Play creatures on time, build an Army, and use removal to keep attacking.
Play creatures on time, build an Army, and use removal to keep attacking. Disposable Orcs and Goblins can become damage or removal while growing Uglúk.
Choose these colors when useful cards and the support below keep arriving. One gold card is a possibility, not an obligation.
Four checks while you draft
Can this pick help me play a creature or answer by turn two?
Keep time to set up without taking free attacks.
Am I adding the missing half of the plan?
Crebain leaves two bodies. Sacrifice the Army to Club when four damage matters; your next amass spell can create a new Army. Uglúk receives two counters if that Orc dies.
Can I win without drawing my best rare?
Play creatures on time, build an Army, and use removal to keep attacking. Disposable Orcs and Goblins can become damage or removal while growing Uglúk.
Can I stop a threat my creatures cannot block profitably?
Keep real removal or a counterspell for the card that changes the game.
Choose the missing job before another reward that needs it.
You have Uglúk of the White Hand but need support.
Look for Dunland Crebain or Smite the Deathless.
Material and a payoff for sacrificing. Amass normally grows one Army. Three amass cards do not automatically give you three creatures to sacrifice.
You already have Dunland Crebain.
Consider Improvised Club if it fills a useful job.
Crebain leaves two bodies. Sacrifice the Army to Club when four damage matters; your next amass spell can create a new Army. Uglúk receives two counters if that Orc dies.
The support is missing
Take castable creatures and answers. If the engine never arrives, use the good cards rather than forcing narrow support.
Repeated useful cards are clues, not proof that the colors are open.
Amass normally grows one Army. Three amass cards do not automatically give you three creatures to sacrifice.
Do not rely on one large blocker: sacrifice damage and removal can clear it. Avoid taking unnecessary early hits, and force them to spend creatures before their payoff is ready.
Fear, Fire, Foes!65.6% GIH · 19,142 instances
Éomer of the Riddermark65.2% GIH · 18,395 instances
Grishnákh, Brash Instigator64.5% GIH · 23,914 instances
Nazgûl64.5% GIH · 17,193 instances
Voracious Fell Beast63.7% GIH · 17,252 instances
Claim the Precious63.5% GIH · 46,727 instances17Lands ↗ · Jun 15–Aug 28, 2023 · at least 100 card-in-hand instances in this pair’s no-splash decks. Choose the job your deck needs first.
Orcish Bowmasters 1BTake it early. Keep two mana available for flash, especially before an extra draw. One black pip makes a splash possible with reliable fixing; it is strongest when you can cast it on time.
Witch-king of Angmar 3BBBuild a black deck with early defense and five mana. Save a spare card to discard for indestructible when needed; double black is a poor casual splash.
Andúril, Flame of the West 3Fits any colors, but needs creatures and two mana to equip. A legendary attacker, including your Ring-bearer, makes the Spirits attack immediately. Keep your creature count high.
Horn of Gondor 3Fits any colors. Defend while you spend three mana per activation; existing Humans make the token growth faster. Do not cut the early creatures that keep you alive.
Palantír of Orthanc 3Fits any colors and improves your draws or pressures the opponent each end step. Keep early defense; it does not affect attackers immediately. Watch your shrinking library in a long game.17Lands Premier Draft ↗ · Jun 15–Aug 28, 2023 · 100-instance minimum
Battle-Scarred GoblinA cheap attacker that deals one damage to each of its blockers. Count that extra damage before deciding whether an attack is profitable.
Easterling VanguardA two-mana creature that leaves an Army or grows the one you have when it dies. Useful early defense and later sacrifice material.
Dunland CrebainA flyer plus an Army supports both attacks and sacrifice. A small flyer also makes a useful Ring-bearer.
Rally at the HornburgTwo hasty Humans can attack immediately and trigger Human rewards. Their usefulness rises with Théoden or a sacrifice outlet.
Uglúk of the White HandPlay creatures on time, build an Army, and use removal to keep attacking. Disposable Orcs and Goblins can become damage or removal while growing Uglúk.
Fiery InscriptionPick support you can cast in your final colors. Turns repeated instants and sorceries into damage. Add cheap spells and enough defense; a creature-heavy deck will trigger it too rarely.
NazgûlPick support you can cast in your final colors. Each Ring temptation grows every Wraith you control. You may play any number in Limited, but still need early defense and ways to tempt the Ring.
Examples apply the printed rules; judge the board, costs and timing.
| One-pick | Sealed |
|---|---|
| Use three Draft Boosters each and take one card per pick. Premier data describes Arena games, not an exact forecast for a family draft. | Build from the cards you opened. Choose colors with enough early plays, answers and a way to win before chasing a theme. |
Improvised Club
Smite the Deathless
