This guide will cover the various aspects of drafting in the March of the Machines set. From the powerful archetypes to the best commons, learn the ins and outs of building competitive decks.

Introduction

March of the Machine, the final chapter in the Phyrexian saga, delivers a draft format brimming with new mechanics and powerful cards. This set, released in April 2023, introduced Battles, a new card type that adds a strategic layer to the drafting process. The inclusion of Incubate, Backup, and Convoke further enhances the depth of the format, creating a dynamic and engaging drafting experience.

The set’s core mechanics encourage proactive play, fostering fiercely contested board states. Battles, with their unique abilities and impact on the battlefield, add a new dimension to combat strategies. The set’s diverse archetypes, each with its own unique playstyle, cater to a wide range of drafting preferences.

This guide will delve into the intricacies of drafting in March of the Machine, providing insights into the best commons, color rankings, and archetypes. We’ll also offer tips for drafting, exploring strategies for maximizing your success in this exciting and dynamic format.

Archetypes

March of the Machine boasts a diverse range of archetypes, each offering a distinct strategic approach. The set’s design encourages a traditional draft format, supporting archetypes within each of the 10 two-color combinations.

Here’s a glimpse of the archetypes that dominate the March of the Machine limited landscape⁚

• Azorius (White/Blue): Knight tribal, focusing on powerful creatures with abilities like First Strike and Vigilance.
• Dimir (Blue/Black): Mill both players, utilizing card draw and removal to control the game while slowly chipping away at your opponent’s resources.
• Rakdos (Black/Red): Aggro, utilizing aggressive creatures and direct damage spells to overwhelm opponents quickly.
• Gruul (Red/Green): Midrange, combining strong creatures with powerful spells to establish a board presence and control the game.
• Selesnya (Green/White): Tokens, generating a large number of creatures to overwhelm opponents with sheer numbers.
• Orzhov (White/Black): Phyrexian, leveraging the set’s Phyrexian theme with creatures that benefit from poison counters.
• Izzet (Blue/Red): Convoke, utilizing the Convoke mechanic to cast powerful spells early in the game.
• Golgari (Black/Green): Incubate, utilizing the Incubate mechanic to create tokens and generate card advantage.
• Boros (Red/White): Backup, leveraging the Backup mechanic to create powerful creatures with additional abilities.
• Simic (Green/Blue): Transformation, utilizing the Transform mechanic to turn creatures into even more powerful versions.

Each archetype offers a unique path to victory, demanding different strategies and card selections. Understanding these archetypes is crucial for navigating the complexities of March of the Machine draft.

Best Commons

In any Limited format, commons form the backbone of your deck. March of the Machine features a plethora of potent commons that can significantly impact your draft strategy. Here are some of the standouts to keep an eye out for⁚

• White⁚ Dawnbreak Chimera (flying creature that can be a strong attacker or blocker), Skyclave Apparition (removal spell that can exile a creature or artifact), Luminarch Aspirant (efficient creature that can create tokens).
• Blue⁚ Mystical Archive (card draw spell that can fetch a powerful instant or sorcery), Thought Distortion (counter spell that can be a valuable asset in control decks), Submerge (removal spell that can sink opposing creatures).
• Black⁚ Deadly Recluse (efficient creature with deathtouch that can take down larger threats), Phyrexian Fleshgorger (efficient creature that can generate poison counters), Toxic Abomination (removal spell that can deal damage and inflict poison counters).
• Red⁚ Battle Cry (powerful spell that can pump up your creatures), Fiery Finish (direct damage spell that can finish off opponents), Frenzied Raider (aggressive creature that can deal damage quickly).
• Green⁚ Serpentine Curve (ramp spell that can help you play powerful creatures early), Might of the Masses (powerful spell that can boost your creatures), Gigantoplasm (large creature with trample that can overwhelm opponents).

These commons represent a diverse range of options, offering removal, card draw, efficient creatures, and powerful spells. By prioritizing these commons in your drafts, you can build a solid foundation for a competitive deck.

Color Rankings

In March of the Machine, the color pie shines with a unique distribution of power. While all colors offer viable strategies, some stand out as particularly strong in the Limited environment. Here’s a breakdown of the color rankings, considering their overall strength and potential for success⁚

1. White⁚ White shines in this set with its powerful removal spells, efficient creatures, and strong support for the Knight tribal archetype. Its ability to control the board and generate threats makes it a strong contender for a top spot.
2. Black⁚ Black excels in removal and card draw, offering a potent combination for both aggressive and controlling decks. The Phyrexian tribal theme also provides a powerful engine for generating value.
3. Blue⁚ Blue offers a mix of countermagic, card draw, and powerful instants and sorceries. While not as dominant as white or black, it still provides a solid foundation for control strategies and can be a valuable partner in several archetypes.
4. Red⁚ Red is a force to be reckoned with in this set, boasting powerful direct damage spells, aggressive creatures, and strong support for the Backup mechanic. It’s a strong choice for aggressive strategies, but can also find a place in other archetypes.
5. Green⁚ Green shines in ramping, providing access to powerful creatures and spells. While not as dominant as other colors, its ability to generate mana advantage and play large threats makes it a valuable asset in several archetypes.

Remember, these rankings are a general guideline and individual draft experiences can vary. However, understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each color can help you make informed decisions during your drafts and build competitive decks.

Tips for Drafting

Navigating the complex landscape of March of the Machine Limited requires a strategic approach. Here are some key tips to help you make informed decisions and build a winning deck⁚

1. Embrace the Archetypes⁚ March of the Machine is designed to support specific two-color archetypes. Identifying your chosen archetype early in the draft and focusing on its key cards will help you build a cohesive and powerful deck.
2. Prioritize Removal⁚ The format features a wide array of potent creatures and spells. Having access to removal spells, whether targeted or board-wide, is essential for controlling the board and countering your opponent’s threats.
3. Don’t Neglect Evasion⁚ March of the Machine features a variety of powerful creatures with evasion abilities, such as Flying and Menace. These creatures can quickly overwhelm your opponent’s defenses and win you the game. Be sure to include some evasion in your deck.
4. Pay Attention to Battles⁚ Battles are a new card type in this set and can be powerful assets in your deck. Look for cards that support Battles, such as those with the Backup ability, and consider including a few Battles in your deck.
5. Don’t Forget the Commons⁚ While rares and uncommons might catch your eye, don’t underestimate the value of strong commons. These cards can form the backbone of your deck and provide crucial support for your chosen strategies.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of drafting a powerful deck and enjoying success in March of the Machine Limited.

Battles and Sieges

Battles are a new card type introduced in March of the Machine, representing large-scale conflicts between Phyrexians and the Multiverse’s defenders. They add a unique dimension to Limited play, requiring a strategic approach to both deploying and countering them. Here’s a breakdown of Battles and their impact on your deckbuilding⁚

1. Strategic Deployment⁚ Battles are not creatures and don’t enter the battlefield immediately. Instead, they require you to pay their cost and then deploy them on a subsequent turn. This provides an opportunity to plan your attack and choose the right moment to unleash the battle’s full force.
2. Sieges⁚ Battles have the potential to become Sieges, transforming into powerful static abilities that can significantly impact the game. The conditions for becoming a Siege vary from Battle to Battle, but often involve achieving a specific condition, such as controlling a certain number of creatures.
3. Backup⁚ The Backup ability allows creatures to contribute to a Battle’s deployment cost. This synergizes well with the Siege mechanic, as you can use your creatures to quickly deploy and activate a Battle’s Siege effect.
4. Counterplay⁚ Battles are not invincible. Your opponent can interact with them through removal spells, countermagic, or even by disrupting their activation conditions. Be prepared to defend your Battles and anticipate your opponent’s counterplay.

Battles and Sieges offer a dynamic element to March of the Machine Limited. By understanding their mechanics and planning your strategy accordingly, you can harness their power to gain a decisive edge in your drafts.

Transforming Creatures

Transforming creatures are a unique card type in March of the Machine, offering a dynamic gameplay experience with two distinct sides. They start as one creature, but under certain conditions, they transform into a more powerful version. This adds a layer of complexity to your deckbuilding and gameplay, forcing you to consider the benefits of both forms and how to trigger their transformation.

1. Two Sides, One Card⁚ Transforming creatures have two sides, each representing a different creature with unique abilities. One side is typically weaker but might have useful abilities like flying or deathtouch, while the other side is more powerful but may have a higher mana cost. This duality allows for flexibility in your strategy.
2. Transformation Trigger⁚ Each transforming creature has a specific condition that needs to be met for it to transform. Common triggers include having certain cards in play, reaching a certain life total, or dealing damage to an opponent. Understanding these triggers is crucial for maximizing the potential of your transforming creatures.
3. Strategic Deployment⁚ When drafting transforming creatures, consider their transformation triggers and how they fit into your deck’s overall strategy. Do you want to build a deck that can quickly trigger transformations or one that focuses on the benefits of the initial form? This decision will influence your card selection and gameplay.
4. Opponent’s Perspective⁚ Remember that your opponent can also interact with your transforming creatures. They can remove the creature before it transforms, target it with spells or abilities, or even try to prevent the transformation trigger from occurring.

Transforming creatures add a unique dimension to March of the Machine Limited. By mastering their mechanics and using them strategically, you can add a powerful element to your deck and outmaneuver your opponents.

Incubate, Backup, and Convoke

March of the Machines introduces several powerful mechanics that can reshape your drafting strategies. Incubate, Backup, and Convoke allow you to manipulate your resources, create powerful creatures, and unleash devastating attacks. Understanding these mechanics is crucial for building a competitive deck and mastering the draft format.

1. Incubate⁚ This mechanic allows you to put counters on creatures, boosting their power and toughness. Incubate cards often come with additional effects, such as drawing cards or adding mana to your pool, making them versatile tools in your deck. Look for ways to synergize these cards with other creatures that benefit from counters.
2. Backup⁚ This mechanic lets you create tokens based on the power of creatures you control. Backup cards can quickly flood the battlefield with tokens, overwhelming your opponent. Consider drafting cards that can enhance the power of your creatures, increasing the number of tokens you can generate.
3. Convoke⁚ This mechanic allows you to tap creatures you control to add mana to your mana pool, enabling you to cast more powerful spells. Convoke cards often have high mana costs, but their powerful effects can make them worth the investment. Look for cards that can benefit from the additional mana generated through convoke.

These mechanics offer exciting new ways to play Magic⁚ The Gathering. Experiment with different combinations and strategies to find what works best for you in the March of the Machines draft format.