[Trick]

What do you think? Three simple tips, did they make sense? Do you agree? Disagree? Indifferent?

-- Trick

[cRUMMYdUMMY]

These tips are simply put, just GREAT.  When I was a new draft player, it took me several first round losses before I could correctly fix my mana base.  I more or less came out with the exact same results as the tips he recommended.  Though there are some times where I do run 15 land, but it is very rare, assuming your average CMC is 2.5 or less.  I also never go above 40 cards in deck.  As that is one rule I have never violated.  I have won many close games by the next top decked card and if I were running 41 cards, who knows if that would have happened.  The mana split is the hardest to get and it is still the hardest problem to solve.  If you are running 4 colors evenly, even if your average CMC is 2, you would still probably run 18 lands to ensure that you see at least one land for each color you play.  All in all, great article.  I look forward to seeing more draft articles and "Watch the Pros Draft" episodes in the future.

[gleemax]

I really enjoyed tip #2.  I usually just go with 17 lands and then subtract 1 for every 2 mana produces in the deck, but I'm going to give your method a try.  I've always know how to correctly color split when deciding which lands to play, but I really really liked your 3cmc average formual.  It's easy to follow and easy to remember.

Also, that whole 40 card limit.  Never has there ever been a rule of thumb harder to beat into people.  My friend used to tell me he liked to run 42 becuase it was the answer.  Also, I was in a draft with a very new player once who made the "mistake" of drafting cards of all five colors.  He ended up just throwing all the cards togething and playing with 25 lands (5 of each color).  He still didn't understand why he never got the colors he needed and why he lost so bad.

[leesteht]

Thanks for your comments!

It really is a very hard topic to discuss or even moreso provide "workable" tips to people who already draft. Part 2 will talk about card choices and why the Rare is often something to be passed

[Trick]

Even as the cohost and editor, I enjoyed seeing your simple rules for building the draft decks. It's a great help

[nyoumans]

I wholeheartedly agree. This article was full of wonderfully practical advice for the casual magic player looking for an edge...like me. Please continue to write these insightful articles. It's been great for my approach to the game.

[gleemax]

Part 2 will talk about card choices and why the Rare is often something to be passed

That's the hardest pill for any new player swallow unless the rare is total jank.  That's why my locakl group does rare picks for draft prizes. It helps eveyone become a better drafter.

[theory]

Ack - just caught this article and I actually really need this remedial deck construction

VERY good stuff, Lee.  Much appreciated as practical info goes a long way!

[gleemax]

Hey lee, just to let you know I'm printing out your article for my wife to read on the drive down to the prerelease. Still looking forward to part 2!