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name: mtg-ecl-limited description: Expert guidance for MTG Lorwyn Eclipsed (ECL) Limited format. Use when analyzing sealed pools or draft picks from this set. Provides tier lists, archetype info, and synergy recommendations.

Lorwyn Eclipsed Limited Guide

Sources

• Tier list: https://mtga.untapped.gg/limited/draft/lorwyn-eclipsed/tier-list
• Pick order: https://draftsim.com/ECL-pick-order.php
• Prerelease guide: https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/lorwyn-eclipsed-prerelease-guide
• Last updated: 2025-01-22

Set Mechanics

Vivid: Cards care about number of colors among permanents you control. More colors = stronger effects. Rewards 3+ color decks with good mana fixing.

Hybrid Mana: Uncommon "Eclipsed" creatures (like Eclipsed Elf, Eclipsed Kithkin) use hybrid mana costs and count as both colors for vivid calculations. These are premium picks.

Blight: Black-red mechanic using -1/-1 counters. Creatures with blight place counters on opponents' creatures, triggering "when a creature with a -1/-1 counter dies" effects.

Changeling: Creatures with all creature types. Count toward ALL tribal synergies - extremely valuable in this tribal-heavy set.

Evoke: Pay alternate cost to cast as instant-speed spell. The creature enters, triggers ETB, then is sacrificed. Great with death triggers.

Champion: When creature enters, exile another creature you control of specified type. Returns when champion leaves. Enables re-triggering ETBs.

Tier List

S-Tier (First-pickable bombs)

• Ashling's Command - 3-mana board wipe with upside
• Trystan's Command - Flexible removal + card advantage
• Kinbinding - Enchantment that takes over games
• Figure of Fable - Wins games single-handedly
• Gloom Ripper - Recursive threat, hard to answer
• Spinerock Tyrant - 6/6 that dominates combat

A+ Tier (Premium picks)

• Curious Colossus - Card advantage engine
• Sunderflock - Evasive threat with value
• Ajani, Outland Chaperone - Planeswalker, flexible
• Wren's Masterpiece - Build-around payoff

A Tier (Strong cards)

• Wistfulness - Card selection and graveyard fill
• Deepchannel Duelist - Unblockable threat
• Loch Mare - Efficient creature with upside
• Eclipsed Elf - Hybrid, counts for vivid, tribal
• Eclipsed Kithkin - Same as above, different colors
• Sanar, Innovative First-Year - Value creature
• Champions of the Shoal - Merfolk payoff
• Ethereal Escort - Strong flyer

A- Tier (Good cards)

• Grub's Command - Flexible removal
• Chronicle of Victory - Card advantage
• Vibrance - Combat trick with upside
• Aurora Awakener - Elemental synergies
• Moonglove Extract - Artifact removal
• Nameless Inversion - Tribal instant, removal
• Oblivion Ring - Flexible removal

B+ Tier (Solid playables)

• Most on-color uncommons
• Efficient creatures on curve
• Conditional removal
• Tribal lords

B Tier (Playable)

• Average commons
• Situational cards
• Filler creatures

C Tier (Below average)

• Off-tribe creatures
• Overcosted effects
• Narrow sideboard cards

F Tier (Unplayable)

• Cards that don't work in limited
• Extremely narrow effects

Archetypes (by win rate)

Ideal Mana Curve (40-card deck)

• 1-drop: 1-2 cards (aggressive decks want 2-3)
• 2-drop: 7-8 cards (most important slot)
• 3-drop: 5-6 cards
• 4-drop: 3-4 cards
• 5-drop: 2-3 cards
• 6+ drop: 0-1 cards
• Lands: 17 (16 for aggressive, 18 for control)

Total creatures: 15-18 Total non-creatures: 5-8

Synergy Keywords

Tribal Types: Merfolk, Goblin, Kithkin, Elemental, Elf, Faerie, Treefolk, Giant, Shapeshifter, Rogue, Shaman, Warrior, Wizard, Cleric

Set Mechanics: vivid, blight, changeling, evoke, champion, kinship, prowl, reinforce

Evergreen Keywords: flying, lifelink, deathtouch, trample, vigilance, first strike, flash, reach, menace, haste

Build Guidelines

Sealed Pool Evaluation

1. Sort by color, identify deepest colors
2. Find bombs (S/A+ tier cards)
3. Identify tribal critical mass (4+ of same type)
4. Count removal (want 3-5 pieces)
5. Check mana curve
6. Evaluate mana fixing for splashes

Draft Priorities

1. Bombs > Premium removal > Efficient creatures
2. Stay open packs 1-2, commit pack 3
3. Tribal payoffs rise in value with more tribal cards
4. Changelings are high picks in any tribal deck
5. Mana fixing (vivid lands) enable powerful splashes

Common Mistakes

• Forcing a tribe without enough support
• Playing too many 5+ drops
• Not enough 2-drops
• Splashing without fixing
• Ignoring tribal synergies for raw power

For detailed archetype strategies, see ARCHETYPES.md.