Rivals of Ixalan Fantasy Draft

General forum

Posted on Jan. 2, 2018, 4:14 p.m. by PhotogenicParasympathetic

A couple of other users and I did this for Kaladesh and it was a lot of fun- I wanted to bring it back, and see if more people wanted to give it a shot.

Basically, the premise is this. After the full spoilers, but before prerelease, 6-8 people group up (if there are more than that interested, I'll set up pods). Each player gets to pick a card from the RIX spoilers that is "banned" - that is, that no one in their pod can draft. Then each person drafts a team of ten cards, choosing one for each category:

Small creature (0-3 cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard)

Medium creature (4-5 cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard)

Big creature (6+ cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard)

Instant--2 pts (1 sideboard)

Sorcery--2 pts (1 sideboard)

Enchantment--2 pts (1 sideboard)

Artifact--2 pts (1 sideboard)

Flex slot Common--1 pt (0.5 sideboard)

Flex slot Uncommon--1 pt (0.5 sideboard)

Flex slot Rare/Mythic--1 pt (0.5 sideboard)

Then we wait for GP Memphis (the first major Standard tournament post-release). Each player gets the above number of points for each time a card on their team appears in a deck in the top 8 (which means that the top two decks supply points three times, at the finals, semi-finals, and quater-finals). This counts the NUMBER of cards that appear as well, so a card that's run as a 1-of won't earn the same number of points as a card that shows up in playsets.

Prizes are bragging rights. Post below if you're interested or if you have any questions!

Credit to hannibal6 for the original system, which I've tweaked only slightly for this iteration.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #2

hannibal6, Bovine073, Chandrian, MenacingBunny

January 2, 2018 4:17 p.m.

Ryjo says... #3

I'm intrigued. So after deciding on the ban list, one person would select one card for a slot, then another would select a card, and so on until everyone filled their 10 slots?

January 2, 2018 4:25 p.m.

Bovine073 says... #4

Oh yeah count me in! Almost forgot about it, it's been a while haha, but good fun.

January 2, 2018 4:37 p.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #5

Ryjo: Last time, we just had people pick a full ten and submit them- there was some overlap, but it meant both that no one got stuck picking really dumb cards, and it allowed us to not struggle over time zones and planning times for picks.

January 2, 2018 5:36 p.m.

Ryjo says... #6

Alright, cool. In that case, I'm in.

January 2, 2018 6:17 p.m.

Ithyn says... #7

Sounds fun. Count me in!

January 2, 2018 7:32 p.m.

shadow63 says... #8

I'm down if I can join in

January 2, 2018 10:50 p.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #9

Ryjo, Ithyn, shadow63: Glad to have you! Welcome!

Bovine073: Welcome back! Hopefully you won't slaughter me quite as badly this go around.

I guess we should keep entries open until, say, a day after full spoilers go up? Then that should give us time to ban cards, pick teams, and have them ready by prerelease.

January 3, 2018 3:09 a.m.

Boza says... #10

Count me in! After seeing the first two days of spoilers, I am very excited to do this. I already have my pick for small creature too.

January 3, 2018 3:41 a.m.

Bovine073 says... #11

Boza just remember it could get banned :P

January 3, 2018 10:11 a.m.

Chandrian says... #12

You can count me in for this one too. I didn't bother with Mtg since Ixalan came out since I only play draft and it was a horrible experience... but RIX looks very promising :)

January 3, 2018 10:42 a.m.

hannibal6 says... #13

Definitely in! Super excited. I forgot all about this

January 3, 2018 8:12 p.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #14

Ok! Full spoilers are up, and there's an even 8 of us, so let's get this party started!

Each player can now choose one card that will be banned from drafting - simply name the card in this thread. Once we have 8 exclusions, you all can submit your teams either by posting under a spoiler in this thread, or if you're the paranoid type by enabling chat with me and sending the team in that way.

I'll start off by excluding Azor, the Lawbringer, cause I know nothing about standard except that Sphinx's Revelation was OP.

January 5, 2018 4:21 p.m.

Ryjo says... #15

I'm going to eject Silvergill Adept from consideration, because Merfolk seems like a deck that can do some heavy lifting. Also Merfolk is a thing in older formats.

January 5, 2018 5:17 p.m.

shadow63 says... #16

I'm gonna pick deeproot elite as my ban list card

January 5, 2018 5:17 p.m.

hannibal6 says... #17

I'll ban silent gravestone. Its just a sideboard card, but I feel like unless the scarab god gets banned, people are going to playing it everywhere

January 6, 2018 1:16 a.m.

Boza says... #18

ill ban Legion Lieutenant, since mono white vamps did super well last PT and they only stand to gain from this set.

January 6, 2018 1:57 a.m.

Chandrian says... #19

Warkite Marauder is my choice for banning.

January 6, 2018 5:55 a.m.

Bovine073 says... #20

I will ban Tilonalli's Summoner.

January 7, 2018 8:46 a.m.

Ithyn says... #21

Sorry, I completely forgot about this.

I'll ban... hmm... Baffling End.

January 9, 2018 3:07 p.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #22

Alright! That's everyone. Ya'll can either post teams here under spoilers (third button from the right above the comment box), or enable chat with me to submit.

Friday at 11:59PM will be the deadline to get your teams in! Good luck!

January 9, 2018 4:58 p.m.

Boza says... #23

Boza's Team Show

Small creature (0-3 cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard) - Merfolk Mistbinder since nobody thought to ban it and merfolk will be good.

Medium creature (4-5 cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard) - hedging in vampires with Twilight Prophet.

Big creature (6+ cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard) - Ghalta, Primal Hunger is a weird one, but could pay off and hedges dinos.

Instant--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Moment of Craving is by far the best and naming Negate feels like cheating.

Sorcery--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Thunderherd Migration for the dino hedge.

Enchantment--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Radiant Destiny by a country mile.

Artifact--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Azor's Gateway doubling up on azor.

Flex slot Common--1 pt (0.5 sideboard) - Martyr of Dusk

Flex slot Uncommon--1 pt (0.5 sideboard) - daring bucaneer

Flex slot Rare/Mythic--1 pt (0.5 sideboard) - Wayward Swordtooth

January 10, 2018 2:56 a.m.

Ryjo says... #24

RyJo's Picks Show

Small creature (0-3 cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard) - Fanatical Firebrand since RDW still puts up good numbers, and that ping ability could be very good there.

Medium creature (4-5 cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard) - Champion of Dusk, because a dedicated Vampire deck seems playable, and getting a 4/4 and drawing several cards for 5 CMC seems very possible.

Big creature (6+ cmc)--3 pts (1.5 sideboard) - Tetzimoc, Primal Death, I'm hedging for some sort of control deck looking to use this creature to prevent the opponent from over extending.

Instant--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Reckless Rage, I think enrage could be a thing, or it could enable some plays with Cherished Hatchling in a Dino deck.

Sorcery--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Golden Demise, most of RDW's creatures get hit by this, and Temur energy's thopters get erased.

Enchantment--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Radiant Destiny, Vampires and Dinosaurs can use this on color, Merfolk can certainly splash this. The G/W Cats deck can also use this and get Ascend going.

Artifact--2 pts (1 sideboard) - Azor's Gateway, I would have gone with Silent Gravestone, but that was banned. This just seems very powerful.

Flex slot Common--1 pt (0.5 sideboard) - Naturalize, it's back, and there are some good targets for it to hit. This is most likely going to be a sideboard only card, but I think between Merfolk, Dinos, and Temur Energy, this will see some play.

Flex slot Uncommon--1 pt (0.5 sideboard) - Thunderherd Migration, for that Dino ramp.

Flex slot Rare/Mythic--1 pt (0.5 sideboard) - Blood Sun, the flip enchantments seem powerful, and this appears to be a good way to prevent those lands from becoming a problem.

January 10, 2018 9:45 a.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #25

PhotogenicParasympathetic's Team Show

Small creature: Merfolk Mistbinder, cause Merfolk suddenly seems viable

Medium creature: Trapjaw Tyrant. I'm not sure if Dinosaur tribal will be a thing, but if it is, this guy will be there.

Big creature: Nezahal, Primal Tide seems like a good control finisher

Instant: Vona's Hunger, cause Edict effects are totally fair and never broken at all.

Sorcery: Golden Demise maybe? Decks that aren't running white but still need sweepers will want it, and it's still a mana cheaper than Settle the Wreckage.

Enchantment: Blood Sun. Turn them Legion's Landing  ^Flips and Search for Azcanta  ^Flips off.

Artifact: I'm feeling Golden Guardian. Free enrage triggers, with possible upside if you kill the Guardian? Maybe. It'd probably be better if it were weaker...

Flex slot Common: Fanatical Firebrand. I remember Mogg Fanatic, oh yes I do.

Flex slot Uncommon: Swift Warden. Merfolk. A thing. Gonna be.

Flex slot Rare/Mythic: Wayward Swordtooth, cause even if Dinos aren't good, who doesn't like ramp?

January 10, 2018 11:26 a.m.

Chandrian says... #26

Chandrian's List Show

Small creature: Merfolk Mistbinder

Medium creature: Twilight Prophet

Big creature: Ghalta, Primal Hunger

Instant: Reckless Rage

Sorcery: Thunderherd Migration

Enchantment: Hadana's Climb

Artifact: Traveler's Amulet

Flex1: Negate

Flex2: Forerunner of the Legion

Flex3: Huatli, Radiant Champion

January 10, 2018 12:53 p.m.

shadow63 says... #27

shadow 63's picks Show

small creature = dire fleet daredevilmid creature = forerunner of the empire large creature = Tetzimoc, Primal Death

instant = negate sorcery =slaughter the strong enchantment = form of the dinosaurartifact = captain's hook

flex common=naturalizeflex uncommon = expel from orazca flex rare = admiral's orders

thanks for doing this. it was tough making the list

January 11, 2018 9:19 p.m.

shadow63 says... #28

my list Show

small creature = Dire Fleet Daredevil

mid creature = Forerunner of the Empire

large creature = Tetzimoc, Primal Death

instant = Negate

sorcery =Slaughter the Strong

enchantment = Form of the Dinosaur

artifact = Captain's Hook

flex common=Naturalize

flex uncommon = expel from orazca

flex rare = Admiral's Orders

January 11, 2018 9:28 p.m.

hannibal6 says... #29

My Team Show

Small Creature - Merfolk Mistbinder (Merfolk look busted)

Medium Creature - Rekindling Phoenix (This card looks amazing, but I have no idea what kind of deck it would fit into. I'm hoping someone else figures that out)

Large Creature - Ghalta, Primal Hunger (It feels a little too "win more" for me, but nothing else really looks playable)

Instant - Negate (everyone loves negate)

Sorcery - Thunderherd Migration (This is really the only reason to play Dinos)

Enchantment - Journey to Eternity (Seems awesome if someone builds a good GB midrange deck)

Artifact - Captain's Hook (This should help RDW in the energy matchup)

Common - Fanatical Firebrand (This goes with my next pick)

Uncommon - Daring Buccaneer (I'm hoping theres a pirate subtheme version of RDW, or maybe a UR tempo version)

Rare - Wayward Swordtooth (It's a powerful effect for a non-combo build of Dinos, also strong with ghalta)

January 12, 2018 2:55 a.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #30

Allllllright, we're coming down to the deadline! Ithyn and Bovine073, you guys have about 9 more hours to submit teams!

January 12, 2018 6:03 p.m.

Bovine073 says... #31

My picks Show

Small creature (0-3 cmc)-- Merfolk Mistbinder

Medium creature (4-5 cmc)-- Rekindling Phoenix

Big creature (6+ cmc)-- Ghalta, Primal Hunger

Instant-- Negate

Sorcery-- Thunderherd Migration

Enchantment-- Hadana's Climb

Artifact-- Azor's Gateway

Flex slot Common-- Fanatical Firebrand

Flex slot Uncommon-- Daring Buccaneer

Flex slot Rare/Mythic-- Kumena, Tyrant of Orazca

January 12, 2018 11:35 p.m.

Ithyn says... #32

Sorry for being late again. Show

Small creature - Direfleet Daredevil

Medium creature - Bishop of Binding

Big creature - Etali, Primal Storm

Instant - Expel from Orazca

Sorcery - Golden Demise

Enchantment - Radiant Destiny

Artifact - Orazca Relic

Flex slot Common - Martyr of Dusk

Flex slot Uncommon - Ravenous Chupacabra

Flex slot Rare/Mythic - Rekindling Phoenix

January 13, 2018 9:39 a.m.

Chandrian says... #33

Hello everyone, just a reminder that this weekend is the weekend where we will get the results of our little game. I am curious what the results will be (altough I doubt I made great choices, compared to what I'm seeing from Standard so far).

February 22, 2018 9:48 a.m.

Boza says... #34

I think noone made good picks based on how standard and bannings turned out. But, hey this is a fun experience.

February 22, 2018 10:01 a.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #35

Yeah, I think Bovine and hannibal picking Rekindling Phoenix might be the deciding factor here... Card seems like it's doing okay.

February 22, 2018 11:50 a.m.

hannibal6 says... #36

I don't think I have much of a chance vs bovine. I just have to hope merfolk doesn't make top 8.

February 23, 2018 12:23 a.m.

Bovine073 says... #37

I don't think Folk will T8, at least probably not

February 23, 2018 7:24 a.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #38

Well, the results are in!

Honorable mention goes to Ryjo with 3.5 points, to PhotogenicParasympathetic with 5 points, to Boza with 14 points, to Chandrian with 18 points, and to Ithyn with 30 points!

In third place! I give you.... shadow63 with 41.5 points!

In second place, the one, the only... hannibal6 with 76 points!

And in first place, yet again, he's your reigning championnnnnn... Bovine073 with 94 points!

Here is a link to the google spreadsheet in which I tallied the points - feel free to peruse this stunning read, in which the median points earned per card were... 0!

The best card we picked was Rekindling Phoenix with 48 points, followed by Negate with 28 points, then Hadana's Climb  ^Flip with 18... then the Phoenix AGAIN as a flex rare with 16 points.

Interestingly, not ONE of the cards we chose to exclude made an appearance, and there were ZERO RIX cards that made an appearance that we did not choose.

February 26, 2018 2:15 a.m.

Boza says... #39

Woot, I am actually not 0. The last paragraph of the summary is particularly interesting! Congrats to the winner and to everyone who participated and thanks for the great organization!

February 26, 2018 2:57 a.m.

Chandrian says... #40

Thanks for organising this and doing the math :) And thanks for all to participate as well.

Minor thing is I also have negate as a flex spot, I think it would've added 14 points to my total ;)

Anyway, I had a lot of fun (and am kinda sad the set wasn't very impactful). Once Kaladesh et. al rotates I believe Standard will be much more open and unused cards may suddenly shine

February 26, 2018 4:13 a.m.

PhotogenicParasympathetic says... #41

Ahh! Sorry Chandrian, I forgot to put Negate's values in for the flex slot, so the functions I had totaling your points didn't see any points for Negate-as-a-flex. It's been fixed now, and as predicted, you earned an additional 14 points, bringing you to 32 total!

February 26, 2018 6:22 a.m.

Bovine073 says... #42

Another interesting round we had, we were 100% on picks but 0% on vans, which is hilarious. Looking forward for if we do it again!

February 26, 2018 7:18 a.m.

hannibal6 says... #43

Baffling end got banned and I think it was easily the best enchantment

February 26, 2018 9:58 a.m.

hannibal6 says... #44

Also congrats bovine!

February 26, 2018 9:59 a.m.

shadow63 says... #45

So pretty much all my points came from negate lol. It felt like cheating picking it but I can't complain thanks for putting all those together

February 26, 2018 12:11 p.m.

Ryjo says... #46

I may have come in last, but I like to think of it as it only gets better from here.

February 27, 2018 8:10 p.m.