Magic the Gathering Booster Drafting Basics

Magic the Gathering booster drafting is one of the most popular but skill intensive formats to play. Picking cards and assembling a 40 card deck in a short period of time does favor more experienced players. But by following some basic tips and some practice, it is a format that is very fun to play.

Booster drafts starts with eight players that each has three packs of Magic cards a piece. Each player opens the first pack of cards, chooses one of those cards, and passes the rest of the pack to the player on their left. They then take the pile of cards that was just past to them, chooses a card, and passes the remaining cards. This process continues until all the cards have been picked. At this time, the second pack of cards is opened, but instead of passing the pack to your left, you pass it to your right. The third pack of cards is once again past to your left. Between each round, you do get a review period where you are able to look at what cards you have picked.

After the draft has been completed, you will get a period of time to build a 40 card deck from the cards you have picked. Basic land will be provided to add to your deck. Most players include anywhere between 16 and 19 land depending on how mana intensive your deck is.

During the draft itself, there are a few key things to look for and remember. The first thing that you need to keep in mind that the matches themselves will be very different than constructed matches you have played. Since in a draft, your card pool is much smaller, creature combat will probably happen more than in a normal match. When drafting, remember that you will need a nice mix of creature cards and spells. Having too many of one type with out enough of the other is a recipe for failure.

Because creatures are played so much, some of the most valuable spells that you can draft are removal spells. Any card that either outright kills a creature, or removes it from combat (like Pacifism) is considered removal. The next thing you want to look for is creatures with some type of evasion skill. Due to the creature battles that will occur, many times you will get to a point in a match called a creature stall where neither player wants to attack. Any time that you can have a creature that will break through a stall, it is very valuable. Look for things such as flying, shadow, trample, or land walk. Next look for creatures with a good power for the casting cost. But don't forget that you want to draft some smaller creatures as well that will give you something to play in the early turns of the game.

The first few packs are very important because it is in these packs where you will establish what colors that you will be playing. Most players will only play two different colors. Sometimes, they will add a few cards from a third color (called a splash). Keep watch of what good cards you are getting past and what colors that those cards are in. This will help you figure out what your second color should be. Another important tip is to not be too attached to the color of the first card you picked. If the player to your right is in the same color, you will probably not be getting good cards of that color passed to you.

One of the most important things you can do in the first few packs is to take notice of what good cards you are not picking and are passing to your neighbor. This is especially important in the very first pack. This will help you determine what at least one of the colors the player next to you will be playing. Even though talking is not allowed during the draft, by being observant, you will probably be able to tell what colors your neighbors are playing. If possible, it is best not to be in the same color as your neighbors. Remember, that the player that you are passing cards to in pack one will be the player that will be passing you cards in pack two. If you are picking the same color as the person that is passing you cards, you choice will not be very good.

By following these tips and a little practice, you will be able to draft like an experienced drafter in no time.