I've been playing limited magic since the beginning of Return to Ravnica block. By the end of Ravnica block I began to get better and really understand the key concepts of drafting and playing. For M14 I began playing really well and was super excited for Theros block. I am now having major problems. For some reason, I just can't seem to win much anymore. Since Theros block has come out, I've managed to go 22-40 (0.355) in all matches (online and paper). For comparison, I went 19-18 (.514) in Magic 2014 and 37-35 (.514) in Return to Ravnica block. I know winning half your games doesn't make you the best player in the world, but I was certainly performing better with those two blocks then I am now.
I know that obviously whatever I'm doing now is not working so I've decided to go ahead and completely re-learn how to play and draft. My question for y'all is this:
What are some of the best articles and/or resources y'all use (or used) to get better at playing limited.
Draft green. Increase your win rate by 20% (estimation not accurate). But seriously this is a viable tactic that has worked for me. Green pairs well with any color except I avoid pairing it with white. But in reality any color combination works if they are open. Reading the right signal in the first pack and cutting a color that is open from the right can heavily reward you in JBT with cards like Swordwise Centaur, Asphyxiate, Bolt of Keranos, etc.
A slightly better than 50% win rate is good, shows you understood the format and pick order in those past formats. Most likely your problem in JBT is bad card evaluation and even signal reading. Maybe it's the huge amount of combat tricks in this format that is throwing you off.
Channel Fireball, LRCast and GatheringMagic all have useful resources for limited including pro player drafts and card evaluation. This link contains card pick orders from a pro player, Frank K. His picks are a bit extreme in some cases but it's a good guideline. Any video with LSV or Owen T. doing a draft is well worth watching. They explain coherently most of their picks and in-game decisions.
Post a draftcap! Hard to tell what's going wrong. You may either be misevaluating cards (card strength in this format is fairly different than in Rav block). Or maybe you're drafting perfectly great decks but your in-game play is way better in normal formats and worse with Theros silliness. Hard to say. Would be easier for people to comment if you posted more about what's happening.
The thing to remember about drafting is this: "get a playable deck and play tight and you will win a lot more than you lose."
This took me a long time to learn. I think this is because when people brag about their great draft deck that won the tournament, or they post a picture of their sick triple mythic deck, it distorted what I believed a good draft deck looked like.
The above advice comes from the end of this video:
The above video is from the absolutely terrific podcast team behind Limited Resources, a podcast dedicated to getting better at limited Magic. To me it's a great example of posting a winning record with a really uninspiring deck.
Now the two steps to that equation are really quite difficult: "getting a solid deck" often requires taking very boring cards and "playing tight" is a skill that is extremely hard to learn. The trick I use is this: get a friend who plays magic and sit in front of a MTGO and draft together. It is amazing what two people can see that one person can't and will help you identify weaknesses in your game you are totally blind to.
A really simple, silly example: I started skype drafting with a friend and he would drive me crazy by playing and using his lands wrong. He would have a spell that cost WW (like Vanguard of Brimaz) in his deck and play a first turn Mountain. Of course he'd then go on to draw Vanguard on his 2nd turn, and not be able to cast it, play his Plains and pass the turn with no play. The other thing he would do is tap his gates for mana first, which meant he (1) gave his opponent more information about what spells he might have with his untapped mana and (2) potentially meant the mana he needed later in the turn was denied to him. He didn't even realize that he was making any mistakes, because playing and tapping lands is almost an automatic process for Magic players, but I saw it put him in bad situations game after game until finally he corrected this little play mistake. I think this change alone probably won him an extra game out of every twenty - which can make all the difference between winning a tournament and losing one.
I've been a long time listener of LRcast, which is a great podcast. I've watched quite a few draft videos (which have helped me win my (X-1) drafts.
Here are a few of my problems I think:
1. I tend to get caught up picking cards that I've had great luck with in previous drafts, or cards that have crushed me. I get all tunnel vision on these cards and tend to neglect other picks.
2. I put great value in creatures, but sometimes neglect combat tricks and synergy.
3. Although I'm getting better at this, I still find myself doing it, I put way too much stock in my first pick (color wise) and try and pick up the best in those colors (even if there is a better card in another color).
Here is an example of a draft I recently did (I went 1-2):
------ JOU ------
Pack 1 pick 1:
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob
Font of Vigor
Oakheart Dryads
--> Feast of Dreams
Bladetusk Boar
Cruel Feeding
Mortal Obstinacy
Sigiled Starfish
Desecration Plague
Crystalline Nautilus
Knowledge and Power
Reviving Melody
Hall of Triumph
Island
Pack 1 pick 2:
Hubris
Satyr Hoplite
Akroan Mastiff
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Aerial Formation
Starfall
Cast into Darkness
--> Supply-Line Cranes
Rise of Eagles
Disciple of Deceit
Gold-Forged Sentinel
Spawn of Thraxes
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 3:
Nyx Infusion
Harvestguard Alseids
Returned Reveler
Kruphix's Insight
Ajani's Presence
Nature's Panoply
Triton Shorestalker
Ravenous Leucrocota
Font of Ire
--> Sightless Brawler
Stormchaser Chimera
Agent of Erebos
Plains
Pack 1 pick 4:
Pensive Minotaur
Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
--> Rotted Hulk
Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Triton Shorestalker
Renowned Weaver
Ritual of the Returned
Skybind
Island
Pack 1 pick 5:
Pensive Minotaur
Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
Rotted Hulk
--> Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Triton Shorestalker
Renowned Weaver
Wildfire Cerberus
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 6:
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob (FOIL)
Font of Vigor
--> Bladetusk Boar
Cruel Feeding
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Knowledge and Power
Pull from the Deep
Plains
Pack 1 pick 7:
Kruphix's Insight
Rotted Hulk (FOIL)
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
--> Eagle of the Watch
Rise of Eagles
Dreadbringer Lampads
Armory of Iroas
Forest
Pack 1 pick 8:
Eagle of the Watch
Font of Fertility
Pharika's Chosen
Font of Fortunes
--> Sigiled Skink
Font of Ire
Thassa's Ire
Island
Pack 1 pick 9:
--> Rouse the Mob
Font of Vigor
Cruel Feeding
Desecration Plague
Knowledge and Power
Reviving Melody
Island
Pack 1 pick 10:
--> Satyr Hoplite
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Rise of Eagles
Disciple of Deceit
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 11:
Returned Reveler
Kruphix's Insight
--> Font of Ire
Agent of Erebos
Plains
Pack 1 pick 12:
--> Armament of Nyx
Triton Shorestalker
Ritual of the Returned
Island
Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Armament of Nyx
Rotted Hulk
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 14:
--> Font of Vigor
Plains
Pack 1 pick 15:
--> Forest
------ BNG ------
Pack 2 pick 1:
Retraction Helix
Great Hart
Weight of the Underworld
Setessan Oathsworn
Excoriate
Rise to the Challenge
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Necrobite
Sudden Storm
--> Kragma Butcher
Vanguard of Brimaz
Glimpse the Sun God
Sanguimancy
Mindreaver
Plains
Pack 2 pick 2:
Mortal's Ardor
Fearsome Temper
Servant of Tymaret
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Retraction Helix
--> Akroan Skyguard
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
Nullify
Thunder Brute
Kiora's Follower
Fated Retribution
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 4:
Nyxborn Triton
Forsaken Drifters
Revoke Existence
Nyxborn Wolf
Evanescent Intellect
Aspect of Hydra
Mortal's Resolve
Divination
--> Akroan Skyguard
Kraken of the Straits
Eternity Snare
Island
Pack 2 pick 5:
Mortal's Ardor
Eye Gouge
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
--> Elite Skirmisher
Unravel the Æther
Pillar of War
Dawn to Dusk
Fated Return
Plains
Pack 2 pick 6:
Mortal's Ardor
Eye Gouge
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
--> Elite Skirmisher
Pheres-Band Raiders
God-Favored General
Champion of Stray Souls
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 7:
Hold at Bay
Marshmist Titan
Floodtide Serpent
Divination
Karametra's Favor
--> Nyxborn Shieldmate
Sanguimancy
Mischief and Mayhem
Island
Pack 2 pick 8:
Ephara's Radiance
Setessan Starbreaker
Crypsis
Culling Mark
--> Loyal Pegasus
Grisly Transformation
Kraken of the Straits
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 9:
Great Hart
Setessan Oathsworn
Excoriate
--> Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Sanguimancy
Mindreaver
Plains
Pack 2 pick 10:
Mortal's Ardor
--> Fearsome Temper
Satyr Wayfinder
Snake of the Golden Grove
Nullify
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 12:
Aspect of Hydra
Mortal's Resolve
--> Kraken of the Straits
Island
Pack 2 pick 13:
--> Mortal's Ardor
Pillar of War
Plains
Pack 2 pick 14:
--> God-Favored General
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Island
------ THS ------
Pack 3 pick 1:
Fleetfeather Sandals
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Fleshmad Steed
Commune with the Gods
Returned Phalanx
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Scholar of Athreos
Felhide Minotaur
Hunt the Hunter
--> Favored Hoplite
Dark Betrayal
Labyrinth Champion
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 2:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Chosen by Heliod
Fade into Antiquity
Returned Centaur
Griptide
Commune with the Gods
Hopeful Eidolon
Disciple of Phenax
Wavecrash Triton
Sea God's Revenge
Magma Jet
Favored Hoplite
--> Purphoros, God of the Forge
Island
Pack 3 pick 3:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Guardians of Meletis
Battlewise Valor
Returned Centaur
--> Hopeful Eidolon
Portent of Betrayal
Observant Alseid
Setessan Battle Priest
Traveler's Amulet
Stoneshock Giant
Glare of Heresy
Spellheart Chimera
Island
Pack 3 pick 4:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
Feral Invocation
Fate Foretold
Thassa's Bounty
Lagonna-Band Elder
Priest of Iroas
Setessan Battle Priest
--> Deathbellow Raider
Ordeal of Erebos
Tymaret, the Murder King
Forest
Pack 3 pick 5:
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Fleshmad Steed
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Boon of Erebos
--> Ordeal of Purphoros
Sentry of the Underworld
Psychic Intrusion
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 7:
Loathsome Catoblepas
March of the Returned
Fate Foretold
Thassa's Bounty
--> Setessan Griffin
Triton Shorethief
Spellheart Chimera
Evangel of Heliod
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 13:
March of the Returned
--> Defend the Hearth
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Silent Artisan
Forest
Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Swamp
I started thinking Black White, Long Game, Attrition...which turned into maybe red black minotaurs. Eventually it turned into White Red aggro-ish
I would get great early game hits in, but always seemed to run out of gas by turn 6-9. I could get my opponent down to 1-5 life, and then once they stablized the board, or got ahead even in the slightest, I couldn't catch up or get ahead.
Here is another one where I went (2-1). I lost my second game because I made a serious mis-click (I don't do that often, but it happens from time to time.
------ JOU ------
Pack 1 pick 1:
Rouse the Mob
Armament of Nyx
Humbler of Mortals
Nyx Infusion
Harvestguard Alseids
Returned Reveler
Bladetusk Boar
Dreadbringer Lampads
--> Supply-Line Cranes
Thassa's Devourer
Armory of Iroas
Cyclops of Eternal Fury
Nyx-Fleece Ram
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Island
Pack 1 pick 2:
Market Festival
Rotted Hulk
Pensive Minotaur
Akroan Mastiff
Nature's Panoply
Oppressive Rays
Pin to the Earth
Renowned Weaver
Flurry of Horns
Rollick of Abandon
--> Phalanx Formation
Brain Maggot
Worst Fears
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 3:
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
Eagle of the Watch
Market Festival
Grim Guardian
Cruel Feeding
Stonewise Fortifier
Rise of Eagles
--> Pheres-Band Thunderhoof
Spite of Mogis
Deserter's Quarters
Twinflame
Plains
Pack 1 pick 4:
Pensive Minotaur
--> Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
Rotted Hulk
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob
Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Pull from the Deep
Nyx Weaver
Island
Pack 1 pick 5:
Feast of Dreams
Cloaked Siren
Lightning Diadem
--> Lagonna-Band Trailblazer
Oreskos Swiftclaw
War-Wing Siren
Ravenous Leucrocota
Flamespeaker's Will
Aspect of Gorgon
Colossal Heroics
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 6:
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Aerial Formation
--> Eagle of the Watch
Font of Fertility
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Starfall
Spite of Mogis
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 7:
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Eagle of the Watch
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Starfall
--> Triton Cavalry
Agent of Erebos
Mountain
Pack 1 pick 8:
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
Eagle of the Watch
Market Festival
Cruel Feeding
--> Stonewise Fortifier
Underworld Coinsmith
Island
Pack 1 pick 9:
--> Rouse the Mob
Armament of Nyx
Harvestguard Alseids
Armory of Iroas
Cyclops of Eternal Fury
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Island
Pack 1 pick 10:
Market Festival
Rotted Hulk
Oppressive Rays
--> Flurry of Horns
Rollick of Abandon
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 11:
Lightning Diadem
Market Festival
Spite of Mogis
--> Deserter's Quarters
Plains
Pack 1 pick 12:
--> Pensive Minotaur
Rotted Hulk
Stonewise Fortifier
Island
Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Lightning Diadem
Flamespeaker's Will
Swamp
Pack 2 pick 2:
Excoriate
Rise to the Challenge
Nyxborn Triton
Warchanter of Mogis
Forsaken Drifters
Mortal's Resolve
Divination
--> Akroan Skyguard
Claim of Erebos
Aerie Worshippers
Noble Quarry
Searing Blood
Scourge of Skola Vale
Plains
Pack 2 pick 3:
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Retraction Helix
Great Hart
Weight of the Underworld
Setessan Oathsworn
--> Sudden Storm
Kragma Butcher
Aspect of Hydra
Archetype of Endurance
Reap What Is Sown
Drown in Sorrow
Forest
Pack 2 pick 4:
Evanescent Intellect
Epiphany Storm
Servant of Tymaret
Impetuous Sunchaser
Deepwater Hypnotist
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
--> Oracle's Insight
Unravel the Æther
Pinnacle of Rage
Fated Return
Forest
Pack 2 pick 5:
Excoriate
Scouring Sands
--> Chorus of the Tides
Felhide Brawler
Swordwise Centaur
Griffin Dreamfinder
Aspect of Hydra
Claim of Erebos
Deepwater Hypnotist
Sunbond
Island
Pack 2 pick 6:
Marshmist Titan
Floodtide Serpent
Rise to the Challenge
Griffin Dreamfinder
Nyxborn Eidolon
Fall of the Hammer
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Crypsis
--> Meletis Astronomer
Forest
Pack 2 pick 7:
Setessan Oathsworn
--> Chorus of the Tides
Fearsome Temper
Impetuous Sunchaser (FOIL)
Reckless Reveler
Nullify
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Skyreaping
Forest
Pack 2 pick 8:
Sphinx's Disciple
Warchanter of Mogis
Impetuous Sunchaser
Culling Mark
Loyal Pegasus
--> Flitterstep Eidolon
Lightning Volley
Island
Pack 2 pick 13:
Felhide Brawler
--> Griffin Dreamfinder
Island
Pack 2 pick 14:
--> Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Forest
Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Forest
------ THS ------
Pack 3 pick 1:
Pheres-Band Centaurs
Nylea's Presence
Minotaur Skullcleaver
--> Nimbus Naiad
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Spark Jolt
Savage Surge
Disciple of Phenax
Gainsay
Prowler's Helm
Favored Hoplite
Pyxis of Pandemonium
Island
Pack 3 pick 2:
Loathsome Catoblepas
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Leonin Snarecaster
Priest of Iroas
Read the Bones
Thassa's Bounty
Lost in a Labyrinth
Vulpine Goliath (FOIL)
Ray of Dissolution
--> Ordeal of Heliod
Centaur Battlemaster
Sentry of the Underworld
Plains
Pack 3 pick 4:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Rage of Purphoros
Anax and Cymede (FOIL)
Shredding Winds
Boon of Erebos
--> Ordeal of Heliod
Insatiable Harpy
Tymaret, the Murder King
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 5:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Chosen by Heliod
Hopeful Eidolon
Fate Foretold
Portent of Betrayal
--> Observant Alseid
Traveler's Amulet
Boulderfall
Battlewise Hoplite
Ordeal of Nylea
Plains
Pack 3 pick 6:
Spark Jolt (FOIL)
Viper's Kiss
Lightning Strike
--> Coastline Chimera
Rage of Purphoros
Satyr Hedonist
Last Breath
Traveler's Amulet
Vanquish the Foul
Forest
Pack 3 pick 13:
--> Chosen by Heliod
Boulderfall
Plains
Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Spark Jolt (FOIL)
Forest
Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Plains
This deck started off with white, and I was thinking of white/red aggro. Once pack two came around I switched to Blue/White, with lots of heroic and bestow.
#3 on your list is very tricky. When do you take the best card available and not worry about its color? It's a tough question.
I have seen completely conflicting advice on this issue from good players, so I do not think that there is even any good objective guideline for it.
In my opinion the best cards in the THS block are in the THS packs which are typically drafted last. That leads me to believe that I would rather stay open on my second color until the THS pack so that I can take advantage of the great cards there without being constrained to just the two colors I have already committed to. However, this is much easier said than done.
What I do in the first pack JOU is generally take the best card available, and stay with a color only if the picks are otherwise close. That means I might have 3 different colors in the first 3 cards which means that at least 1 of those cards almost certainly will not be played, but I would rather keep myself open like that than take a mediocre 3rd pick. In fact, in the first pack and a half I really try to avoid mediocre cards unless they fit a good spot in my deck (fitting into the curve well, for example) or if there are only mediocre cards to select from a particular pack. Again, easier said than done because I could end up with not enough playables but that rarely happens as long as I am not extreme in just jumping around in colors throughout the entire first pack and a half. I usually end up with a couple of very good cards in other colors, though sometimes I am able to stay with two colors from the beginning if those seem open.
First draft:
P1P4 and P1P5... these are the exact same pack back to back. it makes absolutely no sense that you would go for one style of deck with one and switch to another for the second. in this case, I think you should commit more. if you want to switch to red, grab Flurry in both packs and no Rotted Hulk (which is not 4th pickable and is bad in RB minotaur aggro and bad in BW aggro). In JBT, BW is an aggro deck, so if you were considering BW at first, these picks both should have been Stonewise Fortifier. Either way, no place for Hulk so soon nor to switch picks between the two packs.
P3P2 I think the 2nd Favored Hoplite is still better than Purphoros, especially in RW aggro.
Overall your draft looks pretty good. A bit light on combat tricks and heroic enablers. You can grab all the best heroic creatures in the format but if you dont have the enablers then they don't do much. You did get some, which is decent. I would imagine if you're losing with a deck like that, it has to do with lack of removal for opposing Voltrons or your in-game decisions and probably some luck as well.
P1P2: Supply Line Cranes is a nice card. Spawn of Thraxis is a complete bomb. Yes, 7 mana is a lot, but that doesn't mean you can never play a 7 mana card. This one is worth trying to get there.
P1P3: I'd probably take the Ajani's Presence or even the Nyx Infusion over the Sightless Brawler, but it's pretty close.
P1P5: Rotted Hulk is a marginal card that only goes in a deck that is trying to go long (and even then it's pretty cuttable). Stonewise Fortifier will make the cut in any deck that involves white. If you want to take a black card Dreadbringer Lampads has quite a bit more upside.
Rest of pack 1: Obviously you've correctly detected that red is open coming from your right.
P2P1: Glimpse of the Sun God is incredible in a RW aggressive deck, which it looks like is where you're headed. You mention you had trouble with getting in the last few bits of damage - this card excels at that. Kragma Butcher is fine, but this is a pretty good example of taking a fine creature over a great trick.
P2P9: I'd probably take Excoriate over the 5/2.
P2 otherwise went pretty excellently (though I can't help but notice how awesome glimpse would be played post-attack targeting the 2 skyguards).
P3P2: Purphoros still sells for ~2.5 tix, so probably the pick here. Ignoring the value, I think I'd take Hopeful Eidolon here (though Favored Hoplite or even Magma Jet are certainly defensible). Hah, just looked ahead and saw the Eidolon somehow wheeled. Insane.
P3P4: Dragon Mantle over Deathbellow. Its really excellent on the Skyguards. I haven't counted carefully but I think your creature count is fine.
P3P7: I'd probably take the Evangel over the Griffin, but I'm probably not running either of them, so kinda whatever.
I think you were right to switch to red, but boy you almost definitely put the player on your left in red the the P2 dragon pass, and red is the one color you actually really want flowing in pack 2.
Here is an example of a draft I recently did (I went 1-2):
------ JOU ------
Pack 1 pick 1:
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob
Font of Vigor
Oakheart Dryads
--> Feast of Dreams
Bladetusk Boar
Cruel Feeding
Mortal Obstinacy
Sigiled Starfish
Desecration Plague
Crystalline Nautilus
Knowledge and Power
Reviving Melody
Hall of Triumph
Island
Pack 1 pick 2:
Hubris
Satyr Hoplite
Akroan Mastiff
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Aerial Formation
Starfall
Cast into Darkness
--> Supply-Line Cranes
Rise of Eagles
Disciple of Deceit
Gold-Forged Sentinel
Spawn of Thraxes
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 3:
Nyx Infusion
Harvestguard Alseids
Returned Reveler
Kruphix's Insight
Ajani's Presence
Nature's Panoply
Triton Shorestalker
Ravenous Leucrocota
Font of Ire
--> Sightless Brawler
Stormchaser Chimera
Agent of Erebos
Plains
Pack 1 pick 4:
Pensive Minotaur
Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
--> Rotted Hulk
Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Triton Shorestalker
Renowned Weaver
Ritual of the Returned
Skybind
Island
Pack 1 pick 5:
Pensive Minotaur
Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
Rotted Hulk
--> Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Triton Shorestalker
Renowned Weaver
Wildfire Cerberus
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 6:
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob (FOIL)
Font of Vigor
--> Bladetusk Boar
Cruel Feeding
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Knowledge and Power
Pull from the Deep
Plains
Pack 1 pick 7:
Kruphix's Insight
Rotted Hulk (FOIL)
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
--> Eagle of the Watch
Rise of Eagles
Dreadbringer Lampads
Armory of Iroas
Forest
Pack 1 pick 8:
Eagle of the Watch
Font of Fertility
Pharika's Chosen
Font of Fortunes
--> Sigiled Skink
Font of Ire
Thassa's Ire
Island
Pack 1 pick 9:
--> Rouse the Mob
Font of Vigor
Cruel Feeding
Desecration Plague
Knowledge and Power
Reviving Melody
Island
Pack 1 pick 10:
--> Satyr Hoplite
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Rise of Eagles
Disciple of Deceit
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 11:
Returned Reveler
Kruphix's Insight
--> Font of Ire
Agent of Erebos
Plains
Pack 1 pick 12:
--> Armament of Nyx
Triton Shorestalker
Ritual of the Returned
Island
Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Armament of Nyx
Rotted Hulk
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 14:
--> Font of Vigor
Plains
Pack 1 pick 15:
--> Forest
------ BNG ------
Pack 2 pick 1:
Retraction Helix
Great Hart
Weight of the Underworld
Setessan Oathsworn
Excoriate
Rise to the Challenge
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Necrobite
Sudden Storm
--> Kragma Butcher
Vanguard of Brimaz
Glimpse the Sun God
Sanguimancy
Mindreaver
Plains
Pack 2 pick 2:
Mortal's Ardor
Fearsome Temper
Servant of Tymaret
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Retraction Helix
--> Akroan Skyguard
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
Nullify
Thunder Brute
Kiora's Follower
Fated Retribution
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 4:
Nyxborn Triton
Forsaken Drifters
Revoke Existence
Nyxborn Wolf
Evanescent Intellect
Aspect of Hydra
Mortal's Resolve
Divination
--> Akroan Skyguard
Kraken of the Straits
Eternity Snare
Island
Pack 2 pick 5:
Mortal's Ardor
Eye Gouge
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
--> Elite Skirmisher
Unravel the Æther
Pillar of War
Dawn to Dusk
Fated Return
Plains
Pack 2 pick 6:
Mortal's Ardor
Eye Gouge
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
--> Elite Skirmisher
Pheres-Band Raiders
God-Favored General
Champion of Stray Souls
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 7:
Hold at Bay
Marshmist Titan
Floodtide Serpent
Divination
Karametra's Favor
--> Nyxborn Shieldmate
Sanguimancy
Mischief and Mayhem
Island
Pack 2 pick 8:
Ephara's Radiance
Setessan Starbreaker
Crypsis
Culling Mark
--> Loyal Pegasus
Grisly Transformation
Kraken of the Straits
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 9:
Great Hart
Setessan Oathsworn
Excoriate
--> Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Sanguimancy
Mindreaver
Plains
Pack 2 pick 10:
Mortal's Ardor
--> Fearsome Temper
Satyr Wayfinder
Snake of the Golden Grove
Nullify
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 12:
Aspect of Hydra
Mortal's Resolve
--> Kraken of the Straits
Island
Pack 2 pick 13:
--> Mortal's Ardor
Pillar of War
Plains
Pack 2 pick 14:
--> God-Favored General
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Island
------ THS ------
Pack 3 pick 1:
Fleetfeather Sandals
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Fleshmad Steed
Commune with the Gods
Returned Phalanx
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Scholar of Athreos
Felhide Minotaur
Hunt the Hunter
--> Favored Hoplite
Dark Betrayal
Labyrinth Champion
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 2:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Chosen by Heliod
Fade into Antiquity
Returned Centaur
Griptide
Commune with the Gods
Hopeful Eidolon
Disciple of Phenax
Wavecrash Triton
Sea God's Revenge
Magma Jet
Favored Hoplite
--> Purphoros, God of the Forge
Island
Pack 3 pick 3:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Guardians of Meletis
Battlewise Valor
Returned Centaur
--> Hopeful Eidolon
Portent of Betrayal
Observant Alseid
Setessan Battle Priest
Traveler's Amulet
Stoneshock Giant
Glare of Heresy
Spellheart Chimera
Island
Pack 3 pick 4:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
Feral Invocation
Fate Foretold
Thassa's Bounty
Lagonna-Band Elder
Priest of Iroas
Setessan Battle Priest
--> Deathbellow Raider
Ordeal of Erebos
Tymaret, the Murder King
Forest
Pack 3 pick 5:
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Fleshmad Steed
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Boon of Erebos
--> Ordeal of Purphoros
Sentry of the Underworld
Psychic Intrusion
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 7:
Loathsome Catoblepas
March of the Returned
Fate Foretold
Thassa's Bounty
--> Setessan Griffin
Triton Shorethief
Spellheart Chimera
Evangel of Heliod
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 13:
March of the Returned
--> Defend the Hearth
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Silent Artisan
Forest
Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Swamp
I started thinking Black White, Long Game, Attrition...which turned into maybe red black minotaurs. Eventually it turned into White Red aggro-ish
I would get great early game hits in, but always seemed to run out of gas by turn 6-9. I could get my opponent down to 1-5 life, and then once they stablized the board, or got ahead even in the slightest, I couldn't catch up or get ahead.
Here is another one where I went (2-1). I lost my second game because I made a serious mis-click (I don't do that often, but it happens from time to time.
------ JOU ------
Pack 1 pick 1:
Rouse the Mob
Armament of Nyx
Humbler of Mortals
Nyx Infusion
Harvestguard Alseids
Returned Reveler
Bladetusk Boar
Dreadbringer Lampads
--> Supply-Line Cranes
Thassa's Devourer
Armory of Iroas
Cyclops of Eternal Fury
Nyx-Fleece Ram
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Island
Pack 1 pick 2:
Market Festival
Rotted Hulk
Pensive Minotaur
Akroan Mastiff
Nature's Panoply
Oppressive Rays
Pin to the Earth
Renowned Weaver
Flurry of Horns
Rollick of Abandon
--> Phalanx Formation
Brain Maggot
Worst Fears
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 3:
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
Eagle of the Watch
Market Festival
Grim Guardian
Cruel Feeding
Stonewise Fortifier
Rise of Eagles
--> Pheres-Band Thunderhoof
Spite of Mogis
Deserter's Quarters
Twinflame
Plains
Pack 1 pick 4:
Pensive Minotaur
--> Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
Rotted Hulk
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob
Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Pull from the Deep
Nyx Weaver
Island
Pack 1 pick 5:
Feast of Dreams
Cloaked Siren
Lightning Diadem
--> Lagonna-Band Trailblazer
Oreskos Swiftclaw
War-Wing Siren
Ravenous Leucrocota
Flamespeaker's Will
Aspect of Gorgon
Colossal Heroics
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 6:
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Aerial Formation
--> Eagle of the Watch
Font of Fertility
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Starfall
Spite of Mogis
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 7:
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Eagle of the Watch
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Starfall
--> Triton Cavalry
Agent of Erebos
Mountain
Pack 1 pick 8:
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
Eagle of the Watch
Market Festival
Cruel Feeding
--> Stonewise Fortifier
Underworld Coinsmith
Island
Pack 1 pick 9:
--> Rouse the Mob
Armament of Nyx
Harvestguard Alseids
Armory of Iroas
Cyclops of Eternal Fury
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Island
Pack 1 pick 10:
Market Festival
Rotted Hulk
Oppressive Rays
--> Flurry of Horns
Rollick of Abandon
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 11:
Lightning Diadem
Market Festival
Spite of Mogis
--> Deserter's Quarters
Plains
Pack 1 pick 12:
--> Pensive Minotaur
Rotted Hulk
Stonewise Fortifier
Island
Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Lightning Diadem
Flamespeaker's Will
Swamp
Pack 2 pick 2:
Excoriate
Rise to the Challenge
Nyxborn Triton
Warchanter of Mogis
Forsaken Drifters
Mortal's Resolve
Divination
--> Akroan Skyguard
Claim of Erebos
Aerie Worshippers
Noble Quarry
Searing Blood
Scourge of Skola Vale
Plains
Pack 2 pick 3:
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Retraction Helix
Great Hart
Weight of the Underworld
Setessan Oathsworn
--> Sudden Storm
Kragma Butcher
Aspect of Hydra
Archetype of Endurance
Reap What Is Sown
Drown in Sorrow
Forest
Pack 2 pick 4:
Evanescent Intellect
Epiphany Storm
Servant of Tymaret
Impetuous Sunchaser
Deepwater Hypnotist
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
--> Oracle's Insight
Unravel the Æther
Pinnacle of Rage
Fated Return
Forest
Pack 2 pick 5:
Excoriate
Scouring Sands
--> Chorus of the Tides
Felhide Brawler
Swordwise Centaur
Griffin Dreamfinder
Aspect of Hydra
Claim of Erebos
Deepwater Hypnotist
Sunbond
Island
Pack 2 pick 6:
Marshmist Titan
Floodtide Serpent
Rise to the Challenge
Griffin Dreamfinder
Nyxborn Eidolon
Fall of the Hammer
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Crypsis
--> Meletis Astronomer
Forest
Pack 2 pick 7:
Setessan Oathsworn
--> Chorus of the Tides
Fearsome Temper
Impetuous Sunchaser (FOIL)
Reckless Reveler
Nullify
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Skyreaping
Forest
Pack 2 pick 8:
Sphinx's Disciple
Warchanter of Mogis
Impetuous Sunchaser
Culling Mark
Loyal Pegasus
--> Flitterstep Eidolon
Lightning Volley
Island
Pack 2 pick 13:
Felhide Brawler
--> Griffin Dreamfinder
Island
Pack 2 pick 14:
--> Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Forest
Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Forest
------ THS ------
Pack 3 pick 1:
Pheres-Band Centaurs
Nylea's Presence
Minotaur Skullcleaver
--> Nimbus Naiad
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Spark Jolt
Savage Surge
Disciple of Phenax
Gainsay
Prowler's Helm
Favored Hoplite
Pyxis of Pandemonium
Island
Pack 3 pick 2:
Loathsome Catoblepas
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Leonin Snarecaster
Priest of Iroas
Read the Bones
Thassa's Bounty
Lost in a Labyrinth
Vulpine Goliath (FOIL)
Ray of Dissolution
--> Ordeal of Heliod
Centaur Battlemaster
Sentry of the Underworld
Plains
Pack 3 pick 4:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Rage of Purphoros
Anax and Cymede (FOIL)
Shredding Winds
Boon of Erebos
--> Ordeal of Heliod
Insatiable Harpy
Tymaret, the Murder King
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 5:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Chosen by Heliod
Hopeful Eidolon
Fate Foretold
Portent of Betrayal
--> Observant Alseid
Traveler's Amulet
Boulderfall
Battlewise Hoplite
Ordeal of Nylea
Plains
Pack 3 pick 6:
Spark Jolt (FOIL)
Viper's Kiss
Lightning Strike
--> Coastline Chimera
Rage of Purphoros
Satyr Hedonist
Last Breath
Traveler's Amulet
Vanquish the Foul
Forest
Pack 3 pick 13:
--> Chosen by Heliod
Boulderfall
Plains
Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Spark Jolt (FOIL)
Forest
Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Plains
This deck started off with white, and I was thinking of white/red aggro. Once pack two came around I switched to Blue/White, with lots of heroic and bestow.
Post lots and lots of those to the Draftcap Discussion forum, and take the positive and negative feedback you get to heart.
I don't have much to add, but I wanted to say that I've been in the same place and feel ya.
One thing to mention is if you're not playing Swiss, it's a great way to shake up a rut. I've had strings where I lose in Round 1 of a single-elim 6 times in a row. That is completely different that going 0-3 in 2 Swisses in a row. In Swiss you get paired up with people with similar records, which makes it a bit easier to win and get some confidence back in you.
The only other thing I'll add is that there's certainly luck involved in the game, and sometimes it just all piles up against you. Sometimes your deck is awesome and you get land-screwed. Sometimes your opponent's deck is terrible and they draw brilliantly against you. A few of these in a row adds up fast.
For Theros, I'd highly recommend drafting a few aggro decks UW, WG, WR (in that order). They're pretty easy to draft and play and help get some confidence back in you.
I know that obviously whatever I'm doing now is not working so I've decided to go ahead and completely re-learn how to play and draft. My question for y'all is this:
What are some of the best articles and/or resources y'all use (or used) to get better at playing limited.
Any help is welcome.
A slightly better than 50% win rate is good, shows you understood the format and pick order in those past formats. Most likely your problem in JBT is bad card evaluation and even signal reading. Maybe it's the huge amount of combat tricks in this format that is throwing you off.
Channel Fireball, LRCast and GatheringMagic all have useful resources for limited including pro player drafts and card evaluation. This link contains card pick orders from a pro player, Frank K. His picks are a bit extreme in some cases but it's a good guideline. Any video with LSV or Owen T. doing a draft is well worth watching. They explain coherently most of their picks and in-game decisions.
The thing to remember about drafting is this: "get a playable deck and play tight and you will win a lot more than you lose."
This took me a long time to learn. I think this is because when people brag about their great draft deck that won the tournament, or they post a picture of their sick triple mythic deck, it distorted what I believed a good draft deck looked like.
The above advice comes from the end of this video:
http://lrcast.com/new-video-and-retro-draft-primer-uploaded/
The above video is from the absolutely terrific podcast team behind Limited Resources, a podcast dedicated to getting better at limited Magic. To me it's a great example of posting a winning record with a really uninspiring deck.
Now the two steps to that equation are really quite difficult: "getting a solid deck" often requires taking very boring cards and "playing tight" is a skill that is extremely hard to learn. The trick I use is this: get a friend who plays magic and sit in front of a MTGO and draft together. It is amazing what two people can see that one person can't and will help you identify weaknesses in your game you are totally blind to.
A really simple, silly example: I started skype drafting with a friend and he would drive me crazy by playing and using his lands wrong. He would have a spell that cost WW (like Vanguard of Brimaz) in his deck and play a first turn Mountain. Of course he'd then go on to draw Vanguard on his 2nd turn, and not be able to cast it, play his Plains and pass the turn with no play. The other thing he would do is tap his gates for mana first, which meant he (1) gave his opponent more information about what spells he might have with his untapped mana and (2) potentially meant the mana he needed later in the turn was denied to him. He didn't even realize that he was making any mistakes, because playing and tapping lands is almost an automatic process for Magic players, but I saw it put him in bad situations game after game until finally he corrected this little play mistake. I think this change alone probably won him an extra game out of every twenty - which can make all the difference between winning a tournament and losing one.
I've been a long time listener of LRcast, which is a great podcast. I've watched quite a few draft videos (which have helped me win my (X-1) drafts.
Here are a few of my problems I think:
1. I tend to get caught up picking cards that I've had great luck with in previous drafts, or cards that have crushed me. I get all tunnel vision on these cards and tend to neglect other picks.
2. I put great value in creatures, but sometimes neglect combat tricks and synergy.
3. Although I'm getting better at this, I still find myself doing it, I put way too much stock in my first pick (color wise) and try and pick up the best in those colors (even if there is a better card in another color).
Here is an example of a draft I recently did (I went 1-2):
------ JOU ------
Pack 1 pick 1:
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob
Font of Vigor
Oakheart Dryads
--> Feast of Dreams
Bladetusk Boar
Cruel Feeding
Mortal Obstinacy
Sigiled Starfish
Desecration Plague
Crystalline Nautilus
Knowledge and Power
Reviving Melody
Hall of Triumph
Island
Pack 1 pick 2:
Hubris
Satyr Hoplite
Akroan Mastiff
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Aerial Formation
Starfall
Cast into Darkness
--> Supply-Line Cranes
Rise of Eagles
Disciple of Deceit
Gold-Forged Sentinel
Spawn of Thraxes
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 3:
Nyx Infusion
Harvestguard Alseids
Returned Reveler
Kruphix's Insight
Ajani's Presence
Nature's Panoply
Triton Shorestalker
Ravenous Leucrocota
Font of Ire
--> Sightless Brawler
Stormchaser Chimera
Agent of Erebos
Plains
Pack 1 pick 4:
Pensive Minotaur
Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
--> Rotted Hulk
Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Triton Shorestalker
Renowned Weaver
Ritual of the Returned
Skybind
Island
Pack 1 pick 5:
Pensive Minotaur
Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
Rotted Hulk
--> Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Triton Shorestalker
Renowned Weaver
Wildfire Cerberus
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 6:
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob (FOIL)
Font of Vigor
--> Bladetusk Boar
Cruel Feeding
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Knowledge and Power
Pull from the Deep
Plains
Pack 1 pick 7:
Kruphix's Insight
Rotted Hulk (FOIL)
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
--> Eagle of the Watch
Rise of Eagles
Dreadbringer Lampads
Armory of Iroas
Forest
Pack 1 pick 8:
Eagle of the Watch
Font of Fertility
Pharika's Chosen
Font of Fortunes
--> Sigiled Skink
Font of Ire
Thassa's Ire
Island
Pack 1 pick 9:
--> Rouse the Mob
Font of Vigor
Cruel Feeding
Desecration Plague
Knowledge and Power
Reviving Melody
Island
Pack 1 pick 10:
--> Satyr Hoplite
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Rise of Eagles
Disciple of Deceit
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 11:
Returned Reveler
Kruphix's Insight
--> Font of Ire
Agent of Erebos
Plains
Pack 1 pick 12:
--> Armament of Nyx
Triton Shorestalker
Ritual of the Returned
Island
Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Armament of Nyx
Rotted Hulk
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 14:
--> Font of Vigor
Plains
Pack 1 pick 15:
--> Forest
------ BNG ------
Pack 2 pick 1:
Retraction Helix
Great Hart
Weight of the Underworld
Setessan Oathsworn
Excoriate
Rise to the Challenge
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Necrobite
Sudden Storm
--> Kragma Butcher
Vanguard of Brimaz
Glimpse the Sun God
Sanguimancy
Mindreaver
Plains
Pack 2 pick 2:
Mortal's Ardor
Fearsome Temper
Servant of Tymaret
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Retraction Helix
--> Akroan Skyguard
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
Nullify
Thunder Brute
Kiora's Follower
Fated Retribution
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 3:
Ephara's Radiance
Reckless Reveler (FOIL)
Setessan Oathsworn
Marshmist Titan
--> Kragma Butcher
Loyal Pegasus
Elite Skirmisher
Mortal's Resolve
Asphyxiate
Ashiok's Adept
God-Favored General
Scourge of Skola Vale
Swamp
Pack 2 pick 4:
Nyxborn Triton
Forsaken Drifters
Revoke Existence
Nyxborn Wolf
Evanescent Intellect
Aspect of Hydra
Mortal's Resolve
Divination
--> Akroan Skyguard
Kraken of the Straits
Eternity Snare
Island
Pack 2 pick 5:
Mortal's Ardor
Eye Gouge
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
--> Elite Skirmisher
Unravel the Æther
Pillar of War
Dawn to Dusk
Fated Return
Plains
Pack 2 pick 6:
Mortal's Ardor
Eye Gouge
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
Snake of the Golden Grove
--> Elite Skirmisher
Pheres-Band Raiders
God-Favored General
Champion of Stray Souls
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 7:
Hold at Bay
Marshmist Titan
Floodtide Serpent
Divination
Karametra's Favor
--> Nyxborn Shieldmate
Sanguimancy
Mischief and Mayhem
Island
Pack 2 pick 8:
Ephara's Radiance
Setessan Starbreaker
Crypsis
Culling Mark
--> Loyal Pegasus
Grisly Transformation
Kraken of the Straits
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 9:
Great Hart
Setessan Oathsworn
Excoriate
--> Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Sanguimancy
Mindreaver
Plains
Pack 2 pick 10:
Mortal's Ardor
--> Fearsome Temper
Satyr Wayfinder
Snake of the Golden Grove
Nullify
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 11:
Ephara's Radiance
Setessan Oathsworn
Marshmist Titan
--> God-Favored General
Swamp
Pack 2 pick 12:
Aspect of Hydra
Mortal's Resolve
--> Kraken of the Straits
Island
Pack 2 pick 13:
--> Mortal's Ardor
Pillar of War
Plains
Pack 2 pick 14:
--> God-Favored General
Mountain
Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Island
------ THS ------
Pack 3 pick 1:
Fleetfeather Sandals
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Fleshmad Steed
Commune with the Gods
Returned Phalanx
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Scholar of Athreos
Felhide Minotaur
Hunt the Hunter
--> Favored Hoplite
Dark Betrayal
Labyrinth Champion
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 2:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Chosen by Heliod
Fade into Antiquity
Returned Centaur
Griptide
Commune with the Gods
Hopeful Eidolon
Disciple of Phenax
Wavecrash Triton
Sea God's Revenge
Magma Jet
Favored Hoplite
--> Purphoros, God of the Forge
Island
Pack 3 pick 3:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Guardians of Meletis
Battlewise Valor
Returned Centaur
--> Hopeful Eidolon
Portent of Betrayal
Observant Alseid
Setessan Battle Priest
Traveler's Amulet
Stoneshock Giant
Glare of Heresy
Spellheart Chimera
Island
Pack 3 pick 4:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
Feral Invocation
Fate Foretold
Thassa's Bounty
Lagonna-Band Elder
Priest of Iroas
Setessan Battle Priest
--> Deathbellow Raider
Ordeal of Erebos
Tymaret, the Murder King
Forest
Pack 3 pick 5:
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Fleshmad Steed
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Boon of Erebos
--> Ordeal of Purphoros
Sentry of the Underworld
Psychic Intrusion
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 6:
Chosen by Heliod
Asphodel Wanderer
Breaching Hippocamp
Silent Artisan
--> Titan's Strength
Traveling Philosopher
Cavern Lampad
Staunch-Hearted Warrior
Shipwreck Singer
Forest
Pack 3 pick 7:
Loathsome Catoblepas
March of the Returned
Fate Foretold
Thassa's Bounty
--> Setessan Griffin
Triton Shorethief
Spellheart Chimera
Evangel of Heliod
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 8:
Fleshmad Steed
--> Cavalry Pegasus
Stymied Hopes
Priest of Iroas
Traveler's Amulet
Mogis's Marauder
Flamecast Wheel
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 9:
Demolish
--> Ephara's Warden
Fleshmad Steed
Commune with the Gods
Lost in a Labyrinth
Felhide Minotaur
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 10:
Chosen by Heliod
Fade into Antiquity
Returned Centaur
Commune with the Gods
--> Hopeful Eidolon
Island
Pack 3 pick 11:
--> Portent of Betrayal
Setessan Battle Priest
Glare of Heresy
Spellheart Chimera
Island
Pack 3 pick 12:
Thassa's Bounty
Priest of Iroas
--> Setessan Battle Priest
Forest
Pack 3 pick 13:
March of the Returned
--> Defend the Hearth
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Silent Artisan
Forest
Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Swamp
I started thinking Black White, Long Game, Attrition...which turned into maybe red black minotaurs. Eventually it turned into White Red aggro-ish
I would get great early game hits in, but always seemed to run out of gas by turn 6-9. I could get my opponent down to 1-5 life, and then once they stablized the board, or got ahead even in the slightest, I couldn't catch up or get ahead.
Here is another one where I went (2-1). I lost my second game because I made a serious mis-click (I don't do that often, but it happens from time to time.
------ JOU ------
Pack 1 pick 1:
Rouse the Mob
Armament of Nyx
Humbler of Mortals
Nyx Infusion
Harvestguard Alseids
Returned Reveler
Bladetusk Boar
Dreadbringer Lampads
--> Supply-Line Cranes
Thassa's Devourer
Armory of Iroas
Cyclops of Eternal Fury
Nyx-Fleece Ram
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Island
Pack 1 pick 2:
Market Festival
Rotted Hulk
Pensive Minotaur
Akroan Mastiff
Nature's Panoply
Oppressive Rays
Pin to the Earth
Renowned Weaver
Flurry of Horns
Rollick of Abandon
--> Phalanx Formation
Brain Maggot
Worst Fears
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 3:
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
Eagle of the Watch
Market Festival
Grim Guardian
Cruel Feeding
Stonewise Fortifier
Rise of Eagles
--> Pheres-Band Thunderhoof
Spite of Mogis
Deserter's Quarters
Twinflame
Plains
Pack 1 pick 4:
Pensive Minotaur
--> Armament of Nyx
Font of Fertility
Rotted Hulk
Godhunter Octopus
Rouse the Mob
Flurry of Horns
Dreadbringer Lampads
Stonewise Fortifier
Pull from the Deep
Nyx Weaver
Island
Pack 1 pick 5:
Feast of Dreams
Cloaked Siren
Lightning Diadem
--> Lagonna-Band Trailblazer
Oreskos Swiftclaw
War-Wing Siren
Ravenous Leucrocota
Flamespeaker's Will
Aspect of Gorgon
Colossal Heroics
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 6:
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Aerial Formation
--> Eagle of the Watch
Font of Fertility
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Starfall
Spite of Mogis
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 7:
Humbler of Mortals
Font of Return
Eagle of the Watch
Mortal Obstinacy
Desecration Plague
Starfall
--> Triton Cavalry
Agent of Erebos
Mountain
Pack 1 pick 8:
Countermand
Lightning Diadem
Eagle of the Watch
Market Festival
Cruel Feeding
--> Stonewise Fortifier
Underworld Coinsmith
Island
Pack 1 pick 9:
--> Rouse the Mob
Armament of Nyx
Harvestguard Alseids
Armory of Iroas
Cyclops of Eternal Fury
Dictate of the Twin Gods
Island
Pack 1 pick 10:
Market Festival
Rotted Hulk
Oppressive Rays
--> Flurry of Horns
Rollick of Abandon
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 11:
Lightning Diadem
Market Festival
Spite of Mogis
--> Deserter's Quarters
Plains
Pack 1 pick 12:
--> Pensive Minotaur
Rotted Hulk
Stonewise Fortifier
Island
Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Lightning Diadem
Flamespeaker's Will
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 14:
--> Font of Return
Swamp
Pack 1 pick 15:
--> Mountain
------ BNG ------
Pack 2 pick 1:
Charging Badger
Pharagax Giant
Sphinx's Disciple
Ephara's Radiance
Setessan Starbreaker
Forsaken Drifters
Culling Mark
Loyal Pegasus
Grisly Transformation
Nyxborn Rollicker
Satyr Nyx-Smith
Unravel the Æther
--> Flitterstep Eidolon
Temple of Malice
Plains
Pack 2 pick 2:
Excoriate
Rise to the Challenge
Nyxborn Triton
Warchanter of Mogis
Forsaken Drifters
Mortal's Resolve
Divination
--> Akroan Skyguard
Claim of Erebos
Aerie Worshippers
Noble Quarry
Searing Blood
Scourge of Skola Vale
Plains
Pack 2 pick 3:
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Retraction Helix
Great Hart
Weight of the Underworld
Setessan Oathsworn
--> Sudden Storm
Kragma Butcher
Aspect of Hydra
Archetype of Endurance
Reap What Is Sown
Drown in Sorrow
Forest
Pack 2 pick 4:
Evanescent Intellect
Epiphany Storm
Servant of Tymaret
Impetuous Sunchaser
Deepwater Hypnotist
Crypsis
Reckless Reveler
--> Oracle's Insight
Unravel the Æther
Pinnacle of Rage
Fated Return
Forest
Pack 2 pick 5:
Excoriate
Scouring Sands
--> Chorus of the Tides
Felhide Brawler
Swordwise Centaur
Griffin Dreamfinder
Aspect of Hydra
Claim of Erebos
Deepwater Hypnotist
Sunbond
Island
Pack 2 pick 6:
Marshmist Titan
Floodtide Serpent
Rise to the Challenge
Griffin Dreamfinder
Nyxborn Eidolon
Fall of the Hammer
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Crypsis
--> Meletis Astronomer
Forest
Pack 2 pick 7:
Setessan Oathsworn
--> Chorus of the Tides
Fearsome Temper
Impetuous Sunchaser (FOIL)
Reckless Reveler
Nullify
Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Skyreaping
Forest
Pack 2 pick 8:
Sphinx's Disciple
Warchanter of Mogis
Impetuous Sunchaser
Culling Mark
Loyal Pegasus
--> Flitterstep Eidolon
Lightning Volley
Island
Pack 2 pick 9:
Charging Badger
Pharagax Giant
Ephara's Radiance
Setessan Starbreaker
Culling Mark
--> Loyal Pegasus
Plains
Pack 2 pick 10:
Rise to the Challenge
Warchanter of Mogis
Forsaken Drifters
--> Divination
Claim of Erebos
Plains
Pack 2 pick 11:
Satyr Wayfinder
Pharagax Giant
Aspect of Hydra
--> Reap What Is Sown
Forest
Pack 2 pick 12:
Evanescent Intellect
Epiphany Storm
--> Deepwater Hypnotist
Forest
Pack 2 pick 13:
Felhide Brawler
--> Griffin Dreamfinder
Island
Pack 2 pick 14:
--> Cyclops of One-Eyed Pass
Forest
Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Forest
------ THS ------
Pack 3 pick 1:
Pheres-Band Centaurs
Nylea's Presence
Minotaur Skullcleaver
--> Nimbus Naiad
Defend the Hearth
Agent of Horizons
Crackling Triton
Spark Jolt
Savage Surge
Disciple of Phenax
Gainsay
Prowler's Helm
Favored Hoplite
Pyxis of Pandemonium
Island
Pack 3 pick 2:
Loathsome Catoblepas
Omenspeaker
March of the Returned
Leonin Snarecaster
Priest of Iroas
Read the Bones
Thassa's Bounty
Lost in a Labyrinth
Vulpine Goliath (FOIL)
Ray of Dissolution
--> Ordeal of Heliod
Centaur Battlemaster
Sentry of the Underworld
Plains
Pack 3 pick 3:
Lash of the Whip
Messenger's Speed
Gods Willing
Asphodel Wanderer
--> Wingsteed Rider
Two-Headed Cerberus
Vulpine Goliath
Annul
Scholar of Athreos
Peak Eruption
Pharika's Mender
Dauntless Onslaught
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 4:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
Lagonna-Band Elder
Lost in a Labyrinth
Rage of Purphoros
Anax and Cymede (FOIL)
Shredding Winds
Boon of Erebos
--> Ordeal of Heliod
Insatiable Harpy
Tymaret, the Murder King
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 5:
Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Chosen by Heliod
Hopeful Eidolon
Fate Foretold
Portent of Betrayal
--> Observant Alseid
Traveler's Amulet
Boulderfall
Battlewise Hoplite
Ordeal of Nylea
Plains
Pack 3 pick 6:
Spark Jolt (FOIL)
Viper's Kiss
Lightning Strike
--> Coastline Chimera
Rage of Purphoros
Satyr Hedonist
Last Breath
Traveler's Amulet
Vanquish the Foul
Forest
Pack 3 pick 7:
Pheres-Band Centaurs
--> Divine Verdict
Asphodel Wanderer
Titan's Strength
Akroan Crusader
Cavern Lampad
Purphoros's Emissary
Pharika's Mender
Plains
Pack 3 pick 8:
Loathsome Catoblepas
Fleetfeather Sandals
Demolish
Ephara's Warden
Thassa's Bounty
Lagonna-Band Elder
--> Ray of Dissolution
Plains
Pack 3 pick 9:
Nylea's Presence
Defend the Hearth
Spark Jolt
Gainsay
--> Prowler's Helm
Pyxis of Pandemonium
Island
Pack 3 pick 10:
Loathsome Catoblepas
March of the Returned
--> Leonin Snarecaster
Priest of Iroas
Ray of Dissolution
Plains
Pack 3 pick 11:
Messenger's Speed
Asphodel Wanderer
--> Scholar of Athreos
Peak Eruption
Swamp
Pack 3 pick 12:
Dragon Mantle
Bronze Sable
--> Lagonna-Band Elder
Mountain
Pack 3 pick 13:
--> Chosen by Heliod
Boulderfall
Plains
Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Spark Jolt (FOIL)
Forest
Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Plains
This deck started off with white, and I was thinking of white/red aggro. Once pack two came around I switched to Blue/White, with lots of heroic and bestow.
I have seen completely conflicting advice on this issue from good players, so I do not think that there is even any good objective guideline for it.
In my opinion the best cards in the THS block are in the THS packs which are typically drafted last. That leads me to believe that I would rather stay open on my second color until the THS pack so that I can take advantage of the great cards there without being constrained to just the two colors I have already committed to. However, this is much easier said than done.
What I do in the first pack JOU is generally take the best card available, and stay with a color only if the picks are otherwise close. That means I might have 3 different colors in the first 3 cards which means that at least 1 of those cards almost certainly will not be played, but I would rather keep myself open like that than take a mediocre 3rd pick. In fact, in the first pack and a half I really try to avoid mediocre cards unless they fit a good spot in my deck (fitting into the curve well, for example) or if there are only mediocre cards to select from a particular pack. Again, easier said than done because I could end up with not enough playables but that rarely happens as long as I am not extreme in just jumping around in colors throughout the entire first pack and a half. I usually end up with a couple of very good cards in other colors, though sometimes I am able to stay with two colors from the beginning if those seem open.
P1P4 and P1P5... these are the exact same pack back to back. it makes absolutely no sense that you would go for one style of deck with one and switch to another for the second. in this case, I think you should commit more. if you want to switch to red, grab Flurry in both packs and no Rotted Hulk (which is not 4th pickable and is bad in RB minotaur aggro and bad in BW aggro). In JBT, BW is an aggro deck, so if you were considering BW at first, these picks both should have been Stonewise Fortifier. Either way, no place for Hulk so soon nor to switch picks between the two packs.
P3P2 I think the 2nd Favored Hoplite is still better than Purphoros, especially in RW aggro.
Overall your draft looks pretty good. A bit light on combat tricks and heroic enablers. You can grab all the best heroic creatures in the format but if you dont have the enablers then they don't do much. You did get some, which is decent. I would imagine if you're losing with a deck like that, it has to do with lack of removal for opposing Voltrons or your in-game decisions and probably some luck as well.
P1P2: Supply Line Cranes is a nice card. Spawn of Thraxis is a complete bomb. Yes, 7 mana is a lot, but that doesn't mean you can never play a 7 mana card. This one is worth trying to get there.
P1P3: I'd probably take the Ajani's Presence or even the Nyx Infusion over the Sightless Brawler, but it's pretty close.
P1P5: Rotted Hulk is a marginal card that only goes in a deck that is trying to go long (and even then it's pretty cuttable). Stonewise Fortifier will make the cut in any deck that involves white. If you want to take a black card Dreadbringer Lampads has quite a bit more upside.
Rest of pack 1: Obviously you've correctly detected that red is open coming from your right.
P2P1: Glimpse of the Sun God is incredible in a RW aggressive deck, which it looks like is where you're headed. You mention you had trouble with getting in the last few bits of damage - this card excels at that. Kragma Butcher is fine, but this is a pretty good example of taking a fine creature over a great trick.
P2P9: I'd probably take Excoriate over the 5/2.
P2 otherwise went pretty excellently (though I can't help but notice how awesome glimpse would be played post-attack targeting the 2 skyguards).
P3P2: Purphoros still sells for ~2.5 tix, so probably the pick here. Ignoring the value, I think I'd take Hopeful Eidolon here (though Favored Hoplite or even Magma Jet are certainly defensible). Hah, just looked ahead and saw the Eidolon somehow wheeled. Insane.
P3P4: Dragon Mantle over Deathbellow. Its really excellent on the Skyguards. I haven't counted carefully but I think your creature count is fine.
P3P7: I'd probably take the Evangel over the Griffin, but I'm probably not running either of them, so kinda whatever.
I think you were right to switch to red, but boy you almost definitely put the player on your left in red the the P2 dragon pass, and red is the one color you actually really want flowing in pack 2.
Post lots and lots of those to the Draftcap Discussion forum, and take the positive and negative feedback you get to heart.
One thing to mention is if you're not playing Swiss, it's a great way to shake up a rut. I've had strings where I lose in Round 1 of a single-elim 6 times in a row. That is completely different that going 0-3 in 2 Swisses in a row. In Swiss you get paired up with people with similar records, which makes it a bit easier to win and get some confidence back in you.
The only other thing I'll add is that there's certainly luck involved in the game, and sometimes it just all piles up against you. Sometimes your deck is awesome and you get land-screwed. Sometimes your opponent's deck is terrible and they draw brilliantly against you. A few of these in a row adds up fast.
For Theros, I'd highly recommend drafting a few aggro decks UW, WG, WR (in that order). They're pretty easy to draft and play and help get some confidence back in you.
Good luck!
PJ