Part one can be found: Here 

This section of the article will continue from what we looked at last time to cover actually drafting your deck. Your first draft is always exciting and can be a little scary for the more nervous beginners but im here to tell you that there is nothing to worry about and when you get used to it drafting is one of the most fun things you can do with a piece of cardboard.

So from last time we have our breakdown of what a draft deck should look like:

A basic breakdown

Land: 17

Creatures: 16

Removal: 2-5

Other Spells: 2-5

Total: 40

Keep that in mind while you draft so you get the right amount of things you need.

I wont cover 1st picks because that is covered by Adams fantastic article series ‘The pick from the pack’ but I will say try to follow draft signals. If you are new, it can be hard at first but its worth learning.

Following Draft Signals

I could (and will) write a whole article on just this but as a basic rule, if you are getting passed a lot of good cards (again see Adams articles for help with this) in a specific colour, this means that no one else is taking that colour and you should go into it. Even if it means not playing a rare in a different color. Its worth noting that the colours you get passed will change in pack 2 when the draft is passing right instead of left. DO NOT make the mistake of thinking these colours are open, this happens because the people passing to you cut those colours off forcing others to go into different colours. If you go into these colours now there is a high chance that you will get cut off in pack 3 again.

I personally view the first few picks as throwaways and just take the best cards while I try to settle into two colours.

Value low drops and draft to a mana curve

Every deck needs low drops and good ones are usually few and far between so don’t be scared to take a 2 mana 2/2 over a better card if you need a 2 mana 2/2 for your deck. The same is true for other drops, their value should change as your draft progresses. Ideally we want a deck that can curve into a 2,3 then 4 drop on turns 2, 3 and 4.

Don’ts

Don’t just take the rares

Also known as rare drafting, this can halt your progress with draft a lot because you are not considering all the options. Also most rares that you will get passed are probably worthless to cheap anyway, its not worth ruining your chances at prizes by taking a £1 rare that you wont play over a stellar uncommon that will make your deck and crush opponents all the way to the finals. (now obviously this one requires some common sense, if there is an expensive rare and it doesn’t ruin your chances too much or the prizes aren’t so large then take the expensive rare)

 Don’t just take the removal

This is a case of too much of a good thing can kill you, or in this case help the opponents to kill you. Now every deck should aim to have removal but in general creatures are the main thing that wins you games in draft. Removal is often clunky or conditional and so is better used as a silver bullet than to try and kill everything they play. This means prioritising a good creature over that 100th removal spell, personally I would rather have a deck rammed full of good creatures and 1 or 2 removal spell than a deck bursting with removal but only 1 or 2 good creatures (and a bunch of bad creatures).

Get blinded by your first picks

If you opened a bomb but aren’t getting passed any other cards in that colour don’t be scared to ditch the bomb and move to different colours, your end deck will be better overall for it.

DO’s

Think about combos and synergy

Don’t go overboard and draft a deck full of bad cards because you also drafted an 8 mana card that turns them all into emrakul but think about consistencies between playable cards. If in doubt just play the individually most powerful cards. But If you have 2 chief of the foundry or a thropter spy network then prioritise artifacts a little higher than usual. Don’t however try to force a deck that is clearly not going to happen because you will end up with a very bad deck.

Think about Strategy

Guardians of Meletis and Mage Ring Bully are not best friends and should not go into a deck together. Build and draft your deck with the cards that complement the overall strategy of the deck (aggro or control etc.).

Have fun

This is the main reason why we play the game and a light hearted attitude will keep you coming back for more while improving your game in no time.

Keep at it

Drafting can be confusing the first few times you try it especially if you are used to constructed decks, remember that you are new (or trying to improve) and still finding your feet. The people I know who viewed this as a learning process and didn’t expect to or care if they won straight away are the people who got really good, really fast.

Hope this all helps and as usual leave any questions in the comments below.