Some solid additions to the cube, and excited to test The Aetherspark to see how it plays. Stridehangar Automaton is a very exciting potential build-around and so I'm pre-emptively adding some support for something that I hope could turn into a very fun aristocrats type deck.
Another OG bites the dust, but Rust Tick has been showing it's age something fierce recently, and I think that Aetherjacket probably has the ability to hang here.
After a few test drafts, unfortunately it seems that Eldrazi Confluence is just too powerful of a card in the Devoid Cube. It's often a Plague Wind for 4MV and it just outclasses other interaction spells and invalidates aggressive strategies.
Weaponized Scrap is being cut at the request of the CubeCon organizers, and will be re-added following the conclusion of the event.
Though there were a few contenders, I've decided on an overall quite modest update for the Devoid Cube from BLB.
This is the big one. This is the largest number of cards swapping out of the cube at one time. Despite this, I don't see MH3 as as seismic of an upheaval as I think it had the potential to be. Largely what's happening is that:
The net result is ultimately one of upgrading the Eldrazi (which have fallen behind on power level since it's been 10 years since BFZ, where most of the Devoid cards were printed), rather than a whole-sale reimagining of the cube or a re-definition of archetypes.
I am hopeful that the addition of powerful interactive spells will lower the overall strength of the aggressive decks, while also pulling more players into competition over at least 1 color, such that there are a few multi-color, "mono-color" and completely colorless drafters in each pod.
That's not to say there are no meaningfully powerful cards in this iteration - I am absolutely going to have my eye on Glaring Fleshraker, Eldrazi Linebreaker and Ugin's Binding as cards with the potential to be far too warping, but we'll start by playing the powerful cards first.
I think the new Emrakul is clearly too powerful in this format, but what is your reasoning from skipping the other 2 new titans? Kozilek seems fine and the new Ulamog is definitely strong, but seems about on-par with The Ceaseless Hunger.
Conversely, I am not including Angelic Aberration in my update because it seems incredibly hard to deal with. Precursor Golem is already very good, and I think this is better most of the time. If you curve a couple myr into this, it feels basically impossible for your opponent to come back.
I'm also intersted in your thoughts on Inversion Behemoth in general, it seems kind of wacky and is hard for me to evaluate.
Got beat in by Cauldron this weekend, excited for this in Devoidc
Another trip to Ravnica yields precious little for the Devoid Cube.
Arguably one of the weakest updates coming out of a set that has a strong Artifact theme - once again foiled by colored artifacts and things aimed at commander!
Also after CubeCon feedback, it looks like we're retiring Skittering Cicada from the Devoid Cube for power-level reasons. If we ever see another Devoid set and we can get more/better interaction, perhaps the Cicada will be able to return. But for now it was too punishing to play against, either as an aggressor or as a defender.
Expected to be the final Devoid Cube update before CubeCon. Exciting additions from cantrips to draw engines to aggressive creatures.
Deciding to playtest 6 of the new 10 cards printed for the CMM Commander Decks. And sadly, saying goodbye to one of the strongest cards ever put into the Devoid Cube in Urza's Saga.
Due to a CubeCobra issue, there will also be a later update of:
Strata Scythe -> Anduril, Flame of the West
Some nice additions for this set:
Anduril is a very strong equipment, and Strata Scythe has been showing it's age recently. The One Ring looks to be an extremely strong card advantage engine worth building around. Wizard's Rockets is another decent mana fixing/cantrip/egg for KCI decks. Mask of Memory has not been consistently making decks and similar to Anduril, card advantage triggers on Attack vs. on Combat Damage seem stronger. Relic of Sauron feels like it's a big advantage for the big-mana colored decks, while also being a repeatable card advantage engine vs. a 1-shot draw 2 in Archive.
Only 1 new card with MOM for the Devoid cube, but it's definitely a great addition!
Cleaning out some cards that I've identified as more cute than fun (currently) and revisiting the Artifact Tappers in light of how the power-level of the cube has grown in recent years.
Some very modest updates from ONE. A few interesting sidegrades and the era of the Blade of the 6th Pride continues!
Just a ton happening here. A large number of additional colored cards, trying to make the mana a little better, and just a lot of value!