Monday, December 23, 2013

2013 Wrap Up, Predictions, and Wishlist

For my last post of the year, I think it important to revisit a few stories that still have some relevance to me, as well spend some time looking forward to next year.  Before we get started though, I have to offer a big thank you to my son Jacob, for dragging me into the world that is Magic the Gathering.  Without him I would have never met some wonderful people, learned about the most amazing game in the known universe, or found a real opportunity to express myself in print.  This has been a great year for me and I have my son to thank for that.  I can only wish that my readers have a chance to develop the same type of relationship with a child, parent, cousin or other family member.  Magic has become our common language.  Mr. Garfield, wherever you are - you are a mage of the first order for having created this wonderful experience that we can share.

For me, 2013 was about two different worlds of Magic.  The first world was about my personal experiences.  Everything from the most trivial - learning about a card interaction - to the most difficult - deciding to work towards becoming a Judge.  My first world was filled with wonder, sometimes daily as I learned one of the most complex yet accessible games I've ever been exposed to.  Kids play it, but true mastery only comes with years of experience.  I yearned regularly not just for new cards but also to understand Magic at a level that many people seem to take for granted.

I started the year privately thinking being a Judge would be a wonderful way for me to become more deeply engaged with the game and community.  As I spent time playing, the thought grew until it wouldn't go away.  Since about halfway through this past year, I've been on a personal quest to become a Judge.  I know others have done it faster, but that doesn't bother me in the slightest.  I'll get there, and when I do I'll do my best to represent the community in a manner that promotes the game, Wizards, and my local stores.

On the other side, I became involved in the larger 'Community'.  I use the capital 'C' here only to emphasize the difference between my local opportunities to play Magic and the national and international Magic communities.  By writing about Magic, even independently, I quickly gained the attention of a broad audience.  With a little help from Twitter and a lot of help from well timed articles supported by some caring Magic community members, I received enough attention and positive reinforcement to keep writing.  If this is the first time you're reading me, I encourage you to go back and take a look at some of my other articles - particularly those that I'll highlight here.

If Wishes Were Horses, Beggars Would Ride
My best writing this year is hard for me to pin down.  Personally what I think of my best achievement had to do with overcrowding at GPs and what I thought could be done to improve them.  Since then, I've learned how far in advance WotC tackles issues.  It wouldn't surprise me in the least to find out that they were already considering how preregistration could be improved to prevent surprises the morning an event started.  I still feel a small sense of pride though thinking back to the events that transpired this year, and what effect I may have had on them as a single gamer - especially given how happy most players seem to be with this change.

Looking forward, there are some things I'm hoping for in 2014.  Here are just a few of them:


A Revision to the HoF Voting System
I still think this needs to happen.  Fan involvement is what makes the Community tick.  The selection process and final voting for the Pro Tour Hall of Fame leaves a bitter taste in every fan's mouth for two weeks every year.  Yes, I understand that Pro's put in a tremendous amount of time and energy to get to the point where they are worthy of consideration.  I don't want to devalue that.  But to sit on the sidelines while every relevant conversation about Magic for two weeks straight is about something that has nothing to do with any of us is tough to swallow.  Fans should have a way to contribute meaningfully - even if our total vote value only contributes to a weighted 20% of the final evaluation.  I stand by this position, and I wish other fans of Magic would take up this cry to review and revise the existing system to make it more inclusive.

Develop Community Recognition or...
I'm deeply torn about this next issue.  Part of me very much wants to see several of the changes I wrote about here happen in the next year.  If nothing else, a broader system for recognizing those that make important contributions should be put into place.  But then we read an article like this one - The Day Kibler Shut Down the World by MTG Color Pie - and I know I have to reevaluate my priorities.  What is more important?  After reading Robby's article, if I had to choose between the two changes I'd want his idea to happen.  Even though his article is incomplete, it is easy to gather his intent.  While I don't play on MODO myself, I can see how important a concept like this is to the long term health of Magic as an online commodity.  I think Robby has identified the crux of the problem facing WotC.  His solution, while more complicated than maintaining the status quo is certainly worth consideration.  I hope for the MODO players the world over that his concept or one of a similar ability to improve MODO is considered by WotC.

The Next Un-Set
If 2013 was the year of Modern Masters, Gods, and the revitalization of WotC's support of EDH, then what could 2014 bring?  Aside from a couple of known quantities (crosses fingers for continued EDH support) I predict the next rabbit that will be brought forth from the WotC hat is the long overdue third Un-set.  Unglued was released in 1998.  Unhinged was released in 2004.  Given just that information alone, I'd say we're overdue for the third Un-set by about 4 years.  Add in 2013 was the year that Magic celebrated it's 20th anniversary, I'd say the best way to start off next year would be to announce by April that the next Un-set is on its way before the end of the year.  Call me a hopeless romantic, but I really love the idea of those silver bordered cards and full art lands.

Supplemental Product(s)
I'd like to see a supplemental product in 2014 along the lines of another Planechase set.  Why?  Judging by the popularity of the Game Day event of facing the Hydra for Theros and word of a similar activity for Born of the Gods, team style gameplay seems to be on WotC's mind lately.  It's not a stretch to think that Planechase will be due for an expansion as a result.  If not Planechase, then Archenemy or Vanguard will be highlighted this year (or a new, undisclosed format such as Hoard).

Growth
This one is so easy to predict that I decided to keep the Amazing Kreskin locked up in his room so I could do it myself.

Magic in 2013 saw unprecedented growth.  And if 2013 was good, 2014 will be even better.  Modern has been given a shot in the arm from Modern Masters (I missed the mark on this when I wrote about the inflated cost of it - but I still hold to the principal).  Legacy is alive thanks to continued efforts by SCG and other local play groups.  Add in the excitement we've seen in the RTR block and the wide acclaim of Theros, and you have a recipe for success.  This growth does have an important consideration though that WotC and TO's will need to keep in mind - Professional Players matter.  You don't have to like them, follow them on Twitter, or give them a second thought.  As a fan of Magic, you're allowed your opinion.   Truth is though, they dedicate an obscene amount of time to trying new decks, playtesting, and traveling.  It's not an easy life, and it's far from lucrative (not counting writing or endorsement deals, your average 5 people working at Wal-Mart likely make more in a year than any 5 Pros).  Pros matter though to the continued visibility of the game.  They matter to new fans, who need someone to look up to.  And they matter to events, where their rumored and/or guaranteed attendance surely draws in some players that may be on the fence about going themselves.  People do jump at the chance to meet LSV or get a playmat signed by Reid.  So while some may make fun of Pros, look to 2014 as a year WotC and TO's will spend more time figuring out how to make Pro Magic players happy.  If you love Magic as much as I do, put on your big boy pants and move away from worrying about what they are complaining about in a given week.  If they have a valid point (and most of the time they do), don't knock them.  I'm not saying don't test them by arguing them.  After all, the best way to find the holes in an argument is to poke at it.  I'm just suggesting that you step back and realize, as a participant in the process, that they often have a point that is worth consideration, even if we don't get it from our perspective.  They do a tremendous amount for the game as ambassadors and deserve if not your respect, then at least your tolerance.

Increased Visibility and Acceptance
There are two organizations in the community which now receive insufficient attention from fans - and I believe that 2014 will be the year that changes for the better.  The Lady Planeswalkers Society (Facebook page) believes in creating, "A welcoming, friendly environment for women to learn & play Magic: the Gathering!" Led by Tifa Robles, the LPS has had some growth during the past year, but I'm sure they'd like more. Tifa recently left her job at WotC with an intent to give greater attention to her love of promoting Magic through her group.  It's my hope that the LPS will aggressively develop new markets - every major metropolitan area should have their own chapter of the Society - as well as promote their message at major GPs.  The other group that is I think is on the cusp of a real watershed moment is Planeswalkers for Diversity.  Created by Trevor Murdock, their mission is as follows, "This group was created to facilitate networking and sharing of ideas between Magic Players who are interested in creating a safe environment for people to play the best game on earth regardless of their gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, age, or anything else that has nothing to do with it."  In a nutshell, I think that Trevor's vision is that Judges will never have to be called on to make Unsportsmanlike Conduct calls, but more than that Trevor sees Magic the Gathering as a chance to create a perfect microcosm of society - one where no one ever has to worry about who they are or what other people may think of them when they sit down to their match.

My Personal Magic 2014 Wishlist
  • Develop a winning record at Limited Draft
  • Meet great people - my shortlist includes Erin Campbell, any of the Judgecast Judges, LSV & more
  • Become an L1
  • Find a home as a writer
  • Eternal Weekend comes back to Philadelphia in the fall
  • Both of the LGS's I use have a banner year in Magic
  • Helene Bergeot doesn't ever leave WotC
  • Use more pictures in my articles - everyone likes card art and kids playing Magic
  • Design and complete a special project to help others learn Magic (I have SUCH the idea...)
  • That I get every [REDACTED] to [REDACTED] with me next year (Spoilers!)
  • Increase my reach via Social Media
  • Get to play hundreds of games with my friends and Jacob
  • And that everyone that plays Magic has an even better year than I hope to have.
With that, I leave you until 2014.


Magic Blessing
May you always have mana a plenty,
May all your spells resolve,
May you topdeck every card you want,
May you find a way to win against all odds,
And until we meet again friend,
May you play with intelligence, honesty, and grace.



~And Jim, wherever you are when you read this, thank you.

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Reblogs, Retweets, & Mentions of all kinds are appreciated - as an independent writer I'm only read when others like what they see and share with their friends.

Monday, December 16, 2013

Getting There

As I watched my beloved Dallas Cowboys make another series of mental mistakes on offense this past Sunday leading to yet another preventable loss, something struck me.

I'm the Tony Romo of my LGS.

I'm not cute.  I'm no good with the ladies.  And I don't have millions in my bank account.  I'm Tony Romo because of my play style in Magic.  This revelation set me back.  It made me realize that something in me needs to change.

Let me take you back to a conversation I had at my LGS just a few nights before...

Another One Bites the Dust
It was getting to be late in the evening.  I'm wasn't tired but I also wasn't feeling great about continuing to play.  The deck I was pretty satisfied with at the start of the night had betrayed me.  My record for the evening was poor and I was questioning myself and my choices.  I sat down across from my opponent.  She looked at me and asked how I was doing.  Instead of responding with a platitude, I told her the truth.

Drafting Theros earlier that night, I felt that I had a pretty solid deck.  B/G, with a fair number of tricks.  I judged it to be solid, albeit with a slightly higher curve than I felt comfortable playing.  After playing a couple of opponents though I realized something was wrong with it.

I shared it with a friend who was pretty much everyone's go to for deck tech questions.  He looked through it, pausing occasionally to point out a good trick or a solid beater.  After he was done he did something he had never done before with one of my decks.  He handed it back to me.  He then looked up and said, "Seems ok, you should win some tonight with that.  Your curve is a little high, but B/G can be like that."  In the past when he had looked at decks for me he always had some advice.  This time though, he seemed to think otherwise.  Instead of laying it all out by color and mana cost to figure out how best to tweak it, he took a pass by handing the deck back to me.  This action alone told me that I had a good deck.  Sure, I probably didn't need one or two cards in there - but most were strong contributors to the strategy that revolved around B/G Theros draft decks.

So when I sat down across from Sarah, I opened up.  I don't think I had won a game at that point - and oddly enough neither had she.  I knew her to be strong player and one who thought more about her plays that most of the people in the room.  When I spoke, it felt like a confessional.  I felt a burden lift off my shoulders as I confided in her.

Heartbreak Hotel
"I'm not doing great tonight, but you knew that [seeing as how we were paired against each other].  I pulled a decent deck, but I just can't seem to 'get there'.  I can't close the deal and win matches with this...this mess.  Actually, I think it's how I play, I think I just don't do well closing out at the end.  I watch others do it all the time - especially to me.  They always seem to have the right combat trick or ability to overwhelm me at the last second.  Situations where I think I'm in control turn into one-sided beatings.  I know I'm close, but I must be playing wrong."

We played our matches then.  The first game was the same old story.  Sarah beat on me, and pretty easily too.  She beat on me so badly that she was actually apologizing.  Second game I won.  But it was the second game that I realized something.  As I was playing against Sarah, I felt like I was always in a better position.  I had a stronger board state at every step of the game.  I was in control.

And yet, I never felt that I was 'there'.  I never thought I was in control enough to put the game away.  Each move I made was calm and calculated to do two things.  Never leave me exposed to a counter-attack and to never overstep myself in my own attacks.  I wasn't playing to win - I was playing to eventually make it across the finish line.  And this isn't the first time.  When situations call for calm and collected, I'm hot and fast.  When I'm supposed to be pressing the advantage I find myself shoring up my defenses.  And when I'm supposed to be patient and hold back a trick, I'm always worrying that if I don't pull the trigger now that I won't get a better chance.  My ying and my yang are diametrically opposed to the point where I'm my own worst enemy.

Game three?  Sarah was apologizing again.  It felt like Foreman/Ali, and I was playing rope-a-dope.  Only thing was, I wasn't Ali.  I had no plan to come back.

Bitter Little Pill
The draft ended following our match.  If it didn't, I probably would have begged, 'No mas' and run home with my tail between my legs.  I was stunned.  How did I go 0-4 with such a solid deck in Theros draft?  I felt the answer was there, just waiting for me to pick it up off the white plastic table.  Instead, I put my coat on, picked up my bag and left the store.

I drove home that night thinking of plays, missed and otherwise.  I tried to recreate some defining moments in my head but was unsuccessful.  I'm just not one much for recall after a round is over and I'm not great on notes.  Perhaps that is something I need to start to do so I can go back and look at how to improve.  In the meantime, I need to get back to the comparison.

We Aren't the Champions
My man, Mr. Tony Romo, threw away another critical game last night.  As I watched him and the Cowboys play in the final 15 minutes, I realized something.  He was a part of a broken system.  The offensive play calling was atrocious.  As quarterback, Tony could have and should have recognized that.  He is the face of the team, the general on the field.  All he had to do was call an audible, switch to a run and move the sticks.  The Cowboys were pushing too hard when they should have been burning clock time, deliberately moving forward.  Even at the very end, when they had sufficient time to not rush and get the job done, they still made bad calls and executed poorly.

Tony was executing a plan, not unlike I was the other night, without thinking about the consequences.  Or he was thinking too much and trying to do more than the hand that he was dealt would let him.  The Cowboys threw the game away - just as I think I've done too many times to count.  In Magic, you have to know when attack and when to sit on your hands.  You have to understand when to slow the game down and when to go no huddle.

Failing to understand these things and you end up like Romo.  Ineffective when it matters the most.  As an outsider, it is easy for me to see why Romo failed on Sunday.

I don't know the reason for each of my game losses on Friday.  But as I was the one holding the cards, I know I bear responsibility.  So to find a way to stop losing, I need to start to take a few moments each game to try to take the long view.  I need to look at how my opponent is playing and what they're playing and it will effect me.  I need to realize that there are times that I need to change my posture from attack to defense - and vice versa.

But most of all, I have to realize one important thing.  It's what Romo has to realize as well.  The cards didn't betray me.  I betrayed them.  I'm done being my store's bad example of a player.  I hope Tony looks back on last night's game and realizes something similar.  Maybe then we can both be Champions.

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Reblogs, Retweets, & Mentions of all kinds are appreciated - as an independent writer I'm only read when others like what they see and share with their friends.

Friday, December 13, 2013

The Great Twitterment of '13

Both during and after last weekend, Twitter erupted with another round of arguing between MtG professional players and personalities.   This 'Twitterment' developed as a result of an simple question about of all things, deck names.

Twitterment - noun 1. An argument that takes place over Twitter.  Often lasting less than 48 hours due to lack depth or permanence of the discussions being held.  Either that, or the holders of the argument realize the futility of carrying on at a rate of 144 characters a post. 2. A silly website that sends followers to you for a 'low, reasonable fee' - similar to the concept of buying friends.

The Twitterment started innocently enough.  An innocuous comment posted and likely initially forgotten, about the naming conventions used for creating deck names.  That was all it took.  The MtG Twitterverse erupted, picking sides and printing banners.  War paint was issued, battle plans were drawn, and people chose sides.  Was the Pro magic player right?  Maybe.  Did it matter to anyone not in the line of fire?  Probably not.

If I want to call my deck, "Stoke the Fires, Here Comes the Carol Burnett," then that is what I want to name it and YOU can't do anything about it.  There is no requirement that states my deck name must reflect what my deck does or does not do, what my personal values are, or what type of childhood trauma I may suffer from.  Nowhere in the Comprehensive Rules is this issue directly addressed.  People are allowed to name their deck anything they want.  So long as the chosen names are not offensive, they can be anything.  It can be a paragraph long and describe every aspect of the deck, or it can be one four letter word that doesn't relate at all to the contents or purpose.

I always wanted to name a deck, 'Fred'.  "Hey Magic Dad, what is your deck's name?"  "Oh, it's Fred."  "Fred?"  "Yes, Fred."  "What's it do?"  "It's a WU Combo-Control deck."  "I don't get it, why Fred?"  "Why not?  It's my deck.  Somebody decided I needed to name it and I thought 'Fred' was a good, strong name.  You have a problem with that?  Well, do ya?"

But the Pro didn't make a statement about a rule.  The Pro made a general statement about deck names and from that point forward, the Magic sub-community of Twitter had a new topic to beat to death.  It is fun watching the Twitterment evolve.  First there is shock, "What did they say?"  Then there is a bit of denial, "There is no way I agree with your stance...and your hair is stupid."  Eventually, we come around to acceptance, "..."  The Twitterment peters out and a new topic is started.  Unless someone with some juice comes along to restart it, the argument at this point is dead - and in many cases undecided.  Who won?  Who lost?  Why did they say that thing about my hair?

Fallout
Great Twitterments though should not be forgotten but is the nature of the format that they fall to the ravages of time.  Instead of losing them forever, they should be dragged out from whatever hole they crawled into and examined at least once more in the cold, stark world of bloggers.  In this instance, while maybe not a 'great' Twitterment, the MtG Deck Name Controversy of GP Dallas/Fort Worth 2013 should be reviewed once more.  So what can we learn from this Twitterment (and perhaps others like it?).

First, as a consumer and fan of the MtG Community, I need to state that I am becoming less surprised when these Twitterments erupt.  In fact, it happens with such regularity that there are certain evident truths.  Those truths are, in no particular order:
  • You can almost smell the wind change just before a Twitterment starts
  • Pros are reasonably consistent about which side of an argument they will take
  • Unless a Pro weighs in, a Twitterment typically fizzles within 20-30 Tweets
  • Pros and MtG Personalities should have ranks - there are obviously generals and majors and sergeants and privates in these wars
  • Certain people have the power to end Twitterments, depending on the topic
  • The power to end a Twitterment by means other than letting it run its course diminishes exponentially by the number of minutes it's been in force and the number of Pros involved
  • WotC sees everything - just because they haven't commented, doesn't mean they aren't watching
  • Twitterment length is better determined by who is involved than topic
  • Unless the Twitterment is about an event or circumstance that hasn't happened, it will conclude in 48 hours
  • All contributing circumstances must be taken into account when predicting how long and nasty the Twitterment will be
In the case of the most recent Twitterment, what really added fuel to the fire was something no one could have seen coming.  A savage ice storm hit the Dallas/Fort Worth area just before the event.  A number of pros canceled their plans to attend leaving them with free time.  And we all know what happens when guys have too much free time on their hands - they find ways to get into trouble.

Second, a good Twitterment provides an important service.  It gives Twitter users a release valve for the community to express itself.  Many community members dedicate a great deal of time, money, and personality to the pursuit of a perfect deck.  Others feel a connection to some of the popular Professionals and personalities.  A good Twitterment can be cleansing, a chance to blow off some pent up steam.  It also allows for WotC and others to see and weigh in on what is important - at least this week - to the Pros and other players who follow them.  Even better, a good Twitterment can be enjoyed and contributed to by all.  Something as universal as deck names appeals to every Timmy, Johnny and Spike.  Even better, there isn't anyone that can't contribute to the argument.

Perhaps most important of all, a Twitterment provides us with a chance to see which Pro is the whiniest, most self... - err, no, that's not right.  Let's travel back to Brian Kibler's attack of MtGO for just moment.  When he was booted from the MOCS he was participating in and lashed out via Twitter and his blog, he wasn't saying anything particularly unique.  Players have complained about the reliability of MtGO for some time, especially in larger events.  So people who claim, "I had to unfollow [insert name here] because I couldn't take their complaining anymore," should really think for a moment about what happens when Pros do complain.  A strong Twitterment, well thought out and hard fought by one Pro, can do something that takes 50 or more other regular grinders to do.  It can effect change on a large scale.  Will MtGO be fixed as a result?  Probably not fully, but I can guarantee that it will be better.  The net result here is a win for the fans.  It doesn't matter if you play MtGO or not, the MODO item was a victory for us all.  Why?  Because - if Kibler won this time about MtGO and it results in an improvement, perhaps it will embolden LSV to make a point about drafting that has long irked him and would result in an improved experience at sanctioned drafts.  Or another Pro such as Del Tora could take up the banner about a needed website improvement.  Success is its own positive reinforcement.

[Side note: WotC is tremendously responsive to all fans, I've had some wonderful conversations with them and I don't spend thousands of dollars in a month on MtG, nor am I a Pro.  There is no denying though that Pro's voice with their legions of followers carries serious weight].

So how does this most recent debate stack up to something like the MODO EXPLODE-O?  Not very well I'm afraid.  But it did provide some entertainment for a few hours.  I'm sure this past argument had everyone thinking, just a little bit, about how they name their decks.  Even if it doesn't affect you now it will sometime in the next year.  You'll find yourself filling out a decklist at some event and you'll actually ask yourself - does Big Greenie/White Weenie really describe what I'm trying to do?  Or better yet, you'll wonder about whether or not you really want to use the cutesy name you came up with on camera when you pull a dark horse and get to the Top 8.   Anything is possible.

And when I win with my Fred deck at some major event, most of you will understand.  Except for those Pros that think this matters - the ones who do can go pound sand.  It's my deck, and I'll party with it however I want to.

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The list below is incomplete, but if you feel any difficulty in coming up with a name that is suitable for event coverage you could do worse than start here.  Anyone who is interested in a full sized .pdf or would like to see some terms added, then please email me with "DECK NAMES" in the subject line.



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Reblogs, Retweets, & Mentions of all kinds are appreciated - as an independent writer I'm only read when others like what they see and share with their friends.  

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Sometimes, you just get lucky...

So a few weeks ago (before he was grounded for reasons), my younger son Jacob and I were at a Friday Night Magic Draft held in our LGS.  I've been helping with the drafts recently in my quest to become an L1, but this story isn't about me.

No, this is about one 12 year, a Theros draft, and his march to have his first 5-0 night.  Sounds promising?  Well read on...

From Humble Beginnings
Jacob rarely turns in better than a 2-3 performance.  He's hit a wall in his drafting.  Improving his skills is something he and I talk about occasionally.  Most often, we spend some time reviewing some of the latest strategies handed down by the great Limited Resources podcast.  For those that don't listen to Marshall and Brian, I'm sorry.  Actually, I'm not.  It's your loss and you can live your life the way you want.  I won't judge you.  I'll just hope that you're in my pod when we get to draft.

This night was no different from any other.  Angels didn't drop out of the sky to ordain him.  A gypsy woman didn't stop and glare meaningfully at us.  Weird, alien looking green men didn't circle our house in a freakish space ship.  Rather, Jacob and I piled into my truck and started our path to the store as we do any other Friday night.  On the way, I was determined to repeat some of the wisdom I had picked up that week listening to Limited Resources.  We talked a bit about what colors are strong and what some key cards are in the format.  I was trying to keep things both simple for Jacob and also educational - pointing him in a direction that I thought played to his strengths.

I know that BREAD was also a topic of conversation that evening (and how do I know? - because almost every conversation about drafting includes it).  BREAD (Bombs, Removal, Evasion, Aggro, Duds) is the lifeblood of picking cards in any draft or designing a sealed pool deck for play.  We haven't gone much deeper than BREAD and color philosophies in a given block.  When talking about BREAD, I try and focus on reminding him that using it correctly gives him a fighting chance.  Even with my pep talk and new wisdom to share about colors in this draft, I was worried about how he'd approach his draft that evening.

The reason is Jacob had reached that point where for him, he felt there was little left to discover in Theros draft.  I could tell by talking with him that he was almost as confident as he becomes when looking at a draft format.  I could also tell that he had reached that dangerous point many of us reach - that he was in danger of becoming bored with it.  When one becomes bored of a thing (a game format, surfing big waves, or whatever your thrill is), it is easy to lose respect of that thing.  And that is when it reaches up and bites you in the backside.

Prepwork Makes it Easy
When we were both first learning to draft, I was watching other people as much as I was trying to figure out what two color combos were most dangerous.  Before you all going off half cocked and screaming at me in the comments section, let me clarify.  I wasn't cheating.  I was most definitely respectful of other players as they made selections.  Rather, I was watching for tricks and steps that would make it easier for Jacob and I to focus more on drafting and less on mana, tokens, and other garbage.

So when Jacob arrived that night, he was as ready as I could make him.  Sure, he has to take care of his stuff, but we both have the following (thanks to Bank of Dad, where all gamers get their start):

  • 1 Fat Pack box
  • 150 sleeves of the same make and color
  • About 100 lands (twenty of each color), sleeved in 2/3rds of the sleeves
  • Tokens (some of mine are sleeved to accommodate my OCD)
  • Dice/Counters
  • A method to count life
He'll also have a few other items as will I.  His bag often includes something to drink, perhaps a snack, some trades and his favorite playmat.  Depending on his mood, he'll either have his EDH deck or his current super-jank standard deck.  This kit hasn't changed since the second or third time we drafted.  Sure, his sleeves have been replaced.  He's even updated the Fat Pack box.  But truth is, this is as near to perfect as I can make it for him.  I still have yet to see a better or easier setup than what we use.

Why is this great?  Our setup allows us the maximum amount of time needed to decide how to build our decks.  Neither of us goes to time.  We always have a nice, comfortable margin left over after we've completed making our picks.  This is most beneficial when our draft goes sideways halfway into our picks.  It gives us the maximum time left on the clock to figure out how to build an optimum deck.

After you here about his draft though...you'll realize that he needed all of five minutes.  And three of those were spent looking at his cool loot.

The Draft to End All Drafts
Let's get it out of the way.  Pack 1, pick 1 was the Foil Anax and Cymede.  Spare the melodrama about him picking a dual color card first in a draft format that isn't based on a two color system.  Anytime you can grab an Anax and Cymede as your first pick, it's rarely the wrong thing to do.

He went red from there, picking up some choice cards.

Pack 2, pick 1 was the Stormbreath Dragon.  At this point, he knew that he was Red and likely white.  But when people are passing you Skullcleavers and Lightening Strikes, you practically can't go any other way.

Pack 3, pick 1 was the Spear.  Pick 2?  The Titan.

You just can't make this stuff up.  And yes, he ended up with a playset of Skullcleavers and Lightning Strikes.  For those interested, his complete draft list will be at the end of the article.  I'm just sorry I couldn't tell you specifically what order he received all of these picks.  To say he was happy following the draft was an understatement.  Was it 'perfect'?  Probably not.  But it was as close as most of us will get.

Integrity
No one needs to know how he beat one opponent after another that night.  No one needs to hear the step-by-step dismantling he handed out to player after player.  And for certain no one needs to hear about how one of his victims played me in a match-up towards the end, destroyed me in two, then looked at me and said, "Consider that payback for Jacob beating me earlier tonight."  (Yes this did happen folks.  Truth is stranger than fiction).

What you need to hear is that Jacob reached the big table.  Game 5, the last one of the night, he and one other player were undefeated.  The other player was twice Jacob's age, weight, and and probably three to four times the experience looked him right in the eye when they first sat down and offered a draw.  He knew that Jacob had a bonkers deck and quite frankly didn't really want to play against it.

At first, Jacob was a little bit confused.  Understandably so, given this was the first time he'd ever been offered a draw.  His opponent explained, fairly, that a draw meant that neither would win, but then neither would lose.  Given the position of the rest of the field, they'd both end up on top for the night.  No mention was made of splitting prizes.  My kid is no dolt though and got it right away - and he also understood that at most he was probably throwing away two packs.

Jacob only thought about it for a moment but said, "No, I want to play."  Running through his mind were two things - his deck was fabulous and he wanted to be 5-0, not 4-0-1.  I could see it.

Game one, his opponent came out of the gates fast running a more white/red deck (Jacob's deck was more red than white).  Jacob had difficulty finding a mountain, and it was all over.  Game 2?  Same story in reverse. Jacob manhandled his opponent.  Before he started game 3, I looked at him and said I was proud of him so far, and no matter what he was coming home with a decent amount of prizes.

Game 3?  It was longer than both of the first games put together.  But in the end, Jacob lost due to an inability to put together the right mana base.  Variance happens.

Truth Is...
I know a truth though about that night.

Jacob didn't lose.  Sure, technically he lost the last match.  But that night he was special.  He was on fire.  He saw that it was possible to do amazingly well, and he handled it in a mature manner.  The best part for him wasn't the draft.  It wasn't finding a way to 2-0 nearly all of his opponents.  It was from where I sat, his standing up and stating, "No, I'm want to play."

That my friends, is a victory.


Jacob's TOTALLY BRUTAL R/W Theros Draft
Creatures
1 Akroan Crusader
1 Akroan Hoplite
1 Anax and Cymede (Foil)
2 Arena Athelete
1 Borderland Minotaur
1 Cavalry Pegasus
1 Favored Hoplite
1 Deathbellow Raider
4 Minotaur Skullcleaver
1 Stormbreath Dragon
1 Titan of Eternal Fire
1 Traveling Philosopher
16 Total

Spells
4 Lightning Strike
1 Rage of Purphoros
1 Spark Jolt
1 Spear of Heliod
7 Total

Lands
9 Mountains
8 Plains

Sideboard
1 Breaching Hippocamp
1 Crackling Triton
1 Decorated Griffin
2 Ephara's Warden
1 Evangel of Heliod
2 Fleshmad Steed
2 Lagonna-Band Elder
2 Last Breath
1 Psychic Intrusion
1 Rescue from the Underworld
1 Scourgemark
1 Thassa's Bounty
1 Traveling Philosopher