Introduction and Innistrad Common Analysis
Click the arrow to download the above video in .mp4 format.Innistrad Draft and Deckbuilding
Click the arrow to download the above video in .mp4 format.Innistrad Draft, Round 1
Click the arrow to download the above video in .mp4 format.Show Innistrad Draft, Round 2 »
Click the arrow to download the above video in .mp4 format.Show Innistrad Draft, Round 3 »
Sorry, no Round 3.
I haven’t watched yet, but I just wanted to say “Finally!” Simon, you make some of the best, most enjoyable and educative draft videos in this vast ocean of internet draft content. I just wish you were a little more prolific in that content. Thanks and keep up the great work! =)
Pack 1 pick 3
Elephant over spider spawning
LOL
@ Nate
Spider spawning is not the bomb you think it is.
”LOL” back at you, kind sir.
Finally!
I think you way underrate Kessig Cagebreakers. True, it’s somewhat situational, but it’s not hard to have 1-2 creatures in the graveyard by turn 6, making it quite similar to Hero of Bladehold. If it’s in your opening hand you can play to it’s strengths by trading creatures to boost it’s effect and clear the board. With a fair amount of removal and Clutches to clear a path, I would have windmill slammed it.
I haven’t watched your games yet, but my experience is that this format can result in some very quick kills with werewolves and/or a good curve. Having plays on every turn and not missing land drops is of the utmost importance. Definitely a change from the draw first SOM block format.
Is there a better creature to go with Prey Upon than Ambush Viper? I think you are missing the interaction there. Viper is better than a second wolf there.
Ambush Viper is not better than the second wolf. Wolf is actually much stronger than the Viper, particularly with Prey Upon. Viper + Prey Upon means you are 2 for 1ing yourself.
However, I think that the 5 drop werewolf is much stronger in your deck than the Scourge. Scourge tends to trade down, as it loses a toughness when it eats a guy. This is anti-synergy with Prey Upon. I think the werewolf is just more consistent.
Prey Upon+Ambush Viper is 2 for 1. Galvanic Juggernaut is better with Prey Upon, for example. And I agree that Spider Spawning is not a bomb at all. On the other hand, Kessig Cagebreaker is.
Actually, looking at the first pack, I would have tried if a straight zombie draft works. You pick Unbreathing Horde, and there is a good chance that at least one of the 3 other zombies table. I looked the other picks considering a possible zombie deck, and it would have been awesome.
Why didn’t you take Wreath of Geists in pack 3?
Viper + Prey Upon is (almost) two for one for your opponent. I mean, that is fine in a pinch, but pumping the wolf + prey upon only costs one more mana and still kills tons in this format. Plus wolf is a more robust and aggressive two drop.
@Killian Spider Spawning is a bomb, you just have to build around it. Self-mill and spider spawning can equal 20+ tokens off of both castings. Still don’t think it’s a bomb?
Kessig Cagebreakers is a p1p1 windmill slam.
Pack 3 and you’re already in green? Yeah, take that man. One of the best rares in the set IMO.
Prey upon+Ambush viper kills any creature in the format without hexproof. His specific comment during the video was that wolf was better than ambush viper for prey upon. I don’t see how this is even a contest. Sure it is a 2 for 1 on the wrong end, but when you need to kill a balefire demon or an 5/5 dearly departed, let me know how it goes with wolf. People are quick to point out that wolf is good in other areas but forget to point out that viper is basically a removal spell on its own when you need it for that.
Also, dark thicket wolf is more of a mid-range to stompy aggro card. You aren’t pumping wolf if you are an aggressive beat down deck, as you can’t afford to not cast anything on turns 3 and 4. It gets some damage down then ends up getting double blocked, and maybe not even killing two creatures if you pump. You are prone to time walking your self while pumping due to removal. Viper is probably a better late game top deck than wolf on a stalled board or when you are behind. If the opponent has an early flipper, you can’t really afford to pump and not cast a spell, etc etc.
Don’t get me wrong… wolf is a really good card, and an effective creature, but when you already have one in the deck I am looking for removal and evasion creatures.
The thing with wolf is that he essentially has evasion until your opponent puts out either a guy with 5+ toughness or multiple 2/3s. He might as well say unblockable until one of those conditions are met. The argument for ambush viper is as a late game removal spell for something like Geist-Honored Monk or Grimgrin which can both take over the game and become very large. There’s certainly an argument for having one of each, but when you’re just looking to beatdown and end the game as quickly as you can, then you probably want as many wolves as you can get.
@elcentromax If you have to work really hard to make it good, it isn’t a bomb.
@Kuriboh A bomb is something that can end games if gone unanswered. Spider Spawning can do that.
Please re-watch this draft in 3.-4 weeks, Simon. And please re-evaluate your choices and think about what you said when the format was new. I disagree with A LOT of picks.
Glad to see you went with my suggested title, I think it suits the series.
I just wanted to weigh in on the Spider Spawning debate, since after about 30 drafts I feel I have a good grasp of the format. It isn’t a bomb or a p1p1 slam (like Kessig Cagebreakers, absolute bomb) but in the right deck it is incredible and worth splashing black lands when in green.
Any deck with 16 or more creatures and especially decks with Cleaver or Silver Inlaid Dagger can break the game open with that card. It goes best in a WGb or RGb deck, just don’t pair it with U due to the anti-synergy of zombies. The aggressive GW deck in particular gets to play equipment, humans, werewolves, tappers and can force trades to set up a devastating late game spider swarm. Red gets aggressive creatures and nightbird’s clutches to force bad/no blocks and cards like ashmouth hound almost always trade up, not to mention the ability to simply burn them out.