TL;DR: Unpowered Legacyish level. Double fetches, 4 gravecrawlers. >>> ### [Welcome to The Gaming Cube](https://youtu.be/X9qpMZGTGtM) <<< A 450(ish) eternal unpowered cube originally adapted from [Son of Cubemo](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/pepepopo), Gaming Cube is a fairly high power environment designed to utilize my own personal favorite cards and strategies while being as balanced as possible. _______ ## Goals * Cast [[Brainstorm]] when you have a fetchland in play. * An enjoyable alternative to EDH/Commander for my playgroup. * **Interactive** -- Every strategy should have access to disruption, and no strategy should be safe from it. **No solitaire.** * **Diverse styles** -- A majority of decks will be non-linear while some will be straight forward. The option of playing it safe is available but experimentation is encouraged. * **Experimental** -- I intend to try all kinds of different things and implement new cards regularly. Entire archetypes have been scrapped before and Gaming Cube will hopefully never go stale due to this dynamic. _______ ## Game Design: * ~~**BAD**~~ ❌ * **GOOD** ✅ The following design choices originate from the goals stated above: * A plethora of available removal, counter-magic, hand disruption, and other interactive effects. * 'Footholds' in as many colors as possible for each archetype. * High density of available mana fixing lands. Magic is more fun when you can cast your spells, and I want to encourage splashes into other colors. * No infinite combos or 'Instant-Win' like effects. (If you find a combo I've missed please let me know) * Limited non-interactable threats. ________ ## Archetypes: Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of supported archetypes with descriptions and key cards: ## Reanimator: A primarily {B} "combo" deck aiming to get Big Creatures: <<[[!Archon of Cruelty]][[!myr battlesphere]][[!grave titan]]>> Into the graveyard with effects like: <<[[!Entomb]][[!Putrid Imp]][[!stitcher's supplier]]>> And cheat them into play with spells such as: <<[[!Reanimate]][[!Animate Dead|d77ffc48-ccec-4801-bd29-3ee5f05b1deb]][[!necromancy]]>> ## Spells Matter: Primarily {U}{R} deck looking to cast a high volume of non-creature spells with payoffs like: <<[[!Third path iconoclast]][[!sprite dragon]][[!monastery mentor]]>> ## Blink: A deck rooted in {W}{U} but with payoffs in every single color. Uses "flicker" type effects: <<[[!ephemerate]][[!thassa, deep-dwelling]][[!soulherder]]>> In order to take advantage of cards with "Enters the battlefield" triggered abilities: <<[[!Venser, shaper savant]][[!thragtusk]][[!cloudgoat ranger]]>> ## Ramp: A {G} deck looking to accelerate its available mana with cards like: <<[[!elvish mystic]][[!nature's lore]][[!utopia sprawl]]>> In order to cast impactful higher costed and/or {X} spells as soon as possible: <<[[!Vorinclex, monstrous raider]][[!pest infestation]][[!wolfbriar elemental]]>> ## Tokens/Go wide: Many cards in this environment create tokens and this {W}{G} archetype utilizes cards like: <<[[!rhys the redeemed]][[!Trostani Discordant]][[!angel of invention]]>> To "overrun" its opponents. ## Aggro: Proactive decks looking to reduce the number 20 to 0 as soon as possible. Best represented in order by: {R} > {W} > {B} > {G} > {U} Some key pieces include early threats: (1 mana creatures with 2 power are particularly effective here) <<[[!goblin guide]][[!usher of the fallen]][[!bloodsoaked champion]]>> And effects that prevent the opponent from stabilizing: <<[[!sulfuric vortex]][[!thalia, guardian of thraben]]>> Aggressive decks will want to have a low mana curve usually topping out around 4 mana with cards like: <<[[!hellrider]][[!hero of oxid ridge]][[!hero of bladehold]]>> ________ ## The ³ Environment Features: * 2 sets of fetchlands 😌 * 4 copies of [[Gravecrawler]] * Graveyards matter * Tokens for days * Few Artifacts * Epic Gamer Moments™ _____________________________________________________ Special thanks to @FoamCosmonaut and [Justin Parnell](https://twitter.com/jparnell1?lang=en) for all the feedback and suggestions and @LemonZest for all the help playtesting ❤️