Alpha Drafts

[Prospero]

This is all theoretical at this point - don't infer anything about any events - but I was wondering if there were eight people out there who would be willing to participate in a draft like that.  The price tag is prohibitively high, but it's guaranteed to be a once in a lifetime kind of thing.

Thoughts?

[mikekilljoy]

That is very, very tempting. What in the world would something like that actually cost and could I wirte it off as a business expense?  

EDit: On the assumption that $1,000 was just a guideline and not the guarenteed cost.

[KrauserKrauser]

I was under the impression that an Alpha Booster was well above $1k a piece, closer to 3.  But I'm by no means certain of that.

[failtofind]

I know someone who would be in

[infant_no_1]

I would LOVE to do it, but could not justify the expense at all.

Plus I would get the rare island, a purelace, and demonic attorney as my rares.

[AmbivalentDuck]

A complete set of Alpha/Beta runs about the same price as a booster box of the same set, with the commons and uncommons costing dramatically less than the rares. You could repack with zero loss of value and not destroy a piece of history in the process.

[Greg]

If a draft of Alpha actually took place, it would have to be very well documented. Multiple cameras, I say!

For me personally, I would have to give it some serious consideration. The thought of such a thing is incredibly tempting. It would truly be a once in a lifetime event.

In the meantime, here are some interesting thoughts:

Let's say that you open up a pack-fresh rare in the $150-$250 range, something such as Forcefield or Fastbond, but you also open up a pack-fresh Sol Ring and Demonic Tutor in your uncommon slots. Which of the three do you take?

What do you all suppose, entirely from the gaming standpoint of Alpha Limited, would be the best card to open up in your first pack?

I'm also wondering, from a gaming standpoint, what drafting would be like due to the fact that there could potentially be up to six or seven basic lands in a booster pack of Alpha.

[KrauserKrauser]

I would think Black Lotus would be the best card to open as it allows you to start on Turn 4 on Turn 1 and does not lock you into any colors.

I'm still very interested in how much 24 sealed packs of Alpha (preferably unsearched) would run.  Has to be well into the 5 figures.

[BaronSengir]

If given enough notice I would do it purely for the experience and pray to God I get a Power piece.  Of course location depends too. If its in the midwest I'm in. If its in California then probably not.

[rpf5029]

Would we redraft at the end?

[Prospero]

Would we redraft at the end?

This assumes that it happens.  We'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[bactgudz]

What do you all suppose, entirely from the gaming standpoint of Alpha Limited, would be the best card to open up in your first pack?

Helm of Chatzuk

[AmbivalentDuck]

What do you all suppose, entirely from the gaming standpoint of Alpha Limited, would be the best card to open up in your first pack?

Helm of Chatzuk

Pretty sure it's actually Ancestral Recall, Black Lotus, Balance, or Shivan Dragon. Not sure which of those. Threat quality was extremely low, so I'm not convinced that Lotus is that big a deal. Best case scenario, you drop...what? Air Elemental? Serra Angel? Both are uncommons and probably first picks over the rare in their pack.

[A.-1.]

If I remember correctly from the one CE draft side event I watched that Nick Coss ran, I believe Fireball and Sol Ring were snap first picks. Drain Life might have been up there, too.

[The Atog Lord]

I couldn't afford to do this, but would be very interested in watching it happen. It sounds like a great idea.

[Thecheese]

I would be interested but would need 4-5 months notice to get the funds

[Greg]

I've been doing some research on the concept of a limited Alpha or Beta event and came across a few interesting stories. I think everybody that's remotely interested in the idea of such an event, whether it be for the potential profit, excitement, or actual gaming aspect, would find this article interesting:

http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=sideboard/ptchi03/alpha

This article doesn't have a year attached to it, but it mentioned the tenth anniversary of Magic, so I'm assuming it's from 2003. Participating players received an Alpha starter deck and two packs of Arabian Nights!

[NV]

I would be in for the draft if I could bring my own packs.  I have some alternative thoughts tho.  An Alpha/Beta starter only event could be an option without the risk of buying searched boosters.  It would run about the same cost as a draft but you end up with one less rare opening a starter.  I've done this in the past and in the end you are paying for the experience, not the product you end up with. Open the starter, sleeve it up without looking at what you've opened, and start your first round with all 60 cards.  The decks are very poor but you are still happy to see each card you draw. A multi-player format can help keep the game in check. Again, this is for the experience and not to walk away with a profit. 

[Mith]

I'll second the idea of using sealed starters, but would be in for this regardless.

[Killane]

I've always promised my cube group that if I ever win the lottery I will run an alpha draft. Unfortunately, that is the only circumstance under which I could reasonably participate in such an event.

Solomon Ring is the clear first pick. Think of it this way - lotus starts you on the turn 4 and then you go to turn 2. Sol Ring gives you more extra mana after only 2 turns, and then keeps you ahead for the rest of the game. It is the best first pick in any limited format in which it is legal.

[AmbivalentDuck]

I've always promised my cube group that if I ever win the lottery I will run an alpha draft. Unfortunately, that is the only circumstance under which I could reasonably participate in such an event.

Solomon Ring is the clear first pick. Think of it this way - lotus starts you on the turn 4 and then you go to turn 2. Sol Ring gives you more extra mana after only 2 turns, and then keeps you ahead for the rest of the game. It is the best first pick in any limited format in which it is legal.

BS. Consider a draft "cube" containing 40 Mountain, 40 Sol Ring, and 1 Fireball.

[Killane]

Okay, any "playable" limited format in which it is legal.

[AmbivalentDuck]

FtV: Relics sealed.

[Killane]

FTV Reclics Sealed? REALLY???? Not playable dude, sor do you make "picks" in sealed deck

[Smmenen]

I am actually disturbed every time someone opens an Alpha/Beta starter or booster.  To me, these items should be preserved, and not opened.   I'm sure there is technology nowadays to x-ray and see what's inside them.  You can X-Ray renaissance art to see layers of paint, certainly we can do that with cards.   I would strongly discourage anyone from participating in an Alpha draft. 

[AmbivalentDuck]

I'm not sure what value there is in preserving them?  I'm against it merely because it's an awful financial decision to produce an effect that could easily be produced with repacks. I can't imagine NOT forcing everyone to sleeve gem mint beta rares immediately after opening them. And once they're sleeved anyways...do they actually need to be gem mint?

[Smmenen]

Not monetary value, but historical value.   Why do we have a Smithsonian? Same reason. 

[AmbivalentDuck]

Is an unopened box of beta more culturally significant than an opened one? To my understanding, famous use seems to generate more value than disuse. See: weapons used in assassinations, costumes worn by famous personages, burial accoutrements, diaries, etc.

To my knowledge, disuse only creates value for goods commonly in everyday use that deteriorate in value during use.

[NV]

I am working to organize an event at Gencon this year.  We will most likely just use sealed starters.  There has been a good amount of interest from the Magic Librarities crowd.  It's the 20th anniversary of Magic this year and hope this will be a good celebration.  I don't expect many participants but those of us who join will have a lifelong memory.  I'm encouraging people to bring their own sealed product but realize there is not much out there.

[NV]

Is there anyone out there considering participating in this event?  As Gencon draws closer I am putting the details together.  It will definately be one Starter, no boosters.  Looks like we'll get some video coverage too.  I'm at the point where we need commitment from participants.  It won't be an event to just walk up 10 minutes before the start and register.