MTG Review Presents: Billicent San Juan

Hey Everyone, thanks for stopping by! Today I want to introduce you all to a good friend of mine, Billicent San Juan. I've known him as Billy for a couple years now, but I found out today, that Billy was not short for William, but Billicent. "The More You Know. ™"
If Billy isn't busy with his Psycology Externship counseling people, he's teaching his "Kitchen Table" playgroup how to draft, or hanging out at the LGS drafting, playing EDH, making perverse jokes that make everyone extremely uncomfortable, or otherwise making everyone happy he's around. When Billy told me he was interested in trying out some writing in the MtG realm, I was excited. He's got a very sharp sense of humor, and he really relates well to all types of players. He sent over his first piece, about the casual player's view of the Draft Pod Landscape, and I know He and I would both really appreciate any feedback you can provide him. I expect we'll see much more from him. Billy brings smiles and laughs like its his job.


Without Further Ado...... Billy..... San..... Juaaaaaaaaaaaaan....

Silver, Gold, and Platinum

Drafting. A simple word which can evoke so many emotions. Excitement. Fear. Confusion. Joy. Perhaps even a hint of nausea. For many Magic: The Gathering players, drafting is the ultimate experience. It's the excitement of buying cards, building decks, and playing games all condensed into a few hours.

Many people assume that the ultimate goal of a draft is to win, and they'd be right. But there are different motivations to card-picks, and varying definitions of a "victory." For some people, drafting is about pulling rares, or trying to make Shriekhorn a win condition. Some people will lose in round-zero, laughing their butts off.

I haven't drafted for very long (I started in the Shards of Alara block), but I've noticed three demographics arise in a pod. [Note: Most people will accuse me of "biting" off of Mark Rosewater's landmark article: "Timmy, Johnny, and Spike." Mea culpa.]

Silver Drafters: For Fun.

A Silver Drafter is in it for the fun. The silver medal is fine, as long as you were in the race. The process of drafting is where enjoyment lies, not in victory. They pay the money to sit with friends, pick cool cards, and play a few games. Cards are chosen not merely for the draft deck, but also to round out Standard and Legacy decks sitting at home. Sleeving cards is optional, and free mulligans are often given.

The majority of drafters are Silvers [Not to be confused with Slivers, which would just be creepy]. I suspect that in any draft pod, 3-6 players will be Silver players. They want to have a good time, relax, and play some Magic. Can you blame them?

Gold Drafters: For Win.

Gold Drafters know their DCI numbers. Gold Drafters study spoiler lists and read signals. Gold Drafters, as their name implies, are in it for the gold. They can be heard muttering phrases like, "Really? Fifth pick?" or "I'm sending you some good stuff." They often have playmats bejeweled with Top-8 pins, and their sleeves are worn with scars of battles passed.

Having Gold Drafters in your pod may seem intimidating, but it's the best thing possible for an amateur player. Gold Drafters offer great advice, so don't be afraid to ask. They've been in the beginner's seat before, and they've already made every mistake that you will make. After the draft, show your deck around and ask what they might "cut" or if you made any play mistakes. In my personal experience, Gold Drafters are happy to help anyone in the Magic community.

For the Gold Drafter, the thrill is in the victory. They put their pride on the line, and each play is a crucial moment in the tide of war. Every pick is important, and can fall into one of three categories: Main Deck, Sideboard, and Hate-draft. They are efficient and deadly. Beware.

Platinum Drafters: For $$

Every now and then, a draft pod will have a person looking for money. If, while drafting, someone is checking prices on their iPhone or constantly asking a card's trade-in value... well friend, you've got a Platinum Drafter.

People often misunderstand the Platinum Drafter, thinking he/she is after a lazy profit. After all, in an eight-man single elimination pod, you've got to get through three matches to break even. Why do all that work when you can just draft rares or foils and sell them (or trade them in, depending on your local hobby shop)? Ah, but there's more than meets the eye.

For the Platinum Drafter, the thrill isn't in the profit. It's in finding gems and treasures. It's about the release of endorphins when we encounter something promising. Every player has experienced the thrill of opening a pack, tossing aside the commons, and heading straight for the rare. The same feeling happens about 24 times in a draft, and it's what the Platinum Drafter thrives for.

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It doesn't matter if you're a Silver, Gold, or Platinum drafter. It doesn't matter if you're a Timmy, Johnny, Spike, or Volrath. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner, casual player, or Pro. In the end, we all come together for the same reason: To play a game we love with people we can mildly tolerate.