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1. Reflecting on My Prerelease Analysis
Before diving into the current state of Modern Horizons 3, let’s revisit and refine some initial assessments made during the prerelease period to improve drafting strategies.
1.1. Mana Fixing and Splashing
The mana fixing in Modern Horizons 3 is significantly better than initially anticipated. Unlike Outlaws of Thunder Junction, where deserts were a lottery, Landscapes appear in common slots, increasing the frequency of mana fixing.
Compared to Outlaws of Thunder Junction, Modern Horizons 3 has a higher as-fan for mana fixing. The Sheltering Landscape cycle is remarkable, offering:
- Dual-land functionality
- Late-game mana smoothing
Embrace splashing in this format! Three-color decks are common. Aim for two colors plus a splash, three colors, or, at most, three colors with a splash for cards like Breya, Etherium Shaper or Abstruse Appropriation.
1.2. Individual Card Evaluations
Some initial card evaluations were off the mark, prompting adjustments based on actual gameplay.
- Omo, Queen of Vesuva: Overly charitable due to underestimated fixing. It’s not terrible, but rarely sees play.
- Coram, the Undertaker: Better than expected; milling both players makes it a Divination every attack. Combines well with Gift of the Viper.
- Shadow of the Second Sun: Misread; untap happens after the second main phase. It’s a build-around for instants, vigilance creatures, and mana dumps.
- Arna Kennerüd, Skycaptain: Modified text matters more than expected. Still a Baneslayer Angel with ward.
- Ugin’s Binding: Great bomb/build-around, but draft colorless creatures for it.
- Herigast, Erupting Nullkite: Great, but short of “mega-bomb” status due to awkward emerge.
- Wrath of the Skies: Overrated; Boros Energy is too aggressive, and other Wx decks struggle with energy. Best in greedy control decks.
- Imskir Iron-Eater: Not very good; body isn’t big enough, and ability is terrible. Take Cranial Ram instead.
- Annoyed Altisaur: Good, but more replaceable than expected.
- Volatile Stormdrake: Flexible templating allows various uses: efficient flier, Galvanic Discharge enabler, or bomb answer.
- Ripples of Undeath: Rarely playable; situational and hard to draw when needed.
- Branching Evolution: Better than expected; many ways to get +1/+1 counters.
- Primal Prayers: Part of an impractical infinite life combo with Guide of Souls and Shrieking Drake.
- Rosheen, Roaring Prophet: Mill six can be valuable for Detective’s Phoenix and Nethergoyf.
- Urza’s Incubator: Affects both players, risky in the Eldrazi mirror.
Ugins Binding Strategy
1.3. Top Commons
Revisiting the top four commons in each color reveals some surprises.
1.3.1. White
- Aerie Auxiliary: Still the best white common.
- Mandibular Kite: Great in RW, BW, and GW.
- Solstice Zealot: Excels in RW and UW.
- Dog Umbra: Varies by matchup; Pacifism is better against Eldrazi, while Thraben Charm is more reliable.
Revised White Top Four:
- Aerie Auxiliary
- Mandibular Kite
- Solstice Zealot
- Thraben Charm
1.3.2. Blue
- Serum Visionary: Cracked; good in pretty much every deck.
- Tune the Narrative: Overrated; great for energy decks, but not over strong uncommons.
- Aether Spike: Great in energy decks, but too many Eldrazi Spawns reduce its value.
- Petrifying Meddler: Great defensive creature.
Two cards that were not mentioned but should be: Deem Inferior and Utter Insignificance.
Revised Blue Top Four:
- Serum Visionary
- Utter Insignificance
- Deem Inferior
- Petrifying Meddler
1.3.3. Black
- Wither and Bloom: #1; extra upside with Evolution Witness and Cursed Wombat.
- Breathe Your Last: Solid insurance against bombs.
- Accursed Marauder: Best if you have engines like Essence Reliquary and Chthonian Nightmare.
- Fetid Gargantua: Good sometimes, but replaceable.
Revised Black Top Four:
- Wither and Bloom
- Breathe Your Last
- Accursed Marauder
- Refurbished Familiar
1.3.4. Red
- Galvanic Discharge: Even better than expected.
- Fanged Flames: Awesome.
- Skoa, Embermage: Replaceable as top end.
- Molten Gatekeeper: Decently playable artifact.
Revised Red Top Four:
- Galvanic Discharge
- Fanged Flames
- Glimpse the Impossible
- Molten Gatekeeper
1.3.5. Green
- Nightshade Dryad: Amazing.
- Nyxborn Hydra: Premium GW/GB card.
- Eldrazi Repurposer: Best bridge 3-drop in Eldrazi decks.
- Horrific Assault: Better than expected.
Revised Green Top Four:
- Nightshade Dryad
- Eldrazi Repurposer
- Malevolent Rumble
- Horrific Assault
1.3.6. Multicolor
Multicolor commons were a huge omission. Writhing Chrysalis may be the best defensive creature ever seen in Limited. It is essential to any draft strategy that aims for the top spot.
1.3.7. Recap
Modern Horizons 3 is not a flowchart set to draft. The best commons are versatile across archetypes.
2. Format Gameplan
Draft a good deck in Modern Horizons 3 by finding an open lane and making your cards work together cohesively.
2.1. GRu Eldrazi Ramp
This archetype is a straightforward ramp deck that can win off Eldrazi Spawns + 5-drops. Make Spawns with Glimpse the Impossible and Spawn-Gang Commander. Use Spawns to cast huge spells like Breaker of Creation, Kozilek’s Command, or Emrakul, the World Anew.
2.2. URw Energy Midrange
This deck is built around Izzet Generatorium, with ways to spend energy every turn, including Electrozoa. Almost every card deals with energy, ideal for Jeskai decks.
2.3. GBu
A strong example of optimal GB includes Cursed Wombats with Expanding Oozes for huge creatures. Nyxborn Hydras help to put chump blocking to rest. Splashed blue adds more power.
2.4. Is That All?
There are many other archetypes to explore.
2.4.1. UR Enerdrazi
Mix Eldrazi cards (Eldrazi Linebreaker, Ugin’s Binding, fatties) with UR energy. Energy stalls and draws cards, while Ugin’s Binding is a win condition.
2.4.2. BRw Artifacts
Use artifacts to turbo out Refurbished Familiars or get triggers off Arcbound Condor later. White splash is good for returning key cards.
2.4.3. BWr Sacrifice
This deck uses Muster the Departed, Chthonian Nightmare, Grim Servant, and Recruiter of the Guard. It gives a powerful and consistent late game plan with Accursed Marauder loops.
2.4.4. Jund Sacrifice
Malevolent Rumble powers up Wight of the Reliquary and mills Detective’s Phoenix and Eviscerator’s Insight. Infernal Captor + Lethal Throwdown offers treason + sac lines.
3. Archetypes
This section dives into the 10 two-color pairs in Modern Horizons 3. Keep in mind the flexibility: GR Eldrazi is often GRu Eldrazi, UG Eldrazi is usually UGr Eldrazi splashing Writhing Chrysalis, etc. Energy and modified decks are less likely to splash.
Archetype Tier List:
- Tier 1
- Gruul Eldrazi
- Boros Aggro
- Tier 2
- Azorius Energy
- Selesnya Aggro
- Dimir Draw
- Golgari Modified
- Tier 3
- Izzet Energy
- Simic Eldrazi
- Orzhov Modified/Sacrifice
- Tier 4
- Rakdos Artifacts
3.1. RG Eldrazi
Writhing Chrysalis carries this archetype, making RG the #1 deck.
3.1.1. Gameplan
RG Eldrazi is a ramp deck, an aggro deck, and a tokens strategy. It gets the most out of Eldrazi Spawns and takes full advantage of the lack of sweepers.
3.1.2. Payoffs
Writhing Chrysalis and Titans’ Vanguard are key. Path of Annihilation, Spawn-Gang Commander, Propagator Drone, and Glaring Fleshraker are also fantastic. Mythic Eldrazi titans are game-enders.
3.1.3. Key Cards
- Writhing Chrysalis
- Titans’ Vanguard
- Eldrazi Linebreaker
- Kozilek’s Unsealing
- Glimpse the Impossible
3.1.4. Getting Into the Archetype
Writhing Chrysalis doesn’t directly put you into RG. Instead, you end up in a “temurdrazi” spot. Titans’ Vanguard and other Eldrazi uncommons cement this spot. Also look for late cards like Glimpse the Impossible.
3.1.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning RG Eldrazi deck list)
3.1.6. Playing Against It
Answers to Writhing Chrysalis are important. Breathe Your Last, Dog Umbra, Thraben Charm, and Horrific Assault are practical. Sweepers can be great.
3.2. RW Aggro
RW is the best aggro deck for getting your opponent dead.
3.2.1. Gameplan
RW is about getting your opponent dead quickly with early creatures and haste.
3.2.2. Payoffs
Energy is important. Amped Raptor, Phyrexian Ironworks, Static Prison, Voltstorm Angel, Unstable Amulet, and Reiterating Bolt are all very strong.
3.2.3. Key Cards
- Conduit Goblin
- Aerie Auxiliary
- Smelted Chargebug
- Solstice Zealot
- Lightning Strike
3.2.4. Getting Into the Archetype
Conduit Goblin and Scurry of Gremlins are the main signals. Start with red or white and follow Conduit Goblin mid-draft.
3.2.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning RW Aggro deck list)
3.2.6. Playing Against It
Cheap removal, blockers, and survival are key. Don’t overly rely on ground blockers due to Mandibular Kite and Aerie Auxiliary.
3.3. UW Energy
The advertised focus is on fliers, though reach is common.
3.3.1. Gameplan
UW is usually best when taking an aggressive role, leveraging cards like Static Prison, Voltstorm Angel, and Emissary of Soulfire.
3.3.2. Payoffs
Riddle Gate Gargoyle and Emissary of Soulfire work exceptionally well together. Strength of the Harvest is also terrifying on a lifelinking flier.
3.3.3. Key Cards
- Riddle Gate Gargoyle
- Aerie Auxiliary
- Serum Visionary
- Tune the Narrative
3.3.4. Getting Into the Archetype
The multicolor uncommons are the best reason to be UW. Bespoke Battlewagon is also one of the better payoffs for focusing on energy.
3.3.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning UW Energy deck list)
3.3.6. Playing Against It
Fliers and Aether Spike are common. If you can keep their fliers off the table, UW will usually lose later in the game.
3.4. GW Aggro
Another strong aggro deck focused on the “modified” mechanic.
3.4.1. Gameplan
GW uses bestowed auras and creatures like Faithful Watchdog to become modified. GW goes tall, buffing up and protecting a handful of creatures.
3.4.2. Payoffs
Glyph Elemental, Envoy of the Ancestors, Guardian of the Forgotten, Signature Slam, Lion Umbra, and Pearl-Ear, Imperial Advisor are payoffs. There’s overlap with BG and WB, so expect to splash cards like Ondu Knotmaster and Cursed Wombat.
3.4.3. Key Cards
- Faithful Watchdog
- Nyxborn Hydra
- Lion Umbra
- Wing It
3.4.4. Getting Into the Archetype
Faithful Watchdog is the best reason to be GW. You can also look for late cards like Kudo, King Among Bears and Branching Evolution.
3.4.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning GW Aggro deck list)
3.4.6. Playing Against It
Creature removal is great, especially unconditional removal. You’ll also need to play around sizing combat tricks like Wing It and Revitalizing Repast.
3.5. UB Draw
Leverages drawing cards with Sneaky Snacker.
3.5.1. Gameplan
UB is all about Sneaky Snacker. Recycling that card with Eviscerator’s Insight, Unfathomable Truths, and Brainsurge is key.
3.5.2. Payoffs
Higher rarity payoffs are secondary to having as many Sneaky Snackers as possible. You do have some redundancy for draw payoffs with Mindless Conscription and Emrakul’s Messenger.
3.5.3. Key Cards
- Sneaky Snacker
- Brainsurge
- Serum Visionary
- Eviscerator’s Insight
3.5.4. Getting Into the Archetype
A late Sneaky Snacker usually takes you from “Bx” or “Ux” to UB. Seeing it late is a sign that no one is drafting UB.
3.5.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning UB Draw deck list)
3.5.6. Playing Against It
Large reach creatures are ideal. It can be a good idea to not use removal on Sneaky Snacker as it comes back tapped, and this might be slow enough for an aggressive deck to win. You can also try graveyard hate if you have it to prevent constant reanimation.
3.6. BG Modified
Can assemble ludicrous board states.
3.6.1. Gameplan
BG modified leverages +1/+1 counters (usually from adapt abilities). It’s not uncommon to see this deck reach absurd sizes off of Cursed Wombat and Expanding Ooze.
3.6.2. Payoffs
Cursed Wombat is the best reason to be BG. [It increases the value of cards like] Evolution Witness, Expanding Ooze, Wither and Bloom, and Signature Slam. There are also payoffs like Branching Evolution and Emperor of Bones.
3.6.3. Key Cards
- Expanding Ooze
- Cursed Wombat
- Evolution Witness
- Wither and Bloom
- Nyxborn Hydra
3.6.4. Getting Into the Archetype
Late Cursed Wombat is a good sign.
3.6.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning BG Modified deck list)
3.6.6. Playing Against It
Unconditional removal is great, especially if it exiles.
3.6.7. Other Builds
Focus more on card advantage than getting huge Cursed Wombats.
3.7. UR Energy
The most controlling of the three Jeskai () energy shells.
3.7.1. Gameplan
UR Energy is usually midrangey. Value creatures like Cyclops Superconductor and Roil Cartographer are preferred to aggressive cards.
3.7.2. Payoffs
- Cyclops Superconductor
- Amped Raptor
- Unstable Amulet
- Bespoke Battlewagon
- Izzet Generatorium
3.7.3. Key Cards
- Cyclops Superconductor
- Riddle Gate Gargoyle
- Aether Spike
- Galvanic Discharge
3.7.4. Getting Into the Archetype
UR by late uncommon engines like Bespoke Battlewagon and Izzet Generatorium. Tabling Tune the Narrative is a sign that UR/UW Energy is fairly open.
3.7.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning UR Energy deck list)
3.7.6. Playing Against It
Exiling removal is nice against Cyclops Superconductor.
3.8. UG Eldrazi
Similar to RG Eldrazi, but lower tier due to weaker commons and payoffs.
3.8.1. Gameplan
UG is more rampy than RG, accelerating out huge monsters like Breaker of Creation. Less focus on Eldrazi Spawns.
3.8.2. Payoffs
Snapping Voidcraw is great. Planar Genesis is a solid reason to be UG.
3.8.3. Key Cards
- Snapping Voidcraw
- Nightshade Dryad
- Wastescape Battlemage
- Petrifying Meddler
3.8.4. Getting Into the Archetype
Snapping Voidcraw and Planar Genesis tabling are good signs.
3.8.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning UG Eldrazi deck list)
3.8.6. Playing Against It
Aggro decks love playing against Simic Eldrazi, as it can often be too slow. Cheap spot removal is good for killing Snapping Voidcraw.
3.9. WB Modified/Sacrifice
3.9.1. Gameplan
WB wants to leverage small creatures, modified payoffs, and sacrifice effects. It’s mostly a midrange deck, but can also be aggressive.
3.9.2. Payoffs
Ondu Knotmaster, Lethal Throwdown, Guardian of the Forgotten, Marionette Apprentice, and Envoy of the Ancestors are great.
3.9.3. Key Cards
- Obstinate Gargoyle
- Ondu Knotmaster
- Lethal Throwdown
- Breathe Your Last
3.9.4. Getting Into the Archetype
Late Obstinate Gargoyle happens all the time.
3.9.5. Trophy Example
(Example of a trophy-winning WB Modified/Sacrifice deck list)
3.9.6. Playing Against It
Accursed Marauder is usually the most important card to play around.
3.10. BR Artifacts
Designated dud archetype.
3.10.1. Gameplan
Amass cheap artifacts to power out cards like Refurbished Familiar, Furnace Hellkite, and Imskir Iron-Eater.
3.10.2. Payoffs
- Cranial Ram
- Molten Gatekeeper
- Refurbished Familiar
- Phyrexian Ironworks
