fbpx

Drafting With Tiago – LLL #8

Draft With Tiago Chan... every day at StarCityGames.com!
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:










Wispmare, Stonybrook Angler, Thieving Sprite, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Hillcomber Giant, Streambed Aquitects, Goldmeadow Dodger,
Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Incremental Growth, Squeaking Pie Sneak, Faerie Tauntings, Nath of the Gilt-Leaf

Pick: Nath of the Gilt-Leaf

Pack 2:










Lignify, Silvergill Douser, Oblivion Ring, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Aethersnipe, Tarfire, Needle Drop, Springjack Knight, Heal the Scars, Inkfathom Divers, Kithkin Harbinger, Sylvan Echoes, Merrow Reejerey

Pick: Oblivion Ring

Pack 3:










Moonglove Winnower, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Peppersmoke, Paperfin Rascal, Nath’s Elite, Moonglove Extract, Warren-Scourge Elf, Cenn’s Heir, Ringskipper, Faerie Harbinger, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender, Wild Ricochet

Pick: Moonglove Extract

Pack 4:







Dreamspoiler Witches, Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Peppersmoke, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Cenn’s Heir, Makeshift Mannequin, Guardian of Cloverdell, Goldmeadow Stalwart

Pick: Lys Alana Huntmaster

Pack 5:







Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect’s Will, Mournwhelk, Glen Elendra Pranksters, Vivid Marsh, Island

Pick: Elvish Branchbender

Pack 6:







Wanderer’s Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Kithkin Greatheart, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Shields of Velis Vel, Fire-Belly Changeling, Merrow Harbinger, Colfenor’s Urn

Pick: Skeletal Changeling

Pack 7:







Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Faerie Trickery

Pick: Boggart Loggers

Pack 8:




Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Skeletal Changeling, Aquitect’s Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Turtleshell Changeling, Guardian of Cloverdell

Pick: Skeletal Changeling

Pack 9:




Wispmare, Thieving Sprite, Hillcomber Giant, Goldmeadow Dodger, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Faerie Tauntings

Pick: Thieving Sprite

Pack 10:




Bog-Strider Ash, Needle Drop, Springjack Knight, Heal the Scars, Kithkin Harbinger, Sylvan Echoes

Pick: Bog-Strider Ash

Pack 11:




Moonglove Winnower, Warren-Scourge Elf, Cenn’s Heir, Ringskipper, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender

Pick: Moonglove Winnower

Pack 12:

Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Cenn’s Heir

Pick: Battlewand Oak

Pack 13:

Soaring Hope, Wellgabber Apothecary, Island

Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary

Pack 14:

Heal the Scars, Shields of Velis Vel

Pick: Heal the Scars

Pack 15:

Nightshade Stinger

Pick: Nightshade Stinger

Pack 16:










Pestermite, Leaf Gilder, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers,
Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Boggart Forager, Ceaseless Searblades, Squeaking Pie Sneak, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender, Hoofprints of the Stag

Pick: Leaf Gilder

Pack 17:










Lowland Oaf, Lignify, Weed Strangle, Kithkin Healer, Deeptread Merrow, Lash Out, Amoeboid Changeling, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Goldmeadow Stalwart, Captivating Glance, Shriekmaw, Herbal Poultice

Pick: Shriekmaw

Pack 18:










Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Fertile Ground, Black Poplar Shaman, Shimmering Grotto, Elvish Eulogist, Giant’s Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Goatnapper, Ceaseless Searblades, Hoarder’s Greed, Primal Command

Pick: Primal Command

Pack 19:







Avian Changeling, Bog-Strider Ash, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Boggart Shenanigans, Ego Erasure

Pick: Gilt-Leaf Seer

Pack 20:







Glimmerdust Nap, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Weed Strangle, Scarred Vinebreeder, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Entangling Trap, Turtleshell Changeling

Pick: Weed Strangle

Pack 21:







Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Battlewand Oak, Hurly-Burly, Paperfin Rascal, Dawnfluke, Nath’s Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Inner-Flame Igniter, Familiar’s Ruse, Rings of Brighthearth

Pick: Battlewand Oak

Pack 22:







Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Hornet Harasser, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Prowess of the Fair

Pick: Hornet Harasser

Pack 23:




Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Hillcomber Giant, Boggart
Forager, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Giant’s Ire, Dawnfluke, Flamekin Harbinger

Pick: Gilt-Leaf Ambush

Pack 24:




Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Boggart Forager, Ceaseless Searblades, Forge[/author]-Tender”]Burrenton [author name="Forge"]Forge[/author]-Tender

Pick: Warren-Scourge Elf

Pack 25:




Lignify, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Captivating Glance, Herbal Poultice

Pick: Lignify

Pack 26:




Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Elvish Eulogist, Giant’s Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Ceaseless Searblades

Pick: Ceaseless Searblades

Pack 27:

Bog-Strider Ash, Oakgnarl Warrior, Zephyr Net, Boggart Shenanigans

Pick: Bog-Strider Ash

Pack 28:

Scarred Vinebreeder, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Ingot Chewer

Pick: Gilt-Leaf Seer

Pack 29:

Nath’s Buffoon, Faultgrinder

Pick: Nath’s Buffoon

Pack 30:

Herbal Poultice

Pick: Herbal Poultice

Pack 31:










Moonglove Winnower, Plover Knights, Whirlpool Whelm, Leaf Gilder, Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Streambed Aquitects, Spellstutter
Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Changeling Hero, Imperious Perfect, Elvish Harbinger, Arbiter of Knollridge

Pick: Imperious Perfect

Pack 32:










Runed Stalactite, Nath’s Elite, Neck Snap, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Smokebraider, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, Vivid Marsh, Sentry Oak, Rebellion of the Flamekin, Spinerock Knoll, Harpoon Sniper

Pick: Nath’s Elite

Pack 33:










Goldmeadow Harrier, Fistful of Force, Eyeblight’s Ending, Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Cloudcrown Oak, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Elvish Promenade, Crush Underfoot, Thoughtweft Trio

Pick: Eyeblight’s Ending

Pack 34:







Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Consuming Bonfire, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Wings of Velis Vel, Caterwauling Boggart, Elvish Promenade, Knucklebone Witch

Pick: Lys Alana Huntmaster

Pack 35:







Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Fistful of Force, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Protective Bubble, Fire-Belly Changeling, Vivid Grove, Faerie Tauntings, Arbiter of Knollridge

Pick: Fistful of Force

Pack 36:







Glimmerdust Nap, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Bog Hoodlums, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Hoarder’s Greed, Lammastide Weave, Plains

Pick: Kithkin Daggerdare

Pack 37:







Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Amoeboid Changeling, Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Flamekin Harbinger

Pick: Footbottom Feast

Pack 38:




Adder-Staff Boggart, Hillcomber
Giant, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath’s Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Thorn of Amethyst

Pick: Thorn of Amethyst

Pack 39:




Moonglove Winnower, Wispmare, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Arbiter of Knollridge

Pick: Moonglove Winnower

Pack 40:




Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, Sentry Oak, Rebellion of the Flamekin

Pick: Rootgrapple

Pack 41:




Fistful of Force, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Elvish Promenade

Pick: Elvish Promenade

Pack 42:

Oaken Brawler, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Elvish Promenade

Pick: Elvish Promenade

Pack 43:

Herbal Poultice, Protective Bubble, Faerie Tauntings

Pick: Faerie Tauntings

Pack 44:

Bog Hoodlums, Needle Drop

Pick: Needle Drop

Pack 45:

Shields of Velis Vel

Pick: Shields of Velis Vel

Final Decklist:

Maindeck:

1 Eyeblight’s Ending
1 Footbottom Feast
1 Moonglove Winnower
1 Shriekmaw
2 Skeletal Changeling
1 Weed Strangle
1 Elvish
Branchbender
2 Elvish Promenade
1 Fistful of Force
1 Gilt-Leaf Ambush
2 Gilt-Leaf Seer
1 Imperious Perfect
1 Kithkin Daggerdare
1 Leaf Gilder
2 Lys Alana Huntmaster
1 Nath’s Elite
1 Primal Command
1 Moonglove Extract
1 Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
10 Forest
7 Swamp

Sideboard:

2 Battlewand Oak
2 Bog-Strider Ash
1 Boggart Loggers
1 Ceaseless Searblades
1 Faerie Tauntings
1 Heal the Scars
1 Herbal Poultice
1 Hornet Harasser
1 Lignify
1 Moonglove Winnower
1 Nath’s Buffoon
1 Needle Drop
1 Nightshade Stinger
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Rootgrapple
1 Shields of Velis Vel
1 Thieving Sprite
1 Thorn of Amethyst
1 Warren-Scourge Elf
1 Wellgabber Apothecary


Pick 2: No Green or Black card worth taking… our options are Tarfire, Oblivion
Ring, Aethersnipe, Silvergill Douser, and Merfolk Reejerey. I once had an
amazing Blue/Black deck splashing for Nath of the Gilt-Leaf where I also had
three Whirlpool Whelm. But usually, it’s unlikely that you’ll end up playing
both Nath and one of the Merfolk in the same draft deck. Picking one of the
merfolk, probably means that at some point in the draft you have to give up
either Nath or the Merfolk. This is a fine thing to do, when both your first
pick and second are quite good but in different directions, but in here we
have cards at roughly the same power level. They can also end up in the
same deck as a splash, and good enough that if the draft ends up being away
from Green/Black you don’t regret picking them Pick 2, like Oblivion Ring,
Aethersnipe, and Tarfire. Oblivion Ring seemed the most powerful one
following this logic.


Pick 3: Go for Nath with Nath’s Elite or Peppersmoke? I decided to hold a little
longer and pick Moonglove Extract.


Pick 4: It seems good to move into Elves.


P6: Skeletal Changeling over Wanderer’s Twig. He’s an Elf, and in my
colors… maybe I won’t need to splash the Oblivion Ring. I do know I’ll be
playing Green at this point, and there was some Black going on as well. It’s
more likely I’ll end up straight Green/Black than Green/White splash Black.


P32: Nath’s Elite over Vivid Marsh. By now, I feel I will end the draft with
more than enough playables in my colors, so I won’t need to splash. By
refusing to splash, and picking more Elves, I’ll have a larger selection of
cards in my colors to build my deck from, and that allows me to play more
Elves and less random stuff on color like Bog-Strider Ash, Battlewand Oak,
or Hornet Harasser.


I did manage to accomplish that, leaving many playables in the sideboard.
The deck ended all Elves except for Shriekmaw and Kithkin Daggerdare, as I
was afraid to have too many 1/1s that couldn’t attack. I sided out the
Daggerdare, because I was against aggro decks and always on the draw
after sideboarding, replacing him for Lignify.


Round 1 I played versus a Green/Red/Black deck, whose highlight was Vigor
and two Warren Pilferers.


Game 1 I started with turn 3 Gilt-Leaf Seer, turn 4 Imperious
Perfect, which he took some turns to kill, therefore I gained many free
tokens, and applied some beats with the 2/2 elves. They gave many defenses to
hold, even as 1/1. I played Primal Command when he had 4 cards in hand,
searching for Nath of the Gilt-Leaf and putting one of his lands on top. The
legendary Elf stayed in play, and was forcing discard and producing more elves
every turn. I killed his Vigor with Eyeblight’s Ending, and had an active
Elvish Branchbender, so we were onto the next one.


Game 2 he had turn 2 Fertile Ground followed by Cloudcrown Oak. I took
some attacks, as I didn’t want to block with my team: Skeletal Changeling,
Elvish Branchbender, Lys Alana Huntmaster. I exploded on turn 5 with
Elvish Promenade, but before I got time to count how many tokens I had, my
opponent killed them all and the Skeletal Changeling with Hurly Burly.
Following that I felt some adversities, as he had Vigor, Changeling Titan,
and I did not have two Black to play Weed Strangle. I had a Moonglove
Winnower to prevent Vigor from attacking, and I was chumpblocking Changeling
Titan. I played Gilt-Leaf Seer, and once I’d activated it I knew I was turning the
game. Put the Swamp on top, and Primal Command underneath. Played Weed
Strangle, won the Clash with The Green command, killed Vigor, gained 6 life,
and next turn played Primal Command for Shriekmaw. I turned the game from
here, even though he had the cute combo of Warren Pilferers plus Changeling
Titan going.


Round 2 I played versus a Kithkin deck splashing Shriekmaw


Game 1 he told me he kept (on the play 5) lands and two Goldmeadow Stalwart,
and his plays were one on the first turn, another one on the fourth. This
gave me time to set up. Turn 3 Elvish Branchbender, then Moonglove
Winnower, then some more elves and Elvish Promenade. He did not have any guys with which to
attack or block.


Game 2 I had an incredibly strong draw: turn 2 Leaf Glider, turn 3
Huntmaster, turn 4 Nath of the Gilt-Leaf, and I was still losing to an
Avian Changeling 3/3, backed up by Wizened Cenn and Kithkin Healer. I had to
make an attack to force him to tap the Healer, so I could play Moonglove
Extract to kill the Cenn, which bought me more time.


Eventually the board turned into something like this… He had Avian Changeling
attacking me for two every turn, with my life in single digits, plus
Kithkin Healer, Harpoon Sniper, and Shriekmaw on defense. He was at ten life.
I had many 1/1 Elves pumped to 2/2s by Imperious Perfect, and Lys Alana
Huntmaster. We’re both in topdecking mode, which favors me a lot, as I have
an extra 2/2 each turn from the Perfect, and eventually I will be able to
overwhelm his defenses. Plus, every Elf I drew counted as two, because of
Huntmaster. Finally, when my life was at 5, he stopped attacking with the
Avian, leaving everyone on defense as my army kept growing, and unless he
drew something that would win for him or turn the game upside down, I knew I had
the win a couple of turns later.


I split the finals.


See you tomorrow!


Tiago

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