Advice for running a Draft?
The Kitchen Table forum
Posted on May 13, 2016, 5:53 p.m. by Adamir
I just ordered a booster box for twelve people to run a Shadows over Innistrad draft, but I am still relatively inexperienced with the format. For now, I've written the following as the basic rules for a 3-day long draft, two hours a day.
Leagues
Nephala -12, 11, 10, 9
Kessig - 8, 7, 6, 5
Stensia - 4, 3, 2, 1
Everyone begins Day 1 in Nephala. Through Day 1, anyone who beats someone else from Nephala advances to Kessig, and Kessig has eight slots total. Once those eight slots are filled, no-one else can join Kessig; the same process is done for Kessig to advance to Stensia, except with just four slots in Stensia. Nephala players can still challenge Kessig players to take their place. You must either concede your league or accept the match if challenged by someone lower than you.
Players assigned to Stensia are split between Falkenrath, Markov, Stormkirk and Voldaren at the start of Day 3. The four faction leaders are given a random order to recruit players not in one of those factions. Those factions are matched against each other in three-headed giant games throughout Day 3, the losing faction being removed from the game. The two surviving factions play another three-headed giant match.
Any way I can improve the overall tournament framework? I've gone over it a few times; it feels sloppy, but I can't come up with anything to add to it.
It does sound cool. It's like a tournament...except actually built on the plane's lore. The only problem I can think of is that the final day needs 9 players still in the running to work, which is a lot for that late in the tourney. It really depends on your players' willingness to tolerate mechanical complication for the sake of flavor. But I say go for it.
Also, tell us how it goes. If it works well, I would totally love to write rules for my cube for it.
I might put the 3-headed giant games on day one, have day two as a "flashback" to show how players got to where they were on day one. Then day 3 could be an epic duel between the survivors to avenge all the deaths of the players now knocked out of the running.
Another idea; have your players go through basic character creation with a light RPG system like Savage Worlds or Fate Core at the beginning of day 1, that way you have a sense of identity of who your walker is so you can sneak some light roleplay into the games. I might even have a "Your opponent may give you a free scry once per game for good roleplay the game before."
aholder7 says... #2
it sounds really complicated but really fun. i have no idea how that will work but just wanted to let you know it sounds cool.
May 13, 2016 6:06 p.m.