The next article in Limited Lorwyn features forty five cards in a booster draft. This is a straight forward draft analysis so let's get to it.  I grab my three packs and two tickets from MTGO Traders, and head to the queue. After six minutes my draft starts up.

Pack 1, Pick 1

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The options in my mind are either Tarfire, Oblivion Ring, Dolmen Gate, or Merrow Reejerey. Dolmen Gate is the weakest of the 4, I see that Merfolk are plentiful in this pack and want to grab the lord to begin a signal and be able to grab the Silvergill Douser on the wrap around. (Note on The Wraparound: As their are 8 people in the draft and 15 cards, the Wraparound refers to picks 9-15, where you will be picking cards you have already seen before.)  However, in taking Tarfire or Oblivion Ring I am not commiting to a tribe,  or color for that matter. Oblivion Ring is the stronger removal and as so joins my list.

Pick: Oblivion Ring

Pack 1, Pick 2

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I would have loved to have two of the Merfolk Lords. As there is also a solid common that would come back in Stonybrook Angler. Plover Knights is the only other card I would consider in this pack.

Pick: Merrow Reejerey

Pack 1, Pick 3

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Battlewand Oak, Plover Knights, Paperfin Rascal, Faerie Harbinger were all considered. Battlewand would be useless outside of Treefolk, and I already started on Merfolk, the Knights give me a solid flier, the harbinger would be great for a combat trick, or to find changelings, and the Rascal is in tribe. I have been beat before by a Plover Knights without any defense, so maybe it was just my sore wound.

Pick: Plover Knights

Pack 1, Pick 4

Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Judge of Currents, Inkfathom Divers, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Merrow Harbinger, Vivid Marsh.

This pack is loaded with merfolk and merfolk related items (Springleaf Drum). The Mudbutton Torchrunner and Footbottom Feast are also viable. The problem with taking Merrow Harbinger or Judge of Currents, is that the person to my immediate left probably grabbed the Reejerey in the first pack rendering the second pack a dry one for Merfolk. The problem though is I realized this after the draft, and there really wasn't any other card to take back at pick 2. So, I grab the Harbinger and hope that the Merfolk will be plenty and if not I hope the Changelings will. Also, should Merfolk completely disappear it is important to be able to abandon ship, and head in a new direction, I will keep my eyes open.

Pick: Merrow Harbinger

Pack 1, Pick 5:

Wanderer's Twig, Axegrinder Giant, Kithkin Greatheart, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Lammastide Weave, Flamekin Harbinger, Fallowsage.

Another pack full of Merfolk, maybe there is enough for the two of us. Judge of Currents and Fallowsage are stellar, there are also some decent Giants and color fixers. Fallowsage is too good to pass up, especially with the previous pick.

Pick: Fallowsage

Pack 1, Pick 6:

Stonybrook Angler, Hillcomber Giant, Streambed Aquitects, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Ethereal Whiskergill, Harpoon Sniper, Flamekin Bladewhirl.

While Stonybrook Angler can keep things on lock, or tap my own Fallowsage, being able to destroy things in combat will keep things calm. Also would like to note there are a few Elementals in this pack. Just saying.

Pick: Harpoon Sniper

Pack 1, Pick 7:

Surge of Thoughtweft, Wanderer's Twig, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Bog Hoodlums, Vivid Meadow, Guardian of Cloverdell, Foil Mountain.

I looked at the pack and grabbed the expensive foil. Oh wait, that is a mountain, WOTC almost got me. Vivid Meadow, Guardian of Cloverdell, Wanderer's Twig, and Surge of Thoughtweft seem like the only options. I have no synergy with the Treefolk or the Tribal Instant, color fixing it is.

Pick: Vivid Meadow

Pack 1, Pick 8:

Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Warren-Scourge Elf, Guardian of Cloverdell, Captivating Glance.

Don't really have much to say here. I guess I will pick one of these cards

Pick: Wings of Velis Vel

Pack 1, Pick 9:

Ingot Chewer, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Lignify, Amoeboid Changeling, Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Faerie Tauntings.

I value changelings, although Amoeboid isn't the best, it can help in certain situations. None of which I encountered during my games. Oh well. I would also like to point out that there is no more Silvergill Douser in this pack.

Pick: Amoeboid Changeling

Pack 1, Pick 10:

Elvish Eulogist, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Inner-Flame Igniter, Faerie Tauntings, Quill-Slinger Boggart.

I would like to note that the Stonybrook Angler got taken and that there have been a few Goblins floating around. Not fantastic ones, but plenty.

Pick: Faerie Trickery

So, I would like to stop and point out that you can't expect something to come back to you when it is one of the top 8 cards in the pack. I went back and looked, go ahead, you can too, just scroll up...and I would have taken it too. Also, when you have successive packs with 3 decent Merfolk in them, you can't really signal very well. It is sometimes best to take a different tribe and let other people fight over them. See the signals coming to you and know which ones you are giving.

Pack 1, Pick 11:

Hurly-Burly, Paperfin Rascal, Runed Stalactite, Tideshaper Mystic, Howltooth Hollow.

I felt it was more important to be able to use Islandwalking to my advantage rather than have a slightly larger beater in the Paperfin Rascal.

Pick: Tideshaper Mystic

Pack 1, Pick 12:

Kithkin Healer, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Inkfathom Divers.

I think this is a fantastic gift at pick 12.

Pick: Inkfathom Divers

Pack 1, Pick 13:

Lace with Moonglove, Exiled Boggart, Lammastide Weave.

Pick: Lace with Moonglove

Pack 1, Pick 14:

Flamekin Brawler, Triclopean Sight

Pick: Flamekin Brawler

Pack 1, Pick 15:

Pick: Scarred Vinebreeder.

 Pack 2, Pick 1:

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What a Pack! Shriekmaw, is an absolute beast. If I had an elemental theme going, not sure what I would pick here, probably still Shriekmaw. Hate to see somebody else get a Crib Swap, Lash Out, and Footbottom Feast, but what a pack.

Pick: Shriekmaw

Pack 2, Pick 2:

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Are you serious? Must have been a foil Thoughtseize in here for the Merfolk Hunter on my left to pass up Cryptic Command. No contest here.

(Note: I talked with RiverMagic who passed me this pack. He couldn't remember what he took but grabbed a great Goblin card that took him to second place, obviously worth more than a silly Command.)

Pick: Cryptic Command

Pack 2, Pick 3:

Cenn's Heir, Ringskipper, Black Poplar Shaman, Faerie Harbinger, Woodland Guidance, Stinkdrinker Daredevil.

Missed the screenshot for this pick. Nothing terribly exciting. I half hate drafted, half hoped I would get a spree of changelings to use him with.

Pick: Stinkdrinker Daredevil

Pack 2, Pick 4:

Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Silvergill Douser, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, AEthersnipe, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Wellgabber Apothecary, Hoarder's Greed, Elvish Promenade.

Pick: Silvergill Douser

Pack 2, Pick 5:

Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Broken Ambitions, Cenn's Heir, Boggart Forager, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Ceaseless Searblades, Hoarder's Greed, Wild Ricochet, Herbal Poultice.

I think there were some better options here. This pick I feel I messed up. Sentinels, Hoarder's Greed, and Wild Ricochet I feel are all better.

Pick: Broken Ambitions

Pack 2, Pick 6:

 Pestermite, Peppersmoke, Wispmare, Faultgrinder, Faerie Trickery, Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Inner-Flame Igniter, Vivid Grove, Glimmerdust Nap.

Pick: Pestermite

Pack 2, Pick 7:

Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Needle Drop, Springjack Knight, Heal the Scars, Vivid Crag.

I thought of Oakgnarl Warrior and decided if I was going to use my shriekmaw, a Vivd would help.

Pick: Vivid Crag

Pack 2, Pick 8:

Bog-Strider Ash, Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Protective Bubble, Aquitect's Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Treefolk Harbinger, Rebellion of the Flamekin.

Nice Fallowsage complimenter in here.

Pick: Springleaf Drum

Pack 2, Pick 9:

Lowland Oaf, Lignify, Kithkin Healer, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Shields of Velis Vel, Vivid Crag.

Maybe grabbing another Vivid would have helped here, or a cantrip in Ponder.

Pick: Kithkin Healer

Pack 2, Pick 10:

Whirlpool Whelm, Wispmare, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Dawnfluke, Ego Erasure.

Pick: Whirlpool Whelm

Pack 2, Pick 11:

Cenn's Heir, Ringskipper, Black Poplar Shaman, Faerie Harbinger, Woodland Guidance.

Pick: Faerie Harbinger

Pack 2, Pick 12:  Quill-Slinger Boggart, Soaring Hope, Wellgabber Apothecary, Hoarder's Greed.

Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary

Pack 2, Pick 13:

Cenn's Heir, Boggart Forager, Hunt Down.

Pick: Cenn's Heir

Pack 2, Pick 14:

Faerie Trickery, Warren-Scourge Elf.

Pick: Faerie Trickery

Pack 2, Pick 15:

Pick: Herbal Poultice

Pack 3, Pick 1:

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Hearthcage Giant is a beast, Wizened Cenn is nice and would complement my changelings, Profane Command is a good removal and finisher if I can get BB. With a Vivid and Springleaf, and I am already going to be playing Shriekmaw, I think it is safe to say I will make room for it.

Pick: Profane Command

Pack 3, Pick 2:

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Timber Protector had crossed my mind, it is almost too late to field enough to play him. I will have to pass him to the lucky players to my left.

Pick: Changeling Hero

Pack 3, Pick 3:

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Merfolk are still here. Shame I won't get more removal in Neck Snap, or the fantastic Tar Pitcher.

Pick: Drowner of Secrets

Pack 3, Pick 4:

Goldmeadow Harrier, Fistful of Force, Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Cloudcrown Oak, Oblivion Ring, Inkfathom Divers, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Soaring Hope, Ego Erasure, Goldmeadow Stalwart.

Easy pick here.

Pick: Oblivion Ring

Pack 3, Pick 5:

Silvergill Douser, Avian Changeling, Bog-Strider Ash, Springleaf Drum, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Vivid Meadow, Mad Auntie.

If I had not gone with Merfolk, seeing a Tar Pitcher two picks ago and now Mad Auntie would certainly scream Goblins. Looking back though, I probably should have taken Silvergill Douser since I was so heavily into Merfolk.

Pick: Avian Changeling

Pack 3, Pick 6:

Glimmerdust Nap, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Battle Mastery, Lys Alana Scarblade.

Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary

Pack 3, Pick 7:

Thieving Sprite, Hillcomber Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Boggart Forager, Ringskipper, Triclopean Sight, Sentry Oak, Turtleshell Changeling, Springjack Knight.

Pick: Turtleshell Changeling

Pack 3, Pick 8:

Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Wispmare, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Battle Mastery.

Looking back, I made the incorrect pick here, Oaken Brawler or Lairwatch Giant would have been better choices as my faeries were incomplete.

Pick: Spellstutter Sprite

Pack 3, Pick 9:

Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Lowland Oaf, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, (Lace wih Moonglove).

Pick: Amoeboid Changeling

Pack 3, Pick 10:

Paperfin Rascal, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Oaken Brawler, Dawnfluke, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman.

Probably should have stayed with Merfolk and grabbed the Paperfin Rascal

Pick:  Spellstutter Sprite

 Pack 3, Pick 11:

Nath's Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Nectar Faerie.

Pick: Nectar Faerie

Pack 3, Pick 12:

Glimmerdust Nap, Ingot Chewer, Soaring Hope, Ego Erasure.

Pick: Glimmerdust Nap

Pack 3, Pick 13:

Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Protective Bubble.

Pick: Zephyr Net

Pack 3, Pick 14:

Spring Cleaning, Lys Alana Scarblade.

Pick: Spring Cleaning

Pack 3, Pick 15:

Pick: Boggart Forager

With that I put together this deck initially, a Blue White black, of Merolk and a tiny Faerie Counter package.

I started my first match with most of the Faerie Package in my hand, including Pestermite, two Spellstutter Sprite, and the Faerie Harbinger. I didn't get to counter a single thing, as the first card played was a four casting cost Elf. Second game, I sideboarded out the Faeries and decided to go with some more "removal" in the form of Zephyr Net, and Glimmerdust Nap.

Here is RiverMagic's 2nd place deck from the draft.

RiverMagic 's Goblins.dec

Lands (16):   8x Swamp 8x Mountain   Spells (9): Boggart Birth Rite Boggart Shenanigans 2x Consuming Bonfire Dolmen Gate Footbottom Feast 2x Giant's Ire Moonglove Extract

Crits (15): Hornet Harasser Mad Auntie Boggart Mob Changeling Berserker 2x Facevaulter Fire-Belly Changeling Moonglove Winnower Nath's Buffoon Shriekmaw Skeletal Changeling Spiderwig Boggart Squeaking Pie Sneak Tar Pitcher Warren Pilferers

With plenty of removal and hauses in Tar Pitcher and Mad Auntie which I passed him, I can see why he did so well. He mentioned that he lost to an aggro mono white or W with a splash Kithkin build. A piece of advice he would like to share about drafting, don't look at the rares, if Goblins are coming to you, snatch them up. I agree. Use your signals. Well done RiverMagic, well done.

Lessons:

Splashing Spellstutter Sprite, isn't magical at all

Commiting to your tribe in the second pick of the first pack isn't always the best thing to do. If you would like to, then keep your options open in case you want to change, or combine tribes.

Wraparound cards are never guranteed, especially if the rest of the cards in the pack aren't more appealing. I didn't get four to six cards that I was expecting would wrap. There might have been three people playing merfolk out of the eight. Goblins and Elementals seemed to be more open.

Use your signals, and be adaptable, I feel like I have said it three or four times, but it is that important

Have fun

I hope you enjoyed this article on Limited Lorwyn, join me next time as I discuss the aftershock of Worlds and a STD online PE.