Drafting With Tiago - LLL #59
[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:












Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Avian Changeling, Warren Pilferers, Lowland Oaf, Fistful of Force, Protective Bubble, Fire-Belly Changeling, Skeletal Changeling, Aquitect's Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Ego Erasure, Crib Swap, Tar Pitcher, Guile
Pick: Warren Pilferers
Pack 2:











Goldmeadow Harrier, Glimmerdust Nap, Warren Pilferers, Soulbright Flamekin, Kithkin Daggerdare, Surge of Thoughtweft, Mulldrifter, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Elvish Branchbender, Wellgabber Apothecary, Woodland Guidance, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Windbrisk Heights
Pick: Mulldrifter
Pack 3:










Tarfire, Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Lash Out, Hornet Harasser, Exiled Boggart, Shields of Velis Vel, Mournwhelk, Needle Drop, Vivid Grove, Nectar Faerie, Swamp
Pick: Lash Out
Pack 4:
![]()









Boggart Sprite-Chaser, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Whirlpool Whelm, Boggart Loggers, Faerie Trickery, Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Goatnapper, Ceaseless Searblades, Rebellion of the Flamekin, Battlewand Oak
Pick: Ceaseless Searblades
Pack 5:









Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Moonglove Winnower, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Paperfin Rascal, Nath's Elite, Blades of Velis Vel, Elvish Handservant, Dawnfluke, Broken Ambitions, Harpoon Sniper, Kithkin Harbinger
Pick: Broken Ambitions
Pack 6:








Fistful of Force, Soulbright Flamekin, Glimmerdust Nap, Cloudcrown Oak, Ponder, Heal the Scars, Skeletal Changeling, Shields of Velis Vel, Hoarder's Greed, Lammastide Weave
Pick: Soulbright Flamekin
Pack 7:







Oaken Brawler, Smokebraider, Fertile Ground, Ringskipper, Black Poplar Shaman, Shimmering Grotto, Elvish Eulogist, Giant's Ire, Inner-Flame Igniter
Pick: Inner-Flame Igniter
Pack 8:







Wispmare, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Cenn's Heir, Boggart Forager, Hunt Down, Giant's Ire, Elvish Promenade, Spinerock Knoll
Pick: Spinerock Knoll
Pack 9:






Kithkin Daggerdare, Herbal Poultice, Protective Bubble, Skeletal Changeling, Aquitect's Will, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Ego Erasure
Pick: Skeletal Changeling
Pack 10:





Glimmerdust Nap, Kithkin Daggerdare, Needle Drop, Soaring Hope, Wellgabber Apothecary, Woodland Guidance
Pick: Glimmerdust Nap
Pack 11:




Herbal Poultice, Oakgnarl Warrior, Shields of Velis Vel, Needle Drop, Swamp
Pick: Needle Drop
Pack 12:




Warren-Scourge Elf, Lairwatch Giant, Spiderwig Boggart, Rebellion of the Flamekin
Pick: Rebellion of the Flamekin
Pack 13:



Kinsbaile Balloonist, Nath's Elite, Dawnfluke
Pick: Dawnfluke
Pack 14:


Heal the Scars, Shields of Velis Vel
Pick: Shields of Velis Vel
Pack 15:

Elvish Eulogist
Pick: Elvish Eulogist
Pack 16:












Wanderer's Twig, Hornet Harasser, Axegrinder Giant, Woodland Changeling, Kithkin Greatheart, Mulldrifter, Fire-Belly Changeling, Elvish Branchbender, Amoeboid Changeling, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Glen Elendra Pranksters, Crib Swap, Cloudgoat Ranger, Dread
Pick: Mulldrifter
Pack 17:











Mudbutton Torchrunner, Woodland Changeling, Springleaf Drum, Kithkin Healer, Footbottom Feast, Aquitect's Will, Mournwhelk, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Battle Mastery, Hoarder's Greed, Wizened Cenn, Giant's Ire
Pick: Mudbutton Torchrunner
Pack 18:










Runed Stalactite, Nath's Elite, Neck Snap, Smokebraider, Gilt-Leaf Ambush, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel, Flamekin Brawler, Flamekin Spitfire, Changeling Hero, Goldmeadow Stalwart
Pick: Smokebraider
Pack 19:



![]()






Plover Knights, Whirlpool Whelm, Wispmare, Lairwatch Giant, Spellstutter Sprite, Spiderwig Boggart, Flamekin Brawler, Vivid Marsh, Sentry Oak, Hearthcage Giant, Militia's Pride, Faultgrinder
Pick: Vivid Marsh
Pack 20:









Adder-Staff Boggart, Fertile Ground, Hillcomber Giant, Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Boggart Forager, Ringskipper, Hunt Down, Triclopean Sight, Nath's Buffoon, Lys Alana Scarblade, Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
Pick: Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
Pack 21:




![]()



Stinkdrinker Daredevil, Hurly-Burly, Plover Knights, Paperfin Rascal, Dawnfluke, Spellstutter Sprite, Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist, Kithkin Harbinger, Wild Ricochet
Pick: Wild Ricochet
Pack 22:







Quill-Slinger Boggart, Wanderer's Twig, Spring Cleaning, Blind-Spot Giant, Wellgabber Apothecary, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Nectar Faerie, Treefolk Harbinger, Changeling Titan
Pick: Changeling Titan
Pack 23:







Deeptread Merrow, Fistful of Force, Glimmerdust Nap, Heal the Scars, Inkfathom Divers, Ingot Chewer, Rebellion of the Flamekin, Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pick: Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pack 24:






Wanderer's Twig, Axegrinder Giant, Kithkin Greatheart, Elvish Branchbender, Kinsbaile Skirmisher, Lace with Moonglove, Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pick: Glen Elendra Pranksters
Pack 25:





Kithkin Healer, Aquitect's Will, Zephyr Net, Scarred Vinebreeder, Gilt-Leaf Seer, Battle Mastery
Pick: Kithkin Healer
Pack 26:




Nath's Elite, Faultgrinder, Rootgrapple, Goldmeadow Dodger, Wings of Velis Vel
Pick: Wings of Velis Vel
Pack 27:




Wispmare, Lairwatch Giant, Flamekin Brawler, Sentry Oak
Pick: Flamekin Brawler
Pack 28:



Boggart Forager, Ringskipper, Hunt Down
Pick: Ringskipper
Pack 29:


Black Poplar Shaman, Elvish Eulogist
Pick: Black Poplar Shaman
Pack 30:

Spring Cleaning
Pick: Spring Cleaning
Pack 31:












Dreamspoiler Witches, Battlewand Oak, Oaken Brawler, Pestermite, Hurly-Burly, Peppersmoke, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Caterwauling Boggart, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Inner-Flame Igniter, Merrow Reejerey, Merrow Harbinger, Rings of Brighthearth
Pick: Inner-Flame Igniter
Pack 32:











Axegrinder Giant, Lignify, Silvergill Douser, Oblivion Ring, Quill-Slinger Boggart, Aethersnipe, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Amoeboid Changeling, Spring Cleaning, Flamekin Bladewhirl, Scattering Stroke, Guardian of Cloverdell, Hunt Down
Pick: Silvergill Douser
Pack 33:










Avian Changeling, Bog-Strider Ash, Mudbutton Torchrunner, Springleaf Drum, Oakgnarl Warrior, Boggart Birth Rite, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Judge of Currents, Inkfathom Divers, Captivating Glance, Battle Mastery, Fathom Trawl
Pick: Fathom Trawl
Pack 34:










Herbal Poultice, Kithkin Greatheart, Oakgnarl Warrior, Hornet Harasser, Deeptread Merrow, Shimmering Grotto, Judge of Currents, Lace with Moonglove, Blind-Spot Giant, Exiled Boggart, Boggart Shenanigans, Ego Erasure
Pick: Deeptread Merrow
Pack 35:









Footbottom Feast, Lowland Oaf, Lignify, Kithkin Healer, Deeptread Merrow, Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Ponder, Bog Hoodlums, Faerie Tauntings, Kithkin Mourncaller
Pick: Lowland Oaf
Pack 36:








Consuming Bonfire, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Runed Stalactite, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Neck Snap, Tideshaper Mystic, Rootgrapple, Triclopean Sight, Nightshade Stinger, Faultgrinder
Pick: Consuming Bonfire
Pack 37:







Runed Stalactite, Nath's Elite, Neck Snap, Wings of Velis Vel, Goldmeadow Dodger, Faerie Trickery, Nightshade Stinger, Guardian of Cloverdell, Lammastide Weave
Pick: Wings of Velis Vel
Pack 38:







Moonglove Winnower, Kinsbaile Balloonist, Inner-Flame Acolyte, Paperfin Rascal, Nath's Elite, Warren-Scourge Elf, Cenn's Heir, Eyes of the Wisent
Pick: Inner-Flame Acolyte
Pack 39:






Oaken Brawler, Hurly-Burly, Lys Alana Huntmaster, Tideshaper Mystic, Elvish Handservant, Broken Ambitions, Rings of Brighthearth
Pick: Broken Ambitions
Pack 40:





Axegrinder Giant, Protective Bubble, Ingot Chewer, Spring Cleaning, Guardian of Cloverdell, Hunt Down
Pick: Axegrinder Giant
Pack 41:




Oakgnarl Warrior, Zephyr Net, Bog Hoodlums, Captivating Glance, Battle Mastery
Pick: Captivating Glance
Pack 42:




Herbal Poultice, Oakgnarl Warrior, Exiled Boggart, Ego Erasure
Pick: Ego Erasure
Pack 43:



Scarred Vinebreeder, Springjack Knight, Bog Hoodlums
Pick: Springjack Knight
Pack 44:


Tideshaper Mystic, Rootgrapple
Pick: Tideshaper Mystic
Pack 45:

Goldmeadow Dodger
Pick: Goldmeadow Dodger
Final Decklist:
1 Forest
8 Island
8 Mountain
2 Broken Ambitions
1 Ceaseless Searblades
1 Changeling Titan
1 Consuming Bonfire
1 Deeptread Merrow
1 Fathom Trawl
1 Glen Elendra Pranksters
1 Inner-Flame Acolyte
2 Inner-Flame Igniter
1 Lash Out
1 Lowland Oaf
1 Mudbutton Torchrunner
2 Mulldrifter
1 Silvergill Douser
1 Smokebraider
1 Soulbright Flamekin
1 Vivid Marsh
1 Wild Ricochet
2 Wings of Velis Vel
Sideboard
1 Axegrinder Giant
1 Black Poplar Shaman
1 Captivating Glance
1 Dawnfluke
1 Ego Erasure
1 Elvish Eulogist
1 Flamekin Brawler
1 Glen Elendra Pranksters
1 Glimmerdust Nap
1 Goldmeadow Dodger
1 Kithkin Healer
1 Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
1 Needle Drop
1 Rebellion of the Flamekin
1 Ringskipper
1 Shields of Velis Vel
1 Skeletal Changeling
1 Spinerock Knoll
1 Springjack Knight
1 Spring Cleaning
1 Tideshaper Mystic
1 Warren Pilferers
I took Pick 3 as a signal to go Red, with Tarfire and Lash Out. Even if there had been only one of them I would've picked it anyway, as either card was much better than anyhting else in there. The next packs were lacking Black cards, and I picked some average Red and Blue ones until Pick 7 showed me that Red - or, to be more precise, Elementals - was not being drafted that close to my right.
Other than the first pick Mulldrifter and the Smokebraider, I got very little value from the second booster. The third one went a little better.
Pick 32: Even though Douser is weakened in my deck, it's still a good card. I didn't want my deck to be too dependant on Smokebraider, and I already had 2 Mulldrifter, Consuming Bonfire, and Changeling Titan. Douser is a card that's extremely annoying for my deck when it's on the opposite side of the table. For example, when I'm Blue/Black I don't care much about him, I just wait until I draw a Peppersmoke to start attacking.
I won round 1 against Blue/Black Faeries with Wydwen, Faerie Harbinger, and all the good guys you'd need. One of the games was close, and it looked like it could be a win by decking as I had won two clashes on Broken Ambitions. He was at 5, I was at 19, so he had to stay on defense, but I drew Inner-Flame Igniter to break the stalled situation. In the other game I drew too many extra cards as I championed a Mulldrifter with Changeling Titan and he was forced to kill it to stay alive.
Round 2 I played against White/Blue Kithkin/Merfolk.
Game 1 I made a turn 3 Changeling Titan when he only had a Kithkin Greatheart, but it only hit once as he played Goldmeadow Harrier. That and a Silvergill Douser were nullifying my attack, while he was beating me with a Hillcomber Giant and an Islandwalker.
Game 2 was very long. I got to see more of his deck, including two Cloudgoat Ranger and more Islandwalkers (probably from the sideboard). I stopped the Giants in combat, and the Islandwalkers came too late when the game was already looking good for my side.
Game 3 was decided on a single play. On his fifth turn he had five lands, Hillcomber Giant, and Pestermite. I had four lands and Silvergill Douser. I was holding Broken Ambitions, Wings of Velis-Vel, and something I can't remember.
There was already five power on the table I couldn't block, and my Douser could only prevent one. I had a play that may have been really good, which was to play Wings of Velis Vel on the Douser, use it to block Pestermite, take two from the Giant. He had two Cloudgoat Rangers and five mana in play, so if he played one, I could still Broken Ambitions for one.
That's the play I made, but he responded to the Wings of Velis Vel with Lash Out off a Vivid Meadow, so I took four. Then he only had three mana, so he passed. On my turn, I had nothing and was facing those two creatures, so I was forced to move and hope he didn't have Cloudgoat Ranger... but he did. It wasn't a bad plan, but things just didn't go as expected. I was satisfied with the five games I played in this draft, as it seemed that lately the outcomes were just coming down to mulligans and mana problems from one side or another, while these games actually had many decisions.
See you tomorrow!
Tiago
Draft recording done by Blargware's MTGO DraftCap. Support Blargware!





Wednesday, February 13th - When Wizards made adjustments to the Pro Tour, they made sure to provide plenty of explanation for those who were impacted. There’s...
Wednesday, February 13th - Last week I took a look at the loss of a Pro Tour. As most of you figured out, I was not ranting, not saying “Magic is dying” or anything like that. I was simply trying to lay out the facts and...
Wednesday, February 13th - I’m sure everybody’s heard by now about the Magic Players’ Union, what they plan to bring to the table at the meeting in Kuala...
Wednesday, February 13th - The Vintage metagame, it seems, is undergoing a renaissance period of impressive innovation. The attack step has gained relevance,...
Wednesday, February 13th - Red Deck Wins, an Extended stalwart for many a year, does not always win. In fact, if Benjamin Peebles-Mundy is to be believed, we should probably change the name of the deck to Red Deck Loses In The...
Wednesday, February 13th - Tiago Chan, Portugal's Magic dynamo, takes us by the hand and leads us through the choppy waters of a triple-Lorwyn draft on Magic...
Thursday, February 14th - Feeling burnt out? Been playing the same deck for the last three years? Your inner Johnny would like to have a word with you about...
Thursday, February 14th - Hello folks, and welcome back to the casual tour. I am your guide, showing you all of the sights as we continue our journey. Today, I...
Monday, February 11th - Today’s article addresses a commonly made mistake – incorrect mulliganing. The underused resource of mulliganing has effects on... 
Tuesday, February 12th - He attacks, putting me down to two. I declare no blockers, hoping he has no trick, because an Earthbrawn means the end of me… Then...
Tuesday, February 12th - Today’s Deconstructing Constructed sees Josh Silvestri break down the Extended PTQ results seen thus far, looking at some of the more...
Tuesday, February 12th - Can you guess? You can? Clever you. Yes, it's the exact same article as last week, only with different players and different words in a...
Tuesday, February 12th - Improving at Magic is a tricky skill to master. Sure, we can read the sites and practice every day, but true enlightenment is hard to...
Tuesday, February 12th - Last week we had part 1 of our Morningtide Limited Review, with Portuguese Pro Tiago Chan taking us through the White, Blue, and Black... 










