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Announcement Date: December 5, 2024

Powered Cube:

• No bans.

Other:

• Small changes to help push graveyard decks.
• Near total removal of cards referencing additional game pieces with tracking or logistical issues.

Detailed explanations for each of these are below.

Estimated Date for Tabletop: January 1, 2025

View the list of all previous changes.

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WHY GRAVEYARDS

Graveyards are such an important part of the Vintage Cube environment; they're always present and often easily exploitable resources which perform a variety of functions. I love cards that interact with the 'yard, and as your friendly neighbor hood Jund player, it's my wheelhouse. These things in mind, I wanted to make a bit of room for additional pieces which interact at a lower, more grindy level than the typical Reanimator combo decks.

The first is Pre-War Formalwear (say that five times fast!) which is an Unearth stapled onto an equipment. The recent trend towards Artifact strategies is by design and I feel like this card will be great in mid and late game moments. Beefing up an previously removed Savannah Lions or blinking this equipment for additional triggers is the stuff I'm looking for.

I've reintroduced Nethergoyf after I removed it, perhaps I was initially wrong in my justification, but I still am not sure it lives up to the environment's requirements; it only counts your own 'yard and is considerably harder to return than most of the 1-mana 2-power Skeletons and Zombies everyone loves. We'll see.

Similarly, I was made aware of Ursine Monstrosity earlier today. Another Goyf-type card, and will always attack with at least 4-power, consistently fueling the yard.

Orcish Lumberjack isn't a graveyard card, per se, but it does provide fuel and also ramps. It's a fantastic little dude that should make casting Reach of the World Tree or other Storm // cards easy, while doubling as a valuable addition to the Domain strategies which a rife or land synergies.

WAIT, SAMWISE IS GOOD, THOUGH

Recent changes have shifted me away from using additional game pieces to describe game actions. As much as I love Samwise the Stouthearted, and especially after waxing poetic about graveyards as a resource, it needed to go. The "ring tempts you" is far too hard to convey to someone across a table and becomes a logistical and tracking issue repeatedly blinking Sam. If the card dropped that mechanic, I would happily re-add it.

Similarly, Daybound/Nightbound has been removed, and to the surprise of nobody, Initiative has also been removed. I have left in Monarch, as I feel like it ends games in a reasonable time frame and the tracking, while sometimes forgotten, is easier to remember than "I'm in Stash, but you're in Archives," or trading it back and forth in some annoying game of hot potato.

TWO CONSPIRACIES?

In the past, aggressive little creatures are harder to splash for those aggressive decks. I've added two new ways, one is Emissary's Ploy which should be very good for aggressive strategies, and Unexpected Potential which is a little more versatile. Maybe you want to run that Old One Eye in your Threshold deck?

WATCHLIST

Arcbound Ravager might be terrible (but now there's TWO!), but we haven't tested since I added it, and now there's a higher density of artifacts.

Field of the Dead is a card I've been running some numbers on, and it's unlikely that you'd get good value out of it in each game. If the card was five lands, it would be a slam. Seven is tough, and I don't want someone to have a dead draft because they're constantly picking up lands instead of valuable other cards.

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Announcement Date: November 8, 2024

Vintage Cube:

• No bans.

Other:

• Additional support Threshold-style strategies in both red and blue.
• Additional support for Artifact-based strategies.
• Additional "What If?" colorshifted spells (added in a previous Blog-less update).

Detailed explanations for each of these are below.

Estimated Date for Tabletop: November 30, 2024

View the list of all previous changes.

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CHANGES TO THRESHOLD & PHOENIX TYPAL

Threshold is tough to design, but I think we're finally getting there. The new bomb is Sphinx of Forgotten Lore, which will play a role in Threshold and Storm. I cut Aether Channeler for Kiora, the Rising Tide, a second Champion of Wits that has payoffs built in. I have never liked Aether Channeler, cards like this, while great for tempo or Blink , are incredibly uninteresting and are all upside. The addition of a build around in the Kiora should help telegraph to players that this is something more than a niche strategy.

There is now a more broad addition of Phoenix typal cards and a slight rebalancing of rummage and wheels. While these cards bolster Threshold strategies as discardable outlets or discardable threats, the additional Phoenixes also play a role in the Aristocrats archetype, which benefits greatly from recursive fodder. I tried to find interesting ones which would work directly from the graveyard without having to enter play. As much as I would like to run Everquill Phoenix, it requires battlefield interaction to get the payoff. Bloodfeather Phoenix was cut, as the chances of triggering are significantly lower than the other phoenixes. I have also considered Hell's Thunder as a fun option and nice throwback, but that might come in a later update.

OTHER ARCHETYPES

Minor changes to Artifact Stompy as well as several proximal cards to the archetype, such as Charming Scoundrel, Ivora, Insatiable Heir and Phyexian Metamorph, carry a level of versatility which isn't uniquely desired by just the Affinity player. Blood tokens are cool, and I am excited to add another in our...

"WHAT IF?" ADDITIONS

I've also designed another set of five "What If?" cards, colorshifted from their original identity to provide a bit of unique flavor to a draft.

The list is as follows:

• Standstill, for Death & Taxes
• Wall of Blossoms, for Blink
• Tireless Provisioner (Blood tokens!), for Rock
• Unearth (but for spells!), for Storm
• Countryside Crusher, for Domain Zoo

These should be fun additions and really speak to the quality of some of the lesser played cube-able cards finding a niche as archetypal MVPs in other colors.

WHY NOT KOMA?

Koma, World-Eater isn't a fun card. Cheat is already really good. Be happy with your Empyrial Archangel, and maybe I'll throw you more scraps. Scum.

WATCHLIST

Arcbound Ravager might be terrible, but we haven't tested since I added it, and now there's a higher density of artifacts.

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Announcement Date: October 28, 2024

Vintage Cube:

• Gitaxian Probe is banned.

Other:

• Additional support lands, Domain & Lands Matter cards, including Dark Depths, Generous Ent, and Orcish Lumberjack.
• Additional "What If?" colorshifted spells.

Detailed explanations for each of these are below.

Estimated Date for Tabletop: November 8, 2024

View the list of all previous changes.

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GITAXIAN PROBE

When reviewing recent additions, I was hunting for chaff to remove, and remembered that Gitaxian Probe removes much of the thinking part of drafting, due to the effect and cost. Budde's recent playtest card, Wisedrafter's Will reminded me that while I do enjoy these effects, they are incredibly powerful and should be limited in scope.

Oft maligned in constructed formats, Gitaxian Probe falls into the category of cards like Power Play, and to a lesser extent, Backup Plan. Free, only upside cards which can fit in any deck, which warp gameplay in a significant manner, in this case replacing itself while providing perfect information. This is Vintage Cube after all, but even cards like Ancestral Recall costs .

CHANGES TO LANDS MATTER & DOMAIN

I've finally decided to complete The Lord of the Rings landcyclers in this Vintage Cube, which can grab Triomes and the newly added Surveil lands. Rejoice and be Merry (Brandybuck)!

These changes also herald more land based combos and synergies, with Dark Depths and Field of the Dead for drafters interested in building something more unique, as well as a number of support cards for strategies like Domain Aggro and Artifact Stompy .

Unfortunately, with the changes, manlands were cut and moved to the Commander Cube to help players survive post-sweeper effects to prevent excessive game lengths.

OTHER ARCHETYPES

Green was also rebalanced to include a higher number of +1/+1 counters support, pushing it further into more than just midrange, focusing more on growing armies from mana dorks instead of putting down a four mana value five power creature.

I've also tried to flesh out Threshold by adding additional Surveil, Delirium and general graveyard mechanics, as well as generic support cards like Lazotep Quarry should help round out struggling graveyard decks.

"WHAT IF?" ADDITIONS

I've also designed a set of five "What If?" cards, colorshifted from their original identity to provide a bit of unique flavor to a draft, which includes the already live Red Armageddon. I'll likely add another set soon, with an additional five cards.

• Blade of the Oni, for Deadguy
• Sprout Swarm, for Artifact Stompy
• Drowned Rusalka, for Aristocrats
• Armageddon, for Boat Brew
• Dragonstorm, for Cheat

Future ones will fill the roster:

• Wall of Blossoms, for Blink
• Countryside Crusher?, Domain Zoo
• ?, Death & Taxes
• ?, Threshold
• ?, Rock

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Watchlist

Arcbound Ravager might be terrible, but we haven't tested since I added it, and now there's a higher density of artifacts

Changes

FOMO
noun
ˈfō-(ˌ)mō
informal
: fear of missing out : fear of not being included in something (such as an interesting or enjoyable activity) that others are experiencing

White

Frontier Explorer ➡️ Veteran Survivor

Veteran Survivor is very, very cool. I'd love to keep Isamaru, Hound of Konda in for old time's sake and the slot is very contested, so out, playtest card!

Bygone Bishop ➡️ Overlord of the Mistmoors

This is a tough cut. White three-drops are stacked, and Bishop, while evasive and value generating, is slow and not as consistent as its green brethren. Mistmoors is Grave Titan-y, and does a great job with blink effects, which are slowly becoming more prevalent.

Blue

Three Steps Ahead ➡️ Overlord of the Floodpits

Three Steps is boring card design, tons of words stapled together, so I've cut it for something new. The new Suspend/Reverse Fading is exciting.

Black

Nether Traitor ➡️ Valgavoth, Terror Eater

Nether Traitor will never truly die. It's a card I love, but for now it'll be retired to the box for another major reanimation target.

Painful Truths ➡️ Diresight

While the telegraphing of possible archetypes is cool, Painful Truths is just worse than something that interacts with all the new Goyfs and Reanimator strategies. Diresight is fantastic in that regard, and the four-deep possibility is just an upgraded Read the Bones.

Red

Falkenrath Gorger ➡️ Norin, Swift Survivalist

Combat mini-games are such a treat. The coward can't block, but makes up for it in repeat "Enters the Battlefield" effects.

Assaultron Dominator ➡️ Fear of Missing Out

Somewhat beefy stats and rummage to replace an energy-centric card that might confuse drafters. Plus, more delirium.

Mine Collapse ➡️ Overlord of the Boilerbilges

Inferno Titan, Round 2. Mine Collapse is a worthwhile card, but the sorcery-speed-ish alternative cost is frankly very limiting. It might come back, but for now I'd prefer this repeatable offer.

Green

Undermountain Adventurer ➡️ Balustrade Wurm

I hate The Initiative.

Colorless

Ghost Quarter ➡️ Mox Poison

This is probably a bad idea, but what the hell, who cares? I can't wait till somebody proliferates someone to death with Yawgmoth, Thran Physician.

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Report

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Notes

I added a red Armageddon, again.

Not forgetting about Warden of the First Tree! Need room for Nether Traitor too!

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Changes for Upcoming Sets

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

Storm archetype.

Changes

Bloomburrow is out, and you know what that means? A cube update!

White

Spectral Procession ➡️ Jacked Rabbit

Jacked Rabbit is a fantastic use of the Ravenous mechanic from 40K. It's scalable, can draw you a card, and isn't as pip sensitive as Spectral Procession. I love the flying, but it's hard to justify the mana intensity. I will miss you.

Blue

Thought Courier ➡️ Kitsa, Otterball Elite

Pretty easy switch. Card does maybe too much, though. We'll see if it still signposts as a Threshold card, where Thought Courier definitely filled the slot.

Black

Graveyard Trespasser ➡️ Darkstar Augur

MORE BOBS. Trespasser acted as a graveyard balancing tool, but also filled a niche as an evasive attacker for more aggressive black decks. Flying is much more suited for this, and having two bodies for four isn't bad, especially when they're giving you massive card advantage.

Warren Soultrader ➡️ Iridescent Vinelasher

I kind of bought Warren Soultrader to try to spruce up some sacrifice decks, but it's far too slow and grindy to make a difference. I've opted for a more aggressive card in Iridescent Vinelasher which should do a variety of things with Ramp, Lands, and Sacrifice style decks. Offspring rules.

Red

Generous Plunderer ➡️ Assaultron Dominator

I don't like cards that benefit your opponents like this. Path to Exile is fine, but a repeatable effect that only deals a few extra damage isn't advised.

Ox of Agonas ➡️ Sin Prodder

The Ox is expensive in cost and escape. I'd rather have Sin Prodder producing card advantage and filling the yard at a more regular rate. Sure, it's up to your opponent, but you're likely consistently doing damage with both Menace and the reverse Dark Confidant effect.

Highway Robbery ➡️ Magus of the Wheel

Wheels are fun, and while a "free" spell to draw cards is good, Magus of the Wheel affects your opponents and has a body to boot.

Green

Teething Wurmlet ➡️ Pawpatch Recruit

A simple upgrade for a two power creature that can curve into its Offspring ability.

Gold

Zirda, the Dawnwaker ➡️ Phlage, Titan of Fire's Fury

Zirda is nice for equipment decks, but doesn't effect mana abilities and was often the last card in the pack. Phlage feels much closer to the Boat Brew style decks I want players to explore, not to mention its recursive.

Relic of Sauron ➡️ Empyrial Archangel

Slow cut for another Simic-adjacent Cheat target. I loved this card in draft when we opened one in 2HG ARB at the prerelease, and have been wanting it for some time. Cool effect and great art.

Colorless

Tough Cookie ➡️ Emrakul, the World Anew

Cutting Tough Cookie wasn't tough at all. I've replaced it with another Cheat target, this time an Emrakul that is difficult to remove, but lacks the trample (not to mention Annihilator). Should be fun adding such an iconic character back in.

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Notes

I added a Blue-Green 4 mana Show and Tell for signposting the Cheat archetype in Simic.

Not forgetting about Warden of the First Tree!

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Changes for Upcoming Sets

Ghost Quarter ➡️ Mox Poison

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Watchlist

Storm archetype.

Changes

A minor update.

Black

Virtue of Persistence ➡️ Magus of the Will

I have a hard time believing that anybody will ever cast Virtue for its full cost. Magus should help provide another crucial piece for Tendrils or Wheel combo decks. I believe we've finally hit that perfect number of recursive spell effects for Storm. Still needs testing, though.

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Report

No reports.

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Notes

I wish Wizards would print a Blue-Green 4 mana Show and Tell.

I'd still also like to add Warden of the First Tree back in.

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Changes for Upcoming Sets

No changes.

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Watchlist

Storm archetype.

Changes

Part II. Thanks for sticking around!

Multicolor

Control Magic ➡️ Psychatog

Doctor Teeth is BACK! Now with his new buddy Psychic Frog, we're going to Make Upheaval Great Again, or at least make it playable. I've moved Control to Miststalker, where Dimir is specifically designed as "theives."

Lazav, Wearer of Faces ➡️ Psychic Frog

Lazav is a little weird in that it acts like Scavenging Ooze. Unfortunately, Dimir in this cube is split into Artifact Stompy and Storm-type combos. The investigate is fine, but I'd rather not have something on-color that might mess up your Nethergoyf or Barrowgoyf as the ability is not a "may." Psychic does a wonderful Putrid Imp impression.

Behemoth Sledge ➡️ Kudo, King Among Bears

This was a pretty easy switch. While Behemoth does a lot for one creature, Kudo acts as an anthem for crappy creatures, and (hopefully) nerfs your opponent's.

Kessig Wolf Run ➡️ Kitchen Finks
Zealous Persecution ➡️ Wilt-Leaf Liege

These changes are meant to trim one probably too powerful game winning option, and a less-than-stellar Overrun. I've ditched these two cards in favor of boosting the Selesnya card pool, specifically with hybrid costs. Why does this matter? Well, for one, I'm a softie for those colors, especially these cards. More importantly, however, there are two more cards in each pool of Blue, Black, and Red. ⧉ ^*`14balan~~ce ⧉

Phantasmal Image ➡️ Rielle, the Everwise
Cryptic Coat ➡️ Crackling Drake

More cards to reinforce the Izzet threshold archetype. I wanted to really push this in these colors, and have it differ (slightly) from other Vintage cubes. Spells matter, yeah, but in this case, specifically when they're in the yard. I'm also not a fan of the ability for Blue to pull ahead so easily with creatures using Cryptic Coat. A version of Scroll of Fate mixed with Sprout Swarm. No thanks.

Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis ➡️ Mosswood Dreadknight

Most people know me as the Jund guy. The Rock was one of the first decks I fell in love with, and I played a lot of it in various formats over the years (Vintage, Legacy, Extended, Modern, Standard, and arguably Commander). I love graveyard stuff, but I wanted to focus on more Rock style cards, rather than powerful combo-styled graveyard-only strategies. Mosswood can dig you out of a hole and is an efficient beater, but also doesn't telegraph the same sort of deck building choices which Hogaak does.

Colorless / Lands

Unlicensed Hearse ➡️ Sword of Wealth and Power

I would like to see how Sword of Wealth and Power actually functions in an environment. It seems less powerful than its other cycle friends, but I do love a good colorless equipment. There's some artifact synergies here, and maybe even some Storm synergies. Unlicensed Hearse is good for a grindy matchup, but its far from great in this limited environment.

Icehide Golem ➡️ Horizon of Progress

The Icehide Golem was originally meant for decks running lots of basics, but at its core, a vanilla 2/2 for 1 with restrictions falls under the "it's just okay" pool. Horizon does so much, though a lot of it seems like fluff. The main appeal to me is the synergies with Life from the Loam, Ramunap Excavator, and Titania, Protector of Argoth.

Filters ➡️ Landscapes

Again, these new cards have considerable synergies with Life from the Loam, Ramunap Excavator, and Titania, Protector of Argoth. The Landscapes also fill the (secret?) role that Filters had of being able to pay for Thought-Knot Seer and Reality Smasher. Awesome cards. They've been moved to the Commander cube replacing their Fetches, as thinning the deck and the "color identity" rules were confusing for newer players.

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Notes

I wish Wizards would print a Blue-Green 4 mana Show and Tell.

I'd also like to add Warden of the First Tree back in.

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Changes for Upcoming Sets

No changes.

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Watchlist

Storm archetype.

Changes

This is a big one, so read up! I've followed the changelog styling of good friend @AlexanderOfMacedonia, so you'll finally sort of see why I made these changes. Also, I hit the text limit. There is a Part II.

White

Seasoned Dungeoneer ➡️ White Plume Adventurer

While Monarch has been mostly fine in the cube, Initiative is a lot more polarizing. I don't like the mechanic, especially when it's stapled to a massive powerhouse like Seasoned. While I could flat out remove it, I've instead decided to swap Seasoned with White Plume with my Miststalker: A Commander Cube. White Plume is slightly safer, no unblockability or explore mechanics, and bolt-able. Yeah, it was banned, but that's just due to the speed and consistency of Legacy.

Digsite Engineer ➡️ Ocelot Pride

I'm still not sold on this card, but it's certainly better than Digsite. Better go-wide potential instead of making an aggro-artifact stompy deck with identity issues, I'd rather not telegraph a white-based Artifact deck is (mostly) in Dimir. There's still some overlap with other cards, but this card only functions with heavy artifact builds.

Adanto Vanguard ➡️ Ajani, Nacatl Pariah

Adanto is good, but I think Ajani will do better. Same power over two creatures, the ETB tokens, walker payoff, better at blocking. It feels almost like a Standstill; you can hit that payoff if they choose to attack or block, seems pretty saucy.

Pacifism ➡️ Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd

Phelia is everything I want in a blink archetype card. Specifically works with permanents, and it's repeatable! Pacifism is old, and mostly in there for the iconic nature and art. Goodbye, old friend, hello new sign-post.

Emeria Angel ➡️ Ranger of Eos

Emeria is a little too midrange and slow for something I want in a 4-drop slot. Instead, we return to Antoine Ruel's designed ETB wonder. With even more blink, and better 1-drop creatures slotted in, Ranger should shine, but it usually only needs to resolve once to overwhelm.

Eiganjo, Seat of the Empire ➡️ Samwise the Stouthearted

I've been working at cutting some removal, and Eiganjo is good for a variety of reasons including Life from the Loam, it suffers that it only works during combat. I'd rather have a card functioning to rebuild boards, as control is so powerful in Vintage environments. Samwise can also act as a flash blocker siminal to the channel land's removal, but it also should convince my players to not tap out to play it prior to combat.

Maul of the Skyclaves ➡️ Staff of the Storyteller

Equipments are cool, especially when they turn things into Baneslayers but not when they're four mana to equip. Instead, we will be trying this cheap little value engine which works well with permanent based blinking and go-wide strategies.

Planar Disruption ➡️ Seal from Existence

Another Pacifism, this time replaced with a harder to remove Banishing Light. Easy slot in.

Blue

Hullbreacher ➡️ Wonder

I hate Hullbreacher.

This card is abject misery. The color with the most Timetwisters should never get access to something like this. Hate me all you want, but at least Orcish Bowmaster lets your opponent have some agency, and requires you to at least splash. I've replaced it with Wonder, for those wondering. I'm trying to create sign-post cards for the "new" archtype Izzet threshold, lots of looting, surveil, jump-start, flashback, delirum, delve and the like.

Snap ➡️ Mission Briefing
Telling Time ➡️ Curate
Echoing Truth ➡️ Treasure Cruise

More sign-post cards. I'm moving away from Izzet tempo, so many of the cards which were designed to support that are gone. It pains me to remove Telling Time. All time great art, there.

Commit // Memory ➡️ Brainsurge

Given what I just said about the new Izzet archetype, one thing we need slightly less of is Timetwisters, even if this one is very graveyard oriented. Six mana is a lot, and it's just an unnecessary addition to the other options, plus Echo of Eons is better.

Ledger Shredder ➡️ Very Cryptic Command (b)

Following @bmchamberlain's design decision in his own cube, I've decided to remove Ledger Shredder based on its pure power level. Easily a 2/4 for two mana, it outranks nearly every card in every other color. Good thing I can just get rid of it. Instead, we can give the people what they want: Tolarian Winds or Call to Mind with the ability to tap down all your opponent's basic lands.

Black

Razorlash Transmogrant ➡️ Nethergoyf

Graveyard return-y bois. I think Nethergoyf is probably the stronger of the two, though the artifact synergies are less. The cost to recur the card is disgusting on either, and I'm not sold on Nethergoyf yet. Testing will illuminate any issues.

Disciple of the Vault ➡️ Marionette Apprentice

Card B just does more, slots into more decks, but also fulfills the purpose of the card its reaplacing. Easy upgrade.

Custodi Lich ➡️ Barrowgoyf

[Custodi is great, but it's also very expensive, and there are better Monarch options, such as Starscream. Instead, have this 3-mana Baneslayer Angel.

Bone Shards ➡️ Warren Soultrader

Two sacrifice outlets, one with an aggressive design with reanimate applications and the other with repeatable effects and artifact synergies. It's a tough pick, but I'm hoping that testing will prove Warren is a valuable option especially with Rec-Sur-Pod style decks with all the recursive one and two drops in black.

Red

You See a Pair of Goblins ➡️ Reckless Pyrosurfer

This change is pretty simple. Instead of getting bodies or buffs, you get a body with the buffs. While it's not unblockable, I'm glad we have another Soltari Champion style card in addition to the two copies of Signal Pest I'm running. Battle Cry is such an awesome ability, and the haste is just chef's kiss.

Decadent Dragon ➡️ Pyrogoyf

4/4 Flying, Trample for four is usually pretty good. Artifact synergies aside, the card is an all around powerhouse, but doesn't really do anything interesting. Because of this, I'm cutting it in favor of another copy FTK, this time stapled to a Tarmogoyf.

Death Greeter's Champion ➡️ Bloodfeather Phoenix
Noise Marine ➡️ Ox of Agonas
Galvanic Blast ➡️ Unholy Heat
Brute Force ➡️ Bedlam Reveler

These changes are entirely meant to push players to identify the Izzet threshold/delirium archetype. Lots of graveyard synergies, here. I'll miss Death Greeter's Champion, but I can always bring it back later if we need more combat tricks.

Flame Slash ➡️ Ghostfire Slice

Pretty clear upgrade, imo. Sure, two extra mana is big, but this goes to face, gets around protection, and is an instant.

Blazing Crescendo ➡️ Siege Smash

Easy swap. Love the fact that Wizards is finally embracing combat tricks with other modes.

Green

Gala Greeters ➡️ Springheart Nantuko

My Gala Greeters never arrived in the mail, so I'm pissed and switching over to this insane value engine with Lands deck synergies. Meet green Young Pyromancer?

Smuggler's Surprise ➡️ Magus of the Order

Toolboxes are always cool, but I want more "cheap" cheat effects. We tested Magus in the past, but I don't think I really understood what I wanted from it. Smuggler's is fine, but very expensive. It does a lot, but it's incredibly mana intensive and also only looks at a few cards, only protects big creatures, etc. Tooth and Nail, would serve a better function, but is in the other cube. I think that Magus does a miniature Tooth imitation well enough.

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Notes

I wish Wizards would print a Blue-Green 4 mana Show and Tell.

I'd also like to add Warden of the First Tree back in.

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Changes for Upcoming Sets

No changes.

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Watchlist

Storm archetype.

Report

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Notes

No notes.

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Changes for Outlaws of Thunder Junction

Some really great stuff with Fallout, Thunder Junction, and the new Commander sets allowing me to continue to fill out much needed areas such as Storm and Artifacts. "Spree" seems to be exactly what I was looking for with modal spells that fit multiple archetypes, and the "Plot" mechanic, though powerful for things like Storm also seems to fit nicely into Draw-Go. Loving it.

This is another attempt at pushing Storm, Artifacts, and Cheat spells, and to a lesser extent the "Lands" archetype. I'm not sure how can I should go with that last one, but there's a bunch of cards which interact, return, or abuse lands for more purposes than mana.

I've also cut my custom cards. They are fun, and will likely be in a future iteration, but right now I'm just trying to focus on using the existing card pool to provide access and power to archetypes.

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Watchlist

Storm archetype.

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Notes

This update was designed as a way to remove the necessity of a Spellbook and instead push artifact aggro as a more prevalent archetype for my drafters. It might need more work, but the focus on higher powered low mana drops is necessary, plus several of them play well in other builds. As such, I've added another copy of Gingerbrute and Signal Pest, which should be good picks for any normal aggro deck as well.

This also paved the way for the Storm Spellbook being integrated into the cube. Many underperformers and some of my favorites were cut to try to push Storm. We'll see if it works.

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Changes for Universes Beyond: Fallout

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

None as of yet.

Report

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Notes

I'm trying to facilitate more powerful plays and splashy cards. Here is a focus on eliminating some sub-optimal cards for more mana-expressive and mana-side-stepping options in the form of rocks, stax, mana sinks, and Eurekas. I'm not sold on Flash due to it's power level, so in its place is Through the Breach. I might need one more large creature to make the statistical probabilities more forgiving for cheat decks, but I'm not sure it's necessary yet.

I've also laid the ground work for more "wheel" type decks in the form of Echo of Eons and Sheoldred, the Apocalypse, which might lead to also try to bundle the voucher cards into the cube wholesale as well. They will need some stronger support that's not super parasitic to make sure they're worth it.

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Changes for Murders at Karlov Manor:

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

Surrak Dragonclaw, to be replaced when another option presents itself.

Report

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Notes

I've decided to add some mana sinks after the CubeSummit™ 2024 Winter event, as well as removing a voucher, consolidating it into one voucher, Storm and Ravager. The mana sinks were inspired by Miser's Shadow, which is a card I've been eyeing for some time. I think mana sinks would benefit drafters forcing specific deckbuilding considerations and offer more interesting lines of play.

I'd like to add Fastbond (which was recently cut) and Eureka for future updates, but we'll see what we can do with that once I actually own the cards again.

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Changes for Murders at Karlov Manor:

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

None as of yet.

Report

No reports.

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Notes

Unlike what was promised before: hopefully this will be the last update prior to CubeSummit™ 2024 Winter. This is simply a note that the cube is essentially ready, and that there might be minor fixes in the future.

I wanted to do a few of things with this update:

• Increase density of artifacts and sacrifice payoffs in the black column to help UBx artifacts and BRx sacrifice shells.
• Increase density of enchantments into the cube to help bolster GWx Enchantress voucher through the use of universally playable cards.
• Giving graveyard matters new tool in Search for Azcanta, Pile On, and another copy of Entomb for fun, which should assist in the construction of BUx shells.
• Another draft-matters card in Dead of Winter, which encourages basic land play.

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Changes for Murders at Karlov Manor:

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

Approach of the Second Sun, might be too strong or lead to non-games.
Jegantha, the Wellspring, might be universally playable due to the very open deck restraints.

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Notes

This update focuses on artifacts as well as White and Black Tokens and Stax/Sacrifice. The general idea was to improve the quality of removal and lowering the quantity, while simultaneously increasing token production engines. There's a strong graveyard theme here as well, which I have attempted to tap into and provide more methods to re-use the yard.

Many of the slow and underplayed cards have been cut in favor of lower mana cost or minor increases in mana value with significant upgrades to power level. Goodbye Bloodline Keeper, you're probably better in the Commander Cube, I'd much rather have Dreadhorde Invasion or Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia to produce tokens on earlier turns to make a bigger impact.

In addition, I've added a considerable amount of artifact cards (or support cards) in Blue and Black which should improve the Ravager Voucher as well as provide interesting interactions with Master Transmuter, Tinker and Reanimate-style cards.

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Changes for Murders at Karlov Manor:

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

Approach of the Second Sun might be too strong, but we'll see with testing.

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No reports.

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Notes

I want to test an environment which has limited fast mana. I've left in five rocks, all Talismans which are blue or red or both, and cut all the Signets. Cutting the majority of them was tough, especially with Wildfire and Upheaval. This change should benefit drafts, as players will no longer be able to consistently draft 3+ Signets, or in the case of aggro or tempo decks, pass these "dead" cards. While I don't think my drafters are bad, they do tend to pass up signets and talismans regularly, leaving them as often "draft chaff" for most decks. This change is mostly for them, but also for my own curiousity in how this will shape the environment.

In addition, I've made some changes to provide a small number of cards which specifically care about lands in the graveyard or the act of moving them to the graveyard from other zones. Wrenn and Six, Countryside Crusher, Titania, Protector of Argoth, Knight of the Reliquary and their ilk should provide some interesting interactions, especially with Wildfire. If they go unutilized, we can simply replace them with less exciting options.

I've also moved Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas out of the Ravager voucher, this is due to power level; the fact that it is more or less unnecessary to play the rest of the cards in the voucher to make the card "good" is telling. It has been replaced with good ole Skorpekh Lord, a more aggressive and combat-centric card which helps win through blockers, a common issue with constructed Ravager decks.

I want to make another Voucher, but I haven't been able to figure out what I want it to do. It'll likely be green and white and possibly other colors, but we need to nail down a theme that's both parasitic and can be offered fringe support from the rest of the cube.

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Changes for Murders at Karlov Manor:

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

None as of yet.

Report

No reports.

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Notes

This update focuses on more reanimator and control strategies. Additional removal in white and black, as well as additional discard outlets in both black and red, should help support more reanimation strategies. In the case of Oliphaunt, the additional Mountaincycling should also assist in Gruul Domain decks as well as the reanimation strategies. These one mana landcyclers are very strong, and I feel it's only a matter of time before the respective green and white cards are added.

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Changes for Murders at Karlov Manor:

None as of yet.

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Watchlist

None as of yet.

Report

Tribal Flames Jund worked out pretty well today. There was enough fixing, but not an excessive amount, it just needs one or two more payoffs and signpost cards. Otherwise, it felt good. Red needs to be a touch more aggressive with some of its cards, and has several "you must do this for the card to be good in any context". A few more fringe playables need to be cut, including too many vehicles. Reanimator strategy seems difficult without enough return effects. Adding additional "fill the yard" cards should also be prioritized.

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Notes

This update focuses on more reanimator, treasure, and artifact support at lower mana values, as well as removal of creatures which are often dead cards on board. This should help create an environment that better values artifact synergies, as well as the Arcbound Ravager voucher.

I've trimmed the vouchers to 9 cards, and as such have streamlined them by rebalancing their contents. Skorpekh Lord and Expedition Map are now in the cube proper and while not stellar picks, they still offer value outside of the vouchers. Endbringer is back in the voucher, as it's very hard to utilize well without significant colorless mana sources.

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Changes for upcoming Lost Caverns of Ixalan:

Mentor of the Meek > Kellan, Daring Traveler
Recruiter of the Guard > Get Lost
Looter il-Kor > Malcolm, Alluring Scoundrel
Callous Bloodmage > Deep-Cavern Bat
Collective Brutality > Bitter Triumph
Inferno of the Star Mounts > Trumpeting Carnosaur
Vigor > Sentinel of the Nameless City
Stirring Wildwood > Restless Prairie
Skyknight Vanguard > Anim Pakal, Thousandth Moon

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Watchlist

Redistribute Signets and Talismans

Keep one Talisman for each U pair, cut all others.

Azorius Signet >
Retain Talisman of Progress

Dimir Signet > Dimir Keyrune
Retain Talisman of Dominance

Rakdos Signet >
Talisman of Indulgence >

Gruul Signet > Jegantha, the Wellspring
Talisman of Impulse > Orcish Lumberjack / Questing Druid

Selesnya Signet > Gylwain, Casting Director
Talisman of Unity > Wilt-Leaf Liege

Orzhov Signet >
Talisman of Hierarchy >

Izzet Signet >
Retain Talisman of Creativity

Golgari Signet >
Talisman of Resilience >

Boros Signet >
Talisman of Conviction >

Simic Signet >
Retain Talisman of Curiosity

I feel sad finally replacing Jackal Pup and Isamaru, Hound of Konda, as they have been favorites, not for power level, but for iconography. When starting Magic back in 2008, these cards were considered "gold standards" when it came to aggressive 1-drops. Nowadays, they can't outcompete their peers. Rest in peace, doggos.

I've replaced several of the enemy man-lands with WOE counterparts. Most of them were fairly weak and weren't used for their functions commonly, so changing them out felt right.

Memory Jar is out again, in favor of Syr Ginger, an aggressive two drop which can find its home in several decks. It might return, but it was never used to its full (read: broken) potential and was often passed in the draft.

Mosswood Dreadnight and Charming Scoundrel are great modal spells which fit into several decks. I love recursive threats like Dreadnight, and Scoundrel feels like I may be sleeping on it as I did with Charming Prince.

The Goose Mother, which was accidentally added in an earlier update, and Gruff Triplets should help round out big Simic decks. Hydroid Krasis was already so good. I imagine The Goose Mother will fill a similar role as a midrange or game ending threat, and Gruff Triplets also fits into Sneak Attack and Through the Breach decks.