On September 14, 2025, our Magic: The Gathering club in Bar hosted a Draft with Ixalan boosters. Locals came out, and so did guests from Podgorica (Bike Tavern Rental Bike & Servicing) and Budva—it turned into a warm, lively evening. We originally planned a beginner-friendly format, but the set proved so popular that seasoned players showed up too, eager to revisit favorite archetypes and offer tips.
How we drafted
• Each player received 3 boosters.
• Open the first pack, pick one card, and pass left; second pack passes right; third goes left again.
• Build a deck of at least 40 cards from your picks (typically ~23 spells and 17 lands).
• Basic lands were provided; in Limited you’re not restricted to a single copy—you can play as many of a card as you draft.
• We played several Swiss rounds, with time both for games and for trading impressions.
What’s special about Ixalan
Ixalan is a world of Dinosaurs, Pirates, Vampires, and Merfolk—a hunt for ancient artifacts and treasure-islands. Sets on this plane feature mechanics like:
• Explore — smooths draws by either finding you a land or putting a +1/+1 counter on a creature.
• Treasure — Treasure tokens give bursts of mana and make splashes easy.
• Raid and Enrage — Pirates thrive on tempo and attacking, while Dinosaurs profit when they take damage.
• In a later return to the plane, Descend, Discover, Craft, and even Map tokens joined the party—adding more synergies around the graveyard, artifacts, and digging through your deck.
Archetypes we fought over
• WG Dinosaurs — big bodies, combat tricks, trample, and sturdy mana curves.
• UB Value Pirates — counterspells/removal plus card draw; a game of trades.
• WB Vampires — tokens, lifelink, and smooth board development.
• UG Merfolk — +1/+1 counters and evasion; excellent at winning on tempo.
• RG Ramp Dinos — Treasures → fast six-drops; a beginner favorite that often comes together.
Cards everyone reached for
• Carnage Tyrant — the six-mana, no-nonsense finisher: hexproof + trample ends games.
• Vraska, Relic Seeker — answers permanents, makes Pirates, and flips the tempo on the spot.
• Search for Azcanta // Azcanta, the Sunken Ruin — a value engine tailor-made for control tables.
• Legion’s Landing // Adanto, the First Fort — tokens, lifelink, and a late-game creature factory.
The vibe
Beginners learned to read signals and not be afraid to first-pick a powerful card, while experienced players offered advice on picks and mana curves. There was plenty of laughter, gorgeous topdecks, and stories like “my dino survived removal and delivered lethal.” In the end, the most deserving player took the win—congratulations! 🏆
Thanks to everyone who came from Bar, Podgorica, and Budva. If you want to try your hand at Draft—or just play in good company—drop by the club. The next event is right around the corner!
