Art by Christopher MoellerLatest update: January, 2025
Here, you'll find a combat-focused cube for up to 10 drafters, loaded with diverse archetypes and iconic, powerful cards. My goal is to create the most exciting draft, decks and gameplay using only cards that are set on (or evoke) Kamigawa. This primer is intended to help players prepare for the draft.
About Kamigawa
Kamigawa is a unique plane split into two halves. One half is Kakuriyo (or Reikai), the realm of the immortal spirits called kami. The other half is Utsushiyo, where the mortal creatures such as humans, foxes, moonfolk, rats, akki and snakes and live their lives.
Thousands of years ago, in the plane's feudal era, the human daimyo, Konda, Lord of Eiganjo, learned how to pierce the veil between Utsushiyo and Kakuriyo and stole Kyodai, a part of O-Kagachi, The Supreme Kami.
To reclaim That Which Was Taken, O-Kagachi vowed all-out war on the mortal realm; in return, Konda rallied his armies for battle. This is the beginning of The Great Kami War, the most devastating conflict in all of Kamigawa's history.
Ultimately, the emperor's daughter, Michiko Konda, would uncover the truth about her father's crime. She, together with Kyodai and Toshiro Umezawa, defeated her father and brought peace and prosperity to the realm.
Much has happened since then; technology has progressed, and the events of the Great Kami War have faded into a memory. The lives of mortals have become more complex, but many still recognize and respect the kami with whom they share their plane.
Drafting the Cube
The draft is actually somewhat forgiving to first-time drafters, since, like many block-style limited formats, it rewards two-colour decks that prioritize bombs and removal. Repeat players, however, will explore the seeded archetypes more deeply, and even benefit from splashing a third colour.
During the draft, players should identify an archetype to focus their deck, but do not overlook any dragon you can conceivably play. The dragons are the best threats available and must not be passed. Some decks will have two (or more), thus removal that stops the death trigger is also key.
- Backup N puts N +1/+1 counters on a creature you control, and adds the card's other abilities until end of turn.
- Modified creatures are equipped, enchanted or have +1/+1 counters on them.
- Spells on the stack are not counted toward cards in your hand.
- Shrine is an Enchantment subtype, not a creature subtype.
- Enchant Land cards are now Enchantment - Auras.
- Equip is a targeted ability.