In this thread I am about to open 3 boosters of Scars of Mirrodin and post the results for us to Ponder from a 1st pack 1st pick perspective. Let's go!
Chimeric mass seems to be the right pick, because it's good and slightly bomby, and something you would like to topdeck late, and goes in practically any deck. Perilous Myr, IDK if he's a good first pick, but I know he shouldn't last past pick 4. Let me know if I'm way off on any of these picks, besides (in a 4 person draft), if both trinket mage and thrummingbird come back to you, you know blue is wide open as of pick 4 (for whatever that's worth). I don't think people really settle into their archetypes in this format until more like pack2pick3 or something like that. I'd be glad to hear reasons for chimeric mass not being the right pick if that's true.
Brb tomorrow night to continue the discussion and open pack 2. Definitely post more packs of your own if you like.
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Perilous Myr is good, but nowhere close to Chimeric Mass.
Also, I'd take Trinket Mage over Perilous Myr I think. That's a closer pick P1/P1 and maybe worth debating?
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<Limited Clan>
I tend to take non-colored cards, if I can manage it P1P1. The myr is a solid 3rd pick, but Chimeric Mass can just randomly end games, great topdeck, metalcraft, w/e. He doesn't just go in most anything, he goes in anything. Once you get it up to, say, 6 counters (realistically, 4) almost nothing is going to trade with him across, and he enables glint hawk shenanigans, is great with proliferate. Overall he is, like all the playable rare artifacts, just pretty much good.
Agreeing with Mass pick one. I'd take Trinket Mage second because it's an uncommon(less likely to see another, obv.) and I think U is pretty solid in this set. Basically, pick Mage and hope to get a Darksteel Axe.
IMO it comes down to Battlesphere, Slice in Twain, and Chrome Steed. Battlesphere is great in a vacuum, Slice in Twain is great and can set you up for poison, and Chrome Steed is probably the best Metalcraft card.
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(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
Chimeric Mass is the most powerful card in that pack. Its well short of being a true-bomb but it is always an extremely good creature. in a set like this its way above the curve at any value of x. you'll play it in basically any deck you'll draft (except maybe Infect). definitely the right pick.
perilous myr is also very strong but its a bit below chimeric mass. nothing else in the pack is even at the level of perilous myr let alone chimeric mass.
I see only Myr Battlesphere in this pack. there are other pretty good cards but Battlesphere is a bomb. in some decks 7 mana might be enough to exclude you from playing it, but this is P1p1 so you can try to draft an archetype that is capable of playing 7 mana spells. pick mana myr that much more highly.
Myr Battlesphere is good for a few of the same reasons Chimeric Mass is good. Not as flexible, but it's actually a better 7-drop than Chimeric Mass. And it's the foundation of it's own (rare, because it requires rares) archetype pretty much, next to the infinite mana/infinite myr setup (with Myr Replicator, 4 mana Myrs and the Myr that untaps other Myrs). Also Myr Battlesphere doesn't give a hoot about having a few -1/-1 counters on it Most of the time.
Trigon of Corruption is an overcosted Lightning Bolt with Wither in 3 parts, which is awesome in this format because it can be 3 for 1 card advantage fairly often, maybe more if you're saving one of your creatures from lethal combat damage by using it during combat, or playing swamps or anything that can reset it. I'd probably take the Trigon over the Battlesphere. Be aware that this can only begin on turn 5 without any kind of ramp, if you hit all of your land drops.
Slice in Twain is just too early of a green pick, IMO. Even though it's (almost) a silver bullet.
And on the pack I opened at the top of the thread: If in that pack, in a 4 person draft you went for trinket mage P1P1, you could be fairly certain you'll get a Thrummingbird when it comes back around, and make your picks on that basis if whatever you get passed calls for it. But it's helpful to keep in mind that when evaluating packs from this perspective, that there's an entire draft of unknown cards ahead of you, and that fact tends to reward picks with no particular color/archetype commitment, I think. But oh, how I would love to get passed a Chimeric Mass by some jerk who wants to force blue on pick1 over a trinket mage!
Ok, next pack, but I can't post my evaluation because I have to go to work.
The rare in all 3 packs is the pick. Mass is amazingly versatile, Battlesphere flat out wins the game, and Elspeth is one of the top 4 cards for limited in the format (for the record, I see the other 3 as Molten-Tail Masticore and Contagion Engine, and Hoard-Smelter Dragon).
In all 3 cases, I ascribe to the mantra that significant, game-altering threats always trump answers in drafting hierarchies.
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The rare in all 3 packs is the pick. Mass is amazingly versatile, Battlesphere flat out wins the game, and Elspeth is one of the top 4 cards for limited in the format (for the record, I see the other 3 as Molten-Tail Masticore and Contagion Engine, and Hoard-Smelter Dragon).
If you don't mind, would you (or anyone else) share your thoughts on the top 10 bombs in the format?
Just started playing MTG again and drafting is completely new (and exciting) to me.
I agreed w/ you about Mass, but I'll have to beg to differ here.
I think Myr Battlesphere is the obvious pick. Even if your deck doesn't find a single other myr(this being incredibly unlikely), Battlesphere is completely ridiculous. If you DO find other Myr, and can get it out a turn or 2 earlier, then it's just nuts.
That having been said, I honestly can't understand not running Myr Battlesphere if you open it. I don't see a normal circumstance where you're disappointed to draw this card.
I guess Kastle's card pool could have been so completely ridiculous that he just didn't have room for Battlesphere? Or, much more likely, he just made a mistake. It happens..even to pros.
These packs would have been a lot more interesting if they didn't have rares. The pack with Trigon is the only one someone could even try an argument otherwise.
Ok well here's 4 more packs real quick. Maybe there will be a tough pick worth brainstorming. (I can afford to just crack packs in the middle of the night in this case, as opposed to drafting with them as a more value-conscious move, because I won them through clever and crafty gaming in the face of way cooler bombs and crazy top decks, and I feel gratification in simply opening the packs I obtain this way.)
Oh man this is a GREAT PACK FOR LIMITED, TOo bad I had the dumb idea of cracking packs! Spikeshot Elder is recurring removal that has synergy with some equipment and thus, metalcraft, and can begin removing 1 toughness creatures on turn 3, and only costs 1 mana to drop before then.
Untamed Might ranks high, and I'm inclined to say it's actually the right pick here since it's not just a cool combat trick to take down something big or sneak 7 damage through, in an infect deck this is a serious win condition, and even though it's a common, you aren't likely to get passed very many.
The only other card that strikes me as being a considerable first pick in this is Shatter, because it's more definite removal than Spikeshot Elder, and it's removal that cannot be removed before it can remove stuff, unlike Spikeshot Elder.
I find in this format the sooner you decide on what you're doing, the better, and packs like these don't give you the luxury of putting that decision off until pick 2 or 3.
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I would take Elder. That card continues to shoot upwards in my evaluations, as it dominates the board for the same reasons that Embersmith does, but it can become degenerate with any number of common or uncommon equipment, not to mention Trigon of Rage.
Shatter is good, but the Elder is a "kill me or probably lose, albeit slowly" threat.
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Providing a plethora of pompous and pedantic postings here since 2009.
:dance:Fact or Fiction of the [Limited] Clan:dance:
Signalling is like farting: it's a natural thing that helps people avoid being where you are, and if you try to do it deliberately, things turn to crap fast.
Quote from Hardened »
I hereby found the American Chapter of the Zealots of Semantics. All glory to The Curmudgeon.
Oh man this is a GREAT PACK FOR LIMITED, TOo bad I had the dumb idea of cracking packs! Spikeshot Elder is recurring removal that has synergy with some equipment and thus, metalcraft, and can begin removing 1 toughness creatures on turn 3, and only costs 1 mana to drop before then.
It's also worth noting that Elder is worth playing even without equipment. Even 1RR: deal one damage to target creature or player is pretty strong in this format. Makes an amazing topdeck in the late game, and if you let your opponent waste his removal, he can just dominate the board midgame.
I've literally come back from three life to win the game on the back of a turn seven elder with no equipment. P1P1 there aren't any uncommons or commons to take over it.
These packs would have been a lot more interesting if they didn't have rares. The pack with Trigon is the only one someone could even try an argument otherwise.
This. He needs to stop cracking limited bombs ^^;
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Elder is the the pick here, imo. There are 34 viable 1 toughness creatures + Myr tokens to remove with Spikeshot Elder(not counting the Indestructible guy or Fume Spitter). This isn't even taking into account getting a pumping equipment online, which you should take over most things once you have Elder, but that's usually true anyways.
I agree with Shatter and Untamed Might being the next two possible picks. I think Shatter is the second best card in the pack, but it being a common you are more likely to see another or multiples. Shatter is a lot more versatile card than Untamed Might.
1st pack:
Chimeric mass seems to be the right pick, because it's good and slightly bomby, and something you would like to topdeck late, and goes in practically any deck. Perilous Myr, IDK if he's a good first pick, but I know he shouldn't last past pick 4. Let me know if I'm way off on any of these picks, besides (in a 4 person draft), if both trinket mage and thrummingbird come back to you, you know blue is wide open as of pick 4 (for whatever that's worth). I don't think people really settle into their archetypes in this format until more like pack2pick3 or something like that. I'd be glad to hear reasons for chimeric mass not being the right pick if that's true.
Brb tomorrow night to continue the discussion and open pack 2. Definitely post more packs of your own if you like.
GWU Rafiq of the Many GWU (50% complete)
RG Wort, the Raidmother RG (40% complete)
WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator WU (20% complete)
Also, I'd take Trinket Mage over Perilous Myr I think. That's a closer pick P1/P1 and maybe worth debating?
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=341469
Pauper Cube
I cube, I play EDH, and I can't afford Legacy. The other formats can suck it.
What would you guys take P1P1 from this pack?
Myr Battlesphere
Darksteel Sentinel
Slice in Twain
Trigon of Corruption
Carapace Forger
Razorfield Thresher
Auriok Sunchaser
Panic Spellbomb
Vault Skyward
Iron Myr
Chrome Steed
Golden Urn
Neurok Invisomancer
Sylvok Lifestaff
IMO it comes down to Battlesphere, Slice in Twain, and Chrome Steed. Battlesphere is great in a vacuum, Slice in Twain is great and can set you up for poison, and Chrome Steed is probably the best Metalcraft card.
Trigon of Corruption.
(I'm on on this site much anymore. If you want to get in touch it's probably best to email me: dom@heffalumps.org)
Forum Awards: Best Writer 2005, Best Limited Strategist 2005-2012
5CB PotM - June 2005, November 2005, February 2006, April 2008, May 2008, Feb 2009
MTGSalvation Articles: 1-20, plus guest appearance on MTGCast #86!
<Limited Clan>
Chimeric Mass is the most powerful card in that pack. Its well short of being a true-bomb but it is always an extremely good creature. in a set like this its way above the curve at any value of x. you'll play it in basically any deck you'll draft (except maybe Infect). definitely the right pick.
perilous myr is also very strong but its a bit below chimeric mass. nothing else in the pack is even at the level of perilous myr let alone chimeric mass.
I see only Myr Battlesphere in this pack. there are other pretty good cards but Battlesphere is a bomb. in some decks 7 mana might be enough to exclude you from playing it, but this is P1p1 so you can try to draft an archetype that is capable of playing 7 mana spells. pick mana myr that much more highly.
Myr Battlesphere is good for a few of the same reasons Chimeric Mass is good. Not as flexible, but it's actually a better 7-drop than Chimeric Mass. And it's the foundation of it's own (rare, because it requires rares) archetype pretty much, next to the infinite mana/infinite myr setup (with Myr Replicator, 4 mana Myrs and the Myr that untaps other Myrs). Also Myr Battlesphere doesn't give a hoot about having a few -1/-1 counters on it Most of the time.
Trigon of Corruption is an overcosted Lightning Bolt with Wither in 3 parts, which is awesome in this format because it can be 3 for 1 card advantage fairly often, maybe more if you're saving one of your creatures from lethal combat damage by using it during combat, or playing swamps or anything that can reset it. I'd probably take the Trigon over the Battlesphere. Be aware that this can only begin on turn 5 without any kind of ramp, if you hit all of your land drops.
Slice in Twain is just too early of a green pick, IMO. Even though it's (almost) a silver bullet.
And on the pack I opened at the top of the thread: If in that pack, in a 4 person draft you went for trinket mage P1P1, you could be fairly certain you'll get a Thrummingbird when it comes back around, and make your picks on that basis if whatever you get passed calls for it. But it's helpful to keep in mind that when evaluating packs from this perspective, that there's an entire draft of unknown cards ahead of you, and that fact tends to reward picks with no particular color/archetype commitment, I think. But oh, how I would love to get passed a Chimeric Mass by some jerk who wants to force blue on pick1 over a trinket mage!
Ok, next pack, but I can't post my evaluation because I have to go to work.
GWU Rafiq of the Many GWU (50% complete)
RG Wort, the Raidmother RG (40% complete)
WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator WU (20% complete)
Lands WUBG
EDH:
Doran WBG
In all 3 cases, I ascribe to the mantra that significant, game-altering threats always trump answers in drafting hierarchies.
:dance:Fact or Fiction of the [Limited] Clan:dance:
If you don't mind, would you (or anyone else) share your thoughts on the top 10 bombs in the format?
Just started playing MTG again and drafting is completely new (and exciting) to me.
I agreed w/ you about Mass, but I'll have to beg to differ here.
I think Myr Battlesphere is the obvious pick. Even if your deck doesn't find a single other myr(this being incredibly unlikely), Battlesphere is completely ridiculous. If you DO find other Myr, and can get it out a turn or 2 earlier, then it's just nuts.
I would have taken the rare P1P1 in all of the last three picks, FWIW.
That having been said, I honestly can't understand not running Myr Battlesphere if you open it. I don't see a normal circumstance where you're disappointed to draw this card.
I guess Kastle's card pool could have been so completely ridiculous that he just didn't have room for Battlesphere? Or, much more likely, he just made a mistake. It happens..even to pros.
Pauper Cube
I cube, I play EDH, and I can't afford Legacy. The other formats can suck it.
OK so here goes:
pack 1 of 4:
Oh man this is a GREAT PACK FOR LIMITED, TOo bad I had the dumb idea of cracking packs! Spikeshot Elder is recurring removal that has synergy with some equipment and thus, metalcraft, and can begin removing 1 toughness creatures on turn 3, and only costs 1 mana to drop before then.
Untamed Might ranks high, and I'm inclined to say it's actually the right pick here since it's not just a cool combat trick to take down something big or sneak 7 damage through, in an infect deck this is a serious win condition, and even though it's a common, you aren't likely to get passed very many.
The only other card that strikes me as being a considerable first pick in this is Shatter, because it's more definite removal than Spikeshot Elder, and it's removal that cannot be removed before it can remove stuff, unlike Spikeshot Elder.
I find in this format the sooner you decide on what you're doing, the better, and packs like these don't give you the luxury of putting that decision off until pick 2 or 3.
GWU Rafiq of the Many GWU (50% complete)
RG Wort, the Raidmother RG (40% complete)
WU Hanna, Ship's Navigator WU (20% complete)
Shatter is good, but the Elder is a "kill me or probably lose, albeit slowly" threat.
:dance:Fact or Fiction of the [Limited] Clan:dance:
It's also worth noting that Elder is worth playing even without equipment. Even 1RR: deal one damage to target creature or player is pretty strong in this format. Makes an amazing topdeck in the late game, and if you let your opponent waste his removal, he can just dominate the board midgame.
I've literally come back from three life to win the game on the back of a turn seven elder with no equipment. P1P1 there aren't any uncommons or commons to take over it.
This. He needs to stop cracking limited bombs ^^;
Over one of the best bombs in draft? Are you crazy?
I agree with Shatter and Untamed Might being the next two possible picks. I think Shatter is the second best card in the pack, but it being a common you are more likely to see another or multiples. Shatter is a lot more versatile card than Untamed Might.
Pauper Cube
I cube, I play EDH, and I can't afford Legacy. The other formats can suck it.