Which is worse: thinking you have a great deck that gets crushed or thinking your 40 cards are terrible and you… end… up… undefeated? Just what exactly is going on here?
Misjudgment
Pockets of Synergy
Had a very messy draft where I did the opposite of “try to lock in one color to maximize flexibility in subsequent packs” and had a bit of an Abzan stew. Got passed Toren in pack 2 and then forced GW despite a hilariously open UW spirits deck being opened at the table.
Getting the salt out of the system
Take a look at this beauty
I don’t think you can draw it up any cleaner than this. Two brine combers, a stack of Nurturing Presence, removal, a sweet rare. You cannot ask for more than this.
Except, maybe, winning a game.
Read moreReassessing blue’s signals
After taking my first stab at card reviews, I then started listening to the experts. And they have a great deal of expertise. I think some of my biggest misses were in blue. Let’s take a look. Here were my top three:
Homework: Crimson Vow Ratings
Time to dig into my homework before I get to hear “all the answers” from LR and Lords of Limited. Again, I’m impressed by how hard this is
First, here are my ratings for VOW: Benalish Dad Style. Again, I’m using my somewhat simplified tier system. I find shading the fine distinctions between a B+ and a B aren’t useful and too difficult for me to remember. So I put together a blunter tool that helps me navigate drafts.
- (A) Game-Changers. These are the bombs, the ones that can catch you up from behind, super powerful/efficient and/or source of repeated advantage. Preferably at least two of these.
- (B) Reasons. Aka “power”, they have one of the powerful sources mentioned above. They are a reason to play the color and you’re excited to draft them and play them.
- (B-) Draft-Changers. These are the build-arounds where, if properly supported, they could be very powerful. But you can’t just jam them into any deck like the Reasons
- (C+) Signals. The best commons. Usually removal or efficient low-cost creatures, since any deck in those colors eagerly drafts those cards. Hence if you see them pick 5-8, it constitutes a signal that the lane might be open.
- (C-) Variable Playable. These are cards that are playable, but usually fit different archetypes a little better or worse.
- (D+) Filler. While not embarrassing to play they’re not great. Maybe off-plan, inefficient, or in a weak archetype that you’d prefer to avoid.
- (F) Avoid. Maybe not stone-unplayable, but if these cards are never sleeved, you’re better off 99/100.
Benalish Dad 