I did it!

Dipping my toe lightly into playing Magic. Will I be seeing you in Boston?

Hey Bar Cube Fans --

Well, i've been totally out of the game this year but decided to review the cube with all the new sets that released. There's been some great stuff coming out!

A couple of notes:

1. Prioitizing cards that reward combat + targeting spells. I want these games to end.
2. Manifest Dread is a dope way to create 'tokens' and in some cases, additional value!
3. Pulling away from secret two color cards. I'm considering wiping the trilands from the list so people are less incentivized to play 'best in slot' and are rewarded with secret gold cards by staying open.
4. I purposely minimize touching the graveyard in order to simplify zone tracking, but am more open as the years go on.

Most importantly...

1. Please send me any fun feedback or stories you have from your own bar cubes. While i'm not actively playing Magic right now, i'd love to hear some fun anecdotes from your experiences within this space!

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Hey Bar Cube fans --

Happy Spring!

Doing some small updates with OTJ on the horizon and some reflecting on some ideological changes.

Pulling away from Phyrexian Ragers (unless they learn) and towards creatures that influence combat/reward combat. When there's too many cantripping creatures, creatures tend to lose interest and value.

Also, I built my standard draft format -- 5 packs of 9 cards -- into the Playtest tab, so you can now draft the Bar Cube exactly as it's been designed to be drafted.

Thanks so much everyone for your continued interest in this little passion project!

Hey Bar Cube Fans --

While the last few sets haven't been kind to the core restrictions of the list, i've made some adjustments to keep things fresh, while also moving around some cards to bolster deck support + intended gameplay.

I've been thinking a lot about what makes for good gameplay, from both a player perspective and the viewers perspective. For me, there's a growing interest in the narrative of each game, and the stories we tell each other in light of those experiences. Magic is always great, but how can we maximize our chances for something memorable, even thrilling?

Magic is often criticized as being a difficult game to spectate. Bar Cube pushes up against this, at least in concept. It is primed for public viewing... perhaps the gameplay can be further tuned to it's surroundings.

I watched The Resleevables 5th edition episode this week. There's a game played with these two 5th edition preconstructed decks. The game involves casting both a Giant Growth and an Unholy Strength at different moments. Both plays were dramatic, engaging, and told a story. This inspires me.

I'm adusting the numbers on lessons, in particular for auras, and gave blue and red more plays to make on turn 2.

This cube will be at MC Chicago, and i'd love to jam it with you, or even lend it for a day. Please come say hi if you see me.

Best/Derek