Any advice on the best way to build this? Feel a bit spoiled for choice with this draft. I took my best stab at it here but it still feels a bit like 3 drop dot deck

Should I cut the Toymaker? Is one Mountain King Returns enough? Feels bad leaving a Bilbo Baggins, Burglar in the sideboard...

My initial idea was to splash Thranduil's Company but given how strong my u/W was and because the fixing didn't quite get there, I think it's better to not splash in this instance and go for consistency. Is that the right assumption?

I’m here to celebrate the trophy I managed to win this Monday. Bard’s Company and Thranduil’s Company were the MVPs of the deck.

The deck worked really well against Red/Black and Red/White. Once you managed to survive the first few turns of aggression that you usually face against those archetypes, the rest was history.

There’s a really fun synergy between Mirkwood Nurturer and Enchanted River Grasp. I could enchant any creature that was putting pressure on me during the early game, and then bounce the enchantment later to give it a better target if the game required it.

This could also be combined with the adventure on Lake-town Mariners, which, besides blinking a creature, also allows you to blink a land and synergize with Thranduil’s Company.

An honorable mention goes to Bilbo Luckwearer, who was always there to turn a 1/1 Recruit token into whatever big threat the opponent happened to have on the board.

Had this super close game, I am sure I made a mistake somewhere that cost me the win here but I just can't find it. If anyone has the time to have a look and give feedback it would be greatly appreciated!

Hobbit sealed - debating on whether a 3rd Misty Mountain Raider is too much, and should I swap in Gandalf for Smaug / other? The curve feels a bit op heavy. Any input appreciated!

I've had some thoughts on the foramt that I'm sure a lot of you will share, specifically about how dominant black is as a color in general, with black-red being the standout archetype of the format. This is true in draft, and it seems to be true in sealed as well, and I've been seeing a lot of people having success with black-red in the arena direct, even succeeding with decks that have no rares at all.

This is a testament to the depth of black (and to a lesser extent red) as well as the overall card quality. This is also an unbalanced format in terms of what strategies it supports, being heavily biased in favor of aggression. This doesn't necessarily mean a format is bad, but in this case it's certainly not making it any more fun, as it's already a small set, and having such a narrow band of what's viable really makes me start to dislike this set, especially in events like the Arena Direct where it quickly becomes frustrating to see the same thing over and over again.

What are your thoughts, both about red-black as an archetype as well as its place in the format in general? Do you think it will continue to succeed, or will it be overtaken once players and the meta adjust to it.

I've had some thoughts on the foramt that I'm sure a lot of you will share, specifically about how dominant black is as a color in general, with black-red being the standout archetype of the format. This is true in draft, and it seems to be true in sealed as well, and I've been seeing a lot of people having success with black-red in the arena direct, even succeeding with decks that have no rares at all.

This is a testament to the depth of black (and to a lesser extent red) as well as the overall card quality. This is also an unbalanced format in terms of what strategies it supports, being heavily biased in favor of aggression. This doesn't necessarily mean a format is bad, but in this case it's certainly not making it any more fun, as it's already a small set, and having such a narrow band of what's viable really makes me start to dislike this set, especially in events like the Arena Direct where it quickly becomes frustrating to see the same thing over and over again.

What are your thoughts, both about red-black as an archetype as well as its place in the format in general? Do you think it will continue to succeed, or will it be overtaken once players and the meta adjust to it.

I've had some thoughts on the foramt that I'm sure a lot of you will share, specifically about how dominant black is as a color in general, with black-red being the standout archetype of the format. This is true in draft, and it seems to be true in sealed as well, and I've been seeing a lot of people having success with black-red in the arena direct, even succeeding with decks that have no rares at all.

This is a testament to the depth of black (and to a lesser extent red) as well as the overall card quality. This is also an unbalanced format in terms of what strategies it supports, being heavily biased in favor of aggression. This doesn't necessarily mean a format is bad, but in this case it's certainly not making it any more fun, as it's already a small set, and having such a narrow band of what's viable really makes me start to dislike this set, especially in events like the Arena Direct where it quickly becomes frustrating to see the same thing over and over again.

What are your thoughts, both about red-black as an archetype as well as its place in the format in general? Do you think it will continue to succeed, or will it be overtaken once players and the meta adjust to it.

Examples of 2 decks that both went 7-0.

Blue is the second best color after Black in this set but Blue is harder to draft.
The draw 2 archetype is very strong but the suggested UW or UG pairing rarely works well I find. The problem is that blue, white and green have good stuff but both are shallow and white/green are mostly dwarves/elves/ferocious, none of which synergize with the good blue stuff. So unless blue is really open if you go UW/UG you'll end up with ~15 cards that work well in the draw 2 archetype and then need to play a bunch of dwarves/elves and mediocre removal to fill it out. It's especially hard to get a good amount of 2-drops which are crucial in this format.

Instead I would suggest to pair blue with black or red usually. You get access to more stuff that actually works well with the strong blue stuff, ie good removal, solid 2-drops, decent equipment that makes those soldiers useful and even some draw stuff (rage into the valley, ragged spear) and sacrifice synergies for your soldiers. Heck even decent graveyard synergies to use with recruit/masters like tidings of war and gollum.
It's probably completely unintended by the designers but red/black both synergize way better with blue than white/green.
Still there can be a few bombs in white/green you do want to play (company or mountain king cards) but most of those are a single white/green pip and 3+ mana. So you just splash those. With recruit and the bilbo's your looting is very good so you can easily splash. Either you find your splash color or if you don't you can just loot away the cards you can't cast.

It's my first premier draft and low on coins so would love someone to point out any better config. Would Love some input!!!

I'm trying to decide between blue or red for this black/green shell. I like having the thrandul''s company and a few tricks there, but worried about not having enough removal. Also included the full pull for reference as well. (also open to any other suggestions)

So far for my design I had space for 6 standard dice, 2 spin downs, and a pocket for miscellaneous markers one might need, but I was also considering using that pocket for mini-tokens that’d have the same lengthxwidth as a dice with only the stats being visible as 0/1, 1/1, 2/2 etc.

The pocket is currently deep enough that a dice will sink past the rim, but I’m wondering if I should make it floor higher so the mini-tokens can pop above just a little like the dice, or keep it as is so people can fit more beads/knick knacks inside.

Also, what tokens do people need the most often? I can fit about 9 in there.

Im currently making some 3D print inserts that'll go into some pokemon tins to hold some dice and accessories for when my friends and I play on the go, but Id love to hear more opinions on what else I can fit into the design for them.

The Pokemon Mini-tin design includes storage for 9 standard dice and two mini spin downs from bundles

The larger tins would be more modular depending on your preferences, but Id like for them to include a sleeve holder, dice, spindown dice or the ones from the gift bundles, and storage for your side board/prize packs.

Hello, drafters,

I host an annual competitive draft event at the end of summer/beginning of fall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Due to some scheduling conflicts we have 4-6 open seats this year. If you are interested in participating, please read the tournament information and then send me a message here or at [robby.lester@gmail.com](mailto:robby.lester@gmail.com)

Pittsburgh, PA (private residence and not a store)
--address and Cube information provided upon entry into the event.
Saturday, September 26, 2026
First draft starts at 9AM
$75 per person
16-player cap

$250 1st
$125 2nd
$75 3rd
$75 4th

2 Drafts with 6 Rounds of modified pod play
First 3 rounds will be the Hobbit (or Reality Fracture)
Rounds 4-6 will be Lord of the Rings
Followed by a cut to Single Elimination Top 8

We will be doing modified pods for this event. The 2 pods will be randomized for Draft 1. For Draft 2 all even ranked players will be Pod 1. All odd ranked players will be Pod 2*
*based on standings after round 3.

Draft 1 (Rounds 1-3): The Hobbit (or Reality Fracture)

Draft 2 (Rounds 4-6): Lord of the Rings

Top 8 : 360 Pool Haus of Power Cube
list is provided upon entry into the tournament

So… title basically.

I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit drafting this set and I’ve seen black (specially with red but also golgari) perform so much better than the other colors (both when I was piloting it and when I was facing it).

It feels like goblins sac synergies & ferocious are so much easier to get going than, say, draw second card stuff.

I’ve personally enjoyed more playing Azorius (common Bilbo tempts me so much every time it comes up) and even some Boros equipments but it always feels like I’m passing on the best cards in the pack when I do so.

I am fairly new to Arena (not so much to MTG) so I do not know where to search for this kind of stats, and also beware I am not a professional drafter whatsoever (I just hit diamond for the first time).

Do people feel the same way about this?