Throne of Eldraine Draft Guide ⏤ Overview
Throne of Eldraine offers a unique draft experience‚ steeped in fairytale themes and compelling archetypes․ Expect cunning strategies‚ noble clashes‚ and a captivating journey to the throne!
Throne of Eldraine transports players to a realm inspired by classic fairytales‚ brimming with powerful creatures and enchanting spells․ This set introduces innovative mechanics like Adventures‚ which offer two spells in one‚ and Food tokens‚ fueling synergistic strategies․ Drafting Eldraine demands adaptability‚ as diverse archetypes – from aggressive Non-Human strategies to controlling Graveyard synergies – vie for dominance․ Prepare to navigate a landscape of cunning friends and formidable foes on your quest for the throne․ Mastering the set’s nuances is key to success‚ requiring careful card evaluation and strategic deckbuilding․
Key Mechanics
Throne of Eldraine’s gameplay revolves around several core mechanics․ Adventures present a creature and a sorcery/instant on a single card‚ offering flexibility․ Food tokens‚ created by various cards‚ become resources for powerful effects․ The Graveyard plays a crucial role‚ with cards enabling recursion and synergy․ Understanding these mechanics is vital for successful drafting․ Prioritize cards that support these themes‚ and be mindful of how they interact within different archetypes․ Recognizing the value of these mechanics will significantly improve your deck’s consistency and power․

Archetypes in Throne of Eldraine Draft
Eldraine supports diverse archetypes: Food‚ Graveyard synergy‚ Draw Two‚ Non-Human aggression‚ Ramp‚ and Adventure value‚ each offering unique paths to victory․
Black-Green Food Strategy
The Black-Green (BG) Food archetype centers around generating Food tokens and leveraging their benefits․ Prioritize cards that create Food‚ like “Gingerbrute” or “Feasting Campaign‚” and those that gain value from sacrificing them․ Strong removal spells are crucial in BG‚ alongside creatures that benefit from a full board state․ Look for synergy with cards that care about the graveyard‚ as discarded Food can be recycled․ This strategy aims for incremental advantage‚ overwhelming opponents with consistent value and resilient creatures․ A key to success is balancing Food generation with efficient consumption․
Blue-Black Graveyard Synergy
The Blue-Black (UB) archetype thrives on filling graveyards – both yours and your opponent’s – to enable powerful effects․ Prioritize cards that mill‚ discard‚ or return cards from the graveyard․ Look for creatures with “escape” and spells that benefit from graveyard interaction․ Control elements like counterspells and removal are vital for surviving the early game․ This strategy aims to disrupt the opponent’s plans while building a recursive engine․ Cards that recur threats or punish graveyard strategies are highly valuable in UB‚ creating a resilient and adaptable deck․
Blue-Red Draw Two Focus
Blue-Red (UR) in Throne of Eldraine centers around the “draw two” mechanic‚ generating card advantage and fueling powerful spells․ Prioritize cards that benefit from drawing extra cards‚ like impulsive draw or those with triggered abilities․ Efficient removal and burn spells are crucial for controlling the board․ This archetype aims to overwhelm opponents with a constant stream of threats and answers․ Look for synergy between instants and sorceries‚ maximizing the value of each draw step․ A proactive‚ tempo-based approach is key to success with UR․
Red-Green Non-Human Aggression
Red-Green (RG) in Throne of Eldraine thrives on aggressive strategies featuring Non-Human creatures․ This archetype aims to quickly overwhelm opponents with a swarm of efficient‚ low-cost threats․ Prioritize creatures with haste or abilities that reward attacking․ Combat tricks and burn spells provide crucial reach and removal․ Look for synergies that boost Non-Human creatures‚ maximizing their impact․ A fast‚ proactive game plan is essential․ RG excels at applying early pressure and closing out games before opponents can stabilize․
Blue-Green Ramp and Big Creatures
Blue-Green (UG) in Throne of Eldraine focuses on ramping into powerful‚ game-ending creatures․ Prioritize mana acceleration – cards that generate extra mana – to cast large threats ahead of curve․ Look for creatures with impactful enter-the-battlefield effects or overwhelming stats․ Card draw helps maintain momentum and find key pieces․ Control elements‚ like counterspells or bounce effects‚ can protect your ramp and big creatures․ UG aims to establish a mana advantage and deploy unstoppable threats‚ securing a dominant late game․
Green-White Adventure Value
Green-White (GW) in Throne of Eldraine excels at generating value through the Adventure mechanic․ Prioritize cards with strong Adventure sides‚ providing early interaction and card advantage․ Creatures with Adventures offer flexibility‚ allowing you to respond to different board states․ Look for synergies between creatures and their Adventures‚ maximizing efficiency․ GW aims to overwhelm opponents with a constant stream of value‚ grinding them down with resilient threats and repeatable effects․ A proactive strategy focused on incremental gains is key․

Card Evaluation & Tier Lists
Card evaluation is crucial! Prioritize rares and mythics‚ then strong uncommons․ Solid common cards form the backbone of your deck‚ ensuring consistency․
Top Tier Rare & Mythic Rares
Top-tier rares and mythic rares in Throne of Eldraine significantly impact draft outcomes․ Cards enabling powerful archetypes‚ like those supporting Food or Graveyard strategies‚ are premium picks․ Look for impactful creatures with Adventure‚ offering versatility and value․ Cards providing unique control elements or explosive potential deserve high priority․ Prioritize cards that immediately slot into a defined archetype‚ offering synergy and consistency․ Remember‚ these cards can often single-handedly win games‚ making them worth reaching for even if slightly off-color․ Don’t hesitate to build towards a powerful rare!
Strong Uncommon Picks
Strong uncommon picks are the backbone of a successful Throne of Eldraine draft․ These cards offer significant value and often define an archetype’s direction․ Prioritize uncommons that enable key synergies‚ like those generating Food tokens or supporting Adventure creatures․ Removal spells are always valuable‚ especially those with added utility․ Look for efficient creatures that fit multiple archetypes‚ providing flexibility․ Don’t underestimate the power of card advantage engines․ Solid uncommons can elevate a good deck to a great one‚ consistently delivering impactful plays․
Solid Common Cards
Throne of Eldraine boasts a surprisingly strong common pool‚ allowing for consistent and effective decks․ Prioritize efficient removal‚ particularly those dealing with early threats․ Commons that generate value over time‚ like those creating Food tokens‚ are excellent picks․ Look for creatures with relevant keywords‚ such as flying or menace‚ to gain an edge in combat; Don’t overlook combat tricks; they can swing crucial battles․ Building a cohesive strategy around reliable common cards is key to success in this draft format․

Draft Strategy & Tips
Eldraine draft demands adaptability! Read signals‚ prioritize consistency‚ and balance aggression with control․ Early picks define your path‚ so choose wisely and pivot when needed․
Early Pick Considerations
Initial picks in Throne of Eldraine draft should focus on powerful‚ flexible cards that support multiple archetypes․ Prioritize removal‚ especially if it’s versatile․ Strong two-mana creatures are also excellent choices‚ providing early board presence․ Don’t immediately commit to a specific archetype with your first few picks; instead‚ gather information and assess what colors are open․
Cards that enable multiple strategies – like those supporting both Food or Adventure – are incredibly valuable․ Be mindful of color signals; if a color seems heavily drafted‚ avoid forcing it․ Remember‚ a strong‚ adaptable base is more important than a premature archetype commitment․
Mid-Draft Pivoting
Mid-draft in Throne of Eldraine requires adaptability․ If your initial color signals dry up‚ be prepared to pivot․ Look for open colors with strong synergy potential‚ even if it means abandoning your original plan․ Don’t stubbornly cling to a failing strategy; recognizing a weak signal is crucial․
Consider cards that can slot into multiple archetypes as pivot points․ Prioritize cards that fill gaps in your deck‚ like removal or card draw․ Pay attention to what opponents are not drafting – this reveals open lanes․ A successful pivot can turn a mediocre draft into a winning one․
Late-Game Signals & Adjustments
Late in the draft‚ signals become clearer․ Observe what’s passing frequently – these are likely underdrafted colors or archetypes․ Adjust your picks to capitalize on these opportunities․ If you’re seeing consistent removal‚ consider leaning into a more aggressive strategy․ Conversely‚ abundant card draw suggests a control-oriented build․
Don’t be afraid to take a speculative pick if it strongly supports a potential archetype․ Prioritize cards that smooth out your mana curve and provide late-game reach․ Remember‚ a cohesive deck is more important than individual bomb rares․

Specific Card Synergies
Eldraine thrives on synergy! Food tokens‚ Adventure creatures‚ and graveyard recursion create powerful combinations․ Identifying and drafting these interactions is key to success․
Food Token Interactions
Food tokens are a central mechanic in Throne of Eldraine‚ offering versatile value․ Cards like “Gingerbrute” and “Feasting Campaign” directly benefit from food‚ growing in power or providing substantial advantages․ Prioritize cards that both generate and utilize food‚ creating a self-sustaining engine․ Remember‚ food isn’t just for creatures; it can be sacrificed for life gain or other effects․ A strong food strategy often revolves around the Black-Green archetype‚ but opportunities exist in other color combinations․ Don’t underestimate the consistent advantage food provides throughout the game!
Adventure Creature Combos
Adventure creatures in Throne of Eldraine present unique drafting and gameplay opportunities․ These cards function as two spells in one – the Adventure side offers an immediate effect‚ while the creature provides a lasting presence․ Look for synergies between Adventure spells and creature abilities․ Cards that support casting multiple spells per turn amplify their value․ Green-White often excels at Adventure strategies‚ maximizing value from both sides of the card․ Prioritize creatures with impactful Adventures‚ creating flexible and powerful plays throughout the draft and game․
Graveyard Recursion Potential
Throne of Eldraine features significant graveyard interaction‚ particularly within the Blue-Black archetype․ Drafting cards that self-mill or encourage opponents to discard creates a robust graveyard for recursion strategies․ Prioritize cards that can return creatures from the graveyard to the battlefield or hand‚ offering repeated value․ Cards that benefit from having cards in the graveyard‚ like those with flashback or reanimation effects‚ become highly desirable․ Building a deck focused on graveyard synergy can overwhelm opponents with consistent advantage․

Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid overvaluing specific card types‚ ignoring color signals‚ or drafting too slowly; these errors can derail your Throne of Eldraine draft strategy․
Overvaluing Certain Card Types
A frequent mistake in Throne of Eldraine drafts is prioritizing removal too highly‚ especially early on․ While efficient answers are valuable‚ the set’s power level and abundance of creatures often favor proactive strategies․ Don’t reach for a mediocre removal spell when a strong creature or synergy piece is available․
Similarly‚ avoid fixating solely on rares and mythics․ Commons and uncommons can form the backbone of a successful deck‚ particularly those supporting a clear archetype․ Focus on building a cohesive strategy rather than hoping for bomb-level pulls․ Remember‚ consistency trumps raw power in many scenarios․
Ignoring Color Signals
Throne of Eldraine strongly rewards paying attention to color signals․ Early picks heavily influence the direction of the draft‚ and ignoring what’s open can lead to a disjointed deck․ If you see a lot of Green and White cards flowing‚ a Green-White Adventure strategy might be viable․
Conversely‚ a lack of certain colors suggests they are heavily drafted by others․ Don’t stubbornly force a color if the cards aren’t coming․ Be flexible and willing to pivot to an open lane‚ even if it wasn’t your initial plan․ Adaptability is key to success!
Drafting Too Slowly
Throne of Eldraine’s draft format can be complex‚ but drafting too slowly is a common pitfall․ The set features many synergistic cards and archetypes‚ tempting analysis paralysis․ However‚ hesitation can lead to missed opportunities as key cards get snatched up by opponents․
Make decisive picks based on available information and your overall strategy․ Don’t overthink every card; trust your gut and maintain a reasonable pace․ Prioritize strong‚ flexible cards early on‚ allowing you to adapt if necessary‚ and avoid getting stuck evaluating marginal choices for too long․
Resources for Further Learning
Explore online draft simulators‚ community forums‚ and pro player streams to refine your Throne of Eldraine drafting skills and stay ahead of the meta!
Online Draft Simulators
Draft simulators are invaluable tools for mastering Throne of Eldraine Limited․ These platforms allow you to practice drafting against AI opponents‚ experimenting with different archetypes and card evaluations without risking real Wildcards․ Several options exist‚ ranging from basic interfaces to more sophisticated simulators that mimic the real drafting experience․
Utilize these tools to familiarize yourself with the card pool‚ identify strong synergies‚ and refine your pick order․ Regularly practicing with a simulator will significantly improve your decision-making skills and overall draft performance‚ leading to greater success in Arena drafts․
Community Forums & Discussions
Engaging with the Magic: The Gathering community is crucial for improving your Throne of Eldraine draft skills․ Online forums‚ such as Reddit’s r/MagicTCG and dedicated MTG websites‚ offer a wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives․ Discussing draft strategies‚ card evaluations‚ and archetype viability with experienced players can significantly broaden your understanding of the format․
Sharing your own draft experiences and seeking feedback from others will accelerate your learning process․ Active participation in these discussions fosters a collaborative environment‚ helping you stay informed about the evolving metagame․
Pro Player Draft Streams
Watching professional Magic: The Gathering players draft Throne of Eldraine on platforms like Twitch and YouTube provides invaluable insights․ Observing their thought processes‚ pick orders‚ and archetype selections offers a masterclass in draft strategy․ Pay attention to how they evaluate cards‚ identify open lanes‚ and react to signals from their opponents․
Many pros articulate their reasoning during the draft‚ explaining why they make specific choices․ This commentary enhances your understanding of the set’s nuances and helps you refine your own drafting skills․ Learning from the best is a fast track to success!

The Metagame & Adaptability
Throne of Eldraine’s metagame evolves rapidly; understanding popular archetypes and adjusting your draft strategy based on opponent choices is crucial for consistent wins․
Understanding the Current Meta
Currently‚ Throne of Eldraine Limited features a diverse metagame‚ with several archetypes proving consistently strong․ Black-Green Food remains a powerful strategy‚ leveraging efficient creatures and consistent value generation from food tokens․ Blue-Black Graveyard synergy also excels‚ utilizing recursion and powerful threats․ Red-Green Non-Human Aggression can overwhelm opponents with early pressure․
However‚ the meta is fluid․ Pay attention to what’s being passed and prioritized in your drafts․ Early signals can indicate which archetypes are open‚ allowing you to pivot effectively․ Recognizing these trends is key to maximizing your draft success and building a competitive deck․
Adjusting to Opponent Draft Choices
Observing card flow is crucial in Throne of Eldraine drafts․ If strong cards from a specific archetype consistently pass to you‚ it signals that archetype is likely open․ Conversely‚ if key cards are heavily contested‚ avoid forcing that strategy․ Be prepared to pivot!
Pay attention to color signals – late picks in a color indicate it’s likely available․ Don’t stubbornly stick to an initial plan if the draft isn’t supporting it․ Flexibility and adapting to your opponents’ choices are vital for building a cohesive and powerful deck․
Predicting Common Archetype Selections
Throne of Eldraine’s archetypes have varying popularity․ Expect Black-Green Food and Blue-Black Graveyard to be frequently drafted due to powerful synergies․ Red-Green Non-Human Aggression is also a common pick‚ leaning into aggressive strategies․
However‚ Blue-Red Draw Two and Green-White Adventure Value can be less contested‚ offering opportunities for skilled drafters․ Predicting these trends allows you to anticipate competition and potentially snag undervalued cards‚ maximizing your deck’s potential within a less crowded archetype․

Closing Thoughts & Final Advice
Prioritize a consistent mana base and balanced aggression/control․ Adapt to signals‚ embrace the fairytale‚ and enjoy the enchanting draft experience Throne of Eldraine offers!
Prioritizing Consistency
Throne of Eldraine drafts reward consistent strategies above all else․ While powerful rares are enticing‚ focus on building a cohesive deck with a clear game plan․ Prioritize cards that support your chosen archetype and ensure a smooth mana curve․ Avoid splashing colors unless absolutely necessary‚ as inconsistency can quickly lead to losses․
Remember‚ a well-oiled machine of commons and uncommons often outperforms a deck reliant on a single‚ flashy bomb․ Solid removal‚ efficient creatures‚ and reliable card advantage are key to drafting success in this set․ Don’t chase synergy at the expense of playability!
Balancing Aggression and Control
Throne of Eldraine supports both aggressive and controlling strategies‚ but finding the right balance is crucial․ Pure aggro can falter against resilient defenses‚ while slow control decks may succumb to early pressure․ Aim for a deck that can apply consistent pressure while possessing sufficient removal and disruption to answer opposing threats․
Consider incorporating cards that offer both offensive and defensive capabilities․ Adventure creatures‚ for example‚ provide immediate value while building towards a larger threat․ A flexible approach will maximize your chances of success in a diverse metagame․