10: Drafting Tips for Beginners from Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa

Paulo Vitor Damo da Rosa has 9 PT top 8s, 17 GP top 8s, and is a 2-time National Champion. He's the youngest Hall of Famer in the history of Magic: The Gathering! Evaluation Tips

First: Compare cards to something that is familiar to you. Can you compare a new card to a similar card you've played in a different, past format?
Second: With completely new cards think of what shell would best fit the card.

Go through and look at every card that interacts with the new cards.

Limited Tips

Determine if the set is a fast format. If it is look for more 2 drops and other cheap cards. In Sealed, identify what's good and play that. At a pre-release your goal should be to feel the set out and learn about the set. Play things you normally wouldn't to test them out.

When drafting, don't try to remember everything you pass. Remember the general color, cards that you almost picked, and cards that are good against you.

Beginner Tip: When drafting, focus on building a deck instead of picking good cards. Don't worry so much about signals and what's you're passing, just focus on building a good deck with a good curve.

Team Building

Find people with the same goal as you and that you get a long with.

Play Testing

There is no substitute for playing with like-minded people of similar or better skill levels than. The best way to get better is to compete. Go to those Grand Prix' near you and you will learn a ton.

Limited Budget Improvement

Build a standard deck and stick with it the whole season to save money.

Build a cube or repack booster packs after a draft to practice Limited play on a limited budget.

Magic Resource

Paulo's weekly articles on Channel Fireball are great for all players.

Interview Links

Channel Fireball

Connect With Paulo

@PVDDR