The Red Vest Cube.

Started as a mess of cards I could make from my collection.

Evolved into an organic cubing environment that was my primary way of making friends when I moved to Seattle. Weekly drafts for feedback and constant, boots-on-the-ground card trading was how I built it. The result was a cube that featured community-favorite cards and archetypes.

I started the tradition of making "colored-pencil proxies" of exciting cards from upcoming sets. The cube became a place to play with cards before they came out, and I always added cards from the new set than I thought would actually 'make it' long term, just to give everyone a chance. Incidentally, I credit the colored-pencil proxies as my off-ramp from buying Magic Cards.

After a break from 2016-2023, I made a couple large (~100 card) updates as I get back into playing magic more - the game has certainly changed!

Starting in July 2024, moving towards updating less often, maybe once every 10 drafts or every 6 months, whichever comes first.

I have noticed that the infrequent updates lead to a large quantity of cards that have seen very little play in my playgroups. I also have noticed that without the effect of opening cool cards in packs and wanting to feature them in the cube, some of the personality of the cube feels missing.

General Principles:

1. "Sick plays only" is the motto.

2. The inclusion of the 'best cards ever' is downplayed, and instead the goal is to include 'sweet cards' that are both powerful and do cool things. All cards should be exciting to read when you get them passed to you.

3. I try not to include 'automatic first picks' that can go into any deck, or that can hijack your draft because they're 'too powerful NOT to include.'

4. Currently around 450 cards to support up to 10 drafters, and to support the inclusion of Booster Tutor.

5. Gold section should be 5 cards that tempt you into that color pair during the draft. Splashy, powerful, and unique effects are better than efficient removal, etc.

Things I'm Currently Thinking About:

1. I'm trying out a 'lands' theme.
2. Legendary creature density
3. I'm trying to make my gold cards give the most bang-for-the-buck. Right now a lot of them are showing their age, and I don't like the cards that are simply removal spells. I want every gold card to say "Wouldn't it be sweet if you splashed X to cast me today?"
4. Fewer planeswalkers