Why would you want to throw away tokens for a ritual effect when, if you really wanted a ritual effect, you could just run seething song and get more mana 90% of the time? This is like a split card where there's no deck that wants both halves and each half is a substantially worse version of a card that already exists.
Surging Lightning2R
Sorcery {R}
Surging Lightning deals 3 damage divided as you choose between any number of target creatures. When a creature dealt damage by Surging Lightning dies this turn, Surging Lightning deals 1 damage to that creature's controller.
I had it initially as 1RR with the ability to hit players. But I thought that not being able to target players directly was enough of a drawback to cost it as such.
Unusual forms of evasion have been around for ages, just not appearing very often on good bodies, and/or requiring other cards to be effective. A quick browse through Gatherer gave me several examples that I grouped into rough categories before riffing on them:
Creature - Kithkin Scout
Kicker 1R
When Sunspear Scout enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, it gains haste until end of turn.
Sunspear Scout can't be blocked by creatures with power 3 or greater.
2/1
Creature - Kavu
Dredging Kavu gets +1/+1 for each creature card in each graveyard.
Creatures with power less than Dredging Kavu's power can't block it.
1/1
Creature - Elf Scout
Echo 1G
When Talara's Runners enter the battlefield or die, put a 1/1 green Elf creature token onto the battlefield.
Talara's Runners can't be blocked except by creatures with flying.
4/3
Creature - Vampire Beast
When Creeping Nosferatu enters the battlefield, if an opponent has ten or less life, it gains haste and lifelink until end of turn.
Creeping Nosferatu can't be blocked by creatures with flying.
3/1
Creature - Cat Shadow
Snarling Shadowcat can't be blocked by more than one creature.
When Snarling Shadowcat dies, put a 3/3 black Cat creature token with "This creature can't be blocked by more than one creature" onto the battlefield.
3/3
Goblin War Drums (main color: R; secondary color: G):
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a 1/1 red and green Satyr creature token with haste onto the battlefield.
Each creature you control can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.
Creature - Wurm
At the beginning of your upkeep, each opponent puts a white 1/1 Townsfolk creature token onto the battlefield.
Scourge of Thraben can't be blocked except by three or more creatures.
4/4
Creature - Illusion
Whenever Fireshroud Phantasm attacks, defending player may pay X, where X is Fireshroud Phantasm's power. If he or she doesn't, Fireshroud Phantasm can't be blocked this turn. R: Fireshroud Phantasm gets +1/+0 until end of turn. U: Fireshroud Phantasm gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
1/2
Tibalt, the notbad 1BR
+1: Each player loses 2 life
-1: Put a 1/1 devil token with haste and "This creature must attack each turn if able" onto the battlefield.
-5: Search your library for a demon and put it into play
Starting loyalty: 2
Tibalt, the less bad2BR
0: Each player puts the top 3 cards of his or her library into their graveyard. For each creature put into the graveyard this way put a loyalty counter on Tibalt, the less bad
-4: Put a creature from your graveyard or handing onto the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of your next end step.
-8: Put 2 X/X demon tokens with flying and haste onto the battlefield, where X is the number of creatures in target opponent's graveyard.
Starting loyalty: 3 or 4, i want 4 but i feel that would be too strong.
I really want to see this ability on a blue PW
-1: Put a 1/1 drake creature token with flying and "1, Sacrifice this creature: counter target spell unless its controller pays 1
Back when I had a peasant cube, I had something of a Sliver subtheme going on. I'm not a big Sliver fan myself, but it's good to appeal to the fanboys in your playgroup sometimes. I included Acidic Sliver, Harmonic Sliver, and I think Gemhide Sliver, among maybe a few others. Even in regular cube I think the theme could be a fun inclusion if a few more were printed, I'm thinking like this:
Vanguard Sliver W
Slivers you control get +1/+0
1/1
Lacerator Sliver B
Slivers you control get +1/+1 and have "at the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life unless an opponent has 10 or less life."
1/1
URGImperial AnimarGRU BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB WURNarset NostalgicRUW UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU UBlue BraidsU GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WUHanna, Pillowfort's NavigatorUW WBRAleshacratsBRW UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU URGYasova the ThreateningGRU BGGlissa the ArticiferGB WUSygg MerfolkUW RSquee, Value NabobR
Dusk Swallower 5WBG
Creature -- Hydra Wurm
Trample
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy up to two target permanents. Gain life equal to the total converted mana cost of permanents destroyed this way.
6/7
Dusk Swallower 5WBG
Creature -- Hydra Wurm
Trample
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy up to two target permanents. Gain life equal to the total converted mana cost of permanents destroyed this way.
6/7
I don't think it should be able to target itself.
It's quite powerful and works well with most all the cube cheat effects besides Channel and Tinker.
URGImperial AnimarGRU BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB WURNarset NostalgicRUW UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU UBlue BraidsU GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WUHanna, Pillowfort's NavigatorUW WBRAleshacratsBRW UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU URGYasova the ThreateningGRU BGGlissa the ArticiferGB WUSygg MerfolkUW RSquee, Value NabobR
Champion of the Mirror 2WW
Creature - Shapeshifter
Changeling 4: Champion of the Mirror loses Changeling until end of turn.
Each creature gets +1/+1 for each other creature on the battlefield that shares at least one creature type with it.
1/1
Not sure that the ability to choose two of those effects and a rarely relevant body is going to be enough to overcome the fragility of a 1/2 and the 1-2 more mana of this guy over traditional anthems.
Especially when for 1 more mana, you get dictate of heliod which is a much more powerful effect IMO. I doubt I would play this card.
Ajani's Champion 2WW
Creature - Spirit Avatar [R]
At the beginning of each combat step, choose two:
Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn
Creatures you control gain vigilance until end of turn
Creatures you control gain lifelink until end of turn
Creatures you control gain first strike until end of turn
1/2
For a one-time deal, I could see this being a thing. Doing it every turn could lead to a real problem of bogging down the turn with analysis paralysis from all those options.
Voice of Ajani1WW
Enchantment Creature - Spirit Avatar
At the beginning of your combat step, choose one:
Creatures you control get +1/+1 until end of turn.
Creatures you control gain lifelink and vigilance until end of turn.
While I would love a 1GR card strong enough for cube, there is no way terrain recycler ousts any of the godlike four drops gruul currently has. Yes, stripmine lock is pretty nice, but if you are using it for that its just a 1/2 and if you are repeatedly beating with it, dies to removal matters if you sacrifice lands for its effect. Its hard finding a balance where that body and effect are good enough for cube without being just absurdly busted.
Negotiate FateU
Instant (U)
Exile the top three cards of your library face down. An opponent of your choice looks at the facedown cards and puts one card on the bottom of your library and turns another card face up. You may put either the face down or the face up card into your hand. Put the other card on the top or bottom of your library.
Negotiate Fate is just worse Opt, right? They're both choice between random card and one known card, only with this your opponent knows what you get.
Fickle Conscription W
Sorcery
Put a 2/2 soldier creature token onto the battlefield. If you control a mountain, put two 1/1 soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield instead.
375 unpowered cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/601ac624832cdf1039947588
Definitely the right direction to go if you're trying to add more playable "combo support" cards.
Sorcery {R}
Surging Lightning deals 3 damage divided as you choose between any number of target creatures. When a creature dealt damage by Surging Lightning dies this turn, Surging Lightning deals 1 damage to that creature's controller.
(CubeTutor & MTGS)
360 Peasant Cube!
Custom Cube
RWU Miracles RWU
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
(CubeTutor & MTGS)
360 Peasant Cube!
Custom Cube
RWU Miracles RWU
Agree. Fixing is good enough in cube to make that not too much of a drawback for two or less color decks.
375 unpowered cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/601ac624832cdf1039947588
Small and Speedy (Main color: W):
Sunspear Scout W
Kicker 1R
When Sunspear Scout enters the battlefield, if it was kicked, it gains haste until end of turn.
Sunspear Scout can't be blocked by creatures with power 3 or greater.
2/1
Big and Intimidating (main color: G):
Dredging Kavu 1GG
Dredging Kavu gets +1/+1 for each creature card in each graveyard.
Creatures with power less than Dredging Kavu's power can't block it.
1/1
Race the Wind (main color: G):
Talara's Runners 1GG
Echo 1G
When Talara's Runners enter the battlefield or die, put a 1/1 green Elf creature token onto the battlefield.
Talara's Runners can't be blocked except by creatures with flying.
4/3
Underground or Under Cover(main color: R):
Creeping Nosferatu 1R
When Creeping Nosferatu enters the battlefield, if an opponent has ten or less life, it gains haste and lifelink until end of turn.
Creeping Nosferatu can't be blocked by creatures with flying.
3/1
Bestial Hunters (main color: G):
Snarling Shadowcat GG
Snarling Shadowcat can't be blocked by more than one creature.
When Snarling Shadowcat dies, put a 3/3 black Cat creature token with "This creature can't be blocked by more than one creature" onto the battlefield.
3/3
Goblin War Drums (main color: R; secondary color: G):
Revel of Xenagos 1
Enchantment
Each creature you control can't be blocked except by two or more creatures.
Super War Drums:
Scourge of Thraben 1RR
At the beginning of your upkeep, each opponent puts a white 1/1 Townsfolk creature token onto the battlefield.
Scourge of Thraben can't be blocked except by three or more creatures.
4/4
Siege Engines:
Abzan Siege-breakers 1G
Outlast G
Creatures you control with a +1/+1 counter on them can't be blocked by creatures with defender.
3/1
Weird / Other:
Fireshroud Phantasm
Whenever Fireshroud Phantasm attacks, defending player may pay X, where X is Fireshroud Phantasm's power. If he or she doesn't, Fireshroud Phantasm can't be blocked this turn.
R: Fireshroud Phantasm gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
U: Fireshroud Phantasm gets +0/+1 until end of turn.
1/2
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
+1: Each player loses 2 life
-1: Put a 1/1 devil token with haste and "This creature must attack each turn if able" onto the battlefield.
-5: Search your library for a demon and put it into play
Starting loyalty: 2
Tibalt, the less bad2BR
0: Each player puts the top 3 cards of his or her library into their graveyard. For each creature put into the graveyard this way put a loyalty counter on Tibalt, the less bad
-4: Put a creature from your graveyard or handing onto the battlefield. It gains haste. Exile it at the beginning of your next end step.
-8: Put 2 X/X demon tokens with flying and haste onto the battlefield, where X is the number of creatures in target opponent's graveyard.
Starting loyalty: 3 or 4, i want 4 but i feel that would be too strong.
I really want to see this ability on a blue PW
-1: Put a 1/1 drake creature token with flying and "1, Sacrifice this creature: counter target spell unless its controller pays 1
thats my cube
Vanguard Sliver W
Slivers you control get +1/+0
1/1
Lacerator Sliver B
Slivers you control get +1/+1 and have "at the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life unless an opponent has 10 or less life."
1/1
Living End Contributor and Enthusiast
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Modern: BRGLiving EndGRB
Legacy: UBGShardless BUGGBU
BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB
WURNarset NostalgicRUW
UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU
UBlue BraidsU
GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WBRAleshacratsBRW
UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU
URGYasova the ThreateningGRU
BGGlissa the ArticiferGB
WUSygg MerfolkUW
RSquee, Value NabobR
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
Creature -- Hydra Wurm
Trample
When ~ enters the battlefield, destroy up to two target permanents. Gain life equal to the total converted mana cost of permanents destroyed this way.
6/7
It's quite powerful and works well with most all the cube cheat effects besides Channel and Tinker.
Voja-kin G
Creature - Wolf
Trample
2/1
Living End Contributor and Enthusiast
Come Pucatrade with me
Rules Advisor
Modern: BRGLiving EndGRB
Legacy: UBGShardless BUGGBU
BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB
WURNarset NostalgicRUW
UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU
UBlue BraidsU
GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WBRAleshacratsBRW
UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU
URGYasova the ThreateningGRU
BGGlissa the ArticiferGB
WUSygg MerfolkUW
RSquee, Value NabobR
Creature - Shapeshifter
Changeling
4: Champion of the Mirror loses Changeling until end of turn.
Each creature gets +1/+1 for each other creature on the battlefield that shares at least one creature type with it.
1/1
Creature - Spirit Avatar [R]
At the beginning of each combat step, choose two:
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
Especially when for 1 more mana, you get dictate of heliod which is a much more powerful effect IMO. I doubt I would play this card.
375 unpowered cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/601ac624832cdf1039947588
For a one-time deal, I could see this being a thing. Doing it every turn could lead to a real problem of bogging down the turn with analysis paralysis from all those options.
Voice of Ajani 1WW
Enchantment Creature - Spirit Avatar
At the beginning of your combat step, choose one:
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
Fixed
-Feyd
thats my cube
Negotiate Fate is just worse Opt, right? They're both choice between random card and one known card, only with this your opponent knows what you get.
Sorcery
Put a 2/2 soldier creature token onto the battlefield. If you control a mountain, put two 1/1 soldier creature tokens onto the battlefield instead.