If you have no idea what a sealed deck is, then let me explain. A sealed deck starts its life as 6 boosters split evenly across the revelant format you are playing. This weekend, we shall be cracking 3 Innistrad and 3 Dark Ascension. WotC, who design magic sets, design them to be an extension of the mechanics introduced in the big set released in the autumn of the previous year. A good example of this would be the "Landfall" mechanic from Zendikar block. In Zendikar the mechanic only featured on creatures specifically such as Bloodghast and Steppe Lynx, whereas in Worldwake (the small block tied into the large set) expanded on this by integrating the mechanic into instants and sorceries. What I am trying to say is this weekend be on the lookout for these mechanic extensions and factor that in when evaluating cards. The cards may be on a different power level than if printed in Innistrad.
For advice on sealed decks in general I would recommend reading these articles before consulting the sealed deck below.
http://www.channelfireball.com/home/here-i-ruel-how-to-build-a-sealed-deck/
http://www.manaleak.com/mtguk/2012/01/how-to-build-mtg-a-deck-in-sealed-with-paul-mclachlan/
When in doubt I go by the general philosophy of BREAD
Bombs - A card can be considered a bomb if by itself it can win you the game regardless of what the opponent plays. A good example of a bomb in Innistrad would be Balefire Dragon. It is large enough so that you opponent will be dead in a couple of hits and it has a devastating effect on your opponent and his position in the game. If your adversary doesn't kill the bomb right away, then they'll most likely lose the game
Removal - Anything that effectively gets rid of creatures, Doom Blade, Unsummon, Essence Scatter, Rod of Ruin, etc
Evasion - Any creature that has an ability which makes it hard to block is always worth a look in my books. Flying, Intimidate and Unblockable are effects you want to be on the lookout for.
Advantage - Anything that gives you 2 cards for one card or generate some free for you every turn. Awakening Zone is a good example, as it gives you a free creature every turn. Another good example in Dark Acension is Divination. For one card you get 2 back, meaning you are 1 card up in your hand. Card drawing spells are especially good in limited because you are digging through the chaff in your deck to get to your high quality spells.
Doods - You don't always open the perfect pool of evasion creatures coupled with a bomb or 2, removal and card draw, so you have to play some random dorks or durdles that are just filler but more often that not get the job done.
2 mana - 2/2
3 mana - 2/2 or 3/3
4 mana - 3/3 or 4/4
5 mana - 4/4 or 5 power
These are stats you generally look for when consider random dudes to fill out your deck. It is awesome if they come with additional abilites such as trample or vigilance, but they're just dorks who are going to force some damage through. Never underestimate the power of Grizzly Bear though.
RIGHT..enough chit chat, onto the pools. I will blog the decks I would build tomorrow. It would be nice to get some feedback as to what other people would build and give a little explanation as to why that would do it so until tomorrow, happy building
Pool One: (each card is a one off unless stated)
| White | Blue | Black |
| Avacynian Priest x 2 Bar the Door Dearly Departed (R) Elguad Inquisitor Fiend Hunter Gather the Townsfolk Midnight Guard Niblis of the Mist Rebuke Skillful Lunge Spare from Evil Thraban Sentry Unruly Mob | Dream Twist Forbidden Alchemy Grasp of Phantoms Headless Skaab Hysterical Blindness Niblis of the Breath x 2 Saving Grasp Selhoff Occultist x 2 Sensory Deprivation x 2 Silent Departure Think Twice Thought Scour | Abattoir Ghoul x 2 Black Cat x 2 Chosen of Markov Curse of Misfortunes(R) Deadly Allure x 2 Diregraf Ghoul Falkenrath Torturer Ghoulraiser Gruesome Deformity x 2 Gruesome Discovery Reap the Seagraf x 2 Victim of Night |
| Red | Green | Lands, Artifacts and Multicolour |
| Ashmouth Hound Bloodcrazed Neonate Burning Oil Burning Vengeance Erdwal Ripper Faithless Looting x 2 Forge Devil Hinterland Hermit Markov Warlord x 2 Russet Wolves Talons of Falkenrath Torch Fiend Wrack with Madness | Clinging Mists Crushing Vines Grizzled Outcasts x 2 Strangleroot Geist Mulch Rangers Guile | Avacyn’s Collar Blazing Torch Chalice of Life Cobbled Wings Galvanic Juggernaut Geistcatchers Rig Ghoulcaller’s Bell Graveyard Shovel Heavy Mattock One-Eyed Scarecrow Travallers Amulet. Drogskol Reaver (M) Falkenrath Aristocrat (M) Grimgrin, Corpse Born (M) Olivia Voldaren (M) |
Pool Two: (each card is a one off unless stated)
| White | Blue | Black |
| Break of Day x 2 Bonds of Faith x 2 Doomed Travaller Elgaud Inquisitor Loyal Cathar Midnight Haunting Mikaeus, the Lunarch (M) Niblis of the Mist Niblis of the Urn Purify the Grave Ray of Revelation Silverchase fox Skillful Lunge Smite the Monstrous | Counterlash (R) Curiosity Divination Dream Twist x2 Frightful Delusion Memory’s Journey Moon Heron x 2 Niblis of the Breath x 2 Nephalia Seakite Screeching Skaab Stormbound Geist Tower Geist | Abattoir Ghoul Chosen of Markov Curse of Oblivion Death’s Caress Markov Patrician Mikaeus, the Unhallowed (M) Sightless Ghoul Spiteful Shadows x 2 Reap the Seagraf Victim of Night |
| Red | Green | Lands, Artifacts and Multicolour |
| Ashmouth Hound Bloodcrazed Neonate Fling x 2 Forge Devil Infernal Plunge Markov Warlord Nearheath Stalker Pitchburn Devils Riot Devils Scorch the Fields Talons of Falkenreath Torch Fiend Tormented Pariah Vampiric Fury Village Ironsmith | Kindercatch Gravetiller Wurm Hollowhenge Beast Village Survivors Predator Ooze (R) Grave Bramble Gnaw to the Bone Clinging Mists Hamlet Captain Gastaf SheperdWolfbitten Captive/Krallenhorde killer (R dfc) Caravan Vigil | Immerwolf Diregraf Captain Isolated Chapel(R) Haunted Fengraf Gavony Township(R) Geistcatchers Rig Galvanic Juggernaut Heavy Mattock Wooden Stake Graveyard Shovel Traveler's Amulet Blazing Torch |
