>>> # Overview <<< A non rarity restricted cube aiming to capture the flavour of Kaladesh, Aether Revolt, Amonkhet and Hour of Devastation. >>><<[[!Midnight Oil]][[!Walking Ballista]][[!Soul-scar mage]][[!adorned pouncer]]>><<< **Cube Goals:** - Capture flavour of the two planes and their set mechanics - Balance Macro archetypes so Aggro, Control and Midrange are all competitive decks. - Provide a retail+ experience that narrows power delta by raising the floor while leaving a jagged top end. **Constraints & Exceptions:** To meet the cube goals, the cards included follow some constraints and exceptions to these constraints. - Cards should primarily come from the two set planes to keep the cube on theme. - Exceptions: Bread-and-butter effects, theme archetype support (-1 counters, artifacts etc.)(Currently ~15% of the cube) - Flexible lands. Fetch lands included to provide [reliable mana bases](https://cubecobra.com/content/article/62752a44f666d5100891f74e) to drafters. - Theming is more important than singleton here. As such, singleton will be broken where a density of needed effects can be achieved with sandy cards. e.g. 2x [[Dread Wanderer]] instead of 1x [[Dread Wanderer]] + 1x [[Bloodsoaked Champion]] **Non-sandy breaks for the following purposes:** - Generic removal to tweak cube balance more precisely - Low curve creatures as the chosen sets don't provide a high enough density for the gameplay desired - Support for on-theme archetypes. E.g. wither or persist cards to bolster a -1/-1 theme >>># Archetype breakdown **Macro:** *Aggro*:- Primary: {R}, Secondary {G},{W},{B}, Tertiary: {c} *Midrange*:- Primary: {G},{B}, Secondary: {W},{R}, Tertiary: {u} *Control*:- Primary: {U},{W}, Secondary: {B},{R}, Tertiary: {x} **Micro:** *Artifact Aggro*:- Primary: {W},{C}, Secondary: {R}, Tertiary: {B} *-1/-1 Counters*:- Primary: {B}, Secondary: {G}, Tertiary: {R} *Vehicles/Equipment*:- Primary: {R},{W}, Secondary: {X}, Tertiary: {G} *Aristofacts*:- Primary: {R},{B}, Secondary: {x}, Tertiary: {W} *Energy*:- Primary: {x}, Secondary: {x}, Tertiary: {u}{B}{R}{G} *Creature Tokens*:- Primary: {W},{U}, Secondary: {R}, Tertiary: {X} >>># Custom Rules/cards In order to meet the desired gameplay goals I've opted to sparingly include some erratas/custom rulings to cards. >>><<[[!Trial of Solidarity]][[!Cartouche of Knowledge]][[!Bontu the Glorified]][[!Sheltered Thicket]]>><<< - Draft a trial, add [1 duplicate after the draft](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/sandy?f=trial&view=spoiler) - Draft a cartouche, add [2 duplicates after the draft](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/sandy?f=cartouche&view=spoiler) - Adjusted AKH Gods. Slight improvements to [Kefnet and Bontu](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/sandy?f=t%3Agod&view=spoiler) - Themed [cycling shocklands](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/sandy?f=T%3ALAND+-AETHER+-O%3A%221+life%22+-glimmer&view=spoiler) - All basics have the subtype "Desert" - Check the [Errata](https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/sandy?f=tag%3Aerrata&view=spoiler) tag to view all adjusted cards. --------------------------- **Reasons for this vs "traditional" block cube method:** - No pack rarity sorting - Smaller cube size - More balancing options with breaks Not supported or not included: - Cycling - Plansewalkers ------------------------------- **Noteboard:** Add some payoffs for going wide Maybe include a couple of blink cards? Add some counters payofffs Add an enchantment payoff W 52 U 48 B 46 - 4 missing R 47 - 2 missing G 47 - 2 missing gold 25 C 54 L 56 quick search: (Set:HOU or Set:AKH or Set:KLD or set:aer) Filter out Breaks: (-Set:HOU and -Set:AKH and -Set:KLD and -set:aer)