eldraine draft guide
Wilds of Eldraine Draft Guide
This Wilds of Eldraine guide should tell you everything you need to know for success in the wilds․ We’ll cover commons‚ color pairings‚ and trophy examples for your learning!
This Wilds of Eldraine Draft Guide will help you navigate all the different color pair archetypes and the general shape of the format․
Our in-depth guide to Wilds of Eldraine (WOE) Draft‚ with the most important information you need to know about the format․
This guide builds off the material covered in my WOE Sealed article and should tell you everything you need to know for success in the wilds․
After jamming almost 100 Draft games researching this guide‚ I’m convinced this new adventure is just as enchanting as the last!
The latest Magic⁚ The Gathering set Wilds of Eldraine has ten two-color draft archetypes‚ each themed after a different fairy tale․ This group is dedicated to all expats and english speaking players of Magic the Gathering in the vicinity of Stuttgart‚ Germany․ Military members welcome! This Wilds of Eldraine Draft Guide will help you master this format․ You’ll learn how you can win more games․
Format Overview
Wilds of Eldraine (WOE) is a fast-paced and balanced Limited format with a variety of viable playstyles and decks․ The format features a diverse range of strategies‚ from aggressive aggro decks to midrange strategies and even control decks with powerful removal spells․ The format’s emphasis on speed encourages players to make aggressive plays early in the game and punish opponents who fall behind․ The presence of numerous powerful removal spells and efficient creatures creates a dynamic and exciting gameplay experience‚ where every turn can be crucial․ The format is also characterized by a strong emphasis on synergy‚ with many cards designed to work well with other cards within their respective color pairs and archetypes․ This encourages players to draft cohesive decks that leverage the power of synergy and create a compelling and rewarding drafting experience․
Wilds of Eldraine is a format that rewards players who can adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the game․ The presence of a variety of strategies and powerful cards provides players with the opportunity to explore different deckbuilding options and discover new ways to win․ The format’s fast-paced nature demands quick thinking and strategic decision-making‚ ensuring that every game is a unique and exciting challenge․ Whether you prefer aggressive strategies‚ midrange decks‚ or control-oriented game plans‚ Wilds of Eldraine offers a wealth of options and opportunities for players of all skill levels․
Archetype Tiers
In Wilds of Eldraine Draft‚ certain color pairings consistently perform better than others‚ forming a tier list that reflects their relative power levels․ While the format is balanced enough to allow for success with any archetype‚ some color pairs simply boast more powerful tools and synergies‚ leading to more consistent wins․
Tier 1⁚ This tier encompasses the most dominant and consistent archetypes in the format․ These color pairings possess a high density of powerful cards‚ efficient creatures‚ and synergistic interactions‚ allowing them to consistently pressure opponents and secure victories․
Tier 2⁚ These archetypes are still viable and capable of winning games‚ but they might lack the sheer power or consistency of Tier 1 decks․ They often rely on specific card draws or strategic plays to succeed‚ requiring a bit more finesse and luck․
Tier 3⁚ This tier consists of archetypes that struggle to keep up with the pace of the format․ They might lack efficient creatures‚ powerful removal spells‚ or strong synergies‚ making it difficult to compete against more powerful decks․ While not entirely unplayable‚ Tier 3 archetypes require a higher level of skill and luck to achieve success․
The specific color pairings within each tier can vary depending on the draft environment and the individual players’ skill levels․ However‚ a general understanding of the power levels of different archetypes can help players make informed decisions during the draft‚ ensuring they build the most competitive decks possible․
Key Mechanics
Wilds of Eldraine introduces several key mechanics that significantly shape the draft format‚ influencing card selection‚ deckbuilding‚ and gameplay․ Understanding these mechanics is crucial for success in the wilds․
Adventure⁚ Many creatures in Wilds of Eldraine possess the Adventure ability‚ allowing them to cast a powerful spell upon entering the battlefield․ This dual functionality adds a unique element to the format‚ providing both early game tempo and late-game value․ Players must carefully consider the timing of these spells and whether they provide immediate pressure or are better used in the later stages of the game․
Enchantment Creatures⁚ These creatures have the added benefit of being enchantments‚ making them more resilient than traditional creatures․ They offer a unique blend of offensive and defensive value‚ often acting as powerful threats while also providing disruption or protection․ Players should prioritize these creatures for their versatility and resilience․
Fables⁚ Fables are a new type of card that combines the elements of creatures‚ enchantments‚ and instants or sorceries․ Upon entering the battlefield‚ they provide a powerful creature‚ and then players can choose to activate their ability to gain a bonus effect․ This multifaceted design allows for diverse strategies‚ from early aggression to late-game value‚ making fables essential components of many decks․
Thematic Synergies⁚ The set is themed around fairy tales‚ with each color pair possessing a unique flavor and set of synergies․ These themes can range from aggressive creature strategies to enchantment-based control decks‚ influencing the overall direction of the draft and deckbuilding decisions․
Understanding these key mechanics allows players to make informed decisions during the draft‚ maximizing their chances of building a powerful and cohesive deck that can succeed in the wilds of Eldraine․
Color Pairings
Wilds of Eldraine offers a diverse array of color pairings‚ each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses․ Understanding these archetypes is crucial for making informed draft decisions and building a cohesive deck․
White-Blue⁚ This archetype focuses on enchantments and control‚ utilizing powerful removal spells and disruption to stymie opponents’ strategies․ Cards like “Charming Prince” and “Charming Squire” provide early pressure‚ while “Enchanting Groceries” and “Hallowed Moonlight” offer powerful removal and disruption․ The key to this archetype is maintaining control of the board and using your enchantments to gain an advantage․
Blue-Black⁚ This archetype emphasizes control and card advantage‚ utilizing powerful countermagic and draw spells to gain a strategic edge․ “Cunning Conjurer” and “Prowling Shadow” provide early pressure‚ while “Counterspell” and “Thought Erasure” offer powerful disruption․ The goal of this archetype is to control the board and outlast opponents with card advantage and powerful finishers․
Black-Red⁚ This archetype focuses on aggressive creature strategies‚ utilizing powerful one-drop creatures and burn spells to quickly overwhelm opponents․ “Bonecrusher Giant” and “Bloodthirsty Adversary” provide early aggression‚ while “Embercleave” and “Scorch Spitter” offer powerful finishers․ The key to this archetype is to establish an early board presence and use burn spells to finish off opponents․
Red-Green⁚ This archetype emphasizes creature aggression and board dominance‚ utilizing powerful creatures and pump spells to overwhelm opponents․ “Frenzied Raider” and “Rampant Growth” provide early aggression and ramp‚ while “Embercleave” and “Giant Growth” offer powerful finishers․ The goal of this archetype is to establish a strong creature presence and use pump spells to finish off opponents․
These are just a few of the many viable color pairings in Wilds of Eldraine․ Each archetype offers a unique playstyle and strategy‚ allowing players to choose the best fit for their preferences and draft pool․
Top Commons
In Wilds of Eldraine draft‚ commons play a crucial role in shaping your deck’s strategy and overall success․ While rares and uncommons can provide powerful boosts‚ commons are the backbone of your deck‚ ensuring consistency and reliable performance․ Here are some of the top commons worth prioritizing in your drafts⁚
White⁚ “Charming Prince” and “Charming Squire” are excellent one-drops that provide early aggression and can be easily boosted by enchantments․ “Hallowed Moonlight” is a versatile removal spell that can deal with a variety of threats․ “Enchanting Groceries” is a strong enchantment that can generate card advantage and disrupt opponents’ plans․
Blue⁚ “Cunning Conjurer” and “Prowling Shadow” are strong two-drops that offer both early aggression and card advantage․ “Counterspell” is a reliable countermagic spell that can disrupt opponents’ key plays․ “Thought Erasure” is a powerful disruption spell that can remove a card from your opponent’s hand․
Black⁚ “Bonecrusher Giant” is a powerful two-drop that provides early aggression and can be easily boosted by enchantments․ “Bloodthirsty Adversary” is a strong card advantage engine that can generate value over time․ “Deadly Reckoning” is a versatile removal spell that can deal with a variety of threats․
Red⁚ “Frenzied Raider” is a strong one-drop that provides early aggression and can be easily boosted by pump spells․ “Embercleave” is a powerful finisher that can quickly end games․ “Scorch Spitter” is a strong burn spell that can deal with creatures or damage opponents directly․
Green⁚ “Rampant Growth” is a crucial ramp spell that can accelerate your mana development․ “Giant Growth” is a strong pump spell that can boost your creatures and push through damage․ “Fable of the Mirror-Breaker” is a powerful card that can provide both card advantage and creature boosts․
By prioritizing these top commons‚ you can build a strong and consistent deck capable of competing in the Wilds of Eldraine draft format․
Best Removal Spells
Removal spells are crucial in any Limited format‚ and Wilds of Eldraine is no exception․ Being able to efficiently deal with your opponent’s threats is essential for maintaining control and securing victory․ Here are some of the best removal spells to target in your Wilds of Eldraine drafts⁚
White⁚ “Hallowed Moonlight” is a versatile removal spell that can deal with a variety of threats‚ including creatures and enchantments․ “Charming Prince” and “Charming Squire” can be used to remove smaller creatures with their “Destroy target artifact or creature with power 2 or less” ability․
Blue⁚ While blue doesn’t have dedicated removal spells in Wilds of Eldraine‚ “Counterspell” can effectively remove opponent’s threats by countering key spells․
Black⁚ “Deadly Reckoning” is a versatile removal spell that can eliminate a wide range of creatures‚ including those with power 4 or less․ “Bloodthirsty Adversary” can remove creatures with its “Destroy target creature with power 2 or less” ability․
Red⁚ “Scorch Spitter” is a strong burn spell that can deal with creatures or damage opponents directly‚ offering a flexible removal option․ “Embercleave” can be used to deal with larger creatures by equipping it to a creature with power 4 or greater․
Green⁚ While green doesn’t have dedicated removal spells in Wilds of Eldraine‚ “Fable of the Mirror-Breaker” can be used to remove creatures with its “Destroy target creature with power 2 or less” ability․
By strategically utilizing these removal spells‚ you can control the board‚ eliminate threats‚ and position yourself for victory in your Wilds of Eldraine drafts․
Drafting Tips
Drafting in Wilds of Eldraine can be an exciting and rewarding experience‚ but it requires strategic decision-making․ Here are some crucial tips to help you navigate the draft and build a powerful deck⁚
Prioritize Archetype Consistency⁚ Wilds of Eldraine features strong two-color archetypes‚ each with distinct themes and synergies․ Focus on drafting cards that align with a specific archetype to maximize its potential․ For example‚ if you’re aiming for a Red/White Aggro deck‚ prioritize aggressive creatures and burn spells․
Don’t Be Afraid to Splash⁚ While focusing on a two-color archetype is important‚ don’t be afraid to splash a third color if you have access to strong cards that significantly enhance your strategy․ For example‚ if you’re playing a Green/White deck and you see a powerful Black removal spell‚ consider splashing black for that spell․
Evaluate Card Quality⁚ Don’t get caught up in drafting a specific archetype at the expense of ignoring strong cards that don’t fit your chosen theme․ Evaluate each card’s power level and consider its potential impact on your game plan․ Sometimes‚ a powerful card outside your archetype can be a valuable addition to your deck․
Pay Attention to Removal Spells⁚ Removal spells are crucial in Wilds of Eldraine‚ as they allow you to control the board and eliminate your opponent’s threats․ Prioritize drafting removal spells that align with your chosen archetype and offer versatility in dealing with different creature types․
Draft Cards That Enable Your Strategy⁚ Choose cards that support your chosen archetype and enable your game plan․ For example‚ if you’re playing an aggressive deck‚ prioritize cards that allow you to attack early and often․ If you’re playing a control deck‚ prioritize cards that help you control the board and counter your opponent’s threats․
Common Mistakes
While Wilds of Eldraine offers a fun and engaging Limited format‚ even experienced drafters can fall into common pitfalls․ Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve your draft performance and increase your chances of victory⁚
Ignoring Archetype Synergies⁚ Wilds of Eldraine is heavily focused on two-color archetypes‚ each with unique themes and synergies․ Failing to prioritize cards within a specific archetype can lead to a disjointed deck with less overall power․ Focus on drafting cards that complement each other and enhance your chosen archetype’s strengths․
Over-Splashing⁚ While splashing a third color can be beneficial‚ over-splashing can weaken your deck’s consistency and make it difficult to cast your spells․ Only splash colors if you have access to strong cards that significantly improve your strategy and have enough mana sources to support them․
Underestimating Removal⁚ Removal spells are incredibly important in Wilds of Eldraine‚ as they allow you to control the board and eliminate your opponent’s threats․ Don’t underestimate the value of good removal spells and prioritize drafting them early in the draft․
Drafting Cards Based on Nostalgia⁚ While drafting cards you’ve enjoyed in other formats might be tempting‚ remember that Wilds of Eldraine has its own unique dynamics and card power levels․ Don’t let nostalgia influence your draft decisions; instead‚ focus on drafting the best cards available that support your chosen archetype and strategy․
Ignoring the Power Level of Commons⁚ While rares and uncommons can be exciting‚ don’t overlook the power of commons․ Many commons in Wilds of Eldraine are extremely powerful and can significantly impact your game plan․ Pay attention to the power level of commons and prioritize drafting the best ones available to you․
Winning Strategies
In the enchanting realm of Wilds of Eldraine‚ victory hinges on mastering a few key strategies that leverage the format’s unique dynamics․ These strategies can guide your draft decisions and pave the way for success in the wilds⁚
Embrace Aggro⁚ Wilds of Eldraine features a fast-paced environment where aggressive decks can often dominate․ Focus on drafting creatures with strong early game presence‚ efficient removal spells‚ and cards that can quickly pressure your opponent’s life total․ Utilize the format’s plentiful one- and two-mana creatures to establish a strong board presence early and capitalize on the format’s aggressive tempo․
Master the Midrange Game⁚ While aggro is a powerful strategy‚ a well-constructed midrange deck can also thrive in Wilds of Eldraine․ Focus on drafting a balanced mix of creatures‚ removal spells‚ and powerful enchantments or artifacts that provide value over time․ Aim for a deck that can both control the board and generate threats‚ allowing you to adapt to your opponent’s strategies and maintain pressure throughout the game․
Leverage Archetype Synergies⁚ Wilds of Eldraine boasts a diverse set of two-color archetypes‚ each with unique strengths and synergies․ Focus on drafting cards that complement each other within a chosen archetype‚ maximizing your deck’s power and consistency․ For example‚ a Red/White deck might prioritize creatures with haste‚ while a Blue/Black deck might focus on control and card advantage․
Capitalize on Key Mechanics⁚ The format features several key mechanics that can significantly impact gameplay․ Understanding these mechanics and drafting cards that utilize them effectively can give you a significant edge․ For example‚ cards with “Adventure” abilities can provide both creature and spell effects‚ while “Enchantments” offer powerful effects that can control the board or generate card advantage․
Adapt to Your Opponent’s Strategies⁚ While having a strong game plan is essential‚ adaptability is crucial for success in Wilds of Eldraine․ Observe your opponent’s draft choices and adjust your strategy accordingly․ If they’re playing an aggressive deck‚ focus on controlling the board and generating threats․ If they’re playing a more control-oriented deck‚ prioritize aggressive strategies and early pressure․