This draft happened on Monday, December 17. A lot of the focus is on Weatherlight Release Events, but the Lorwyn queues seem to be firing with the same frequency. I joined the 4-3-2-2 Lorwyn queue and the draft fired within five minutes. I reconstructed a lot of this information as DraftCap wasn't quite setup correctly on my new PC (early Christmas present!)
Table Ratings
In addition to the ratings, at the end I have the colors/decks for six of the eight drafters at the table. It is always interesting to try to see if those colors/tribes should have been obvious to you during the draft and hopefully help you in your picks.
Drafter's feeding me:
Rating 1734 (directly to my right and first round winner)
Rating 1637 (my second round opponent)
Rating 1523 (three seats to my right)
Rating 1586 (my first round opponent)
Drafter's I am feeding:
Rating 1708 (directly to my left and my finals opponent)
Rating 1557 (two seats to my left)
Rating 1728 (three seats to my left)
Again, the reason I do this is very simple. I choose to trust that anyone with a 1700+ rating will signal and read signals with some degree of proficiency. Anything lower and I don't make any assumption.
On to the picks and my comments.
Draft:
Pack 1:
Footbottom Feast, Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Silvergill Douser, Oblivion Ring, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Entangling Trap, Turtleshell Changeling, Makeshift Mannequin, Oona's Prowler
Pick: Oona's Prowler
The best cards in this pack are Oblivion Ring, Silvergill Douser, and Oona's Prowler. By taking the Prowler, I am either sending my neighbor into Merfolk/Faeries (with the Douser) or giving him/her a very nice splashable removal spell. My neighbor is highly rated and I expect the O-ring will be the choice, allowing me to cut blue for a Blue Black faerie deck. And indeed - I saw O-ring as a white splash (also for Crib Swap) when I played my immediate neighbor in the finals.
Pack 2:
Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Aethersnipe, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Tarfire, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Amoeboid Changeling, Goldmeadow Stalwart, Captivating Glance, Epic Proportions, Mountain
Pick: Aethersnipe
The best cards in this pack are AEthersnipe and Epic Proportions. I can go Green Black and dip into Faeries, Elves, and Treefolk. Or I can attempt to force UB Faeries and Merfolk. I took the whole time allotted to make this choice. With both the Amoeboid Changeling and AEthersnipe present, I don't believe that my neighbor immediately to the right is in blue, so I continue with Blue Black Faeries. I pass Amoeboid Changeling but am still doing my best to cut blue, as my neighbor on the left should be taking the Epic Proportions. I did not see the Epic Proportions played in any of the three games of the finals - but my neighbor was playing with green as a main color so I certainly assume that it was taken.
Pack 3:
Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Adder-Staff Boggart, Fertile Ground, Ringskipper, Black Poplar Shaman, Shimmering Grotto, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Vivid Creek, Familiar's Ruse, Howltooth Hollow
Pick: Familiar's Ruse
My goal here is to cut blue. There are a good number of come into play cards that Familiar's Ruse can take advantage of and I hope to be in Blue Black faeries which is a much better place to be playing counterspells than Blue White merfolk. I expect my neighbor to take Fertile Ground, Boggart Loggers, or Vivid Creek. I now feel very comfortable that both of my immediate neighbors are not in blue.
Pack 4:
Cloudcrown Oak, Wanderer's Twig, Hornet Harrasser, Axegrinder Giant, Woodland Changeling, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Judge of Currents, Prowress of the Fair, Merrow Harbinger
Pick: Merrow Harbinger
A Merrow Harbinger and Judge of Currents indicate that Merfolk are pretty wide open. I'm feeling even better about blue at this point. Anyone downstream should clearly get the signal that blue is cut and my immediate neighbor should be strongly in green. This pack should see him/her take either Woodland Changeling or Cloudcrown Oak.
Pack 5:
Fertile Ground, Moonglove Winnower, Whirlpool Whelm, Leaf Gilder, Elvish Handservant, Dawnfluke, Broken Ambitions, Nath's Buffoon, Thorntooth Witch, Turtleshell Changeling, Mountain
Pick: Turtleshell Changeling
Perfect for what looks now more like a Merfolk deck. Plenty of good green and black to send downstream. I'm probably not going to end up in Faeries at this point. I have yet to see even a Thieving Sprite. And I'm sending enough black that I shouldn't see much during the second pack.
Pack 6:
Bog-Strider Ash, Springleaf Drum, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant, Boggart Harbinger, Goatnapper, Windbrisk Heights
Pick: Judge of Currents
Pack 7:
Peppersmoke, Nath's Elite, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Cenn's Heir, Boggart Forager, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Giant's Ire, Burrenton Forge-Tender
Pick: Burrenton Forge-Tender
I am most likely going to be Merfolk and Blue White. So I take the sideboard card that is good vs the red deck. I also should get a lot of good white in the second pack as I have passed almost nothing white other than the first Oblivion Ring.
Pack 8:
Thieving Sprite, Hillcomber Giant, Battlewand Oak, Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Hoarder's Greed, Thousand-Year Elixir
Pick: Hillcomber Giant
Another sideboard card vs. the red deck. My neighbor will get a ninth pick Battlewand Oak.
Pack 9:
Axegrinder Giant, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Bog-Strider Ash, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Entangling Trap
Pick: Ponder
At least one of the three blue cards from the initial pack tabled. So there are most likely two other drafters I'll be fighting for Merfolk.
Pack 10:
Lowland Oaf, Surge of Thoughtweft, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Ingot Chewer, Captivating Glance, Mountain
Pick: Captivating Glance
I'd really like to try this to see how it works. But it is unlikely to make my maindeck. I did side it in vs. another Merfolk deck to try to deal with Drowner. But I did not draw it.
Pack 11:
Boggart Loggers, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Howltooth Hollow
Pick: Boggart Loggers
Pack 12:
Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Prowress of the Fair
Pick: Boggart Birth Rite
Pack 13:
Elvish Handservant, Nath's Buffoon, Mountain
Pick: Elvish Handservant
Pack 14:
Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto
Pick: Shimmering Grotto
Pack 15:
Boggart Forager
Pick: Boggart Forager
Pack 16:
Plover Knights, Paperfin Rascal, Dreamspoiler Witches, Runed Stalactite, Nath's Elite, Boggart Forager, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath's Buffoon, Vivid Marsh, Final Revels, Elvish Harbinger, Cryptic Command, Immaculate Magistrate
Pick: Cryptic Command
Well this one is pretty easy. Had I been in Black Green instead - I would have had to choose between five different cards.
Pack 17:
Adder-Staff Boggart, Wispmare, Streambed Aquitects, Consuming Bonfire, Boggart Loggers, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, *, Sentry Oak, Elvish Promenade
Pick: Streambed Aquitects
Pack 18:
Kithkin Greatheart, Mulldrifter, Footbottom Feast, Lowland Oaf, Lignify, Kithkin Healer, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Elvish Promenade, Crush Underfoot, Seedguide Ash
Pick: Mulldrifter
Though this is an easy pick for me, I am very suprised to see the Seedguide Ash here. Unless there was also a better rare treefolk in this pack - the Seedguide Ash should have been picked already.
Pack 19:
Oakgnarl Warrior, Goldmeadow Harrier, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Exiled Boggart, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Vivid Meadow, Battle Mastery, Shelldock Isle
Pick: Goldmeadow Harrier
Pack 20:
Wanderer's Twig, Avian Changeling, Bog-Strider Ash, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Spring Cleaning, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Needle Drop, Faerie Tauntings, *
Pick: Avian Changeling
And the white is flowing nicely in this pack as I expected.
Pack 21:
Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Smokebraider, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Moonglove Winnower, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Jagged-Scar Archers
Pick: Sentinels of Glen Elendra
Pack 22:
Hillcomber Giant, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Rebellion of the Flamekin
Pick: Spellstutte Sprite
Pack 23:
Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Bog Hoodlums, Fire-Belly Changeling, Skeletal Changeling, Goldmeadow Stalwart, Flamekin Harbinger
Pick: Kithkin Greatheart
Pack 24:
Runed Stalactite, Nath's Elite, Boggart Forager, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath's Buffoon
Pick: Triclopean Sight
Pack 25:
Boggart Loggers, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Flamekin Brawler, Sentry Oak
Pick: Sentry Oak
Pack 26:
Footbottom Feast, Lignify, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Crush Underfoot
Pick: Lignify
Pack 27:
Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Exiled Boggart, Battle Mastery
Pick: Kithkin Daggerdare
Pack 28:
Exiled Boggart, Needle Drop, Faerie Tauntings
Pick: Faerie Tauntings
Pack 29:
Inner-Flame Acolyte, Elvish Eulogist
Pick: Inner-Flame Acolyte
Pack 30:
Flamekin Brawler
Pick: Flamekin Brawler
Pack 31:
Fistful of Force, Aethersnipe, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Cloudcrown Oak, Tarfire, Wanderer's Twig, Heal the Scars, Inkfathom Divers, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Kithkin Mourncaller, Boggart Shennanigans, Harpoon Sniper, Fathom Trawl
Pick: Harpoon Sniper
Another blue rare in a pack I open. Lucky me. Fathom Trawl (and all the gas it provides) vs. Harpoon Sniper is an interesting choice. I am still not sure which is the better pick, as either is very good in this deck.
Pack 32:
Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Neck Snap, Pestermite, Leaf Gilder, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Facevaulter, Warren-Scourge Elf, Blades of Velis Vel, Cenn's Heir, Imperious Perfect, Ceaseless Searblades, Faerie Tauntings
Pick: Pestermite
Passing Imperious Perfect to my neighbor in green. I'd put him as the odds on favorite to win the draft at this point.
Pack 33:
Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Fistful of Force, Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Kithkin Harbinger, Sylvan Echoes, Ghostly Changeling, Mad Auntie
Pick: Kinsbaile Skirmisher
A 2/2 with the CIP ability vs. the 2/1 with Islandwalk. Just like the first pick in this pack - either will work, but I went with the two toughness.
Pack 34:
Deeptread Merrow, Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Warren Pilferers, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect's Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Merrow Harbinger, Knight of Meadowgrain
Pick: Avian Changeling
Second choice in this pack was Knight of Meadowgrain but Avian Changeling has evasion and is a Merfolk.
Pack 35:
Paperfin Rascal, Nath's Elite, Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Caterwauling Boggart, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Pollen Lullaby, Thorn of Amethyst
Pick: Paperfin Rascal
Pack 36:
Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Smokebraider, Moonglove Winnower, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Caterwauling Boggart, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Benthicore
Pick: Benthicore
Pack 37:
Hurly Burly, Peppersmoke, Consuming Bonfire, Wispmare, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Burrenton Forge-Tender, Island
Pick: Wispmare
Pack 38:
Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Shields of Velis Vel, Fire-Belly Changeling, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Crush Underfoot, Lys Alana Scarblade
Pick: Amoeboid Changeling
Pack 39:
Quill-Slinger Boggart, Wanderer's Twig, Heal the Scars, Boggart Birth Rite, Ingot Chewer, Kithkin Mourncaller
Pick: Wanderer's Twig
Pack 40:
Thieving Sprite, Warren-Scourge Elf, Blades of Velis Vel, Cenn's Heir, Ceaseless Searblades, Faerie Tauntings
Pick: Thieving Sprite
Pack 41:
Soulbright Flamekin, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Sylvan Echoes,
Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary
Pack 42:
Herbal Poultice, Aquitect's Will, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder
Pick: Aquitect's Will
Pack 43:
Caterwauling Boggart, Goldmeadow Dodger, Nightshade Stinger
Pick: Caterwauling Boggart
Pack 44:
Caterwauling Boggart, Tideshaper Mystic
Pick: Tideshaper Mystic
Pack 45:
Island
Pick: Island
Deck
LAND
CREATURES
SPELLS
Sideboard
Round 1 Summary
vs Blue Green (Two Silvergill Douser, Briarhorn, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Two Whirlpool Whelm)
For the second draft in a row I played someone who wasn't all that familiar with Lorwyn. My opponent had played significantly two to three years ago and was just coming back. Without removal, I was able to build up card advantage with Mulldrifter and my flyers took both games. I wasn't under much pressure in either game.
Round 2 Summary
vs Blue White black Merfolk (Drowner of Secrets, Pestermite, Oaken Brawler, Streambed Aquitects, splashing for Eyeblight's Ending)
In game one my curve of Greatheart, Changeling, Skirmisher, and Harbinger was enough to race (with evasion) his Silvergill Douser, Turtleshell Changeling, and Oaken Brawler. The clash on the Brawler revealed Drowner of Secrets for him and Avian Changeling for me. His Drowner was able to mill Mulldrifter, Benthicore and some land, but the evasion carried game one. I used Merrow Harbinger to search for Aquitect's Will this game with Drowner already in play. If I searched out a "good" merfolk, it would just get milled - so this allowed me to thin my deck slightly.
In game two, my opponent mulled to six on the play. I curved out with Goldmeadow Harrier, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, and then Pestermite on his upkeep of turn four to tap down his Streambed Aquitects. My turn four play was Avian Changeling and I could now get through for six a turn (tapping with Harrier) and he conceded.
Round 3 Summary
vs Green Black white Elves/Treefolk (Doran, Oakgnarl Warrior, Nameless Inversion, Crib Swap, Oblivion Ring, Elvish Harbinger, Imperious Perfect, Thorntooth Witch)
I lost the die roll for the third straight game and was on the draw. I curved out with Amoeboid Changeling, Avian Changeling, Merrow Harbinger (searching Judge of Currents) and Mulldrifter. My opponent played Doran on turn three (using a Vivid land) but no other creatures until turn seven. He used Crib Swap on my Harpoon Sniper and Nameless Inversion on my Judge of Currents, but I drew Cryptic Command the turn before he played Imperious Perfect, and then had AEthersnipe for Doran and my board advantage carried me to the win.
I sideboarded some swamps, Boggart Loggers, and Sentry Oak in for the remaining games. I don't remember what I took out. I didn't draw the Loggers in either game.
I mulligan'ed to six in game two and kept a hand with three Plains, Avian Changeling, Merrow Harbinger, and AEthersnipe. I drew Wanderer's Twig on Turn two and was able to play Avian on turn three, Harbinger on turn four and try to double block Doran - which my opponent again played on turn three (no vivid land or fertile ground - just the right basic land draw.) A timely Crib Swap foiled that plan and it was over very quickly 1-1.
I chose to draw in game three as I wanted to put pressure on my opponent to be color-screwed and I also was now playing a splash. I kept a hand of five Islands, Turtleshell Changeling, and Sentry Oak as I knew my opponent had a slower deck without a turn three Doran and by drawing a single plains, I would have Sentry Oak to trade on turn five. He missed his turn four land drop, and the first spell to be played was my turn four Turtleshell Changeling. I was able to put constant pressure on with my smaller flyers and islandwalk guys (after playing Aquitect's Will) but my opponent played Oakgnarl Warrior and Thorntooth Witch with each subsequent treefolk spell taking out one of my small evasion guys. I eventually drew Goldmeadow Harrier and was able to tap down Oakgnarl to alpha strike for the win. A single late clash for Sentry Oak revealed Austere Command for my opponent and Cryptic Command for me. This prevented him from playing much of anything with the threat of Cryptic Command.
Colors Played:
Drafter's feeding me:
Rating 1734 (directly to my right and first round winner) - Played RW Kithkin (according to my finals opponent)
Rating 1637 (my second round opponent) - Played UWb Merfolk
Rating 1523 (three seats to my right) - Played Gx Elves (according to my finals opponent)
Rating 1586 (my first round opponent) - Played UG Merfolk
Drafter's I am feeding:
Rating 1708 (directly to my left and my finals opponent) - Played GBw Treefolk/Elves
Rating 1557 (two seats to my left) - Unknown
Rating 1728 (three seats to my left) - Unknown
Thanks for reading this. Comments are always welcome!
0 Comments
Maybe I undervalue the importance of staking an early claim on tribal territory. That first pick, I would have just taken the solid Oblivion Ring and second pick the bomby Epic Proportions. From that point on it was just noting that Green and White looked open, with a 4th pick Cloudcrown making it look like Treefolk, specifically are available. So here's how we compare those first eight picks.
Picks 1-8.
Kurt: Merrow Harbinger, Judge of Currents, Turtleshell Changeling, Aethersnipe, Hillcomber Giant, Familiar's Ruse, Burrenton Forge-Tender, Oona's Prowler. Looking for UW Merfolk.
Jack: Cloudcrown Oak, Battlewand Oak, Kinsbale Balloonist, Leaf Gilder, Nath's Elite, Epic Proportions, Oblivion Ring, Windbrisk Heights. Looking for G Treefolk and Elves, probably GW, though at this point, white could still end up just a splash.
One of the things I like about Lorwyn is the dynamical builds that can be pursued. I focused on solid picks and color and I think that's a decent start. You focused primarily on a tribal archtype with color being a necessary secondary consideration and also got a decent start. My only question is why the Forge-Tender over Peppersmoke? The one is a decent sideboard card, while the latter is a decent maindeckable. With a decent chance you will include a Faerie or two (even if only Changelingish), the Peppersmoke seems even stronger. It does mean you'd have to splash black, but is that bad? Especially keeping that option open this early in the draft when who knows what could be coming (e.g. Shriekmaws) in the packs two and three?
From pick 9 onward, my theoretical start is irrelevant. So I'll switch into commenting on a UW Merfolk build. Except to note that in the first six selections you're passed from pack two include a Huntmaster, Jagged Scar Archer, Avian Changeling, Seedguide Ash and a Battlewand. Maybe that's the same you would have been passed if you'd cut Gw, right? Maybe your (now) downstream neighbor did exactly that with the first set of packs and now he's raking it in. Not that the first six you'll choose are bad, or even worse. I just think it's interesting to see the fruits of what might have been. Maybe. As close as can be approximated.
Picks 9-15.
Mostly straightforward and/or irrelevant. The 14th pick Grotto is a nice surprise. I would have taken the Prowess pick 12 instead of the Birt Rite, just because I've seen the former played effectively, but never the latter. Is Captvating Glance better than Surge of the Thoughtweft? Or do you just know for certain that Surge won't fit your build?
Picks 16-30.
Nice. Cryptic Command. Mulldrifter, Aquitects, Avian Changeling, Sentinals. You set up well.
My 22nd pick I probably would have grabbed the Hillcomber Giant over the Spellstutter Sprite, but that would have been a mistake, I think. I would have debated it until the screen was flashing red. I would have taken the Ring Skipper over Triclopean Sight because the Sight has always been underwhelming and never makes my builds anymore. Sometimes the Ring Skipper does just for being a flyer that hits the curve and that strengthens Faerie synergies. I doesn't always make the cut, but sometimes. None of those four cards would have made my final build in this draft, nor did they make yours.
I think the most interesting choice I would have made differently is probably an insignificant counterdraft. I would have taken the Footbottom Feast over Lignify. Lignify is bad removal that people still play. I'd leave that in the draft on the chance that an opponent makes that mistake. The Feast and the Crush Underfoot left in the pool are both good, playable cards in their colors. I would have chosen the Feast (a) in case I end up drafting a Drowner in the third set of packs and (b) in case I end up splashing black and need a 40th card.
Oh . . . and a comment about the first pack in this set. If you were drafting BG? You most certainly do not have to choose between 5 cards. Going G/x, any pick in that pack other than the Immaculate Magistrate is wrong. Period.
Picks 31-45
Again, nice. Picking up another Avian Changeling, the Paperfin Rascal late Tideshaper and Apothecary and especially a sixth pick Benthicore! Sah-wheet!! Definitely the right pick in its pack. It can just dominate the game.
That first pick, drawing three business cards would have been too strong for me to pass up, but the Sniper was probably way good, too. That second pick I would have taken the Neck Snap over the Pestermite, just for the solid removal. But maybe you're better at this than I am. Packs 33 and 34 you considered (and in the former, took) Kithkin over available Merfolk I wouldn't even have considered. I think being a Merfolk (in this build) trumps 2 toughness and I'd rate Deeptread Merrow over Kinsbail Skirmisher. More importantly, I would have taken the Apothecary for its on table combat trick and hoped the other Merrow tabled. But it didn't. And the Apothecary did. And I wouldn't have considered even the solid Knight of Meadowgrain over a Merrow Harbinger that could go grab a flying Changeling or the Judge or the Sniper.
Final Build
With nothing requiring double White mana in its casting cost and with the Aquitects wanting Two islands in play by turn 3, I would have gone with 10 islands, 7 Plains and the Twig. It would have been tough for me to leave the Paperfin Rascal in the side since a 3/3 for 2U is pretty strong. But the deck is also kinda' removal light and the flashable Pestermite helps with the momentum and compliments the countermagic, so I think you made the right choice there. For that same reason, though (being removal light), I would have wanted to include either the Spellstutter Sprite or Captivating Glance instead of Ponder. With only six other Faeries (including Changelings), I think I would have gone with the Glance. Then if my oppo was playing blue already, plan on swapping out the Aquitect's Will to put Ponder back in.
Game play:
Sideboarding a black splash for the Loggers is tech. I never would have even thought about it. Tight play in your games. Congratulations. Good job.
__helper_monkey,
You're welcome.
I enjoy doing the write-ups as it forces me to analyze the draft in much more detail and this is the best way to improve.
I don't necessarily agree that Ruse is that much worse than Whelm. It is very deck dependent and works well only with *enough* (we can argue what that number is) CIP creatures. I ended up with Aethersnipe, Benthicore, Mulldrifter, Pestermite, Merrow Harbinger, and Kinsbaile Skirmisher. I will agree with you that most people consider Whelm better and I'm better off with my signaling by taking Whirlpool Whelm. And I also did not have any of those cards when I made the pick. I should have taken Whelm.
I also will agree that my statement about the "blueness" of my neighbors was tainted by the knowledge of their decks after the draft. Though with Aethersnipe and Amoeboid in pack 2 and the three blue cards in pack 3 - I still think it is a good assumption that the neighbor immediately to my right is not in blue. It is much riskier to think that my neighbor to my left isn't in blue just because I passed an Oblivion Ring.
I agree with you on Loggers being very good - but I find that they are very underrated and will table in many cases. (As they did here.)
The Peppersmoke picks are an interesting topic. I agree on the value of the card but I think it is most valuable played early to toast an opponent's early drop. And as such - I don't like to splash them. I had just picked Judge of Currents and didn't see much else black and made the decision to stick with the white sideboard card. By P37 - I'm clearly in UW and there's no need here to take the Peppersmoke, especially (as you point out) having passed Epic Proportions.
Hope to see you in a draft queue soon!
'Grats on the win.
P1 Prowler is a fine choice, esp if you go U/B fairies. Also it is ~4 tix and that is certainly a consideration in 4-3-2-2.
P2 Snipe is right
P3 Loggers>Whelm>V. Creek>F. Ground>Grotto>Ruse If you want to cut blue go with Whelm, not Ruse it is terrible. Also you state now that you know both your neighbors are not in blue?!? After 3 packs?!? P2 had an Uncommon missing that very well could have been better than 'Snipe-Shriekmaw comes to mind. And Ruse/Whelm is NO signal that Blue is open. I don't see how you can make this claim that neither neighbor is in Blue(hell even the left is in question at this point as you passed Dowser in P1). It shows in the end that the person on your left was not blue, but i think it is far too early to make that judgement.
P4 Harbinger is OK. Note Cloudcrown is in this pack-green is likely open as neighbor passed Epic and now Cloudcrown.
P7 I like Peppersmoke here. Removal is better than a SB card(albeit a good underrated one)
P8 Sprite is Ok. Note teh late Battlewand-green is def open, but it is probally too late now.
-From here on out I will view the picks as a U/W drafter.
P9 Ponder is a fine filler card-again note Bogstrider
P11 Loggers Tabled!
P16 Cryptic is best for U/x. As for the others Magistrate(Bomb!)>Revels(mass removal/win condition)>Dreamspoiler
P18 Gift :)
P24 Stlagtite is good in Merfolk, T. Sight is meh.
P31 I prefer F. Trawl as you only have 5 Merfolt at this point, and saw very little from your right(no Aquitects, no Dowser, no Angelers,no Unc goodies) and Trawl is so good.
P33 with the sniper in your pile take the enabler in Deeptread Merrow
P36 Sentinals
P37 Again I would take peppersmoke, but Wispmare is fine esp since you passed Epic.
Thanks for doing these as I really enjoy the walkthroughs.
Regards,
___helper_monkey on MTGO