>>> # BEGINNER'S TAVERN <<< >>> ## Cube Primer <<< >>> [[!You Meet in a Tavern]] <<< ### INTRODUCTION This cube was designed to introduce new and casual players to drafting, and more specifically cubing. It aims to offer a casual and accessible drafting experience, similar to "Core Sets" and Foundations, while ensuring you have actual good limited cards in every slot. ### METHODOLOGY AND RULES This cube underwent many, many and many drafts and redrafts (pun intended) because I couldn't really come up with a set of rules to guide my cube building. Ultimately, the current cube was built on the following main principles and archetype distribution: 1. It should be a small cube (360 cards); 2. It should feature ten 2-colour archetypes with easy-to-understand strategies (though varying in complexity); 3. More than 50% of cards in each colour should have 3 or fewer lines of text (not to overwhelm the player when they start the draft and to streamline the picks); 4. Each card should not cost more than 5 euros at the time of building it, and the total cost of the cube should not pass 200 euros (when constructed). Overall, even if it costs more in the future, it should be considered a "budget cube". The allocation of Archetype vs Generic cards is the following (taking the example for {W}): | {W/U} | {G/W} | {W/B} | {R/W} | Generic | Total | |:-----:|:-----:|:-----:|:-----:|:-------:|:-----:| | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 52 | ### ARCHETYPE BREAKDOWN As stated above, there are ten 2-colour pairings of strategies, which will be explained in this chapter. There is some overlap between different strategies, which has its pros and cons, and the choices I made are discussed [here](#discussion-of-archetype-choices) >>> #### {W/U} WU: Flyer Aggro/Tempo {W/U}<<< <<[[!Dawnwing Marshal]][[!Kykar, Zephyr Awakener]][[!Warden of Evos Isle|6bfc5cef-aa9b-45d4-a9c3-4b157e4ed193]][[!Favorable Winds|1de89026-13a6-4ae3-9059-460bdd657285]]>> Here the name of the game is aggro. This strategy employs cheap flying threats such as [[Spectral Sailor]], [[Mischievous Mystic]] and [[Selfless Spirit]] backed up by disruption — including counterspells like (counterspells like [[Lofty Denial]], protection like [[Fleeting Flight]], and removal like [[Banishing Light|e38dc3b3-1629-491b-8afd-0e7a9a857713]]) — to secure the win. Auras like [[Twinblade Blessing]] and equipments like [[Bonesplitter|690972a8-72df-4050-a353-16e45589167c]] will also enhance your evasive threats. At the top of the curve, you should have powerful finishers such as [[Baneslayer Angel|4bd3014b-94bb-4a9f-92cf-239a2dcc7e97]], [[Sephara, Sky's Blade]] and [[Iymrith, Desert Doom]]. Multicolor options for this archetype synergize well with the aggro/tempo game plan, offering counters ([[Dovin's Veto]]), card advantage ([[Sphinx's Revelation|6350b216-4a11-4e33-89ac-ffaf6315ab7d]]) and support for flyers ([[Empyrean Eagle]] and [[Kykar, Zephyr Awakener]]). >>> #### {U/B} UB: Threshold & Reanimator {U/B}<<< <<[[!Kiora, the Rising Tide]][[!Dreadwing Scavenger]][[!Billowing Shriekmass]][[!Zombify|dc798e6f-13c4-457c-b052-b7b65bc83cfe]]>> With this strategy, the graveyard becomes another resource to execute your plan. The _Threshold_ mechanic, which activates when you have seven or more cards in your graveyard, allows your spells to reach their full potential, creating powerful token threats ([[Kiora, the Rising Tide]]), unblockable card advantage engines ([[Shoreline Looter]]) and powerful beaters ([[Billowing Shriekmass]]). Fill your graveyard with cards like [[Mire Triton]], [[Doom Whisperer]] and [[Inspiration from Beyond]]. Resurrect powerful creatures with [[Persist]], [[Stitch Together]] and [[Dread Return]]. Reuse your instants and sorceries with flashback ([[Self-Reflection]]) or [[Torrential Gearhulk]]. Set up a winning board with [[Rise from the Tides]] or with big beaters like [[Myr Battlesphere|d8299d1e-84c1-4c02-a00d-6e7a662e1a7a]] and [[Dreadfeast Demon]]. This colour combination is also the most suited for a controlling playstyle if that's what you prefer, with a combination of counterspells ([[Counterspell|4f616706-ec97-4923-bb1e-11a69fbaa1f8]] or [[Refute]]) and removal ([[Cast Down]] and [[Languish]]). Multicolor cards in these colors will either help you control the board ([[Baleful Strix|be8439e6-f779-49f0-806a-b04995697a6a]] and [[Hostage Taker]]) or capitalize on a full graveyard ([[Extract from Darkness|e0769e3f-d27d-4aff-8da0-f03c10b8650b]]). >>> #### {B/R} BR: Sacrifice Aggro {B/R} <<< <<[[!Carrion Feeder|0a19da90-880e-4eca-8cf7-6d7baf090d53]][[!Mayhem Devil]][[!Spiteful Prankster]][[!Goblin Bombardment|e262f55e-9239-4a97-a19e-9b08fb34502e]]>> Here, things staying alive doesn't necessarily mean that they're good, as you'll have a lot of use for killing your own creatures. This is an agressive strategy that makes use of low cost creatures and token makers such as [[Harried Spearguard]], [[Cult Conscript]] and [[Midnight Reaper]] to pressure your opponent. Make use of useless creatures with [[Deadly Dispute]], [[Victimize|83379f7f-3766-43f5-bd5e-e11ef9070ddb]] and [[Goblin Bombardment|e262f55e-9239-4a97-a19e-9b08fb34502e]] to gain value, and deal the final points of damage with [[Gnawing Crescendo]], [[Hellrider|7bbfd905-8c71-4389-9174-6e84bcbcf05c]] and [[Siege-Gang Commander|5dd6a913-88df-4fbc-964e-a8fec3ad989f]]. Meanwhile, inflict pain each time a creature dies with [[Spiteful Prankster]] and [[Blood Artist|036f387a-8dee-482e-b3e3-cf79b54c61e1]]. Multicolour cards in this pairing will either work as sacrifice outlets ([[Immersturm Predator]]) or payoffs for the souls your snuffing out on your side of the battlefield ([[Juri, Master of the Revue]] and [[Mayhem Devil]]). >>> #### {R/G} RG: Stompy {R/G}<<< <<[[!Urabrask the Hidden|93970fae-19f7-41dd-9750-ca428ae1de7a]][[!Halana and Alena, Partners]][[!Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma]][[!Ghalta, Primal Hunger]]>> The philosophy of every Gruul player and Timmy extracted to its essence: **Smash!** The plan is quite simple: 1. Start the game with early mana acceleration in the form of [[Ilysian Caryatid]] or [[Rampant Growth|4614738e-64f8-4ce4-8fbe-add2119c2eef]]; 2. Set up your haste enablers with [[Raccoon Rallier]], [[Ogre Battledriver|180f4220-bd76-4a2f-b9e1-414729cd1db2]] or [[Lavaspur Boots]]; 3. Start dropping threat after threat until opponent dead: [[Etali, Primal Storm]], [[Ghalta, Primal Hunger]], [[Hulking Raptor]]... To complement this flawless game plan we have several ways to give trample to our creatures, so pesky tiny blockers don't ruin our day ([[Aggressive Mammoth]], [[Garruk's Uprising]] and [[Rancor|86d6b411-4a31-4bfc-8dd6-e19f553bb29b]]), and removal to take care of the rest ([[Flametongue Kavu|1b3a5139-3341-409e-be33-184897c7398e]] and [[Primal Might]]). Just remember the number "4", for this is the power that enables some of most useful effects in this strategy. Multicolour cards will focus on the points above: Ramp ([[Ruby, Daring Tracker]]), Removal ([[Domri's Ambush]]) and Haste ([[Halana and Alena, Partners]] and [[Fires of Yavimaya|f8003d09-9c1a-4bd3-8672-f4d7960c972e]] >>> #### {G/W} GW: +1/+1 counter Midrange {G/W}<<< <<[[!Luminarch Aspirant]][[!Good-Fortune Unicorn]][[!Duskshell Crawler]][[!Curse of Predation|daf631ad-762f-4bec-9588-aca88507cad5]]>> Turning the meek into the mighty is this strategy's goal. At heart, the plan is quite simple: The more creatures with +1/+1 counters, the better. You'll want some cards that provide the counters to itself ([[Managorger Hydra]] or [[Skyknight Squire]]) or to other such as [[Luminarch Aspirant]], [[Ridgescale Tusker]] and [[Felidar Retreat]], and some that serve as payoffs for having many counters like [[Inspiring Paladin]], [[Duskshell Crawler]] and [[Rishkar, Peema Renegade]]. Furthermore, focus on the spells that besides their effect also provide +1/+1 counters like [[Take Up the Shield]], [[Fleeting Flight]] and [[Storm the Seedcore]]. Multicolour cards for this combination increase the ammount or counters given like [[Conclave Mentor]] or [[Good-Fortune Unicorn]], or push the damage into the red zone like [[Sigardian Paladin]] and [[Camaraderie]]. >>> #### {W/B} WB: Token Midrange {W/B}<<< <<[[!Intangible Virtue|716d82a1-fb5d-4607-b1fa-e8e9edd4dd77]][[!Dazzling Angel]][[!Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim]][[!Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose]]>> Create an army of tokens with cards like [[Emeria Angel|563bf277-5bb1-4df7-bebb-d6d7dbec1cf6]], [[Hop to It]] or [[Ghoulcaller Gisa]], control your board with spells like [[Fumigate]], and take the fight to the enemy with anthem effects ([[Intangible Virtue|716d82a1-fb5d-4607-b1fa-e8e9edd4dd77]] and [[Glorious Anthem|17d154d3-7ae5-43ff-9978-d974285e2c89]]). There's also a large Lifegain/Drain sub-theme to this pairing, making sure you capitalize on the casualities you'll incur with cards like [[Muster the Departed]], [[Vengeful Bloodwitch]] and [[Bastion of Remembrance]]. All this life gain will end up being your opponent's demise due to effects like [[Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose]] and [[Priest of Forgotten Gods]]. Multicolour cards in these colours will help you with the life gain/drain part of the plan ([[Elas il-Kor, Sadistic Pilgrim]]) and give you payoffs for this slower approach to winning like [[Lunar Convocation]] and [[Hardened Tactician]]. >>> #### {U/R} UR: Spellcaster Aggro {U/R}<<< <<[[!Elementalist Adept]][[!Tolarian Terror]][[!Electrolyze|5112af09-1305-4e00-8273-403eac40786f]][[!Goblin Wizardry]]>> Use small creatures *Prowess* or prowess-like effects such [[Monastery Swiftspear]], [[Elementalist Adept]] and [[Electrostatic Infantry]] to make the most out of barrage of spells you'll be unleashing on your opponent. Use creatures that reward your for casting a lot of instants and sorceries like [[Young Pyromancer|8afb19df-b96a-4736-81ab-3561e2767d2d]], [[Guttersnipe|dde674d6-f4e7-410b-acf0-34021290576d]] and [[Talrand, Sky Summoner|1be3ed47-072e-481a-b3d9-dc232ac4b24f]]. Finally fill your deck with spells that either deal damage and bring you closer to victory like [[Firebolt|882b8f98-ee51-4c94-a3eb-c79eb2b50d78]], [[Lightning Bolt|77c6fa74-5543-42ac-9ead-0e890b188e99]] and [[Uncaged Fury]] or spells that fill your hand like [[Chart a Course]], [[Brainsurge]] or [[Opt|58d26b54-0093-4e90-a2b1-b57c64340f9c]]. Multicolour cards for this archetype will fill your hand with [[Expressive Iteration]], deal damage with [[Electrolyze|5112af09-1305-4e00-8273-403eac40786f]] and give you creatures that further your plan ([[Stormcatch Mentor]] and [[Enigma Drake]]). >>> #### {B/G} BG: Graveyard Value/Morbid {B/G}<<< <<[[!Revenge of the Rats]][[!Accursed Marauder]][[!Izoni, Thousand-Eyed]][[!Consuming Blob]]>> You'll fill your graveyard with creatures to fuel your threats. Use cards like [[Stitcher's Supplier]], [[Mire Triton]], [[Satyr Wayfinder]] and [[Accursed Marauder]] to mill and trade creatures with your opponent, ensuring your graveyard is stocked. Retrieve the best cards with [[Regrowth|d771fc5d-b9a1-4637-8241-3f54616b64af]] and [[Elvish Regrower]], and overwhelm your opponent with threats like [[Consuming Blob]], [[Huskburster Swarm]] or [[Revenge of the Rats]]. This archetype excels in long games, as few decks can match its endurance. Additionally, maintain your value loop with big mana plays like [[Ever After]] and [[Seasons Past]], making sure you never run out of gas. Multicolor cards in this combination offer benefits based on the number of creatures in your graveyard, such as [[Honest Rutstein]] and [[Izoni, Thousand-Eyed]], or death triggers ([[Wardens of the Cycle]]). >>> #### {R/W} RW: Token Aggro {R/W}<<< <<[[!Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin]][[!Impact Tremors|d0b7cecf-b51b-4d30-b7e9-cd7976271e07]][[!Heroic Reinforcements]][[!Secure the Wastes]]>> This is a go-wide token deck that aims to overwhelm your opponent's blockers and force its way through to victory. Fill your board with tokens and small attackers with creatures like [[Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin]], [[Resolute Reinforcements]], [[Beetleback Chief|fe276be5-bc54-4fb7-82af-a2312c76f1d2]] or [[Song of Totentanz]]. Use a plethora of cards that capitalize on small creatures entering the battlefield/attacking, such as [[Impact Tremors|d0b7cecf-b51b-4d30-b7e9-cd7976271e07]], [[Raid Bombardment|ca75d458-4947-4075-89b6-e93936c67370]] and [[Hellrider|7bbfd905-8c71-4389-9174-6e84bcbcf05c]], turning your small attackers into deadly critters. If it doesn't kill your opponent outright, use anthem effects like [[Glorious Anthem|17d154d3-7ae5-43ff-9978-d974285e2c89]] or [[Gnawing Crescendo]], and other spells to run the last mile before your opponent can react ([[Cosmotronic Wave]]). The multicolour package for this strategy either create tokens like [[Skyknight Vanguard]] and [[Heroic Reinforcements]], or are effecient aggro cards that push damage ([[Lightning Helix|4101e3fe-b0e7-4f0f-b9ac-9b61a4d628b3]] and [[Adult Gold Dragon]]). >>> #### {G/U} GU: Ramp {G/U}<<< <<[[!Arboreal Grazer]][[!Nature's Lore|761adafd-0bf5-4bab-95d4-8362954c1019]][[!Koma, World-Eater]][[!Rewind|b832abcc-9ffd-47bf-827a-01b303c610ee]]>> Gain mana advantage in the early turns in order to drop big beaters like [[Waker of Waves]], [[Myr Battlesphere|d8299d1e-84c1-4c02-a00d-6e7a662e1a7a]] and [[Multani, Yavimaya's Avatar]]. Your first turns should be focused on *ramping* (gaining more mana scources) in the form of land advantage ([[Explore|3976affd-8c2b-499a-a946-b629c2ba59c7]], [[Cultivate|684063e2-c9a5-4e7c-b702-94e3e114d063]] and [[Explosive Vegetation|8de3fdf8-d55e-4ffc-8f8b-6314d4d467ce]]) and artifacts like [[Mind Stone|5cf95476-27ed-487d-8459-c97a921bb808]] and [[Worn Powerstone|ace686ad-9e3f-41b3-b8eb-d1b6d45eb4e1]]. You must also be able to protect yourself while developing your board, with counterspells like [[Essence Scatter|dd05c850-f91e-4ffb-b4cc-8418d49dad90]], battle tricks like [[Aetherize|1e5530fc-0291-4a17-b048-c5d24e6f51d8]] and [[Giant Growth|bd0bf74e-14c1-4428-88d8-2181a080b5d0]], or creatures such as [[Scavenging Ooze|8c504c23-1e9a-411b-9cfe-4180d0c744f6]]. In the multicolour department, you'll have acess to ramp spells and creatures like [[Growth Spiral]] and [[Troyan, Gutsy Explorer]], *Landfall* payoffs in the form of [[Tatyova, Benthic Druid]] and endgame beaters like [[Koma, World-Eater]]. ### DISCUSSION OF ARCHETYPE CHOICES