Drafting With Tiago - LLL #7
[SCROLL DOWN TO READ THE ARTICLE!]
Become a StarCityGames.com Premium Member and receive exclusive access to top-level strategies, new decklists and entertaining reports from many of the best players and writers that the game has to offer! This includes "The Innovator" & Worlds finalist Patrick Chapin, 2010 Player of the Year Brad Nelson, Classic Theorist Mike Flores, Hall of Famer Brian Kibler, GP and SCG Invitational Champion Gerry Thompson, StarCityGames.com Director of Sales Ben Bleiweiss ...and many, many more!
PLUS! StarCityGames.com Premium members now have an EXCLUSIVE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER sent just to them with the latest tech, exclusive content and exclusive deals along with unprecedented access into America's largest Magic: the Gathering sales database, and can view lists of StarCityGames.com's top-selling items - broken down by category, format legality, and rarity - in real time! When it comes to trading, increased knowledge equals increased profits - and increased knowledge is just one click away for our Premium members!
A StarCityGames.com Premium Membership gives you exclusive access to the best Magic: the Gathering content available and is an amazing bargain for just pennies a day! When you're ready to start getting more out of this game, click here to join StarCityGames.com Premium today!
If you are a valid StarCityGames.com Premium member and still cannot view the article, please consult this FAQ.
Draft:
Pack 1:












Lash Out, Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Warren Pilferers, Lowland Oaf, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect's Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Scattering Stroke, Boggart Harbinger, Makeshift Mannequin, Epic Proportions
Pick: Lash Out
Pack 2:











Cloudcrown Oak, Oblivion Ring, Wanderer's Twig, Axegrinder Giant, Woodland Changeling, Kithkin Greatheart, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect's Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Vivid Grove, Nectar Faerie, Changeling Hero, Gilt-Leaf Ambush
Pick: Oblivion Ring
Pack 3:










Silvergill Douser, Avian Changeling, Bog-Strider Ash, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Shields of Velis Vel, Fire-Belly Changeling, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Ego Erasure, Crib Swap, Drowner of Secrets
Pick: Silvergill Douser
Pack 4:










Runed Stalactite, Neck Snap, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Smokebraider, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Cenn's Heir, Ringskipper, Black Poplar Shaman, Shimmering Grotto, Sentry Oak, Elvish Promenade, Spinerock Knoll
Pick: Sentinels of Glen Elendra
Pack 5:



![]()





Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Tideshaper Mystic, Guardian of Cloverdell, Lys Alana Scarblade, Hoofprints of the Stag
Pick: Hoofprints of the Stag
Pack 6:








Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Aquitect's Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Woodland Guidance, Flamekin Bladewhirl
Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary
Pack 7:







Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Nightshade Stinger, Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Dawnfluke, Broken Ambitions, Rebellion of the Flamekin, Faerie Tauntings
Pick: Broken Ambitions
Pack 8:







Runed Stalactite, Cenn's Heir, Boggart Forager, Facevaulter, Hunt Down, Knight of Meadowgrain, Vivid Crag, Judge of Currents
Pick: Judge of Currents
Pack 9:






Herbal Poultice, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect's Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Scattering Stroke
Pick: Wellgabber Apothecary
Pack 10:





Axegrinder Giant, Kithkin Greatheart, Wellgabber Apothecary, Aquitect's Will, Zephyr Net, Nectar Faerie
Pick: Kithkin Greatheart
Pack 11:




Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Shields of Velis Vel, Amoeboid Changeling, Ego Erasure
Pick: Amoeboid Changeling
Pack 12:




Cenn's Heir, Ringskipper, Sentry Oak, Elvish Promenade
Pick: Sentry Oak
Pack 13:


![]()
Oaken Brawler, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite
Pick: Oaken Brawler
Pack 14:


Spring Cleaning, Woodland Guidance
Pick: Woodland Guidance
Pack 15:

Dawnfluke
Pick: Dawnfluke
Pack 16:












Lash Out, Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Warren Pilferers, Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Glen Elendra Pranksters, Crib Swap, Guardian of Cloverdell, Vigor
Pick: Crib Swap
Pack 17:











Wispmare, Stonybrook Angler, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Hillcomber Giant, Streambed Aquitects, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder, Drowner of Secrets, Cloudgoat Ranger, Crib Swap, Fallowsage
Pick: Cloudgoat Ranger
Pack 18:










Aethersnipe, Tarfire, Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Hornet Harasser, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Battle Mastery, Vivid Creek, Windbrisk Heights
Pick: Aethersnipe
Pack 19:










Glimmerdust Nap, Warren Pilferers, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Nectar Faerie, Mad Auntie
Pick: Surge of Thoughtweft
Pack 20:
![]()
![]()







Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Thieving Sprite, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Giant's Ire, Dawnfluke, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Hearthcage Giant, Swamp
Pick: Whirlpool Whelm
Pack 21:








Wanderer's Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Entangling Trap, Merrow Commerce, Ceaseless Searblades
Pick: Wanderer's Twig
Pack 22:


![]()




Wispmare, Stonybrook Angler, Thieving Sprite, Hillcomber Giant, Nath's Buffoon, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Pollen Lullaby
Pick: Stonybrook Angler
Pack 23:




![]()


Inner-Flame Acolyte, Paperfin Rascal, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Wild Ricochet
Pick: Paperfin Rascal
Pack 24:






Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Lowland Oaf, Soaring Hope, Shimmering Grotto, Lace with Moonglove, Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pick: Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pack 25:





Wispmare, Hillcomber Giant, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder
Pick: Wispmare
Pack 26:




Herbal Poultice, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Battle Mastery
Pick: Zephyr Net
Pack 27:




Glimmerdust Nap, Lace with Moonglove, Springjack Knight, Nectar Faerie
Pick: Glimmerdust Nap
Pack 28:



Dawnfluke, Elvish Eulogist, Swamp
Pick: Dawnfluke
Pack 29:


Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums
Pick: Zephyr Net
Pack 30:

Goldmeadow Dodger
Pick: Goldmeadow Dodger
Pack 31:












Mulldrifter, Weed Strangle, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Fire-Belly Changeling, Skeletal Changeling, Captivating Glance, Battle Mastery, Merrow Reejerey, Austere Command, Plains
Pick: Austere Command
Pack 32:











Fertile Ground, Moonglove Extract, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Dreamspoiler Witches, Battlewand Oak, Black Poplar Shaman, Shimmering Grotto, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Merrow Reejerey, Wizened Cenn, Wanderwine Prophets, Ponder
Pick: Merrow Reejerey
Pack 33:










Adder-Staff Boggart, Moonglove Extract, Hillcomber Giant, Sentinels of Glen Elendra, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Dreamspoiler Witches, Wings of Velis Vel, Caterwauling Boggart, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Thorntooth Witch, Wizened Cenn, Vivid Meadow
Pick: Sentinels of Glen Elendra
Pack 34:










Deeptread Merrow, Fistful of Force, Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Judge of Currents, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Scattering Stroke, Dolmen Gate
Pick: Inkfathom Divers
Pack 35:









Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Hurly-Burly, Plover Knights, Paperfin Rascal, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, Facevaulter, Warren-Scourge Elf, Blades of Velis Vel, Merrow Harbinger, Rings of Brighthearth
Pick: Merrow Harbinger
Pack 36:








Footbottom Feast, Lignify, Weed Strangle, Deeptread Merrow, Inkfathom Divers, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Kithkin Mourncaller, Boggart Shenanigans, Triclopean Sight
Pick: Deeptread Merrow
Pack 37:







Aethersnipe, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Surge of Thoughtweft, Exiled Boggart, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Faerie Tauntings, Makeshift Mannequin, Colfenor's Plans
Pick: Aethersnipe
Pack 38:







Whirlpool Whelm, Wispmare, Nath's Buffoon, Caterwauling Boggart, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Goatnapper
Pick: Whirlpool Whelm
Pack 39:






Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Bog Hoodlums, Protective Bubble, Captivating Glance, Battle Mastery, Plains
Pick: Kithkin Healer
Pack 40:





Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Wanderwine Prophets, Ponder
Pick: Ponder
Pack 41:




Hillcomber Giant, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Wings of Velis Vel, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery
Pick: Wings of Velis Vel
Pack 42:




Glimmerdust Nap, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Scattering Stroke
Pick: Scattering Stroke
Pack 43:



Hurly-Burly, Paperfin Rascal, Flamekin Brawler
Pick: Paperfin Rascal
Pack 44:


Needle Drop, Soaring Hope
Pick: Needle Drop
Pack 45:

Heal the Scars
Pick: Heal the Scars
Final Decklist:
Maindeck:
9 Island
8 Plains
1 Deeptread Merrow
1 Hoofprints of the Stag
1 Judge of Currents [FOIL]
1 Silvergill
Douser
1 Stonybrook Angler
2 Whirlpool Whelm
1 Crib Swap
1 Merrow Reejerey
1 Oblivion Ring
2 Paperfin Rascal
1 Merrow Harbinger
2 Sentinels of Glen Elendra
1 Cloudgoat Ranger
1 Inkfathom Divers
2 Wellgabber Apothecary
1 Austere Command
2 Aethersnipe
1 Broken Ambitions
Sideboard:
1 Amoeboid Changeling
2 Dawnfluke
1 Glen Elendra Pranksters
1 Glimmerdust Nap
1 Goldmeadow Dodger
1 Heal the Scars
1 Kithkin Greatheart
1 Kithkin Healer
1 Lash Out
1 Needle Drop
1 Oaken Brawler
1 Ponder [FOIL]
1 Scattering Stroke
1 Sentry Oak
1 Surge of Thoughtweft
1 Wanderer's Twig
1 Wings of Velis Vel
1 Wispmare
1 Woodland Guidance
2 Zephyr Net
Pick 1: Lash Out or Epic Proportions? A pick certain to cause some debate no matter which one you choose. I think Lash Out has a small edge over Epic Proportions, or maybe it's because I don't like (and never have liked) Green, neither in Limited nor Constructed.
Pick 4: I've been taking Smokebraider fourth pick many times, but I've never really got an Elementals deck, so this time I decided I wouldn't fall for the lure one more time and picked a safer and solid 2/3 flying flash guy, Sentinels of Glen Elendra. This also meant I was hoping for Blue to be one of my main colors, to go with either Red or White.
After settling for Blue/White the picks weren't complicated, with the exception of Pick 17.
Pick 17: A total of six good cards I wanted for my deck. Four are Merfolk, one is removal. If my deck ends up with a theme, it would be Merfolk, but I think Cloadgoat Ranger is much more powerful than all the other options, and worth giving away a Merfolk for it, so I just picked the strongest card.
Round 1 I played versus Red/Black Goblins with Wort, and in both games I had solution for the problematic legend - one game Oblivion Ring, the other Ring and Crib Swap.
Game 1 he won the roll and started with turn 2 Adder-Staff Boggart; turn 3 Goatnapper; turn 4 Wort, Boggart Auntie, but my start matched his perfectly. I played turn 2 Stonybrook Angler, turn 3 Merfolk Reejerey, and never blocked even though the Angler was a 2/3 and could block the 2/1. I decided to attack when he was tapped and had no tricks, because I had ways to unbalance the damage race in my favor, and I could not afford losing a Merfolk. Turn 4, after he tapped for Wort, I played Judge of Currents, untapping one of my lands to play Oblivion Ring on Wort, and attacked for four damage, gaining two life. He was forced to kill the Judge of Currents on his turn, which left my other two good merfolk alive. I followed with double Wellgabber Apothecary (3/4) and Aethersnipe, having a tapper in play. I won the game.
Game 2 he missed his fourth land drop, which slowed him down a little, I had Cloadgoat Ranger for turn 5, which was amazing versus some 1/1 and 2/1 Goblins, and Aethersnipe for turn 6. I had Oblivion Ring for Wort, Broken Ambitions for Warren Pilferers (he sacrificed Wort in response to the Ring trigger to Facevaulter), and my bigger creatures got me there.
Round 2: I played versus a Kithkin/Giant Red/White deck.
Game 1, even though he has a Militia's Pride he's kind of mana flooded, and also has a useless Blind Spot Giant in play, so I'm trying my best to overrun him with my superior cards. I'm holding two Aethersnipe and I have Hoofprints of the Stag in play. He's always holding just one card, which is either Surge of Thoughtweft or a land, by the way he's been attacking me. I'm very close to actually winning the damage race, so one turn he attacks with everything and I block to gain advantage, and to have the creatures I wanted alive after combat even if he plays Surge of Thoughtweft, which he does. This way, I can attack back next turn for the win. Problem was, he drew a Giant of the Surge, so he got himself two blockers, and I could only kill him in two turns. I passed on my turn, holding on Sentinels of Glen Elendra, and he attacked once again with everything, and made the Militia's Pride tokens. I had five blockers, Sentinels included, to his six attackers, tokens included. One got through, and put me at 4 life. His blockers didn't matter now, as I had two fliers, but he hit me with Giant's Ire.
Game 2 I kept with two Plains, two Island, Judge of Currents, Oblivion Ring, and Whirlpool Whelm on the play, and this hand was quite bad to hold a fast kithkin assault. I made the Judge on turn 2, the Ring on his Knight of Meadowgrain on turn 3, and then nothing on turn 4. I still drew a Douser a couple of turns after, but even his ability and gaining one a turn with him was not good enough to stop an army of Kithkins.
See you tomorrow!
Tiago
Draft recording done by Blargware's MTGO DraftCap. Support Blargware!





Hello folks and welcome back to series that explores the caverns of the casual. Today, we are going to be doing some serious spelunking. I have spent a lot of time...
Hello everybody and welcome to another edition of the Magic Show. You know, not so long ago I made a show while on location in Orlando, Florida. What you now...
Having looked at Standard last week at least through the lens of “something I would be happy playing,” this week I thought I’d take the opportunity to have a deeper look at Lorwyn Limited. I’d noted with some frustration...
The past two weeks I touched on "issues" and dipped into the mailbag… this week I thought I’d get back to what I find the most fun - tinkering with Magic...
Most of us know that we want, in the abstract, “to play the best deck” ... But what exactly does that mean? What is the definition of the best deck? Is it...
This week, Level 6 Mage Tiago Chan is in a reflective mood. How do you define a Pro Player? Is it simply enough to call anyone who’s attended the Pro Tour a...
Grand Prix: Krakow taught the world that, as usual, Islands are the lands to beat. Of course, Lorwyn also offers the Standard deckbuilder a number of strong...
That's right, folks: The "Drafting With..." series is back! Taking up where both Rich Hoaen and Kenji Tsumura left off, we have Level 6 Mage Tiago Chan. As before, Tiago takes us through a triple Lorwyn draft from pick 1 to pick...
Lorwyn drafting, both online and in real life, are now in full swing. We’ve had many a primer article here on StarCityGames.com, including a number of...
Can’t make this stuff up, folks. Get a message from Dan Ackroyd - okay, Danny Ackroyd-Isales, but story value, people, story value - asking about Rock and...
I have failed you. Remember a few weeks ago how we had a vote on which card I should use in my next deck? No Rest for the Wicked won. However, Shivan Wumpus and...
MTGO didn’t have "Nix Tix" drafting over Thanksgiving weekend as they have in the past; probably as a result of server stability concerns. However, I still had...
I was curious about how the lag time and various MTGO problems have affected league play. I decided to join some leagues and check out the quality of the...
Aggressive mirror-matches are much maligned in Magic. While folk look on control versus control fights as the true Magical path, aggro versus aggro is often...
After coming so close to a Top 8 spot at Day 1 of the StarCityGames Vintage Mega Weekend, Stephen dipped low into the think tank in order to improve his chances...
Improvement in Magic: The Gathering is a tricky beast to tame. Sure, we read the articles, we sling the spells, and we draft along with Tiago and pals… but we... 










