Rough Drafts - A Limited Magic Podcast

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 

This week I'm recapping a couple Rotisserie drafts of my cube! I had a blast roto drafting with friends last month, so I'm going into detail on how to run one, reviewing my own draft, and pitching why this format is so much fun.   Samp's Arena Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/samp Lightning Bolt Pod spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YBa9rJ2939sEp6ab4qFWN00pzXk_iEBOw02qug3kzEY/edit?gid=1528716811#gid=1528716811  Birds of Paradise Pod spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1y3lwEZ8U0EKET5RwCZ1tn6Q4c82owJh0r3nOtldVRCA/edit?gid=1528716811#gid=1528716811  Lucky Paper's roto templates - https://luckypaper.co/resources/formats/rotisserie/ LastAbzan's blog - https://lastabzan.blogspot.com/    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

This week I'm recapping my long weekend in Madison, WI at CubeCon! I'm walking through all SEVEN of my drafts, and making a pitch for why these cube events are the best way to play magic.   Cards mentioned - https://sealeddeck.tech/u9mAwcpw2z    Prequel Draft - Everywhere Cube https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/everywhere  Everywhere Cube deck - Stompy https://imgur.com/a/AD9y2Fe    Draft 1 - Sandman https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/SandmanOfficial  Sandman deck - Naya https://imgur.com/a/XTb0LTL    Draft 2 - Gingercube https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/03e496c1-3fb2-4437-9004-07f727256de6  Gingercube deck - GW Control https://imgur.com/a/Fwn5Oee    Draft 3 - Synergy Cube Synergy Cube deck - Sultai + RW pile https://imgur.com/a/6SfgQdD    Draft 4 - Spicy Ramen https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/Ramen  Spicy Ramen deck - UB Control https://imgur.com/a/5pNUdfv    t128 - The Cascade Cube https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/cascadecube  The Cascade Cube deck - Esper Midrange https://imgur.com/a/uiWgd7Z    t64 - The Chicago Cube https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TheChicagoCube  The Chicago Cube deck - RW aggro https://imgur.com/a/dupps7x    Lucky Paper's Cube Events page - https://luckypaper.co/events/    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

After last week's introduction to the fundamentals of cube draft, I'm diving into some more nuanced discussion on cube (but mostly why you should take the good cards). I'm also showcasing all the creative cube genres the community has cooked up!    Sam Black's "Unexploitable Cube Drafting" - https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2023/10/unexploitable-cube-drafting/  Sam Black's Drafting Archetypes Episode 91: Cube! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2yTkkz8wbg   All the cubes mentioned in this podcast:  Arthur's Peasant Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/psnt  Justin's Standard Greatest Hits - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/08f3868f-c542-4cd8-ad51-37df8d864176  Neoclassical Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/neoclassical  Arthur's Monowhite Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/whitecube   Matt's BUGaboo - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/eb3cbb79-8a28-44b9-9df4-ec83203c5f19  The Cascade Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/cascadecube  The Turbo Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/turbo  100 Ornithopters - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/100-ornithopters  Pisscube - https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/f318aa56-6615-4c02-8173-53aed9f11856  The Chicago Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TheChicagoCube  El Classico - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/63275d20e755840f6cab1b03 

Are you a limited sicko who's cube curious? I'm diving into the subtle differences between booster draft and cube draft, including what makes a card powerful, and how to evaluate interaction and fixing.   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

Taking a peek at an unsupported archetype in OM1! Black and green have some particularly synergistic cards that work uniquely well in tandem.   Example decks courtesy of Marc Anderson  https://www.17lands.com/deck/b88bf57ed797481b939732539748af63/0?view=deck  https://www.17lands.com/deck/6baac8a6905e4b9996460bddc0270ecb/0?view=deck  https://www.17lands.com/deck/a49e5dd0b89f4f41a13fdafecc89b3eb/0?view=deck    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts 

An in-depth look at my Arena Cube!  Cubecobra list - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/samp  Trophy Decks thread - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3lu7e627da225  Recross the Path (cube interview podcast) ft. me and this cube - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jstoBuLlCW1iqthwGZHly Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts