Draft tournaments

[BcBudds]

I just played my first draft tournament today and got annihilated, does anyone have any tips on draft deck building ?

I also played the free 'mini-masters' tournament which was 'kind of' like draft I'm wondering if this was just for my LGS or everyone?

Btw not sure if this is the right section to post this.

[peepew]

Black and white exalted is real strong in m13 drafts. Also watch for cheaters my shop has one guy who wins every week and every week his deck is the exact same with a foil jace and nobody says anything because he's friends with the shop owners employee who runs the place

[Gorzo]

First pick of a pack is typically a bomb - that means "a card that, if not removed immediately from the game by your opponent, will win it for you." some M13 examples - {Sublime Archangel}, {Jace, Memory Adept}, {Xathrid Gorgon}, {Thundermaw Hellkite}, {Elderscale Wurm}

2nd pick - if no huge bombs are available, pick removal. These are cards that destroy/remove your opponent's bombs, creatures, or other stuff. Some M13 examples - {Murder}, {Flames of the Firebrand}, {prey upon}, {oblivion ring}, {encrust}

3rd pick - playable cards. Without a bomb or removal, you're left with the task of finding the most playable card. You may want to favor creatures, as you'll need a good 15 of em for your deck. Now, what I mean by "playable" is "a card that is likely to help." it's pretty subjective to your own opinion, but look at choosing between {Merfolk of the pear trident} vs {kraken hatchling}. Same color, same cost. The merfolk is going to be useless 95% of time, while the hatchling is going to be a solid blocker for you for most of the game. The hatchling is playable, pearl trident is not.

In addition, go by the 17-23 rule. 17 lands, 23 spells in your deck. I usually go for 15-18 creatures out of those 23.

And finally, learn to watch for color signals as you draft. If great cards of one color are passing by, it means not many people are taking that color! If you aren't yet set in your color scheme, it might be worth switching to that color. Same goes for if you notice a lack of good cards in a color you ate trying to take.

[BcBudds]

First pick of a pack is typically a bomb - that means "a card that, if not removed immediately from the game by your opponent, will win it for you." some M13 examples - {Sublime Archangel}, {Jace, Memory Adept}, {Xathrid Gorgon}, {Thundermaw Hellkite}, {Elderscale Wurm}

2nd pick - if no huge bombs are available, pick removal. These are cards that destroy/remove your opponent's bombs, creatures, or other stuff. Some M13 examples - {Murder}, {Flames of the Firebrand}, {prey upon}, {oblivion ring}, {encrust}

3rd pick - playable cards. Without a bomb or removal, you're left with the task of finding the most playable card. You may want to favor creatures, as you'll need a good 15 of em for your deck. Now, what I mean by "playable" is "a card that is likely to help." it's pretty subjective to your own opinion, but look at choosing between {Merfolk of the pear trident} vs {kraken hatchling}. Same color, same cost. The merfolk is going to be useless 95% of time, while the hatchling is going to be a solid blocker for you for most of the game. The hatchling is playable, pearl trident is not.

In addition, go by the 17-23 rule. 17 lands, 23 spells in your deck. I usually go for 15-18 creatures out of those 23.

And finally, learn to watch for color signals as you draft. If great cards of one color are passing by, it means not many people are taking that color! If you aren't yet set in your color scheme, it might be worth switching to that color. Same goes for if you notice a lack of good cards in a color you ate trying to take.

Thanks this helps out quite a bit

[Rass]

There were a few write ups on this in the gc

[Tumalc]

Nice write up Gorzo. It is appreciated.