A JumpStart cube that aims at a reasonably high power level (plyometrics are powerful jumps, get it?) -- think janky modern or pioneer gameplans with strong manabases. We keep a minimum of 50 (currently 53) packs in play at all time, and add or remove packs that are not leading to fun gameplay, whether that's power-level based or something else. Some of the packs seem like they are a higher power level because of the cards, but the lack of consistency means they needed that higher power level to keep up (burn packs, for example, needed to be stronger because you rarely get to execute a full burn gameplan with two separate packs). >>> ### Drafting <<< The "cube" can be drafted in different ways. For the most control and highest power level, each player can pick 2 packs. On the other end of the power scale, each player can pick 2 at random. The "official" method also works: each player randomly selects 3 packs, chooses 1 from that subset, and then repeats the process for their 2nd pack. The most strategic and interesting method is to draft packs like picking a team in DOTA: 1) Each player bans 2 packs, 2) Each player selects a pack, 3) Each player bans 3 packs, 4) Each player selects their final pack. >>> # Current themes <<< --- >>> ### White <<< **Enchantments** -- All your creatures either benefit or benefit from enchantments, like [[Danitha Capashen, Paragon]] and [[Transcendent Envoy]] making them easier to cast or [[Eidolon of Countless Battles]] getting bigger when they are attached. Removal in the form of [[Ossification]] and a cute semi-removal enchantment [[Darksteel Mutation]]. **White Artifacts** -- Cast some cheap artifact creatures like [[Myr Retriever]] and [[Lion Sash]], recur them with [[Teshar, Ancestor's Apostle]] and [[Scrap Trawler]], and generate **value** with [[Digsite Engineer]] and [[Losheel, Clockwork Scholar]]. Some of your lands are artifacts: [[Ancient Den]] and [[Darksteel Citadel]]. Also featuring the powerful white removal package with [[Path to Exile]]. **White Planeswalkers** -- All the best versions of your law-and-order type planeswalkers: 5 Gideons, 3 Ajanis, and 3 Elspeths, and they're joined by [[The Wandering Emperor]]. **Death by Snu-Snu** -- Curve out with a bunch of angels, starting with [[Bishop of Wings]] (okay not technically an angel, but you know, finding low MV angels isn't easy), up through [[Serra Paragon]] and finishing with [[Lyra Dawnbringer]] and the full version of [[Steel Seraph]]. Look out for the alternative wincon in [[Angel of Destiny]]! **Undercity Explorers** -- This is somehow a stompy grindy deck in mono-white using the initiative mechanic. [[Seasoned Dungeoneer]] and [[White Plume Adventurer]] can both get into the Undercity and the rest of the deck supports them with [[Umezawa's Jitte]], [[Solitude]], and [[Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]]. >>> ### Blue <<< **Sea Creatures** -- Buy yourself some time with cheap blockers like [[Purple-Crystal Crab]] and [[Guard Gomazoa]] along with spells like [[Engulf the Shore]]. Once you've got enough land, finish the game with a [[Hullbreaker Horror]] or [[Sword Coast Serpent]]. **Wizards on Sticks?** -- Cast some wizards, and when you cast your classic blue spells, they make flying tokens! [[Poppet Stitcher]] gives you some reach and flipping [[Docent of Perfection]] turns all your wizards into serious threats. You also have strong permission in [[Counterspell]], [[Negate]], and [[Patron Wizard]]. **Blue Tron** -- Urza Land package to accelerate out some big beefy bois like [[Sundering Titan]] and [[Ugin, the Spirit Dragon]]. Blue permission spells for the early game like [[Condescend]] and [[Counterspell]]. Use [[Trinket Mage]] or [[Tolaria West]] to find your toolkit artifacts: [[Engineered Explosives]] and [[Walking Ballista]]. **Pray to the Sea** -- Up your devotion count to the sea gods by playing [[Witching Well]] and [[Omen of the Sea]]. Your blue creatures like [[Harbinger of the Tides]] and [[Thassa's Oracle]] are good for value, and once you've got enough devotion, [[Thassa, Deep-Dweller]] and [[Thassa, God of the Sea]] are strong finishers. **Mermaids** -- A merfolk version of mono blue tempo. Get a creature out like [[Mist-Cloaked Herald]], attach [[Curious Obsession]], and start that tempo advantage. Press your advantage with [[Counterspell]] and [[Fading Hope]]. Flood the board with fishfolk and turn them sideways. **Wet Ghosts** -- Throw out some spirits and control the board with their ETB effects like [[Rattlechains]] and use the board presence to keep the attacks coming with [[Shacklegeist]]. Draw a lot of cards with [[Combat Research]] and [[Curious Obsession]]. Win by getting lots of the spirits out and using their tribal buffs to chip damage while maintaining card advantage. >>> ### Black <<< **Aristocrats** -- Make tokens with [[Ophiomancer]] or [[Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia]], sacrifice them to benefit in a variety of ways like pinging with [[Blood Artist]] or edicting and drawing cards with [[Priest of Forgotten Gods]]. **Zomboy Anthem Party** -- Every zombie you put into play makes all your other zombies stronger: [[Death Baron]], [[Lord of the Accursed]], and [[Undead Warchief]]. Even your lands can be a zombie: [[mutavault]]. A couple artifacts to pump your boys: [[Coat of Arms]] and [[Liliana's Mastery]]. End the game with [[Mikaeus, the Unhallowed]]. **Hate Everything** -- Disrupt your opponent's game plan by getting rid of cards in their hand ([[Inquisition of Kozilek]], [[Thoughtseize]]) and their creatures on the battlefield ([[Fatal Push]], [[Bloodchief's Thirst]]). [[Liliana of the Veil]] is a flexible tool, and you can use [[The Rack]], [[Shrieking Affliction]], and [[Nyxathid]] to win the game. **Walking Dead, But Not The Secret Lair** -- There's no [[Rick, Steadfast Leader]] here. This deck is all about recurring your zombies ([[Gravecrawler]], [[Relentless Dead]]) and getting value when they enter the battlefield ([[Ayara, First of Locthwain]], [[Champion of the Perished]]) and die ([[Undead Augur]]). **Goth Queen Tribal** -- A bunch of the best Lilianas, which means you're going to make your opponent discard a bunch, kill some creatures, and make opponent sacrifice some permanents. Gary is great with all the black pips on your Lilis. Various win conditions depending on how your planeswalkers are going. >>> ### Red <<< **Burn** -- A classic. Have fun slinging [[Lightning Bolt]] and [[Lava Spike]] to your opponent's face, hopefully amplified with [[Torbran, Thane of Red Fell]]. Finish out the game with [[Earthquake]] or [[Banefire]]. **Exile** -- Get cards into exile and cast them if you can, whether that's until the end of turn ([[Abbot of Keral Keep]]), end of next turn ([[Light up the Stage]]), or as long as it stays exiled ([[Valakut Exploration]]). [[Laelia, the Blade Reforged]] can get too big to stop, and [[Keeper of Secrets]] can finish out a game. **Thar Be Dragons** -- Some acceleration in [[Sol Ring]] and [[Dragonlord's Servant]] and an anthem+ with [[Crucible of Fire]]. But mostly dragons: from [[Shivan Devastator]] all the way up to [[Balefire Dragon]]. And of course Daddy Dragon, [[Sarkhan the Masterless]]. **Chandra, Chandra, Chandra** -- Nothing much to say here. A bunch of Chandras, from [[Chandra, Acolyte of Flame]] to [[Chandra, Awakened Inferno]] and things to help Chandra: [[Lightning Bolt]] for some early interaction, [[Chandra's Regulator]] to make your Chandras stronger, [[Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer]] to hopefully get some treasures, and [[Chambra's Embercat]] for an early body and also a little ramp. >>> ### Green <<< **Landfall** -- Benefit from doing one of the things that green does best: playing lands. Make insects with [[Scute Swarm]] or fat beasts with [[Rampaging Baloths]], and play more than one land per turn with [[Azusa, Lost but Seeking]] and [[Druid Class]]. **Hydras** -- Or is it Hydrae? Whatever, lots of forests, lots of heads, and lots of counters. A basic green ramp package ([[Nature's Lore]], [[Cultivate]], and [[Selvala, Heart of the Wilds]]), a supporting spell in [[Garruk's Uprising]], and a ton of fatty hydras, from [[Hungering Hydra]] to [[Voracious Hydra]] and topping out with [[Gargos, Vicious Watcher]]. **Elves** -- All elves all the time. You got your classics like [[Llanowar Elves]] and [[Allosaurus Shepherd]]; you got your tricky ones like [[Quirion Ranger]]; and you got your modern elves like [[Marwyn, the Nurturer]] and [[Elvish Warmaster]]. **Pray to the Trees** -- Get your green pip count up with Lllanowar Elves and Elvish Mystic early Old-Growth Troll and Cavalier of Thorns in the mid game. Those pips will power up your green devotion creatures like Nylea, God of the Hunt and God-Eternal Rhonas. >>> ### Colorless <<< **Aggro** -- Get quick creatures out like [[signal pest]] and [[gingerbrute]]. Buff them with [[steel overseer]] and [[Grafted Wargear]]. If you have a little extra mana, [[Stonecoil Serpent]] is great. --- >>> ### Azorius <<< **Blink** -- Generate value by blinking creatures in and out of the battlefield with [[Ephemerate]] or any of your several creatures that can blink other things like [[Soulherder]] or [[Yorion, Sky Nomad]]. >>> ### Dimir <<< **Discard** -- Get rid of cards in your hand with [[Putrid Imp]], maybe play them again with [[Containment Construct]], ping opponent with [[Faith of the Devoted]] or grow your [[Ledger Shredder]]. Finish the game with [[Rankle, Master of Pranks]]. **Rogues** -- A quick, evasive version of rogues that wants to fill up the other guy's graveyard to power up its fliers. Play on your opponent's turn with some flash creatures (Zulaport Duelist, Brazen Borrower) and some permission spells (Drowned in the Loch, Didn't Say Please). Build up a wide board and buff it with Oona's Blackguard, or grab something from your opponent with Zareth San, the Trickster. **Gonti Gonna Steal yo' girl** -- Play with all of your opponent's toys. Take from the top of their deck with [[Siphon Insight]], [[Thief of Sanity]], and [[Gonti, Lord of Luxury]], take their artifacts with [[Thieving Skydiver]], take their creatures on the battlefield with [[Hostage Taker]] and [[Control Magic]], and take whatever you want with [[Bribery]]. >>> ### Rakdos <<< **Treasures** -- Make some treasures with [[Kalain, Reclusive Painter]], [[Big Score]], or [[Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer]]. Sac those treasures to benefit from [[Mayhem Devil]], [[Juri, Master of the Revue]], and [[Marionette Master]]. Finish the game in style with [[Revel in Riches]] or [[Goldspan Dragon]]. **Krenko's "Friends"** Step 1) Make some gobbos: [[Mogg War Marshal]], [[Dragon Fodder]] Step 2) Blow up your opponent with those gobbos: [[Pashalik Mons]], [[Siege-Gang Lieutenant]], [[Sling-Gang Commander]], etc. ... Step ?) Profit **RakSac** -- There are two [[Mayhem Devils]] in the pack because the whole gameplan is to sacrifice things and get value from them: [[Grief]] and [[Fury]] both work with the triggers, [[Kroxa, Titan of Death's Hunger]] is always great, and [[Goblin Bombardment]] gives you repeatable sac outlet. **Bloody Burn** -- A take on burn that uses Blood tokens to enable some fun synergy with, for example, [[Shrapnel Blast]] and [[Unlicensed Disintegration]], getting damage at good rates if you can keep blood tokens in play. The same tokens can act as filtering and flood protection, a sometimes weakness of burn in the later game. >>> ### Gruul <<< **Fighting** -- Get some creatures out on the battlefield with [[Rhythm of the Wild]] and start going nuts with [[Boxing Ring]]. Buff up your boys with [[Domri, Anarch of Bolas]] and use spells like [[Prizefight]] and [[Tail Swipe]] to bring the ruckus. Use [[Toski, Bearer of Secrets]] or [[Ohran Frostfang]] to generate some card advantage and finish off the game with [[The Tarrasque]]. >>> ### Selesnya <<< **Soldiers** -- Make a bunch of tokens with spells like [[Raise the Alarm]] and [[Horn of Valhalla]]. Use those for removal with [[Catapult Master]] and buff them with [[Huatli, Radiant Champion]]. Buff the boys with [[Intangible Virtue]] and finish the game with [[March of the Multitudes]]. **Storytelling Galore** -- Pretty low to the ground with lots of synergies. If you can establish a board presence with [[Jukai Naturalist]] and [[Sythis, Harvest Hand]], your sagas ([[Elspeth Conquers Death]], [[The First Iroan Games]]) will produce mega value, especially when they flip ([[Michiko's Reign of Truth]], [[The Restoration of Eiganjo]]) and become threats on their own. >>> ### Orzhov <<< **Life Clerics** -- Play an [[Edgewalker]] to make playing your other clerics cheaper. Inflict pain on your opponents with [[Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose]] and [[Suture Priest]]. Removal in the form of [[Path to Exile]] and [[Despark]]. Finish either with life drain or a fat [[Taborax, Hope's Demise]] or [[Voice of the Blessed]]. >>> ### Izzet <<< **Flying Spellslingers** -- Get out a cheap flyer ([[Sprite Dragon]], [[Pteramander]], [[Brazen Borrower]], or [[Stormchaser Mage]]) and control the battlefield with permission ([[Daze]]) and direct damage ([[Lightning Bolt]] and [[Chain Lightning]]). See a lot of cards with classic blue draw spells. **Murktide Shredder** -- A quick Izzet list based around getting quick threats out like [[Dragon's Rage Channeler]] and [[Ledger Shredder]], getting value from those by playing cheap spells ([[Lightning Bolt]] [[Consider]]) and ultimately delving out a big [[Murktide Regent]]. >>> ### Golgari <<< **+1/+1 Counters** -- Play some enablers like [[Hardened Scales]] or [[The Ozolith]] then play creatures with counters and buff them up with more counters. Removal with counters and fighting. **The Bayou Flu** -- Play some of your cheap creatures ([[Glistener Elf]], [[Plague Stinger]], [[Gemrazer]]), and buff them up with some giant growth alternatives ([[Vines of Vastwood]], [[Mutagenic Growth]]). Keep the board clear for your attackers with [[Fatal Push]] and [[Thoughtseize]]. >>> ### Boros <<< **Keyword Soup** -- Lots of creatures and lots of keywords on those creatures. Check out [[Swiftblade Vindicator]] with double strike, vigilance, and trample and [[Aerial Responder]] with flying, vigilance, and lifelink. Your bigger creatures have even more keywords and can spread those keywords around: [[Odric, Lunar Marshal]]. End the game with [[Akroma, Vision of Ixidor]] or [[Aurelia, the Warleader]]. **Boros Bullying Flyers** -- Boros Bully has one real path to victory and that is heading into the Red Zone. It wants to use its air force, composed of [[Squadron Hawk]] and [[Battle Screech]], backed up with [[Rally the Peasants]] to win over one or two attacks. Red gives it access to [[Phoenix Chick]], [[Cavalcade of Calamity]], and [[Skyknight Legionnaire]]. **Heroes and Tricks** -- Get some of your cheap creatures ([[Favored Hoplite]], [[Akroan Skyguard]]) out and buff them up with cheap aggressive spells ([[Titan's Strength]], [[Coordinated Assault]]). The deck really pops off once [[Feather, the Redeemed]] is in play so you can keep recurring your spells, including [[Lightning Bolt]] and [[Reckless Rage]]. **Boros Hammertime** -- Get some cheap creatures on the board and throw on a [[Colossus Hammer]] for a decisive attack. You have some help with [[Puresteel Paladin]] and [[Stoneforge Mystic]] and some protection with [[Gods Willing]]. >>> ### Simic <<< **Investigation** -- All about clue tokens: generate them with [[Confront the Unknown]] or [[Floodhound]]; use them to cast affinity creatures like [[Junk Winder]] or [[Thought Monitor]]; and sacrifice them to gain life with [[Graf Mole]] or flip your [[Daring Sleuth]]. Also comes with a mini green ramp package with [[Sakura-Tribe Elder]]. **Land Beatdown** -- Put lands into play([[Growth Spiral]], [[Courser of Kruphix]]), animate them ([[Nissa, Who Shakes the World]]), buff them ([[Sylvan Advocate]], [[Earth Surge]]), and bring them back from the graveyard ([[Ranumap Excavator]], [[Crucible of Worlds]]). >>> ### Other <<< **5-Color Shrines** -- Well, it's shrines and dual lands with [[Herald of the Pantheon]] for an early body and shrine acceleration. If you can get to [[Sanctum of All]] you're probably in good shape. Can you hang on that long? **Domain** -- The more basic land types the better. Get some early damage in with [[Territorial Kavu]] and [[Nishoba Brawler]]. Use your toolkit in the midgame to power out some lands and use [[Leyline Binding]] as efficient removal. Finish the game with [[Scion of Draco]] and [[Radha, Coalition Warlord]]. **Slivers** -- All slivers all day. From [[Striking Sliver]] to [[Sliver Hivelord]] and everything in between. [[Aether Vial]] to get them out even quicker, and dual lands + a couple of creature type lands ([[Sliver Hive]], [[Secluded Courtyard]]) to support the 5 color approach. Sliver beatdowns incoming. **Doran Likes Big Butts** And he cannot lie. Get some cheap zero-power creatures out in the early game like [[Arboreal Grazer]] or [[Giant Ox]] and keep the board relatively clear with the strong Abzan removal in the form of [[Fatal Push]], [[Prismatic Ending]], and [[Vindicate]]. Finally, get [[Doran, the Siege Tower]] or [[Ancient Lumberknot]] down to start the big butt beats. **Token Factory** - Centered around [[Lonis, Cryptozoologist]], [[Academy Manufactor]], and [[Chatterfang, Squirrel General]]. If you can get all 3 of them in play, tokens go BRRRRTTT. Also generate tokens with [[Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer]] and [[Tireless Tracker]]. >>> ### Potential Packs To Keep An Eye On <<< Food (Asmo/Goose/Cookbook) Minsc and Boo? Flexible golgari pack? (grist, glissa sunslayer, maelstrom pulse) Teferi Urza Gideon (White) Vivien (Green) Replace sigarda's aid with theros escape enchantment (sentinel's eyes) Add blue mana to artifact aggro deck Some red-inclusive counters deck with All Will Be One? Black-based triggers with Drivnod Carnage Dominus Switch Elesh Norn, MOM for Yorion in Azorius Blink? Blue mill deck with crabs and Jace Perfected Mind? Either white tokens deck or add Mondrak Glory Dominus and/or Staff of the Storycaller to Selesnya Soldiers? Phyrexian Obliterator to Black Hate Everything pack Something with toxic, maybe new T Rex in green? Skrelv's Hive? Glissa Sunslayer in something? Boros Equipment (Jor Kadeen, Rhuk Hexgold Nabber) Rat Pack with Karumonix Cats with Kemba, Kha Enduring? Phyrexian Arena? In something? Clerics? Tyvar Jubilant Brawler in an activated abilities pack? I like the idea of Koth Fire of Resistance - is there a pack that could use it?