Signals in Shadows

I don't have a very sophisticated grasp on signaling. My basic rule is, starting about pick three or so, look for any universally lovable cards as a sign that the color is open. Some examples from Oath of the Gatewatch:

  

Ondu War Cleric is my favorite example because it doesn't look like much, a 2/2 for two mana. But EVERY white deck was thrilled to run it as it was pretty solid on the Quadrant Theory with reasonable utility late. OTG rewarded reliable two-drops, so as such seeing an War Cleric available in pick four or pick five is a 'signal'. Similar story with the Saddleback Lagac, almost any deck with forests would jam it in happily. Essence Depleter is a little narrower of a card (demanding the colorless mana) but given how it is pretty close to a win-condition, people should snap that up especially in the first few picks.

The Gitrog is not enough 4-23-16

First Shadows draft and I have to say that I was a little nervous going into it. This looks like a complicated set with a lot of synergies between cards and archtypes. But everyone has gotta have their first draft sometime, might as well dive in.

Draft

I didn't do much notetaking during the draft but I was blessed with being able to very early lock into my colors of green & black. This was proved post-facto by two Foul Orchards going around the table and me being able to snag them with 4-5 cards left in the pack.

Matthew  
Hunter 
Jed:  
Tim: 
Phil: ??
Ziad:  
Chris:  

Shadows over Innistrad: Token review

Angel Token

(Descend Upon the Sinful, Invocation of Saint Traft)

Previously Seen
     
2014, Avacyn, Conflux/Origins, Gatecrash
Innistrad, Zendikar

After that 3/3 aberration we are back to the classics. Like almost every Angel token generator, this is on rares but worth it all the more. Also they really nailed the art on this one, a bit more badass of an angel, possibly one losing its grip on sanity.

Grade: A (Look, I love me the angels and this is our new winner in the flock)

Clue Token

     
We get a cute non-creature token! Might need a bundle of these, depending on how far behind your mana curve you get. Good thing too because there are six of these to chase down. Can you piece together the puzzle?! #emrakrultruthers

Grade: B

Devil

A fresh one for Shadows. I like the clarity of what devil's do (prod, usually with fire) and also themetically separate from a demon. I'm a little confused by why a femur is aflame. I get it: I don't want to be poked by it. But I'm also confused.

Grade: C

Human Cleric

(Hanweir Militia Captain, Westvale Abbey)

Previously Seen:
 
(Gatecrash, Theros)

Nailed the ambiance. Also, I approve of the fully rational source of light. Also it's a dual color
creature that comes from two (rare) transform cards. I approve. Docking some points for clerics being all over the place thematically.

Grade: B-

Human Soldier

(Sigarda, Heron's Grace, Strength of Arms, Ulvenwald Mysteries)
A+ for the art and blending the medieval with the Victorian but I can't help but be a little disappointed by the need to add a 'human' subtype. I get it, Human is a theme that matters here, and I'll still work in my old Soldier tokens as needed. But it still hurts.

Grade: B

Insect

(Crawling Sensation)

Previously Seen:
  
(2010, 2015, Scars)

Back to the groundpounder insects: neither flying nor deathtouch. Upside: vastly superior art. Downside: it looks like they made a spider, then panicked and gave it only six legs.

Grade: C-, too many questions.

Ooze

(Inexorable Blob)

Previously Seen
     
Innistrad, RTR, Rise of Eldrazi, Shards
2011, 2011)

Fortunately only on a single rare, we have a oddly specific Ooze token. Given how Ooze has always historically been variable (even the 2011 had Oozes splicing off into smaller oozes) it's an odd choice here. Still, harmless enough.

C.

Spirit

(1/1 white edition)

(lots and lots)

Previously Seen
      
M15, Conspiracy, Fate, Innistrad
KTK, Avacyn, Shadowmoor

Despite some dabbling in weird combos, white 1/1 flying spirit is a stone-cold classic with a good diversity of art to choose from. I always love seeing an addition that is sure to be useful. The SoI Spirit is a major upgrade over the original bright green poltergeist, though I do have it taking the silver medal to Avacyn. Conspiracy's token rounds out the medal podium.

Grade: B+

Vampire Knight

(Call the Bloodline, Sorin, Grim Nemesis)

Never a huge fan of the one-off tokens unless they are truly hilarious like an 8/8 Octopus. I feel like this does decent work, though why a vampire knight is only 1/1 when a vampire token proper is 2/2 will remain one of those eternal mysteries.

Grade: C-

Wait a second, a knight token is 2/2. So how is 2/2 + 2/2 = 1/1. Docking grade further.

Grade: D

Wolf

(plenty)


Previously Seen
     
2010/2014/Shadowmoor, Born of the Gods/Conspiracy, Llorwyn, Scars
Zendikar, Innistrad

I will never understand why they reprinted the weakest Wolf Token art three times. Seriously, look at those jutting canines! The midnight wolf is a nice addition to the pack, certainly worthy of the previous Innistrad edition. Nice work all around.

Grade: B+

Zombie

(lots and lots)

Previously Seen
          

10th/2012, 2010/2011, Avacyn/Innistrad/Conspiracy/2013/2014/2015, DTK
Nyx, KTK, Mirrodin, Alara
Innistrad (2), Innistrad (3), Oath

After some nice creative zombies in Oath and Khans block, we're back to a good ol' fashioned revenant in a graveyard (in case the 'undead' part wasn't clear enough). Overall a good addition to the mob with solid, if slightly uninspired, art direction.

Grade: B-