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Welcome back to another edition of Drafting with Big Nass. This time, we’ll be covering the newly released core set, Magic 2013. One good thing about drafting core sets is that it doesn’t take as long to come up the learning curve. I’ve had a lot of practice drafting core sets in the pasts since Wizards keeps insisting on making it a Grand Prix/Pro Tour/Nationals format, so I feel that I’ll be able to jump right in and draft somewhat competently.
As always, text recap follows the video links.
Draft
Match 1, Game 1
Match 1, Game 2
Match 1, Game 3
Match 2, Game 1
Match 2, Game 2
Match 3, Game 1
Match 3, Game 2
Match 3, Game 3
Pack 1, Pick 1:
My Pick:
Talrand's Invocation is better than the man (fish?) himself, but I’ll still happy to first pick the Sky Summoner. The only other blue card in the pack is Essence Scatter, so I’m setup pretty well to cut the color.
Pack 1, Pick 2:
My Pick:
Let’s get this out there: Switcheroo is not Mind Control. Not. Even. Close.
With that said, I really want to make sure my neighbors know to stay out of blue. Pacifism doesn’t interact too well with Talrand anyway.
Pack 1, Pick 3:
My Pick:
I do love me a Blind Hunter. This card excels at stabilizing the board at a low life total, which is something my play style lends itself to often. U/B control is also one of my favorite archetypes.
Pack 1, Pick 4:
My Pick:
I’m not sure how good this card will end up being in my deck, but I’m pretty sure I’m more likely to play it than Tricks of the Trade. That card can be good, but probably not in this deck.
Pack 1, Pick 5:
My Pick:
If my deck was more aggressive, I’d go with Unsummon. This pick is very deck-dependent.
Pack 1, Pick 6:
My Pick:
I’m not crazy about Evolving Wilds in two-colored decks, and Ravenous Rats is a decent man. I’m discounting Drowned Catacomb for the same reason.
Pack 1, Pick 7:
My Pick:
Regardless of how aggressive my deck is, Wind Drake is always welcome.
Pack 1, Pick 8:
My Pick:
I do love value.
Pack 1, Pick 9:
My Pick:
This isn’t a Tormented Soul deck, and Mark of the Vampire can be good sometimes.
Pack 1, Pick 10:
My Pick:
Pack 1, Pick 11:
My Pick:
I kind of wish I picked up that Unsummon earlier, but it’s not a big deal.
Pack 1, Pick 12:
My Pick:
Pack 1, Pick 13:
My Pick:
Pack 1, Pick 14:
My Pick:
Pack 1, Pick 15:
My Pick:
Pack 2, Pick 1:
My Pick:
So for some reason, I thought Duskmantle Prowler had flying. Look at him; he’s flying off a building! I haven’t seen art this misleading since Whippoorwill. I probably should have taken Sleep instead.
Pack 2, Pick 2:
My Pick:
I usually draft decks in which Izzet Chronarch is good. Plus, I’m a sucker for value.
Pack 2, Pick 3:
My Pick:
I remember Giant Scorpion being a huge pain in the butt in Zendikar, so this seems like an easy choice.
Pack 2, Pick 4:
My Pick:
Pack 2, Pick 5:
My Pick:
I don’t think I’ve ever hit on Augur of Bolas, but that won’t stop me from trying.
Pack 2, Pick 6:
My Pick:
I highly doubt that Rewind is any good, and I’m quite certain that Essence Drain is awesome.
Pack 2, Pick 7:
My Pick:
Pack 2, Pick 8:
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Pack 2, Pick 9:
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Pack 2, Pick 10:
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Pack 2, Pick 11:
My Pick:
This seems ridiculously late. Cut!
Pack 2, Pick 12:
My Pick:
Pack 2, Pick 13:
My Pick:
Pack 2, Pick 14:
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Pack 2, Pick 15:
My Pick:
Pack 3, Pick 1:
My Pick:
And here’s the best nonrare in the set, folks. It sucks that I have to pass up on Murder, but Talrand's Invocation is just that good. I’m also hoping the first part of that sentence gets taken out of context one day and is used against me. Wouldn’t be the worst thing I’ve said.
Pack 3, Pick 2:
My Pick:
Pack 3, Pick 3:
My Pick:
I came pretty close to taking Bloodhunter Bat, but I noticed while I was talking that I had too many 4-drops. Curve considerations aside, I think Bat is a little better.
Pack 3, Pick 4:
My Pick:
Pack 3, Pick 5:
My Pick:
I don’t think I’m going to be heavy enough on Swamps that Liliana's Shade is going to be amazing. I’m a little short on early drops, hence the Rats.
Pack 3, Pick 6:
My Pick:
I don’t have a million ways of getting it through, but I like Scroll Thief more than my other options.
Pack 3, Pick 7:
My Pick:
Pack 3, Pick 8:
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Pack 3, Pick 10:
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Pack 3, Pick 11:
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Pack 3, Pick 12:
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Pack 3, Pick 15:
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Here’s where I ended up:
"U/B Value Draft"
- Creatures (14)
- 1 Archaeomancer
- 1 Augur of Bolas
- 1 Bloodhunter Bat
- 1 Courtly Provocateur
- 1 Duskmantle Prowler
- 1 Giant Scorpion
- 1 Harbor Bandit
- 1 Scroll Thief
- 1 Veilborn Ghoul
- 1 Watercourser
- 1 Wind Drake
- 2 Ravenous Rats
- 1 Talrand, Sky Summoner
- Spells (9)
- 2 Essence Scatter
- 1 Mind Rot
- 1 Switcheroo
- 1 Talrand's Invocation
- 2 Divination
- 2 Essence Drain
The deck worked out quite well, and I won the Draft despite some close games. One game that wasn’t close was the one in which I made an army of 2/2 flyers. The games were interesting for the most part, and they were a breath of fresh air after drafting Avacyn Restored. I definitely look forward to rebuilding my Magic Online bank roll.
Hope you guys enjoyed the Draft report, and until next time, may your Drakes lead you to victory.
Nassim Ketita
arcticninja on Magic Online
www.youtube.com/nketita
