The Brothers’ Grimm made a magic set! There is so much I loved about Throne of Eldraine. Hilarious cards (Belle of the Brawl was a personal favorite), great flavor, great art, and most important: really solid limited gameplay.

trophies

most drafted card

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It’s a tie between Rimrock knight and Silverflame Squire at 15! Let’s look at the other finalists: Youthful Knight at 12, Redcap Raiders at 12, Henge Walker at 13, Outflank at 11.

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I wonder if I have a type? For frame of reference, I drafted two Merfolk Secretkeepers all format.

personal lessons

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NEVER underestimate 1-drops. Cards that looked mediocre were either narrowly powerful or just outright good. One mana is just so powerful because it can fit well with a double-spell, drop early, &c.

Also I think this was the set where I realized that I have trouble drafting non-aggro decks. This will be something for me to focus on in Theros. Is it a card evaluation problem gap or something else?

land review

In a word, Eldraine basic lands were simply spectacular.

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I love the coiling vines of roses in particular, though they are all pretty great. There was also a neat cycle of basics that had the banners of each of the orders of knights tucked away in the background.

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As such, Eldraine richly earned a spot in the Land Box. The Swamps, as per usual, are most in dire need of upgrading so I think the will-o-the-wisp willow tree will be making an well-deserved spot.

Overall record: 41-29 (59%)

summary

I really loved Throne. I think it combined the best of really interesting drafting (rewarding flexibility, lots of nooks and color-pair-subtypes) and really solid gameplay. Adventure is an all-time limited mechanic in my book. I would put it on the top tier with Khans of Tarkir. Morph versus Adventure, tri-color wedges versus mono-ish, drafting lands versus #DelayTheDecision…Don’t make me choose between them.