidance

Pick: Woodland Guidance

Pack 44:

Oaken Brawler, Wispmare

Pick: Wispmare

Pack 45:

Ingot Chewer

Pick: Ingot Chewer


Final Decklist:

8 Island
6 Plains
2 Swamp
1 Aquitect’s Will
1 Eyeblight’s Ending
2 Fallowsage
2 Inkfathom Divers
2 Judge of Currents
1 Merrow Reejerey
1 Neck Snap
1 Paperfin Rascal
1 Ponder
1 Shelldock Isle
3 Streambed Aquitects
1 Summon the School
1 Surgespanner
1 Sygg, River Guide
1 Tideshaper Mystic
1 Warren Pilferers
1 Wellgabber Apothecary
1 Whirlpool Whelm
1 Wings of Velis Vel

Sideboard
1 Island
1 Amoeboid Changeling
1 Boggart Birth Rite
1 Boggart Loggers
1 Broken Ambitions
1 Dawnfluke
1 Dreamspoiler Witches
1 Glimmerdust Nap
1 Ingot Chewer
1 Lairwatch Giant
1 Lignify
1 Merrow Commerce
1 Mournwhelk
2 Nightshade Stinger
1 Peppersmoke
1 Protective Bubble
1 Ringskipper
1 Wanderer’s Twig
1 Wispmare
1 Woodland Guidance
1 Zephyr Net


I don’t like champion creatures that much, and I also don’t like Kithkin
that much, so it was easy to choose Eyeblight’s Ending over Thoughtweft
Trio. Pick 2 there’s nothing close to Warren Pilferers, and Pick 3… I think
Peppersmoke and Shelldock Isle are the two best cards in the pack, and
Peppersmoke is Black.


After the first booster I thought I was going for another Blue/Black control
deck, but as the first four picks of the second booster were Merfolks
(including Merrow Reejerey and Surgespanner), I decided I was going for a
Merfolk theme.


Pick 31 was interesting. I could stay Blue/Black and pick Silvergill Douser or I
could switch for White, since I already had some White cards. I figured I
could afford to switch into White, gaining Sygg, Summon the School (both at
maximum power) and Wellgaber Apothecary, losing Peppersmoke and
Dreamspoiler Witches, as I could splash Eyeblight’s Ending and Warren
Pilferers.


Pick 33 was also interesting. I think, in a Merfolk deck with Merrow Reejerey and
Summon the School, you want the maximum number of Merfolk you can, especially cheap
ones to gain tempo. Both uncommons I mentioned are more powerful if you
already have Merfolk in play before you play them. Judge is also quite good
against certain archtypes, so I picked it over Aethersnipe and Jace.


This was one of the hardest decks to build. I had 39 cards, 17 lands and 20
playables, and it took me a while to figure the last three cards for the
deck from these:


Aquitect’s Will
Tideshaper Mystic
Wanderer’s Twig
Broken Ambitions
Ponder
– Land


I wanted to hit land drops until turn 4, but my most expensive spell cost
five.
I wanted Merfolk if possible.
I figured I would be tapping out often.


I discarded Broken Ambitions and Wanderer’s Twig. I figured the three
combined – Ponder, Aquitect’s Will, and Tideshaper Mystic – could make up for
the 18th land, and I already had some clash cards in the deck. Mystic could
fix the colours, and the cheap cantrips plus the clash cards could act as
17.5 lands.


Round 1 I played against a Blue/White/Black/Red “good cards” deck.


Game 1 he had two Silvergill Dousers and a Changeling Hero, so eventually I
dropped too low on life, and he was very high. After he played some more
irrelevant guys, he was down to zero cards, while my hand was full and I had
twice as many lands. I was drawing three cards a turn, with two Fallowsage and
Summon the School. As soon as I drew a Judge of Currents or Sygg, I would
turn the game… then I realized I only had 14 minutes left on the clock and
he was at fifty life. I could win this game but not another one after, so I had
to concede even though I really liked my chances.


I sided in Peppersmoke for Warren Pilferers.


Game 2 I started with Streambed Aquitects and followed it with Fallowsage.
I drew two cards a turn for the rest of the game, at some point three when I
drew the second Sage. He was too far behind after the following: he
had Douser and Glen Elendra Pranksters untapped, and Mulldrifter tapped. I
attacked with two Fallowsages with Aquitects untapped. He blocked one with
the Pransksters, while the other got through. He played Shields of Velis-Vel to
pump the Faerie to 1/4 and used Douser on the unblocked guy, plus he returned
Mulldrifter to his hand. I played Wings of Velis-Vel to kill the Faerie, and then
I played another creature. At the beginning of the turn the board was even,
at the end of turn I had one more creature, two more cards in hand, and he
was down to a single Douser. Later, I drew Sygg which allowed me to win
faster. I had 7 minutes for Game 3.


Game 3 he kindly let me start, but it didn’t matter as I was always too
far behind on tempo. He made turn 2 creature, turn 3 Pestermite (Time
Walking me in my upkeep), turn 4 Faeries, turn 5Mulldrifter, then
double Aethersnipe. I couldn’t even stay alive against
that, let alone win in seven minutes.


See you tomorrow!


Tiago

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