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The Ultimate Guide to Dominaria’s Best Card Pulls

The Dominaria sets, both Dominaria United and Dominaria Remastered, are treasure troves for Magic: The Gathering players. Identifying the best cards to pull from these sets can significantly enhance your deck building, trading power, and overall enjoyment of the game. This article dives deep into the most valuable and strategically important cards in both sets, providing a comprehensive guide for players of all levels.

Dominaria’s Crown Jewels: A Two-Set Overview

While “best” is subjective and depends on your specific needs (Commander, Standard, Pauper, etc.), here’s a breakdown of high-value cards from both Dominaria United and Dominaria Remastered:

Dominaria Remastered: The clear winner is Force of Will. Multiple versions of Force of Will (Borderless, Retro Frame, and regular) dominate the top spots in terms of monetary value. Following closely are the Tutors – Vampiric Tutor, Worldly Tutor, Enlightened Tutor, and Mystical Tutor. Sylvan Library is another highly sought-after card. This set is a powerhouse for reprints of incredibly powerful and historically significant cards.
Dominaria United: The value here is more spread out. Liliana of the Veil leads the charge, followed by Timeless Lotus. Then cards like Serra Paragon, Leyline Binding, Vesuvan Duplimancy, Karn’s Sylex, Shivan Devastator, and Plaza of Heroes.

Diving Deeper into Dominaria Remastered

Dominaria Remastered is a celebration of Magic’s history, packed with potent spells and iconic creatures. The set heavily emphasizes instants, sorceries, and powerful control elements, making it a fantastic set for drafting and collecting for long-time fans of magic.

Must-Have Cards from Dominaria Remastered

Force of Will: A staple in eternal formats, Force of Will’s ability to counter spells for free makes it invaluable in fast-paced matches.
Vampiric Tutor, Worldly Tutor, Enlightened Tutor, Mystical Tutor: These tutors are incredibly versatile, allowing you to search your library for the perfect card at instant speed (or sorcery speed for Worldly).
Sylvan Library: Card advantage is king in Magic, and Sylvan Library provides it in spades, allowing you to manipulate your draws to find exactly what you need.

Exploring Dominaria United

Dominaria United marks a return to the original plane of Magic: The Gathering, steeped in rich lore and introducing exciting new mechanics like Enlist and Domain. The cards in this set offer excellent synergy and deck-building potential.

Top Cards to Chase in Dominaria United

Liliana of the Veil: A powerful planeswalker that disrupts your opponent’s hand and controls the board. Her ultimate ability can swiftly end games.
Timeless Lotus: A colorless mana rock that taps for five mana of any color. It’s excellent ramp for mana hungry decks.
Leyline Binding: A potent removal spell that can exile almost any nonland permanent. It can cost very little mana in a five color deck.
Serra Paragon: Recursion is a powerful tool, and Serra Paragon allows you to play lands and creatures from your graveyard.

The Drafting Experience: What to Look For

Both Dominaria sets offer unique drafting experiences. In Dominaria United, prioritize cards that support the Domain mechanic (rewarding you for having multiple basic land types) and those that capitalize on the historic theme. In Dominaria Remastered, be on the lookout for powerful instants and sorceries, along with efficient creatures that can close out games.

Dominaria United Draft Archetypes

Blue-Green (Domain): As mentioned before, this is one of the strongest archetypes. Fill your deck with cards that reward you for having multiple basic land types.
Red-Green (Aggro): A fast, aggressive strategy that aims to overwhelm your opponent with creatures and burn spells.
Other Color Combinations: Don’t be afraid to explore other color combinations based on the cards you draft. The key is to find synergies and build a cohesive deck.

Dominaria Remastered Draft Strategies

Control is King: The abundance of powerful instants and sorceries in Dominaria Remastered makes control decks a viable strategy.
Efficient Creatures: Look for creatures with strong abilities or efficient mana costs that can help you control the board.
Card Advantage: Prioritize cards that allow you to draw extra cards or manipulate your draws to stay ahead of your opponent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is Force of Will so expensive in Dominaria Remastered?
Force of Will is a staple in eternal formats like Legacy and Vintage. Its ability to counter spells for free is incredibly valuable, driving up its demand and price.
What makes the Tutors (Vampiric, Worldly, etc.) so good?
Tutors allow you to search your library for a specific card, providing consistency and flexibility to your deck. They’re particularly powerful in Commander, where you can search for game-winning combos.
Is it worth buying Dominaria Remastered packs solely to find expensive cards?
While it’s possible to pull valuable cards, pack opening is always a gamble. It’s generally more cost-effective to buy singles if you’re targeting specific cards.
What is the Domain mechanic in Dominaria United?
The Domain mechanic rewards you for having different types of basic lands (Plains, Island, Swamp, Mountain, Forest) in play. Cards with Domain abilities become more powerful as you have more different basic land types.
How important is mana fixing in Dominaria United Draft?
Mana fixing is crucial in Dominaria United Draft, especially if you’re playing a Domain deck. Prioritize dual lands and cards that help you search for basic lands.
Which colors are strongest in Dominaria United Draft?
Blue and Green are generally considered strong in Dominaria United Draft due to their access to powerful Domain cards and efficient creatures. Red and White are also good choices, but can be challenging to draft.
What are some good commons and uncommons to look for in Dominaria United?
In Dominaria United, Tolarian Terror is a standout common for Pauper. Good uncommons include cards like Balmor, Battlemage Captain for aggressive strategies.
How many legendary creatures are in Dominaria United?
Dominaria United features a significant number of legendary creatures, with 41 new legendary creatures in the main set, making it a great set for Commander players.
Are Dominaria United cards legal in Standard?
Yes, Dominaria United cards are legal in Standard, as well as Pioneer, Modern, Commander, and other formats.
What is the best way to build a Commander deck around a Dominaria United legendary creature?
Focus on the creature’s strengths and build a deck that complements its abilities. Look for cards that provide synergy and support the overall strategy.
How does Dominaria’s lore affect the cards in these sets?
Dominaria’s rich history and lore are deeply ingrained in the cards, from the characters depicted to the mechanics represented. Understanding the lore can enhance your appreciation for the cards and their place in the Magic universe.
What is the rarity distribution in Dominaria Remastered?
Dominaria Remastered contains commons, uncommons, rares, and mythic rares, along with retro frame versions of some cards. The retro frame versions have their own rarity distribution.
Is Dominaria United a good set for new players?
While Dominaria United has some complex mechanics, the straightforward creatures and spells make it manageable for new players. The rich lore also provides an engaging entry point into the Magic universe.
What is the best way to learn more about Magic: The Gathering strategies and deck building?
There are many resources available online, including articles, videos, and forums. You can also join a local Magic: The Gathering community or find a mentor to help you learn the game. Don’t forget to also check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for additional insights into games and learning.
Where can I find the latest prices for Magic: The Gathering cards?
Websites like TCGplayer, Card Kingdom, and Star City Games provide up-to-date pricing information for Magic: The Gathering cards.

Conclusion

Dominaria, in both its Remastered and United forms, offers a compelling Magic: The Gathering experience. Whether you’re chasing valuable cards, building powerful decks, or diving into the rich lore, these sets have something for every player. By understanding the key cards, mechanics, and draft strategies, you can maximize your enjoyment and success in the world of Dominaria.

What are the best cards to pull in Dominaria?