MTG Duskmourn Draft and Prerelease archetypes explained with signpost cards

Prepare for a spooky Limited Draft and Sealed Magic: The Gathering meta through Duskmourn House of Horrors, featuring 10 dual-color archetypes offering unique themes and strategies.

Wizards of the Coast continues to shake up the MTG Limited format through the Duskmourn House of Horror set. Prerelease players will experience a much different meta from Bloomburrow, showcasing new mechanics and strategies that offer a variety of playstyles. The set also contains special guest cards, legal to play in the Duskmourn Limited format. Don’t miss out on grades for every card in the House of Horror set and an upcoming giveaway by subscribing to MTG Madness.

At the time of writing, Duskmourn spoilers are still dropping. But most signpost cards have been previewed and WotC has listed the official Draft archetype names and synergies. Any signpost cards missing will be added no later than 24 hours after the card has been revealed.

Here’s what you can expect to encounter when attending MTG Duskmourn Prerelease events, along with Draft and Sealed events played through digital means like MTG Arena or tabletop.

All Duskmourn House of Horror mechanics explained

Multiple new MTG mechanics were introduced through the Duskmourn set. The main mechanic is Eerie, since the set has massive Enchantment support. Rooms and Manifest Dread are next, followed by keyword abilities like Survivor and Impending.

Here are all the Duskmourn mechanics, per WotC.

• Eerie: An Eerie ability is tied to Enchantments. Triggered abilities will activate when an Enchantment enters the battlefield or an Enchantment Room is unlocked.
• Survivor: An X ability that triggers at the beginning of your second main phase, with an “if the creature with the ability is tapped” text. If the creature with Survivor can get tapped for any reason, not just attacking. But it has to be before the beginning of the second main phase.
• Impending: A keyword ability that cheats out a permanent at an alternative cost with reduced power and time counters on it. A time counter is removed at the beginning of your end step. Then go full power when no time counters remain.
• Delirium: Cards gain value by having four or more types in your graveyard. Examples of types are Enchantment, Land, Sorcery, Instant, Planeswalker, and Creature. Pairs with Manifest Dread.
• Manifest Dread: A variation of Manifest. You get a look at the top two cards of your library, one goes into the graveyard and the other enters face down as a 2/2 creature. The face-down card can get turned face up at any time, as long as the mana cost is paid. The 2/2 face-down card is “a colorless 2/2 creature with no name, no creature types, no abilities, and no mana cost,” according to WotC.
• Rooms: A new Enchantment type with two sides. Each has its own casting cost, and either can be cast. Pay the mana cost on the other side to “unlock the room” and activate that half of the Enchantment in addition to the half you cast. WotC calls them “split permanent cards.” Entering without being cast will have both Room doors locked, as no mana cost was paid. Each Room has its own name.

All Duskmourn House of Horror Draft archetypes and signpost cards, explained

The Duskmourn Draft archetypes are two-color pairs showcasing strategies and mechanics that fit the flavor of the House of Horror set. Unlike Bloomburrow, dual-color archetypes aren’t as defined, leaving flexibility when crafting a deck. I suspect three-color builds will thrive in the Duskmourn Limited meta, but it’s still too early to tell. Here’s what we know so far about each of the 10 Draft archetypes.

Eerie Tempo DSK White/Blue Draft archetype

The White and Blue Eerie Tempo DSK Draft archetype strays from the traditional path within the Azorious colors by focusing on Enchantments. Inquisitive Glimmer is the ideal signpost card that can pull you into the WU Draft archetype, reducing the cost of casting an Enchantment and unlocking an Enchantment Room.

Eerie Control DSK Blue/Black Draft archetype

WotC branched off for the Dimir Blue and Black Draft archetype, designing the first Control archetype we’ve seen in a hot minute. The signpost is Skullsnap Nuisance, which supports the archetype through its Room and Enchantment synergies. As a two-drop with a big butt and Flying, it’s a solid Uncommon in Draft. Much will depend on the strength of the archetype itself.

Sacrifice DSK Black/Red Draft archetype

The BR Duskmourn Draft archetype didn’t sway from its staple path, featuring sacrifice and some manifest dread applications. Disturbing Mirth is the Uncommon signpost for the archetype, drawing cards so you don’t run out of gas. The Enchantment also synergizes with manifest dread strategies.

Delirium Stompy DSK Green and Red Draft archetype

Using the graveyard through Delirium to fuel powerful creatures is the GR Duskmourn Draft archetype. The signpost is Wildfire Wickerfolk, which is one of the better Red/Green signpost cards we’ve seen from recent MTG sets. The two-drop has Haste and good stats, hitting early or defending while you set up Delirium and bigger creatures to cast.

Survival DSK Green and White Draft archetype

The Green and White Draft archetype strays from its normal mechanics to support the Duskmourn Survival mechanic. It will be interesting to see how the archetype performs at Prerelease and in Draft. The signpost is Shrewd Storyteller, a three-drop 3/3 with the Survival mechanic. It doesn’t support the archetype, but it looks like a good splash card in a creature-driven build.

Reanimator DSK White and Black Draft archetype

The White and Black Draft archetype has a reanimator theme that synergizes with Sacrifice themes in BR. No signpost card has been revealed at the time of writing.

Rooms DSK Blue and Red Draft archetype

Rooms are the main theme within the Blue and Red Draft archetype. I suspect the archetype will become more of a support strategy for three-color builds that want to take advantage of the Room mechanic. The signpost is a RU Enchantment called Smoky Lounge//Misty Salon. Smoky Lounge grants Ramp to cast and unlock Rooms, while Misty Salon is a Control four-drop that creates a token with Flying that has stats based on the number of unlocked Room doors you control.

Delirium Grind DSK Black and Green Draft archetype

Leaning into the Delirium mechanic is the Black and Green Duskmourn Draft archetype. Much like the GW archetype, its signpost card, Drag to the Roots, is more of a payoff than a support spell. But it’s a good card if Delirium is activated. Destroying any non-land permanent for two mana is good value. This is an archetype to watch heading into Duskmourn Prerelease events.

Aggro DSK Red and White Draft archetype

The Red and White Draft archetype is an Aggro build. No signpost card has been revealed at the time of writing.

Manifest Dread DSK Green and Blue Draft archetype

The Manifest Dread Duskmourn Draft archetype has potential and I’m excited to mess around with the mechanic. The signpost card is Oblivious Bookworm. The Wizard’s stats are fine for a two-drop, while its ability strongly supports the Manifest Dread mechanic. You gain card draw advantage from Oblivious Bookworm and can choose to fuel the graveyard for Delirium synergies.