Draft Review - ZNR Premier #57

​Here's the Draft Log for ZNR Draft #57:

Since they don't currently save P1P1, here it is (I switched but in hindsight...):

As always, here's my thoughts post draft but before playing a game:

• P1P1. As seen in photo, I had Thundering Rebuke picked before I switched to Deadly Alliance halfway through. Probably should have picked Thundering Rebuke, it feels like Deadly Alliance is being more available these days. 
• P1P2. Akiri was not an instant pick. Two colors, needs equipment. Nothing else speaks to me. Previous picker took a common P1P1. Spoils of Adventure was interesting after hearing Sam Black's Drafting Archetypes episode on Blue/White. But in the end I've had Akiri be pretty good  and if it's open, I know what I need to go get - equipment and Warriors. 
• P1P3. Journey to Oblivion or Windrider Wizard. I guess Visionary gets a look too. Oblivion is good white removal, not great as it's an enchantment removal but it's only one white (vs Nahiri's Binding 2 white and the creature leaves the battlefield). Still dangerous with a Into the Roil getting OP's creature back, at least it has summoning sickness.
• P1P4. Nothing outstanding in this deck, Gnarlid Colony is good but Vastwood Surge is better. Funny, I'd have all colors but blue after this pick! Lots of lanes. 
• P1P5. I could get the Blue Geysermage but maybe we're pushing Red/White Warriors, maybe WR party. Therefore, Outrider seems like a reasonable pic here. Geopede felt a bit too narrow but would work with the Vastwood Surge. Though RG is not powerful enough.
• P1P6. Gnarlid Colony seems like the most powerful card that would allow for a good pivot to Green if it's open. Hellhound - been too burned recently by RG landfall. Sea Gate Banneret was tempting given White Warrior.
• P1P7. Scythecat vs the Hornbeedle. I don't think there's enough counters stuff going on to take the Insect. Expedition Champion was temping due to Red Warrior, but Scythecat would work well with the Vastwood Surge. Hoping to get another Expedition Champion later. Felt like we're a bit all over the place, but we could go Green or RW. 
• P1P8. Charger seems very reasonable for 8th pick. Is Red open from this pick? But before this pick I really only has Akiri for red.
• P1P9. Probably a mistake. Should have taken Fissure Wizard for Red Party. Geopede gives options. 
• P1P10. Nothing really grabs me, though Kitesail will help as equipment with Akiri.
• P1P11. Seems late for Roilmage. No kicker player? Rage > Hellhound.
• P1P12. Happily taking the Practiced Tactics for white removal here. 
• P1P13. Already grabbed the Geopede earlier, Ambusher is definitely playable but not must have.
• P1P14. Tuktuk! Haste works well in select circumstances. 
• P2P1. Luminarch Aspirant. This card is awesome. Relic Amulet - not really Wizard at al. Vanquish isn't that good, given only one black. Nothing even comes close to talking Luminarch pick. 
• P2P2. Debated Kazuul's Fury vs Shepherd of Heroes. Flying, life gain for party. Fury can be so great as damage to the face though.
• P2P3. Needed the Grotag Bug-Catcher in this deck. Stampede is good. Another Deadly Alliance. 
• P2P4. Shatterskull Minoatur - great pick-up for Warrior/Red + Party. Expedition Champion would be nice but not as nice as the Minotaur
• P2P5. OMFG. I was like ANOTHER Akiri! But wait, there's a Roil Eruption! Man oh man. 
• P2P6. Happily taking another Grotag Bug-Catcher. Sea Gate Banneret would be nice in this deck but not over Bug-Catcher.
• P2P7. Fissure vs Farsight. I think let's take the Farsight. An argument could be made for equipment as well, the weak Utility Knife but it helps out Akiri pretty well.
• P2P8. Okay, NOW I'll get my Expedition Champion.
• P2P9. Resolute Strike is useful in a Warriors deck. Wish I had more equipment, like the one in this pack. 
• P2P10. Take the Electromancer now
• P2P11. Tormenting Voice wil do, probably won't play it.
• P2P12. Woot! Expedition Champion wheels. 
• P2P13-P2P14. Not likely to make my deck.
• P3P1. Roil Eruption! Fissure, Bala Ged Recovery - nothing can beat the Roil Eruption. 
• P3P2. Yuck pack for me. I guess I"ll take the 2nd Farsight Adept. I guess I should have taken the Ambush, given that I know that I am unlikely to put the Adept in my deck as the 2nd copy. 
• P3P3. Debated on Stampede vs Journey to Oblivion. I already have one Journey to Oblivion and Roil Eruptions and maybe splash for Deadly Alliance (esp with Party)
• P3P4. So. I would be curious on thoughts. We could have taken: Akoum Warrior (MDFC, Red, Warrior), Thundering Sparkmager (Wizard/Party, Party reward), Scavenged Blade (equipment), or Sea Gate Banneret. I think a creature is important and Sparkmarge can help get rid of another creature.
• P3P5. Could have taken a 3rd Bug-Catcher, but Packbeast can help make sure the first two are most effective.
• P3P6. Nothing really for Red/White. I guess I could have taken Dauntless Unity, but Deadly Alliance would help IF I do splash for black. 
• P3P7. Expedition Champion or Packbeast. Again, Packbeast enables so much in deck, as well as filter for black.
• P3P8. Cleansing Wildlife lets me get a swamp into play if I have only been drawing Mountains/Forests. Otherwise, Scorch Rider would have been the choice. 
• P3P9. Need some equipment, Utility Knife
• P3P10. Base Camp is useless but UNC (Vault progress). Not going to play Green, and already have a tormenting voice.
• P3P11. Happily take the Ambusher at this stage. 
• P3P12. Scavenged Blade - yes please for attacker. 
• P3P13. Sigh Base Camp
• P3P14. Negate to the sideboard.

I think it's a reasonable deck and should be fun to play. Akira + Luminarch will be fun to play. Lots of my first few picks are sitting it out. Let's see how it goes. ​

Deck Evaluation 

Let's try something new as part of the evaluation:
How does this deck win? 

• Power level is on the short-end. This is an aggro deck that wants to attack quickly with combat tricks.
• Akiri can give a bit of card draw.
• Luminarch Aspirant can help buff up creatures.
• Kitesail can help creatures go over theirs.
• Get a big creature to Kazuul's Fury or Makindi Stampede a broad board.
• The deck isn't focused enough on strictly aggro. It's weakness.
• I tried to splash black and 2x Deadly Alliance but it just took up too much space and we have the Roil Eruption, Journey to Oblivion, and combat tricks. 

What is this card missing for its archetype?

• Kargan Warleader
• Kor Blademaster
• Goma Fada Vanguard
• One sneaking Guide (of all things)
• More Cliffhaven Kitesails (instead of Utility Knife or Scavenged Blade)
• Obviously a Maul of the Skyclave would be great.
• If I had more Kitesails, I think Akiri instead of Roil Eruption (P3P5) would be right. Actually in hindsight, t's possible Akiri would have been better in any case. 

Prediction

• 2-4 wins