Drafting in Magic: The Gathering can be an exhilarating experience, and with the release of Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, players have a unique opportunity to explore a beloved set through a fresh lens. This draft guide aims to provide insights and strategies to help players navigate the intricacies of the format, ensuring they can build powerful decks and maximize their chances of success.
Understanding the Format
Shadows over Innistrad Remastered combines elements from the original Shadows over Innistrad and Eldritch Moon sets, creating a rich tapestry of mechanics, themes, and archetypes. Players should familiarize themselves with the core mechanics and how they interact with one another.
Key Mechanics
1. Delirium: This mechanic rewards players for having four or more different card types in their graveyard. Cards with delirium often provide enhanced abilities or bonuses, making it a crucial theme to consider during drafting.
2. Transform: Many creatures in this set can transform into more powerful versions of themselves. Look for cards that can flip, as they often provide significant value and can catch opponents off-guard.
3. Investigate: This mechanic allows players to create Clue tokens, which can be sacrificed to draw cards. Investigate is an excellent way to maintain card advantage and dig deeper into your deck.
4. Flashback: This mechanic enables players to cast spells from their graveyard for an additional cost. Flashback cards can be particularly potent in longer games, providing a second use for powerful spells.
5. Madness: Cards with madness can be cast for a reduced cost when discarded. This mechanic encourages aggressive play and can lead to powerful swing turns.
Drafting Strategy
When drafting in Shadows over Innistrad Remastered, it’s essential to have a solid strategy. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:
1. Know Your Archetypes
Understanding the various archetypes available in this set can help guide your draft picks. Some of the most notable archetypes include:
- Grixis Control: This archetype focuses on controlling the board and using powerful spells to disrupt opponents. Cards that support card draw and removal are essential.
- Sultai Delirium: This deck aims to fill the graveyard with various card types to enable delirium. Look for cards that support this mechanic and have synergy with self-milling or graveyard recursion.
- Bant Investigate: A more tempo-oriented strategy, Bant Investigate utilizes Clue tokens to maintain card advantage while applying pressure with creatures.
- Rakdos Madness: A fast-paced, aggressive deck that takes advantage of the madness mechanic to deal damage quickly and disrupt opponents.
2. Prioritize Removal and Card Advantage
In drafting, it’s critical to prioritize removal spells and cards that provide card advantage. Here are some cards to keep an eye out for:
- Grasp of Darkness: A staple removal spell that can eliminate most threats.
- Fiery Temper: This card can be cast for a reduced cost if you discard it, making it a versatile removal option.
- Niblis of Frost: This creature can tap down opposing threats and provide card advantage through its ability.
3. Balance Your Curve
A well-balanced mana curve is essential for maintaining pressure and ensuring smooth gameplay. Here’s how to approach your curve:
- Early Game: Aim for a solid base of 1- and 2-drop creatures to establish early board presence. Cards like Thraben Inspector and Gavony Dawnguard can help you begin the game on a strong note.
- Mid Game: Include a mix of 3- and 4-drop creatures that can maintain pressure and provide value. Cards with investigate or delirium mechanics work well here.
- Late Game: Be sure to include a few powerful 5+ mana threats that can turn the tide of the game. Look for creatures that can transform or have strong late-game effects.
Reading Signals and Staying Flexible
Drafting in Shadows over Innistrad Remastered requires keen attention to signals from other players. Being able to read the table can help you make informed decisions.
1. Watch for Open Colors
Pay attention to the colors being drafted around you. If you notice a particular color being heavily picked by multiple players, it may be wise to pivot to a less contested color. This allows you to build a stronger deck without competition for the same cards.
2. Adapt to the Flow of the Draft
Be ready to adapt your strategy based on the cards you are seeing. If you start with a strong card in a specific archetype but find other colors are more open, don’t be afraid to switch gears. Flexibility can lead to stronger decks.
Building Your Deck
Once the draft is complete, constructing your deck is the next vital step. Here are some tips for building a cohesive and powerful deck.
1. Evaluate Your Card Pool
Examine the cards you drafted and categorize them based on their roles in the deck. Group them into:
- Creatures: Ensure you have a healthy mix of early, mid, and late-game threats.
- Removal: Identify your removal spells and have a balance of targeted and board-wide removal.
- Utility: Look for cards that provide additional value, like card draw or graveyard recursion.
2. Determine Your Win Condition
Decide how you plan to win the game. This could be through overwhelming board presence, dealing direct damage, or out-valuing your opponent through card advantage. Make sure your deck supports your win condition.
3. Test Your Mana Base
Ensure your mana base supports the colors you need. Aim for a balance of lands that can provide the necessary colors without hindering your ability to cast spells on time.
Playing Your Deck
Having a solid deck is just part of the equation; execution is key. Here are some tips for piloting your deck effectively.
1. Know When to Trade
In the early game, it’s often beneficial to trade creatures when possible, especially if it allows you to reduce your opponent’s board presence. However, be mindful of your deck's strategy and whether it can afford to lose creatures.
2. Manage Your Resources Wisely
Be cautious with your card advantage and removal spells. Don’t use your best removal on low-impact threats unless absolutely necessary. Save them for key threats or pivotal moments in the game.
3. Play to Your Strengths
Leverage the strengths of your deck. If you are running a delirium strategy, focus on filling your graveyard and triggering your delirium cards. If you’re playing an aggressive deck, apply pressure early and often.
Conclusion
Drafting in Shadows over Innistrad Remastered combines the thrill of strategy with the nostalgia of a beloved set. By understanding the mechanics, archetypes, and strategies within the format, players can enhance their drafting experience and improve their chances of success. With practice and a keen understanding of the game, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the Shadows over Innistrad Remastered draft format. Enjoy the journey into this eerie, atmospheric world filled with intrigue and powerful spells!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered' and how does it differ from the original set?
'Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered' is a curated draft format that combines cards from the original 'Shadows Over Innistrad' and 'Eldritch Moon' sets, along with additional cards from related Innistrad sets. It focuses on enhancing gameplay and nostalgia while providing a fresh experience for both new and returning players.
What are the key mechanics to look out for in 'Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered'?
Key mechanics include Delirium, Investigate, and Madness. Delirium rewards players for having different card types in the graveyard, Investigate allows players to create Clue tokens for card draw, and Madness provides alternate casting costs for certain spells when discarded.
What strategies are effective when drafting in 'Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered'?
Effective strategies include focusing on synergy between Delirium and Investigate mechanics, prioritizing removal spells, and drafting cards that create or utilize Clue tokens. Additionally, maintaining versatility in your draft can help adapt to shifting dynamics during the draft.
How should players prioritize their color choices in this draft format?
Players should evaluate the strength of their first picks and consider the color combinations that best support their desired strategy. It's often beneficial to start with strong multicolor cards or powerful removal spells and then commit to one or two colors based on what’s being passed.
Are there any standout cards that players should keep an eye on when drafting?
Standout cards include 'Liliana, the Last Hope', 'Collective Brutality', and 'Sorin, Grim Nemesis'. These cards provide strong value and versatility, making them excellent first picks that can influence the direction of your draft.
What role do creature types play in 'Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered'?
Creature types play a significant role due to tribal synergies, such as Werewolves, Spirits, and Zombies. Cards that benefit from specific creature types can enhance your strategy, so it's important to consider these synergies when drafting.
How can players improve their drafting skills for 'Shadows Over Innistrad Remastered'?
Players can improve by practicing draft scenarios, studying the set's mechanics and card interactions, watching draft videos, and participating in online drafts. Understanding the meta and being adaptable to pick up on signals from other drafters can also enhance their skills.
