tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43047149622348144422024-03-05T19:24:35.703-08:00Going Infinite on MTGORoihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-89395446694415920632014-03-27T13:25:00.000-07:002014-03-27T13:25:08.352-07:00Triple BNG Draft #1It's been a while since I've posted here. Blame it on school, or life, or whatever. In any case, I have a bit of time to myself, so I figured I would take some time to analyze a recent draft, and maybe restart this blog.<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago, during the BNG release events, there were special triple BNG drafts going on. Now, I haven't been especially enthused with the triple THS draft format, but triple BNG blew me away. I'm missing it for sure. It's gone by now, so the advice in here won't be as relevant, but the card evaluations should still help with BNG-THS-THS drafts.<br />
<br />
So, let's get started!<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 1:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/charging_badger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pharagax_giant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sphinxs_disciple.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epharas_radiance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_starbreaker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/deepwater_hypnotist.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/crypsis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/grisly_transformation.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pillar_of_war.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/archetype_of_imagination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/acolytes_reward.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/kiora_the_crashing_wave.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/kiora_the_crashing_wave.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
P1P1 Kiora is a no brainer. Powerful bomb and worth money (which matters when we draft with going infinite in mind). There really aren't many other interesting cards in this pack. Archetype of Imagination is a blowout late-game, and Acolyte's Reward leads to 2-for-1's left and right, but apart from that, the only really exciting card is the Pharagax Giant.<br />
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Pack 1 pick 2:
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<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/revoke_existence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_wolf.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epiphany_storm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/servant_of_tymaret.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/loyal_pegasus.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/elite_skirmisher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_resolve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/asphyxiate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/siren_of_the_fanged_coast.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/stormcaller_of_keranos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sanguimancy.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/siren_of_the_fanged_coast.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
P1P2 shows a lot more promise. Already we have Nyxborn Wolf, Asphyxiate, and Siren of the Fanged Coast. Asphyxiate, unfortunately, does very little for me when I'm being beaten down. Servant of Tymaret is a personal favorite, but at this stage, it's really not worth picking up unless I'm forcing a strategy with that and the Black Oak of Odunos. Mortal's Resolve and Revoke Existence are also very relevant picks, as is Sanguimancy. I end up picking up the Siren since I tend to prefer uncommons to commons (which really shouldn't be a reason) and it's in-color with Kiora.<br />
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Pack 1 pick 3:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_oathsworn.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/excoriate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_triton.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/warchanter_of_mogis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/impetuous_sunchaser.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/kragma_butcher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/everflame_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sunbond.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_triton.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
If we're going with Simic colors, this pack really only has two choices - the Setessan Oathsworn and the Nyxborn Triton, either of which I'm happy to pick up. I don't have any Heroic enablers right now (unsurprisingly) so I might as well pick up an enabler that is also a solid creature. Excoriate is also interesting, as are Rise to the Challenge, Everflame Eidolon, and Necrobite. Kragma Butcher would be great if I knew I was going for Boros aggro, but that's not in the gameplan right now.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 4:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/fearsome_temper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/hold_at_bay.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_starbreaker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_rollicker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/stratus_walk.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forlorn_pseudamma.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_firedancer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_firedancer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
This pack doesn't have much going for it. Stratus Walk is so-so, Setessan Starbreaker is a solid sideboard card, Karametra's Favor is a good Inspired enabler and ramp, but probably a 23rd card. Forlorn Pseudamma is great, but I'm not sure if it's great enough to venture outside my colors for, though now would be a good time for it. I pick the Satyr Firedancer because, while underwhelming in Limited, it is worth a ticket.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 5:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/servant_of_tymaret.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pharagax_giant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/retraction_helix.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/weight_of_the_underworld.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/stratus_walk.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nullify.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/ashioks_adept.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nullify.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Another underwhelming pack. There aren't any solid signals I'm getting yet for any color (though white may have been bled dry already) and I haven't exactly been sending the clearest of signals myself. Another Servant of Tymaret piques my interest. Weight of the Underworld is okay removal, and Retraction Helix is great utility. Nullify hits enough cards in this format that it's a good pick though.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 6:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/marshmist_titan.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_wolf.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/floodtide_serpent.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/divination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pheres_band_tromper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pinnacle_of_rage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pheres_band_tromper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Finally, a pack with cards I'm happy to pick. All of the Simic cards here are fine. Divination is solid as always, Floodtide Serpent is good enough in BNG since you can pretty reliably pick up a Stratus Walk or Karametra's Favor to get some great card draw recurrence. I pick up the Pheres-Band Tromper since warm bodies are always appreciated, and since it can get out of hand quickly. I might be signalling green too hard by passing these Nyxborn Wolves, but that couldn't be helped.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 7:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/excoriate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/warchanter_of_mogis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/impetuous_sunchaser.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/dawn_to_dusk.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/dawn_to_dusk.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
No green or blue in this pack makes me unhappy. Excoriate, Necrobite, and Dawn to Dusk are all solid picks here. I pick Dawn to Dusk since it's an uncommon and is enchantment removal, which is pretty relevant. Excoriate may have been the better pick, since removal is amazing in all formats, but I figure that if I need one, I can pick one up down the line. I also don't give too much thought to this pick since I doubt I'll end up in Bant colors.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 8:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epiphany_storm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/hold_at_bay.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/cyclops_of_one_eyed_pass.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aspect_of_hydra.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_resolve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/skyreaping.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_resolve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Looking back, Skyreaping would have been the pick to make since my final 40 was lacking flying interaction. That said, any of the green cards in this pack were solid picks. Since I didn't know how heavy green I would end up being, I picked the Mortal's Resolve over the Aspect of Hydra. The rest of the cards aren't particularly interesting.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 9:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/charging_badger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epharas_radiance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/crypsis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/grisly_transformation.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/charging_badger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Crypsis is a nice trick, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Charging Badger. The badger it is.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 10:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epiphany_storm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_resolve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sanguimancy.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_resolve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Another Mortal's Resolve is the most interesting card in this pack.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 11:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Culling Mark should never hit the final 40. I think it's more likely for me to splash black for removal than red for a combat trick, so I pick up the Necrobite.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 12:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Karametra's Favor isn't a terrible pickup. I'm not going for the mill win, so it's a no-go on the Evanescent Intellect.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 13:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Another Favor is fine with me. It cantrips and ramps! While Satyr Wayfinder helps mana, it is an incredibly underwhelming card.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 14:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Not the land, not the land!<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 15:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Okay, we'll pick the land.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 1:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_oathsworn.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/excoriate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aspect_of_hydra.jpg" style="border: 4px solid silver; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/warchanter_of_mogis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/impetuous_sunchaser.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/kragma_butcher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/archetype_of_imagination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/thunder_brute.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mischief_and_mayhem.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/felhide_spiritbinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/archetype_of_imagination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
We're pretty solidified in Simic colors now, with the possibility of splashing for a third. People often complain about not having the right fixing for tricolor but I haven't had issues with it yet, especially with Karametra's Favor. Fellhide Spiritbinder would be an interesting pickup, and Thunder Brute is great. Double red is painful, however. Not including Culling Mark, the green cards in this pack all could have arguments made for them, but I pick the Archetype because bombs win games.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 2:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/retraction_helix.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/bolt_of_keranos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_ardor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/akroan_skyguard.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nullify.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aerie_worshippers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/drown_in_sorrow.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/ragemonger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aerie_worshippers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Not much going for green in this pack. The snake is a fine pickup. Aerie Worshippers, however, is amazing. I considered both Drown in Sorrow and Akroan Skyguard, but double black is pretty prohibitive, and I don't want to deal with an off-color splash early game. That's too much of a gamble since the Skyguard is a card I really only want to see in my starting seven.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 3:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_triton.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swordwise_centaur.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epiphany_storm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/hold_at_bay.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/cyclops_of_one_eyed_pass.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sudden_storm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aspect_of_hydra.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_resolve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/vanguard_of_brimaz.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/kraken_of_the_straits.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/heroes_podium.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swordwise_centaur.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
More green combat tricks, but I'm low on creatures, so we'll pick up the Centaur. It's a great beater, too. The Triton would also have been a good pick, but my 2-drops needed filling out. Sudden Storm is also great for tempo plays, though it seems like it wouldn't be amazing, being effectively an overcosted Lyev Decree.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 4:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/marshmist_titan.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_wolf.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/floodtide_serpent.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/akroan_skyguard.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/impetuous_sunchaser.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pheres_band_tromper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/spiteful_returned.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/glimpse_the_sun_god.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pheres_band_tromper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Both of the uncommons in this pack would be excellent pickups, even for splashing. That said, I like the Tromper a whole lot better. It's sad to be passing yet another wolf though. It's very unlikely I'll pick one up on the wheel.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 5:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/servant_of_tymaret.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/weight_of_the_underworld.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/oreskos_sun_guide.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/stratus_walk.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nullify.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/peregrination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/odunos_river_trawler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/peregrination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Nullify stands out here, but packing too much countermagic can be the ruin of many draft decks. I pick Peregrination instead, since if I do splash for something, this will aid that greatly.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 6:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/bolt_of_keranos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_ardor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nullify.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/akroan_conscriptor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
It seems like the end deck will be heavier green than blue, so again we pass up the double blue symbols in favor of the strong green card in the pack. Hopefully this will dissuade others from leaning heavier into green.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 7:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/marshmist_titan.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/floodtide_serpent.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/impetuous_sunchaser.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pheres_band_tromper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/vortex_elemental.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/vortex_elemental.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
<br />
Looking back, picking the Tromper may have been the better pick here. That said, Vortex Elemental is a great way to clear up the field, and can even 2 for 1 late game.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 8:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_oathsworn.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/marshmist_titan.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_ardor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/fearsome_temper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aspect_of_hydra.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pain_seer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_oathsworn.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
The Pain Seer probably would have been a good pickup money-wise, but I think it was only half a ticket at the time. I pick the Setessan Oathsworn since I have a little bit of heroic support. Planning on snapping up the next Aspect of Hydra I see.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 9:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/warchanter_of_mogis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/impetuous_sunchaser.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mischief_and_mayhem.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mischief_and_mayhem.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
The only reasonable card in my colors this pack. Rise to the Challenge makes for a nice trick, but not enough for me to want to splash red.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 10:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/ragemonger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
A late snake is always fine to pick up. Looks like nobody's drafting Rakdos minotaurs.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 11:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epiphany_storm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/hold_at_bay.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/heroes_podium.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/necrobite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Another Necrobite. Looks like if I splash a color, it will be black.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 12:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/rise_to_the_challenge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Not a terrible inspired enabler. I probably should have picked up the Rise to the Challenge though, to make it so there was one less combat trick to worry about, but I've probably passed enough already that one more won't make a difference.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 13:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I begrudgingly pick the Satyr; if I really really need the 2-drop, I'll play it.<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 14:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Straightforward. Though that Mountain is tempting...<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 15:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Plains it is.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 1:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/excoriate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/scouring_sands.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/chorus_of_the_tides.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/felhide_brawler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swordwise_centaur.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/elite_skirmisher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/oreskos_sun_guide.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/divination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/gorgons_head.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/thassas_rebuff.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/siren_song_lyre.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/tromokratis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/tromokratis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Hoo boy, here we go. Both the green cards here are solid, though I prefer the Centaur to the Snake. Excoriate and Siren Song Lyre are both fine pickups, and I've been known to first pick Gorgon's Head, since repeatable removal is amazing. The bomb wins over all though. Tromokratis is a first pick I'm happy to see.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 2:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/weight_of_the_underworld.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sphinxs_disciple.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/warchanter_of_mogis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/revoke_existence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/scouring_sands.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/charging_badger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pheres_band_tromper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/asphyxiate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/fall_of_the_hammer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/cyclops_of_one_eyed_pass.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/peregrination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/spiteful_returned.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nessian_wilds_ravager.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nessian_wilds_ravager.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
The packs get better and better. I have yet to play with Sphinx's Disciple, but the card appeals to me a lot. The Tromper is also nice to see, but our top of curve isn't incredibly filled out yet, and the Nessian Wilds Ravager gets there nicely.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 3:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/fearsome_temper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/hold_at_bay.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_starbreaker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_rollicker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/stratus_walk.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_nyx_smith.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/unravel_the_aether.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/whims_of_the_fates.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_starbreaker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I think a picture broke above, but it probably wasn't anything spectacular. I've already picked up two Karametra's Favors, and am almost certainly not running a third, so I pick up the Starbreaker to fill out my sideboard.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 4:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/charging_badger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sphinxs_disciple.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epharas_radiance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/setessan_starbreaker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/deepwater_hypnotist.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/crypsis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/reckless_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/grisly_transformation.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/pillar_of_war.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/drown_in_sorrow.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/charging_badger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I only need one Starbreaker though. I pick up another Badger in hopes of grabbing a few Aspect of Hydras later. In hindsight, the Deepwater Hypnotist or Crypsis would have been a better pick.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 5:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/servant_of_tymaret.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/retraction_helix.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/weight_of_the_underworld.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/karametras_favor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/oreskos_sun_guide.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nullify.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/black_oak_of_odunos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/archetype_of_endurance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/retraction_helix.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
The Archetype of Endurance would be a nice pickup, but 8-drops don't appeal to me that much. I do have ramp from Karametra's Favor and Peregrination that will get me there, but I'd rather take the more usable combat trick. There's a Black Oak in this pack, so I'm sure we'll be seeing shenanigans with Servants.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 6:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/floodtide_serpent.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/felhide_brawler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epharas_radiance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/bolt_of_keranos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/crypsis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/grisly_transformation.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_rollicker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/fanatic_of_xenagos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/floodtide_serpent.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
The Fanatic of Xenagos is almost reason in and of itself to splash red, but I think I can draft a solid Simic deck. I grab the Floodtide Serpent for bouncing cantrip goodness.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 7:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/marshmist_titan.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/mortals_ardor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/fearsome_temper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aspect_of_hydra.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/claim_of_erebos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/thunderous_might.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sanguimancy.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/astral_cornucopia.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/aspect_of_hydra.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Aspect of Hydra is just what I wanted to see here. Only having one at this point isn't too great unfortunately.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 8:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/excoriate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/scouring_sands.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/chorus_of_the_tides.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/felhide_brawler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/oreskos_sun_guide.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/chorus_of_the_tides.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I'm realizing now I don't have great flying interaction, so I preference the Chorus of the Tides over the Snake.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 9:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forsaken_drifters.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/felhide_brawler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/snake_of_the_golden_grove.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/oreskos_sun_guide.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/divination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/gorgons_head.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/gorgons_head.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
Gorgon's Head this late is amazing. I don't need another high-costed creature, so I pick up the Gorgon's Head.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 10:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/weight_of_the_underworld.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sphinxs_disciple.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/warchanter_of_mogis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/revoke_existence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/peregrination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/sphinxs_disciple.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
The flier beats out additional ramp. Revoke Existence is a nice card to see this late, and is very splashable, but I'm on the flying track now.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 11:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/griffin_dreamfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/eye_gouge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/hold_at_bay.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/evanescent_intellect.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I guess I pick up the card in my colors. There's really only dregs at this point.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 12:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/epharas_radiance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/grisly_transformation.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/nyxborn_eidolon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I take out the most playable card in this pack. Neither of the auras are particularly worrying.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 13:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/great_hart.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/satyr_wayfinder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I don't think I'll need this at this point, but better safe than sorry, I guess.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 14:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/culling_mark.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
I think the land would have been the better pick here.<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 15:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/BNG/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
<br />
And a solid last pick in our colors. (Ignore the fact that it's colorless)<br />
<br />
<br />
Though I definitely made some poor picks in this draft, it didn't end up hurting me too badly, since my three amazing bombs brought me to a 3-0 win in the pod. I don't have the games on record, unfortunately, but I'll try to do match reports with my drafts from now on as well. We'll see if that happens. Until next time!Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-74236879630024134752013-07-04T01:28:00.001-07:002013-07-06T02:08:14.739-07:00Event TheorycraftingSo you want to make money, huh?<br />
<br />
This is probably the right post for you.<br />
<br />
This post will cover all sorts of events on MTGO and tell you why they're all bad ideas! (Well, not really.)<br />
<br />
For those of you who would otherwise go straight to the bottom, I'll give you the punchline now. If you want to make a net profit out of MTGO, either only do <b>constructed dailies</b> or consistently have <b>winning records</b>. That's all there is to it.<br />
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If you want to the crunch, carry on.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfBhDXnNvYvC4NS0INbMui1Xdl2_jpGsVC8d9wTap16gnxmA8U5P2nOHX5q_389jH0GCjZQJfbrweRgfwKoUyiFEjNVl12NRzHCXDS-caP8_4Q3Wql4eqGQo1cUvMrLfIUZS_VKmOaRIV/s787/Event+Stats.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicfBhDXnNvYvC4NS0INbMui1Xdl2_jpGsVC8d9wTap16gnxmA8U5P2nOHX5q_389jH0GCjZQJfbrweRgfwKoUyiFEjNVl12NRzHCXDS-caP8_4Q3Wql4eqGQo1cUvMrLfIUZS_VKmOaRIV/s320/Event+Stats.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above is a compilation of many events and their payout rates with respect to their total cost. For instance, for every 100 tix you put into playing 4-3-2-2 M13 Drafts, you can expect 63.74 out. Investmentwise, that's a pretty poor pick.<br />
<br />
I think what should stand out is that among all these events, which are fairly representative of the breadth of events offered, only two have payout rates above 100% - Momir Basic and Pauper (lines 5 and 6). These are the ones to do if you're new, want to get into an inexpensive format, and want to come out ahead. Momir Basic decks literally cost $10, and Pauper decks can range from 2 tix to perhaps 20 tix.<br />
<br />
Now, what makes these events so different from other events?<br />
<br />
There are two things to notice.<br />
<br />
First, these are daily events. They happen at specific times each day rather than firing once eight people convene, and also have many more than eight people playing at once. Note that not a single non-daily event has payout above 100%.<br />
<br />
"But King!", the astute among you say, "not all dailies have payout over 100%!" That is true. If you look at line 10 for the RTR Block Sealed daily, it has a poor 78.71% payout rate. That leads us to the second observation.<br />
<br />
Momir Basic and Pauper, unlike RTR Block Sealed, are constructed events, whereas RTR Block Sealed is a limited event. For the former, you bring your own deck, and for the latter, you open boosters and make something of them.<br />
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For those of you who don't know, opening boosters by themselves is a very, very bad idea financially.<br />
<br />
Limited events are almost just as bad. Constructed events are winners since once you buy into a deck, you're set! (Kind of. You still probably have to keep up with standard and whatnot, but that's the beauty of Pauper and Momir Basic.)<br />
<br />
So those are the two qualifiers. Constructed, and daily. <strike>Please don't try the two-player constructed queues. Their payouts are absolutely horrid. So horrid that even with a 100% winrate, you're still only getting an 80ish percent payout. (See the last line in the image above.)</strike><br />
<strike><br /></strike>
EDIT: A helpful reader has pointed out a miscalculation above. The payouts on two-player queues with a 50% winrate is 83.75%, and takes a 60% winrate to break even.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm sure some of you will be asking, "King, how can you extrapolate this to all constructed dailies? I'm sure that these two formats for cheapos like you pay alright, but what about for us people with money for standard?"<br />
<br />
Well, since the constructed dailies all have the same entry fee and payout structure, it's probably a fair deduction to extend what we know from Momir and Pauper to all constructed dailies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D5MPhQZxK8nGqYZzlrkASsjbU-msq7-5ZgSNaq6keV-GCMQaU1jjKzVkQqKdK5OYoEJuXZA25vr_e-GyIW_38zPqajYkYdXs-CbLFd41SxBjuHoaLyfbTYqmFg90_rK6RZ341rYJxihS/s305/Event+Theory.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-D5MPhQZxK8nGqYZzlrkASsjbU-msq7-5ZgSNaq6keV-GCMQaU1jjKzVkQqKdK5OYoEJuXZA25vr_e-GyIW_38zPqajYkYdXs-CbLFd41SxBjuHoaLyfbTYqmFg90_rK6RZ341rYJxihS/s305/Event+Theory.PNG" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This, by the way, is what an event's calculation looks like.</span></div>
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<br />
Okay. That was the easy part. Ready for the deeper analysis?<br />
<br />
Before we get into that, a quick note. If you've been looking closely, you'll see my chart skips from the "C" column to the "M" column. I've omitted several columns in the interest of space. Those columns detail mundane things used to calculate the total entry fee.<br />
<br />
Moving on, please note the green column in the image above, labeled "Win", short for win rate. This means that these calculations take into account a 50% win rate. For formats like Momir, where strategy takes the backseat to chance (though, let it not be said there is no strategy involved. That will be a later post.) a 50% winrate is definitely a safe assumption, but among other events where skill (and sometimes one's wallet) takes a much more prominent role, there will be varying winrates. Let's go ahead and take those into account.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6iLyrahoRXAJWcAkgnK6arB5PZpAyzOLrZeFbiVwyP6MajGc2T1POQFYKxV7onHPqLGgJyV8SF6p3wDo5toC0bessGiKz-UaFTfrB0AL2zej_4j3AnB5y7CtJ7Vl5ypiZczc0FqMNBY_/s546/Event+Theory+35%25.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6iLyrahoRXAJWcAkgnK6arB5PZpAyzOLrZeFbiVwyP6MajGc2T1POQFYKxV7onHPqLGgJyV8SF6p3wDo5toC0bessGiKz-UaFTfrB0AL2zej_4j3AnB5y7CtJ7Vl5ypiZczc0FqMNBY_/s320/Event+Theory+35%25.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL76V5RjuQrNdn6ru-AuM1kFcV5KifPST98H-akjbFyQ7-MLpNRtFgCXH_FIFnvTAwqbG0hREBCP8C-vK72DYWlhWKBaffcRArl9zfJREFxEBGWYzGdgQBQLIHzJAYTM-vyrYq7PTYgoCp/s545/Event+Theory+65%25.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL76V5RjuQrNdn6ru-AuM1kFcV5KifPST98H-akjbFyQ7-MLpNRtFgCXH_FIFnvTAwqbG0hREBCP8C-vK72DYWlhWKBaffcRArl9zfJREFxEBGWYzGdgQBQLIHzJAYTM-vyrYq7PTYgoCp/s320/Event+Theory+65%25.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above are two copies of the original chart, this time with 35% and 65% winrates to indicate some variance. There are some very interesting things to note here. First, dailies are very volatile. At a 35% winrate, it is more profitable (rather, you incur fewer losses) to draft than it is to do dailies. On the other hand, if you win 65% of the time, for every 6 tix payin for a daily, you can expect to walk away with 12. There's no question what events you should be doing at that point. What's more interesting is that at the 65% winrate, even some drafts (8-4 drafts) and limited dailies become profitable. It goes to show that, even if you don't pick winning events on average, you can still come out ahead by <b>winning</b>. Winners win.<br />
<br />
Note that the two-player constructed events are still very low, even at a 65% winrate. Eight-player redeems itself at the 65% winrate, but only barely.<br />
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</div>
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The last item of note is that the 4-3-2-2 drafts are rather stable. Even with a 30% swing in winrate, they swing proportionally to that. They're still not a good pick unless you're sure you're going to win very often. But seriously - it takes over an 80% winrate in 4-3-2-2 drafts to break even.<br />
<br />
I'm sure there's one more burning question on your mind - why do the RTR drafts and the M13 drafts have not only different entry fees, but different payouts? This is where pack prices come into play, and is probably the most tenuous part of my analysis.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvZO5o670L2418hmINL_FRler4ZKeZBHVlIb_vWkvRC5qsgJEZwYpTdNuA_XF_dluvU1w58A3BKr_BTJEkAUofc-R5vw1aJHuunrodkIUf2lpgFKVr3Q71VNRfq7pE3zZBnecnURYOhSQ/s317/Booster+Stats.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvZO5o670L2418hmINL_FRler4ZKeZBHVlIb_vWkvRC5qsgJEZwYpTdNuA_XF_dluvU1w58A3BKr_BTJEkAUofc-R5vw1aJHuunrodkIUf2lpgFKVr3Q71VNRfq7pE3zZBnecnURYOhSQ/s317/Booster+Stats.PNG" /></a></div>
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These prices haven't been updated in a week or so, but they're still relatively representative. I think RTR has shifted down 10 cents, and the ISD block might have changed. I don't really follow them. That's not the major part of this though, since the difference between their buy/sell prices (what you can reasonably expect to get from bots) will remain about the same. (An important note)</div>
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Here's what matters. When prices shift upwards but the gap remains the same, then daily events become more profitable as your entry fee is only in tix and the reward is constant in packs. At the same time, limited events become less profitable as the % of payout relative to entry fee is reduced, assuming a 50-50 winrate. The opposite is true for when prices drop. At some point, you might as well buy packs rather than participate in dailies for all you're getting, (though that is a very low point) but at the same time, the limited scene becomes more appealing. This is also due to the content value relative to the price of the pack.</div>
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This is probably the point of contention, the content value of a pack, or what you can reasonably expect to pull if you open a pack straightup. I haven't done the calculations for these, though I will at some point (at which point I will revisit this with fancy graphs and such). This value no doubt varies from pack to pack; DGM might be overvalued relative to GTC and RTR, but I'm fairly certain that the disparity in price of these packs is less due to their inherent value and more due to availability as DGM is by far the easiest pack to get one's hands on following an event.</div>
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Some quick analysis on content value. The actual values of these do not affect the earning power of constructed dailies at all since you're not ripping packs for those. Naturally, payouts in the limited scene move upwards if content value is higher than $1, and will drop if content value is lower than $1.</div>
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Now, my analysis has two other possible points of contention, and I'll close with those.</div>
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First, the disparity in buy-sell prices on booster packs is not accounted for in event payouts. This means that for reinvestors, actual entry fees are somewhere between 0.1 to 1 tix lower than listed, and payouts are subsequently adjusted (the percentage is also dependent on the event's inherent payout) upwards. When I say reinvestors, I mean those who do one event type continuously, like RTR drafts. This can help reduce the cost, but probably not significantly. (You get a free draft every ten to one hundred drafts, so it's really not major.)</div>
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Second, not everything is about money! Very true. This post concerned itself with the financial aspect of things, but don't forget, you're (hopefully) in this for fun! If you're not too concerned with the finances, the 66.83% returns on 8-4 M13 drafts should be heartening. Why is that? For the 10.1 tix entry fee, you get 6.683 tix back each time, meaning that after the first draft, you're on average only paying 4.3 tix per draft, a third of the price! That's excellent.</div>
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Let's put this into perspective. Going infinite is great. That's the ideal, to never have to pay for Magic again. But even without that, Magic can be very cost efficient. Let's consider the 8-4 M13 draft again, with a 50% winrate. Putting $100 in, we get ~10 drafts initially. But with that, we should get about 66 tix out, which is enough for another six drafts, and so forth. Therefore, we can use an infinite geometric series to calculate that on average, $100 spent will fund (10 / (1 - 0.6683)), or about 30, drafts. That's about $3 a draft, which definitely does not come out to the most expensive hobby out there.</div>
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In the end, it still holds. Either to constructed dailies, or win. That's how to make the most out of these events.</div>
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Of course, a final caveat. These numbers are all assuming you have the same winrate in each format, which might not be true! People are stronger in different formats, so maybe your 8-4 draft winrate is 75% while your Momir winrate is 40%. Let these dictate what events you play, not necessarily what I say here. Of course, there's also more subtlety in each event you can use to boost your winrates. I'll do my best to shed some light on that in future posts.</div>
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But I digress. There will be more talk about how to pay $0 per event. This is just to show you that it's not that bad even if you're not going infinite. It doesn't mean you shouldn't try though!</div>
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Have any additional commentary or analysis on something I missed? Please let me know!</div>
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Oh yeah, and happy fourth of July everyone!</div>
Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-36159970087274117892013-07-01T17:56:00.001-07:002013-07-01T17:56:46.827-07:00DGR Draft #2I'm slowly picking up some additional responsibilities this summer, so I probably will not be able to keep up a once-per-day update schedule. I will aim for every other day.
This post is another draft commentary, but I have some financial analysis of events coming up, so be ready for that!
Without further ado, let's get started.<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 1:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sunspire_gatekeepers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/warped_physique.jpg" style="border: 4px solid silver; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/runners_bane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/beetleform_mage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_sentinel.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/battering_krasis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/carnage_gladiator.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/warped_physique.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/turn_burn.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/blood_baron_of_vizkopa.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/blood_baron_of_vizkopa.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Blood Baron of Vizkopa seems like a strong pick. I haven't had the privilege to draft him before, but I am excited to this time. I doubt I will ever see his second ability go off, but even without it, he's definitely a game-changer. My only worry is how much black there is in this pack. If I had to pick something else, Turn//Burn would be my first pick, and after that, Beetleform Mage. Each is very strong in their own respect.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 2:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/armored_wolf_rider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rubblebelt_maaka.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/drown_in_filth.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/thrashing_mossdog.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fatal_fumes.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/murmuring_phantasm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gruul_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/armed_dangerous.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fluxcharger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/give_take.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fatal_fumes.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Going with the Orzhov theme, Fatal Fumes is great removal. This is a good pack for green for sure, with Thrashing Mossdog and Armed//Dangerous. The Rubblebelt Makka is also a good pick. I hope Hired Torturer wheels so I can pick him up.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 3:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_behemoth.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hidden_strings.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/tithe_drinker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_glider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/far_away.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/showstopper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/dimir_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/tithe_drinker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Lots of cluestones here. I'm hoping to pick up more extort along the way, so Tithe Drinker will fit in nicely. Far//Away is excellent removal, and it was a shame to pass that up. If I wanted to go more aggro, Gleam of Battle could have been a nice pick. I imagine I'll see one of the maze beasts or the Hidden Strings wheel, and I'd be more than happy to pick any of those up for pick 11.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 4:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/nivix_cyclops.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_rusher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_mastiff.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/phytoburst.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/smelt_ward_gatekeepers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/riot_control.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/wind_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/morgue_burst.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/restore_the_peace.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/goblin_test_pilot.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I'm fairly sure I'm going heavy Orzhov, or will try to force it, so I pick up the guildgate. There's nothing else particularly amazing in this pack, though it does signal red is open.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 5:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_rusher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/bane_alley_blackguard.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/phytoburst.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/opal_lake_gatekeepers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sinister_possession.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/kraul_warrior.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/korozda_gorgon.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
No amazing monoblack or monowhite cards, so it's time to look for a splash. Blue, red, and green all have excellent picks in this pack, but I prefer card draw, so I pick up a Pilfered Plans. Maybe that Dimir Guildgate from last pack will come back around?
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 6:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/simic_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/runners_bane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_sentinel.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/battering_krasis.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/restore_the_peace.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/give_take.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I wasn't so sure about this pick at the time; either Runner's Bane or Pilfered Plans also could have been a good pull. In hindsight, it was the right choice.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 7:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mutants_prey.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/riot_piker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/runners_bane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fatal_fumes.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/murmuring_phantasm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maw_of_the_obzedat.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fatal_fumes.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Fatal Fumes wins over Runner's Bane for removal, and I never really liked saccing creatures, so Maw of the Obzedat is out. If I had previously picked up Gleam of Battle, I would have taken the Boros Guildgate here.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 8:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hidden_strings.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/protect_serve.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
These packs are looking awfully similar. Protect//Serve is a good combat trick, but I don't have many creatures. If I were to pick a non-creature, I would probably opt for Hidden Strings, but I take the Maze Abomination instead.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 9:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/warped_physique.jpg" style="border: 4px solid silver; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/runners_bane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_sentinel.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
More options - removal, creature, or card draw. I pick the card draw, since I already have a bit of everything else.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 10:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/drown_in_filth.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gruul_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fluxcharger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/give_take.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fluxcharger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Nothing I could use here. If Take were less situationally useful, I would have considered it. As is, I don't want to face up against Fluxcharger, so I'll pick that with no intention of using it.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 11:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_glider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/showstopper.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_glider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I'm already solidly in not-red, so I take the Maze Glider. (What do you know, it did wheel.)
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 12:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/riot_control.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/morgue_burst.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/goblin_test_pilot.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
A Hired Torturer also wheeled. I'll take that. It's pretty clear few people are in blue.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 13:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_rusher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sinister_possession.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
It's been taunting me long enough. No intent to play Gleam of Battle though. Sinister Possession is just another non-creature I wouldn't use, so I won't pick it up.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 14:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_cluestone.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Another Pilfered Plans? I'm perfectly okay with this, especially at pick 14. Nobody in Dimir, it seems.
<br />
<br />
Pack 1 pick 15:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/riot_piker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/riot_piker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Riot Piker if I decide to splash red instead of blue. Not bad. But with three Pilfered Plans, I don't think I'm giving blue up.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 1:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/angelic_edict.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/devour_flesh.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/predators_rapport.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/basilica_guards.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/spell_rupture.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/simic_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/zarichi_tiger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/bomber_corps.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/martial_glory.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/psychic_strike.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/gift_of_orzhova.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skarrg_guildmage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/murder_investigation.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mind_grind.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/gift_of_orzhova.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Tons of white in this pack; this has me a little worried. Luckily, none of it is amazing, though the Gift of the Orzhova is a welcome pick-up. In hindsight, Mind Grind should have competed a little harder, it's a wincon to itself.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 2:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/scab_clan_charger.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/daring_skyjek.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/towering_thunderfist.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/bomber_corps.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/court_street_denizen.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wildwood_rebirth.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dimir_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/prophetic_prism.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/purge_the_profane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/psychic_strike.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/orzhov_charm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/burning_tree_emissary.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/tower_defense.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/daring_skyjek.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I really needed more creatures here, and Daring Skyjek made a little more sense than Court Street Denizen. If I weren't in such need of creatures, the Dimir Guildgate would have been welcome, as well as the Psychic Strike.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 3:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hands_of_binding.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/greenside_watcher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/devour_flesh.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/millennial_gargoyle.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/verdant_haven.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/sages_row_denizen.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/act_of_treason.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/balustrade_spy.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/psychic_strike.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ground_assault.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skullcrack.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/debtors_pulpit.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/balustrade_spy.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Hands of Binding really is an excellent card. Given that blue hasn't been heavily drafted, it might even wheel. I pick up Balustrade Spy for a flier and miller.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 4:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/contaminated_ground.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/greenside_watcher.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/way_of_the_thief.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ember_beast.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skygames.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/slate_street_ruffian.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/adaptive_snapjaw.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wojek_halberdiers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mugging.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/agoraphobia.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hold_the_gates.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wojek_halberdiers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I got greedy and thought I had a chance of splashing red, so I picked up a Wojek Halberdiers. It would have been better to stick with the worse, but in-color, Slate Street Ruffian, or Agroaphobia.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 5:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/knight_watch.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/last_thoughts.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dimir_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/naturalize.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/spell_rupture.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/slate_street_ruffian.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/merfolk_of_the_depths.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/rapid_hybridization.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/borborygmos_enraged.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dimir_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Lots of blue still. It's inevitable, I think, that someone else will go into blue. I pick up the guildgate for the sweet, sweet, mana fixing.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 6:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/predators_rapport.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/scorchwalker.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/leyline_phantom.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/guildscorn_ward.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/furious_resistance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/riot_gear.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mortus_strider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/cartel_aristocrat.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/boros_elite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/boros_elite.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Cartel Aristocrat may have been a better pick than Boros Elite, but I've never liked sac effects without some combo in mind.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 7:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/spire_tracer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/knight_watch.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/act_of_treason.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/nav_squad_commandos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/sages_row_denizen.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shattering_blow.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/burning_tree_emissary.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/rapid_hybridization.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/nav_squad_commandos.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Nav Squad Commandos is a good pickup. Knight Watch might have been a better pick though. Not too much stress over this one, however, since they're both siutationally useful.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 8:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/scatter_arc.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/last_thoughts.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/naturalize.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/armored_transport.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wojek_halberdiers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/serene_remembrance.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wojek_halberdiers.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I got greedy here and picked up another Wojek Halberdiers. Armored Transport would have been a more ubiquitously playable creature.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 9:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/devour_flesh.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/predators_rapport.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/spell_rupture.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/simic_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/martial_glory.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/psychic_strike.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/psychic_strike.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I don't plan on having huge creatures, so Spell Rupture is out. If I had a counterspell already, I would have picked Devour Flesh, but I didn't. Martial Glory makes that red splash look more appealing though...
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 10:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/towering_thunderfist.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wildwood_rebirth.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/purge_the_profane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/burning_tree_emissary.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/tower_defense.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/purge_the_profane.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Purge the Profane is the only thing remotely in my colors. Towering Thunderfist would also have been excellent. In hindsight, dropping blue for red may not have been a bad idea.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 11:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hands_of_binding.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/sages_row_denizen.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/psychic_strike.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skullcrack.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hands_of_binding.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Still a lot of blue here. Not many blue creatures, so Sage's Row Denizen is out. Hands of Binding is just great, so I pick that up over the Psychic Strike.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 12:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/contaminated_ground.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/way_of_the_thief.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skygames.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/way_of_the_thief.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Way of the Thief has great synergy with Stealer of Secrets, and not just because they both reference theft.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 13:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/merfolk_of_the_depths.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Paranoid Delusions isn't terrible for pick thirteen.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 14:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mortus_strider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mortus_strider.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Mortus Strider is possible to play. Don't know if I ever will though.
<br />
<br />
Pack 2 pick 15:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Game-changer right here. Nastiest zero-drop in the world.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 1:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/electrickery.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/paralyzing_grasp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/axebane_stag.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/annihilating_fire.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stab_wound.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/towering_indrik.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_guildgate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tower_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cobblebrute.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dramatic_rescue.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dark_revenant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/heroes_reunion.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rites_of_reaping.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/archon_of_the_triumvirate.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stab_wound.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
The greedy player in my wanted Archon of the Triumvirate, but Stab Wound is too amazing not to pick up here.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 2:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dispel.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/horncallers_chant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/pursuit_of_flight.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/trained_caracal.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stab_wound.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/knightly_valor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/towering_indrik.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/coursers_accord.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/skull_rend.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tablet_of_the_guilds.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rix_maadi_guildmage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_keyrune.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Another Stab Wound, but picking up a low drop creature wins out. Especially since it's Stealer of Secrets. Knightly Valor is also not a bad card.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 3:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/survey_the_wreckage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/axebane_stag.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/deviant_glee.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/splatter_thug.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/destroy_the_evidence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tower_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/knightly_valor.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/common_bond.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/golgari_longlegs.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_justiciar.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/lyev_skyknight.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/conjured_currency.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/lyev_skyknight.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I didn't want the double white symbols, so Azorius Justicar was not a choice. Lyev Skyknight did bring that same detain to the table, and was pretty much better than anything else in the pack. Maybe I should have opted for the Knightly Valor though.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 4:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/urban_burgeoning.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mizzium_skin.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dynacharge.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/splatter_thug.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dead_reveler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/coursers_accord.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/essence_backlash.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/fencing_ace.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/selesnya_charm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/golgari_keyrune.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Stealer of Secrets is too fun not to get. Had I gone red though, this pack would also be a good pick with Splatter Thug though.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 5:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/inspiration.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/trained_caracal.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/survey_the_wreckage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/grim_roustabout.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/towering_indrik.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/runewing.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sunspire_griffin.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/perilous_shadow.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/spawn_of_rix_maadi.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/treasured_find.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/runewing.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Runewing won over Sunspire Griffin since Sunspire needed double white.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 6:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dispel.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/viashino_racketeer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sewer_shambler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/search_warrant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/auger_spree.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/skyline_predator.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_charm.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/grave_betrayal.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sewer_shambler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Sewer Shambler isn't the worst three drop out there.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 7:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/chorus_of_might.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/voidwielder.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/selesnya_sentry.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/batterhorn.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/skull_rend.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/goblin_electromancer.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/soul_tithe.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_cackler.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/soul_tithe.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Soul Tithe makes for good removal.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 8:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/catacomb_slug.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/isperias_skywatch.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/lobber_crew.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/destroy_the_evidence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/hussar_patrol.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/aquus_steed.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/security_blockade.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/hussar_patrol.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
A toss-up between Hussar Patrol and Isperia's Skywatch. I figured that the Patrol synergized better with my maze beasts, though the single color could have worked out better.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 9:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/electrickery.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/paralyzing_grasp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/axebane_stag.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tower_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dark_revenant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/heroes_reunion.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tower_drake.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
While I chose the creature here, Paralyzing Grasp could have been the better pick for removal.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 10:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/horncallers_chant.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/pursuit_of_flight.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/towering_indrik.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/skull_rend.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tablet_of_the_guilds.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/plains.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/towering_indrik.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
I wouldn't play Tablet of the Guilds in this deck, so I remove Towering Indrik from the field instead.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 11:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/survey_the_wreckage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/axebane_stag.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/deviant_glee.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/destroy_the_evidence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mountain.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/destroy_the_evidence.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Destroy the Evidence meshes well with the mill I've been drafting.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 12:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/urban_burgeoning.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mizzium_skin.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/essence_backlash.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/swamp.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mizzium_skin.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Mizzium Skin is playable I suppose.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 13:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/trained_caracal.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/survey_the_wreckage.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/trained_caracal.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
Trained Caracal also possibly playable.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 14:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
A trivial pick.
<br />
<br />
Pack 3 pick 15:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid black; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" /><br />
My Pick:
<br />
<img src="http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg" style="border: 4px solid gold; height: 143px; margin: 5px; width: 100px;" />
<br />
In spite of last pick, I can't avoid the forest.
<br />
<br />
<br />
In the end, I went 1-2 again; I definitely struggled with deck construction. I think my problem was that I didn't go for a particular color or set of colors hard enough, but instead ended up with equal portions of white and blue, where I couldn't cut either color, and was dependent upon drawing blue, black and white sources. That was not a good position to be in. It seemed like most of my opponents also drafted black as a main color, which would explain my difficulty in getting more black cards. The Baron was especially useful here but there were also equal amounts of removal I missed out on. In the end, I didn't have enough creatures or focus on a color to make my deck effective. Since blue was so prevalent in the packs, I think I should have cut white other than 2-3 cards, and focused on a Dimir mill strategy.
<br />
<br />
That's all for this time! I'll be back soon!Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-8959885304070372002013-06-27T13:30:00.000-07:002013-06-27T13:31:53.410-07:00DGR Draft #1I was hoping to get this post up yesterday, but the draft ended up happening a little late. Rather than going into more MTGO specifics, I thought I would do a draft commentary today. Since I don't have good recording software (if you know of any, please let me know!) all I have is the initial draft and my final results. I hope that this analysis will help provide some insight into how I think about drafts as well as improve my own drafting skills. So, without further ado...<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 1:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/steeple_roc.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/golgari_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/azorius_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gruul_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/crypt_incursion.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/opal_lake_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/kraul_warrior.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/armed_dangerous.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/turn_burn.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mirko_vosk_mind_drinker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mirko_vosk_mind_drinker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>This pack gives me some options. Mirko Vosk is the big bomb in this pack, but Armed//Dangerous and Turn//Burn are also great cards. Armed//Dangerous can easily boardwipe or win games, while Turn//Burn is excellent removal. However, this pack has quite a bit of red in it between the two dual cards, Gleam of Battle, the Boros Guildgate and (albeit negligibly) the Gruul Cluestone. I suppose if I wanted to close out on Boros, I could have picked either Gleam of Battle or the Guildgate to signal that way, but Mirko Vosk is very strong himself, and could easily function as a splash in any deck using one of his colors, so I choose him.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 2:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/dimir_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_mastiff.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rubblebelt_maaka.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_behemoth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/clear_a_path.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/fatal_fumes.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/weapon_surge.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/saruli_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/feral_animist.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/down_dirty.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/species_gorger.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/species_gorger.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I'm not so sure about this pick. Lots of red in this pack, so there's no way between last pack and this one that red is not being signalled as open. There is very little black, so snatching the Down//Dirty could help lead me into Golgari, but that pack isn't coming until pack 3. Species Gorger was my pick here since it shares a color with Mirko and I love recurring effects. In hindsight, Fatal Fumes may have been a better pick to keep me in fewer colors.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 3:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/bane_alley_blackguard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/dimir_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/tithe_drinker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/haazda_snare_squad.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/opal_lake_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/pilfered_plans.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sinister_possession.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/alive_well.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/wear_tear.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/debt_to_the_deathless.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/tithe_drinker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>This pack was interesting. There was a lot of white, so Boros was probably heavily signalled as open at this point. I was torn between Tithe Drinker and Pilfered Plans; both are excellent cards. I love card draw and extort. I settled on Tithe Drinker as extort won out, though I'm not 100% solid on this choice. I knew whichever card I passed was not making its way back to me, however. At this point, since I have Mirko, Species Gorger, and a Tithe Drinker, I'm looking at black or blue for sure, with a splash of green or white.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 4:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/drown_in_filth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sunspire_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/simic_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/runners_bane.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_abomination.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_glider.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/ascended_lawmage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/blaze_commando.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/simic_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/ascended_lawmage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Ascended Lawmage fits very well with a BUW deck, if I go for that. Looking back, I didn't notice how heavily this pack was ridden with Azorius. Picking up the Maze Abomination to solidfy myself in black wouldn't have been a bad idea, or the Maze Glider for blue. I still think that the Ascended Lawmage wasn't a bad pick though since it's a scary flier in and of itself.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 5:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_rusher.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/bane_alley_blackguard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/phytoburst.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/haazda_snare_squad.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/saruli_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/awe_for_the_guilds.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_behemoth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/debt_to_the_deathless.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/boros_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/haazda_snare_squad.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I've seen two Boros Guildgates in the draft thus far, so the Boros player is definitely having a field day. Not many cards in my colors here. Since I'm not going heavy Orzhov, Debt to the Deathless is out (I suppose I could still go to Orzhov with a splash of blue, but double white double black doesn't go very well with splashing any color short of huge amounts of guildgates). I pick the Haazda Snare Squad since it's excellent control, and I might still pick white up.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 6:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/steeple_roc.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/golgari_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/azorius_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/crypt_incursion.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/opal_lake_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/down_dirty.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/orzhov_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>If I wasn't going BUW before, I probably am now. I pick up the guildgate because mana fixing is amazing. Crypt Incursion and Hired Torturer are both things I will probably see again, and the Steeple Roc would probably commit me too far into white for my previous picks.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 7:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/azorius_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hidden_strings.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/ubul_sar_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/nivix_cyclops.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mutants_prey.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/riot_control.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/woodlot_crawler.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/blast_of_genius.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/woodlot_crawler.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>This pack still has some good Izzet cards. I'm surprised to see a Woodlot Crawler still here, so I'll pick that up. Little contest between it and Hidden Strings, though Hidden Strings is arguably the best cipher card. Hands of Binding is a close one though.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 8:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/smelt_ward_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/armored_wolf_rider.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/selesnya_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/clear_a_path.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/weapon_surge.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/feral_animist.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Still lots of red here. The only card in my colors is Hired Torturer. Since my wincons look like indirect damage/mill, I'm happy to pick this one up.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 9:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/golgari_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hired_torturer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gruul_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/crypt_incursion.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/gleam_of_battle.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/crypt_incursion.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I figure I should pick up a Crypt Incursion as well since that would synergize with mill, though it was a toss-up between that and the Hired Torturer.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 10:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/dimir_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/izzet_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/maze_behemoth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/clear_a_path.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/saruli_gatekeepers.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/dimir_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I don't have many spells, so Uncovered Clues doesn't make sense for me here. Dimir Cluestone is a pick I might use.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 11:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/bane_alley_blackguard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/dimir_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sinister_possession.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/wear_tear.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/sinister_possession.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Sinister Possession is not a terrible one-drop. It's great for those scenarios where you have a 2/2 and they have a 1/3.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 12:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/drown_in_filth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/mending_touch.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/lyev_decree.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Begrudging pick of Uncovered Clues. Lyev Decree might have helped out more, but I certainly wasn't splashing green in at this point. I'm only now noticing that Drown in Filth and Rot Farm Skeleton synergize very well with Crypt Incursion.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 13:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/bane_alley_blackguard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/rakdos_cluestone.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/awe_for_the_guilds.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/bane_alley_blackguard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Bane Alley Blackguard isn't too bad of a defender.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 14:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/uncovered_clues.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/crypt_incursion.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/crypt_incursion.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Another Crypt Incursion? At this point, I'm wishing I had picked the second Hired Torturer up from before.
<br/><br/>
Pack 1 pick 15:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hidden_strings.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/DGM/hidden_strings.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I'm surprised Hidden Strings wheeled, but very happy about it. Good last pick.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 1:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/syndic_of_tithes.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shadow_alley_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/crocanura.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/basilica_guards.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ember_beast.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skygames.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/slate_street_ruffian.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/orzhov_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hydroform.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ruination_wurm.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/zameck_guildmage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/voidwalk.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hellraiser_goblin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/high_priest_of_penance.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/high_priest_of_penance.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>LOTS of Orzhov in this pack. The High Priest of Penance makes for good removal I haven't had a chance to pick up yet. Failing that, my pick would have been Syndic of Tithes or Orzhov Guildgate.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 2:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/leyline_phantom.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/syndic_of_tithes.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shadow_alley_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/keymaster_rogue.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/nav_squad_commandos.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/madcap_skills.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/balustrade_spy.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/purge_the_profane.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ruination_wurm.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/duskmantle_guildmage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/sapphire_drake.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skullcrack.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/merciless_eviction.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mountain.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/duskmantle_guildmage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Orzhov and Dimir are very prevalent in this pack. It makes me happy that I have a huge selection, but also means that other players will be dipping into my colors. Merciless Eviction could be great removal. I haven't played it yet however, and I would like another creature, so I pick up Duskmantle Guildmage. It's a good bear early game and if it gets to late game, it advances both my wincons. Another Syndic, which means I'm unfortunately signalling Orzhov is super open. Balustrade Spy would also have been a decent pick.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 3:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/aerial_maneuver.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/spire_tracer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shadow_slice.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/armored_transport.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/syndicate_enforcer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/burst_of_strength.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/basilica_guards.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/kingpins_pet.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/pit_fight.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/frenzied_tilling.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/simic_keyrune.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/incursion_specialist.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/kingpins_pet.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>More extort in this pack. Kingpin's Pet is a flier and has extort, so sign me up. I'm also noticing some Gruul, so maybe someone will go for that.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 4:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/basilica_screecher.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/disciple_of_the_old_ways.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/massive_raid.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ivy_lane_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/deaths_approach.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/sages_row_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skyblinder_staff.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/drakewing_krasis.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/orzhov_keyrune.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/serene_remembrance.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/basilica_screecher.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I'm glad to pick up Basilica Screecher here; I'll pick up all the extort I can. There is less Orzhov in this pack, so maybe someone else is drafting that to my left/right. There wasn't much black or white that I passed last pack though.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 5:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/way_of_the_thief.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/tin_street_market.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dutiful_thrull.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/court_street_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dimir_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/prophetic_prism.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ruination_wurm.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hold_the_gates.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/signal_the_clans.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dimir_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I've seen two Paranoid Delusions already, and I imagine at least one will wheel. Dimir Guildgate counts for fixing I need at this point. Way of the Thief could work excellently with cipher, and Dutiful Thrull makes for a great chump blocker, but I need the mana fixing more I think.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 6:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/leyline_phantom.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/aerial_maneuver.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/court_street_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/naturalize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/armored_transport.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/totally_lost.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/executioners_swing.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/debtors_pulpit.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/gruul_ragebeast.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/plains.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/debtors_pulpit.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Totally Lost might have been the pick here. Debtor's Pulpit is good lockdown though. Aerial Maneuver is a good combat trick (completely overshadowing Daring Leap) and Leylin Phantom makes for a nice blocker.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 7:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/smite.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/guildscorn_ward.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/clinging_anemones.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/millennial_gargoyle.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/act_of_treason.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/forced_adaptation.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shattering_blow.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wight_of_precinct_six.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/plains.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/wight_of_precinct_six.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>My mill brings all the creatures to the 'yard. And Wight of Precint Six loooooves that. So lets snap that up. Smite and Shattering Blow make for nice removal at low drops, but since it looks like I'm splashing white, I don't want to be too locked into need a plains early.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 8:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/predators_rapport.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/scorchwalker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/last_thoughts.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/naturalize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shattering_blow.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/rust_scarab.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/murder_investigation.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/last_thoughts.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Ugh, not much going for this pack. My creatures probably won't get big enough to make Murder Investigation worth the pick, and I like card draw more than artifact removal.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 9:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shadow_alley_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skygames.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hydroform.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ruination_wurm.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/voidwalk.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/hellraiser_goblin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/voidwalk.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Voidwalk is marginally better than Shadow Alley Denizen. I just wish it weren't sorcery speed though; that kills it a little.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 10:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/leyline_phantom.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shadow_alley_denizen.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/nav_squad_commandos.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/purge_the_profane.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/ruination_wurm.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/mountain.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/nav_squad_commandos.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I said I wasn't going in heavy white, but here I am picking up a Nav Squad Commando. It's actually a fairly good card, but I think Leyline Phantom could have been a better pick for my colors.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 11:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/aerial_maneuver.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/shadow_slice.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/syndicate_enforcer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/frenzied_tilling.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/syndicate_enforcer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Extort this late is a little surprising, but I'm more than happy to pick up the Syndicate Enforcer.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 12:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/massive_raid.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/skyblinder_staff.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/paranoid_delusions.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>A Paranoid Delusions did end up wheeling, so I pick it up.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 13:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/tin_street_market.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dutiful_thrull.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/swamp.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/dutiful_thrull.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>But only one of them. Dutiful Thrull is in my colors and is a decent chump.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 14:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/naturalize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/plains.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/naturalize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Not playing this one.
<br/><br/>
Pack 2 pick 15:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/guildscorn_ward.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/GTC/guildscorn_ward.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Or this one either, in all likeleihood.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 1:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/launch_party.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/avenging_arrow.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sunspire_griffin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/korozda_monitor.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stab_wound.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/splatter_thug.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sundering_growth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/goblin_electromancer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_justiciar.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/hellhole_flailer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_cackler.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/deadbridge_goliath.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stab_wound.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Rakdos is HUGE in this pack, and any green (Simic, Golgari most likely) are happy too. Azorius Justicar would be a good pickup if it weren't for double white in its cost, but by far the easy pick here is Stab Wound. Daaaaaaayum.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 2:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cancel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/armory_guard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/doorkeeper.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/downsize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/concordia_pegasus.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/seek_the_horizon.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid silver;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/frostburn_weird.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/minotaur_aggressor.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/zanikev_locust.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/blistercoil_weird.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/detention_sphere.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/detention_sphere.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Izzet is signalled pretty hard from this pack. I could pick up the Blistercoil Weird but I don't have the spells for it. There's also heavy Azorius potential here. I'll close some of that off by picking up the Detention Sphere, which is also amazing. Few people will have enchantment removal, and doubtful anyone will have it maindecked.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 3:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/survey_the_wreckage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/aerial_predation.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/chronic_flooding.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/downsize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/concordia_pegasus.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cremate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/batterhorn.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/inaction_injunction.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/auger_spree.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/soul_tithe.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/shrieking_affliction.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/hypersonic_dragon.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/chronic_flooding.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Soul Tithe is good removal, but I really don't need to be further in white. Inaction Junction is nice for tempo, but I wanted a bit more mill, so I picked up Chronic Flooding. It probably would have wheeled anyway though.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 4:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cancel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/armory_guard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/drudge_beetle.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/voidwielder.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/selesnya_sentry.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/ogre_jailbreaker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/transguild_promenade.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/blustersquall.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/archweaver.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/ogre_jailbreaker.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>I was hestiant about not picking up Blustersquall here. Voidwielder could have made an excellent pick as well, but I opted for the beater since I've also seen a few guildgates in this pack, so picking up a few more shouldn't be a problem.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 5:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/drainpipe_vermin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/swift_justice.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/horncallers_chant.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/korozda_monitor.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/splatter_thug.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/skull_rend.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/hussar_patrol.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/psychic_spiral.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_ragemutt.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/plains.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Hussar Patrol is good for Azorius for sure. Stealer of Secrets is underrated, I think, and fits in very nicely with cipher effects. I really like this card.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 6:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/giant_growth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/traitorous_instinct.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rootborn_defenses.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dispel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/tower_drake.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/trestle_troll.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/goblin_electromancer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/fencing_ace.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Tower Drake could be a good pick for the air, but I pick the guildgate for the fixing. This is especially in light of the Ogre Jailbreaker pick.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 7:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dynacharge.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/ethereal_armor.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/paralyzing_grasp.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/stealer_of_secrets.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/selesnya_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/golgari_longlegs.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/skull_rend.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/teleportal.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mountain.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/paralyzing_grasp.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Ethereal Armor wouldn't be a bad pick given how many enchantments I have been drafting, and another Stealer of Secrets wouldn't be terrible. I pick Paralyzing Grasp up for some cheap pseduo-removal though.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 8:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/axebane_stag.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/catacomb_slug.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/runewing.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/perilous_shadow.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/rakdos_shred_freak.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/essence_backlash.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/risen_sanctuary.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/runewing.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Perilous Shadow would probably have been a better pick here. I'm not going aggro so Rakdos Shred-Freak is out. Catacomb Slug does make for an excellent blocker and late-game beast.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 9:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/launch_party.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sunspire_griffin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/sundering_growth.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/hellhole_flailer.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/azorius_guildgate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>This was a hard choice between Launch Party and Azorius Guildgate. Since I have so much white already though, another guildgate seems necessary.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 10:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/doorkeeper.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/downsize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/minotaur_aggressor.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/blistercoil_weird.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/doorkeeper.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Izzet is still going strong in this pack. Doorkeeper goes well with mill and my Hired Torturer and Ogre Jailbreaker. Makes me wish I had picked up that second Hired Torturer.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 11:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/survey_the_wreckage.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/downsize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cremate.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/shrieking_affliction.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/forest.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/downsize.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Downsize is a decent combat trick. Shrieking Affliction is something I would like to try out though, maybe in an Orzhov deck splashing Golgari.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 12:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cancel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/bellows_lizard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/armory_guard.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/cancel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Cancel is the pick here, though I don't think I'll maindeck it due to double blue.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 13:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/drainpipe_vermin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/horncallers_chant.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/plains.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/drainpipe_vermin.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Drainpipe Vermin is...uhh....yeah. Cheap discard isn't bad though.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 14:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dispel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/island.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/dispel.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>Dispel > Island.
<br/><br/>
Pack 3 pick 15:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mountain.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid black;'/><br/>
My Pick:
<br/>
<img src='http://www.wizards.com/global/images/magic/RTR/mountain.jpg' style='height:143px; width:100px; margin:5px; border:4px solid gold;'/>
<br/>A mountain is better than nothing I guess.
<br/><br/>
In the end, my record was 1-2. (This was Swiss draft) I won the first match handily against an Orzhov player. The second match was incredibly close against a BUR player and came down to round three where I lost due to being a little too aggressive in a lockdown state where we were both topdecking. Match three was not as close as match two, although I had a chance. A small one; the America player rushed me and the aggro was too much for my long, slow grind to victory style to beat out. It was a satisfying draft and I hope to do another soon!
What are your thoughts? Advice, commentary, questions? Would you have made a pick or decision differently? I'm happy to listen to all feedback!Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-83641601388251409222013-06-25T22:26:00.001-07:002013-06-25T22:26:21.632-07:00GoalsAs mentioned last time, I now have a slightly different goal than previously outlined. My new quest is not necessarily to make money off of MTGO, but to be able to sustain infinite play (still planning on going infinite!) in tournaments, namely drafting, because that's the fun stuff. While going infinite will probably result in net profit from MTGO, if I can draft essentially for free, I would be satisfied with that.<br />
<br />
This comes about from a realization about playing Magic, which is that I should play for fun, rather than to make money. The potential profits as a casual player really are not that large in comparison to just holding a job. I could grind Momir Basic and Pauper dailies all day. Even with a 17% return on entry fee on average, which I'm sure any market player would love to have, since the base investment is both low and fixed, there really isn't much gain to be made. Momir Basic is a hilariously fun format, but it loses its luster after playing too many games in one sitting.<br />
<br />
However, this will not change the course of the blog too much. It means more commentary on winning drafts than winning constructed, and I hope that this will shed some insight as to why I appear to be ignoring the basic financial sense I'll be going into in the near future. (I mean, I am.) This will also be why you probably won't see any analysis on setting up bots (seemingly a good way to make money) or card speculation. I plan on doing draft commentary, and hopefully that will help me improve as a drafter as well.<br />
<br />
In the end, the way to go infinite is still to win. Have winning records, and you'll get to play more. It's definitely not as easy as that though. The MTGO scene, I've read, is a lot more competitive than the IRL scene, and that's justifiable, since people willing to pay money for pieces of cardboard that aren't even tangible must be dedicated to the game. (I'm included in there, haha.)<br />
<br />
That's all for today, just a short post. More tomorrow.Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-4019628674755210612013-06-24T14:36:00.001-07:002013-06-24T14:36:28.189-07:00Why Arbitrage FailsWe're back, after a brief break. I'm going to write this post as promised, but then take a slightly different turn with this blog. I'll explain what's happening and my reasoning in the next post.<br />
<br />
So, let's talk arbitrage. There are several sources of arbitrage in the MTGO secondary market. Human-to-human, human-to-bot, bot-to-human, and bot-to-bot. To clairfy, human-to-bot is where you buy from a human and sell to a bot, and make the difference. I can tell you now that none of these are worth the time. It can take quite a while to find a buyer and a seller, of which the buy price is higher than the sell price, and where both parties are guaranteed to buy or sell, respectively.<br />
<br />
This is the first risk. Since you don't know all the information on either side, you take on appreciable risk when you attempt to conduct arbitrage. Your buyer might decide not to buy after all, or your seller might decide to keep their cards. The latter is the preferred scenario, since then all you need to do is apologize to the buyer and move on. The former is the more problematic; when you can't actually sell a card, it becomes deadweight to you. You've lost tix buying it, and if you sell it to a bot, it will be drastically undervalued. Bots always undervalue what you sell to them and overvalue what you buy; it makes basic economic sense to them.<br />
<br />
Now, this risk could be worth taking on, if it were met with equivalent reward. But in the market, the reward is extremely limited by the game itself. Players generally find more than four of a card (a playset) to be useless, and bots will generally not hold more than four or eight copies of a card. This means that, unlike stocks, profit is very limited. Even if you find a few bots to sell to, you're not moving more than twelve copies of a card for more than 0.25 tix of profit each, and even that's a scenario I've never reached. A more reasonable scenario would be moving two copies of a card to one bot at 0.1 tix of profit each, after 10-20 minutes of searching. Definitely not worth the time.<br />
<br />
In addition, remember, that 1 tix is the smallest amount of currency you can move from bot to bot. Though bots hold credit, buying two cards at 0.3 tix each and unloading them to two different bots for 0.6 tix each still loses you one ticket since the original bot will require one ticket to buy the cards in the first place and hold 0.4 credit. Over many transactions you might end up with your net tix in the black, but in the short-term, it's not worth it. It's not even worth it in the long-term really, when you weigh it against how much time you spend on it.<br />
<br />
A final source of risk comes from convertibility. Credit is all well and good to have on bots, but ultimately you want to be able to convert those credits to tix. This further limits your field as you have to ensure every bot chain your sell to has tix with which you can cash out, or comparable value cards. Sometimes, if you sell at a grossly overpriced rate to a chain (e.g. runo7ke, I think the bot was) all their cards will also be grossly mispriced, and on top of that, have no actual value.<br />
<br />
One thing I have yet to try is card speculation. What I've done so far is more akin to day trading, but I imagine buying cards and holding on to them for months could be profitable in the long-term. You could use a site like mtggoldfish.com (I actually don't know of another like it!) to watch your prices and follow trends. I'm thinking about doing this in the future, but right now, I want to wait until the release of M14 and maybe even Theros to see how booster pack and card prices are impacted by both new set releases and cards phasing out of standard before I enter the market there.<br />
<br />
But in short, making tix through arbitrage isn't worth it because even without considering risk, the time consumed vastly outweighs the reward.Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-48979245863485569702013-06-18T11:23:00.002-07:002013-06-18T11:23:14.296-07:00The Secondhand MarketOne of the first things I did upon entering the MTGO client was take a look at the classifieds. These are a quick way for players to buy, sell, or trade cards. There are also a large number of bot chains in the classifieds. Most of them are run off of MTGOLibrary's bot software; MTGOLibrary is a service which is free apart from a royalty on every dollar made. The bot chains have varying prices, as people do, but you can be guaranteed there will be a noticeable disparity between how much they buy for and how much they sell for. (Hint: the second one is way higher).<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGe-I4t5jJQD8qUtFZd0nBRtia2Z-RyGrbUKg9fdoD5gey0L1IO18-pKmLmWPGooTdBKUhtQM7l9CJ4Xf2E6CPBKFwbRhblCG7dYXJJ0fmUXTFBkuEcnCMtPT1SXTdpn5ewnOkI3a3SZ4/s1600/Classifieds.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdGe-I4t5jJQD8qUtFZd0nBRtia2Z-RyGrbUKg9fdoD5gey0L1IO18-pKmLmWPGooTdBKUhtQM7l9CJ4Xf2E6CPBKFwbRhblCG7dYXJJ0fmUXTFBkuEcnCMtPT1SXTdpn5ewnOkI3a3SZ4/s320/Classifieds.PNG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Some people run multiple bots to increase the number of</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">transactions they can perform and their visibility.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">e.g. the Aurelia chain above</span></div>
<br />
I learned about this disparity the hard way. Initially, one of the tips I read about going infinite said to play the market, and take advantage of opportunities for arbitrage. I decided to employ this by buying a Savageborn Hydra for a little under 1 tix. I soon found out there was nowhere (even the places that advertised as such) which bought the Hydra for 1 tix. I'd lost out on my first investment, and that sucked. Admittedly, it was only one dollar, but it was still a losing investment.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPGoYLwrTyu0ra7D91sXTYt6FOi3jvWpBSz7k_RN-7Mc_mVfu_T80s3X0GBZ8gWEgBFz2Ipeaxt9EvFBOebx8ns-a3a9_XXUicDcp8iCacALXz90ocAWd_r2nt0fOC-7wkgizzcJvP2lg/s1600/Savageborn+Hydra.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPGoYLwrTyu0ra7D91sXTYt6FOi3jvWpBSz7k_RN-7Mc_mVfu_T80s3X0GBZ8gWEgBFz2Ipeaxt9EvFBOebx8ns-a3a9_XXUicDcp8iCacALXz90ocAWd_r2nt0fOC-7wkgizzcJvP2lg/s320/Savageborn+Hydra.png" width="224" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This experience taught me two important things about the market, and specifically bots.</div>
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<b>First,</b> the prices bots display are often not reflective of their current prices. It will display somewhere in the right range, but expect it to very by +/- 0.5 tix. It's not much but it can mean the difference between paying an extra dollar or not.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This bot might only be buying Sphinx's Revelation for 25 tix.</span></div>
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While this is not too significant for larger buys, when trying to make money through arbitrage, it really matters to know that prices are stable, or else you take on risk disproportionate to your possible return.</div>
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<b>Second,</b> bots will try and stiff you. And not just by buying low and selling high. Since the lowest denomination of currency is 1 tix, for smaller purchases with humans, if you can't find a card of theirs of equivalent value they want to trade out, you may have to spend 1 tix just to buy that card, which is crappy if the card is worth a few cents. The bot system has found a way around this by storing credit; unused tix from the last purchase are stored for future purchases. The good bots will also have tickets available if your credit ever goes above 1 tix so you can "cash out", so to speak.</div>
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Be careful though; even if a bot says they store credit, that might be a farce. The vast majority of bots won't be petty enough to do this since they want return customers however. In the end though, it's the difference of 1 tix, so not too big of a deal. (Though those tix here and there can add up...)</div>
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The more important thing you want to avoid is bot chains where you can't cash out. If you make a sale to a bot chain, be sure they hold tickets that you can take. Otherwise all you have is bot credit, which might not be worth much at all. Early on, I found a trade opportunity where I could buy Wit's End for 0.05 tix and sell for 0.5 tix; I leapt on that opportunity, only to find that my new credits at that particular bot shop were nonconvertible into tix. This bot shop had inflated prices on everything, and their stock was equally worthless. Luckily, I wasn't out much at all, but that was another lesson learned.</div>
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Back to the main point. When I say bots will stiff you, I mean they will buy cards from you for 1.99 tix instead of 2, and sell cards to you for 2.01 tix instead of 2. Since they make so many transactions a day, keeping one tix per transaction can be huge for them. There are some bot chains which stay away from this practice, and I tend to give them more business. In all other cases, where the price of a card is not right around the dollar, it's better since a variance of 0.01 tix for a 2.50 card makes little difference.</div>
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In the end, I did manage to sell the Hydra off, along with one other rare for 1 tix. This put me back in my original position, plus a negligible amount of credit and down one bulk rare, so effectively unchanged. In the next few trades I made, I found that arbitrage, while existent in the MTGO market, is really not worth the effort and risk. I'll go into why it really does not work with some more tips on how to effectively use the market next post.</div>
Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-66076817834259517372013-06-16T19:36:00.002-07:002013-06-18T13:06:53.665-07:00Starting OutFinally, the juicy stuff! The first few posts will be talking about things that have already happened. Hopefully I will be able to write fast enough to catch up with present times, but we'll see. I'm going to be saying a lot of "I'll explain this later" in the next few posts as I catch up.<br />
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To give you some extra motivation to read through this, while I am $34 in the hole on MTGO currently (probably better than some can say :P) my net worth on MTGO, due to some incredible luck, is $79. That is, if I cashed out right now, I would be $46 richer than I was ten days ago. It's small change, but at the same time, 136% returns. I am sure the investor inside you would be perfectly happy with that. (I admit it's probably not sustainable over the long run.)<br />
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<b>Day 1: </b>When I finally broke down and bought an account, I had my eyes on one thing: Momir Basic. This was supposedly a format which took away the skill and had a consistent net positive payout. That in itself sounded excellent, but on top of that, the format sounded like a blast.<br />
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Momir Basic is a variant on the Vanguard format (which is something very similar to Commander/EDH. You can read more about it <a href="http://www.wizards.com/magic/tcg/article.aspx?x=magic/magiconline/vanguard">here</a>.) in which both players must use the Momir Vig avatar and a deck which consists of 60 lands. Now, Momir's ability is simple: pay X, discard a card: put a creature token of a random creature token with CMC X into play. In other words, the format is completely random.<br />
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Well, not completely. There is still some skill involved. But chance plays a much larger role in this format than any other, except maybe Jhoira.<br />
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Momir Vig can be bought in the official store for $10, along with some basic lands and some <a href="http://magiccards.info/guru/en/2.html">guru lands</a>. There is also some demand for Momir in the secondary markets. You can expect to sell him for 10 and buy him for 12.<br />
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The added premium for Momir in the secondary market seems to be the cost of not having to pay in cash. For instance, once you've gone infinite, if it comes down to the choice of buying Momir with tix for 12 or paying for him with $10, it's likely you'll opt for 12 tix because you effectively have infinite tix. (Hence, gone infinite.)</div>
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Now, I didn't dive into this format right away, mainly because I didn't feel like dropping more money down after having already spent $10 for an account and all its goodies.</div>
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Speaking of which, let's talk about what you exactly get with an account.</div>
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- An assortment of M13 cards (commons, some uncommons)</div>
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- DotP cards (only usable in select formats, cannot be mixed with normal cards)</div>
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- One M13 booster pack</div>
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- Two event tickets (effectively $2)</div>
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- Four new player tickets</div>
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- Five Vanguard avatars</div>
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Since you're here to talk money, let's talk money. The Vanguard avatars, DotP cards, and M13 card assortment you initially get is about worthless. The M13 cards are good for constructing some decks, but you don't really get enough to make anything meaningful. It's still best to hold onto them though since there are some here and there which you'll make use of. As you can see, I have yet to even open my DotP package. I hear it makes for an easier transition from the DotP games, but if you're an experienced M:tG player, you probably don't need these. I can't comment on players just starting out, however.</div>
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The four new player tickets are interesting. At first it seems like you've been given effectively $4 for special new-player-only tournaments, which should be even better than event tickets since these new player tournaments should be less competitive, right?</div>
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Maybe. I don't actually know. I still have all of my new player tickets; they're really not worth using. Here's why:</div>
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In order to participate in a new player event, you need one new player ticket and one event ticket. You compete with some other people in a phantom draft or sealed (meaning you keep none of the cards) for the grand prize of a promo card and a Magic 2013 booster, if you win two our of two rounds. While the new player tickets might be good for getting used to drafts or the interface at lower cost, you can play games for free in the free play area if you want to get used to the interface, and reading drafting strategy or doing real phantom drafts for real prizes is probably best. That being said, these have an EV comparable to other events, so they might be worth doing early on.</div>
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EDIT: I've revised the above paragraph since discovering new player events also give out a Magic 2013 booster. It may be worth using these tickets after all.</div>
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The two event tickets are self-explanatory. They're worth $2, same as it costs to buy them. The M13 booster pack is interesting though. While you might be tempted to open it at first, I'll parrot the advice I heard from elsewhere - don't. You instantly lose a ton of the value just in opening it for a chance to gain something cool. Hold onto it instead.</div>
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Now, I read somewhere that you could also sell this booster pack away for tix. Don't do this either; I learned the hard way. Unless the price is high (~3 tix) and you are okay with waiting for the price to drop (and it will; I came in when it was at ~2.2 tix) before you draft M13, or you just never intend to draft M13, wait on it. I sold my pack for 2.1 tix, and the next day, went and bought three packs do draft with for 2.2 each. A net loss of 10 cents isn't much, but it could have been worse. Please note that selling for 2.9 tix is not the same as selling for 3 tix. The difference is a little more than 10 cents; I'll get into this when I talk about the classifieds section.</div>
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I imagine these last two paragraphs will be obsolete this summer once M14 hits; new accounts will be outfitted with a pack of M14 and M14 cards rather than M13 cards. However, this should still hold true, just that a high price for M14 will be about 4.1 tix and a good low for buying in will be 3 tix for a few months. </div>
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So, that's Momir Basic and new accounts in a nutshell. I'll be back to cover the secondary market for MTGO next time!</div>
Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-28370542733368861602013-06-16T13:38:00.002-07:002013-06-16T19:49:56.383-07:00MotivationsI guess I should explain some of my motivation for writing this blog. When I initially set out on my search for articles on going infinite, I found a lot of helpful resources, but most of them were very old, referencing Lorwyn and Shards of Alara. The most recent one talked about Magic 2012. Of course there were forum posts and short articles posted more recently, but the forum posts were not always structured and the short articles were either shameless rehashes of old articles, or meaningless fluff.<br />
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On the other hand, I also wanted to keep a record of my own journey, to see how well or poorly I had done. I considered making a spreadsheet to track in and outflows of cash and tix but thought a more public documentation could be fun as well.<br />
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So, this blog was born. I hope that it will provide both new players considering getting into MTGO and veterans looking to spend less on the game insight into the process of going infinite, to learn from my success, or my failure. I understand that this blog too will in time become like the others - outdated - but for the time being, it could be useful.<br />
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As an aside, for those of you who are new to MTGO, tix (event tickets) are the de facto currency of MTGO. You can buy them at the official store for $1, so each tix effectively represents $1. They can cost a little more depending on the tax situation in your area, and can be converted back to real money at the rate for a 2-6% commission fee, depending on who you find.<br />
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Back on track, in my initial research, I found some clear trends and points. These are fairly vague because one, the posts I found had differing advice in some respects, and two, I plan to go into these more in-depth in future posts.<br />
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1. <b>Win.</b> As if that weren't obvious enough, winning events more means you get higher returns. Events generally have some sort of entry fee beyond bringing your constructed deck or draft packs. For constructed tournaments, it's 6 tix, or $6, and for drafts/sealed, it's usually 2 tix.<br />
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2. <b>Do some events, but not others.</b> There are some event types which pay better than others. Each event has its own expected value (EV) - that is, how much you should expect to get for playing in the event, on average. If you're in MTGO to make money, play the events with high EV.<br />
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3. <b>Play the market.</b> Buy low, sell high is a common adage. It's harder than you think. In MTGO, in addition to the main store, there is a secondary market of classifieds. Any player can post an ad for free, and you can use these ads to start trades with other players. There is also a bot system in the market owned by various individuals you can take advantage of for more predictable prices. Finally, MTGO, like the real world, has a stock market, where the commodities and stocks are cards.<br />
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Those are the main three points which kept recurring in my research and which I will talk about in future posts.<br />
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Cheers.Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4304714962234814442.post-13144029904054074232013-06-16T03:18:00.001-07:002013-06-16T19:48:37.955-07:00IntroductionWelcome. This blog is dedicated to outlining my quest to go infinite on MTGO (Magic: the Gathering Online). As a poor college student, I do not have the money to feed my addiction to Magic. I am sure you can imagine how my wallet cringed and recoiled at the sound of MTGO. However, the risk-taker in me spoke up: "What if...what if you could make money doing this? Wouldn't it be great to be paid to have fun?"<br />
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Oh boy, did it ever. I thought about it for a few days before investing into MTGO.<br />
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At this point, I should pause and step back. For those of you unfamiliar with the term "going infinite", it means to win tournaments consistently enough to, at the very least, sustain tournament entries without having to add additional money. In other words, my goal would be to play Magic for free. Perhaps others' definitions of "going infinite" vary, but that is how I approached it.<br />
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As an aside, I thought that "Enter the Infinite" was a particularly appropriate pick for this blog's name since it captures what I am trying to do in two senses. First, I am trying to enter the MTGO infinite. Second, I'm trying to do something seemingly very difficult (You try resolving a 12 CMC spell any time soon; let me know how it goes) with huge payoff.<br />
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I also hope that this blog will scratch the writing itch that I have had for some while. My next post will cover my initial thoughts and strategy, and from there, I will discuss further research and my current position.<br />
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Until next time!Roihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12843493558787262047noreply@blogger.com0