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WU aggro worked when I started with early Sibsig Appraisers, and then see Stormbeacon Blade and Sunpearl Kirins late. Appraiser smooths out the white based aggro plan. Humbling Elder and Ringing Strike Mastery are valuable as 1 mana tempo plays which white otherwise lacks. 11/12 #WotCStaff

This deck had solid rares. But it was less streamlined than the 5x Champ masterpiece, and often didn't compete with the power of 3+ color decks. Going forward if I start drafts with Champion of Dusans I’ll keep an eye open for if white or red happen to be the right support color. 10/12 #WotCStaff

Now for the aggro portion. Coming into the format I was very excited to build decks around Champion of Dusan. Wow did it deliver with 5x Champion leading to a mono green 7-0. I first picked a Synch Charge hoping to wheel a Champ in the pack, when I did I knew it was on! 9/12 #WotCStaff

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I was excited about Smile at Death on Appraisers and Stags as a finisher, but in practice it was usually too slow to catch up as opposed to bombs with more immediate impact. 8/12 #WotCStaff

Here are a couple non-trophy decks that followed this theory. Fortress Kin-guard does a nice job of setting up Trade Route Envoy to draw to find Craterhoof or Nature’s Rhythm (to find Craterhoof). 7/12 #WotCStaff

I also had a couple nonblue decks that aren’t controlling, but follow the same principle. The many Equilibrium Adept and Stormshriek Feral give card flow to find the black bombs, giving you power to compete with 3 color decks after your aggro start gets stymied. 6/12 #WotCStaff

This deck has two Marang River Regents. You definitely don’t need a third color when you have that. Otherwise the deck has many shortcomings, but I just tried to build it with a balanced gameplan to try and not fall too far behind before I find the River Regents. 5/12 #WotCStaff

Without much removal, this deck uses cheap white creatures to play defense until it finds Elspeth or Naga Fleshcrafter’s rewew ability on a dragon. Fortress Kin-Guard does good work both controlling the board, and then being the finisher empowered by either of those bombs. 4/12 #WotCStaff

1st up is blue controlling decks. Step 1 to success here is game winning bombs. No need for a 3rd color when you have bombs like Ugin and Scavenger Regent. If you have those and black removal, then the best color to add might be U for card draw to find the bombs reliably. 3/12 #WotCStaff

Yoni Skolnik @yoniskolnik.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

I did a Bo1 TDM draft challenge run from platinum to mythic only playing ally color decks (and 1 monocolor deck). All praise to Ojutai, Silumgar, Kologhan, Atarka, and Dromoka! Here is a thread of my best decks and lessons I learned for drafting the format. 1/12 #MTGTarkir #mtgdraft #WotCStaff

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Not ready to think about Spider-Man? Immerse yourself in a panel on the Aetherdrift design process instead! youtu.be/rzLiyD3pkaE?... Come for the in depth worldbuilding, stay for this cameo of Nicol Bolas being wielded by a Grizzly Bear. #MTGAetherdrift #MCChicago #WotCStaff

A noble Grizzly Bear brandishes Nicol Bolas

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Yoni Skolnik @yoniskolnik.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

That was me! Shout out to this pup who was my MagicCon all-star for ending games with commander damage.

I forgot to take screenshots of all my decks, so I'm out of pictures of winning nontraditional decklists now. Hope you all enjoy the format as much as cowboy Mu Yanling pushing the limit did!

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4-3 Naya SYE Rise from the Wreck Control Okay not a great record, but you don't often get Naya control so I wanted to highlight it. Sweeper into Rise from the Wreck for 4 is so satisfying. Tyrox plays defense quite well.

6-3 UR PtL Only 6 cards to bring back with PtL is a bit lower than you want, but the excellent card selection and early aggro uncommons meant that it worked out.

7-1 RW Push the Limit (PtL) RW aggro Vehicles are struggling green stat monsters. Luckily, PtL is here to save the day! At least if you get 3x Chariot and a Flagship. Ghoda is key too, dying off to build to 7 mana, and then coming back with PtL for extra points! One loss was to Spell Pierce on PtL.

7-2 BG Trample This deck crossed the line to mythic! I love overstatted vanillas so much. Kalakscion has very layered play patterns. Usually it causes a board stall by making your opponent scared to attack. Late it can trade with a 7/7, or combo finish the game with Bestow Greatness!

7-1 RGwb SYE Aggro Bombs I love what Starting Column is doing here. Being ready to splash for bombs is a crucial skill in the play booster draft era. Starting Column (and Veloheart Bike) performed really well fixing mana, double spelling with 2 drops, and finding your bombs when the board stalls.

7-2 WB SYE Aggro White based aggro is struggling against the big green creatures. But if you have strong low cost removal, those aren't a problem! This deck has an aggro shape, but the Surveyors help you keep your foot on the gas to find your bombs if the opponent survives your 2 drops and tricks.

7-1 BR SYE Control While the Start Your Engines! mechanic requires early aggression, it was important that many of the rewards helped the long game, so it wouldn't all be snowball aggro decks. The trio of Hour of Victory, Endrider Spikespitter, Risen Necroregent, ensure your late game is strong!