Rough Drafts - A Limited Magic Podcast

Unveiling a new cube project - GUT! This week's episode goes into detail on my new tempo-focused cube, including its design history and card choices.  Cube list - https://cubecobra.com/cube/about/GUT?view=primer Cards mentioned - https://sealeddeck.tech/2GQ3DQdrQz GUT stands for Grand Unified Theory, in reference to Chapin's article "The Theory of Everything" - https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/innovations-the-theory-of-everything/ Please recommend cards for this cube!  Chicago-Style Cube Event (April 18, Libertyville, IL) tickets - https://www.tixtree.com/e/chicago-style-cube-event-40701ab92e28 Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

I've found the gameplay in TMT to be especially difficult, so this week we're taking a look at gameplay! Mostly focused on what to look for when reviewing your own games.  Coaching form - https://forms.gle/BQTjRXAh4ppi2Pc77 Linktree - linktr.ee/roughdrafts

TMT is another set defined by its most powerful cards. This week we're diving into rares - how to draft around them, how to play around them, both in TMT and in limited more broadly.  Coaching Form - https://forms.gle/2W8cBNr2HESzmcfa8  Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

This week we're both saying goodbye to ECL and hello to TMT, including a discussion on small sets in general, and a closer look at some interesting new cards.  Coaching form - https://forms.gle/bJqHvbugm6bFZdhn9  Chicago-Style Cube Event tickets - https://www.tixtree.com/e/chicago-style-cube-event-40701ab92e28 Chicago-Style Cube Event bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/chicagostylecu.be  Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

Getting back to my roots and talking about a 3 mana 4/2 trample! This week is all about GR beatdown, my favorite off-supported archetype in this format.  Spotlight Series Toronto recap on Limited Level Ups (includes breakdown of my GR sealed deck) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZf5-X2d8Qo GR beats - https://www.17lands.com/deck/2c8a20c7f4014672862b624868ec252a/0?view=deck  If you're interested in coaching, fill out this form! https://forms.gle/YX5HfUpzkyoNTwa38 Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

After returning (mostly) triumphantly from Toronto, I'm armed with a new view on the concept of a metagame in limited. I provide some insight into why that's an important thing to consider when getting scrappier in drafting and deckbuilding, and lay out some specific tools within ECL.    Day 1 sealed deck - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3mecqkfx6xs2n Day 2 draft 1 - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3meekbqeh4s2o Day 2 draft 2 - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3mef4ymxb7k2t    Sealed article - https://article.hareruyamtg.com/article/24554/?lang=en  Eduardo Sajgalik's YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Walaoumpa   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

This week's episode is a little more broad than usual - I'm breaking down exactly which nonrare cards in the format really matter, as well as what that means for certain specific archetypes and draft navigation. Plus some measured optimism for Goblins.    Draft log for the deck described in the episode - BRu - https://www.17lands.com/draft/18aa6af5a1de478f94aaac3194bb0e1c/1/1    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

This week is not only a deep dive on certain synergies and build considerations in the Merfolk space, but also a retrospective on the deservedly humble 2 mana 1/3.    https://www.17lands.com/deck/b2e959e943c24378af4a0ff6eb40da1e/0?view=deck  https://www.17lands.com/deck/f86f09b0fdb5417282b5fea7b1ff7d84/0?view=deck   https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

A new format dawns, and ECL is looking sweet - and a lot grindier than we're used to. In this episode I'm comparing what's important in this format to the previous, while also taking a look at some high-impact creatures, and turning the concept of the importance of removal on its head.    UR elementals trophy - https://www.17lands.com/deck/f5704ccff1404dddaef8738c17f7d751/1    Jean-Emmanuel Depraz - Going Deeper in Sealed - Part 2 https://article.hareruyamtg.com/article/48381/?lang=en (Part 1 - https://article.hareruyamtg.com/article/48346/?lang=en)   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

It's a new Magic year with a new Magic set! This week I'm diving into Lorwyn, including exact breakdowns of the different typal decks, the abnormal set structure, and thoughts on blight and vivid. And maybe some cube talk at the end.   NEW! I included a visual element to this podcast on YouTube, and plan on experimenting with this moving forward. It is a priority to me that audio-only listeners get roughly the same experience as viewers, and I welcome any feedback on any changes you might have noticed to the content with this shift.  You can find this episode (and more stuff) on my YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@roughdrafts-magic   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

2025 was my favorite limited year of all time! In this episode, I'm ranking all the major releases and taking a trip down memory lane of my favorite cards.   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

This week I'm wrapping up Avatar coverage with a look back at the TLA format!    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

This week I'm joined by Worlds Competitor and Team Sanctum for All member Ryan Condon to talk tournament prep, pod drafting, and more!    Ryan's Patreon - https://patreon.com/ryancmtg Ryan's Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/r-condon.bsky.social  Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

Barrels is a card I was really high on week 1, and less so as the format developed. But I do think it's an important piece of the puzzle, as is understanding the ins and outs of manabases and multicolor in Avatar.  GBu - https://www.17lands.com/deck/906042ff08e84145b0c1dbd0232fd126/0?view=deck Naya - https://www.17lands.com/deck/d2be7ea779194db8962f538215148485/0?view=deck 4c Black - https://www.17lands.com/deck/1f4354288d984c56aa6245d3c9b0031e/0?view=deck  Gb - https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1323508085053980712/1444182155562582126/PXL_20251129_041723904.jpg Urg - https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/1323508085053980712/1441656610429862008/PXL_20251122_015453880.jpg   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

This week I'm taking a quick look at people's relationships to the data - the positives, the pitfalls, and I'm also diving into some statistical caveats for the set's current #1 winrate common, Lost Days.    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

Green in TLA is mostly viewed as a base for splashy, rampy decks like Temur Lessons. But I've had a lot of success with playing green as the base for an assertive midrange deck, built around Raucous Audience as a powerful two mana accelerant.    Paper 3-0 - near monogreen - https://imgur.com/a/XYmxdC4  GRw - https://www.17lands.com/deck/d2be7ea779194db8962f538215148485/0?view=deck Gb - https://www.17lands.com/deck/3a84bb8f2e504a49ac61219633971e47/0?view=deck  Gr - https://www.17lands.com/deck/02f96cc259f6499ab88bd4f70efe8c3b/0?view=deck    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

I've been on a bit of a hot streak with BW, so this week I'm diving deep on the archetype. We're looking at why white is the best color, why black is the worst, and what you get when you combine the two.    https://www.17lands.com/deck/27f18de592d54f25b49da38bea63663f/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/40aa93d10f4243c09d8efef3d92beac6/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/7ef469734d4144c0aa3d3dfe981cb4b0/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/13e2171300c54ea8bda3d27874ca7df7/0?view=deck   https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

Can you believe they printed Sol Ring at common? And Embercleave at uncommon?    UR - https://www.17lands.com/deck/5ed2d4103c3b4989807688dbada43701/0?view=deck    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

Normal limited is back! I'm so excited to jump into TLA, and talk through my thoughts on each of the bending mechanics as well as the set as a whole.   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

Last month, I sat down and talked Magic with limited enthusiast and former Canadian National Champion Marc Anderson! We dive into some highlights of his pro career, discuss how limited has changed over the years, and talk a little cube too.   Marc's socials  X - https://x.com/neo_mtg bsky - https://bsky.app/profile/neo-mtg.bsky.social    my Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts