>>> ## RealityNomad's <<< >>> ## The Definite Cube <<< --- The Definite Cube is a 420-card unpowered budget cube created for synergistic gameplay with a focus on maximum cross-archetype support, and maximum archetypes. __Cube Philosophy:__ - __Flexible Deck Building:__ Maximum cross-archetype interactions as possible between cards is a priority - __Cube Budget:__ Cards included from new sets cost at most 5€ at the time of buying. Cards included from older sets cost at most 10€ at the time of buying. - __Modern Nostalgia:__ Trying to capture the feel of 2016/17 Modern format, updated with recent cards __Omissions:__ - No Double-Faced cards - No Mechanics designed with multiplayer in mind (ie. [[The Monarch|78cef262-c753-4658-b3ec-fec8db47f944]], [[Initiative|7fee3f76-20a8-4621-84fb-ddf79c955532]]) - No Free Spells (ie. [[Force of Will]], [[Daze]], [[Fireblast]]) - No obivously pushed/unfun/too powerful cards (ie. [[Oko, Thief of Crowns]], [[Teferi, Time Raveler]], [[Winter Orb]]) - No Universes Beyond Cards to not break the immersion of Magic --- >>> ## Table of Contents <<< __Introduction__ - [History](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#history) - [Goals of This Cube](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#goals-of-this-cube) __Mono Colored Archetypes__ - [Mono White Archetypes {W}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-mono-white-archetypes-) - [Mono Blue Archetypes {U}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-mono-blue-archetypes-) - [Mono Black Archetypes {B}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-mono-black-archetypes-) - [Mono Red Archetypes {R}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-mono-red-archetypes-) - [Mono Green Archetypes {G}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-mono-green-archetypes-) __Multicolor Archetypes__ - [Azorius Archetypes {W}{U}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-azorius-archetypes-) - [Dimir Archetypes {U}{B}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-dimir-archetypes-) - [Rakdos Archetypes {B}{R}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-rakdos-archetypes-) - [Gruul Archetypes {R}{G}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-gruul-archetypes-) - [Selesnya Archetypes {W}{G}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-selesnya-archetypes-) - [Orzhov Archetypes {W}{B}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-orzhov-archetypes-) - [Izzet Archetypes {U}{R}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-izzet-archetypes-) - [Golgari Archetypes {B}{G}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-golgari-archetypes-) - [Boros Archetypes {W}{R}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-boros-archetypes-) - [Simic Archetypes {U}{G}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-simic-archetypes-) - [5-Color {W}{U}{B}{R}{G}](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#-5-color-) __Gameplay__ - [Lands and Color Fixing](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#lands-and-color-fixing) - [Splashing a Color](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definite#splashing-a-color) --- >>> ## Introduction <<< --- This section of the primer will go over the history and goals of the curation of this cube. ---- #### History I started playing Magic in 2014, built my first deck for the Theros-M15-Khans of Tarkir Standard format, and starting getting into Modern to escape standard rotation in 2016 around Kaladesh. The idea to create a cube started around this time, where me and my friend wanted to draft but the cost of packs were too much for two high-schoolers. Plus, the availability of some cards we wanted to run in the cube were subpar at best. The idea would constantly come up, we would buy a few commons for it, then fizzled as we failed to find most other cards we wanted. Slowly, our priorities shifted and we both stopped playing Magic around 2017. During my exchange year of university in 2021, I moved to a country where I could buy cards easily online, which ignited my passion for the game. I upgraded my old deck and got back into Modern, where I was met with a completely different format: Free spells, 4-color manabases, broken value engines. It was still fun, but it was not the same format I fell in love with. Plus, the cost of the format has far exceeded my budget. The idea of having a cube came back into motion, and with easy access to cards, started to actually become realized. The first full 360-card list was titled "The Definite Cube", after the many failed attempts of creating it over the years, with this final try being the decided upon, real cube that was hypothesized years ago. The first complete 360-card list was formed in the 30th of June 2022, and aimed to recreate the feel of Pauper, Modern and previously played Standard formats in a synergistic, budget environment. This initial list can be found in CubeCobra, titled [The Definite Cube: Day One](https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/definiteD1). Since then the cube has undergone regular changes with every new set, growing in both power, price, card-size, and number of archetypes. With the increase in power level, it took a new shape as a nostalgic but modern (heh) Modern+ cube, without the broken, unfun, or super expensive cards to get in the way of "Peak Magic". --- #### Goals of This Cube __Goal 1: Provide an Interactive, Synergistic, and Fun Play Experience__ >>><<[[!Counterspell|dacdd380-71cf-4832-bd02-3697501325f3]][[!Lightning Bolt|435589bb-27c6-4a6d-9d63-394d5092b9d8]][[!Swords to Plowshares|5ae3067d-768b-40e7-80d6-08cc42f162b6]][[!Llanowar Elves]]>><<< The main goal of any cube should be interactivity: Magic is most fun and rewarding when it is a game of back-and-forths, clutch decisions, and splashy moments. This cube aims to provide the best interactive spells in Magic History to promote interaction, counterplay, and decision-making. >>><<[[!Blood Artist|2e1fb442-68ff-4249-8e44-87edf6fae211]][[!Tireless Tracker|ee8e9928-d9b2-4570-adb8-44b34115decd]][[!Monastery Mentor|abcd0e32-2e6b-419b-9e8a-af38f2b48a66]][[!Laboratory Maniac]]>><<< While a lot of cubes want to run the most powerful cards, synergy and interesting interactions are given center stage here. The Definite Cube includes many cards that are build-arounds, support pieces, and playable across many archetypes. This leads to more interesting decisions during the draft, deckbuilding, and more fun moments and stories during gameplay. __Goal 2: Recreate a Feel of 2017 Modern's Gameplay in 2024__ >>><<[[!Tarmogoyf]][[!Lingering Souls|891a92d7-9ccf-4de1-8286-aa5254f27ba9]][[!Vendilion Clique|f53d8540-fb6d-4d4c-b467-ebfbfa53c880]][[!Young Pyromancer|e349c204-3a93-4bf7-b79a-5f5f261ea2d3]]>><<< [[Tarmogoyf]], [[Lingering Souls]], [[Vendilion Clique]]: Relics of a bygone era in current Modern, but powerful roleplayers in this cube! The Definite Cube attempts to reinvent an old era of Modern, combining the old staples of the format with new, powerful, exciting but ultimately fair modern-day staples like [[Nissa, Who Shakes the World]], [[Inti, Seneschal of the Sun]] and [[Expressive Iteration]]! No [[Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer]]s here! The free spells prevalent in current Modern like [[Solitude]] also don't exist here: Come, experience an era where tapping out actually meant something! __Goal 3: Incorporate Magic History into the Draft__ >>><<[[!Snapcaster Mage|9e5b279e-4670-4a1e-87d0-3cab7e4f9e58]][[!Fervent Champion|c52d66db-5570-48a1-99cf-e0417517747b]][[!Elite Spellbinder|9d3a7998-ccac-45ad-a4e9-3a2cb057f63b]][[!Dark Confidant|94f7a441-bf2d-46fb-a7b6-9bd6137f86d9]]>><<< Magic is much more than a game. It's all the memories, all the friendships, and all the iconic moments that this game helped create over the years. This sentimentality plays a big role in this cube through nostalgic interactions, iconic cards, and the cards of people that make this great game great. --- >>> ## Mono Color Archetypes <<< --- >>> ### {W} Mono White Archetypes {W} <<< --- **White Weenie** >>><<[[!Dauntless Bodyguard|a3f82012-5c33-47bc-a3c8-56ae2eea1fb9]][[!Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd|55707746-da6e-46e5-a5ca-7ac843fdc38e]][[!Sanguine Evangelist]][[!Warren Warleader|eb5237a0-5ac3-4ded-9f92-5f782a7bbbd7]]>><<< Classic Mono-White Weenie. Having a low mana curve and hitting your 1 drop - 2 drop - 3 drop curve in-game is crucial to apply enough pressure to win the game, so make sure you draft enough of them. Protection through cards like [[Skrelv, Defector Mite]] and [[Anointed Peacekeeper]] keep your creatures alive for them to continue the beatdown. --- >>> ### {U} Mono Blue Archetypes {U} <<< **Mono Blue Tempo** >>><<[[!Spectral Sailor|67483891-36d1-46f2-8b4f-b8b7bd54bdcc]][[!Ledger Shredder|7ea4b5bc-18a4-45db-a56a-ab3f8bd2fb0d]][[!Brazen Borrower|c2089ec9-0665-448f-bfe9-d181de127814]][[!Enduring Curiosity|8616629e-08f9-41ad-bfec-f86c8096f1cb]]>><<< Blue-based tempo decks are available in Azorius {W}{U} and Simic {U}{G} colors in the cube, but a mono-blue version of the deck can be drafted as well. --- >>> ### {B} Mono Black Archetypes {B} <<< **Mono Black Aggro** >>><<[[!Bloodsoaked Champion|34bc9bb0-5ec1-400f-89e7-b450980a3391]][[!Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia|ff971ba7-68b8-482a-9cb1-741f6893550c]][[!Lord Skitter, Sewer King|729877be-4894-4ef5-9e60-de8a8fb2bdc0]][[!Duress|ca367f49-0f4a-4b7f-8104-851893fbcd8a]]>><<< Mimicking the Mono Black Aggro decks of early Pioneer, this deck combines recurrable aggressive threats like [[Cult Conscript]] and [[Scrapheap Scrounger]] with hand disruption spells like [[Inquisition of Kozilek]] to strip the opponent of resources and get in damage early and fast. Aggressive equipment like [[Heirloom Blade]] give reach to this deck as your creatures never truly die, as well as the deck's once-banned all-star [[Smuggler's Copter]] being an absolute house discarding recursive creatures for card advantage. --- >>> ### {R} Mono Red Archetypes {R} <<< **Red Deck Wins** >>><<[[!Goblin Guide|636603a2-98d7-4d1e-a270-68756024b448]][[!Monastery Swiftspear|b81c6c8b-a9cf-4866-89ba-7f8ad077b836]][[!Kari Zev, Skyship Raider|72495879-39ce-449d-ad2f-ef32ea46f3aa]][[!Lightning Bolt|435589bb-27c6-4a6d-9d63-394d5092b9d8]]>><<< Classic RDW. Aggro one and two drops and burn spells make up the deck to get your opponent to 0 life as quickly as possible. **Wildfire** >>><<[[!Wildfire|72d50972-4549-40cd-9c33-4b341333803f]][[!Burning of Xinye|edb86d0d-e6cf-4988-a03e-26d52d78d929]][[!Thran Dynamo|3f0c9dee-fab5-4522-9821-343f84b0c8ab]][[!Sundering Titan|0263c742-345b-4425-8326-75bfa60e08ea]]>><<< Wildfire is an archetype that is built around its namesake card and its functional twin [[Burning of Xinye]]. The goal is to make the Wildfire as one-sided as possible, so the deck needs to ramp and have mana sources that are not affected by Wildfire on the board to take full advantage of the effect. This makes mana rocks very important to the deck. Wildfire can be integrated into different types of decks such as Gruul/Temur {R}{G}/{U} Ramp, Gruul/Jund {R}{G}/{B} Lands Matter, Izzet Artifacts {U}{R}, Jeskai Control {W}{U}{R}, Rakdos Reanimator {B}{R} and others, but since the core of the deck is the two Wildfire effects in red, it is mentioned in the mono-red section. --- >>> ### {G} Mono Green Archetypes {G} <<< **Stompy** >>><<[[!Elvish Mystic|60d0e6a6-629a-45a7-bfcb-25ba7156788b]][[!Sandstorm Salvager]][[!Polukranos, World Eater|4979cc1b-9c1a-47e4-ae37-7c41798eb89a]][[!Thrun, the Last Troll|5d393da0-4cb6-4ae8-b747-8e6d0fa7f55a]]>><<< Gruul {R}{G} Stompy also exists in the cube and can be found in the Gruul section of the primer. **Lands** >>><<[[!Titania, Protector of Argoth|224d904a-5972-4152-878a-9a922e7a55b6]][[!Courser of Kruphix|da5a807f-58e8-4d92-a61c-47bb9b28977f]][[!Ramunap Excavator|90a54d18-8403-441d-a115-ee462fabdabb]][[!Primeval Titan|feee9327-b937-46ba-a2aa-6c015ab6cdd5]]>><<< A graveyard-based deck focusing on milling lands to the graveyard and recurring them through [[Ramunap Excavator]]. [[Titania, Protector of Argoth]], [[Mossborn Hydra]] and [[Avenger of Zendikar]] are the finishers of the deck. Drafting fetchlands is incredibly important for the archetype, since lands are needed in the graveyard for the deck to function. The deck is mostly found in Golgari {B}{G}, Gruul {R}{G}, Jund {B}{R}{G} or Sultai {U}{B}{G} colors, but the support for the archetype is found mostly in green. **Birthing Pod** >>><<[[!Birthing Pod|b768efa2-e56b-4a7e-ace8-d673f10e0714]][[!Vivien on the Hunt|5edfb119-abc9-4d4d-bc46-33cce1a0922d]][[!Kitchen Finks|7d203208-8a21-4c68-afa2-4efd8726f026]][[!Eternal Witness|c7e10ca7-1e5d-4224-82cf-798a4d436d72]]>><<< This is a value-centric deck looking to utilize its namesake card [[Birthing Pod]] to win by generating value with multiple pod activations. What makes the deck work is a nice curve of creatures in the deck, making sure that each pod activation will be able to hit another card and bring value. [[Bloodsoaked Champion]], [[Mosswood Dreadknight]] and [[Kitchen Finks]] bring a lot of power to the deck as they provide extra utility next to being perfect Pod sac-fodders. While the deck is generally seen in Selesnya and Golgari, it can also be in Abzan, Bant, or Naya. Since the archetype is always base green, it is mentioned in the mono-green section. --- >>> ## Multicolor Archetypes <<< --- >>> ### {W} Azorius Archetypes {U} <<< **Blink** >>><<[[!Yorion, Sky Nomad|275426c4-c14e-47d0-a9d4-24da7f6f6911]][[!Soulherder|ea23111b-ccc1-4d5c-a9d2-9db14c728820]][[!Ephemerate|2da5f3f8-5eef-498f-ba2c-2f3fbc3745aa]][[!Charming Prince|dcb94950-3f3e-4876-84f8-d5e4d9cfecee]]>><<< Play cards with great enter-the-battlefield abilities like [[Blade Splicer]] and [[Aether Channeler]], then blink them using blink cards like [[Restoration Angel]] and [[Charming Prince]] for value. This deck is incredibly flexible, and can be combined with any other of the other colors as every color has creatures with great ETBs, like {B} for [[Ravenous Chupacabra]], {R} for [[Pia and Kiran Nalaar] and {G} for [[Biogenic Ooze]]. Through the blink targets, a midrange, tempo, or even control style blink deck can be drafted. **Tempo** >>><<[[!Spell Queller|9b76bcd4-580a-4435-afe9-290940b1837f]][[!Malcolm, Alluring Scoundrel|19d6834d-afa3-4747-a62d-0654f4d9729f]][[!Selfless Spirit|a4624976-3773-4a1e-b725-5f6efce147a5]][[!Reflector Mage|9473fe01-83f6-4432-ab01-f7953d2ca904]]>><<< Attack with cheap, efficient and evasive threats and protect them through counterspells. Most creatures in the deck will have flying and flash, so the deck can always play with mana up, apply pressure as needed, and win through unblockable damage. **Control** >>><<[[!Supreme Verdict|4e9648f9-7a67-4717-bca1-861d1f7fed43]][[!Elspeth, Sun's Champion|fd5b1633-c41d-42b1-af1b-4a872077ffbd]][[!Hullbreaker Horror|4b546bcf-2e86-42af-bf32-81c7fd36ef8c]][[!Fact or Fiction|7fd4d018-dcf3-4439-8445-02d66e44f7d3]]>><<< While control is not supported in Azorius as much as Dimir, there are many cards in the color combination that make this deck draftable and a real threat. White has amazing removal in [[Path to Exile]] and [[Get Lost]], board clears in [[Day of Judgment]] while blue has cantrips and counterspells. Stall the game long enough to win through one of the many top-end threats the colors provide like [[Hall of Storm Giants]]. --- >>> ### {U} Dimir Archetypes {B} <<< **Control** >>><<[[!Baleful Strix|62090c97-7e3e-4854-bc44-c4a900133ec5]][[!Languish|d3593efa-0a05-4061-9f6e-edd0a5ca9a1f]][[!Ashiok, Nightmare Muse|112eb5ce-4fe5-45b3-b810-79fef74b07f9]][[!Mystic Confluence|81bbffc2-6f58-4baa-8f95-168eab106b15]]>><<< The signature control deck of the cube. Blue has incredible card selection in cantrips like [[Ponder]], card advantage through spells like [[Fact or Fiction]] and counterspells. Black has the best removal, boardwipes like [[Toxic Deluge]] and amazing finishers like [[Noxious Gearhulk]]. Slowly strip your opponent of resources, then strike with a finisher and end the game. **Reanimator** >>><<[[!Kaito Shizuki|]][[!Unmarked Grave|492b368b-de32-45c1-8459-238aae54f9fc]][[!Grave Titan|5fa6d385-6b8e-45ad-83dc-b477799c05a5]][[!Persist|90f390c3-af1c-424f-9721-e26e9321e5a3]]>><<< This deck plays like a control deck, but with blue and black being the best colors at self-mill and graveyard interaction, uses the many reanimation spells in black to cheat out finishers early. [[Thought Scour]], [[Consider]], [[Stitcher's Supplier]] and other self-mill effects all have extra utility here, making graveyard-based effects like [[Treasure Cruise]] powerful additions to this deck. **Self-Mill** >>><<[[!Jace, Wielder of Mysteries|6adb7d73-4482-4930-8497-cffd169b57e2]][[!Laboratory Maniac|809205f3-acf5-4244-b360-09ce4ba76795]][[!Stitcher's Supplier|2b737126-50b5-4678-91bf-197b64086fe4]][[!Thought Scour|88bf1ebb-9d85-4b9b-a614-c7f965c0893d]]>><<< A blue-based deck that aims to mill itself as fast as possible, then win the game using [[Jace, Wielder of Mysteries]]. The deck is mostly found in Dimir, but can also splash {R} Red and {G} Green for the various graveyard synergies in the colors. __These Archetypes can also be found in this color combination:__ - **Dimir Tempo:** Dimir has the best cheap interaction and the best evasive threats to make a solid tempo deck. [[Psychic Frog]] and [[Kaito Shizuki]] run away with the game while hand disruption/removal supports them. This is also the best shell for [[Proft's Eidetic Memory]]. --- >>> ### {B} Rakdos Archetypes {R} <<< **Aristocrats (Regular)** >>><<[[!Mayhem Devil|17416926-168b-49b3-9231-acbb8f8a1d13]][[!Judith, the Scourge Diva|0a742125-730d-4082-bfd8-5feb7733def4]][[!Blood Artist|2e1fb442-68ff-4249-8e44-87edf6fae211]][[!Forsaken Miner|1679f74d-00f8-436c-9f8c-aa3f843a546c]]>><<< Use recursive creatures like [[Bloodsoaked Champion]] and token generators like [[Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin]], sacrifice them to cards like [[Carrion Feeder]], [[Woe Strider]] and [[Goblin Bombardment]], gain advantage from your creatures dying with [[Blood Artist]] and [[Zulaport Cutthroat]]. This deck can be incredibly aggressive and win out of nowhere with many triggers if built right, so make sure to prioritize the three categories of cards listed above. Keep an eye out for the [[Forsaken Miner]] + [[Goblin Bombardment]] Combo! **Aristocrats (Artifacts)** >>><<[[!Legion Extruder]][[!Marionette Apprentice]][[!Piggy Bank]][[!Carnage Interpreter]]>><<< Aristocrats with an artifact twist! These lists have the regular sacrifice payoffs like [[Mayhem Devil]], but include a lot more artifact synergy pieces like [[Legion Extruder]] and artifact creators like [[Breya's Apprentice]] for a more midrange-based game plan that has the option to win out of nowhere. [[Arcbound Ravager]] and [[Syr Ginger, the Meal Ender]] are amazing and should be priority picks. **Midrange** >>><<[[!Kolaghan's Command|7c884e1e-fecb-4330-b3de-5fc2a60f7173]][[!Inquisition of Kozilek|6a3ff5c3-0fdb-4d54-b4e5-ce7bad9953f0]][[!Chandra, Torch of Defiance|ff8086cd-b868-4f4e-823e-2635ad7ebc07]][[!Hostile Investigator]]>><<< A deck very reminiscent of Modern's Boomer Jund and Pioneer's Rakdos Midrange, the deck combines hand disruption like [[Divest]] and [[Duress]], two-for-one cards like [[Kolaghan's Command]], hard-to-kill creatures and premier removal and burn spells. Gain incremental value with every card, and win through midrange threats like [[Glorybringer]]. __These Archetypes can also be found in this color combination:__ - **Rakdos Spellslinger:** [[Dreadhorde Arcanist]], [[Sedgemoor Witch]] and discard/burn spells combine to make an incredibly low to the ground deck. - **Rakdos Reanimator:** The vast amount of discard synergies and reanimate spells make Rakdos Reanimator a solid strategy. This is the most explosive of the reanimator decks, however has consistency issues (hence this archetype being more commonly found in Dimir). --- >>> ### {R} Gruul Archetypes {G} <<< **Stompy** >>><<[[!Bloodbraid Elf|7ef67487-c8e5-49bb-b0f7-e073ff2e31f1]][[!Ignoble Hierarch|aba51852-af8f-49d8-8fb6-22d52a1742b8]][[!Goblin Rabblemaster|fd58f9fd-261e-4ad5-b804-8b62b9c161a7]][[!Atarka's Command|903d78c9-c5b3-45c3-a6d0-7e92b4196ae3]]>><<< Gruul combines the beefiest creatures of green and the efficient midrange creatures of red into the premier stompy deck of the format. Green mana dorks are crucial for this deck, as the deck wants to curve 1 drop into 3 drop into 4 drop. While normally the deck wants to play overstatted threat after threat, [[Atarka's Command]] can also encourage a more go-wide approach to the deck with the multiple token generators in both colors. **Ramp** >>><<[[!Omnath, Locus of Rage|58f311e7-7ebf-4428-b5a3-154255eb3ba1]][[!Combustible Gearhulk|e0f43147-4552-48fd-be0a-0629b9a0ad69]][[!Fiery Confluence|7b61c9bc-16e8-417f-99e7-8bd83d4666c5]][[!Bloodbraid Challenger]]>><<< This deck uses land and artifact mana ramp instead of creature ramp, and has a higher number of high mana value bombs like [[Titan of Industry]] and [[Gruff Triplets]] as the ramp payoffs. Since the deck can be slower to gear up, board clears and removal are important to draft. __These Archetypes can also be found in this color combination:__ - **Gruul +1/+1 Counters:** A sub-archetype of Gruul Stompy leaning more on the midrange side with +1/+1 Counter synergies. There are a lot of cards that care about power in Gruul colors like [[Heartfire Hero]] and [[Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin]], as well as easy +1/+1 counter givers like [[Innkeeper's Talent]] for a both aggressive and midrange leaning deck. --- >>> ### {W} Selesnya Archetypes {G} <<< **+1/+1 Counters (Regular)** >>><<[[!Hardened Scales|7dcdf1db-bfaf-4160-8003-1fa2e56b00dc]][[!Conclave Mentor|a328a93a-e720-46d5-a190-cc65d1c90cea]][[!Ozolith, the Shattered Spire]][[!Innkeeper's Talent]]>><<< A straightforward midrange deck, making use of the various [[Hardened Scales]] effects present in the cube with the various [[Luminarch Aspirant]] effects to make big creatures, fast - The deck can get out of hand quickly! Be sure to draft disruption in cards like [[Elite Spellbinder]] to slow down opposing interaction, and 1 drop mana dorks to speed up your clock. **+1/+1 Counters (Artifacts)** >>><<[[!Arcbound Ravager|72c1a731-7854-42b1-8719-ac3c2a269c1f]][[!Steel Overseer]][[!Stonecoil Serpent]][[!Hangarback Walker|791c21fb-fc78-4106-9a42-abc73f41ab8b]]>><<< This deck uses the same base of [[Hardened Scales]] variants but incorporates an artifact theme to mimic Modern's Affinity and Hardened Scales decks. [[Ingenious Smith]] and [[Tireless Tracker]] do double duty here, and the many artifact token generators in white provide fodder for big [[Arcbound Ravager]] turns. **Tokens** >>><<[[!Angel of Invention|f3920f7d-8559-40f8-95be-860c16bf7700]][[!Deep Forest Hermit|3287775f-7bec-4e8f-bb8d-daf5ce92e4a8]][[!Esika's Chariot|a87606cc-fbf0-4e2c-9798-f1c935d0573d]][[!Staff of the Storyteller|ab1d1461-1625-4163-aacd-a939f4871fad]]>><<< The ultimate go-wide strategy in the cube, green and white are the two best colors at token creation. Flood the board and swarm the opponent. --- >>> ### {W} Orzhov Archetypes {B} <<< **Reanimator** >>><<[[!Priest of Fell Rites|d116329d-6de7-402c-821d-e9aeba9ad2b1]][[!Unburial Rites|2794c82b-e5ce-4369-894e-bf56c6402ae1]][[!Exhume|a88b23ce-ce19-47da-b9f2-055a4d6bdc79]][[!Karmic Guide|1dab6c67-1fbb-44b7-a255-15ceaf8352cf]]>><<< The premier Reanimator deck of the cube. Black and white have the only reanimation spells in the cube like [[Priest of Fell Rites]], [[Persist]] and [[Karmic Guide]], the best removal and the best board wipes. Combined with self-discard and self-mill, the deck can reliably reanimate a huge threat on turn 3 and onwards. Hand disruption does double duty, as you can also target yourself to get a big creature on the graveyard. **Weenie Midrange** >>><<[[!Lurrus of the Dream-Den]][[!Lingering Souls|891a92d7-9ccf-4de1-8286-aa5254f27ba9]][[!Dark Confidant|94f7a441-bf2d-46fb-a7b6-9bd6137f86d9]][[!Ajani, Adversary of Tyrants]]>><<< The most grindy version of the go-wide deck exists in Orzhov colors. White and black have the most efficient removal spells, combined with the most disruptive creatures. This creates a Moden Hatebears-type deck where the opponent is always dealing with a setback, and your creatures never truly die thanks to weenie resurrection effects like [[Unearth]]. This deck can also be drafted as an aristocrats-type deck with [[Blood Artist]] effects. --- >>> ### {U} Izzet Archetypes {R} <<< **Prowess** >>><<[[!Sprite Dragon]][[!Dreadhorde Arcanist]][[!Dragon's Rage Channeler|4ced112a-e775-4f97-97b3-74877e9dce12]][[!Treasure Cruise|7a59d4b1-6cf4-44ec-8a96-1bb7094fea21]]>><<< Mimicking the Modern and Pioneer Prowess decks, this archetype is about getting in the ground early with creatures that benefit from spells like [[Monastery Swiftspear]] and [[Elusive Otter]], then play cheap burn spells to clear the way for large attacks. Cantrips are important to the deck, and the deck has access to the best ones in [[Expressive Iteration]] and [[Treasure Cruise]]. **Spellslinger Artifacts** >>><<[[!Saheeli, Sublime Artificer|5a10b543-d5d4-42a8-9ee8-dada59a2ad7e]][[!Third Path Iconoclast|f1a21287-e244-4960-84fb-c4f6e5c346d9]][[!Master of Etherium|322cdf67-5b36-43f9-99b3-f0e24d423314]][[!Thought Monitor|996c1952-8d10-4296-8960-ff8993833649]]>><<< A combination of the spellslinger/prowess Izzet deck and artifact synergies found in blue and red create an aggro-tempo tokens deck. The deck is built around [[Young Pyromancer]] effects in [[Saheeli, Sublime Artificer]] and [[Third Path Iconoclast]]. With many cheap spells such as burn spells and cantrips, create an army of artifact tokens, then use cards like [[Steel Overseer]], [[Cranial Plating]], and [[Nettlecyst]] to go for the victory. **Artifacts Midrange/Control** >>><<[[!Tezzeret, Artifice Master|e5e12371-f05c-41cf-92ca-7cb17c2f7f1a]][[!Daretti, Scrap Savant|cda40e31-ba99-4565-ad92-7c687ff44bd9]][[!Emry, Lurker of the Loch|bf4b9a8a-b42a-46fb-b0d0-9cf800f63c8a]][[!Goblin Engineer|a55c4d47-5252-40af-961d-c08bc688028a]]>><<< This deck leans on mana rocks, cantrips, counterspells, and red removal to support a midrange artifact plan. It can take the form of Artifact Reanimator with [[Daretti, Scrap Savant]] and [[Goblin Engineer]], or can lean more into Artifact Ramp through [[Urza, Lord High Artificer]]. There are many intricate synergies built into this archetype and value plays can be found in many ways: Synergy drafters will be heavily rewarded! --- >>> ### {B} Golgari Archetypes {G} <<< **Graveyard Matters/Self-Mill** >>><<[[!Grist, the Hunger Tide]][[!Ransack the Lab]][[!Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis|0049e68d-0caf-474f-9523-dad343f1250a]][[!Tasigur, the Golden Fang|81f93ac5-d149-4ccf-8b99-13ecf3190c29]]>><<< A midrange deck using self-mill cards like [[Blossoming Tortoise]] and [[Malevolent Rumble]] to achieve a high number of cards in the graveyard to make [[Tarmogoyf]] and [[Hogaak, Arisen Necropolis]] game-winning threats. [[Eternal Witness]] type effects act almost like tutors. This strategy naturally supports Reanimator very easily due to the large amount of graveyard-filling. Plus, a {U} Splash can work very well to incorporate self-mill wincons like [[Laboratory Maniac]]. **The Rock** >>><<[[!Vraska, Golgari Queen|a36d3ea7-0f18-4865-b47b-755673db065e]][[!Liliana, the Last Hope|fa6ac7d2-0127-49a8-b7d2-a38308d3c27b]][[!Sentinel of the Nameless City]][[!Mosswood Dreadknight]]>><<< Just like the Rakdos Midrange archetype previously discussed, this deck combines hand disruption like [[Divest]] and [[Duress]], hard-to-kill creatures, and premier removal spells. Gain incremental value with every card, and win through midrange threats like [[Sentinel of the Nameless City]] while 2-for-1'ing your opponent to pieces. --- >>> ### {W} Boros Archetypes {R} <<< **Artifact Aggro** >>><<[[!Arcbound Shikari]][[!Sram's Expertise]][[!Bomat Courier]][[!Splitskin Doll]]>><<< An aggro deck that goes low to the ground with low costed artifact creatures and tokens, then buffs them through [[Arcbound Shikari]] or anthem effects. The many artifact token creators in the cube like [[Hangarback Walker]] fit well here, as well as individually powerful artifact creatures like [[Arcbound Ravager]] and [[Etched Champion]]. [[Cranial Plating]] is at its best in this deck as well as other equipment, but reconfigure creatures are especially great to both use as equipment or get buffed due to being artifact creatures. **Equipment** >>><<[[!Reyav, Master Smith]][[!Mabel, Heir to Cragflame]][[!Lion Sash]][[!Fervent Champion]]>><<< A midrange deck that aims to use hard-to-kill or evasive creatures, equip them and swing with big attacks. The Reconfigure creatures are amazing glues for the deck, as they can both equip and get equipped. **Tokens Aggro** >>><<[[!Warden of the Inner Sky]][[!Goblin Rabblemaster]][[!Gideon, Ally of Zendikar]][[!Hellrider]]>><<< The artifact-less version of the Boros Artifact Aggro archetype, this deck looks to use a very aggressive go-wide strategy through curving out and playing aggressive token makers like [[Legion Warboss]]. [[Hellrider]] is amazing in the deck and speeds up the clock significantly, as well as any drafted burn spell. --- >>> ### {U} Simic Archetypes {G} <<< **Ramp** >>><<[[!Bonny Pall, Clearcutter]][[!Titan of Industry]][[!Up the Beanstalk]][[!The Goose Mother]]>><<< The premier ramp deck of the cube. Using land ramp like [[Rampant Growth]] and [[Farseek]] or mana rocks, the deck aims to build up mana to cast giant threats early. Blue adds protection for your big creatures through counterspells and consistency to the deck through cantrips. **Flash** >>><<[[!Mystic Snake|e75bdab4-9507-47e7-bf70-f78c87d2e0ba]][[!Sphinx of Forgotten Lore]][[!Nightpack Ambusher]][[!Voracious Greatshark]]>><<< A tempo deck mimicking 2020 Standard's Simic Flash decks, this deck plays in a draw-go style and flash in threats or answers depending on your opponents' turns. Counterspells and instant speed cantrips are very important to the deck. The deck also has a large number of valuable payoffs at 4 mana like [[Venser, Shaper Savant]], so it is crucial to ramp at turn 2 through mana rocks or ramp spells like [[Planar Genesis]]. --- >>> ### {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} 5-Color {W}{U}{B}{R}{G} <<< __5-Color Multicolor-Matters__ >>><<[[!Niv-Mizzet Reborn]][[!General Ferrous Rokiric]][[!Golos, Tireless Pilgrim]][[!Bring to Light]]>><<< A value-centric deck based built around [[Niv-Mizzet Reborn]]. The multicolored cards gain new relevance due to Niv-Mizzet and Rokiric, so cards like [[Kolaghan's Command]] and [[Lightning Helix]] that are not archetype-specific to their color are important to pick up. Lands are the most important part of the deck, as the 5-Color mana base can be very difficult to draft if they are not prioritized. --- >>> ## Gameplay <<< This section of the primer will go over tips and tricks to better draft, play and understand The Definite Cube. Remember: Fun is always the first priority here, but you won't have fun if your deck doesn't function! --- #### Lands and Color Fixing >>><<[[!Flooded Strand|8c2996d9-3287-4480-8c04-7a378e37e3cf]][[!Watery Grave|47fde349-010e-4a2e-838e-e924dbeec355]][[!Dragonskull Summit|91570836-9e36-4774-8d5d-7cbcee0012ba]][[!Restless Ridgeline]]>><<< Currently, there are the following Land Cycles present in the cube: * The 10 Fetchlands * The 10 Shocklands * The 10 Checklands * The 10 Restless Manlands * The 10 Landscape Lands from MH3 * 1 [[Fabled Passage]] With a total of 50 Dual Lands, Many Colorless Color Fixing cards ([[Ornithopter of Paradise]], [[Chromatic Star]]) and in-color Color Fixing ([[Farseek]]), The Definite Cube allows for very consistent 2-Color and generally consistent 3-Color Manabases. It is very likely that a land or color fixer will wheel at the draft table and allow the player to enhance their fixing in the deck. However, this doesn't mean you should simply ignore fixing as you start drafting! Here are some trips for drafting a good manabase in The Definite Cube: * Fetchlands, like in every draft environment, are high priority picks due to their fixing potential and possible synergies. * A Shock-Fetch manabase is incredibly important for a functioning 3-Color deck: Taking note of the colors your fetchlands can produce as you draft is great practice to get a feeling of what to prioritize. For example, when drafting a Temur {U}{R}{G} deck, you might prioritize a [[Stomping Ground]] over any other land if you already have a [[Misty Rainforest]], as it allows Misty to fix for {R} next to {U} and {G}, rather than just the latter two and fix all your colors with a single land. * Some Restless Manlands are better suited for some strategies in their color than others. A [[Restless Reef]] is great in any control deck, but amazing if that deck also has self-mill synergies like [[Jace, Wielder of Mysteries]]. Another example would be a more midrange-based Boros deck making better use of [[Restless Bivouac]] than a pure aggro Boros deck due to being able to afford a tapland on Turn 1 more easily. Of course, bonus points to that midrange deck if it can make use of the +1/+1 synergies of Bivouac as well! #### Splashing a Color __Why and How?__ >>><<[[!Mosswood Dreadknight]][[!Yorion, Sky Nomad]][[!Lightning Helix]]>><<< Lightly splashing a color to fully use the abilities of cards in your deck or play a few off-color cards is highly encouraged in The Definite Cube. This is done through an abundance of off-color Adventure spells, activated abilities, hybrid mana cards, and multi-color cards that enable powerful cross-synergies between the archetypes. Examples of this include: - A {G}{W} [[Birthing Pod]] deck splashing {B} to enable [[Mosswood Dreadknight]]'s Adventure ability and [[Woe Strider]]. - An {U}{R} Prowess deck splashing {G} for the creature side of [[Questing Druid]] and [[Once Upon a Time]]. - An {U}{B} Reanimator deck splashing {R} for [[Daretti, Scrap Savant]] and [[Faithless Looting]] for further discard effects. - A {B}{G} Rock deck splashing {W} for ease in casting [[Lurrus of the Dream-Den]] and the front side of [[Lingering Souls]]. Most 2-color decks benefit from a light splash for full utilization of synergistic cards. This increases the importance of drafting dual lands in case of splashing even if generally only one color is relevant to the deck, such as drafting [[Dragonskull Summit]] in a {R}{G} deck to enable a small {B} splash. Keep in mind when splashing: >>>__Three ways of producing a color is recommended for a splash of one pip!__<<< >>>__Four ways of producing a color is recommended for a splash of two pips!__<<<