Alright, guys! Let's dive headfirst into the spooky and thrilling world of Innistrad Remastered Limited. This set is a fantastic blend of gothic horror and strategic gameplay, and knowing how to navigate its murky depths can give you a serious edge. Whether you're a seasoned drafter or new to the format, this guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to dominate your next Innistrad Remastered Limited event.

Understanding the Archetypes

Innistrad Remastered is a set with deep roots in Magic's history, bringing back mechanics and themes from the original Innistrad block. Understanding the key archetypes—the synergistic color pairs that define the format—is crucial for successful drafting and deck building. Each color combination encourages a specific play style, often revolving around particular card types or abilities. Identifying these archetypes early in your draft will help you pick the right cards and build a cohesive, powerful deck. Let’s break down the primary archetypes you’ll encounter:

• White/Blue (UW): Fliers and Control: This archetype focuses on evasive threats like Spirits and Angels, combined with control elements to slow down the opponent. Look for cards that provide card advantage, such as card draw or recursion, and removal spells to handle early threats. The key is to establish air superiority and protect your fliers while grinding out your opponent. Cards like Spectral Flight and Claustrophobia are premium picks in this archetype, providing both evasion and removal. Don't underestimate the power of a well-timed Dissipate to counter a game-winning spell. This archetype thrives in a longer game, where its card advantage and superior late-game threats can take over.

• White/Black (WB): Tokens and Sacrifice: WB in Innistrad Remastered revolves around creating a board full of tokens and then sacrificing them for value. This archetype leverages cards that generate multiple creatures, combined with effects that reward you for sacrificing them. Doomed Traveler and Midnight Haunting are excellent token generators, while cards like Skirsdag High Priest and Falkenrath Noble provide powerful sacrifice outlets and payoffs. The strength of this archetype lies in its ability to overwhelm the opponent with a wide board and then convert those creatures into direct damage or card advantage. Be mindful of graveyard hate, as it can disrupt your sacrifice synergies. Aim for a balance between token generation, sacrifice outlets, and payoffs to maximize the effectiveness of this archetype.

• Blue/Red (UR): Spells Matter: This is a classic Izzet archetype that rewards you for casting instants and sorceries. Look for cards that provide benefits when you cast noncreature spells, such as Kiln Fiend and Thermo-Alchemist. Card draw is also essential for fueling your spell-based strategy. Think Twice and Preordain are valuable additions to this archetype, providing both card selection and spell triggers. The UR spells matter deck is an aggressive strategy that aims to burn the opponent out with direct damage spells or overwhelm them with creatures that grow larger with each spell cast. Prioritize efficient spells and creatures that synergize well with your game plan. Be aware of your mana curve and ensure you have enough early-game spells to stay competitive.

• Black/Red (BR): Aggro Sacrifice: BR is an aggressive archetype that combines efficient creatures with sacrifice synergies. This deck aims to apply early pressure and then close out the game with direct damage or sacrifice effects. Cards like Bloodflow Connoisseur and Rakdos Cackler are strong early threats, while Act of Treason and Fling can provide explosive finishes. The key to success with this archetype is to maintain a critical mass of creatures and sacrifice outlets. Don't be afraid to trade creatures aggressively to push damage and disrupt your opponent's board. This archetype is vulnerable to decks that can stabilize the board and gain life, so prioritize cards that can break through stalemates. Aim for a mix of aggressive creatures, removal spells, and sacrifice payoffs to maximize the effectiveness of this archetype.

• Green/White (GW): Creatures and Auras: This archetype relies on building up powerful creatures with auras and equipment. Look for creatures with good base stats and then enhance them with cards like Rancor and Ethereal Armor. This strategy can create resilient threats that are difficult for the opponent to deal with. Bonesplitter is another strong equipment choice, providing a significant boost to your creatures' power. The GW aura deck is a straightforward but effective strategy that can quickly overwhelm the opponent with large, hard-to-block creatures. Be mindful of removal spells, as they can set you back significantly if your key creature is targeted. Consider including cards that provide protection or hexproof to mitigate this risk. Aim for a balance between creatures, auras, and protection spells to ensure your creatures can survive long enough to win the game.

• Green/Blue (GU): Self-Mill and Graveyard: GU in Innistrad Remastered focuses on filling your graveyard and then using it to your advantage. This archetype leverages cards that mill yourself, such as Grave Scrabbler and Mulch, combined with effects that reward you for having cards in your graveyard. Splinterfright and Screeching Skaab are powerful threats that grow larger as your graveyard fills up. The strength of this archetype lies in its ability to quickly generate value from the graveyard and overwhelm the opponent with large creatures. Be mindful of graveyard hate, as it can disrupt your self-mill synergies. Aim for a balance between self-mill cards, graveyard payoffs, and removal spells to maximize the effectiveness of this archetype.

• Red/White (RW): Aggro: RW is a straightforward aggressive archetype that aims to apply early pressure and close out the game quickly. This deck relies on efficient creatures and burn spells to overwhelm the opponent. Cards like Goblin Guide and Lightning Bolt are premium picks in this archetype, providing both early aggression and reach. The key to success with this archetype is to maintain a low mana curve and prioritize cards that can deal direct damage. Don't be afraid to trade creatures aggressively to push damage and disrupt your opponent's board. This archetype is vulnerable to decks that can stabilize the board and gain life, so prioritize cards that can break through stalemates. Aim for a mix of aggressive creatures, burn spells, and removal spells to maximize the effectiveness of this archetype.

• Black/Green (BG): Graveyard Value: This color pair is all about grinding out value from the graveyard. Think reanimation spells, creatures that benefit from having cards in the graveyard, and ways to fill it up quickly. Grisly Salvage and Mulch are your friends here, helping you find key pieces and fuel your graveyard. Boneyard Wurm and Stinkweed Imp are great examples of creatures that thrive in this strategy. This archetype excels at attrition warfare, slowly but surely overwhelming the opponent with recurring threats and incremental advantages. Prioritize card selection and efficient removal to ensure you can answer your opponent's threats while setting up your graveyard synergies. Be mindful of graveyard hate, which can severely cripple your game plan.

• Blue/Black (UB): Control Mill: UB focuses on controlling the board with counterspells and removal, while slowly milling the opponent out. Mind Funeral and GlimmerStalker are key cards in this archetype, providing both mill and disruption. This deck aims to stall the game until it can deploy its mill threats and grind out the opponent. The strength of this archetype lies in its ability to control the board and prevent the opponent from establishing a strong offense. Be mindful of aggressive decks that can outpace your control elements. Aim for a balance between counterspells, removal spells, and mill threats to maximize the effectiveness of this archetype.

• Red/Green (RG): Werewolves Aggro: RG is an aggressive archetype that leverages the transform mechanic of Werewolves. This deck aims to apply early pressure with creatures that transform into more powerful forms when the opponent doesn't cast spells. Cards like Daybreak Ranger and Kruin Outlaw are strong early threats that can quickly snowball out of control. The key to success with this archetype is to maintain pressure on the opponent and force them to react to your threats. Don't be afraid to trade creatures aggressively to push damage and disrupt your opponent's board. This archetype is vulnerable to decks that can consistently disrupt your creature transformations, so prioritize cards that can protect your creatures or punish the opponent for casting spells. Aim for a mix of aggressive creatures, removal spells, and cards that synergize with the Werewolf mechanic to maximize the effectiveness of this archetype.

Key Commons and Uncommons

Knowing the best common and uncommon cards is essential for successful drafting. These cards form the backbone of most decks and can often determine the outcome of a game. Here are some standouts:

• Removal: In Innistrad Remastered, removal is king. Cards like Lightning Bolt, Go for the Throat, and Claustrophobia are premium picks that can swing games in your favor. Prioritize removal that is efficient and versatile, able to handle a wide range of threats. Don't underestimate the value of situational removal spells like Pacifism or Arrest, which can neutralize key creatures and disrupt your opponent's strategy.

• Card Advantage: Card advantage is crucial for maintaining momentum and outpacing your opponent. Cards like Think Twice, Grisly Salvage, and Mulch provide valuable card selection and card draw, ensuring you always have options available. Look for cards that can generate incremental card advantage over time, such as repeatable draw effects or creatures that replace themselves when they die.

• Evasive Creatures: In a format with many ground creatures, evasive threats like fliers and creatures with skulk can be difficult to block and can quickly close out games. Cards like Delver of Secrets, Doomed Traveler, and Stormbound Geist are excellent choices for applying early pressure and forcing your opponent to react. Prioritize evasive creatures that are resilient and can survive removal spells or combat.

• Value Creatures: Creatures that provide additional value, such as card draw, token generation, or graveyard filling, are essential for building a strong deck. Cards like Grave Scrabbler, Bloodline Keeper, and Deranged Assistant can generate incremental advantages over time and help you outpace your opponent. Look for creatures that synergize well with your overall strategy and provide flexible options.

General Drafting Tips

• Be Flexible: Don't be afraid to switch archetypes mid-draft if you see a strong signal in a different color combination. Staying open to different possibilities can lead to more powerful and cohesive decks.

• Read Signals: Pay attention to the cards that are being passed to you and try to identify which colors and archetypes are open. If you consistently receive strong cards in a particular color, it may be a sign that you should move into that color.

• Prioritize Removal: Removal is essential for controlling the board and answering your opponent's threats. Prioritize efficient and versatile removal spells that can handle a wide range of creatures.

• Consider Your Mana Curve: Ensure you have a balance of early-game and late-game plays to avoid being run over by aggressive decks or being unable to close out games in the late game.

• Know the Format: Familiarize yourself with the key cards and archetypes in the format to make informed decisions during the draft and deck-building process.

Metagame Considerations

The Innistrad Remastered Limited metagame is influenced by the balance between aggressive and controlling strategies. Aggressive decks like RW and BR aim to apply early pressure and close out games quickly, while controlling decks like UB and GW focus on stabilizing the board and grinding out value over time. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each archetype can help you make informed decisions during the draft and deck-building process.

Sideboarding is also an important aspect of the metagame. Cards that provide graveyard hate, such as Relic of Progenitus and Surgical Extraction, can be effective against graveyard-based strategies like BG and GU. Cards that provide protection or hexproof can be valuable against removal-heavy decks like UB and BR.

By understanding the key archetypes, cards, and strategies in the Innistrad Remastered Limited metagame, you can gain a competitive edge and increase your chances of success.

So there you have it! A comprehensive guide to Innistrad Remastered Limited. Now go forth, draft well, and may your spooky decks bring you victory!