Welcome, planeswalkers! This guide dives into drafting Wilds of Eldraine, a set brimming with enchanting strategies and fairytale-inspired gameplay. Prepare to navigate a format defined by Roles, enchantments, and powerful creatures, offering diverse deckbuilding opportunities.
Understanding the Set’s Themes
Wilds of Eldraine deeply embraces the aesthetic and narrative of fairytales, but with a distinctly Magic: The Gathering twist. The set revolves around the idea of venturing into a realm where stories are real, and characters embody classic fairytale archetypes. Expect to encounter heroic knights, cunning tricksters, and formidable villains, all brought to life through compelling card designs.
A core theme is the concept of “Roles,” represented by a new card type. These enchantments attach to creatures, granting them powerful abilities and transforming them into key players in your fairytale. Understanding how to leverage these Roles is crucial for success. Beyond Roles, enchantments are prevalent, fostering synergy-driven strategies. The set also features a strong emphasis on creature combat, with many cards rewarding aggressive play and strategic positioning. Expect a blend of aggressive and controlling archetypes, all tied together by the enchanting world of Eldraine.
Key Mechanics in Wilds of Eldraine
Roles are the defining mechanic of Wilds of Eldraine. These enchantments attach to creatures, granting them keyword abilities and transforming them into powerful fairytale characters. Drafting effectively means prioritizing creatures that can best utilize available Roles, and recognizing which Roles synergize with your overall strategy.
Enchantments are abundant, supporting a variety of archetypes. Beyond Roles, standalone enchantments offer value, control, and synergistic effects. Look for cards that amplify enchantment synergies. Bargain is another key mechanic, allowing you to sacrifice cards to enhance spells and abilities, offering powerful late-game options. Finally, the set features a strong focus on Adventure cards, providing versatility and value with their dual spells and creatures. Mastering these mechanics is vital for a successful draft.
Color Pair Strategies
Explore synergistic combinations! Wilds of Eldraine shines with distinct color pair archetypes, each offering unique paths to victory through focused strategies and card interactions.
White/Blue: Control and Enchantment Synergies
Dominating the late game is key with White/Blue in Wilds of Eldraine. This pairing excels at controlling the board through efficient removal, counterspells, and a steady stream of enchantments. Focus on cards that disrupt your opponent’s plans while building incremental advantage.
Prioritize enchantments that provide card draw or generate value over time. Creatures with strong enter-the-battlefield effects or those that benefit from enchantments are excellent additions. Look for ways to protect your key pieces and maintain a resilient board presence.
Don’t neglect efficient flying creatures to close out the game. White provides strong defensive options and enchantment-based removal, while Blue offers tempo plays and card selection. A successful White/Blue deck aims to stall the game, establish control, and then overwhelm the opponent with enchantments and evasive threats.
Blue/Black: Discard and Graveyard Value
Control your opponent’s hand and exploit the graveyard – that’s the core of Blue/Black in Wilds of Eldraine. This combination thrives on disrupting your opponent’s strategy with discard spells, then capitalizing on their discarded cards and your own self-mill. Prioritize cards that reward you for filling the graveyard.
Look for creatures with “reanimate” effects or those that gain power from cards in graveyards. Efficient removal is crucial, allowing you to clear the path for your threats. Blue provides the card selection and tempo, while Black delivers the discard and reanimation power.
A successful Blue/Black deck aims to strip away your opponent’s resources, establish a graveyard advantage, and then overwhelm them with recurring threats. Be mindful of your mana curve and ensure you have enough early interaction to survive the initial onslaught.
Black/Red: Aggro with Role-Based Effects
Dominate the board early and apply relentless pressure – that’s the Black/Red game plan in Wilds of Eldraine. This pairing excels at aggressive strategies, leveraging the unique Role cards to amplify your creatures’ impact. Prioritize efficient creatures with haste or those that benefit from combat damage.
Black provides removal to clear blockers, while Red offers burn spells for reach and finishing power. Look for synergies between your creatures and the Roles they assume, maximizing their effectiveness. Cards that reward aggressive play, like those with trample or menace, are highly valuable.
A successful Black/Red deck aims to quickly reduce your opponent’s life total before they can stabilize. Don’t be afraid to trade resources aggressively and focus on maintaining momentum. Remember to utilize Role cards strategically to gain an edge in combat.
Red/Green: Midrange with Powerful Creatures
Embrace the power of large, impactful creatures with Red/Green in Wilds of Eldraine draft. This archetype thrives as a resilient midrange strategy, overwhelming opponents with substantial threats. Focus on drafting creatures with high power and toughness, alongside spells that support their growth and protect them from removal.
Green provides ramp to accelerate your mana development, allowing you to cast your bigger creatures ahead of schedule. Red offers reach with burn spells and hasty creatures to close out games. Synergies involving +1/+1 counters or abilities that trigger when creatures enter the battlefield are particularly strong.
Prioritize cards that provide value over time and can withstand board wipes. A well-built Red/Green deck aims to establish a dominant board presence and grind out opponents with consistent pressure. Don’t neglect removal to handle problematic threats.
Green/White: Enchantment-Based Value
Harness the synergy between enchantments and creatures with Green/White in Wilds of Eldraine draft. This archetype excels at generating incremental advantages through a web of enchantments that bolster your creatures and disrupt your opponent’s plans. Prioritize cards that create tokens, provide lifegain, or offer repeatable value.
Green provides resilient creatures and ramp to consistently cast your enchantments. White offers powerful enchantments, protection spells, and efficient removal. Look for cards that reward you for playing enchantments, such as those with abilities that trigger when an enchantment enters the battlefield.
A successful Green/White deck aims to establish a strong board presence with enchanted creatures, slowly accumulating advantages until you can overwhelm your opponent. Focus on cards that provide card advantage and resilience to removal.
White/Black: Aristocrats and Sacrifice
Embrace the dark side of fairytale justice with White/Black, an archetype centered around sacrifice and reaping rewards from your creatures’ demise. This strategy thrives on creating a constant stream of value through sacrificing creatures for powerful effects, embodying the “aristocrats” archetype.
White provides efficient creatures, removal, and enchantments that benefit from sacrifice triggers. Black offers sacrifice outlets, card draw, and disruptive elements. Prioritize cards that generate value when creatures die, such as those that create tokens or deal damage.
A successful White/Black deck aims to establish a board presence, then systematically sacrifice creatures for incremental advantages, eventually overwhelming your opponent with a combination of value and aggression. Cards that provide repeatable sacrifice outlets are crucial for sustained value.
Blue/Red: Spellslinger and Tempo
Unleash a flurry of spells and control the pace with Blue/Red, a dynamic archetype focused on casting noncreature spells and capitalizing on tempo advantages. This strategy excels at disrupting your opponent’s plans while consistently applying pressure with efficient threats and burn spells.
Blue provides card draw, counterspells, and bounce effects to control the board and filter through your deck. Red offers direct damage, hasty creatures, and temporary resource denial. Prioritize instants and sorceries that generate value or directly impact the board.
A successful Blue/Red deck aims to establish early tempo, disrupt your opponent’s development, and finish the game with a combination of burn spells and evasive creatures. Look for synergies between spells and creatures that reward you for casting multiple spells per turn.
Red/White: Aggressive Enchantments
Dominate the battlefield with a relentless assault fueled by synergistic enchantments and aggressive creatures. Red/White in Wilds of Eldraine thrives on overwhelming opponents with a constant stream of threats, boosted by powerful auras and equipment. This archetype aims for a quick, decisive victory.
White provides efficient creatures, protective enchantments, and anthem effects to amplify your army. Red contributes direct damage, hasty attackers, and enchantments that provide immediate impact. Prioritize enchantments that enhance your creatures or disrupt your opponent’s defenses.
A successful Red/White deck focuses on establishing an early board presence, applying consistent pressure, and protecting your key threats with enchantments. Look for cards that synergize with enchantments, rewarding you for building an enchantment-heavy deck.
Green/Blue: Ramp and Big Threats
Control the late game with overwhelming power by accelerating into massive creatures and impactful spells. Green/Blue in Wilds of Eldraine focuses on ramping mana early, allowing you to deploy game-ending threats ahead of schedule. This archetype excels at outgrowing opponents and securing a dominant board state.
Green provides the essential mana ramp, alongside resilient creatures and powerful enchantments. Blue offers card draw, counterspells, and evasive threats to protect your investment and control the pace of the game. Prioritize cards that generate mana or provide card advantage.
A successful Green/Blue deck aims to survive the early game, establish a consistent mana base, and then unleash a series of devastating threats. Look for creatures with high power and impactful abilities, and spells that can swing the game in your favor.
Black/Green: Midrange with Resilience
Dominate the mid-game with a blend of efficient creatures and disruptive elements. Black/Green in Wilds of Eldraine thrives on value and resilience, grinding opponents down with consistent threats and answers. This archetype isn’t the fastest, but it’s incredibly difficult to overcome once established.
Black provides removal, discard, and powerful creatures with impactful “enter the battlefield” effects. Green offers resilient creatures, ramp, and combat tricks to enhance your board presence. Prioritize cards that generate value over time and disrupt your opponent’s plans.
A successful Black/Green deck aims to control the board early, establish a strong mid-game presence, and close out the game with resilient threats. Look for creatures that survive removal and spells that punish opponents for attempting to interact.
Important Card Evaluation
Assess card power levels carefully! Identifying key commons, uncommons, and rares is crucial for successful drafting in Wilds of Eldraine, maximizing your deck’s potential.
High-Impact Rare and Mythic Rares
Prioritize these bombs! Wilds of Eldraine boasts several rare and mythic rares capable of single-handedly winning games. Cards like Eriette of the Charmed Apple provide significant value and control, often dictating the board state. Look for impactful creatures with powerful “Role” synergies, such as those that benefit from being the “Royal” or “Monster.”
Hylda of the Icy Crown can generate overwhelming card advantage, while Virtue of Persistence offers resilient threats. Don’t underestimate enchantments that disrupt opponents or provide lasting benefits. Mythic rares like Agatha’s Champion can create explosive turns. These cards should be prioritized highly during the draft, as they can form the core of a winning strategy. Recognizing their power and grabbing them when available is essential for building a competitive deck.
Strong Uncommon Picks
Uncommons are the engine of your deck! Wilds of Eldraine features a wealth of powerful uncommon cards that can significantly elevate your draft strategy. Look for cards offering strong value or enabling key archetypes. Spell Stutter provides crucial tempo disruption, while Return to Nature is a versatile answer to problematic permanents.
Pick up efficient creatures with relevant keywords, like those with Adventure abilities or those that synergize with enchantments. Cards like Faerie Mastermind can generate card advantage in the right deck. Don’t overlook uncommon enchantments that support specific strategies, such as those enhancing Role-based effects. Prioritizing these uncommons will give you a consistent advantage and help you build a cohesive, powerful deck capable of competing in the late game.
Key Commons for Building a Deck
Commons form the backbone of a successful draft deck! Wilds of Eldraine boasts a strong common pool, offering reliable removal, efficient creatures, and crucial support cards. Eldraine’s Call is a solid removal spell, while Bellringer Initiate provides a resilient body and potential value. Prioritize commons that fill essential roles in your chosen archetype.
Look for efficient blockers and attackers that can stabilize the board. Commons with relevant keywords, like Vigilance or Lifelink, are particularly valuable. Don’t underestimate the power of simple card draw, as it helps maintain momentum. Building a consistent mana base with reliable common lands is also crucial. A strong common base allows you to effectively utilize your more powerful uncommons and rares, leading to a cohesive and competitive deck.
Draft Archetypes in Detail
Explore synergistic strategies! Wilds of Eldraine supports diverse archetypes, from enchantment-focused brews to aggressive Fae creature builds and Role-centric gameplay.
“Brews” ⎯ Enchantment-Focused Decks
Embrace the enchantment synergy! The “Brews” archetype in Wilds of Eldraine centers around maximizing the value of enchantments. This strategy thrives on cards that benefit from having numerous enchantments in play, or those that directly enhance enchantment effects. Look for cards that create tokens when enchantments enter the battlefield, or those that grow in power based on enchantment count.
Prioritize cards like Spelljammer and similar enchantment payoff engines. Removal that targets creatures is crucial, as this archetype can be vulnerable to aggressive strategies. A healthy mix of auras and enchantments that affect the battlefield are key. Don’t underestimate the power of repeatable enchantment effects. Consider including cards that recur enchantments from your graveyard to maintain pressure and value throughout the game. This archetype excels at grinding out opponents with incremental advantages.
“Fae-cious” ⎯ Fae Creature Aggro
Unleash a swarm of Fae! The “Fae-cious” archetype is a hyper-aggressive strategy focused on overwhelming opponents with a relentless tide of small, evasive Fae creatures. Prioritize cards that generate multiple Fae tokens or provide buffs to your Fae army. Look for creatures with abilities like flying or ward to ensure they connect with damage consistently.
Combat tricks are essential for pushing through damage and winning races. Cards that grant trample or double strike can be game-winning. Don’t neglect efficient removal to clear blockers and maintain momentum. A low mana curve is crucial for deploying threats quickly. Focus on cards that synergize with the Fae creature type, such as those that trigger abilities when Fae enter the battlefield. This archetype aims to close out games before opponents can stabilize.
“Roleplay” ⎯ Utilizing Role Cards Effectively
Embrace the fairytale! The “Roleplay” archetype centers around leveraging the unique Role cards in Wilds of Eldraine. These enchantments attach to creatures, granting powerful abilities and transforming them into key players. Prioritize creatures that can consistently receive Roles, and cards that benefit from having enchanted creatures. Building around a specific Role – like Hero, Villain, or Scholar – can create a cohesive and potent strategy.
Synergy is key; look for cards that reward you for controlling Roles or enchanted creatures. Removal that targets enchantments is crucial for disrupting your opponent’s Role strategies. Don’t underestimate the value of cards that allow you to search for or tutor Role enchantments. A successful “Roleplay” deck requires careful planning and a consistent stream of Roles to maximize their impact on the battlefield.
Draft Tips and Tricks
Master the draft! Pay attention to signals, prioritize card types based on your archetype, manage your mana curve effectively, and prepare adaptable sideboarding strategies for success.
Reading Signals During the Draft
Decoding the Pack Flow: Successfully navigating a Wilds of Eldraine draft hinges on accurately interpreting signals. Early picks should lean towards open archetypes, but be mindful of what’s not appearing. If you consistently see blue and white cards flowing late, it suggests those colors are open. Conversely, a lack of key commons in a color indicates someone is heavily invested.
Pay Attention to Passing Patterns: Observe which cards return to you frequently. Repeatedly receiving role cards, for example, signals a potential “Roleplay” archetype is available. Don’t be afraid to subtly shift your strategy based on these cues. A late-round bomb returning multiple times is a strong indicator that no one is actively forcing that color.
Consider the Power Level: The strength of cards coming back to you also matters. Seeing consistently mediocre cards suggests the drafters are prioritizing different strategies. Strong cards returning late are golden opportunities to pivot into a powerful, underdrafted archetype. Remember, adaptability is key!
Prioritizing Card Types
Enchantments are Key: Wilds of Eldraine heavily rewards enchantment synergy. Prioritize enchantments highly, even seemingly mediocre ones, as they enable powerful “Brews” archetypes and trigger Role cards. Don’t underestimate the value of auras and equipment; they can dramatically swing games.
Roles Demand Attention: Cards with the Role mechanic are central to the set’s identity. Evaluate them based on their potential to consistently trigger, not just their raw power. A common Role card that fits your archetype is often more valuable than a slightly stronger, unrelated rare.
Removal is Premium: As always, efficient removal is crucial. Wilds of Eldraine features a fair amount of resilient creatures, making removal even more important. Prioritize cards that can answer threats effectively, especially those that deal with enchantments. A balanced mix of card types is vital for success.
Managing Your Mana Curve
Smooth Sailing is Essential: Wilds of Eldraine drafts often reward a slightly lower, more proactive mana curve. The set features numerous efficient creatures and impactful spells that shine in the early to mid-game. Avoid getting stuck with too many expensive cards without sufficient early plays.
Prioritize Early Interaction: Include enough two and three-mana plays to interact with your opponent’s board and develop your own. This is especially important in aggressive matchups where early tempo can be decisive. Don’t skimp on removal or combat tricks in the lower end of your curve.
Balance with Top-End Power: While a low curve is beneficial, don’t neglect your top-end. A few powerful four and five-mana threats can close out games and provide a necessary late-game presence. Aim for a curve that allows consistent plays throughout the game.
Sideboarding Strategies
Adapt to the Opposition: Sideboarding in Wilds of Eldraine drafts is crucial for adjusting to your opponent’s strategy. Identify their key threats and weaknesses after game one, then tailor your sideboard to exploit them. Don’t be afraid to make significant changes – sometimes, wholesale shifts are necessary.
Enchantment Hate is Key: Given the prevalence of enchantments, having dedicated sideboard cards to combat them is vital. Cards that destroy or exile enchantments can swing matchups heavily in your favor. Prioritize these if you anticipate facing enchantment-heavy decks.
Graveyard Disruption Matters: Several archetypes utilize the graveyard. Sideboard cards that exile or disrupt graveyard strategies can shut down key synergies. Consider including options for dealing with reanimation or recursion effects. Remember to assess your opponent’s deck before making changes!
Wilds of Eldraine: Format Overview
The landscape is evolving! Wilds of Eldraine features a dynamic metagame, favoring adaptable strategies and enchantment synergy. Expect diverse decklists centered around Roles and powerful creatures.
The Current Metagame Landscape
Early analysis reveals a format heavily influenced by enchantment-based strategies. Decks leveraging the new Role mechanic are proving remarkably potent, demanding respect from opponents. Aggressive strategies, particularly Red/White and Black/Red, are establishing a strong presence, capitalizing on efficient creatures and disruptive spells.
Midrange decks, often Green-based, demonstrate resilience and value generation, utilizing powerful creatures and card advantage engines. Control strategies, while present, require precise execution and favorable matchups to thrive. The prevalence of removal and counterspells necessitates careful deck construction and sideboard planning.
Notably, the power of certain uncommon cards is shaping the draft environment, creating opportunities for synergistic decks to outperform expectations. Players are prioritizing cards that enable consistent Role assignment and enchantment payoffs. Expect the metagame to continue evolving as players refine their strategies and discover new combinations.
Notable Decklists and Strategies
Emerging decklists showcase the strength of enchantment synergies. A popular archetype centers around White/Blue control, utilizing enchantments to disrupt opponents and establish board dominance. Red/Black aggro consistently delivers quick victories, leveraging efficient creatures and burn spells. Green/White enchantment value generates card advantage and overwhelming mid-game presence.
“Brews” decks, focused entirely on enchantments and Role payoffs, demonstrate surprising resilience and power. Fae-based aggressive strategies capitalize on evasive creatures and tempo plays. Black/Green midrange excels at grinding out opponents with resilient threats and removal.
Key strategies involve prioritizing Role cards during the draft, enabling powerful synergies. Efficient removal is crucial for disrupting aggressive strategies. Sideboarding effectively against enchantment-heavy decks is paramount. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each archetype is vital for success in the current metagame.