The latest Magic expansion, Scars of Mirrodin, is having a bit of an identity crisis.  Over eighty cards are included outside of the five-color wheel that forms the foundation of the game.  While not necessarily a world-ending problem, this muddling does tend to create confusion within the colors themselves.  For example, does Darksteel Sentinel ally itself with blue (due to the flash), or white (because of vigilance), or perhaps green (with its indestructibility)?   Gathering Magic decided the only fair way to resolve these types of disputes was to let the colors themselves choose.  We present to you the 2010 Magic Color Draft.

“Coming to you live from Renton, WA at our First Annual MTG Color Draft this is Leaf from Gathering Magic.com.  Alongside me, Mel Kiper Jr. ESPN analyst, and Memnarch, original lord of Mirrodin.  Welcome gentlemen, are you ready for this?”

“As you know Leaf, I am used to analyzing football draft picks, but I will try my best to find a comfort zone here.  Regardless there is certainly some excitement in the air, and I personally am anxious to see where everyone goes.  Especially Ratchet Bomb, a real underrated option in my opinion.”

“You are both fools, these machines must not be treated as equals, but should fill their roles in icy solitude.  They must respect their creators, or be crushed in my metallic grasp.  Only then will our world truly be right.”

“Um, sure.... Alright it looks like Black is up for the first pick.  Let’s find out who it chose.  Here we go:  with the number one overall choice, Black has taken Wurmcoil Engine, the Mythic 6/6 artifact creature from the Phyrexian faction.  Not much of a surprise here, right Mel?”

“Not at all Leaf, this was basically a lock.  WE fits in so nicely with pre-existing black abilities like lifelink and deathtouch.  Just consider this guy a larger version of Vampire Nighthawk.  I like this pick a lot, even with every other card out there available, I think the Wurmcoil landed in the right spot.  The Phyrexian connection just makes it that much better.”

“Agreed Mel, this was a perfect fit.  Black has certainly done its homework with this one.  Hold on here folks, looks like we have a trade.  Yes, Red has moved up into Blue’s spot with the number two pick by trading away two later round spots.  Red has the next selection, let’s see what it chooses.  Molten-Tail Masticore!  How about that move?  What’s your opinion guys?”

“I think this could be a real hit-or-miss pick for Red to be honest.  Sure the direct damage is pretty good, but the regeneration and graveyard manipulation are way off.  This could be considered a real reach Leaf, and I hope it pans out, but the Masticore was my seventh rated prospect, and I had him going in the early second round.  This comes as a real surprise.”

"You are all fools..."

“Thanks for the input Memnie, you’re really adding a lot to the broadcast.  Time to move on to our third choice in the draft, a spot held by Green.  Lots of big creatures and effects left on the board, let’s see where Green’s head is at right now.  Whoa, Green went for the biggest and came home with Platinum Emperion!  Good golly, that is a fattie, folks.  Perfect for Green, wouldn’t you both agree?”

“You are one top of it Leaf, I love this choice for Green.  The symmetry of an 8/8 for eight mana is perfect, but the life-total protection PE offers has really got me excited.  Green is a color always searching for a little better defense, and if that defense happens to come in the form of an 8/8 bomb, then all the better.  Right color, right draft spot, kudos to you Green.”

“Green is fool-hardy.”

“Care to elaborate on that point?  No?  Okay, then let’s move on to the second to last pick in the first round, a slot owned by Blue.  Now blue has historically been the most artifact friendly color, so it will be interesting to see where they go here.  Will we see our fourth creature taken in as many picks?  Nope, the draft-choice is Mindslaver, the formerly banned artifact, making a surprise re-appearance in SoM.”

“Excellent…”

“I have to agree with Menmarich…Memmett…Mem-whatever, on this one.  Great pick by Blue, a color known for its manipulation of the mind.  And mind-manipulation doesn’t get much more straight forward than direct control.   While not a good fit for many of the other colors, I think blue traded down, and still got what it wanted with the number four selection.”

“I’m sure all those Blue supporters are glad to hear that Mel.  Now, before we wrap up the first round, we have one more pick to see: White.  Post-Alara Reborn, White has been the beneficiary of the most of the very best cards in each set, and has reached the vaunted status of ‘best color in MTG.’  Time to see what choice will round out what is already a very well-balanced color.  The pick is in, and it’s Myr Battlesphere!  A token generator for the best token color out there.  Thoughts?”

“Foolish.”

“Have to disagree there, I think this is a great pick.  White has always been able to support tokens, and Tempered Steel gives the Battlesphere great support within the block.  I have to say, one of my favorite choices thus far.  In this case, the rich are just getting richer.  What a cap to a very well-executed first round, Leaf.  I can't wait to see where we go from here."

"Me neither Mel.  However, it appears Memnarch has begun to subjugate some of the studio audience and we should probably do something.  Alright folks, time for a quick commercial break, be sure not to miss the second round of the 2010 MTG Color Draft up next.  Hey, Memnie.  Hey, put that camera guy down..!"