Build a wide board of Humans and use entry bonuses to make attacks difficult to block.
Build a wide board of Humans and use entry bonuses to make attacks difficult to block. Cheap creatures and token makers matter more than a hand full of combat tricks.
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?
Rally makes two hasty Humans, triggering Théoden twice. Give double strike to two different attackers before combat; giving it twice to one creature does not stack.
Can I win without drawing my best rare?
Build a wide board of Humans and use entry bonuses to make attacks difficult to block. Cheap creatures and token makers matter more than a hand full of combat tricks.
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 Théoden, King of Rohan but need support.
Look for Rally at the Hornburg or Protector of Gondor.
Humans ready to attack. A creature without haste cannot attack the turn it enters. Casting a Human after combat wastes a double-strike bonus unless you need it for another reason.
You already have Théoden, King of Rohan.
Consider Rally at the Hornburg if it fills a useful job.
Rally makes two hasty Humans, triggering Théoden twice. Give double strike to two different attackers before combat; giving it twice to one creature does not stack.
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.
A creature without haste cannot attack the turn it enters. Casting a Human after combat wastes a double-strike bonus unless you need it for another reason.
Trade early to reduce their total attackers. Hold instant removal for the creature receiving double strike, and check token makers before assuming they have no attack.
Éomer of the Riddermark62.6% GIH · 10,736 instances
Fear, Fire, Foes!62.1% GIH · 8,602 instances
Théoden, King of Rohan60.7% GIH · 21,168 instances
Book of Mazarbul60.1% GIH · 7,602 instances
Rally at the Hornburg59.9% GIH · 35,466 instances
Grishnákh, Brash Instigator59.2% GIH · 6,926 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.
Éowyn, Fearless Knight 2RWUse in red-white, or a well-fixed deck that can supply both colors. Plan the attack around what her exile trigger can legally target: an opposing creature with greater power.
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
Took ReaperAn early creature that advances the Ring when it dies. Trading it in combat can help another creature become your next Ring-bearer.
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.
Rally at the HornburgTwo hasty Humans can attack immediately and trigger Human rewards. Their usefulness rises with Théoden or a sacrifice outlet.
Protector of GondorTwo bodies from one card help you attack wide or keep material for a sacrifice cost.
Erkenbrand, Lord of WestfoldHumans entering improve your attack. Cast token makers before combat when their bonus will matter.
Rosie Cotton of South LaneThéoden, King of RohanBuild a wide board of Humans and use entry bonuses to make attacks difficult to block. Cheap creatures and token makers matter more than a hand full of combat tricks.
Rosie Cotton of South LanePick support you can cast in your final colors. Each token you create grows another creature. Food, Soldiers and a newly created Army all work; adding counters to an existing Army creates no token.
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.
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. |
Smite the Deathless
