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Theros Draft Guide
I've been drafting THS 3-5 times a week on MODO. My Limited rating hovers around 1850. I've been enjoying THS quite a bit (and I enjoy writing), so figured I'd share some of my experiences.
Keep in mind that no guide will tell you exactly what to pick, that comes from experience. Things like archetype, curve, needs, etc. all push certain picks higher or lower, but this should help give you a general idea.
The most logical way to break things down is by color, so we will start there.
Blue
Blue is the most powerful color in THS limited. It has access to three of the strongest commons in the set and goes well with nearly any partner color (I prefer them in this order, black, white, green, red).
If I have a choice between two reasonably powered cards early in a draft, I'll generally try and move into blue.
Top 5 Commons
1. Voyage's End
THS limited is a very tempo based format (fast attacking decks, combat tricks, enchant creatures, spending mana to grow creatures, etc). You need a way to deal with things like early Ordeals or you will often find yourself blown out quickly. With this in mind bounce is very very good in THS limited. Scry 1 is just icing on the cake.
2. Griptide
The other bounce spell. Some people prefer Tide over End, just because you are guaranteed a one for one type exchange. I find THS pretty fast, so I prefer End, but both are amazing cards. Grab them early and often.
3. Nimbus Naiad
This card is so good. A Shiv's Embrace that can be played as a 2/2 flier in a pinch and gives you a 2/2 flier when the enchanted creature dies. All at common and quite splash-able. I love putting this on mid-range green creatures, or heroic targets, etc. Depending on how your deck is looking, this is sometimes the number one pick for blue.
4. Omenspeaker
One of the best things you can be doing on turn two. Allows you to keep hands you might not have been able to otherwise. Great blocker for those fast decks and even a nice Ordeal target with that 3 toughness. Occasionally if you have good early plays, you can hold onto this gal as Scry gets better the more you know about the game.
5. Wavecrash Triton
It was between this and Chim Chimey (Prescient Chimera). Depends on what kind of deck you are running, but I really like
Wavecrash Triton. Nice toughness and locks down opponents best creatures.
Honorable Mentions
Prescient Chimera shows you how good blue is, that this didn't even make the T5.
Aqueous Form triggers heroic, Scry 1, and on a big creature ends the game quickly.
Vaporkin I don't value him as highly as some. He can't stop the fast decks and one toughness means even with early Ordeals he still gets gunned down pretty easily. Worth picking up with mid picks, but don't waste early picks on him.
Annul I rarely main deck these, but decent SB card to pickup late.
Uncommons
Triton Tactics - Tic Tac is one of the best Uncommons in the set, almost always a beating; double heroic trigger, nice toughness gain, lock down creatures, all for just one flippping blue mana. Love this card.
Sea God's Revenge I'm not as high on this card as some, but in the right situation this can be quite a blowout. I'd still take the Top 3 blue commons over this.
Horizon Scholar I like this guy, 4/4 flier, Scry 2. He costs a lot, but worth a mid pick in my mind.
Thassa's Emissary I consider this the 3rd Best Emissary (White and Black coming before it). I often play it just for its body and then its great to Aqueous Form or Nimbus Naiad it on the next turn. Good card, worth a fairly early pick, but I don't value it over the T3 blue commons.
Ordeal of Thassa I pick Ordeals pretty high. If your opponent doesn't have an answer you can win games quickly with an all in strategy. Blue has some decent targets (Omenspeaker, Vaporkin, Wavecrash Triton) and drawing cards is nice. Also of course triggers Heroic. All of these make the blue Ordeal an excellent early pick.
White
When I first started drafting THS I found myself in white a lot. I've come down on it over time (and it seems over drafted in most my drafts), but white still has some great stuff. Many people consider U/W Heroic one of the best decks in the format and I've won a few drafts with fast Boros decks.
Top 5 Commons
1. Wingsteed Rider
Everyone knows by now that this is the best white common in the set (and it happens to be better than any of the white Uncommons). So many ways to grow him, he almost always ends up like a 6/6 flier, not bad for 1WW. One of the more broken things you can be doing in THS draft is turn 3 Rider, followed by turn 4 Hopeful Eidolon. 4/4 Flying Lifelinkers are decent I hear.
2. Hopeful Eidolon
A little mini Unflinching Courage. Almost never cast him for his body, consider him a 4 drop enchantment when looking at your curve.
3. Gods Willing
I think I value this card higher than most, but I want at least 2 (even have played up to 4) in most decks. Triggers Heroic, can be a huge tempo swing/blowout, and sometimes pushes through that last bit of damage that you need. When the opponent goes for that timely Griptide or Lightning Strike and you calmly cast Gods Willing its a nice feeling.
4. Observant Alseid
I don't consider him one of the best bestow creatures, but a very respectable card. I wouldn't consider this a reason to be white, but if you are already white, then hes worth a decent pick.
5. Chosen by Heliod
White loves Heroic and this triggers Heroic and replaces itself, all while boosting toughness. Not as good as Dragon Mantle, but better than Scourgemark or Fate Foretold.
Honorable Mentions
Divine Verdict Decent removal, but a smart opponent will see the 4 mana up and won't attack. Then they can develop their board state while you have to decide if its worth keeping the 4 mana up again.
Ray of Dissolution Lot of good targets, I'm always willing to run one main board or have some for the SB.
Last Breath Can help against those fast decks, good against things like Keepsake Gorgon too. I often find I just don't have room main deck for these.
Scholar of Athreos Not as bad as I originally though. If you are W/B and need a few cards, try running her, shes actually playable.
Uncommons
Heliod's Emissary I consider this the best Emissary. I'd take this over everything but Rider and perhaps Eidolon.
Dauntless Onslaught I'm not the biggest fan of this. In the right deck its good and you do get some blowouts, but personally I don't grab it too early.
Favored Hoplite great in those fast R/W decks. Loves a Dragon Mantle or Ordeal. Hes decent, but not amazing.
Phalanx Leader Double white and a 1/1. I've seen him be good, but I feel like he is overvalued for the most part. I don't recommend grabbing him super early and certainly not over a Rider or Eidolon.
Black
I wasn't a fan of black early on, but I'm coming around. Black doesn't have the quality of removal that it usually does, but makes up for it in other areas. I really like Blue/Black (Shipwreck Singer!) and I seem to have a knack for opening Ashiok (even though its only helped me win a game maybe one time ).
Top 5 Commons
1. Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Pretty easy here. First pick-able, these are pretty much how you win with heavy black. If you don't have 2-3 of these, you probably shouldn't be heavy black. Just gives great reach to finish a game and the life swing provided is just so good. The 2/4 body isn't terrible either.
2. Sip of Hemlock
Costs a lot, but can kill any big creature (Asps, etc) and the two life matters occasionally. In a format short of removal, you need these.
3. Baleful Eidolon
Not sure if this right, but death touch is very good in THS and the fact that you can bestow pushes it over the top. Just watch out for First Strike.
4. Disciple of Phenax
This ups your devotion count for your Gray's and usually comes down at a time (turn 4 or beyond) where you get to grab the best card from your opponents hand. I've heard people say this card is overrated, but hes been good both for and against me.
5. Pharika's Cure
Again not 100% sure this is right, but being able to stop a turn 2 Ordeal or kill a Wingsteed Rider are quite relevant. Life gain and slowing down fast red decks is nice too. Double black and just 2 damage are the downside. Be careful not to get blown out with a trick when you cast this (maybe don't wait for your opponent to untap ).
Honorable Mentions
Blood-Toll Harpy Decent flier, always happy to see him coming around mid to late when I'm black.
Lash of the Whip some value this higher. It is decent instant speed removal, but a lot it won't kill for the cost.
Cavern Lampad I've come to like this more and more. Helps push through damage and then let the Gray finish them off.
Read the Bones Some value this very high. It can be great against or in the right deck. If your opponent is playing a fast deck (and you will see lots of them), they certainly aren't scared when your first play of the game is a T3 Read the Bones.
Scourgemark Black doesn't have a ton of Heroic, but still a nice card to stick on a black flier like Insatiable Harpy.
Viper's Kiss worth grabbing late. Lot of one toughness creatures, shuts down Voyaging Satyrs too.
Uncommons
Erebos's Emissary one of the best Emissary. I grab this guy pretty high (probably not over Gray, but everything else).
Insatiable Harpy not sure about this guy. Ups devotion and life link, but not a real powerful play on turn 4.
Keepsake Gorgon one of the reasons to be black. So good, first pick-able pretty much. This or Gray? Hmmmm.
Mogis's Marauder I'm up on this guy right now. Generally save him for late game and he'll push through that last damage you need for the win.
Ordeal of Erebos All the Ordeals are insane and this one is so exception. Black has a few decent targets, so get yours early.
Rescue from the Underworld In magical Christmas land you do something crazy with this and Gray Merchant. I'm not sure what to say about this card, I almost never take it, but I've seen it used a few times successfully. I dont think an early pick by any means.
Tormented Hero I've come down on this a bit. Black generally isn't all in aggro (sometimes with Red). And if you aren't, then a 2/1 quickly becomes irrelevant and the Heroic trigger is just okay. Can be good with Ordeals and fast R/B decks, but otherwise don't waste too early a pick.
Cutthroat Maneuver Not a fan of this, never take this early/mid.
Green
I'm a green fan. Some consider green the weakest color, but green is very deep and splashes well with almost anything. It might not have the most powerful cards, but it does have a lot of good stuff. U/G is one of my favorite decks in THS.
Top 5 Commons
1. Nessian Asp
Pretty easy one for me. Big creature, fair mana cost and reach (which I seem to forget and attack into brilliantly). Also the monstrous is quite reasonably costed as well. 8/9s with reach are just plain hard to deal with.
2. Leafcrown Dryad
Very good bestow card. I've seen games won just by dropping him turn 4 on something like a Nessian Courser. Reach is a nice bonus to have in this format.
3. Voyaging Satyr
Some have this down as the best green common. Hard to argue with green ramp, but Satyr doesn't win games like Asp. Still a great early pick for green. Generally want 2 to 3 of these in a deck with some nice 5 and 6 drops.
4. Time to Feed
One of the nice removal spells in the format and since greens creatures are usually the biggest you often win the fight. The life gain is relevant too. I never seem to end up with these as I always find a card I want more, but I probably should start prioritizing these a little more as they are quite good.
5. Nessian Courser
I think this is right, hes just a very solid mid-range type creature. Outclasses all of the vanilla 2 drops and many of the three drops. Decent target for Leafcrown Dryads, Feral Invocation, Nimbus Naiad and even an early Time to Feed.
Honorable Mentions
Staunch-Hearted Warrior Not a fan of this guy. When my opponent taps 4 mana and casts this I'm usually pretty happy (especially if I have bounce or a Lightning Strike in hand). He can work out okay if you get lucky, but definitely not worth an early pick.
Sedge Scorpion Deathtouch is very good in THS. Works with Time to Feed as well. I considered him for T5, but he dies to things like Spark Jolt and Viper's Kiss. Also first strike against Red can be tough.
Agent of Horizons I like this guy in U/G. Not an early pick, but get them mid to late.
Feral Invocation Nice to stick on mid-range type creatures. Usually worth getting one.
Nylea's Disciple Decent, life gain against aggro decks can be game changing. Not an early pick or a reason to be green, but playable.
Shredding Winds Excellent SB card for those Wingsteed Ridres.
Uncommons
Nemesis of Mortals Mini Tombstalker. I really like this guy and take him very early, maybe even over Asp.
Artisan's Sorrow I like this card, lot of targets and Scry 2. I main deck one occasionally.
Centaur Battlemaster Again not a fan, just too slow and the best decks will have killed you or have Voyages End or Griptide.
Hunt the Hunter Nice SB for those other bastards that were cutting you off green.
Karametra's Acolyte Not a high pick in my book.
Nylea's Emissary Worst of the Emissarys, still its okay, not worth an early pick.
Ordeal of Nylea Worst of the Ordeals, but they are still insane, I still grab this one early.
Red
I feel like Red is the weakest color, but that being said I have won quite a few drafts with all in aggro strategies. People just don't seem ready for an all out attack. Red also has the best removal spell in Lightning Strike. If you don't have Strikes or Magma Jets (or a bomb), you need to ask yourself, why am I red? A lot with red depends on what kind of deck you are, what your partner color is, etc.
Top 5 Commons
1. Lightning Strike
Don't really need to explain here.
2. Ill-Tempered Cyclops
Says something about Red that this comes second. Its a good card, but doesn't seem game changing in the format.
3. Dragon Mantle
I really like Dragon Mantle, for just one measly red mana, trigger Heroic, replace itself and gives a creature Fire Breathing.
4. Rage of Purphoros
Not sure this is right. Not the greatest removal, just doesn't hit enough, sorcery speed and over costed.
5. Spearpoint Oread
The weakest of the bestow creatures and depending on my deck, I won't take this guy very high.
Honorable Mentions
Akroan Crusader guy is a decent one drop in all out aggro deck with enough Heroic. Should be able to get them late.
Deathbellow Raider very good card for the aggro decks. Some combat tricks or enchantments to power him up help. Usually can get him mid to late.
Two-Headed Cerberus Double strike is one of my favorite abilities in Magic. If you have a way to make him bigger, then he can be decent. Again not an early pick, they come around mid/late.
Titan's Strength Decent combat trick, I like 1-2 of these in most my red decks.
Minotaur Skullcleaver I like him in the aggro decks, not amazing (sensing a theme), but can be good in the right situation.
Spark Jolt I try to make sure and get 1 to 2 of these. Lot of creatures with 1 toughness or helps push through an Omen Speaker that is blocking your Raider. Also Scry for Flamespeaker, etc. Kind of a SB card, but can main deck one occasionally.
Uncommons
Magma Jet - Best red uncommon, get them quick.
Ordeal of Purphoros I take that back, this might be better than Magma Jet. Get them early too.
Flamespeaker Adept I'm a fan, need ways to Scry of course, but 4/3 first strike for 3 is great.
Stoneshock Giant Very good midrange creature that lets you finish someone off, I pick them up fairly early if I think I'm going to have that kind of deck.
Purphoros's Emissary Solid card like all the Emissarys , but rarely a first or second pick.
Arena Athlete I like this guys, often a mid pick for me.
Coordinated Assault One of my favorite combat tricks for the fast decks. Also lets you gets around Deathtouch.
Fanatic of Mogis Hes okay, but nothing too amazing. He doesn't have the reach of Gray Merchant. Don't waste a pick on him too early.
Peak Eruption I'm crazy and sb these in against red players, never pick them unless its a very late pick.
Gold
Now I will attempt to rank the Gold uncommons. You rarely want to pick them too early since its putting you in two colors, but a few of them are quite good. You can often get them late if no one else is in your color combination.
1. Battlewise Hoplite
U/W Heroic decks are quite good and this guy is a reason why. Grows very fast and you get to Scry. Maybe not as good as Wingsteed Rider, but hes close. This is worth an early pick.
2. Shipwreck Singer
U/B is a great color combination and this guy is a very nice addition. He picks off weenies and forces your opponent to make unfavorable attacks. Again worth an early pick.
3. Akroan Hoplite
Hes very good in the fast Boros decks. I underrated him initially, but worst case he is a 2/2 for 2 attacking and generally much better. Mid to early pick in the right deck.
4. Sentry of the Underworld
W/B doesn't seem like a common color combination, but when you are this is a very good card. I've seen him come around quite late, so don't rush to grab him.
5. Kragma Warcaller
I feel like he could be lower. I've seen the Minotaur deck work occasionally, but never played with it myself.
6. Pharika's Mender
I think this ones next, decent body and bring back a nice creature, not bad.
7. Spellheart Chimera
I like this guy and he can be good, but its pretty situational. I had a game where I double Voyage's Ended two Asps, Lightning strike and Spark Jolt to the face and finished my opponent off with this guy (he was like 6 power at that point). If you are Red/Blue with Instants, then yeah grab him.
8. Chronicler of Heroes
I've never seen this guy be that good. Best case a 3/3 for 3 and a card is nice, but seems harder to pull of then it should be.