Reid Duke, a renowned Magic: The Gathering player, achieved an undefeated record during the Wilds of Eldraine (WOE) Draft rounds on day two of the 2023 MTG World Championship. His exceptional performance showcased the strength of a three-color archetype and secured his spot in the top eight.
Duke’s success in the WOE Draft rounds propelled him to become the first player to advance into the top eight. Although he faced a loss in the quarterfinals on day three, his remarkable performance highlighted the underplayed Sultai archetype within the Limited format.
Three-color decks were less common than two-color archetypes at the 2023 Magic World Championship. However, Duke’s strategic approach and willingness to take risks set him apart. His Sultai archetype utilized mana dorks to ramp into powerful cards like Hamlet Glutton, while relying on Black and Blue removal spells for tempo.
“I’m a big fan of Rootrider Faun, one of my favorite Commons in the format. I remember saying, ‘Give me two Rootrider Fauns and 38 other cards, and I’ll make it work.’ That’s exactly what I’ve been doing today,” Duke shared during day two of MTG Worlds.
Duke’s undefeated run in the WOE Draft rounds on day two impressed many, including myself. Inspired by his success, I decided to try out the Sultai archetype in MTG Arena Quick Draft. Surprisingly, I achieved a 7-2 record on my first attempt.
| Player | Deck | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Reid Duke | Sultai | Undefeated (3-0) |
In my own draft, I managed to acquire Faunsbane Troll as a Rare bomb. However, the true standout card in the deck was Troyan, Gutsy Explorer, a UG signpost that provided ramp and deck filtering. This allowed me to consistently stay ahead of my opponents. Back for Seconds also proved to be a game-changer during late-game situations, often leading to concessions from my opponents.
If you’re interested in trying out Duke’s Sultai archetype in Wilds of Eldraine Draft, you can do so through MTG Arena, Magic Online, or your local game store.
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Source: DOTESPORTS
