Drafting with Big Nass, DII #1

Posted on March 12, 2012

As always, the text recap follows the video links here!

Draft	Part 1	Part 2
Round 1	Game 1	Game 2

Pack 1, Pick 1:

My Pick:

This is a pretty spicy pack to be sure. Fiend of the Shadows is fine, but it takes some work to make it really good. For me, this pick is between Tragic Slip and Pyreheart Wolf, and when in doubt, I’ll always go with the removal spell. Tragic Slip is cheap and kills almost anything with only the slightest effort.

Pack 1, Pick 2:

My Pick:

I’m happy to stay on color and pick a premium removal spell.

Pack 1, Pick 3:

My Pick:

All of the allied-color lords are quite good, but I think it’s better to take a Death's Caress here and keep our options open. Plus it’s foil, so mise.

Pack 1, Pick 4:

My Pick:

Markov Blademaster is pretty good, but she is still a 3 mana 1/1. I think I’d rather take a Blood Feud and go mono-removal.

Pack 1, Pick 5:

My Pick:

There’s nothing too exciting here. The two best cards are Griptide and Silverclaw Griffin, and it just comes down to preference. I suppose I could also take Evolving Wilds, but this early, when I don’t know for sure what colors I’m playing, I’d rather take a card I might play.

Pack 1, Pick 6:

My Pick:

Pack 1, Pick 7:

My Pick:

All right, B/R it is then.

Pack 1, Pick 8:

My Pick:

I’m not really a huge fan of Nearheath Stalker, but it’s not like I have any other choice here. I hope I don’t have to play it.

Pack 1, Pick 9:

My Pick:

Sightless Ghoul is another card with undying that I’m not big on. Falkenrath Torturer is best in W/B, but is still fine in B/R.

Pack 1, Pick 10:

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Pack 1, Pick 11:

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Pack 1, Pick 12:

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Pack 1, Pick 13:

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Pack 1, Pick 14:

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Pack 1, Pick 15:

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Pack 2, Pick 1:

My Pick:

DING! Bloodline Keeper is one of the best rares in the format, and I’m in a color combination that is likely to have a lot of Vampires.

Pack 2, Pick 2:

My Pick:

. . . And actual nothing here. Altar's Reap is okay, I guess; it became better with the undying creatures, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy with second-picking it.

Pack 2, Pick 3:

My Pick:

Normally, I like Ashmouth Hound a bit more than Vampire Interloper, but since I do have a Bloodline Keeper, I’d like to max out on Vampires when possible.

Pack 2, Pick 4:

My Pick:

Pack 2, Pick 5:

My Pick:

Pack 2, Pick 6:

My Pick:

It’s unfortunate that we’re being cut, but given what I passed last pack, I guess that’s to be expected. I don’t think this deck wants a Corpse Lunge— I already have a bunch of removal. Rolling Temblor gives me an out to token decks, so I’ll side it in when appropriate.

Pack 2, Pick 7:

My Pick:

I don’t think I’m going to be doing much Bumping with this deck.

Pack 2, Pick 8:

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Pack 2, Pick 9:

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Pack 2, Pick 10:

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Pack 2, Pick 11:

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Pack 2, Pick 12:

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Pack 2, Pick 13:

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Pack 2, Pick 14:

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Pack 2, Pick 15:

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Pack 3, Pick 1:

My Pick:

I obviously can’t pass a Garruk, but monetary concerns aside, were it not for the Devil's Play, I’d still take the planeswalker and look to splash it. As it is, if I can pick up a Shimmering Grotto or a Traveler's Amulet, I’ll definitely splash.

Pack 3, Pick 2:

My Pick:

Skirsdag Cultist is really good, but I think I’m just looking for more 2-drops here. I hope the Traitorous Blood tables.

Pack 3, Pick 3:

My Pick:

Ask and ye shall receive apparently. Disciple is okay at best, and I usually look to cut it, but if I manage to pick up a Traitorous Blood or two, he’ll probably make it in.

Pack 3, Pick 4:

My Pick:

GARRUK ONLINE.

Pack 3, Pick 5:

My Pick:

As much as I really want the Threaten, I think I have to take the Neonate here. There’s still a pretty good chance I’ll be able to pick one up later.

Pack 3, Pick 6:

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Pack 3, Pick 7:

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Pack 3, Pick 8:

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Pack 3, Pick 9:

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Pack 3, Pick 10:

My Pick:

Success! Can I perchance table another one?

Pack 3, Pick 11:

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Pack 3, Pick 12:

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Pack 3, Pick 13:

My Pick:

The second Traitorous Blood didn’t come back . . . le sigh.

Pack 3, Pick 14:

My Pick:

Pack 3, Pick 15:

My Pick:

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Here’s how the deck ended up:

"Garruk’s Splash Party"

Planeswalkers (1)
1 Garruk Relentless

I really wanted to live the dream and tutor for Bloodline Keeper with Garruk, but alas, it was not meant to be. I lost in the first round to a combination of mana issues on my side and an even crazier deck on the other. Still, I was pretty happy with how the deck turned out, and I guess I can’t complain when I open money rares.

I hope you guys enjoyed the Draft, and until next time, may you always open a planeswalker in your Draft.

Nassim Ketita

arcticninja on Magic Online

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