Sample B: Triple Zen draft 1st pick review

Completely separate from sample A, treat this as p1p1 on another day.

Arid Mesa
Summoner's Bane
Pitfall Trap
Inferno Trap
Vines of Vastwood
Ruinous Minotaur
Shoal Serpent
Goblin War Paint
Joraga Bard
Welkin Tern
Caravan Hurda
Windrider Eel
Scythe Tiger
Hedron Scrambler
Swamp

Lets say you are not swayed by the value of the arid mesa and simply want the best 1st pick here, do you still take arid mesa due to landfall implications?
If not the Mesa, then whats next? In my opinion you have 2 narrow limited removal cards in pitfall and inferno, and vines is kind of a counterspell+potential game ender, then a great 2 drop in the tern... Is there an autopick there? Am i over/under valuing anything?

I'd probably take the Mesa in a normal FNM draft, just to get some money out of what I took (especially in a relatively weak pack). If it wasn't the Mesa, I'd probably take the Pitfall trap. It's solid removal, and there's no other really strong white cards in the pack, so you can be pretty sure no one to your left is going white (unless they opened a white bomb).

It seems to me that sending strong signals what colors you are in and making sure your not cut off in pack 2 seems extremely important in this format for some reason. Am I wrong?

Jim, did you just say sending signals is important? I think John W and Steve might want to slap you upside the head.

Hey, I'm trying to do better!

This pick is actually pretty hard for me. The arid mesa is definately good because of landfall and mana fixing. It is also in a great color combination of R/W. Red has the superior plated geopede and white has the amazing steppe lynx. Both those cards are bonkers with a fetchland. The pitfall trap is the best piece of removal in the pack and a solid card overall. The other card that I believe is exellent is Windrider eel. The eel flies and is usually a 4/4 attacking. It can really swing a game around and I always play it in blue.
For me, the pick comes down to what you think everyone else is doing. If you think you will be only one of 2 red/white drafters, you definately take the fetch because of its power and how it powers the other best cards in your deck. If you think red/white is overdrafted then you take the windrider eel. Its a great card and Im always happy to play it in my deck.
I know at bluebell that tons of people play white and red so I would take the eel first pick and assume that the welkin tern would table to me.
All this assumes I dont need to pay bills or eat or drink or need money in any way. If I do need any of the above things, I bodyslam the Arid Mesa to the table like a champ.

Personally I prefer the Inferno Trap, as it kills almost everything, and once again supports the proactive aggressive deck you want to be building. Pitfall trap, while very strong, doesn't kill flyers, and doesn't kill non-attackers (such as the card drawing ally, or makandi shieldmate).

I wouldn't count on the Welkin Tern tabling unless I was playing with subpar players. I also do like the tern more than the Windrider Eel.

i'd take the Arid Mesa. what's the deal with all the money rare packs? they make it too easy.

oh god i miss drafting. ugh i gotta deal with Zendikar

Come to Redcap's on Sunday with me, it'll be fun!

Should be there as well.

Dan, in that case do you mind if I meet up with you at your place and we drive down together? I really suck at parking down there, and it's always more fun with more people!

I think that will be fine. My place around 4 on Sunday?

Steve, you want to get in on this?

I shall be there, thanks!