Lorwyn Eclipsed Draft Guide: Master Card Game Strategy

After nearly three decades, Lorwyn is making a return to the Magic: The Gathering scene. With this revival comes an exciting draft format called “Lorwyn Eclipsed.” New and returning players alike will find a variety of powerful cards, dynamic mechanics, and strategic opportunities. In this draft guide, you’ll receive insights into the prominent mechanics, archetypes, and best commons that can enhance your gameplay.

Lorwyn Eclipsed Mechanics

The Lorwyn Eclipsed draft introduces several key mechanics that can significantly impact your strategies, including:

• Creature Types Matter: This draft revolves around five main creature types:
  • Merfolk (Blue, White)
  • Kithkin (White, Green)
  • Elves (Green, Black)
  • Goblins (Black, Red)
  • Elementals (Red, Blue)
• Changeling: A keyword enabling a card to count as every creature type, useful for supporting synergies across different archetypes.
• Kindred: This mechanic enhances non-creature spells with a corresponding creature subtype, promoting synergy.
• -1/-1 Counters & Blight: Players will encounter -1/-1 counters instead of the usual +1/+1 counters, affecting strategies around board states.
• Vivid: This mechanic rewards players for controlling permanents of various colors, enhancing spell effects for each additional color.
• Convoke: Players can reduce the cost of spells by tapping their untapped creatures, creating opportunities for casting multiple spells per turn.

Best Commons for Lorwyn Eclipsed Draft

Understanding the strongest commons can give you an edge in any draft. Here’s a breakdown of the best options across colors:

White Commons

• Timid Shieldbearer: A versatile hybrid card that supports Merfolk decks effectively.
• Spiral into Solitude: A cost-effective removal that can remove threats permanently.
• Liminal Hold: An efficient removal option that can be better than Spiral depending on the situation.

Blue Commons

• Temporal Cleansing: An excellent interactive spell that works with convoke mechanics.
• Unexpected Assistance: A synergistic convoke card that can regain card advantage while maintaining board stability.
• Summit Sentinel: Offers both defensive capabilities and supports elemental synergies.

Black Commons

• Bogslither’s Embrace: A strong removal spell that also cycles away unnecessary -1/-1 counters.
• Blight Rot: Instantly applies a significant debuff to an opponent’s creature.
• Scarblade Scout: A lifelink creature that provides early-game stability and milling potential.

Red Commons

• Cinder Strike: A flexible removal option at a low cost.
• Tweeze: Offers direct damage and card advantage with a loot effect.
• Elder Auntie: Provides two Goblins for board presence and synergy.

Green Commons

• Assert Perfection: A powerful removal spell that can create combat advantages.
• Surly Farrier: A useful turn-two play that enhances attacks.
• Great Forest Druid: Promotes mana ramp and solid defense.

Lorwyn Eclipsed Draft Archetypes

In the Lorwyn Eclipsed draft, there are ten archetypes that players can explore. They are divided into two groups based on synergy:

Creature-Based Archetypes

• Blue-White: Merfolk Convoke – Focuses on cheap Merfolk to enable convoke spells.
• Green-White: Kithkin Go-Wide – Emphasizes assembling a large number of Kithkin for aggressive attacks.
• Black-Green: Elves Graveyard – Utilizes Elves, leveraging graveyard mechanics.
• Black-Red: Goblins Aggro – Embraces a quick attacking strategy with Goblins.
• Blue-Red: Elementals 4+ Mana – Centers around high-cost Elemental spells.

Flexible Archetypes

• Black-White: -1/-1 Counters Midrange – Relies on solid black and white cards with some -1/-1 counter interactions.
• Red-White: -1/-1 Counters Aggro – Fast-paced playstyle that combines Kithkin and Goblins.
• Red-Green: Midrange – Features strong red and green cards without heavy synergy.
• Blue-Green: Vivid Ramp – Capitalizes on the vivid mechanic for a potentially multi-colored deck.
• Blue-Black: Flash Control – A strategy focusing on playing spells on opponents’ turns.

Additional Tips for Drafting

To maximize your success in Lorwyn Eclipsed drafts, consider the following tips:

• Know the mass removal spells available in the format to avoid overcommitting.
• Be flexible in your drafting, allowing for the potential to borrow cards from multiple archetypes.
• Focus on identifying the best commons early and adjust your strategies accordingly.

The Lorwyn Eclipsed draft format is rich with strategy, mechanics, and card synergies. With this guide, you’re prepared to dive into the exciting world of Lorwyn Eclipsed drafting and maximize your chances of success.