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Shards of Alara draft walkthrough (Grixis)

Man, I never get to play Grixis. Until today, that is.


Pack 1

Pick 1

Hell's ThunderSkeletonizeNaya CharmBull CerodonVithian Stinger
Resounding ScreamCavern ThoctarBranching BoltBloodthorn TaunterComa Veil
Elvish VisionaryCourier's CapsuleVectis SilencersUndead Leotau
Spoiler:
4 strong red cards in this 4 pack - Skeletonize, Naya Charm, Bull Cerodon, and the less powerful Vithian Stinger. This gave me a strong initial feeling to stay the hell away from red, to avoid fighting over it with my neighbours. However, these was nothing in the other colors even remotely 1st pick material. And then it hit me - if I send the guys to my left Naya Charm & Bull Cerodon, at least one of them will play Naya. Naya is 2 blocks away from Grixis, even though they share a color (it's virtually impossible not to share a color with anyone in Alara). I take the highly effective Skeletonize and plan on a Grixis deck.
My pick:
Skeletonize

Pick 2

Ad NauseamThunder-Thrash ElderBant CharmGustrider ExuberantThorn-Thrash Viashino
Dregscape ZombieCathartic AdeptCavern ThoctarWindwright MageTortoise Formation
Dispeller's CapsuleVectis SilencersKnight of the Skyward Eye
Spoiler:
Drafting is always about balancing the signals you send with the signals you receive. In this pack, There were signals to Bant and Jund, but no Grixis. Nevertheless, I gambled and insisted on drafting Dregescape Zombie instead of taking the Thunder-Thrash Elder or switching to another tribe.
My pick:
Dregscape Zombie

Pick 3

Keeper of ProgenitusFire-Field OgreTidehollow StrixGoblin DeathraidersShore Snapper
Grixis PanoramaBloodpyre ElementalRakeclaw GargantuanCavern ThoctarDruid of the Anima
Gustrider ExuberantRip-Clan Crasher
Spoiler:
Success! It looks like someone to my right wants me to play Grixis after all. I take the Ogre and keep the strong Naya signals going to my left.
My pick:
Fire-Field Ogre

Pick 4

Rockcaster PlatoonGustrider ExuberantDispeller's CapsuleTortoise FormationHindering Light
Savage HungerResounding ScreamSteelclad SerpentRip-Clan CrasherSpell Snip
Dregscape Zombie
Spoiler:
Another drege. I feel more comfortable picking this one 4th than my 2nd pick.
My pick:
Dregscape Zombie

Pick 5

Crucible of FireJhessian InfiltratorScavenger DrakeShore SnapperSkeletal Kathari
Savage HungerGuardians of AkrasaVolcanic SubmersionDruid of the AnimaSteelclad Serpent
Spoiler:

My pick:
Scavenger Drake

Pick 6

Brilliant UltimatumFire-Field OgreEtherium AstrolabeSkeletal KathariResounding Wave
Cathartic AdeptGift of the GargantuanGoblin DeathraidersRelic of Progenitus
Spoiler:
Another general for the Unearth army.
My pick:
Fire-Field Ogre

Pick 7

Keeper of ProgenitusDragon's HeraldWelkin GuideVectis SilencersHissing Iguanar
Resounding RoarSpell SnipDispeller's Capsule
Spoiler:

My pick:
Hissing Iguanar

Pick 8

Memory ErosionViscera DraggerComa VeilHindering LightResounding Wave
Esper PanoramaNaturalize
Spoiler:
I usualy play the Dragger even when not in Grixis, this is my first chance at actually building a Grixis deck - of course its in it! (Note the Memory Erosion, we'll come back to it later)
My pick:
Viscera Dragger

Pick 9

Resounding ScreamCavern ThoctarBloodthorn TaunterComa VeilVectis Silencers
Undead Leotau
Spoiler:
On the other hand, I never play the leouto, it always seems out of place. But it might play better in Grixis (and there's nothing else worth considering besides Coma Veil).
My pick:
Undead Leotau

Pick 10

Gustrider ExuberantCathartic AdeptWindwright MageTortoise FormationVectis Silencers
Spoiler:
I choose the Silencers instead of hate drafting, because I'm only playing the guy 4 seats away from me. Fat chance Windwright Mage will make it all the way there.
My pick:
Vectis Silencers

Pick 11

Keeper of ProgenitusGoblin DeathraidersShore SnapperGustrider Exuberant
Spoiler:

My pick:
Goblin Deathraiders

Pick 12

Gustrider ExuberantTortoise FormationResounding Scream
Spoiler:

My pick:
Resounding Scream

Pick 13

Crucible of FireSavage Hunger
Spoiler:

My pick:
Savage Hunger

Pick 14

Cathartic Adept

Pack 2

Pick 1

Brilliant UltimatumAngelic BenedictionThoughtcutter AgentBlood CultistBlister Beetle
Viashino SkeletonWild NacatlSavage HungerResounding WaveObelisk of Bant
Glaze FiendObelisk of EsperMagma SprayBant Panorama
Spoiler:
3 options here in varying degrees of viability. Maga Spray and Blister Beetle are good cards, but I prefer the long term control of Blood Cultist.
My pick:
Blood Cultist

Pick 2

Death BaronDawnray ArcherEtherium AstrolabeSwerveCourier's Capsule
Sighted-Caste SorcererCarrion ThrashUndead LeotauOutrider of JhessSteward of Valeron
Blister BeetleRip-Clan CrasherSoul's Fire
Spoiler:
Woot, I can build the army of darkness! A quick count shows 5 zombies and skeletons already (counting the one generated by Skeletonize, of course).
My pick:
Death Baron

Pick 3

Esper CharmCrumbling NecropolisBant PanoramaResounding WaveGlaze Fiend
Hissing IguanarElvish VisionarySteelclad SerpentBlightningBranching Bolt
Kederekt CreeperBlister Beetle
Spoiler:
Not sure this way the right decision, I picked the Iguanar here even though I had 0 mana fixers so far.
My pick:
Hissing Iguanar

Pick 4

Exuberant FirestokerSunseed NurturerProtomatter PowderAgony WarpShore Snapper
Waveskimmer AvenThorn-Thrash ViashinoSkeletal KathariResounding WaveSigil Blessing
Esper Panorama
Spoiler:

My pick:
Agony Warp

Pick 5

Sunseed NurturerTortoise FormationObelisk of GrixisGustrider ExuberantObelisk of Naya
Etherium SculptorObelisk of EsperHindering LightCarrion ThrashAkrasan Squire
Spoiler:

My pick:
Obelisk of Grixis

Pick 6

Violent UltimatumRockcaster PlatoonDemon's HeraldSigiled PaladinBlister Beetle
Yoked PlowbeastOutrider of JhessKederekt CreeperDeathgreeter
Spoiler:
Finally after all the beetles I pass, I get to keep one.
My pick:
Blister Beetle

Pick 7

Cradle of VitalityFiligree SagesSwerveSkeletal KathariUndead Leotau
Viashino SkeletonCathartic AdeptWaveskimmer Aven
Spoiler:
The value of both the skeleton and the zombie in this pack is slightly increased because I have the Death Baron. I could go either way here, perhaps it was better to take the Kathari as I have only 1 flier so far!
My pick:
Undead Leotau

Pick 8

Corpse ConnoisseurBlister BeetleDispeller's CapsuleKathari ScreecherObelisk of Grixis
Esper PanoramaRelic of Progenitus
Spoiler:
This is exactly the number one reason Leotau and other Unearth creeps play so much better in Grixis.
My pick:
Corpse Connoisseur

Pick 9

Brilliant UltimatumAngelic BenedictionThoughtcutter AgentViashino SkeletonSavage Hunger
Glaze Fiend
Spoiler:

My pick:
Viashino Skeleton

Pick 10

Dawnray ArcherEtherium AstrolabeSwerveUndead LeotauOutrider of Jhess
Spoiler:
I find myself often drafting Swerve but never playing it! Probablly this means something. The usually great Dawnray Archer is just a 2/2 exalted in this deck, and I already have 2 Leotaus.
My pick:
Swerve

Pick 11

Esper CharmResounding WaveGlaze FiendSteelclad Serpent
Spoiler:

My pick:
Resounding Wave

Pick 12

Protomatter PowderShore SnapperResounding Wave
Spoiler:

My pick:
Resounding Wave

Pick 13

Tortoise FormationGustrider Exuberant
Spoiler:

My pick:
Gustrider Exuberant

Pick 14

Demon's Herald

Pack 3

Pick 1

Punish IgnoranceWoolly ThoctarInfestArcane SanctumKnight of the Skyward Eye
Resounding WaveSteelclad SerpentWindwright MageMarble ChaliceGoblin Deathraiders
Savage HungerDragon FodderVolcanic SubmersionWild Nacatl
Spoiler:
No comments.
My pick:
Infest

Pick 2

SkeletonizeExuberant FirestokerDawnray ArcherGrixis PanoramaRakeclaw Gargantuan
Shore SnapperBone SplintersYoked PlowbeastMagma SprayWelkin Guide
Relic of ProgenitusSigil BlessingSpell Snip
Spoiler:

My pick:
Skeletonize

Pick 3

Cradle of VitalityGrixis BattlemageCorpse ConnoisseurScavenger DrakeGustrider Exuberant
Outrider of JhessAngelsongDeft DuelistResounding RoarWaveskimmer Aven
Elvish VisionaryBone Splinters
Spoiler:
Another Connoisseur is tempting but I prefer the growing flier at the moment.
My pick:
Scavenger Drake

Pick 4

Sedraxis SpecterKederekt CreeperHissing IguanarTortoise FormationWelkin Guide
DeathgreeterLightning TalonsMarble ChaliceCathartic AdeptVectis Silencers
Yoked Plowbeast
Spoiler:
Lucky, being fed well from my right!
My pick:
Sedraxis Specter

Pick 5

Cradle of VitalityMighty EmergenceCourt ArchersMarble ChaliceViscera Dragger
Dragon FodderSanctum GargoyleDreg ReaverEtherium SculptorKnight of the Skyward Eye
Spoiler:

My pick:
Viscera Dragger

Pick 6

Esper BattlemageAngel's HeraldSigil BlessingBlister BeetleGustrider Exuberant
Marble ChaliceWelkin GuideCloudheath DrakeShore Snapper
Spoiler:
His black ability is the most relevant one anyway.
My pick:
Esper Battlemage

Pick 7

DrumhunterJhessian LookoutViscera DraggerAgony WarpKathari Screecher
Cylian ElfSoul's GraceComa Veil
Spoiler:
A second Agny Warp is exactly what this deck needed!
My pick:
Agony Warp

Pick 8

AngelsongResounding WaveGustrider ExuberantSkeletal KathariTortoise Formation
ShadowfeedCathartic Adept
Spoiler:
A chance for another flier that can be 4/3 if The Master is in play.
My pick:
Skeletal Kathari

Pick 9

Punish IgnoranceSteelclad SerpentWindwright MageMarble ChaliceSavage Hunger
Volcanic Submersion
Spoiler:

My pick:
Windwright Mage

Pick 10

Shore SnapperYoked PlowbeastWelkin GuideRelic of ProgenitusSpell Snip
Spoiler:
Volcanic Submerssion would have been better than hate drafting here. Or not.
My pick:
Relic of Progenitus

Pick 11

Cradle of VitalityGustrider ExuberantOutrider of JhessAngelsong
Spoiler:
I can't chance this getting to my opponent, it kills my deck.
My pick:
Outrider of Jhess

Pick 12

Tortoise FormationDeathgreeterMarble Chalice
Spoiler:

My pick:
Deathgreeter

Pick 13

Marble ChaliceDreg Reaver
Spoiler:

My pick:
Dreg Reaver

Pick 14

Marble Chalice

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

I’m rather pleased with this draft. I haven’t played Aggro in a while, and this is a chance to practice. The funny thing is I played against a rather bad deck. Game one ended in about 5 turns, with a full assult by an army of undeads lead by the Baron. In game two, surprise surprise, my opponent played Memory Erosion! Against an Unearth deck!

Most spells I played gave me additional Unearth creatures, and although it took a bit more time (I got to 10 cards in my library), he couldn’t resist the never ending parade from the grave.

Until next time,
Ron

P.S. – the decklist:

5 Spells

  • 2 Skeletonize
  • 2 Agony Warps
  • 1 Infest

18 Creatures

  • 2 Dregescape Zombies
  • 2 Fire-FIeld Ogre
  • 2 Scavenger Drakes
  • 2 Hissing Iguanars
  • 2 Viscera Draggers
  • 2 Undead Leotaus
  • Blood Cultist
  • Death Braon
  • Blister Beetle
  • Corpse Connoisseur
  • Sedraxis Specter
  • Esper Battlemage

17 Mana Sources

  • 7 Swamps
  • 5 Mountains
  • 4 Islands
  • Obelisk of Grixis

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