Cloned from [aquaone powered v3](/c/5fc9e578bada5f7f15feb582) *rewriting currently in progress* ## table of contents ### notes: - [for drafters](#for-drafters) - [for reviewers](#for-reviewers) - [aesthetic](#aesthetic) - [design restrictions](#design-restrictions) - [power restrictions](#power-restrictions) - [design philosophy](#design-philosophy) - [special tags](#special-tags) - [minutiae](#minutiae) ### composition - [themes](#themes) - [combos](#combos) - [synergies](#synergies) - [anti](#anti) ________________________________________________________________________________ ## notes ### for drafters - [keyword complexity](https://github.com/stephenmenton/cube-keywords) is high, unique in several cases - some cards are altered where text is obscured or unreadable, even the card name in some cases - [pack composition](#pack-composition) is 2 seeded packs of 14, 2 partially seeded packs of 12, and an extra 16 card pack for [[Lore Seeker]], so you'll draft 54 cards. yeah, cuts are hard sometimes. - colors are not even, nor other aspects of spreadsheet aesthetics - design is more cEDH/combo focused than traditional archtype-focused - aggro is viable but needs interaction to stop combos - some common archtypes and combos are not present - some common archtypes and combos use different cards than expected - keep an open mind on card roles and interactions; every card has multiple reasons - more fixing than average in land (16%), less fixing than average in artifacts (few talismans, signets) - land station includes some [[wastes|Wastes]] and Snow-covered basics for various edge cases - companions may be used as companions, following current rules ________________________________________________________________________________ ### pack composition When discussing pck composition I use the following shorthand: - w is {W}, u is {U}, b is {B}, r is {R}, g is {G} - m is a multicolor, split multicolor, and/or hybrid card - c is a colorless non-land card - l is a land - x is a random card The draft is 4 packs. The first two are seeded, the other two less so. This leads to more dramatic decisions and signaling in the early packs, which is more significant IMO with a higher-power cube. Running 4 packs leads to more significant decisions at the expense of decreased likelihood of information on the wheel. On the other hand things wheeling is amuch stronger signal with smaller pack sizes. The pack composition is: - wubrgclxxxxxxx - wubrgclxxxxxxx - mclxxxxxxxxx - mclxxxxxxxxx ### for reviewers - unapologetically [strix 10](https://www.reddit.com/r/mtgcube/comments/c2wyta/the_strix_scale_shorthand_for_cube_power_level/) so high "cube IQ" required for players - 3rd major iteration of this cube (been curating since 2008) - intentionally skewed towards combo in contrast to conventional powered cubes - many cards have notes; please read them ________________________________________________________________________________ ### aesthetic - no commitment to pure aesthetic, just like fancy cards - foils are preferred over non-foil, unless old school - signed is preferred over non-signed - altered is preferred over non-altered - signatures or alters obscuring card text is fine - most of this cube is foiled (didn't set finish in CC for readability reasons) - most of this cube is signed and/or altered (tags exist to reflect this) - alters are always artists choice unless the artist required direction ________________________________________________________________________________ ### design restrictions - singleton except land - no custom cards or special rules for cards - no silver bordered (un-), holiday, HotR, or playtest cards - no dexterity matters or ante cards - no budget, rarity, expansion, theme restriction - draft matters cards are ok - limited commercially released cards are ok (Secret Lair, Jumpstart) ________________________________________________________________________________ ### power restrictions Everything is fair game until it isn't. If something is outside "normal Magic" and overperforming, it will be removed. Similar cards may also get conditionally axed while adapting to new archtypes. - "turn 3 wins" are ok (also rare; people calling them frequent are hyperbolic) - cards can be cut for power reasons (wins > 70% repeatedly, eg [[Sovereign's Realm]]) - cards consistently underperforming should be removed - heavy tutoring is fine ________________________________________________________________________________ ### design philosophy I want this environment to be high-risk, high-reward. I want stories of decks going off with ridiculous combos, stopping them with key disruption, or bursting out of the gate with beats. Most combos slide in with other more archtypal decks or themes. Although you can force a combo pile with a bunch of tutors, you could easily lose to a counterspell or spot removal. - combo cards should be semi-redundant but not excessively so - modality, diversity of purpose, and independent power of cards are valued significantly over combo-specific power and cost ([[Solemnity]] over [[Vizier of Remedies]], [[Rhythm of the Wild]] over [[Melira|Melira, Sylvok Outcast]]) - breadth of combos and synergies are preferred over depth, provided minimum viability is met - color balance is of less concern than "theme" support - cards considered "only a sideboard card" are frequently cut if too narrow - nothing should be pushed or forced outside of testing ________________________________________________________________________________ ## composition ### themes There are few macro archtypes in this cube and the line between them and themes is difficult to draw. Most decks are combinations of themes and combos with overlap _or_ focused one-trick ponies. Occasionally someone drafts something off the rails, or lives the 5c goodstuff dream, but it's risky. Themes are listed here in alphabetical order. Each can be filtered by the listed tag. Examples of specific cards are included but are not a comprehensive reflection of what's available. ##### tag:"theme:5c goodstuff" Cards that empower or benefit from playing more colors. **example cards**: <<[[!Prismatic Ending]][[!Mycosynth Lattice]][[!Mana Confluence]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]]>> ##### tag:"theme:aggro" Cards that reward basic aggressive strats. drop threats fast, turn them sideways, win via attack. Not all aggro cards are creatures, some are cards that disproportionately benefit the aggro player. Aggro is primarily in {W} and {R}. **example cards**: <<[[!Kytheon, Hero of Akros]][[!Seasoned Hallowblade]][[!Combat Celebrant]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Throne of the God-Pharaoh]][[!Armageddon]]>> ##### tag:"theme:artifacts" Artifact cards and/or cards that care about having artifacts. These decks can be agggro, control, or combo, though not all cards are exclusive to one type. payoffs vary by type, unlisted. Artifacts is primarily {W}, {U}, and {C}. **example aggro cards**: <<[[!Toolcraft Exemplar]][[!Bomat Courier]]>> **example control cards**: <<[[!Esper Sentinel]][[!Goblin Welder]]>> **example combo cards**: <<[[!Tinker]][[!Urza, Lord High Artificer]][[!Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Tolarian Academy]][[!Metalworker]]>> ##### tag:"theme:blink" Blink aka flicker are cards that exile other cards, then return them to play. Targets to blink are not included in this list as it's everything matching 't:creature and o:"enters the battlefield"'. Blink is primarily {W} with other colors, mostly {U}, for increased reward. **example cards**: <<[[!Eldrazi Displacer]][[!Restoration Angel]][[!Ephemerate]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Palace Jailer]][[!Arcane Savant]][[!Eternal Witness]]>> ##### tag:"theme:bounce" Bounce is slang for returning permanents to people's hands. It can open the way for an attack, or set people back resources having to cast a spell again. You can also in some cases return your own creature to hand to use it's ETB triggers another time. Bounce is overwhelmingly {U}. **example cards**: <<[[!Brazen Borrower]][[!Crystal Shard]][[!Aether Channeler]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Palace Jailer]][[!Arcane Savant]][[!Eternal Witness]]>> ##### tag:"theme:burn" Card that deal damage, ideally to any target. Burn decks go fast until they run out of gas. **example cards**: <<[[!Grim Lavamancer]][[!Fireblast]][[!Chain Lightning]]>> <<[[!Lightning Bolt]][[!Incinerate]][[!Lightning Strike]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Bloodthirsty Adversary]][[!Underworld Breach]]>> ##### tag:"theme:card advantage" Distinct from card draw, card advantage tends to be more situational or conditional. It may be delayed card draw, or draws replacing the card played. These kinds of advantages are mostly {R} but are found in other colors. **example cards**: <<[[!Laelia, the Blade Reforged]][[!Jaya, Fiery Negotiator]][[!Light Up the Stage]]>> <<[[!Tireless Tracker]][[!Bomat Courier]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:card draw" Card draw is exactly what you think it is, ways of drawing extra cards. It is similar and has overlap with tag:"theme:card selection" (primarily choice, not advantage), tag:"theme:card advantage" (often conditional/situational), and tag:"theme:wheels" (more narrow hand refill effects). Card draw is spread across all colors in different ways. **example cards**: <<[[!Ancestral Recall]][[!Dig Through Time]][[!Library of Alexandria]]>> <<[[!Sylvan Library]][[!Hydroid Krasis]][[!Skullclamp]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:card selection" Card selection are effects that combine draw and either discard, exile, or returning to library to afford choice but not necessarily card advantage. The discard aspect of some of these fuels reanimator and provides for other mechanics such as Delerium, Threshold, etc. Card Selection is primarily {U}, less so {R}, but is spread across all colors. **example cards**: <<[[!Ponder]][[!Preordain]][[!Ledger Shredder]]>> <<[[!Frantic Search]][[!Jace, Vryn's Prodigy]][[!Smuggler's Copter]]>> <<[[!Seasoned Pyromancer]][[!Faithless Looting]][[!Bazaar of Baghdad]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:cheat" Cheat is putting creatures into play without paying full price, or otherwise very early, and distinct from tag:"theme:reanimator". Cheat is mostly {G} and {R}. **example cards**: <<[[!Channel]][[!Natural Order]][[!Oath of Druids]]>> <<[[!Sneak Attack]][[!Volatile Chimera]][[!Flash]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Griselbrand]][[!Blightsteel Colossus]][[!Archon of Cruelty]]>> ##### tag:"theme:control" Control seeks to regulate what can and can't happen. It's distinct from tag:"theme:counterspell" in affecting board presence or rules, not negating single spells. Control is primarily {U}, and {C}, but control shells can be made from tag:"theme:removal" and tag:"anti:creature" in {W} or {B} fairly easily. **example cards**: <<[[!Moat]][[!Jace, the Mind Sculptor]][[!Cryptic Command]]>> <<[[!Liliana of the Veil]][[!Oko, Thief of Crowns]][[!Teferi, the Time Raveler]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:copy" There are a number of cards that copy or become copies of other permanents you control. This isn't a theme with payoffs in itself, but are frequently part of game-winning combos. Think of this as a useful list for finding cards. It does not include creatures limited to creating copies of themselves. Copy is primarily {R} and {C}. **example cards**: <<[[!Phantasmal Image]][[!Phyrexian Metamorph]][[!Mirage Mirror]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:counters" Cards that place or benefit from counters. Currently this theme has no direct payoff but is being tracked in case cards that care about counters are added in the future. counters is spread across all colors. **example cards**: <<[[!Laelia, the Blade Reforged]][[!Rhythm of the Wild]][[!Stonecoil Serpent]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:counterspell" Counterspells negate other spells. Given the bias towards combo in this cube they hold great power and are run in high concentration. Some are "hard", some are conditional. Payoffs are indirect, retaining board presence or benefiting from # of spells in graveyards. Counterspells are overwhelmingly {U}. **example cards**: <<[[!Daze]][[!Force of Will]][[!Mental Misstep]]>> <<[[!Counterspell]][[!Mana Drain]][[!Memory Lapse]]>> <<[[!Miscalculation]][[!Mana Leak]][[!Cryptic Command]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a** ##### tag:"theme:discard" Discard effects are pre-emptive strikes attacking your opponent's hand, denying them combo pieces or payoffs. There are currently no explicit payoffs but certain viagra in tag:"theme:reanimator" have obvious synergy. Discard is overwhelmingly {B}. **example cards**: <<[[!Thoughtseize]][[!Inquisition of Kozilek]][[!Hymn to Tourach]]>> <<[[!Mind Twist]][[!Rankle, Master of Pranks]][[!Liliana of the Veil]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Tinybones, Trinket Thief]][[!Tourach, Dread Cantor]][[!The Raven Man]]>> ##### tag:"theme:draft matters" Draft Matters cards change how you draft, either by creating effects altering the normal rules for draft or by changing your preferences for or against certain cards because of abilities afforded. Ideally you want to see these cards early but even a late one can have a profound impact on your deck. **example cards**: <<[[!Arcane Savant]][[!Volatile Chimera]][[!Lore Seeker]]>> <<[[!Cogwork Librarian]][[!Emissary's Ploy]][[!Hymn of the Wilds]]>> <<[[!Power Play]][[!Unexpected Potential]][[!Paliano, the High City]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:dungeon" Cards that support the Enter the Dungeon mechanic. Dungeon is currently only one card. **example cards**: <<[[!White Plume Adventurer]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:enchantments" Enchantments refers to cards where enchantments matter or are staples in enchantments matter decks. Currently this theme has no direct payoff but is being tracked in case cards that care about it are added in the future. Previously this had included cards like [[Sanctum Weaver]] and [[Halvar|Halvar, God of Battle]]. Enchantments is primarily {G}. **example cards**: <<[[!Utopia Sprawl]][[!Wild Growth]][[!Sylvan Library]]>> <<[[!Rancor]][[!Rhythm of the Wild]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:equipment" Equipment cards and/or cards that care about having equipment. No _real_ payoff but Stoneforge helps? Equipment is primarily {W} and {C}. **example cards**: <<[[!Stoneforge Mystic]][[!Embercleave]][[!Zirda, the Dawnwaker]]>> <<[[!Umezawa's Jitte]][[!Heirloom Blade]][[!Sword of Feast and Famine]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Stoneforge Mystic]]> ##### tag:"theme:exile" Exile refers to cards that exile for advantage. This includes Escape cards. The only payoff at present is [[Laelia|Laelia, the Blade Reforged]]. **example cards**: <<[[!Laelia, the Blade Reforged]][[!Underworld Breach]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Laelia, the Blade Reforged]]>> ##### tag:"theme:fast mana" Fast mana is part of the huge power disparity in powered cubes. Being able to ramp for free or getting huge boosts to drop things early is a tremendous advantage. Even off-color it's hard to say, "No" to fast mana. Fast mana is overwhelmingly {C}. **example cards**: <<[[!Black Lotus]][[!Mox Diamond]][[!Channel]]>> <<[[!Mana Vault]][[!Mana Crypt]][[!Sol Ring]]>> <<[[!Mox Pearl]][[!Mox Sapphire]][[!Mox Jet]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:forests" Forests matters are cards that require or care about quantity of forests. They are exclusively {G}. **example cards**: <<[[!Arbor Elf]][[!Utopia Sprawl]]>> <<[[!Nature's Lore]][[!Three Visits]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary]][[!Wolfbriar Elemental]][[!Nissa, Who Shakes the World]]>> ##### tag:"theme:initiative" Cards that support the Initiative/Undercity mechanic. Initiative is currently only one card. **example cards**: <<[[!White Plume Adventurer]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:lands" Lands refers to cards that trigger on playing lands or care about the number of lands you have. They are exclusively {G}. **example cards**: <<[[!Tireless Tracker]][[!Life // Death]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Sword of Feast and Famine]]>> ##### tag:"theme:lifegain" Cards that gain life or trigger on gaining life. Lifegain has no major payoffs currently though [[Heliod|Heliod, Sun-Crowned]] is good, incremental value. Lifegain is primarily {W/B}. **example cards**: <<[[!The Meathook Massacre]][[!Kitchen Finks]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Heliod, Sun-Crowned]]>> ##### tag:"theme:midrange" Midrange spends t1 doing mana accel and dropping 4+ power beaters from t2 on. It's not as low to the ground as aggro, nor as wide typically, so weaker to spot removal, but harder to deal with by blocking. It's a "fair" deck but it closes fast and is more durable than aggro against mass removal as the creatures hold more value late game. Midrange is {G} splashing {U/R}. **example cards**: <<[[!Questing Beast]][[!Wolfbriar Elemental]][[!Hellrider]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Selvala, Heart of the Wilds]][[!Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner]]>> ##### tag:"theme:mill" Mill puts cards from your opponent's library into their graveyard or exile, to win by exhausting them of cards or removing combo pieces. Mill is often bolted on to other themes as a wincon for combos and has incidental wins by itserlf. Mill is {U}, {B}, and {C}. **example cards**: <<[[!Brain Freeze]][[!Ashiok, Dream Render]]>> <<[[!Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger]][[!Altar of Dementia]][[!Mesmeric Orb]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:monarch" Cards that support the Monarch mechanic. These typically have a strong control bent and have been in and out of the cube over the years. Monarch is primarily in {W}, {U}, and {B}, but is currently only one card. **example cards**: <<[[!Palace Jailer]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:opposition" [[Opposition]] is a brutal enchantment that can lock down your opponent with enough creatures. There's a lot of overlap with tag:"theme:tokens" and tag:"theme:wide". Opposition decks are typically {U}x. **example cards**: <<[[!Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]][[!Gideon, Ally of Zendikar]][[!Bitterblossom]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Opposition]][[!Throne of the God-Pharaoh]]>> ##### tag:"theme:ramp" Ramp is using your early resources to increase available mana on future turns, and cards that are part of this strat. Often this means a mana dork on t1 and a 3-4 drop on t2. It can also be positioning yourself for bombs like [[Ugin|Ugin, he Spirit Dragon]] turns earlier than normal. Ramp is primarily {G}. **example creature cards**: <<[[!Arbor Elf]][[!Llanowar Elves]][[!Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary]]>> <<[[!Noble Hierarch]][[!Ignoble Hierarch]][[!Birds of Paradise]]>> **example spells**: <<[[!Nature's Lore]][[!Three Visits]]>> **example enchantments**: <<[[!Wild Growth]][[!Utopia Sprawl]]>> **other examples**: <<[[!Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner]][[!Gaea's Cradle]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:reanimator" Reanimator decks rely on the right mix of fatties, milkshakes (cards that bring your boys to the yard), and viagra (cards that bring dead things back to life). A cute trick is using [[Gifts|Gifts Ungiven]] to grab [[Unburial Rites]] and some fatties, since no matter what at least one fattie ends up in the yard and you can cast Rites from hand or graveyard. Milkshakes are scattered through all colors. It's complimented by tag:"theme:card selection" and tag:"theme:wheels". Viagra is almost exclusively {B}. Payoffs are just everything coming together. **example milkshakes**: <<[[!Jace, Vryn's Prodigy]][[!Frantic Search]][[!Gifts Ungiven]]>> <<[[!Bazaar of Baghdad]][[!Rotting Regisaur]][[!Entomb]]>> <<[[!Faithless Looting]][[!Dack Fayden]][[!Occult Epiphany]]>> **example viagra**: <<[[!Reanimate]][[!Animate Dead]][[!Recurring Nightmare]]>> **example bombs**: <<[[!Griselbrand]][[!Archon of Cruelty]][[!Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:removal" Cards that destroy or exile permanents. Often this is for creatures but can extend to all permanent types. This isn't a theme with payoffs by itself, but can be a useful list for finding cards. Removal is primarily {W} and {B} but includes all colors. **example cards**: <<[[!Skyclave Apparition]][[!Palace Jailer]]>> <<[[!Path to Exile]][[!Swords to Plowshares]][[!Damn]]>> <<[[!Prismatic Ending]][[!Council's Judgment]][[!Oblivion Ring]]>> <<[[!Liliana of the Veil]][[!Heartless Act]][[!Murderous Rider]]>> <<[[!Toxic Deluge]][[!The Meathook Massacre]]>> <<[[!Rolling Earthquake]][[!Beast Within]][[!Fractured Identity]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:spells" Cards that care about casting non-creature spells, sometimes just instants and sorceries. Spells matter is primarily {U/R} but can include all colors. **example cards**: <<[[!Monastery Mentor]][[!Young Pyromancer]][[Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]]>> <<[[!Monastery Swiftspear]][[!Soul-Scar Mage]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Haughty Djinn]][[!Harmonic Prodigy]][[!Displacer Kitten]]>> ##### tag:"theme:stax" Stax is a family of decks based on punishing or limiting your oppnent through sacrifice and breaking symmetry for oppressive advantages. The namesake is [[Smokestack]], abused by [[weld|Goblin Welder]]ing out or [[removing counters|Hex Parasite]], but the deck can do much more. Stax is spread across {U}, {B}, {R}, and {C}. **example cards**: <<[[!Emry, Lurker of the Loch]][[!Goblin Welder]][[!Goblin Engineer]]>> <<[[!Smokestack]][[!The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale]][[!Winter Orb]]>> <<[[!Rankle, Master of Pranks]][[!Tangle Wire]]>> **payoffs**: *n/a* ##### tag:"theme:steal" Steal is about seizing control of the resources of others. This is often limited to specific card types or under specific conditions. Steal is primarily {U}, {B}, and {R}. **example cards**: <<[[!Thieving Skydiver]][[!Sower of Temptation]][[!Bribery]]>> <<[[!Treachery]][[!Dauthi Voidwalker]][[!Opposition Agent]]>> <<[[!Gonti, Lord of Luxury]][[!Fallen Shinobi]][[!Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer]]>> <<[[!Zealous Conscripts]][[!Dack Fayden]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Harmonic Prodigy]]>> ##### tag:"theme:storm" Storm is a triggered ability that copies a spell for every other spell previously cast that turn. By casting many cheap or free spells, cards that give you mana, and the like you can increase your storm count and go off in one glorious turn. It's high-risk, high-reward. Payoffs are [[Brain Freeze]] and [[Tendrils of Agony]]. You can get additional value by [[remand]]ing your storm spell and re-casting it, or using cards like [[Underworld Breach]] or [[Yawgmoth's Will]] to recur them. Storm is primarily {U} and {B} with some {R} and {C}. **example cards**: <<[[!Haughty Djinn]][[!Mystical Tutor]][[!Remand]]>> <<[[!Dark Ritual]][[!Yawgmoth's Will]][[!Underworld Breach]]>> <<[[!Manamorphose]][[!Gitaxian Probe]]>> **payoffs**: <<[[!Brain Freeze]][[!Tendrils of Agony]][[!Mind's Desire]]>> ##### tag:"theme:taxes" Cards that limit what your opponent can cast, otherwise make it more expensive to do so, or benefit from such strats. Taxes is primarily {W} with some {C}. <<[[!Esper Sentinel]][[!Thalia, Guardian of Thraben]][[!Elite Spellbinder]][[!Vryn Wingmare]]>> <<[[!Lodestone Golem]][[!Trinisphere]][[!Hymn of the Wilds]]>> ##### tag:"theme:tokens" Tokens are cards that create tokens. This isn't a theme with payoffs by itself outside of tag:"combo:reflection", but can be a useful list for finding cards. <<[[!Usher of the Fallen]][[!Monastery Mentor]][[!Pack Rat]][[!Bitterblossom]]>> <<[[!Young Pyromancer]][[!Chandra, Acolyte of Flame]][[!Bramble Sovereign]][[!Deep Forest Hermit]]>> ##### tag:"theme:tutor" Cards that let you search for other cards. This isn't a theme that does anything by itself, but can be a useful list for finding cards to accelerate or improve consistency of other themes or combos. Tutoring is spread across all colors. <<[[!Recruiter of the Guard]][[!Enlightened Tutor]][[!Mystical Tutor]][[!Gifts Ungiven]]>> <<[[!Vampiric Tutor]][[!Imperial Seal]][[!Demonic Tutor]][[!Imperial Recruiter]]>> <<[[!Green Sun's Zenith]][[!Survival of the Fittest]]>> ##### tag:"theme:wheels" Wheels are cards that make players discard their hands and draw new ones. Payoffs are the symmetry breakers of [[Narset|Narset, Parter of Veils]] and [[Hullbreacher]]. Wheels are {U}, {R}, and {C}. <<[[!Hullbreacher]][[!Narset, Parter of Veils]][[!Timetwister]][[!Time Spiral]]>> <<[[!Windfall]][[!Wheel of Fortune]][[!Memory Jar]]>> ##### tag:"theme:wide" Wide refers to "going wide", strats that benefit from quantity more than size. This includes anthem effects and other pumps, as well as cards that provide benefits to those strats. Wide is primarily {W}, {G}, and {R} but bleeds into other colors. <<[[!Mirror Entity]][[!Hero of Bladehold]][[!Gideon, Ally of Zendikar]]>> <<[[!Reckless Bushwhacker]][[!Combat Celebrant]][[!Embercleave]][[!Najeela, the Blade-Blossom]]>> <<[[!Craterhoof Behemoth]][[!Garruk Wildspeaker]][[!Domri, Anarch of Bolas]][[!Throne of the God-Pharaoh]]>> ________________________________________________________________________________ ## combos Some cards have incredibly strong, often game winning, interactions. Some are as simple as 2 cards. Some are more convoluted or conditional. Examples of combos are included but are not a comprehensive reflection of all combos nor every permutation of that combo available. ##### generic recursion Countless spells can be recurred, without explicitly spelling it out as a combo, using common cards. This is typically done with two things: 1. a creature that creates copies of spells or returns cards from your graveyard to hand; 2. something that copies, bounces, or flickers that creature. <<[[!Timeless Witness]][[!Arcane Savant]]>> <<[[!Eldrazi Displacer]][[!Crystal Shard]][[!Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker]][[!Splinter Twin]]>> More convoluted approaches can use other cards with tag:recursion and sac outlets, or other means. ##### tag:"combo:bomberman" [[Auriok Salvagers]] lets you pay {1}{W} to recur a 0 or 1 MV artifact. Combined with [[Lotus|Black Lotus]] or [[LED|Lion's Eye Diamond]] it generates infinite mana, any combination of colors. [[Pyrite Spellbomb]] can then be recurred infinitely for damage. [[Chromatic Star]] can be recurred infinitely to draw your entire deck. <<[[!Auriok Salvagers]][[!Black Lotus]][[!Lion's Eye Diamond]]>> <<[[!Pyrite Spellbomb]][[!Chromatic Star]]>> ##### tag:"combo:depths" [[Dark Depths]] is a land that ETBs w/ 10 counters. You can pay {3} to remove a counter. When it has no counters on it, sac it for a 20/20 flying indestructible token. By copying it, preventing counters, or removing counters you can "cheat" a fast Marit Lage. <<[[!Dark Depths]][[!Crop Rotation]][[!Expedition Map]]>> <<[[!Solemnity]][[!Hex Parasite]][[!Mirage Mirror]][[!Thespian's Stage]]>> ##### tag:"combo:displacer" [[Eldrazi Displacer]] is incredibly powerful as a value engine flickering your creatures. It can also be used to flicker your opponent's creatures and negate their ability to attack. [[Containment Priest]] is a powerful hatebear that stops cheat and reanimator strats. Together they enable you to permanently exile a creature for {2}{C}. <<[[!Eldrazi Displacer]][[!Containment Priest]]>> ##### tag:"combo:domination" [[Staff of Domination]] does a little bit of everything, and can do it forever if you have the mana. This can be done with tag:"combo:bomberman", tag:"combo:monolith", or [[Rofellos|Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary]] and 5+ forests. <<[[!Staff of Domination]][[!Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary]]>> ##### tag:"combo:fastbond" [[Fastbond]] is a cheap {G} enchantment that lets you play extra lands at the cost of 1 life. This is easily exploited with cards that let you play land from graveyards such as [[Ramunap|Ramunap Excavator]] or [[Crucible|Crucible of Worlds]]. You can do a one-sided Armageddon with [[Strip Mine]]. You can gain infinite life with [[Zuran Orb]]. You can draw infinite cards with Horizon lands. <<[[!Fastbond]][[!Ramunap Excavator]][[!Crucible of Worlds]][[!Zuran Orb]]>> ##### tag:"combo:heliod" [[Heliod|Heliod, Sun-Crowned]] puts a +1/+1 on target creature whenever you gain life and can give creatures lifelink. This grows your board on its own but more significantly can go infinite. [[Ballista|Walking Ballista]] is fairly straightforward. [[Finks|Kitchen Finks]] is a persist combo variant and requires a sac outlet to go infinite. <<[[!Heliod, Sun-Crowned]][[!Walking Ballista]][[!Kitchen Finks]]>> ##### tag:"combo:monolith" [[Zirda|Zirda, the Dawnwaker]] reduces the cost of activated abilities by 2. This is useful for equipment but utterly broken with [[Grim|Grim Monolith]] and [[Basalt Monolith]]. Since they now cost less to untap than they produce, they generate infinite colorless mana. This can be used to fuel Eldrazi, burn spells, tag:"combo:domination", and more. <<[[!Zirda, the Dawnwaker]][[!Grim Monolith]][[!Basalt Monolith]]>> ##### tag:"combo:persist" Persist lets creatures that died w/o -1/-1 counters return to the battlefield when they die, with a -1/-1 counter. This can be exploited by preventing the addition of counters, removing counters, or giving a +1/+1 counter to negate the -1/-1 counter. Combined with sac outlets these often go infinite. Persist creatures are {G/W}, {B/R}, or {G}. Enablers are primarily {W} or {R/G}. Sac outlets are primarily {R}, {W/B}, and {C}. <<[[!Kitchen Finks]][[!Murderous Redcap]][[!Woodfall Primus]]>> <<[[!Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit]][[!Heliod, Sun-Crowned]][[!Luminous Broodmoth]][[!Solemnity]]>> <<[[!Goblin Bombardment]][[!Hidden Stockpile]][[!Rhythm of the Wild]][[!Altar of Dementia]]>> ##### tag:"combo:savant" [[Arcane Savant]] can be used for a lot of infinite combos through generic recursion. However with some spells he goes infinite on his own. <<[[!Arcane Savant]][[!Saw in Half]]>> ##### tag:"combo:scepter chant" Straightforward, use [[Isochron Scepter]] every opponent's upkeep to cast [[Orim's Chant]] and deny them the ability to cast spells. Kick it if to prevent attack if needed. Only instants can save them. <<[[!Isochron Scepter]][[!Orim's Chant]]>> ##### tag:"combo:slaver" [[Mindslaver]] is an artifactt hat lets you control your opponent's next turn. If you can replay it and reuse it every turn your opponent never gets to play a proper turn. [[Emry|Emry, Lurker of the Loch]] needs big mana. [[Welder|Goblin Welder]] needs artifact token producers like [[Saheeli|Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]]. <<[[!Mindslaver]][[!Emry, Lurker of the Loch]][[!Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]]>> ##### tag:"combo:sneak attack" [[Sneak Attack]] is a staple of tag:"theme:cheat", letting you drop any creature onto the battlefield for a one-shot at the bargain cost of {R}. [[Selvala|Selvala, Heart of the Wilds]] lets you keep drawing cards for them, so long as you keep dropping larger creatures. [[Luminous Broodmoth]] gives you a flying version of the creature that sticks around if it wasn't already flying. <<[[!Sneak Attack]][[!Selvala, Heart of the Wilds]][[!Luminous Broodmoth]]>> ##### tag:"combo:stage" [[Thespian's Stage]] has myriad uses, not just tag:"combo:depths". Copy [[Urza's Saga]], let it hit two chapters, then copy to something else but keep the token gen effect. [[Song|Song of the Dryads]] one of their big threats, then have Stage copy the "Forest" and be the original card. <<[[!Thespian's Stage]][[!Urza's Saga]][[!Song of the Dryads]]>> ##### tag:"combo:time vault" [[Time Vault]] is an artifact that taps to take another turn. To untap it you normally need to skip a turn. However, untap effects or having untapped copies let you abuse this card heavily. <<[[!Time Vault]][[!Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner]][[!Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]][[!Mirage Mirror]]>> ##### tag:"combo:time walk" [[Time Walk]] lets you take another turn for {1}{U}. Various cards let you recur this by creating and casting copies or returning it to your hand. <<[[!Time Walk]][[!Soulfire Grand Master]][[!Panoptic Mirror]]>> ##### tag:"combo:tinker" [[Tinker]] lets you sac an artifact to find any artifact from your deck and have it enter the battlefield. Typically this is used to cheat an artifact fattie. <<[[!Tinker]][[!Blightsteel Colossus]][[!Ancient Stone Idol]]>> ##### tag:"combo:twin" Twin, sometimes called Kiki-Twin are cmbos that rely on making infinite copies of creatures, typically for infinite attack damage. It is often supported by [[the|Recruiter of the Guard]] [[recruiters|Imperial Recruiter]]. Twin is {R} with a {W} splash. <<[[!Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker]][[!Splinter Twin]]>> <<[[!Restoration Angel]][[!Combat Celebrant]][[!Zealous Conscripts]]>> ##### tag:"combo:winter orb" [[Winter Orb]] is an artifact that limits players to untapping only one land each turn. However it only works if untapped, so find ways to tap it at the end of your opponent's turn. <<[[!Winter Orb]][[!Urza, Lord High Artificer]][[!Opposition]]>> ________________________________________________________________________________ ## synergies Most of {W}'s non-control themes play well together such as tag:"theme:aggro", tag:"theme:artifacts", and tag:"theme:taxes". It veers more aggro-control than it's {R/W} brethren. {W}'s artifacts and taxes themes also play well into {U} for tag:"theme:artifacts" or tag:"theme:spells" for aggro-control shells. {W}'s aggro, artifacts, and tag:"theme:equipment" can be a more synergistic, more aggressive option, but with higher risk. Adding tag:"combo:heliod" is easy in this shell. Alternatively, {W/U} can can embrace control in both colors and hold for a combo, lock, or finisher. {U} naturally veers to tag:"theme:control" and tag:"theme:spells" due to it's dominance over tag:"theme:card draw" and tag:"theme:card selection". It will often splash into {W} or {B} for "crowd control". {U} also has wheels on lock, maybe splashing {R} and some tag:"theme:spells". Both [[Hullbreacher]] and [[Narset|Narset, Parter of Veils]] are mono-{U} and devastating. {U/B} is excellent for tag:"theme:reanimator" as they have options in tag:"theme:card draw", tag:"theme:card selection", and tag:"theme:tutor" to set it up. [[Ashiok|Ashiok, Dream Render]] serves as another milkshake. {U}, {B}, {R} all play well with tag:"theme:storm" and tag:"theme:spells". tag:"theme:reanimator" can be a decent plan B when going down this road, should nothing in the pack be what you desire. ________________________________________________________________________________ ## anti Some cards are specifically strong against certain themes, card types, or combos. They are listed here in alphabetical order. Each can be filtered by the listed tag. Examples of specific cards are included but are not a comprehensive reflection of what's available. ##### tag:"anti:artifact" Cards that destroy or neutralize artifacts. anti:artifact is primarily {R} and {G}. <<[[!Goblin Cratermaker]][[!Abrade]][[!Embereth Shieldbreaker]][[!Fiery Confluence]]>> <<[[!Collector Ouphe]][[!Gemrazer]][[!Kolaghan's Command]][[!Karn, the Great Creator]]>> ##### tag:"anti:blink" <<[[!Containment Priest]]>> ##### tag:"anti:cheat" Cards that impair the ability to cheat creatures into play. This is in addition to cards specifically in tag:"anti:reanimator". <<[[!Containment Priest]][[!Mystic Reflection]]>> ##### tag:"anti:creature" Considerably overlapping with tag:"theme:removal", this does include cards that are broadly, often indiscriminately, anti-creature. <<[[!Doomskar]][[!Toxic Deluge]][[!Damn]][[!The Tabernacle at Pendrell Vale]]>> ##### tag:"anti:draw" <<[[!Hullbreacher]][[!Narset, Parter of Veils]]>> ##### tag:"anti:graveyard" <<[[!Dauthi Voidwalker]]>> ##### tag:"anti:infect" <<[[!Solemnity]]>> ##### tag:"anti:land" <<[[!Armageddon]][[!Strip Mine]][[!Wasteland]]>> ##### tag:"anti:planeswalker" <<[[!Questing Beast]][[!Hex Parasite]][[!Phyrexian Revoker]]>> ##### tag:"anti:reanimator" <<[[!Mardu Woe-Reaper]][[!Containment Priest]][[!Mystic Reflection]][[!Deathrite Shaman]]>> ##### tag:"anti:tutor" <<[[!Opposition Agent]][[!Ashiok, Dream Render]]>> ________________________________________________________________________________ ## special tags Cards with these tags show up highlighted in the cube list. They have notes identifying why they have them. ### altered:... altered:artist means it was altered by the artist(s). altered:cardkitty means it was altered by [CardKitty](https://twitter.com/cardkitty). altered:garfield means it was altered by Richard Garfield. altered:other means it is an altar of unknown origin. ### chopping block cards that I'm likely removing. ### inquire about cards that are untested, or that people have expressed may be inconsistent with cube power level or goals. To get additional perspective I should talk with who drafts them to see how they felt about the card's performance. cards that prove themselves lose this tag ### signed:... signed:artist means it was signed by the artist(s). signed:garfield means it was signed by Richard Garfield. signed:maro means it was signed by Mark Rosewater. signed:other means it was signed by someone else of significance such as Larry Nivyn for Nyvinyrral's Disk. ### status:... status:missing means I've misplaced the card somewhere in my collection. I may be running a placeholder in its place. status:upgradable means there's another version of the card I would prefer to have. That version may or may not yet be for sale (eg Secert Lair). ________________________________________________________________________________ ## minutiae - [[Ashiok, Dream Render]]: Most people run [[Nightmare Weaver|Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver]] in this slot. I like Dream Render more for the versatility. It shuts down tutors, graveyard strats (reanimator, [[welder|Goblin Welder]], [[crucible|Crucible of Worlds]], [[witness|Eternal Witness]]), and mills faster than Nightmare Weaver. It can also be used on yourself as a milkshake.