I'm considering the daunting task of putting together a draft sim to mimic drafting IPA block. It would consist of a cube of Invasion, Planeshift, and Apocalypse, each with 4x common, 2x uncommon and 1x rare (1474 cards in total). Each drafter would get a pack of Invasion, Planeshift and Apocalypse and the packs would consist of 11 commons, 3 uncommons and 1 rare.
I've put together draft sims for single set draft formats, like triple innistrad, but not for a block. Has anyone attempted something like this? Are there any cards that I shouldn't include, or should I be faithful to the format and include everything?
I own a bunch of 4/2/1 draft sims, but for sets I just didn't think folks were going to want to draft all the time (3x Theros and KtK), I went down to a 2 common, 2 uncommon, 1 rare/mythic distribution. After a recent 4 player FFA with khans, I found I almost like the 2/2/1 distribution better than 4/2/1! The cubes are super portable, and I got the right amount of expansion "feel" from them, all while spending a lot less on sleeves and collecting redundant commons.
Anyway, this sounds like a really cool endeavor! I have an old rav sim thats 2/1/1 for Rav. Guildpact, and Dissension ~ this fits snuggly in one of those 800-1000 count long boxes. It's fun to break out once in a while too for grindy nostalgia games. The limited environment for that set feels waaay different than contemporary sets, so I imagine that IPA will be even crazier.
Awesome to hear you've had success with a 2/2/1 ratio in your RGD block. The 2/2/1 ratio is interesting, and you bring up a great point in balancing performance and cost of sleeves / storage.
I should clarify - my old rav block sim is 2 of each common, 1 of each uncommon, and a selection of 36+ rares. I've been tempted to beef it up to 2 of each uncommon, but since I already had, then sold all of those extras off, I'm too discouraged to re-collect them... and I really like having the entire block sim fit in just one box.
2c/1u/1r has worked out fine practice though. I think the old rav format is less driven by redundant commons and uncommons than contemporary sets. Slower games and HUGE (rare) bombs seem more like what the format is all about.
Not having drafted back then, I can't speak to a 4/2/1, 2/2/1, or 2/1/1 IPA, but I would be personally tempted to go with 2c/2u/1r if I was building one. You might check in with the grizzled veterans in the limited forums for opinions from folks that either played back then or during the recent mtgo drafts. They might be able to advise.
I think wizards really hit the nail on the head with RtR and KtK color fixing by inserting guildgates and refuges at common + shocks and tri lands. I wonder if it wouldn't dilute the feeling of IPA too much to include a cycle of refuges in the sim ~ it might look butt ugly new borders with the old...
I've put together draft sims for single set draft formats, like triple innistrad, but not for a block. Has anyone attempted something like this? Are there any cards that I shouldn't include, or should I be faithful to the format and include everything?
Draft my counters themed cube!
Anyway, this sounds like a really cool endeavor! I have an old rav sim thats 2/1/1 for Rav. Guildpact, and Dissension ~ this fits snuggly in one of those 800-1000 count long boxes. It's fun to break out once in a while too for grindy nostalgia games. The limited environment for that set feels waaay different than contemporary sets, so I imagine that IPA will be even crazier.
-D
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
Draft my counters themed cube!
2c/1u/1r has worked out fine practice though. I think the old rav format is less driven by redundant commons and uncommons than contemporary sets. Slower games and HUGE (rare) bombs seem more like what the format is all about.
Not having drafted back then, I can't speak to a 4/2/1, 2/2/1, or 2/1/1 IPA, but I would be personally tempted to go with 2c/2u/1r if I was building one. You might check in with the grizzled veterans in the limited forums for opinions from folks that either played back then or during the recent mtgo drafts. They might be able to advise.
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."
Man, that cube looks fun!
"Personally I love high-riak, low-reqars gambles. Life's best with a decent amount of riak. And f*** reqars."