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Shards of Alara draft walkthrough (4 color)

This walkthrough is about the good kind of 4-color. The kind you plan around pick 2-3, grab the best bombs in the packs and smash head. Of course, after this one, I’ve had the worst 4-color draft ever, barely having 21 playables over four colors!

Let’s see what made this draft so good.



Prince of ThrallsRhox War MonkJungle ShrinePuppet ConjurerSkeletal KathariJund PanoramaDruid of the AnimaGustrider ExuberantSoul's GraceCancelJhessian LookoutKnight of the Skyward EyeHindering LightAngelsong

Spoiler:

The monk is a stronger card, leaving a clear signal to the guy I’m feeding – take Prince of Thrals and play my opposite colors. Then feed me well in the 2nd pack!

My pick:
Rhox War Monk


Pick 2

Cruel UltimatumScourge DevilRockslide ElementalLightning TalonsObelisk of Grixis
Goblin DeathraidersObelisk of NayaBloodpyre ElementalMagma SprayVolcanic Submersion
Oblivion RingGustrider ExuberantTortoise Formation

Spoiler:

Great! Cruel ultimatum is just what I needed to keep the signaling going. I take the ring and let several people I’m feeding fight over red.

My pick:
Oblivion Ring


Pick 3

Sphinx SovereignMetallurgeonEsper BattlemageAngel's HeraldSteward of Valeron
Resounding WaveSteelclad SerpentBanewasp AfflictionObelisk of JundUndead Leotau
Cloudheath DrakeGustrider Exuberant

Spoiler:

I’m wondering if the guy who’se feeding me is sending me into Esper instead of Bant. Thinking of 4 color at this point, since my first pick is really good. We’ll see how the signals turn out.

My pick:
Sphinx Sovereign


Pick 4

Grixis BattlemageRockcaster PlatoonSphinx's HeraldGodtoucherCavern Thoctar
Akrasan SquireSigil BlessingCathartic AdeptWelkin GuideAngelsong
Yoked Plowbeast

Spoiler:

The squire could be less good than Sigil Blessing, depending on the situation, but it fits both my possible decks.

My pick:
Akrasan Squire


Pick 5

Gather SpecimensBehemoth's HeraldProtomatter PowderMighty EmergenceSoul's Might
Tortoise FormationRakeclaw GargantuanShore SnapperGoblin MountaineerCourier's Capsule

Spoiler:

No other useful card here. I usually aim for capsules strictly when playing Esper because it combos well, but it’s playable in Bant as well.

My pick:
Courier's Capsule


Pick 6

Protomatter PowderMetallurgeonGoblin MountaineerWaveskimmer AvenCancel
Cathartic AdeptDruid of the AnimaShore SnapperLightning Talons

Spoiler:

At this point I haven’t picked any green card in a while, so I’m trying to build the Esper deck. Metallurgeon can also regenerate my huge sphinx!

My pick:
Metallurgeon


Pick 7

SwerveBant BattlemageGoblin MountaineerMarble ChaliceVolcanic Submersion
Jhessian LookoutWaveskimmer AvenLightning Talons

Spoiler:

Nothing here, so I take this thinking 4-color / splash.

My pick:
Waveskimmer Aven


Pick 8

Protomatter PowderRidge RannetLush GrowthRakeclaw GargantuanExcommunicate
Druid of the AnimaWelkin Guide

Spoiler:

This time I’m happy to take the druid. At this point it is starting to look like a Bant with a splash of black – notice besides the Sphinx I haven’t a single black card.

My pick:
Druid of the Anima


Pick 9

Gustrider ExuberantSoul's GraceCancelJhessian LookoutHindering Light
Angelsong

Spoiler:

My pick:
Hindering Light


Pick 10

Lightning TalonsObelisk of NayaVolcanic SubmersionGustrider ExuberantTortoise Formation

Spoiler:

My pick:
Obelisk of Naya


Pick 11

Angel's HeraldSteelclad SerpentBanewasp AfflictionGustrider Exuberant

Spoiler:

My pick:
Steelclad Serpent


Pick 12

Sphinx's HeraldGodtoucherCathartic Adept

Spoiler:

My pick:
Sphinx's Herald


Pick 13

Soul's MightTortoise Formation

Spoiler:

My pick:
Soul's Might


Pick 14

Cathartic Adept

Pack 2

Pick 1

Ranger of EosTidehollow ScullerAlgae GharialDemon's HeraldVectis Silencers
Gift of the GargantuanBone SplintersResounding ScreamAkrasan SquireSighted-Caste Sorcerer
Goblin MountaineerBloodthorn TaunterJungle WeaverRip-Clan Crasher

Spoiler:

This is the first time I got to utilize Ranger of Eos. Remember I already have one squire, and this is just the start of pack 2. With a couple of squires in the deck, this card is a powerhouse.

My pick:
Ranger of Eos


Pick 2

Punish IgnoranceNaya CharmNecrogenesisObelisk of BantLightning Talons
Blister BeetleCathartic AdeptVolcanic SubmersionCylian ElfBlightning
CancelShadowfeedObelisk of Grixis

Spoiler:

The beetle is less powerful than Necrogenesis, but Necro is two of my splash colors and I don’t have much removal.

My pick:
Blister Beetle


Pick 3

Lich's MirrorDawnray ArcherNaya CharmObelisk of JundElvish Visionary
CancelCloudheath DrakeObelisk of NayaDeathgreeterAkrasan Squire
Lush GrowthAngelsong

Spoiler:

Contemplated the drake, but the archer won.

My pick:
Dawnray Archer


Pick 4

ScourglassRockcaster PlatoonBehemoth's HeraldBant CharmSteelclad Serpent
AngelsongComa VeilDispeller's CapsuleSkeletal KathariBant Panorama
Lush Growth

Spoiler:

Nice, Scourglass pick 4! Guess my neighbours did indeed bicker on red.

My pick:
Scourglass


Pick 5

Tower GargoyleLush GrowthYoked PlowbeastSkeletal KathariSanctum Gargoyle
Goblin MountaineerShadowfeedViscera DraggerHindering LightWaveskimmer Aven

Spoiler:

The goodness keeps flowing.

My pick:
Tower Gargoyle


Pick 6

Cradle of VitalitySigiled PaladinShore SnapperCarrion ThrashElvish Visionary
Incurable OgreVectis SilencersCourier's CapsuleMarble Chalice

Spoiler:

I am 4 colors, so I thought of not taking Sigiled Paladin, but then I checked and found I’m already heavy on the white.

My pick:
Sigiled Paladin


Pick 7

Immortal CoilThoughtcutter AgentEtherium AstrolabeVectis SilencersCathartic Adept
Jhessian LookoutCancelOutrider of Jhess

Spoiler:

My pick:
Cancel


Pick 8

Jhessian InfiltratorDemon's HeraldGlaze FiendSpell SnipComa Veil
Banewasp AfflictionViashino Skeleton

Spoiler:

My pick:
Jhessian Infiltrator


Pick 9

Demon's HeraldVectis SilencersResounding ScreamSighted-Caste SorcererGoblin Mountaineer
Bloodthorn Taunter

Spoiler:

My pick:
Sighted-Caste Sorcerer


Pick 10

Lightning TalonsCathartic AdeptVolcanic SubmersionCancelShadowfeed

Spoiler:

My pick:
Cancel


Pick 11

Lich's MirrorCancelLush GrowthAngelsong

Spoiler:

My pick:
Angelsong


Pick 12

Bant CharmComa VeilLush Growth

Spoiler:

12th pick Bant Charm – this is as good a removal as any, if you’re playing the colors. Even against artifact creatuers I sometimes choose to put them on the bottom of the library, so they can’t be resurrected.

My pick:
Bant Charm


Pick 13

ShadowfeedWaveskimmer Aven

Spoiler:

My pick:
Waveskimmer Aven


Pick 14

Marble Chalice

Pack 3

Pick 1

Tar FiendRhox War MonkSprouting ThrinaxTopan AsceticViscera Dragger
Hissing IguanarLush GrowthDeathgreeterRip-Clan CrasherResounding Scream
Elvish VisionaryGlaze FiendOutrider of JhessDregscape Zombie

Spoiler:

A really tough call, as both Rhox War Monk and Topic Ascetic are excellent and in my colors. If Tar Fiend had double black I wouldn’t, but since it’s so easy on the black I pick it.

My pick:
Tar Fiend


Pick 2

Kederekt LeviathanThoughtcutter AgentSwerveCourier's CapsuleSighted-Caste Sorcerer
Obelisk of NayaWild NacatlObelisk of EsperDregscape ZombieDreg Reaver
Lightning TalonsViscera DraggerKnight of the Skyward Eye

Spoiler:

Cycles for colorless.

My pick:
Viscera Dragger


Pick 3

Topan AsceticBull CerodonEtherium AstrolabeShore SnapperCancel
ExcommunicateSoul's GraceDeathgreeterCourier's CapsuleRakeclaw Gargantuan
Bloodthorn TaunterSpell Snip

Spoiler:

So it turns out I do get an Ascetic after all :)

My pick:
Topan Ascetic


Pick 4

Empyrial ArchangelDragon's HeraldIncurable OgreSteelclad SerpentDruid of the Anima
Waveskimmer AvenDeft DuelistNaya PanoramaObelisk of GrixisNaturalize
Elvish Visionary

Spoiler:

Pick 4 Empyrial Archangel. I’ve got two 8 mana bombs now.

My pick:
Empyrial Archangel


Pick 5

Bant BattlemageEsper CharmGustrider ExuberantDragon FodderWelkin Guide
Soul's FireVolcanic SubmersionSkeletal KathariOnyx GobletObelisk of Bant

Spoiler:

I almost never pick Esper Charm.

My pick:
Obelisk of Bant


Pick 6

Titanic UltimatumQasali AmbusherDeft DuelistKnight of the Skyward EyeAkrasan Squire
Cathartic AdeptBanewasp AfflictionViashino SkeletonSpell Snip

Spoiler:

Almost took the duelist when I remembered the Ranger of Eos I took before.

My pick:
Akrasan Squire


Pick 7

Death BaronBehemoth's HeraldBant PanoramaObelisk of NayaRelic of Progenitus
Akrasan SquireObelisk of BantCourt Archers

Spoiler:

Last one I need. This way, almost surely when I play the ranger I get to bring his two lackies.

My pick:
Akrasan Squire


Pick 8

Keeper of ProgenitusFiligree SagesMetallurgeonLush GrowthBloodthorn Taunter
Akrasan SquireObelisk of Esper

Spoiler:

Obelisks are good because of my two 8-mana bombs and because I need the color diversity.

My pick:
Obelisk of Esper


Pick 9

Rhox War MonkLush GrowthDeathgreeterRip-Clan CrasherResounding Scream
Outrider of Jhess

Spoiler:

I can’t believe it, the Rhox Monk came back! Am I the only Bant player?

My pick:
Rhox War Monk


Pick 10

Thoughtcutter AgentSwerveCourier's CapsuleSighted-Caste SorcererDreg Reaver

Spoiler:

Help me get to my bombs & mana faster.

My pick:
Courier's Capsule


Pick 11

Etherium AstrolabeCancelSoul's GraceDeathgreeter

Spoiler:

My pick:
Etherium Astrolabe


Pick 12

Dragon's HeraldSteelclad SerpentWaveskimmer Aven

Spoiler:

My pick:
Waveskimmer Aven


Pick 13

Gustrider ExuberantWelkin Guide

Spoiler:

My pick:
Welkin Guide


Pick 14

Viashino Skeleton

* This walkthrough was created by Create Your Own Magic Draft Walkthrough


The deck I played:

15 Lands

  • 3 swamps
  • 3 islands
  • 3 forests
  • 6 plains

18 Creatures

  • 2 Rhox War Monks
  • 1 Sphinx Sovereign
  • 1 Empyrial Angel
  • 1 Tower Gargyole
  • 1 Ranger of Eos
  • 1 Tar Fiend
  • 1 Topan Ascetic
  • 1 Jhessian Infiltrator
  • 1 Dawnray Archer
  • 1 Sigiled Paladin
  • 1 Blister Beetle
  • 1 Druid of the Anima
  • 1 Sighted-Cast Sorcerer
  • 1 Viscera Dragger
  • 3 Arkasan Squir

7 Spells

  • 1 Oblivion Ring
  • 1 Bant Charm
  • 2 Courier Capsules
  • 1 Obelisk of Bant
  • 1 Obelisk of Naya
  • 1 Obelisk of Esper

Both games were pieces of cake. In game 1 I got cocky after bringing my opponent to about 7 life with me having 30+ and a board of creatures. He had a few cards in his hand so I played Tar Fiend, sacced my board to get a 10/10 fiend and make him discard his hand. Next turn he Bone Splintered me! I still ended up beating him.

P.S. – I don’t think such a draft would be possible in real life, because of rare-drafting. That’s one benefit of netdraft – you draft the best deck you can, without caring about monatary costs.

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