Ambuscade Shaman - Tough Start. Nothing screams "pick me". Ambuscade Shaman is something I've wanted to build around for a while and Dash is a pretty solid archetype, lets try it.
Volcanic Vision - Ugh, nothing clear here again. Between Hand, Vision, and Prowler since I'm leaning already leaning towards b/r Dash and nothing here makes me want to change that. I think I'll take Vision and see how things go, a big sweeper is always welceom.
Vulturous Aven - Ok, a choice, but not one I'm happy about. Blood-Chin and Brawler are good picks too. I want to pick Brawler to support P1P1, but Aven works in an aggro deck, provides air support, and as an early pick leaves me more versatile as the packs come.
Ambuscade Shaman - Ok, this is cool. Wish I'd taken Brawler now.
Kolaghan Forerunners - Sweet, thats a good combo with Shaman.
Lose Calm - Usually this works as a good finisher in an aggro deck. Nothing else here for b/r aggro, nothing I want to hate, nothing that makes me want to switch paths
Summit Prowler - Same ideas as last pack.
Dutiful Attendant - Early on the board and pairs nice with Aven. Tempted to take Spell-Eater as a versatile pick, but I think Attendant can fill the same role since I can switch to Exploit if needed.
Kolaghan Stormsinger - hmmm, nothing great. Haste is what I like though.
Magmatic Chasm - can end games for aggro, good sideboard tech.
Volcanic Rush - yep (didn't see Brawler ...need to pay more attention)
Kolaghan Stormsinger
Shape the Sands - What to hate, what to hate. I shouldn't often have fliers, so Pinion is probably a dead card even if it gives them better block if they can cast it. Shape is bad against my deck.
Lose Calm
Forest

Not a horrible start. If I go Shaman/Aggro I actually have a good start. Snapping up any Dash I can find and early power moving forward.

Ambuscade Shaman - Pack seems terrible. At least a 4/4 Haste for a turn is something, and looks like an archetype.
Hand of Silumgar - Already starting to doubt my P1P1. Resolving a good Visions will win you the game, but I didn't really want to tie myself into it. Hand is a decent creature in color.
Vulturous Aven - Two playable blacks for two other archetypes, and a red card for the current one. Blood-Chin Rager works with Hand, too, which is nice. But ended up picking Vulturous Aven since it seemed the most useful. Wouldn't want to get tied up on dash plan over a single creature.
Ambuscade Shaman - And then it goes and slaps me in the face with another. Guess I'm going with the dash plan.
Kolaghan Forerunners - Pick the dude with dash. Actually kind of counterproductive to the plan, it seems, but I don't know the plan well enough to know how it works
Marsh Hulk - Early beater or late-game reach. I don't really expect to play him except as a 2/2 though.
Summit Prowler - In color
Dutiful Attendant - IDK. Dragonfire might have been better.
Kolaghan Stormsinger - Hasty dude gives haste.
Sarkhan's Triumph - Didn't see anything of worth, and who knows? We might pick up a dragon.
Screamreach Brawler - Oh, hey, he made it back. Welcome!
Kolaghan Stormsinger - Same as other.
Shape the sands - w/e
Lose Calm - That works.
Forest

Not a pack you want to open, but it makes for a good forum topic. No bomb rare, no good removal. But there is a high-potential card in Ambuscade Shaman, which is my pick.

Rush, you sure you're not editing these? Another empty pack? Hand of Silumgar is solid and on color, but I was hoping for something more for pick two. I hope to get back Vision, but this pack is so empty it will almost certainly be gone.

Two good options here, and the Screamreach as a distant third. Aggro or control? There is also the Kirin, which makes me think white might be al least partially open, and Hand is a Warrior, so I'm picking Blood-Chin Rager. But a very close pick, and I might well go the other way on another day.

I hate passing that Sandcrafter, but there were no Dromoka Warriors so far, which means somebody is picking for white aggro. I'll take the second Ambuscade Shaman and starting prioritizing the support.

And here is one. Not a card that has done a lot for me so far, but it fits the theme. Kolaghan Forerunners It is worth noting that green is nowhere to be seen.

Hmmm. Marsh Hulk should make the deck.

Summit Prowler

Somebody passed us two Shamans, and now there are no dashers to be seen anywhere? Ah well, they were probably picking removal over them. I'll take Dutiful Attendant.

Quite a hard choice for pick nine. Servant or Sadist? Haven't seen a Dragon for the whole draft, so I'll take Qarsi Sadist.

Magmatic Chasm

And this is a nice surprise. Hello, Screamreach Brawler.

Duress
Pinion Feast
Lose Calm
Forest
This could be a deck, or it could be a disaster. I just might first-pick Impact Tremors from pack two.

p1p1 - I picked Ambuscade Shaman liked everyone else here did. It pushes toward a specific archetype, but is quite strong when it comes together. I think there are a lot of defensible picks here, with Outrider, Beastbreaker, and Sandcrafter all being noteworthy and comparable enough to let preference dictate the choice. I still like my Shaman pick, though any of thos epicks feels fine.

p1p2 - I took Hand of Silumgar. I think this is a slight mistake, though an acceptable one. Being only pick 2, I think Visions is the better choice. It doesn't go with our first pick at all, but the power level is so much larger, and the card is amazing when you get to build around it early. Hand is right at home in a Shaman deck, but has a comparably smaller impact.

p1p3 - I took Blood-Chin Rage. It makes a lot of sense to take the aggressive, evasive 2-drop after taking 2-other aggressive black cards. Aven make a lot of sense as well, and is probably a better overall pick, but at this point, I wanted to force the aggression. Which is a bit early to do such things, but a fine move. Had I take Visions last pack, I would have grabbed Aven for sure.

p1p4 - I took Ambuscade Shaman. After my first three picks, I don't think there was much choice. Had I gone Visions then Aven, I would instead have grabbed Sight Beyond Sight here. Visions and Aven are both looking for control decks and Sight fits right in. Both decks look interesting to me at this point.

p1p5 - I grabbed Kolaghan Forerunner. With two dash lords, this card becomes amazing. Without them, it's still usually a 3+/3 for 3, which is a fine deal in red. It's one of the best dashers and I'm glad to pick it up. As for the missed control deck, Ojutai's Summons looks perfect. All that deck wants is value and ways to stay alive. Well, and big spells it can return with Volcanic.

p1p6 - I snagged Duress. I actually quite like the card in this sort of aggro deck. I'm hoping my aggression will do work on opposing creatures; I just need to get the removal out of the way. I like it more than Mind Rot, and Marsh Hulk just feels endlessly replaceable. For the control deck, Kolaghan Monument is perfect. I still like both decks, but I'm starting to wish I'd gone the control route.

p1p7 - I went with Summit Prowler. It's a fine 4-drop for the deck, though admittedly I'd rather have any big dasher instead. For the control deck, I'd either take Learn from the Past or Qarsi Deceiver, quite likely the former. It's very easy to build the control deck in a way where Learn is a significant win-condition, and even if it isn't about preventing decking, it still greatly improves draw quality in a deck made up of so many instants and sorceries.

p1p8 - I took Herald of Dromoka. There's a chance going Warriors is open, giving us a bounty of Harsh Sustenances on the back end. Dutiful Attendant is so awful in an aggro deck, and Vial is so slow. For the control deck, Silumgar Spell-Eater is an extremely nice late pick-up. The presence of it and Anticipate make me think this is the right deck to be in.

p1p9 - I picked Kolaghan Stormsinger. It rather seamlessly fits into the deck. The idea of paying for 5 points of hastey damage is exciting, and it has so much versatility with the Shamans that I'm just way more excited for the card than I've ever been. For the control deck, Dragonlord's Servant looks interesting as a defensive 2-drop with potential upside. Red hasn't been that open and will likely not be a main color, but I think the chances of this or Custodian of the Trove getting into the deck are slim, and I want the card that's better for my curve and has an interesting upside. Custodian is probably correct, but I'm a dreamer.

p1p10 - I snagged Magmatic Chasm. It's a fine way for creatures to sneak past, though probably destined for the SB. The control deck takes Sarkhan's Triumph in case of DRAGONS!

p1p11 - I picked Screamreach Brawler. And feel ecstatic. This is a solid-curve filler. Having it table makes me feel a whole lot better about being in the aggro deck. And for the first time since the first pick, the control deck takes the same card. Go Brawler!

p1p12 - I took Kolaghan Stormsinger. I contemplated just how good it is in my deck. I smiled at the possibilities. The control deck took Duress because that card is way too underrated for how efficient it is.

p1p13 - I grabbed Pinion Feast. No one plays Shape the Sands. Funny enough, it might be right to reverse those picks considering the deck at hand. Control.dec takes the Feast as well.



So, had I to do this all over again, I think I'd end up with a UBR control deck. Is it better? I'm not sure. The aggro deck has a lot of neat synergies, but no removal. The control deck has a lot of card quality, but no removal. At this point, I think they're quite similar, though the aggro deck is much more exciting. There's a certain bit of disconnect doing these reimaginings, since different picks affect the players around you and ultimately change what you see, but it's still interesting. I'll probably just review the BR portion from here on out, but I might find a few saucy picks to stir me otherwise.

Twin Bolt - Awesome for aggro!
Risen Executioner - I don't know if we'll have Zombies, but the ability to recast is nice and the body is aggressive. Wanderings gets a glance and could be great if our aggro plans slumps...but no and Rupture might be good to hate.
Death Wind - I want that Behemoth, but premium removal is premium removal...
Sprinting Warbrute - KEY! Too good with Shaman, good without.
Lightning Berserker - so good with our plan. so good..why do I feel like this has flying?
Dutiful Attendant - I don't really like anything here. One Rush is enough (:P), Butcher is too expensive. Attendant can keep attacking and bring stuff back through its futile efforts.
Champion of Arashin - Very bad for us to fight, Ancestral Statue may be the right call though. I see it like this: We can get blocked by Statue and still push damage through, Champ may negate our entire attack and still take out a creature.
Ancestral Statue - I'm very tempted to take another Singer though...but I think its interesting that Statue can bounce Singer after being given haste and the Singer can come back down for a sweep with Shaman on the board...maybe I'm getting TOO johnnyish.
Magmatic Chasm - good sb tech
Duress - good sb tech
Ancestral Statue - I could really go with anything here, but I THINK statue edges the rest out. One Rush is enough, Tombshell is sb at best, a second Statue may be too slow, but does have some synergy, one Duress sb is probably enough.
Marsh Hulk - Versatility. Same power as breakers, better late game.
Dirgur Nemesis - I doubt it, but MAYBE we add a single Island and sneak 7 across.
Mystic Meditation
Island

Got some good support here, need more early plays though. Here's hoping for Storm's Fury

Twinbolt
Risen Executioner - I kinda wanted Seismic Rupture since it kinda works with Dash, and Executioner is probably going to cost a bit to revive given the deck. Still, probably good enough.
Death Wind - Though I'm a bit sad to pass the Behemoth. We're kinda short on removal, though.
Sprinting Warbrute
Lightning Berserker
Silumgar Butcher - I figured Rush would come back around, and I already had an Attendant. I didn't think 1/2s for 3 are very conducive to the plan, so I went with the Butcher.
Ancestral Statue - Meh stats. Recycles some dash guys if needed, or just return a 1-drop.
Kolaghan Stormsinger - Heck, IDK. I'll take every one.
Magmatic Chasm
Duress
Volcanic Rush
Marsh Hulk
Gravepurge
Mystic Meditation
Island

So, like everybody else, I ended up with two dash lords and no removal. Also, no Stormsingers. Sometimes, I develop blinders, like that card is not really good. And then overlook that it fits very well indeed into the deck I'm building.

This one is just too easy. I started at the rare end, was quite disappointed, and then I saw Twin Bolt. Perfect.

Am I aggro enough for the Zombie? I'm not sure, but I know I want to be, so I'll take Risen Executioner over the Rupture.

Lots of goodies here, I really want that behemoth, but Death Wind is just perfect for the deck. This pick makes me feel good about my colors.

And here's the big one. Sprinting Warbrute Doing really well.

I think the uncommon is better here, but I sure hope to get another Brawler somewhere, maybe even wheel this one. Lightning Berserker

Do I want the Butcher? Not really, but I'll take it over the second Attendant. Silumgar Butcher

Finally, an empty pack. Ancestral Statue might be useful, rebuy some dashers, get rid of Pacifism, apply some pressure.

Thanks for the tip, Rush. Kolaghan Stormsinger

Magmatic Chasm
Dirgur Nemesis
Volcanic Rush
Marsh Hulk
Gravepurge
Mystic Meditation
Island

The bottom part was bad, I actually didn't wheel a thing, but the first half was great. I'd be excited to try this, waiting for pack 3 to provide the last few pieces to make the deck come together.

Ambuscade Shaman - bunch of fine playables but nothing exciting.
Hand of Silumgar - wow that's where all the jank from pack 1 went
Blood-Chin Rager - pretty easily over brawler
SECOND Ambuscade Shaman - is totally insane
Forerunners - seems fine, and I have been looking for R since pick 1.
Kolaghan Monument - this is not great, but even aggro decks need a finisher sometimes.
Summit Prowler
Vial of Dragonfire - I am concerned about our total lack of removal
Stormsinger - is bad but.
Magmatic Chasm - is a reasonable pick up
Brawler - but we really don't have many dashers
Duress - over the 2nd stormsinger
Lose Calm - might get maindecked if later picks aren't kind.

This started good but someone is taking all the BR removal, and there weren't many dash cards.

Twin Bolt - not premium but fine, I think we have to stick in Red now
Risen Executioner - sure
Death Wind - that is a good sign
Sprinting Warbrute - this is quite the top heavy dash deck, innit?
Lightning Berserker - but only because I think Brawler has a better chance to wheel. Not sure about this pick
Silumgar Butcher - meh
Gravepurge - and hope we don't have to play it.
Ancestral Statue - boy you can tell I hate stormsinger! These are playable because you can return a dash'd creature (which we don't have enough of ) to our hand.
Mind Rot - These pack suck. We are probably getting cut, but it's not like there are any GWU cards I feel like I am missing.
Duress - WTH
Tombshell - I don't like the dash interaction enough to play _2_ statues.
Marsh Hulk - and pretty happy about it at this stage.
Gravepurge - you guys need to get a WOTC refund
Meditation