FNM @ Vern's

Okay so we didn’t go to FNM on Friday. It was snowing, plus there was a fuel truck accident and there was a fire, so we never made it to FNM. We decided instead to turn around and buy a box of Shard for $90 and do our own draft. I drafted a Naya (R/G/W) w/ a splash of U deck. I got some good rares and was able to win the tournament going 5-1. The winner was supposed to win 6 packs but I just divided them up with everyone and we drafted again.

At first Shards was really hard for me to draft, but then I did some research and did a bunch of mock drafts online (there are a bunch of sites out there were you can do fake drafts, you don’t get to play your deck but you do get to practice drafting). I’ve probably done over 20 Shards drafts and here are some of my observations.

1. Red is probably the strongest color in Shard limited play.

2. Evasion is huge in Shards. If it can fly or is unblockable, then it is huge! Like Welkin Guide. Welkin Guide is so underrated. You can usually find this guy late in drafts. It makes your Mosstodon a 7/5 flier! Plus you get a 2/2 flier.

Or likeJhessian Infiltrator Another underrated card! You’re pretty much on the clock when this card hits the table.

3. What makes Shards hard to draft is that you’re stuck playing at least 3 colors. I say if this is true with you, then you should charge straight ahead into your fear and draft ALL FIVE COLORS! I’ve seen people win drafts because they play all 5 Shards. What you do is draft the best card in each pack that you get. If there’s nothing that blows you away then draft an Obelisk, tap land, or a panorama. Don’t be scared to draft these as early as your first pick from the pack! Eventually you’ll have a lot of mana sources and good, playable cards. Plus you deplete your opponents of sources of mana.

4. Draft those tap lands, panoramas, and Obelisks! In a single Shard deck, I like to have at least 4 of these in my deck. On Friday I had a tap land and 3 panoramas! Obelisks are okay when needed but I’d rather have a tap land or panorama.

5. Another idea is to draft only red cards and those tap lands, panoramas, and obelisks. In the end you’ll have a 5-Color Red Deck. Your deck will be mainly red with splashes of the other 4 colors. I’ve also seen these decks do well.

Here are some cards that I think are underrated and why.

Bant Battlemage
Probably my favorite Battlemage in the set because it can make any of your guys fly or have trample! Just think about it! Your guy could have FLYING OR TRAMPLE! THAT’S HUGE!

Sanctum Gargoyle
I don’t know how many times I’ve drafted but it seems like I’m always able to get at least two of these in my deck. With two of these in your deck you let one die, then play the other one, and then the one in your graveyard returns to your hand! It’s an infinite loop that is lethal! Plus it’s a 2/3 FLIER!

Welkin Guide (see above)

Blister Beetle
This guy is one of only few -/- removal cards out there. If you play it right, then your opponent loses a creature and you gain a creature all for one spell.

Hissing Iguanar
When you play against this card it totally makes you change the way you play, but if it’s on your side then all is well.

Algae Gharial
This guy can be absolutely fatal. He grows and grows and grows and then wins you the game. He’s my favorite amongst all the guys that have his 2nd ability. Plus with Shroud your opponent can’t get rid of him! All you have to do is play a Welkin Guide and it’s all over for your opponent.

Drumhunter
I hate this guy! But when I play with him, I love him! Totally underrated! He does cost your 4 mana but he produces mana! Plus if you’re playing with him then that means you're playing with green which mean you’ve already got 5/X creatures. It’s crazy when you can get two of these guys out and you're draing 3 cards per turn.

Rhox Charger
Why do people pass this guy up? He’s awesome! 3/3 Trample w/ Exalted!

Deft Duelist
Another underrated common.

Sigil of Distinction
If you have this card then it’s pretty much game over.

Court Archers
This guy’s job is to sit there and defend. He’s a 1/3 with reach and EXALTED!

Jungle Weaver
One of my favorite fatties in the game, a 5/6 with REACH! Or you could just always cycle him.