The following 16 categories are the main strategies within the cube. Other strategies exist in smaller capacities and some strategies can extend beyond their defined colors. For instance, cards from the signature strategy Heroic exist in , , , and as well. Additionally, cards listed for one strategy, such as Pharika's Spawn in Sacrifice and Ilysian Caryatid in Hydras, are great in many additional strategies.

: The Heroic archetype encourages the wielder to play creatures with the Heroic ability, such as Akroan Skyguard and Fabled Hero, and spells that target those creatures for additional bonuses, like Dauntless Onslaught. Do not be concerned if your creatures start out small, the rewards from targeted spells more than make up for their deficiencies.

: The Merfolk archetype is based around one of Magic: The Gathering's most beloved creature types. Merfolk creatures benefit the user by monitoring opponents actions through creatures with regulatory abilities, such as Harbinger of the Tides' ability to bounce an opponents creature to hand. Merfolk offers a grindy game to its users. However, in the right hands a merfolk deck can dictate all stages of the game.

: The Sacrifice archetype encourages the wielder to use its creatures as a resource. This deck thrives with a sacrifice engine like Ravenous Harpy and Escape creatures, like Pharika's Spawn. Whether the donations to the graveyard allow for incidental effects such as scrying or an amassment of counters this deck can out-value opponents if left unchecked.

: The Burn archetype is most commonly associated with cards like Lightning Bolt and Shock, cards that can deal direct damage to the opponent. Burn cares less about its creatures attacking to win than most archetypes. Burns primary focus is a quick and overwhelming amount of damage through spells, like Magma Jet, and triggered abilities, like those on Eidolon of the Great Revel.

: The early games for the Hydra Archetype is fairly streamlined. It is vital for this archetype to accrue vast quantities of mana in the early game through sources such as Ilysian Caryatid and Wolfwillow Haven in order to overwhelm and out-value opponents in the late game with a massive bomb such as Hydra Broodmaster or Lifeblood Hydra.

: The Control archetype looks to law down the law and dictate what stays and goes in a game. This archetype looks to counter big haymakers at low costs, with spells like Swan Song and Negate, or exile problems with cards like, Leonin Relic-Warder and Path to Exile, to diminish opposing threats. Control can close out games with some powerful bombs, such as Dream Trawler, Elspeth, Sun's Champion, and Shipbreaker Kraken.

: The Mill archetype has an outside the box strategy like few other decks. Cards like Phenax, God of Deception and Sage of Mysteries fill the user’s graveyard with cards from their library for advantageous future use, such as using the Escape mechanic on a Skyway Robber or winning out of nowhere with a timely Thassa's Oracle. The strategy can also be aimed at an opponent, with Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver, to play this strategy in a more controlling manner.

: They charge, they roar, they Mean-O-Tar! Minotaurs as a tribe have strength in numbers. There are several Minotaur lords such as Felhide Petrifier, Kragma Warcaller, and Rageblood Shaman who individually do not provide much, but together create a terrifying horde. Minotaurs is an aggressive beat down deck that wants to get in for damage early and often.

: Monstrous is the Theros block's stompy mechanic. This archetype encourages players to draft and play numerous creatures with the Monstrous mechanic, such as Stormbreath Dragon and Polis Crusher. The advantage to this archetype is that its creatures can be enhanced in a monstrous way in later turns. Monstrous creatures help to clear out board stalls and get through for lethal.

: With the Enchantress archetype it's all about card type. Opponents who play against the Enchantress archetype can expect to be at a severe card disadvantage with cards such as Eidolon of Blossoms, Satyr Enchanter, and Sythis, Harvest's Hand. Once the Enchantress archetype has established a vast board-state and hand size cards like Destiny Spinner and Humbler of Mortals can turn a vast board-state into a lethal one.

: The Constellation archetype gets the best of both worlds: all the enchantment synergies of the mortal realm and all the riches of the underworld. Cards like Omen of the Dead and Rise to Glory allow the deck to get recurring usage out of creatures, enchantments, and enchantment creatures. Black and white also have access to the best removal spells, like Swords to Plowshares and Ultimate Price. This strategy can also synergize well with creatures like Tizerus Charger that bear the Escape mechanic.

: While all colors have access to the escape mechanic, you’ll find the most cards with the keyword in and , such as Loathsome Chimera and Underworld Charger. The Escape archetype wants to put cards into the graveyard and use them to fuel more powerful spells later. Your games may take a while, but you’ll likely have the last creature standing. Creatures can return to the battlefield even without the Escape mechanic via cards like Font of Return and Nyx Weaver.

: The Big Mana archetype is all about fast acceleration into an unmatched value engine. Mana costs are of no consequence to this archetype with cards like Arixmethes, Slumbering Isle and Kruphix, God of Horizons maximizing mana in the most ludicrous of ways. Save that mana up for a big beater, such as a Monstrous Polukranos, World Eater, and really watch this archetype go brrr.

: The Instant Speed Matters archetype encourages players to cast at least one spell on their opponent’s turn. This deck can make the most effective use of flash cards, such as Dualcaster Mage and Omen of the Sea. Cards like Eligeth, Crossroads Augur will fuel players with card advantage.

: When playing Voltron modifying creatures is essential. Whether you are playing with Hero of the Nyxborn or Wyleth, Soul of Steel its more important to modify one creature than many. Aura’s, like Sentinel's Eyes and Thunderous Might, and Equipment, like Shadowspear, help get this archetype rolling into an advantage engine that can nary be handled.

: Are you an absolute legend? Does taking the easy route bore you? Then Chromanticore is the archetype for you! Named after the almighty 4/4 with bestow, this archetype is not for the faint of heart. If you are able to cast the Manticore in all it's glory you're already a winner. Mana fixing is essential for this archetype, primarily Cascading Cataracts and Crystal Quarry.