Drafting with Hareruya Pros is Back!

Today, we will draft Ravnica Allegiance which you can play at Ranked Draft on MTG Arena right now!

I simulate the 8 first picks of a Draft and asked to 4 Hareruya Pros Players what they would pick.

Here are the 4 gentlemen who accepted to participate in this experience:

For more details, please visit here: Hareruya Pros.

It will be interesting to see if they will do the same choices or not.

Pick 1

Gregory Orange

It’s very big and you really don’t need too many gates to make it good.

Marcio Carvalho

There are only 2 picks, 《Thrash+Threat》 or 《Gate Colossus》. But 《Gate Colossus》 is artifact and for me the best uncommon in the set, so he wins the tiebraker.

Kelvin Chew

It is one of the premium removal and I like drafting Orzhov in the set.

Arne Huschenbeth

This pack is incredible. 《Thrash+Threat》, 《Light Up the Stage》, 《Basilica Bell-Haunt》, 《Gate Colossus》 and 《Grotesque Demise》 are all strong First Picks. I would say, that 《Light Up the Stage》, 《Basilica Bell-Haunt》 and 《Grotesque Demise》 are one Tier under 《Thrash+Threat》 and 《Gate Colossus》.

《Thrash》 being playable in three different Guilds as an instant spead 《Rabid Bite》 makes it a flexible and safe first pick. But 《Gate Colossus》 is the stronger card if you can get enough Gates. The Gates deck is really good in this format and therefore I lean towards taking 《Gate Colossus》. I wouldn’t blame anyone for taking 《Thrash+Threat》, but I would go with the 《Gate Colossus》 and try to build a deck around him.

Pick 2

Gregory Orange

《Ministrant of Obligation》 is pretty good value.

Marcio Carvalho

The pick is between 《Ministrant of Obligation》 and 《Azorius Knight-Arbiter》 in my opinion. I think 《Azorius Knight-Arbiter》 is a little stronger, but this way still I can go Orzhov or Azorius, so it’s a more flexible pick.

Kelvin Chew

It blocks the ground well if your opponent do not want to give you two 1/1 Spirits and also good sacrifice outlet for 《Final Payment》.

Arne Huschenbeth

This pack is a lot weaker than the last one. The pick comes down to 《Ministrant of Obligation》 or 《Orzhov Guildgate》. Orzhov is really good and so is 《Ministrant of Obligation》. But with the 《Gate Colossus》 as my first pick, I want to pick as many Gates as early as possible to solidify myself as the Gates Player at the table.

Pick 3

Gregory Orange

It might be crazy to take 《Frilled Mystic》 over 《Grasping Thrull》 when I already have a white card, but I really like 《Frilled Mystic》.

Marcio Carvalho

One of the best Orzhov commons. I’m keeping in mind I was passing a lot of gates and I have 《Gate Colossus》, so I have to be careful but it’s still 1 pack.

Kelvin Chew

A very good end game creature for Orzhov.

Arne Huschenbeth

I assume some people are going to take one of the green uncommons out of this pack, but I am totally happy to see a 《Grasping Thrull》. I am not the biggest fan of the green guilds and try to avoid them if possible. Flying 《Siege Rhino》 is a good reason to stay on track. I am looking to draft Esper, Mardu, Jeskai Black and of course I am open to be just Orzhov.

Pick 4

Gregory Orange

It helps to cast 《Gate Colossus》 and 《Frilled Mystic》.

Marcio Carvalho

Weak pack, not much to see here.

Kelvin Chew

Orzhov is full of value creatures and returning them with 《Dead Revels》 makes it a high pick over 《Senate Griffin》.

Arne Huschenbeth

This pick is interesting. I could see picking 《Cult Guildmage》 to keep myself open. I think 《Senate Griffin》 is more desirable than 《Vizkopa Vampire》 or 《Dead Revels》 at this point. I take 《Senate Griffin》, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the correct pick is 《Cult Guildmage》.

Pick 5

Gregory Orange

I’ve liked this bounce spell, but I would also consider the 《Faerie Duelist》.

Marcio Carvalho

I think it’s close with 《Rakdos Guildgate》, but I prioritized cementing my colors because it was pack 1.

Kelvin Chew

A good removal which kills most of the creatures.

Arne Huschenbeth

This is a clear 《Summary Judgment》 for me. Simic and Azorius seem to be open.

Pick 6

Gregory Orange

Good with 《Gate Colossus》 and might let us play 《Ministrant of Obligation》.

Marcio Carvalho

Well, get our first gate for free. Almost other pick is 《Twilight Panther》 which is way worse than a 《Azorius Guildgate》.

Kelvin Chew

Enable us to splash if needed.

Arne Huschenbeth

《Azorius Guildgate》 on pick 6 is a great sign. We are setting ourselves up for a good UWb or BWu Control deck.

Pick 7

Gregory Orange

The Hybrid is good on turn 2 and on turn 6. What more could you want?

Marcio Carvalho

Though not match for our colors, 《Senate Griffin》 is always a solid pick, but nothing impressive one.

Kelvin Chew

A good finisher and Scry 1 is also very important.

Arne Huschenbeth

I like picking the Pegasus over the Griffin, because there is an abundance of good 4-Drops in the Esper Colors. 《Concordia Pegasus》 is one of the better 2-Drops for Esper.

Pick 8

Gregory Orange

I don’t really want to put any of these into my deck. I think I’m most likely to play 《Shimmer of Possibility》, 《Axebane Beast》 or 《Simic Locket》.

Marcio Carvalho

OK removal. You always play one if you are Orzhov.

Kelvin Chew

Sideboard card against big creatures if needed.

Arne Huschenbeth

I usually play the first copy of 《Consign to the Pit》, sometimes even the second.

Conclusion

Ravnica Allegiance is a Draft format where your guild preferences is going to influence your way to draft very much. Having preferences does not mean you have to force it. As you can see our pros made the almost the same picks, it’s clearly because they value powerlevel over guild affinity.

Jeremy Dezani @JDezani on Twitter