This update is a mix of Foundations cards I'm testing out and general cube tweaks based on results and feedback from 2024's cube tournaments.

The Cuts

• Cathartic Pyre - If the rummage effect on this wasn't so bad (and was more like Tormenting Voice so you were at least not negative on cards, or even better, had some modality like Highway Robbery so you could be card positive), this would probably stay. But this mode is basically never used for this card, so the incidental exile effect on Smite is much more powerful and useful.
• Appendage Amalgam - Tentatively tested this, it doesn't really get there.
• Stromkirk Condemned - Sends a signal that there is a vampire deck here, which I don't want. There are enough incidental vampires that this is more than just a Psychatog in certain decks, but I don't want to have players forced to think about and track the creature types.
• Candelstick - Seems very cool, but not quite enough of an effect to justify taking a turn off to get it onboard and on a creature.
• Frogmite - Is free, sure, but it also just doesn't do anything.
• Foul Watcher - A totally fine card. It could come back in the future. I honestly just needed something to cut to test Inspiration from Beyond.
• Sanctum Gargoyle - I'm really not sure why, but this has always felt underpowered for me.
• Diresight - Just didn't quite get there. Discussed this extensively in my MTG Cube Talk thread.
• Piracy Charm - I'm sad to see this one go; on paper each of the modes is so unique and applicable to a bunch of interesting scenarios... but in practice it never makes the 23/24. Maybe it could come back again in a future update (perhaps as Funeral Charm?) but for now we're saying adieu.
• Collapsing Borders - Requiescat in pace to a real one. This red life-gaining enchantment is a weirdo. Unfortunately, he's perhaps too weird for the Domain deck, which really wants to be more of a zoo beatdown build that can't take off turn 4 to play a crappy Sulfuric Vortex.
• Creeping Chill - Just doesn't do enough to be worth including in 99.99% of decks. If this cost a bit less to cast or did anything else as well (drew a card, lightning helix'd a creature, had flashback so you could get it again from the yard, whatever...) I could see this being a real deck... Wizards, please print a better version of this, I want to see a Pauper dredge deck! Narcomoeba is staying in for now, as it doesn't feel as bad to draw.
• Bite Down on Crime - Collect evidence is a bit too cute here. I don't find any of the green bite/fight spells interesting enough to do a straight replace here, but am open to suggestions.
• Portable Hole - Not enough of an effect to be worth a card in all but the lowest to the ground decks.
• Glassdust Hulk - Never seems to get included in the artifact builds, which lean much more agroo. Glint Hawk Idol does the same thing, but as a 2 drop.

The Adds Foundations

Listed in order of how excited about them I am:

• Dreadwing Scavenger - This thing is a tank--it is going to do a ton of work across a lot of different decks.
• Raise the Past - Excited to see some crazy Goblin Bombardment / Scrap Trawler / Psychomancer combo wins.
• Cephalid Inkmage - Love these kind of Threshold cards!
• Perforating Artist - I am a sucker for a B/R aggro creature.
• Billowing Shriekmass - A 4/4 flier is scary!
• Vampire Gourmand - May not be powerful enough without tokens, but I'm hoping Bloodsoaked Champion and Reassembling Skeleton can make this work.
• Inspiration from Beyond - I think this is strong enough to hang! I wish the flashback was a bit cheaper.

Other adds

• Vengeful Rebel - Trying to provide more fodder for the aristocrats deck
• Mardu Outrider - There is just something fun about a massive creature for 3 mana
• Flash of Insight - Dig Through Time at home. Kudos to Bones or Kade (can't remember who) for the suggestion!
• Mishra's Juggernaut - I'm always down to try out more Unearth cards.
• Resourceful Return - This is exactly where I want my black recursion spells to be.
• Hedge Shredder - Penrose's first Vehicle, and it's in green! Wish the mill on this wasn't a 'may'. Thanks to Wills for donating this card!
• Embrace the Unknown - Trying this out as the cube's first venture into Retrace.
• Makeshift Munitions - I'm not sure Goblin Bombardment needs redundancy, but I like letting artifacts get in on this effect as well.

That's all for now!