Rough Drafts - A Limited Magic Podcast

Rough Drafts! A limited-focused Magic: the Gathering podcast that takes an in-depth look at various topics in the current limited format. Listen weekly as host Sam Pratt goes deep on specific cards, archetypes, and other limited-related topics.

Episode 41 - Worlds with Ryan Condon 12/26/2025

Episode 41 - Worlds with Ryan Condon This week I'm joined by Worlds Competitor and Team Sanctum for All member Ryan Condon to talk tournament prep, pod drafting, and more! Ryan's Patreon - Ryan's Bluesky - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39403710

Episode 40 - Barrels of Blasting Jelly 12/16/2025

Episode 40 - Barrels of Blasting Jelly Barrels is a card I was really high on week 1, and less so as the format developed. But I do think it's an important piece of the puzzle, as is understanding the ins and outs of manabases and multicolor in Avatar. GBu - Naya - 4c Black - Gb - Urg - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39415495

Episode 39 - Lost Days 12/11/2025

Episode 39 - Lost Days This week I'm taking a quick look at people's relationships to the data - the positives, the pitfalls, and I'm also diving into some statistical caveats for the set's current #1 winrate common, Lost Days. Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39351580

Episode 38 - Raucous Audience 12/04/2025

Episode 38 - Raucous Audience Green in TLA is mostly viewed as a base for splashy, rampy decks like Temur Lessons. But I've had a lot of success with playing green as the base for an assertive midrange deck, built around Raucous Audience as a powerful two mana accelerant. Paper 3-0 - near monogreen - GRw - Gb - Gr - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39211090

Episode 37 - Tolls of War 11/26/2025

Episode 37 - Tolls of War I've been on a bit of a hot streak with BW, so this week I'm diving deep on the archetype. We're looking at why white is the best color, why black is the worst, and what you get when you combine the two. /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39176520

Episode 36 - Fire Nation Cadets 11/20/2025

Episode 36 - Fire Nation Cadets Can you believe they printed Sol Ring at common? And Embercleave at uncommon? UR - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39106200

Episode 35 - TLA Hot Topics 11/13/2025

Episode 35 - TLA Hot Topics Normal limited is back! I'm so excited to jump into TLA, and talk through my thoughts on each of the bending mechanics as well as the set as a whole. Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/39003305

Episode 34 - Talking Magic with Marc Anderson 11/06/2025

Episode 34 - Talking Magic with Marc Anderson Last month, I sat down and talked Magic with limited enthusiast and former Canadian National Champion Marc Anderson! We dive into some highlights of his pro career, discuss how limited has changed over the years, and talk a little cube too. Marc's socials X - bsky - my Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38503430

Episode 33 - Rotisserie Draft 10/30/2025

Episode 33 - Rotisserie Draft This week I'm recapping a couple Rotisserie drafts of my cube! I had a blast roto drafting with friends last month, so I'm going into detail on how to run one, reviewing my own draft, and pitching why this format is so much fun. Samp's Arena Cube - Lightning Bolt Pod spreadsheet - Birds of Paradise Pod spreadsheet - Lucky Paper's roto templates - LastAbzan's blog - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38779045

Episode 32 - CubeCon Recap! 10/23/2025

Episode 32 - CubeCon Recap! This week I'm recapping my long weekend in Madison, WI at CubeCon! I'm walking through all SEVEN of my drafts, and making a pitch for why these cube events are the best way to play magic. Cards mentioned - Prequel Draft - Everywhere Cube Everywhere Cube deck - Stompy Draft 1 - Sandman Sandman deck - Naya Draft 2 - Gingercube Gingercube deck - GW Control Draft 3 - Synergy Cube Synergy Cube deck - Sultai + RW pile Draft 4 - Spicy Ramen Spicy Ramen deck - UB Control t128 - The Cascade Cube The Cascade Cube deck - Esper Midrange t64 - The Chicago Cube The Chicago Cube deck - RW aggro Lucky Paper's Cube Events page - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38736835

Episode 31 - Cube 201 10/15/2025

Episode 31 - Cube 201 After last week's introduction to the fundamentals of cube draft, I'm diving into some more nuanced discussion on cube (but mostly why you should take the good cards). I'm also showcasing all the creative cube genres the community has cooked up! Sam Black's "Unexploitable Cube Drafting" - Sam Black's Drafting Archetypes Episode 91: Cube! - All the cubes mentioned in this podcast: Arthur's Peasant Cube - Justin's Standard Greatest Hits - Neoclassical Cube - Arthur's Monowhite Cube - Matt's BUGaboo - The Cascade Cube - The Turbo Cube - 100 Ornithopters - Pisscube - The Chicago Cube - El Classico - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38551780

Episode 30 - Cube 101 10/09/2025

Episode 30 - Cube 101 Are you a limited sicko who's cube curious? I'm diving into the subtle differences between booster draft and cube draft, including what makes a card powerful, and how to evaluate interaction and fixing. Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38505365

Episode 29 - Eerie Gravestone 10/02/2025

Episode 29 - Eerie Gravestone Taking a peek at an unsupported archetype in OM1! Black and green have some particularly synergistic cards that work uniquely well in tandem. Example decks courtesy of Marc Anderson Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38418280

Episode 28 - BONUS! Deep Dive on my Arena Cube 09/27/2025

Episode 28 - BONUS! Deep Dive on my Arena Cube An in-depth look at my Arena Cube! Cubecobra list - Trophy Decks thread - Recross the Path (cube interview podcast) ft. me and this cube - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38378455

Episode 27 - Wonderweave Aerialist 09/26/2025

Episode 27 - Wonderweave Aerialist A deep dive into Blue White Modified in OM1! Come find out the best little dudes to play and the best ways to make them bigger. Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38361720

Episode 26 - SPM/OM1 Hot Topics (and discussion) 09/18/2025

Episode 26 - SPM/OM1 Hot Topics (and discussion) My thoughts on the controversial Spider-Man set, plus some strategic insight into what I think of Pick 2 drafts and this format! Mark Rosewater's article - Eric Engelhard's article - Rhystic Studies article - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38261675

Episode 25 - EOE Retrospective 09/11/2025

Episode 25 - EOE Retrospective Time to take a look back at Edge of Eternities! The final vibe check on Spacecraft, looking back at my early-season slump, and checking after the 10th Play Booster format. Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38115280

Episode 24 - Divert Disaster 09/04/2025

Episode 24 - Divert Disaster Grab bag episode for EOE! I talk through a handful of sweet interactions at commons, plus why you should be a little more willing to play a Quench. catscandal's Azorius Midrange article - Friso's WB writeup - me on Magic Numbers with Sierkovitz - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/38040810

Episode 23 - Nebula Dragon 08/28/2025

Episode 23 - Nebula Dragon Red week! Drafting red in EOE really clicked for me this week - tune in to learn why you shouldn't be afraid to get deep into the color, and why you should be building your decks around a 7 mana 4/4. UR - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37940925

Episode 22 - Perigee Beckoner 08/21/2025

Episode 22 - Perigee Beckoner This week I'm diving into Perigee Beckoner, one of the sweetest black commons in EOE, and exploring the myriad of combos and synergy this card provides. BU - BU - Sierkovitz - Resources in Limited - should timestamp you to the "Mana spent" chart Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37897020

Episode 21 - Illvoi Galeblade 08/14/2025

Episode 21 - Illvoi Galeblade As the format develops, I turn to an old Magic strategy article for gameplay guidance. More specifically, I'm examining how managing your life total (and your opponents'!) can lend you a big leg up in Edge of Eternities. Patrick Chapin - The Theory of Everything - UB - UW - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37804110

Episode 20 - Survey Mechan 08/07/2025

Episode 20 - Survey Mechan Edge of Eternities hasn't been kind to me, but one bright spot is the "differently named lands" payoffs have been sweet! I spend some time talking about pulling out of a slump, how to build decks to not flood, and finally why Survey Mechan and All-Fates Scroll are so much fun. UG Mechans - https://www.17lands.com/deck/46436fc2a4574e7f892fc578abe915d0/0?view=deck UBw Scrolls - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3lvjwzbil5c2n Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37713720

Episode 19 - Gene Pollinator 07/31/2025

Episode 19 - Gene Pollinator Talking about my lean, green, mean friend Gene! There's some promising historical precedence for cards like Gene Pollinator, so I'm talking through those as a backdrop before taking a look at some of the things Gene can do in Edge of Eternities. Whole pile of Gx 2-1s - still haven't felt like I've gotten one that's particularly great - Gx from @nomad-mtg.bsky.social - GUB from @doubleexposure.bsky.social - Marc showing up the Requiem Monolith noobs - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37617335

Episode 18 - 10 Hot Topics in Edge of Eternities 07/20/2025

Episode 18 - 10 Hot Topics in Edge of Eternities The great beyond beckons - Edge of Eternities is almost here, and it's a challenging set to evaluate! I posit 10 big question marks I have before I get my hands on the cards, covering Spacecraft, fixing, and more. Plus - stay tuned for some secret bonus content. /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37470680

Episode 17 - Summon: G.F. Ifrit 07/17/2025

Episode 17 - Summon: G.F. Ifrit I'm saying goodbye to a banger of a limited format - with one part grab bag (miscellaneous card eval) and one part format retrospective. UG Towns - Ethan's Steal-n-sac - BR ft. Summon: Anima - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37408050

Episode 16 - White Auracite 07/10/2025

Episode 16 - White Auracite White is the most aggressive color in FIN for sure. However, aggressive decks carry a different meaning than they did a few years ago. I take a look at some of the ways aggro has changed over the past couple of years, and dive into what my white decks of every color look like. F.I.R.E. Design article - Sam Black Big Game/Small Game - BW (more black) - RW - UW - GW go wide - Linktree - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37327835

Episode 15 - Reach the Horizon 07/03/2025

Episode 15 - Reach the Horizon This week I'm tackling a topic near and dear to my heart - splashing and multicolor! While splashing is somewhat of a rarity in FIN, there are plenty of spots where the third, fourth, or fifth color adds something great. What are our fixing options, and what types of cards ask us to stretch our manabase? Limited Level Ups manabase video - GRb - BGwr - level 3 pile - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37258115

Episode 14 - Black Mage's Rod 06/26/2025

Episode 14 - Black Mage's Rod Armed with a weekend of drafts from Magic Con Vegas, this week I'm looking at Black Mage's Rod. Which decks want Black Mage's Rod, and how does it stack up against the other black 2 drops? Game against Cuneo (UB) - My paper UB deck - BR deck - Sam Black big game/small game - Ryan's bluesky - LOL live show - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37152400

Episode 13 - Sorceress's Schemes 06/19/2025

Episode 13 - Sorceress's Schemes Sorceress's Schemes is a really sweet data darling from the first week of FIN limited. It's pretty obvious where it fits in (BR and UR), but why exactly does it perform well in those decks? Are there any other places we can play it? BR (from me) - UR (from Chonce on Discord) - UR (from Lark on Discord) - GR (from catharsis23 on Bluesky) - Cooper's decks - /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/37065090

Episode 12 - Sahagin 06/12/2025

Episode 12 - Sahagin In week one of Final Fantasy, I plumb the depths on what looks to be the set's strongest color - blue! After taking a look at what makes blue exceptional in formats where it was great like MID or MOM, I dive into blue's deep roster of commons in FIN. Uw - Ub - Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts /episode/index/show/7a80c610-3abb-4b86-9af9-d7e0e07ac03b/id/36965795

Rough Drafts - A Limited Magic Podcast

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