We Are the Pirates

Magic: The Gathering is many games. It all comes down to the rules. Different sets of rules give rise to different formats grouped into two broad categories: constructed and limited. In constructed, each player prepares their deck beforehand. In limited, building decks is part of the game. Sealed belongs to the second group.

This format involves two skills: knowing how to play Magic and knowing how to build decks. It is estimated that out of 40 cards, 23 should be spells and the rest lands, the mana sources that allow you to take actions.

In Sealed, creatures play a central role. The trick is to build a good "curve," choosing them based on their mana cost. If we stick with expensive creatures, we will be dead before we get to play them. But if we choose very cheap creatures, it may not be enough to win.

The brand-new Ixalan is a fast set with good, beautiful, and cheap creatures that, in addition to power and toughness, come with extra mechanics in tune with the tribal vibe of the edition. This world is full of pirates (black/blue/red), vampires (black/white), merfolk (green/blue), and... dinosaurs! (green/white/red). The new mechanics are Enrage, which grants certain bonuses when the creature takes damage, and Explore, which lets us draw a land card when the creature enters the battlefield, or place a +1/+1 counter on it.

The tribes make the synergies between rival colors work incredibly well. This is the first key for Ixalan in Sealed: think in terms of tribes rather than colors. Pirates help generate extra mana and vampires help gain life; merfolk gain abilities when there are other merfolk, and dinosaurs are the bombs of the format. And while there are some on steroids -- the best ones -- there are also common ones, ready to deliver a fatality to anyone who stands in their way. For example, Colossal Dreadmaw, a 6/6 with trample for six mana. You will see that guy over and over if you dive into Ixalan Sealed.

This article was originally published in Pagina/12 on September 28, 2017.