Hello. This is my mostly unpowered cube. I have not excluded any cards for being to powerful, but I still lack some due to monetary issues. I intend to make the cube fully powered some time in the future. This cube was started in May.
Basic Information
Cube Size: 360 Cards
Breakdown: 50 Each Color, 50 Colorless, 60 Guild
Standard or Theme Cube: Standard
Average Draft: 4-6 players, 1-2 times/week.
Powered: Mostly not due to cost issues. I intend to get the power cards eventually. Mox Pearl is present.
Card Selection Proxies: Ravages of War
Portal: Yes. Portal is not banned, but I lack most of the cards.
Thank you for correcting my mistakes and for the comparisons.
I know that it is a bit odd to use the Mox Pearl as the only power. I am working on obtaining the rest. For now I am undecided on whether or not I will use it until then.
Honestly I would just suggest proxing the cards you want to run but don't have. Cube is a for funziez format so might as well get to play all the cards you want. That said nothing is better than opening a cube pack of awesome cards that are all pimped out.
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I write about cube and run cube drafts on magic online.
Perhaps, even though I would rather not proxy. Ravages of War is acceptable since I can proxy it with a second Armageddon. Luckily I will be able to get most of the missing pieces soon.
The last of the signets are getting cut. They are generally not highly sought after and do not perform quite well enough. That is why they are getting cut for the new inclusions, regardless of slot.
The Masticores are also close to getting cut. In my playgroup their drawback is considered far too steep for their power level, except if you have something like Squee, Goblin Nabob. They consistently go last or next to last. I don't think that they have seen play the last 10-15 drafts. Are they actually far better than this?
Wildfire is a card that I like a lot, but it is currently not in the cube. I did play wildfire and Burning of Xinye earlier, but they suffered the same fate as the masticores. I tried playing them in decks, but they did sadly not perform to well. I would very much like them to do, so as soon as i can find cuts for them I think I will give them another try.
I am strongly considering doing some sort of change regarding my multicolour cards. I very nearly can't stand not playing Loam Lion, Abrupt Decay, Rakdos Cackler and Supreme Verdict. I do not yet know what this change will consist of. It may be increasing the size of some or all guilds or make some sort of hybrid section.
Thank you. I suppose that you are right. I have been thinking a bit about those cards, but i don't really want to cut any of them. As the new cards are vastly superior, and these seem to be the weakest ones, I suppose that I will have to cut three of them.
Edit:
I have decided that I will keep Liliana for now and cut the rest. I like contagion too, but it hardly sees play. Edited above too.
I, personally, would cut Hellrider before I cut Chandra's Phoenix. Hillrider is good, but the 4 drop slot is the very top of super fast aggro and is stacked with really important cards for aggro (Smokestack, Armageddon, Braids, Avalanche Riders, Heroes, Koth, etc.), and that kind of deck only has room for a select few of those cards. Chandra's Phoenix however fits into a slot that is relatively light in red based aggro decks. There are plenty of turn three burn spells, but it's better to have a creature on turn three and save your burn for later after your dudes have got in for some damage, or have a three-drop creature and follow it up with a turn 4 lock like Tanglewire, Winter Orb, 'Geddon, etc. to hold off their wrath. Also, the Phoenix is a source of much needed card advantage in an aggro deck.
Yes, I have considered this problem. I think that the four four drops that I do include are very good. The Phoenix has been ok, but not too spectecular. Hellrider, as the worst of the four drops is considered a lot better. On the other hand, you are quite correct that for aggro decks the 4 cmc slot is quite stacked. While drafting aggro decks I also have trouble picking up good three drops. I very well think that you may be right. I will have to discuss this with my play group.
*=Temporary violation of the system in order to play the best cards.
One of the green cards also has to be cut for Scavenging Ooze. Many of the other changes will be executed in not too long time, but some of them have been postponed.
It is a goal that green is a viable aggro colour, or at least as a supporting colour in an aggro deck. So I would rather try to strengthen green aggro than remove it, if possible. I would also like to keep the Stomphowler, but cuts are hard in green. Therefore I would like to see if one less disenchant effect is sufficient.
For now the Blistering Firecat seems to do well. I agree about the Raging Ravine and will keep Barter in Blood for now. Now that most of the bad cards like Jungle Barrier is gone, I think that my colourless section is the easiest to cut from. The signets have rarely been wanted by any deck, so they don't seem necessary. I may be mistaken, though. Life from the Loam is a card that I would like to be good, but hardly sees play. Most games are often to fast for it to be good in any event.
21.11.12:
Green aggro has not performed very well, and as of late green as a colour has been quite weak. Weaker than black, by a fair margain. Most of the successful decks are either focused aggro decks or fast blue based tempo decks. Currently green does not manage to be as fast as or race these strategies and some of the green one drops are not that good in mid range decks. Because of this the green aggro cards have become nearly dead and therefore weaken green. I will try to remove these cards for more mid range cards, and perhaps some ramp. Another possibility is to instead reinforce green aggro. I am not quite certain as to how I would do this, so for now I will try to cut it. Initially I will make these two changes:
I have at long last been able to complete just about everything that is not P9. I just got revised Tundra, Volcanic, Underground Sea and Bayou.
With a few other cards this makes for the following changes:
Parallax Wave has not been all that great lately and Triskelion hasn't really ever been put to good use. There are a few things I cut in it's stead, though. Verdict is getting cut since I am moving Celestial Colonnade back to the spell slot. I am debating keeping Verdict over Detention Sphere, but I prefer the sphere for now. Sarcomancy is not played, because of that the most played decks that want black aggressive 1 drops doesn't like is dying, often to bounce, and then taking damage for the rest of the game. By cutting the Captive for Rofellos, the removal of fast green aggro is complete. I could imagine re-including the Bouncer. Is he good? In what situations is he useful? The ability seems powerful, but has been difficult to take advantage of.
Geist is splendid in aggressive tempo based blue decks, though. They are generally played quite often and are very strong. As for Sarcomancy, you may be right that just my experience with it is bad. The times it has been played, it being a token has been a disadvantage. Still taking damage after it has been answered is a pain too. By experience it has dealt a lot more damage to yourself than the Lacerator. It may be that it is as good in a hyper aggressive BR deck that doesn't mind the damage.
Basic Information
Cube Size: 360 Cards
Breakdown: 50 Each Color, 50 Colorless, 60 Guild
Standard or Theme Cube: Standard
Average Draft: 4-6 players, 1-2 times/week.
Powered: Mostly not due to cost issues. I intend to get the power cards eventually. Mox Pearl is present.
Card Selection
Proxies: Ravages of War
Portal: Yes. Portal is not banned, but I lack most of the cards.
Snow Cube: No
Un-Cards: No
Functional Reprints: Yes
Collector's Edition: Yes
Banned Cards: Only Vintage banned cards.
Cube Design
Standard or Multiplayer: Standard
Sideboards: Yes
Perfect Creature/Non-Creature Balance: No
Perfectly Balanced CMC: No
WWWWW
//1CC
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//6CC
UUUUU
//1CC
//2CC
//3CC
//4CC
//5CC
//6CC
//1CC
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//3CC
//4CC
//5CC
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//Land
BBBBB
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//2CC
//3CC
//4CC
//5CC
//6CC
1 too few
//0CC
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RRRRR
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GGGGG
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//Land
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//Land
WWWUUU
WWWRRR
UUUBBB
BBBGGG
RRRGGG
UUURRR
WWWBBB
BBBRRR
WWWGGG
UUUGGG
I know that it is a bit odd to use the Mox Pearl as the only power. I am working on obtaining the rest. For now I am undecided on whether or not I will use it until then.
peasantcube.blogspot.com
Here are the planned changes:
Old card -> New card
EDIT: Many of these changes were sadly postponed.
Compulsive Research -> Enclave Cryptologist
Dismiss -> Force of Will
Kira, Great Glass Spinner -> Serendib Efreet
Riftwing Cloudskate -> Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
Barter in Blood -> Damnation
Tombstalker -> Pack Rat
Ob Nixilis -> Dark Confidant
Contagion -> Sinkhole
Devil's Play -> Earthquake*
Hell's Thunder -> Thundermaw Hellkite*
Firestorm -> Faithless Looting
Chandra, the Firebrand -> Ash Zealot
Chandra's Phoenix -> Blistering Firecat
Azourius Signet -> Nevinyrral's Disk
Dimir Signet -> Karn Liberated
Izzet Signet -> Wasteland
Simic Signet -> Maze of Ith
Absorb -> Detention Sphere
Venser, the Sojourner -> Geist of Saint Traft
Nimbus Maze -> Tundra
Seachrome Coast -> Hallowed Fountain
Dimir Aqueduct -> Polluted Delta
Putrid Leech -> Lotleth Troll
Woodland Cemetery -> Bayou
Raging Ravine -> Stomping Ground
Rootbound Crag -> Wooded Foothills
Prophetic Bolt -> Izzet Charm
Sigarda, Host of Herons -> Steam Vents Fixing guild imbalance
Gerrard's Verdict -> Vindicate
Tidehollow Sculler -> Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
Isolated Chapel -> Godless Shrine
Terminate -> Dreadbore
Bituminous Blast -> Rakdos Cackler
Blackcleave Cliffs -> Blood Crypt
Dragonskull Summit -> Bloodstained Mire
Loam Lion -> Dryad Militant
Sunpetal Grove -> Windswept Heath
Simic Growth Chamber -> Tropical Island
Jungle Barrier -> Breeding Pool Fixing land/spell balance
*= Already implemented
I white I would like to include Mirror Entity and Enlightened Tutor. In black I would very much like to play Sinkhole, Dark Confidant, Pack Rat. I will definitely play them, but I do have a hard time finding cuts.
The last of the signets are getting cut. They are generally not highly sought after and do not perform quite well enough. That is why they are getting cut for the new inclusions, regardless of slot.
The Masticores are also close to getting cut. In my playgroup their drawback is considered far too steep for their power level, except if you have something like Squee, Goblin Nabob. They consistently go last or next to last. I don't think that they have seen play the last 10-15 drafts. Are they actually far better than this?
Wildfire is a card that I like a lot, but it is currently not in the cube. I did play wildfire and Burning of Xinye earlier, but they suffered the same fate as the masticores. I tried playing them in decks, but they did sadly not perform to well. I would very much like them to do, so as soon as i can find cuts for them I think I will give them another try.
I am strongly considering doing some sort of change regarding my multicolour cards. I very nearly can't stand not playing Loam Lion, Abrupt Decay, Rakdos Cackler and Supreme Verdict. I do not yet know what this change will consist of. It may be increasing the size of some or all guilds or make some sort of hybrid section.
Edit:
I have decided that I will keep Liliana for now and cut the rest. I like contagion too, but it hardly sees play. Edited above too.
360 Unpowered Cube | Cubetutor
Terminate -> Rakdos Cackler
Sigarda, Host of Herons -> Knight of the Reliquary
Venser, the Sojourner -> Detention Sphere
Putrid Leech -> Lotleth Troll
Tomb Stalker -> Pack Rat
Jungle Barrier -> Abrupt Decay*
Nimbus Maze -> Hallowed Fountain
Firestorm -> Faithless Looting
Indrik Stomphowler -> Thragtusk
*=Temporary violation of the system in order to play the best cards.
One of the green cards also has to be cut for Scavenging Ooze. Many of the other changes will be executed in not too long time, but some of them have been postponed.
It is a goal that green is a viable aggro colour, or at least as a supporting colour in an aggro deck. So I would rather try to strengthen green aggro than remove it, if possible. I would also like to keep the Stomphowler, but cuts are hard in green. Therefore I would like to see if one less disenchant effect is sufficient.
Ob Nixilis, the Fallen -> Tomb Stalker
Kor Skyfisher -> Mirror Entity
Riftwing Cloudskate -> Serendib Efreet
Barter in Blood -> Damnation
Chandra the Firebrand -> Blistering Firecat
Azorius Signet -> Nevinyrral's Disk
Dimir Signet -> Maze of Ith
Simic Signet -> Karn Liberated
Gerrard's Verdict -> Vindicate
Tidehollow Sculler -> Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
Isolated Chapel -> Godless Shrine
Rootbound Crag -> Stomping Ground
Simic Growth Chamber -> Breeding Pool
Dimir Aqueduct -> Polluted Delta
Sunpetal Grove -> Windswept Heath
Raging Ravine -> Wooded Foothills
Dragonskull Summit -> Bloodstained Mire
360 Unpowered Cube | Cubetutor
Life from the Loam -> Scavenging Ooze
Stormbind -> Raging Ravine
Prophetic Bolt -> Izzet Charm
Absorb -> Supreme Verdict
Bituminous Blast -> Dreadbore
Blackcleave Cliffs -> Blood Crypt
Jungle Barrier -> Barter in Blood*
Izzet Signet -> Steam Vents*
Edit:
Dismiss -> Force of Will
Masticore -> Library of Alexandria
Tombstalker -> Sinkhole
Ancient Tomb -> Wasteland
Into the Roil -> Time Spiral
Abrupt Decay -> Tropical Island
Seachrome Coast -> Geist of Saint Traft
*Temporary solution
**Fixing guild imbalance
21.11.12:
Green aggro has not performed very well, and as of late green as a colour has been quite weak. Weaker than black, by a fair margain. Most of the successful decks are either focused aggro decks or fast blue based tempo decks. Currently green does not manage to be as fast as or race these strategies and some of the green one drops are not that good in mid range decks. Because of this the green aggro cards have become nearly dead and therefore weaken green. I will try to remove these cards for more mid range cards, and perhaps some ramp. Another possibility is to instead reinforce green aggro. I am not quite certain as to how I would do this, so for now I will try to cut it. Initially I will make these two changes:
Pouncing Jaguar -> Life from the Loam
Wild Dogs -> Indrik Stomphowler
Life from the Loam and Stomhowler are cards that i would like to have in green, but which were cut earlier.
24.11.12:
Jungle Lion -> Tarmogoyf
30.11.12:
Gifts Ungiven -> Glen Elendra Archmage
With a few other cards this makes for the following changes:
Supreme Verdict -> Tundra
Woodland Cemetery -> Bayou
Sulfur Falls -> Volcanic Island
Darkslick Shores -> Underground Sea
Triskelion -> Chrome Mox
Parallax Wave -> Moat
Sarcomancy -> Dark Confidant
Waterfront Bouncer -> Enclave Cryptologist
Wolfbitten Captive -> Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary
Parallax Wave has not been all that great lately and Triskelion hasn't really ever been put to good use. There are a few things I cut in it's stead, though. Verdict is getting cut since I am moving Celestial Colonnade back to the spell slot. I am debating keeping Verdict over Detention Sphere, but I prefer the sphere for now. Sarcomancy is not played, because of that the most played decks that want black aggressive 1 drops doesn't like is dying, often to bounce, and then taking damage for the rest of the game. By cutting the Captive for Rofellos, the removal of fast green aggro is complete. I could imagine re-including the Bouncer. Is he good? In what situations is he useful? The ability seems powerful, but has been difficult to take advantage of.
Now that Moat is in, finding a cut for Enlightened Tutor is urgent. Cutting in white is excruciating. I may cut Ajani, Caller of the Pride for it.