It goes without saying that, as a cube curator, I am a fan of draft formats. >>> ### Introduction <<< Here in this cube I've focused on the aspects of in-store booster draft that brings me back to a set over and over again - drafting around high-synergy uncommons. In fact, the defining restriction of the cube is just that - every card here has been printed at uncommon at some point (with a couple of exceptions) Additionally, many cards have been included in this cube over their strictly better alternatives because of the focus on synergy. >>> ### Design goals <<< The cube's goals take inspiration from several aspects of booster draft: - Using gold signpost uncommons to let players readily understand a colour pair's base strategy. This should result in clearer signals while drafting while simultaneously helping newer players comprehend strategies and goals during draft without getting too lost. - Aim for a high powered, high synergy booster draft like Modern Horizons. Powerful individual cards exist but the best decks are those that leverage synergies to become a greater whole. Experienced players that draft a comprehensive deck should be advantaged over those that just pick the best card in every pack. - Include as many cross-synergy cards as possible while also having some that clearly favor a specific strategy. The goal is to create variety between the decks inside a single strategy while also allowing savvy drafters to wheel their best picks. - Emulate the high-synergy showcase cards from recent draft formats to create unique strategies. Though these may not always come together, they offer rewarding challenges or stipulations for regular drafters of the cube. - Cater to a small number of wider themes that span multiple archetypes. This allows blends and hybrids to occur naturally between strategies - like Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty having enchantments and artifacts matter across different colours. - Allow for both fast and slow decks by putting a focus on cheap cards and interaction while also including cards amongst those that can build inevitibility in the late game (think "Craft with" in Lost Caverns of Ixalan). Each colour pair should have a mix of fast, medium and slow decks available. - Provide ample fixing and a preference towards single-pip coloured mana costs in order to encourage splashing and multicolored decks without every deck becoming a 5 colour value list. Do this without detracting from green's ramp/fixing slice of the pie (ie, no 10-signet cycles) >>> ### Synergy breakdown <<< With all that said, what are the major synergies in the cube? There are several key synergies that span over several archetypes. They are: "Artifacts matter", "Modify creatures", and "graveyard as a resource". Though several colours approach these strategies in different ways (and not every colour includes equal amounts of support for them) there should be enough in there to get variations on these in many different flavors. Examples: <<[[!tough cookie]] [[!lulu, loyal hollyphant]] [[!Deep analysis]]>> The major themes in each colour pair are split into 2 basic versions of the deck. Each version will be skewed to a different speed: {U}{G} +1/+1 counters: Go wide or go tall. <<[[!plaxcaster frogling]] [[!cytoplast root-kin]] [[!wildwood scourge]] [[!lorescale coatl]]>> {U}{B} Discard: looters matter vs cheat reanimation <<[[!feast of sanity]] [[!Void beckoner]] [[!thopter mechanic]] [[!vohar, vodalian desecrator]]>> {U}{R} magecraft - cheap spells matter/prowess vs spells-in-yard <<[[!balmor, battlemage captain]] [[!dragon's rage channeler]] [[!seize the storm]] [[!rise from the tides]]>> {U}{W} artifacts: animate baubles or recurring value <<[[!master's guide-mural]] [[!sage of lat-nam]] [[!animating faerie]] [[!Teshar, ancestor's apostle]]>> {G}{B} graveyard: reanimation or self-mill for value <<[[!stitcher's supplier]] [[!animate dead]] [[!Carrion grub]] [[!spider spawning]]>> {G}{R} big power: Modified creatures and ramp <<[[!targ nar, demon-fang gnoll]] [[!kami of whispered hopes]] [[!Surrak, the hunt caller]] [[!temur battle rage]]>> {G}{W} enchantress: heroic auras or cast for value <<[[!Tanglespan lookout]] [[!Hero of leina tower]] [[!jukai naturalist]] [[!illuminator virtuoso]]>> {B}{R} sacrifice: treasure or creatures <<[[!pitiless plunderer]] [[!orcish vandal]] [[!Juri, master of the revue]] [[!dockside chef]]>> {W}{B} lifegain: steady drain or gain-for-value <<[[!elas il-kor, sadistic pilgrim]] [[!ajani's pridemate]] [[!blood artist]] [[!Attended healer]]>> {W}{R} go-wide: overwhelming tokens or team pump effects <<[[!baird, argivian recruiter]] [[!resolute reinforcements]] [[!heroic reinforcements]] [[!rally the peasants]]>> Some examples of showcase cards that come together every few drafts includes <<[[!Auriok salvagers]] [[!tinker]] [[!Valduk, keeper of the flame]] [[!Dowsing shaman]] [[!Krark-clan ironworks]]>> Hope you enjoy drafting it! Would love feedback should anyone have that kind of time or dedication.