Draft
This felt like a tough draft. Pretty easy early picks but a real lack of clarity on what’s open. The midpack Sauroform Hybrids nudged me into green, which looks correct in hindsight, but yeesh. Felt like Simic really dried up in pack 3 too.
Deck
So I can’t complain about the power level, but that curve looks clunky. Quench put in as emergency early interaction; not a good sign. Still–if I can stay alive–I have some good card advantage and powerful upside with the Gate Colossus, Mass Manipulation, the notorious TBG. If it doesn’t get run over, I think it stands a chance.
Results
- Round 1 vs. Gruul: oppo curves out the way I like to. Hand is a little clogged with 6-drops and a Locket and I get run over. Game 2 I run him over with Gate Colossus. Sweet revenge! Game 3 I get to Mass Manipulate and Gate Colossus, and that’s just a lot of power to have to answer.
- Round 2 vs. Gruul: I die one mana short of a Mass Maniplation to win. Second game, I get stuck on 4 mana even with the Sihana Wayfinder. Fun irony: I draw Quench only to have his Rhythm of the Wild make his things un-counterable. In case Quench almost became useful.
- Round 3 vs. Temur: Board state rapidly gets clogged with a fun combination of a 9/9 Galloping Lizrog & a Skatewing Spy facing off against my ground pounders. However the Prying Eyes gives me the tools to victory. Second game I was stable from the starting gun and pulled off a Mass Manipulation with X = 2 for the dagger.
Learnings
It definitely pays to be careful with how high the curve can be. Yes the power level is undeniable but getting stuck with a bunch of 5-drops is never a good time. Still, felt like it played well. No real shocks: cards that are good are in fact good (Mass Manip, Colossus, TBG).
Benalish Dad 