March of the Machine Prerelease Primer: Let's Build a Sealed Deck! | Magic: The Gathering MTG Draft

[@AndrewWright1973]

As a judge, can I just say how awkward and feel-bad it is to have to explain to occasional players that there is a card in the pre-release kit they just opened that they cannot play with in the event? That there are three different cards that they might open that they can't play with makes the explanation at the start of the event needlessly complicated. I love the idea that everyone gets a partner card, even ones unique to the sealed pre-release experience - I just hate that they ruled them to be effectively "banned" in a sealed format where bans don't typically need to be explained. It's genuinely confusing and disappointing.

[@baconsir1159]

Are companions banned in pre-release? Unbelievably lame if so. Is that just banned as companion, or in main deck as well?

[@willowthywisp]

@@baconsir1159 they're talking the promo team up card like Katilda and Lier. Being IN sealed product, but not being able to be used, sucks. They should have had them as a separate reward at the end of draft, like you get foil showcases for top 4, and the rest of the players get a random one.

[@MarvelOfRain]

I think the commander promos don't have the stamp, which might help in the explanation. BTW I like them a lot it makes the prerelease feel even more special, however the logistics are not great.

[@Pug8]

Do you know what a bummer it is to always get a trash rare that isn't a special promo at every Prerelease for the past decade? If you struggle to have basic conversations with players...maybe you should reassess being a judge. It's not for everyone and as a judge you have to have much harder conversations that WOTC gave you a bonus card.

[@Vplayer_]

May I ask you, incubate would trigger the green artifact where you get x plus one counter +1?

[@Eifuh]

I like the promo cards, but I really wish they were handled in a different way. Like being part of the multiverse legends or set boosters. Even if the judge says 10 times at prerelease that “these cards cannot be part of your deck” someone is gonna put it in anyways because they’re new/ignorant etc. They’re cool cards but I don’t think they should be in the prerelease pack and not be playable

[@ElPanadero18]

I totally agree. It seems like such a poor decision.

[@DEG99Y]

Minor solution, it probably would have helped a lot if the non-legal card was in a seperate wrapper than the pre-release promo, with some sort of notice on the packaging that it is not legal for pre-release events.

[@michael.enario]

I disagree, I like the fact that they put these cards in the boosters. I agree to the extent that the PR Promo shouldn't have the commander thing aside from the foil stamped promo, but the good cards in the promos that are goodies (but not playable in PR) are still good for the casual player who gets an occasional good pull. And if they don't plan to sell it, or it's not high value, it's still a cool alternate art and lets someone see a glimpse into magics history So pretty cool overall in my opinion.

[@ThatHoodlum19]

@@michael.enario Could not disagree more. Terrible take imo.

[@Woke-CardBoard]

If it’s your card shop u can allow whatever u want.

[@RazorOfArtorias]

I really like the deckbuild part. I'm starting with Limited and is always helpfull watch others create their decks.

[@ndoperalski130]

I would've gone pretty heavy into blue green since you opened ozolith and two eyes of gitaxias. You can also just put counters on your fliers and hit so much harder. Then your top end is Vorenclex and a lot of bounce spells in blue. Backup also will put the counters on creatures.

[@badgerff]

With that prerelease I'd probably go red white with a small splash of black for kunoros. Great pulls.

[@beliffywu5804]

ew. thank goodness he made the deck

[@Zytri92]

LOVE this. The build part is always the part that I screw up and it’s the part that sets the tone. Thank you.

[@LarsIsReal]

I will build a Ragavan deck.

[@josiahblakely51]

Here's hoping I pull one lol

[@giladbaer6433]

16 lands, 24 ragavans. you know what, 22 ragavans and two urabrask the hidden, a bit of curve and what's better than hastey ragavans

[@charlied8284]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@natetudor6937]

He just got banned:(

[@josiahblakely51]

@@natetudor6937 In what format?

[@StefanoAgrotis]

Including non-playable cards in a prerelease kit is hilariously WOTC.

[@giladu.6551]

it was a thing at the earliest prereleases, i dont think its gonna be a huge problem

[@StefanoAgrotis]

@@giladu.6551 I don't think it's a *huge* issue. It is inevitable that a handful of players will still build those cards in their decks only to discover that their decks are illegal after game 1. It's a terrible experience when you are a new or less enfranchised player and you end up dropping from prerelease out of frustration, or being forced to rebuild your deck with very limited time.

[@giladu.6551]

@@StefanoAgrotis i think in cases like these opponents are going to be forgiving more often than not, and let the new player replace the promo with something else (for instance, drawing a new card after removing the promo from the game). either way if there's confusion, that's what judges are for

[@StefanoAgrotis]

@@giladu.6551 the players being forgiving isn't an issue, but what if they designed their deck around that card? Or only played those colors to use it? It's just not a fun or positive experience.

[@maxunknown91]

@@giladu.6551 ti

[@brandonrip6445]

This was very helpful, seeing Vorinclex would have pushed me to green right off the bat. It’s a prerelease, removal is great, but I want to do huge stuff if I can.

[@davidbain7629]

Love the deck building. I would love it if you came out with a part 2 playing the deck you made with another wotc staff. Like a mini preprerelease to see how it plays

[@bryceduyvewaardt8136]

I’m so happy to see companions reprinted! I would love to see more specifically for multiplayer formats in the future 😻

[@krokalop]

Wow what great pulls, cant wait to see what ill pull at prerelese, great vid, have fun 😁

[@thereddevils091]

Back to plastic for the promo card packaging? That's a little upsetting

[@sorinlordofmtg]

I already started opening my boxes, and I am ready for the prerelease, thanks for the tips!! 🎉

[@masterthnag105]

Hi Gavin, thanks for the video. Talking about the wrapper *trash* I was wondering if our LGS's are going to get those wonderful recycle boxes again? My lgs hasn't gotten another one since returning the 1st one a few months ago.

[@moreplease394]

Considering that WotC cannot execute certain ideas like product design but can appease the players with the cards, it wouldn't surprise me that WotC failed to execute the most important part of a cool idea like those recycling boxes.

[@jackfool1227]

Why would you put a card in the prerelease kit if players aren't allowed to use it?

[@teasemax5361]

Are you really complaining over a free card?

[@FailOwlProductions]

I agree with this actually. I'm hoping that my LGS does a good job specifying that, because I could see someone slipping one into their main deck, then having to have an odd conversation midgame about legality.

[@jackfool1227]

@Tease Max my guy it's not free when you pay for the damn box

[@Pug8]

​@@FailOwlProductionsconsidering the difficult situations judges handle I think "You got a bonus take home mythic" won't be that difficult 😂

[@Pug8]

​@@jackfool1227not when we got it at the same Prerelease pack at the same price as past sets but are getting extra cards 😂

[@joshhudson9839]

Usually in really bomby formats like this, what I like to do for sealed is start by looking at what kinda fixing I have to work with, then go from there. The goal is usually to play as many of your best cards as possible and keep your filler to a minimum and your fixing often dictates that.

[@caheinecke]

Vorinclex will have a huge target on the board, so either it will die quickly or when it transforms you will be forced to mill 10 cards.... not very appealing to me on limited. Also, Invasion of Muraganda did not appeal to me at all, I would gladly cut this one rather than another removal. Anyway, great video Gavin, love going through your deckbuilding process. Hugs from Brazil and lets have fun this weekend!

[@beliffywu5804]

lol. any big body with trample will be a huge problem. and he does not need to transform it for it to be effective. it was a great inclusion

[@stormcountmtg4183]

9:30 green foretell card from amonkhet?

[@trixterDevil]

There's a green fortell card in amonkhet? 😅

[@cooltot]

I like green-white. Hard to ignore that Vorinclex!

[@netanelaker4437]

I would've go Boros or straight up Mardu but your G/W ended up great!

[@jinxsiemcdeath6250]

You literally didn't put the Srams and Heliod in your white pile even after gushing about them lol

[@frankmagyar5532]

This was a really helpful guide, thanks!

[@thelionsden2768]

I would have went with the mardu deck, you had the bombs for it and the color fixing red had the removal white had the speed and black had some back up and some evasion. Idk I just felt it was with the chance

[@dangerzonegaming2862]

I’m watching foils continue to come out of freshly opened packs being more “pringled” than the chip. Any idea on when wotc plans on fixing this thanks for you help. DangerzoneGaming

[@Lusk1993]

(they aren't planning on fixing it cause money)

[@dangerzonegaming2862]

Oh I know they aren’t but I put this comment on everyone’s KZbin for community awareness. Hopefully someone who was going to buy product with hard earned cash saves money or uses it on a better product. The pringled cards have been a serious problem since ikoria wotc has so much money it’s not an excuse.

[@Lusk1993]

@@dangerzonegaming2862 agreed on all points. Secret lair foils in particular have actually become lower valued than there non foil counterparts. See Hero's Downfall for example

[@dangerzonegaming2862]

@@Lusk1993 the way the push secret lairs out there’s nothing special about em besides the fact that they may not curl as bad depending on where they are produced I heard the stuff that comes from Japan however is good quality.

[@danacoleman4007]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.............😢

[@eduardoherediatorres7058]

Love the playmat!!!

[@CalebAKAOpiesFuneral]

Lmao that finger in the last frame.

[@alasanof]

It's funny how the showcase frames have a heavy mental toll. "I just got all the white cards from the packs" he says after getting excited about the white cards with alternate frames he was just talking about.

[@CaptainVryce]

Only one green Kavu in the set, and dominaria united only had 2 red ones. You're killing me Gavin, we need at least 1 legendary Kavu(preferably WUBRG) so we can make our kavu tribal decks.

[@malakimphoros2164]

Morophon is a legendary kavu

[@user-xz9mn9pr1e]

Hello, Mr. Verhey. Could you explain more in detail what you mean by a color not being deep enough? Thank you! (Or maybe make a video? 👀)

[@distinguish12]

It just means it doesn't have many playable cards, not enough to consider it as one of your main colours :)

[@GoodMorningMagic]

Great suggestion! I'll put it on my list of topics to cover. Thank you!!

[@behemoth9543]

Probably would have made a very similar deck, except for cutting the Srams and Carapace instead. Its going to be a 2 mana 2/2 too often.

[@henriquevandam]

can you use the multiverse legends on the pre-release deck?

[@gigawarman12]

Yes. But you can't use the second promo card in your pack that will be 1 of 3 specific legendary teamups.

[@connormraz6628]

I probably would have made a similar deck but played the artifacts you cut immediately, make it more of a mono white aggro just splashing the green for the rares and the battle. ( maybe a few other cards)

[@Corithaniel]

9:29 excuse you? spoilers? Foretell in the next Amonkhet set?

[@Xalyn937]

Awesome vid!

[@MTGJosh]

How are those Legends banned when I distinctly remember the Kaladesh inventions were legal in draft? I had to fight my way through a sol ring yet this is not OK?

[@bicktuckley5824]

Only the three legendaries (Lier and Katilda, Goro-Goro and Satoru, Slimefoot and Squee) can’t be used. Masterpieces from Kaladesh weren’t guaranteed to come alongside your prerelease, whereas you will receive one of these three legends with a kit no matter what. I do agree that it is dumb though

[@TheCommandSphere]

I would play Naya +1 counters with your pulls.

[@DMorfin11]

Question, first time pre release attender. Should I bring my own lands? I wanted to bring my own phrexia shinny lands for the bling effect, but I worry it could be seen as an attempt at cheating.

[@AaronRotenberg]

No one will complain about your basic lands, you can use any number of those you own or borrow from any printing. (Except Wastes, that one is special.) Any cards other than basic lands, including any nonbasic lands, have to come from the pool of cards you opened in your sealed packs.

[@TheLuckySpades]

You can bring your own lands, I usually do that myself, got a bunch of full art ones I got set aside for sealed/draft If you forget them the store should provide basic lands that you can use

[@Crazyknight-bc3wi]

Not going to lie the way you sort cards is so frustrating lol. I love spending time to look though and just take in the cards and what they can do with your other pulls.

[@ethanjohnson2849]

I have a kit with 20 of each basic land and 91 empty sleeves so I can sleeve everything.

[@trifectamtg599]

Prereleases are the best!

[@MrMalorian]

What is the reasoning of including a card you can't use? Do you feel it will hurt the event if included?

[@Pug8]

Not when it's literally a bonus extra card 😂 they give out promos at FNM too...Magic players even complain when they get extra value 😅

[@MrMalorian]

@@Pug8 I would rather see that: Send extra promos to the stores so that once you are done playing you get the card as a reward. The risk of confusion is just too high, and if you argue that it wouldn't effect the draft if accidentally included then it wouldn't effect it if purposely included.

[@lockecole3726]

2:02 I still miss when they had the month and day(s) on them. It was so much better than that stamp and it kills me that it was changed because your company is incompetent.

[@jaygallaugher4318]

I would have went with simic myself with this pool. Lost too many games to flyers in limited

[@olivermetz-strauss1400]

tough pool, cause blue is deepest at common and uncommon but there's no splashy rares

[@TheCommandSphere]

How can I get an early prerelease kit?

[@FabioLandiGiornalista]

You can purchase it online

[@TheCommandSphere]

@@FabioLandiGiornalista thanks!

[@dakotapoole4293]

Why can I not play that card in my deck. Why is it in the pre release kit?

[@anunusualironiccircumstanc2108]

I can’t wait for the LOTR videos.

[@damo9961]

You should just print a new Dockside 2.0 that is exactly the same but costs 1RR and then ban the current Dockside lol. Maybe you could include free R mana symbol stickers in boosters to just stick on the current Dockside for errata lol. While you're at it print a new Hullbreacher that is exactly the same but costs 2W and doesn't prevent the card draw, just makes treasures.

[@gigawarman12]

The EDH banlist isn't up to WotC in large. That falls upon the Commander Rules Committee who in turn don't have control over what WotC prints, given how Sheldon Menery reacted to the existence of Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines.

[@Universe7-LordFrieza]

Those multiple mythical and showcase specials opening only happen with the packs wizards send to youtubers.

[@MommieDovah]

They really don’t but ok

[@danacoleman4007]

​@@MommieDovah yeah, they do

[@TheTugenukem]

Got couple questions, not related the video: Why artifacts are white now instead of brown? Brown was way cooler color for artifact than white. Secondly why art isnt like in the 90's? They were much better looking than these days, its like looking orginal painting vs print of that orginal painting. Sad direction over the years.

[@diverlawn3491]

By how you phrased it, it seems that every box has the Ozolith in it, is it true?

[@MtGArtandArtifice]

Nope, that will be a random stamped prerelease card.

[@deandearhart]

I would do green white with a splash of red

[@pistolpete7422]

The juiced packs 😂

[@AcroxShadow]

Why would you put a card in the pre-release box that you can't play in the pre-release? That's silly. Just have it as a bonus the store gives you.

[@TakeMeToHonkerBurger]

Green/ white and splash red

[@mikeanderson4678]

Seems like this set should have been released in March and not April.

[@scottgleason5758]

Strange, I’ve never seen a kit have such good pulls. Except when I watch the dude that works for wizards open them. Feeling real stages to drive sales here

[@masterseaturtle6913]

Now clearly the only option for a deck to build with that deck is 5-color good stuff. I mean you have Niv and a bunch of two color cards, what more can you want.

[@beliffywu5804]

lol. enjoy making a mana base for 40 cards with 5 colors and only those dual lands you got. and enjoy playing half the game without being able to play your spells when you want. this aint standard nub

[@Dr.Dirtyred]

yeah im starting to belive what alot of people are talking about that you guys get loaded stuff to help hype and get people to buy

[@danacoleman4007]

For sure!

[@JavaPeter]

When’s the next pauper video!

[@ambermess]

Coral Sword playmat gang!!!

[@GoodMorningMagic]

I just love this mat so good!

[@almightymosin8088]

So just getting back into MTG, would I bring more land to the pre release to be able to play or...

[@GoodMorningMagic]

Your store will have basic lands for you! 😄

[@almightymosin8088]

@@GoodMorningMagic thanks

[@evergreen2881]

Putting a card into the pre-release kit that you cannot put into your pre-release deck was an incredibly terrible idea.

[@robynlarkin9720]

OK, I saw you open 6 packs but I didn't see you get a wildcard? What gives man?

[@RicoLoco52]

what i took away from this is that double ragavan is possible.

[@jnor]

Whats the playmat guys?

[@thebuthcer123]

Don’t add non playable cards in pre release event packs

[@pyredynasty]

Yeah just adding another vote that putting a non-legal card to the box was dumb and is gonna cause a lot of feelbad at the prerelease.

[@Snskch3]

The cardboard divider is not cool btw

[@ThatHoodlum19]

Why would I want a card that can't go in my deck?????

[@OpusCulo13666]

I personally would have gone simic and splashed to bant.

[@sinisterpuddle6655]

absolutely baffling that you put the illegal commander card right next to the prerelease promo. You should have included a not that says that card is illegal

[@larrinho3077]

I personally would've gone naya

[@Aces-to-Ashes]

6:05 why'd you skip past them so quickly sram is a white card

[@austin19950618]

This is something gonna arrive after release date in Taiwan…😢

[@ColemanYoutube]

So much waste in these prerelease packs.

[@mnij3694]

ehhh, those foils still bending... just scrap it or fix it... its so painful

[@Federicorivada]

So the prerelease kit includes a card that you CANNOT use? Thats clever.

[@beliffywu5804]

they always do that and always have done that

[@Federicorivada]

@@beliffywu5804 Wrong. In the past the PR Kit had only 1 promo card and you were allowed to play that card.

[@_tonibird]

I will build three colors and you can't trick me into not doing it.

[@beliffywu5804]

whatever you want kiddo

[@HamTheCat7087]

Why is wotc afraid of making good werewolves?

[@gigawarman12]

I see it as more they don't care than they are actually aftaid

[@HamTheCat7087]

@A Panda if they didn't care, we'd have oko level werewolves, not Vanilla leveled ones

[@HamTheCat7087]

@A Panda I mean, I don't even think we need to transform at this point. There are at least 4 that don't. I just want something fun to play. And playing 5ish ok werewolves plus like 19 vanilla basic b%$&'s is not what I call fun.

[@BrunoNunes83]

cut a land

[@AlienoidGamer]

heliod is blue and white is he not?

[@isaie7144]

White on the front face, White/Blue on the back face. You can pay a blue phyrexian mana to transform it.

[@AlienoidGamer]

@@isaie7144 I thought blue phyrexian meant the same as having a blue symbol

[@frankmagyar5532]

@@AlienoidGamer There are no color restrictions in limited so you can pay the 2 life only if you don't have that color mana

[@maxunknown91]

that way of opening is absolutely barbaric

[@halemcbride6344]

Boy I can't wait to see the partner you can't play be played anyways

[@orionwagner2161]

Please for the love of all things take a lil break on five colored dragons

[@michael.enario]

The way Gavin sorts by colour makes me feel uncomfortable HAHAHAHA It feels really inefficient and makes you go through the cards again and again instead of just sorting by colour / pack then separating the non-legal cards. haha

[@Woke-CardBoard]

If it’s ur card shop anything goes as far as I’m concerned.

[@Prakamos]

Not two weeks ago I criticized another game for having a prerelease promo that the players couldn't play with. It's disappointing because you just know there's going to be confusion, and newer players won't understand why they can't play with the card they opened - at what might even be the only good opportunity they have to play it. Please don't put cards in packs that can't be used at the prerelease. (Note: I'm all for more than one promo, just make it so it's a legal one)

[@Pug8]

Players will complain about everything including getting exclusives 😂 don't show up at FNM because they occasionally give out promos you can't use right then and there. These are promotional cards back when WOTC did it in the past some I have are worth $40 and more than that cherished cards. It decreases the feel bads for players who get trash stamped rares. You really don't like getting an EXTRA mythic rare 😂.

[@WibblyWobbly1905]

I like always play less than 15 creatures in limited, that's just far to many

[@ThirdChronicles]

WUBGR

[@TheShinbe]

what a waste of lore all this decade or more, to give us this lowsy end, with a microset with boosters with 5 cards. dude, please quit.

[@dandorii]

I would have immediately yolo'd the niv deck

[@rontrezbeaugard8212]

Obligatory 1st

[@Zeromus5555]

Man, how much garbage does Wizards produce?

[@xblowsmokex]

Certainly not as much as the Pokémon company

[@danacoleman4007]

They're up to about five or six sets a year now, I think.

[@giladbaer6433]

first

[@syndieouellet2763]

ew such a bad way to open a kit

[@High5748]

This might not be the right space for this but it's pre-release week and it's all for fun. I have a fun tin foil hat fan theory about what is to come for the future of the multi verse. Be warned my theory has spoilers from the story. Alright here we go. I think Elspeth made the wrong choice to go to New Phyrexia and turn the tide of the battle. Here's why, keep in mind I've only started to read the lore starting from All will be one and some understanding of the lore from channels, podcasts etc. From my understanding glistening oil is like a virus and New Phyrexia acted like its quarantine zone. It's a harsh reality but it's very true. Without Elspeth Chandra and the Mirrodin would have never been able to get Wrenn to the World tree to open a portal and allow Tefari to bring the Zhalfir to New Phyrexia. They seem to be a very powerful group of warriors who basically took down Vorinclex and Jin Gataxis very easily. However at the end of the battle they had a lot of wounded warriors that they brought back to their plane (old Dominaria I think). From what I know glistening oil infects the wounded so did Elspeth just change the course of history? I think it's very possible that Dominaria is now in Phyrexia control because I'm not sure if the Zhalfir were before or after the events of the Brothers War. As power level goes the idea of a Phyrexian Zhalfir is kinda scary when compared to how easily they took down the Praetors. Any just my tin foil hat theory for now.

[@scientistsalarian2661]

I think you are over estimating wizards writing skill. These are the same people that killed of Vorinclex via an unknown soldier...

[@High5748]

​@@scientistsalarian2661 Hey one can hope. The idea that this entire event could have been avoided by a Warrior from Kaldheim 10 sets using a spear to knock off Vorinclex head should be explained.

[@princeLaharl2]

The outcome of this amazing storyline is so disappointing 🫥