Love your list, but mine is a bit more functional (and smaller).
1) The ability to filter games starting better. If I am just interested in playing standard, then it should be easier to see just those games starting.
2) Player notes. Instead of adding buddies or blocking people, I want to be able to add a note about every player I have played (or watched). Things like attitude, decks formats, family, b'day, etc.
3) A separate list for player buddies and trading buddies.
I also toy with making Mox back into Adventuring Gear and trying it with SS Elder. Boros has been having a great time last weekend, attacking with 5/5+ SS Elders and Lava Axing ppl. Masticore on steroids.
I've always wanted to find room for Devastating Summons. I love the combo with Bushwhacker. And in the 3 games I've faced it in the mirror, it killed me twice, and I got them once. So far, I haven't included it because it doesn't work well with Koth (of course I could always just make a straight-trade here), and it feels risky with Mana Leak and Flashfreeze in the format. I don't know how the Blue mages do it, but I feel like they always have at least 1 of each every game I play against them.
I debate cutting Mox on a daily basis. I still keep it in because the shuffler has been so unkind to me lately in terms of dosing me 1 land hands. I like the idea of 10 0-cc artifacts, as it does add a little more speed. I toy with adding 2 Effigy main to save on sideboard space. I also toy with making the Moxes additional burn, like 2 Burst Lightning.
Spikeshot Elder is also a tricky one. Probably the main reason why it's still in is because I feel like I draw Elves at least once/week, and it really shines in that match-up. I think he's pretty good in Game 1 as he adds another Goblin to the mix, giving you 10 1cc Red Goblin spells (counting Bushwhacker as 2cc here). But I almost always ended up sideboarding him out 90% of the time.
I also don't know if I like Masticore. I think he's very slow in this format, although, he has won me several games, and I don't like the idea of 3 Koth main. I'll probably experiment by cutting him and maybe a SS Elder for some Furnace Celebration and see how it goes. I do like the idea of Fetchlands not being dead draws.
I guess the main reason why I keep Koth is because he's been so great for me in the Vampires match up and the U/B and U/W match ups. The Vamps have a hard time beating Turn 4 Koth. Since I added him, my win percentage has been at least 3:2. Aggro start + Koth almost always smashes U/X control. They tap out for DOJ or kill spells, and I plop down a hasty 4/4.
I think Koth is also good in Valakut match up and Mirror and Boros. I think he's average in WW Quest and Green Eldrazi. I never feel like I have to sideboard him out though.
Thanks for the food for thought. I will test Furnace Celebration and post soon.
Hey Brandon, I'm currently also grinding with almost the same list, but I can't help but notice you're missing out on some broken late game action.
I've spent a few slots differently to give me some extra punch late game.
+2 Devastating Summons (Great vs other red or ramp decks and you are already playing bushwacker)
+3 Furnace Celebration (8fetch, 4 spellbombs, 4 dotha, 2 Devastating summons)
No mox opal ( I play 4x chimeric mass, 4 memnite and 4 spellbombs, that's all i need.
No Koth of the hammer, Furnace Celebration Outclasses Koth Here and works better when behind.
No Spikeshot Goblin. Although i love it against vamps, i usually just bring in clasms against them faking a bad draw
basically what Psymunn and Felorin said. Except that lately, awkwardly enough, I've been drafting the format completely differently from this article's draft. These days I tend to dip a toe into infect early and get out if its not open, then start looking for underrated cards/archetypes(Molder Beast, Goblin Gavaleer, Untamed Might, and even Assault Strobe has been a favorite of late). This format has so much going on and I think one of the most interesting things about it is that what was correct one week is not necessarily still correct the next. As everyone starts to draft certain decks higher, other archetypes become much stronger. Lately I've been avoiding metalcraft like the plague because artifacts are getting taken a lot higher.
RE: Sylvok Replica - I do consider it to be significantly more splashable than Arrest, since its provides a 1/3 body as well as an extra artifact until that Forest does arrive, where as Arrest rots in your hand.
RE: Argentum Armor - Perhaps its slightly better against worst players, but only because they tend to waste removal earlier than experienced players. Poor players will still respond with removal or bounce when they see an Armor. Basically I see Armor as a fairly risky card that demands an answer, and I only "waste" 12 mana on it when I'm either a)desperate, b)have nothing better to do, or c)am fairly certain they aren't holding an answer. Its slow, but if played carefully can be extremely powerful.
The problem is that Sylvok Replica is effectively a colored card. The 1/3 body is only moderately relevant, and putting it "on the splash" is no justification because it would also apply to the (better) Arrest.
It's the same problem metalcraft decks always have: the artifacts kind of suck. Now, running the nut Carapace Forger deck is always a good thing, and that's the main benefit he got from staying open, but it's kind of disingenuous to say that Sylvok Replica is "more open" than Arrest.
i often do draft the way you are describing gordo, but i'm a big fan of 'no-theme goodstuff deck.' dylan tends to favor metalcraft which makes his drafting style more of a nessecity. the problem with metal craft is you have to get a LOT of artifacts which means you don't have the luxury of throwing away picks on coloured spells that won't make your deck. you'd rather take the weaker brown spell because you're 1 artifact closer to hitting that magical metalcraft number. both strategies are valid. if your goal is 'get 6 coloured spells max' then you really hold out to find out what coloured spells you're taking.
also, the very nature of this format means you get powerful stuff deceptively late because decks are so 'archetype' driven. spending your first couple of picks on a chrome steed and a tumble magnet is fine because 6th pick there'll probably bea darkslick drake or a grasp of darkness or something else. the point isn't that it'll always be grasp, but there normally is something that shouldn't be as late as it is (carapace forger and sky eel school are the king of 'no one wants me so i'm easy to get late' cards)
Fun list. The cheapest deck I ever made for Commander came in around 12 tix, so I'm pretty impressed that you were successful coming in under 8 tix.
I took a quick look at your list, and would probably recommend Warp World. You have a ton of permanents and very few sorceries, and it looks like no instants. This card can be a back breaker. You may need to fool around with your Devour guys a little, but I don't think that would be a huge deal. As you have a bunch of token makers, Mass Polymorph may be useful as well. I'm pretty sure both are cheap enough.
Forget about the Screen shots on the TB of the week. You are calling people out for being douches, not making a list of people who should be black balled by the community. You don't need proof for the reason you don't like someone when your just blogging about people you don't like.
and the screenshot adds a bad taste to he hole thing.
I been waiting for this article. And no deck list. I though I imprinted the deck list in the article. I feel like a failure. When I get home I will include the deck list in the comments here. So sad...
At least you can click on the lick I provided to get the deck list and buy the deck if need be.
I normally take the exact opposite approach to drafting SoM than you, and would have first picked arrest and then picked the hippogriff, forcing white as it is one of the strongest colors in the set. I think the alternate strategy for drafting this format is to just draft the strongest cards until proper signals present themselves, and it's likely that you'll already have drafted a great card or two in that color. Sometimes the strongest card is an artifact that keeps you open, and other times it is an arrest or great red removal that is totally splashable.
However, staying open certainly has its merits.
2 Things: Argentum armor is only a good card against weak players. It is an invitation to get blown out after spending 12 mana and 2 turns to cast and equip it. Also, you were fortunate to open that P3P1 Carnifex Demon, as it could have just as easily been a Sunblast Angel, in which case your early pack 1 picks would looks somewhat foolish in retrospect. That's not a criticism of your drafting skill, obviously you can't choose what you open and clearly you are an experienced drafter, just a criticism of this method of drafting scars.
I really like the thank you section. Very appropriate for this time of year and all worthy things to be thankful for. I am grateful for many of the same things.
What can I say, I like the theme of this one for some reason.. =P,
Great article, I was thinking that Commander should be the priority casual format for Heirloom anyway, seems we think alike =), We have limited, constructed for tournaments and one on one casual play and this would fill in the multiplayer facet really well.
Certainly there is value to restricting yourself to Heirloom cards as you say anyway, to save a lot of cash while having a great time =)
Oh well who says you can't dream big. And they will reprint FoWs, when alliance is brought online you can get FoWs. And no PREs will not be supported I pushed and hosted many PREs for a year to a year and a half hosting 3-4 events a week and wotc has no love for PREs.
Staying flexible in early picks is highly valuable in Scars drafting. That said, the Hippogriff is one of the cards I'd at least consider chancing a color comittment for - it's so powerful. Of course if white's not open, would you rather have a wasted pick sitting in your sideboard, or a Sylvok Replica (also a great card) in your maindeck? It's a lot easier to justify passing Arrest and Hippogriff when you have high quality artifacts like the Perilous Myr and the Replica. If they were weaker cards I might jump in white there.
Of course I'm also a big fan of Asceticism. I think people don't appreciate how crazy good that card can be.
Love your list, but mine is a bit more functional (and smaller).
1) The ability to filter games starting better. If I am just interested in playing standard, then it should be easier to see just those games starting.
2) Player notes. Instead of adding buddies or blocking people, I want to be able to add a note about every player I have played (or watched). Things like attitude, decks formats, family, b'day, etc.
3) A separate list for player buddies and trading buddies.
Can't argue about Katy though.
I also toy with making Mox back into Adventuring Gear and trying it with SS Elder. Boros has been having a great time last weekend, attacking with 5/5+ SS Elders and Lava Axing ppl. Masticore on steroids.
I've always wanted to find room for Devastating Summons. I love the combo with Bushwhacker. And in the 3 games I've faced it in the mirror, it killed me twice, and I got them once. So far, I haven't included it because it doesn't work well with Koth (of course I could always just make a straight-trade here), and it feels risky with Mana Leak and Flashfreeze in the format. I don't know how the Blue mages do it, but I feel like they always have at least 1 of each every game I play against them.
I debate cutting Mox on a daily basis. I still keep it in because the shuffler has been so unkind to me lately in terms of dosing me 1 land hands. I like the idea of 10 0-cc artifacts, as it does add a little more speed. I toy with adding 2 Effigy main to save on sideboard space. I also toy with making the Moxes additional burn, like 2 Burst Lightning.
Spikeshot Elder is also a tricky one. Probably the main reason why it's still in is because I feel like I draw Elves at least once/week, and it really shines in that match-up. I think he's pretty good in Game 1 as he adds another Goblin to the mix, giving you 10 1cc Red Goblin spells (counting Bushwhacker as 2cc here). But I almost always ended up sideboarding him out 90% of the time.
I also don't know if I like Masticore. I think he's very slow in this format, although, he has won me several games, and I don't like the idea of 3 Koth main. I'll probably experiment by cutting him and maybe a SS Elder for some Furnace Celebration and see how it goes. I do like the idea of Fetchlands not being dead draws.
I guess the main reason why I keep Koth is because he's been so great for me in the Vampires match up and the U/B and U/W match ups. The Vamps have a hard time beating Turn 4 Koth. Since I added him, my win percentage has been at least 3:2. Aggro start + Koth almost always smashes U/X control. They tap out for DOJ or kill spells, and I plop down a hasty 4/4.
I think Koth is also good in Valakut match up and Mirror and Boros. I think he's average in WW Quest and Green Eldrazi. I never feel like I have to sideboard him out though.
Thanks for the food for thought. I will test Furnace Celebration and post soon.
p.s. what's your sn on mtgo?
I do plan to try Mass Polymorph. Didnt think about warp world.
I tend to make Commander decks Creature heavy since I find they are the most reliable when killing others and defending yourself.
1 Acidic Slime
1 Anger
1 Ant Queen
1 Borderland Ranger
1 Brawn
1 Caldera Hellion
1 Civic Wayfinder
1 Clone
1 Coiling Oracle
1 Djinn of Wishes
1 Emrakul's Hatcher
1 Farhaven Elf
1 Frontier Guide
1 Hamletback Goliath
1 Hellkite Charger
1 Indrik Stomphowler
1 Intet, the Dreamer
1 Kozilek's Predator
1 Krosan Tusker
1 Lhurgoyf
1 Living Hive
1 Llanowar Elves
1 Lord of Shatterskull Pass
1 Magma Phoenix
1 Manic Vandal
1 Mold Shambler
1 Mulldrifter
1 Mycoloth
1 Ondu Giant
1 Rapacious One
1 Ryusei, the Falling Star
1 Scourge of Kher Ridges
1 Sphinx Ambassador
1 Steel Hellkite
1 Stonebrow, Krosan Hero
1 Verdant Force
1 Vesuvan Shapeshifter
1 Wickerbough Elder
1 Wilderness Elemental
1 Wood Elves
40 cards
Other Spells
1 Abundance
1 Armillary Sphere
1 Culling Dais
1 Darksteel Ingot
1 Darksteel Pendant
1 Expedition Map
1 Fecundity
1 Izzet Signet
1 Journey of Discovery
1 Lurking Predators
1 Mystic Remora
1 Proteus Staff
1 Pyroclasm
1 Recross the Paths
1 Sylvan Scrying
1 Venser's Journal
1 Wanderer's Twig
1 Whispersilk Cloak
1 Worn Powerstone
19 cards
1 City of Shadows
1 Gruul Turf
1 Halimar Depths
1 Highland Weald
1 Izzet Boilerworks
1 Kazandu Refuge
1 Kher Keep
1 Minamo, School at Water's Edge
1 Mystifying Maze
1 Reliquary Tower
1 Shimmering Grotto
1 Shinka, the Bloodsoaked Keep
1 Simic Growth Chamber
1 Soldevi Excavations
1 Spinerock Knoll
1 Terramorphic Expanse
1 Vivid Crag
1 Vivid Creek
1 Vivid Grove
6 Island
6 Mountain
10 Forest
41 cards
Hey Brandon, I'm currently also grinding with almost the same list, but I can't help but notice you're missing out on some broken late game action.
I've spent a few slots differently to give me some extra punch late game.
+2 Devastating Summons (Great vs other red or ramp decks and you are already playing bushwacker)
+3 Furnace Celebration (8fetch, 4 spellbombs, 4 dotha, 2 Devastating summons)
No mox opal ( I play 4x chimeric mass, 4 memnite and 4 spellbombs, that's all i need.
No Koth of the hammer, Furnace Celebration Outclasses Koth Here and works better when behind.
No Spikeshot Goblin. Although i love it against vamps, i usually just bring in clasms against them faking a bad draw
No failure, just a minor mishap. It happens and don't you beat yourself up over it.
basically what Psymunn and Felorin said. Except that lately, awkwardly enough, I've been drafting the format completely differently from this article's draft. These days I tend to dip a toe into infect early and get out if its not open, then start looking for underrated cards/archetypes(Molder Beast, Goblin Gavaleer, Untamed Might, and even Assault Strobe has been a favorite of late). This format has so much going on and I think one of the most interesting things about it is that what was correct one week is not necessarily still correct the next. As everyone starts to draft certain decks higher, other archetypes become much stronger. Lately I've been avoiding metalcraft like the plague because artifacts are getting taken a lot higher.
RE: Sylvok Replica - I do consider it to be significantly more splashable than Arrest, since its provides a 1/3 body as well as an extra artifact until that Forest does arrive, where as Arrest rots in your hand.
RE: Argentum Armor - Perhaps its slightly better against worst players, but only because they tend to waste removal earlier than experienced players. Poor players will still respond with removal or bounce when they see an Armor. Basically I see Armor as a fairly risky card that demands an answer, and I only "waste" 12 mana on it when I'm either a)desperate, b)have nothing better to do, or c)am fairly certain they aren't holding an answer. Its slow, but if played carefully can be extremely powerful.
The problem is that Sylvok Replica is effectively a colored card. The 1/3 body is only moderately relevant, and putting it "on the splash" is no justification because it would also apply to the (better) Arrest.
It's the same problem metalcraft decks always have: the artifacts kind of suck. Now, running the nut Carapace Forger deck is always a good thing, and that's the main benefit he got from staying open, but it's kind of disingenuous to say that Sylvok Replica is "more open" than Arrest.
i often do draft the way you are describing gordo, but i'm a big fan of 'no-theme goodstuff deck.' dylan tends to favor metalcraft which makes his drafting style more of a nessecity. the problem with metal craft is you have to get a LOT of artifacts which means you don't have the luxury of throwing away picks on coloured spells that won't make your deck. you'd rather take the weaker brown spell because you're 1 artifact closer to hitting that magical metalcraft number. both strategies are valid. if your goal is 'get 6 coloured spells max' then you really hold out to find out what coloured spells you're taking.
also, the very nature of this format means you get powerful stuff deceptively late because decks are so 'archetype' driven. spending your first couple of picks on a chrome steed and a tumble magnet is fine because 6th pick there'll probably bea darkslick drake or a grasp of darkness or something else. the point isn't that it'll always be grasp, but there normally is something that shouldn't be as late as it is (carapace forger and sky eel school are the king of 'no one wants me so i'm easy to get late' cards)
Fun list. The cheapest deck I ever made for Commander came in around 12 tix, so I'm pretty impressed that you were successful coming in under 8 tix.
I took a quick look at your list, and would probably recommend Warp World. You have a ton of permanents and very few sorceries, and it looks like no instants. This card can be a back breaker. You may need to fool around with your Devour guys a little, but I don't think that would be a huge deal. As you have a bunch of token makers, Mass Polymorph may be useful as well. I'm pretty sure both are cheap enough.
Forget about the Screen shots on the TB of the week. You are calling people out for being douches, not making a list of people who should be black balled by the community. You don't need proof for the reason you don't like someone when your just blogging about people you don't like.
and the screenshot adds a bad taste to he hole thing.
I was gonna say the same thing.
Send kattie perry my way when you guys are done with her.
I been waiting for this article. And no deck list. I though I imprinted the deck list in the article. I feel like a failure. When I get home I will include the deck list in the comments here. So sad...
At least you can click on the lick I provided to get the deck list and buy the deck if need be.
Sorry to all my faithful readers.
yes, sometimes you get 3+ grasp of darkness, but all of the time you don't get the arrest you passed.
Excellent draft walkthrough.
I normally take the exact opposite approach to drafting SoM than you, and would have first picked arrest and then picked the hippogriff, forcing white as it is one of the strongest colors in the set. I think the alternate strategy for drafting this format is to just draft the strongest cards until proper signals present themselves, and it's likely that you'll already have drafted a great card or two in that color. Sometimes the strongest card is an artifact that keeps you open, and other times it is an arrest or great red removal that is totally splashable.
However, staying open certainly has its merits.
2 Things: Argentum armor is only a good card against weak players. It is an invitation to get blown out after spending 12 mana and 2 turns to cast and equip it. Also, you were fortunate to open that P3P1 Carnifex Demon, as it could have just as easily been a Sunblast Angel, in which case your early pack 1 picks would looks somewhat foolish in retrospect. That's not a criticism of your drafting skill, obviously you can't choose what you open and clearly you are an experienced drafter, just a criticism of this method of drafting scars.
As you can see from the list it is more of dreamy wants!!! Wants that will never come to fruition. Although I think Katy has her eye on me.
I really like the thank you section. Very appropriate for this time of year and all worthy things to be thankful for. I am grateful for many of the same things.
So your momir tournament.... What's to stop you and I from starting our match and then just agreeing to keep playing creatures until the time is up?
Great article! This will introduce the Heirloom idea to new players of other formats! Hope to build a Heirloom commander deck soon for some games :-)
What can I say, I like the theme of this one for some reason.. =P,
Great article, I was thinking that Commander should be the priority casual format for Heirloom anyway, seems we think alike =), We have limited, constructed for tournaments and one on one casual play and this would fill in the multiplayer facet really well.
Certainly there is value to restricting yourself to Heirloom cards as you say anyway, to save a lot of cash while having a great time =)
Fantastic Lythand, great stuff.
X-
Pretty awesome article,
Where you find all of these images is beyond me, really cool stuff.
Can't say I disagree about the PRE event thing heh,
Don't be stingy with Katy Perry, make sure you send her on her way to my imagination's house after you're done with her =).
X-
Hey Lythand I was looking forward to seeing the decklist. In part two perhaps?
Oh well who says you can't dream big. And they will reprint FoWs, when alliance is brought online you can get FoWs. And no PREs will not be supported I pushed and hosted many PREs for a year to a year and a half hosting 3-4 events a week and wotc has no love for PREs.
Staying flexible in early picks is highly valuable in Scars drafting. That said, the Hippogriff is one of the cards I'd at least consider chancing a color comittment for - it's so powerful. Of course if white's not open, would you rather have a wasted pick sitting in your sideboard, or a Sylvok Replica (also a great card) in your maindeck? It's a lot easier to justify passing Arrest and Hippogriff when you have high quality artifacts like the Perilous Myr and the Replica. If they were weaker cards I might jump in white there.
Of course I'm also a big fan of Asceticism. I think people don't appreciate how crazy good that card can be.