Zen Zen Zen 4-3-2-2 Draft No5.

Trotsky1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1458

Back with another 4-3-2-2 I won.

Event #: 652628
Time: 10/29/2009 7:35:37 PM
Players:
--> ElementalMox
krmoje
diocese8
tsunamijp
j nobu
thesoulreader
ritter
Tramer

------ ZEN ------

Pack 1 pick 1:
Harrow
Caravan Hurda
Turntimber Grove
Makindi Shieldmate
Seismic Shudder
Tanglesap
Soaring Seacliff
Akoum Refuge
Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle
Forest
Kor Sanctifiers
--> Kazandu Blademaster
Heartstabber Mosquito
Summoner's Bane
Kraken Hatchling

Its either the blademaster or the mosquito in what I think has to be the fastest draft format I have ever played in there can only be one choice.

Pack 1 pick 2:
--> Blazing Torch
Bala Ged Thief
Vampire's Bite
Nimbus Wings
Tuktuk Grunts
Ior Ruin Expedition
Brave the Elements
Crypt Ripper
Arrow Volley Trap
Khalni Heart Expedition
Zektar Shrine Expedition
Zendikar Farguide
Trapfinder's Trick
Mountain

The ged thief is tempting with my first pick, I think arrow volley trap is pretty weak and I know I am going to play the torch so thats my pick.

Pack 1 pick 3:
Kor Duelist
Goblin Shortcutter
Gomazoa
Lethargy Trap
Goblin Bushwhacker
Welkin Tern
Blood Seeker
Territorial Baloth
Graypelt Refuge
Ondu Cleric
--> Plated Geopede
Tanglesap
Plains

I absolutely love this card and it gets my vote for best common in the set.

Pack 1 pick 4:
Stonework Puma
--> Spire Barrage
Teetering Peaks
Greenweaver Druid
Shatterskull Giant
Island
Expedition Map
Archive Trap
Hagra Crocodile
Territorial Baloth
Savage Silhouette
Quest for Pure Flame

This feels like the strongest card in the pack.

Pack 1 pick 5:
Quest for Ancient Secrets
Nissa's Chosen
Caller of Gales
Blood Seeker
Murasa Pyromancer
--> Umara Raptor
Vampire Lacerator
Goblin War Paint
Kraken Hatchling
Ondu Cleric
Forest

At this point its worth noting I have seen no real white since my first pick so my blademaster is most likley going to sit on the bench, Ive seen a few good blue cards in this last pack so I went with the more aggresive raptor over the powerfull but 6 mana pyromancer

Pack 1 pick 6:
Ondu Cleric
Goblin War Paint
Crypt of Agadeem
Trailblazer's Boots
Lethargy Trap
Blood Seeker
Plains
Hagra Diabolist
--> Umara Raptor
Hedron Scrabbler

These just get better in multiples

Pack 1 pick 7:
Demolish
Kor Duelist
Shoal Serpent
Beast Hunt
Jwar Isle Refuge
--> Molten Ravager
Grim Discovery
Cancel
Island

Strongest card in pack, things are begin to take shape nicely

Pack 1 pick 8:
Goblin War Paint
Oran-Rief Survivalist
Tempest Owl (FOIL)
Needlebite Trap
Spreading Seas
Tanglesap
--> Goblin Bushwhacker
Forest

Pack 1 pick 9:
Caravan Hurda
Makindi Shieldmate
Seismic Shudder
Tanglesap
--> Soaring Seacliff
Akoum Refuge
Forest

Pack 1 pick 10:
Vampire's Bite
Nimbus Wings
--> Crypt Ripper
Zendikar Farguide
Trapfinder's Trick
Mountain

Very late crypt ripper that makes little sense

Pack 1 pick 11:
Kor Duelist
Lethargy Trap
--> Goblin Bushwhacker
Tanglesap
Plains

Pack 1 pick 12:
Island
--> Hagra Crocodile
Savage Silhouette
Quest for Pure Flame

There is no way the hagra crocodile should be left in this pack

Pack 1 pick 13:
--> Quest for Ancient Secrets
Caller of Gales
Forest

Pack 1 pick 14:
--> Lethargy Trap
Plains

Pack 1 pick 15:
--> Island

------ ZEN ------

Pack 2 pick 1:
Giant Scorpion
Disfigure
Narrow Escape
Emeria Angel
Savage Silhouette
Highland Berserker
Turntimber Grove
Reckless Scholar
Gatekeeper of Malakir (FOIL)
Primal Bellow
Kabira Crossroads
--> Merfolk Seastalkers
Quest for the Gravelord
Mountain
Goblin Shortcutter

The Sea stalkers is an on colour semi bomb, we may if we are lucky wheel the beserker out of this pack

Pack 2 pick 2:
Goblin Bushwhacker
Forest
Cliff Threader
Highland Berserker
Cosi's Trickster
--> Hellfire Mongrel
Mark of Mutiny
Journey to Nowhere
Lethargy Trap
Nissa's Chosen
Piranha Marsh
Sky Ruin Drake
Needlebite Trap
Desecrated Earth

Another strong pack we may be able to wheel something out of, the mongrel is very underated in my opinion, I like it even more than mark and i like mark alot

Pack 2 pick 3:
--> Goblin Shortcutter
Hedron Crab
Narrow Escape
Paralyzing Grasp
Pillarfield Ox
Quest for the Gemblades
Stonework Puma
Giant Scorpion
Mountain
Guul Draz Vampire
Vines of Vastwood
Ruinous Minotaur
Spreading Seas

The grasp though semi removal, is just not as good as an aggresive guy in this format its so fast

Pack 2 pick 4:
Teetering Peaks
Vastwood Gorger
Desecrated Earth
Cobra Trap
Explorer's Scope
--> Reckless Scholar
Makindi Shieldmate
Caller of Gales
Forest
Feast of Blood
Turntimber Grove
Ruinous Minotaur

I still think looters are good even if alot of people feel he is just a bear in this format.

Pack 2 pick 5:
Island
Demolish
Cliff Threader
Relic Crush
Summoning Trap
Mark of Mutiny
Carnage Altar
--> Adventuring Gear
Vampire's Bite
Spell Pierce
Bog Tatters

Late gear, unhappy to have to pass a mark again but gear is a top common.

Pack 2 pick 6:
Shoal Serpent
Mire Blight
Sunspring Expedition
Elemental Appeal
--> Ior Ruin Expedition
Scythe Tiger
Quest for Pure Flame
Quest for the Gemblades
Mountain
Slaughter Cry

Weak pack, though the pick is at least on for us

Pack 2 pick 7:
Makindi Shieldmate
--> Highland Berserker
Swamp (FOIL)
Forest
Sejiri Refuge
Mold Shambler
Ravenous Trap
Kabira Crossroads
Tanglesap

Early beater activates my raptors

Pack 2 pick 8:
Shieldmate's Blessing
--> Bladetusk Boar
Slaughter Cry
Kor Outfitter
Beast Hunt
Cancel
Quest for the Holy Relic
Swamp

Nice a late boar

Pack 2 pick 9:
Giant Scorpion
Narrow Escape
Turntimber Grove
Primal Bellow
Kabira Crossroads
Mountain
--> Goblin Shortcutter

I wanted to wheel the beserker but I will take a shortcutter

Pack 2 pick 10:
Forest
Cliff Threader
--> Mark of Mutiny
Lethargy Trap
Piranha Marsh
Desecrated Earth

Yeah I am so happy now, this card really should have gone by now

Pack 2 pick 11:
--> Narrow Escape
Pillarfield Ox
Quest for the Gemblades
Mountain
Spreading Seas

Pack 2 pick 12:
Desecrated Earth
--> Makindi Shieldmate
Forest
Turntimber Grove

Pack 2 pick 13:
Island
--> Demolish
Relic Crush

Pack 2 pick 14:
Mire Blight
--> Sunspring Expedition

Pack 2 pick 15:
--> Forest

------ ZEN ------

Pack 3 pick 1:
Demolish
Terra Stomper
Giant Scorpion
Kor Outfitter
River Boa
Relic Crush
Swamp
--> Adventuring Gear
Grim Discovery
Frontier Guide
Spell Pierce
Bog Tatters
Reckless Scholar
Savage Silhouette
Unstable Footing

The gear is a total no brainer from this pack for us

Pack 3 pick 2:
Carnage Altar
Pillarfield Ox
Nimana Sell-Sword
Explorer's Scope
Island
Surrakar Marauder
Spidersilk Net
Spire Barrage
Ior Ruin Expedition
Vines of Vastwood
--> Burst Lightning
Blood Tribute
Baloth Woodcrasher
Sky Ruin Drake

Two good picks for us in this pack but the lightning is better probably if we even much heavier red.

Pack 3 pick 3:
Quest for the Gravelord
Goblin Ruinblaster
Highland Berserker
Adventuring Gear
Steppe Lynx
Oran-Rief Recluse
Sejiri Refuge
--> Torch Slinger
Nimana Sell-Sword
Ior Ruin Expedition
Vastwood Gorger
Sky Ruin Drake
Plains

Hopefull for a wheel out this pack the slinger felt like the strongest card

Pack 3 pick 4:
Whiplash Trap
Piranha Marsh
Noble Vestige
Mindless Null
Hellfire Mongrel
Zektar Shrine Expedition
Island
Tempest Owl
Scythe Tiger
Archmage Ascension
--> Bladetusk Boar
Hedron Scrabbler

Evasive beater gets the nod over the bounce spell

Pack 3 pick 5:
Tanglesap
Timbermaw Larva
Lethargy Trap
Mountain
Paralyzing Grasp
Frontier Guide
Ondu Cleric
Tajuru Archer
Piranha Marsh
Goblin Shortcutter
--> Bladetusk Boar

More evasive beats

Pack 3 pick 6:
Noble Vestige
Piranha Marsh
--> Into the Roil
Hedron Scrabbler
Mindless Null
Hagra Diabolist
Swamp
Spell Pierce
Jwar Isle Refuge
Tempest Owl

Solid bounce spell wanted at least one bounce spell in my deck happy to pick this up

Pack 3 pick 7:
Mountain
Demolish
--> Grazing Gladehart
Mindless Null
Pillarfield Ox
Cancel
Ruinous Minotaur
Joraga Bard
Noble Vestige

I have more than enough playables now so im going to start taking problamatic cards out of the equation

Pack 3 pick 8:
Hedron Scrabbler
Mountain
Ruinous Minotaur
Goblin Bushwhacker
Mind Sludge
--> Timbermaw Larva
Lethargy Trap
Bold Defense

Pack 3 pick 9:
Demolish
Relic Crush
Swamp
Grim Discovery
Frontier Guide
Spell Pierce
--> Savage Silhouette

No wheel

Pack 3 pick 10:
Carnage Altar
Nimana Sell-Sword
Island
Spidersilk Net
Ior Ruin Expedition
--> Sky Ruin Drake

A wheel no idea what the sell sword is doing in the pack, but the drake is a decent card for us.

Pack 3 pick 11:
Goblin Ruinblaster
Sejiri Refuge
--> Nimana Sell-Sword
Ior Ruin Expedition
Plains

What the hell, what is up with with the persistant no black midpicks random ridic late black cards, only conclusion alot of people at this draft table can not draft?

Pack 3 pick 12:
Noble Vestige
Island
Tempest Owl
--> Scythe Tiger

Pack 3 pick 13:
Lethargy Trap
Mountain
--> Tajuru Archer

Pack 3 pick 14:
--> Mindless Null
Swamp

Pack 3 pick 15:
--> Mountain

The deck

2 adventuring gear
1 blazing torch
1 burst lighting
1 goblin bushwhacker
1 into the roil
2 goblin shortcutter
1 highland beserker
1 plated geopede
1 mark of mutiny
1 hellfire mongrel
1 molten ravger
1 torch slinger
2 umara raptor
3 bladetusk boar
1 merfolk seastalker
1 spire barrage
1 sky ruin drake
5 island
1 soaring seacliff
12 mountain

MVP's adventuring gear.

Feeback appreciated.

SugarShark · Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 247

CalvinDeclan · Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 5

The only thing I can say is that I probably would have played 17 land rather than 18 with that build. Other than that, my deck would have looked very similar I feel.

GaryOak · Joined: 20 May 2009 Posts: 8

These are nice, keep posting them!

thanks

WarDogg · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 5

anything worth reading on drafting better?

as in how to draft

Trotsky1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1458

Steve Sadins Limited info article on wizards on tuesday is a good start.

Also channnelfireball.com LSV's column's on limited are pretty handy.

Apart from that its a case of practice, whilst modo is not the ideal place to find your feet as it will probably work out very expensive. Magic-league and #draft4you is a great cheap starting point all you need is net draft, a playing client and your away.

Sugar shark

8-4s do not fire regulary, they are to big a risk for my current financial situation, the noob bracket is swiss. Its perfectly reasonable to make a profit from 4-3-2-2 if there are enough money rares, I made somewhere in the region of $200 drafting MED3 4-3-2-2 on modo, Im happy doing that.

I do not think Im going to do the same with Zen as you really need to practically eliminate first round losses to do that and Im just not sure thats possible (for me at least) with Zen. Plus the money rares are worth less lotus cobra aside which is mythic. I should however be able to maintain myself drafting for free with Zen and as long as i can do that Im happy.

Whenever I have tried to convert to 8-4 its not worked out and Ive tried a few times, if I could get the same results I could drafting 4-3-2-2 it would but I do not. So until I am in a situation where I have the finances to justify to myself spending that sort of money on magic which will be atleast 3 years, Im sticking to the format that makes the most financial sense.

SugarShark · Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 247

elevate your game
go big or go home

ik · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 286

SugarShark · Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 247

I can't ready any of your previous posts
does someone think you're contagious?

ik · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 286

Ouch. How many modo drafts have you won? Dont talk shit about people who know what theyre doing when hes just trying to be helpful and post draft walkthroughs for people to read and improve their drafting skills through... Dont talk shit just for the sake of talking shit its fucking annoying and its what makes me hate ML in general sometimes.

ik · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 286

Trotsky1 · Joined: 12 Apr 2005 Posts: 1458

Thanks ik:P.

I play magic as a hobby, though i am quite competative person, I have no intrest in being a magic pro. Its something I do for fun, so my concerns are being able to play as much as I want with out it costing me an arm and a leg to do so. 4-3-2-2 fits that bill nicely.

SugarShark · Joined: 22 Mar 2009 Posts: 247