Thread by @rcsaxe

My top commons in #MTGSTX Draft:

1. Environmental Sciences
2. Fractal Summoning

big gap

3. Quandrix Pledgemage
4. Elemental Summoning
5. Bury in Books
6. Heated Debate
7. Mage Duel
8. Field Trip
9. Rise to Extus
10. Inkling Summoning

Okay, let me explain🧵

1/9

You may notice a complete lack of white and black cards (excluding WB hybrid), and that all of the top 5 cards are blue. This isn't necessarily because the black and white cards are bad, but rather that I've found the Temur colors to be open WAY MORE than black or white.

2/9

Basically, I expect to be Prismari or Quandrix in over 75% of my drafts, so I adjust how I'm picking cards to reflect that. Because they overlap with the color blue, I draft blue cards like they're colorless, which is what puts Bury in Books ahead of Heated Debate.

3/9

Furthermore, I don't expect this rating of cards to last that long. Once enough people catch on with how to prioritize the right Temur gold cards and generic commons, and white and black aren't as overdrafted, my top10 will look less like "forcing".

4/9

Additionally, I expect the dynamic between lesson and learn to dictate how this format evolves. Right now, they are underdrafted and hence prioritizing a fantastic lesson suite will give you unbelievable rewards. Once learn becomes more scarce, lessons will get worse.

5/9

The only exception to this rule is Environmental Sciences, which I believe will always be a massively important priority. I started thinking it was just a nice to have, but I was wrong. I missed something crucial: it fundamentally shifts how you navigate a draft.

6/9

With Sciences, I can draft under the assumption that, if I get some early cards with learn, my mana will work out. That's powerful. It will become less powerful as learn becomes more scarce, just like the other lessons, but it will still be premium for the following reason:

7/9

It provides "full coverage". You want your lesson options to always be relevant, and this is the only one that can get you a land if needed. The ability to choose between a land and a spell is likely worth more than whatever you passed in the draft to take this card.

8/9

Overall, I'm starting to get pretty sick of drafting the same way, but it's what I recommend doing if you want to win.

I will say, this format has had some of the closest, most intense, most skill intensive games I have played. It's fun. I just hope people adjust soon.

9/9