I personally prefer the shorter format, for what it's worth. I have trouble finding more than a half hour of unbroken time to listen to anything these days...
I've only listened to the first podcast, but it was quite well-done. I hadn't realized you now supported storm!
Is there an easy way to volume-limit the microphones? Klug was a lot louder than you were, and I think there's a fairly easy modification to normalize volume.
Wow, your last podcast was very detailed and unique. I think archetypes are undervalued when watching a lot of cube draft videos. You can play "good card" decks like UW control, Weenies, Monored, or BG midrange but those aren't as powerful as the well put together combo decks like Balance + Greater Gargadon or Recurring Nightmare combo. Of course combo decks are hard to build and hard to pilot. I really like to see some innovation in the way of combo in draft videos, so hope you start recording soon!
Really interested in some sort of Time Vault combo deck with Tezzeret 1.0, Voltaic Key, Pestermite, Deceiver Exarch, Zealous Conscripts, fits pretty well with Spliter Twin. Defiantly plays better in a power cube which I do not currently support.
Many thanks for the fourth podcast. You are now firmly established in my listening routine! The format of a new guest each episode covering three topics works well. It maintains focus and results in a cast that I think is the ideal length.
Having the scripted start to the cast is positive in my opinion. It sets me, the listener, up for what I am about to hear and feels professional. I don't like the theme music playing in the background but that is a very minor quibble.
The size section jumped about a bit. The point that cube size effects how cards and archetypes play is a valid one, but you seemed to get a bit distracted by the specifics (for example whether Vault Combo is cubable) rather than just illustrating a more general idea. What did come across well is that size will absolutely determine certain things, for example the chance of a specific card being in a pool, how much information you have about your opponents' decks, etc, but it is individual preference as to whether that is a good or bad thing. Because you and Greg had different views this was well expressed.
The 1CC cube was more interesting than I expected. It seems that without having to change the rules of the game (in the manner of type 4, for example) he has created a format that plays quite differently.
Draft variants is an interesting topic. I think a future episode could look in more depth at draft strategies for the more popular variants, in particular how cube composition can affect the draft.
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less." -Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
Just watched http://www.twitch.tv/joyofcubing/b/332675734
I wanted to say that I thought your rant at the very end, (@2:32 for reference) was as good or better than your regular podcasts. I think part of it was that you were getting quite passionate about your subject matter, and partly that you had the leeway to just rant for a while without having your flow interrupted or stopping to ask guests for feedback. Maybe it's just my preference for this "Rant" style of discussion rather than the "interview the guest" type that the podcast tries to accomplish. Perhaps split the difference and do a "Kranny's rant" in the first half of the show and then have the guest react (w/ host interaction) in the second half? Or 15/15/15/15, whatever.
I really appreciate all the feedback, guys. It pumps me up to put out more content!
That said, got a few new content items for you all to check out. I was joined by Andy Cooperfaus to commentate an 8-man draft at my place last night. The whole stream weighed in at a whopping 4 hours. I am really pleased with how it turned out. You can check that out by going to www.twitch.tv/joyofcubing
I'm watching the stream right and will try to save the podcast for my train ride next week - I really love all the content you're pumping out lately and hope you'll keep it up!
Just watched http://www.twitch.tv/joyofcubing/b/332675734
I wanted to say that I thought your rant at the very end, (@2:32 for reference) was as good or better than your regular podcasts. I think part of it was that you were getting quite passionate about your subject matter, and partly that you had the leeway to just rant for a while without having your flow interrupted or stopping to ask guests for feedback. Maybe it's just my preference for this "Rant" style of discussion rather than the "interview the guest" type that the podcast tries to accomplish. Perhaps split the difference and do a "Kranny's rant" in the first half of the show and then have the guest react (w/ host interaction) in the second half? Or 15/15/15/15, whatever.
I'm gonna second this opinion. At the risk of sounding like a creepy stalker, I will say that I'm a huge - no, HUGE - fan of yours, and follow everything that you do. I actively seek out every scrap and morsel of cube information that you drop - here on the forums, on your Twitter feed, and now on your podcasts. Every time I make a change to my own cube, I double check your list as a reference first. "What would Kranny do?"
With all due respect to your excellent cast of guests, at the end of the day, I really just want to hear your opinions on all matters cube-related. I appreciate that you're a great podcast host, but it feels to me like someone else should be asking the questions and driving the flow, while letting you do what you do best - talk about Cube design (and telling people what sacred cows to chop!). I mean, you don't really post on here anymore, and it's hard to piece together a cohesive design vision from out-of-context Twitter posts. How are we loyal subjects supposed to obtain the Kranny design manifesto?
Also love the rant. My black section is currently trying out your suggestions and have had success. Haven't got to cast Pox in cube yet but I think it's exactly what I've been looking for.
Wow, I am really blown away at the great feedback.
This weekend I am recording the set review for Return to Ravnica. It's my first solo venture, so I don't know how long it'll be or if it will work out just recording by myself. My hope is to have it up at Gathering Magic early next week. I am going to cover about 60 cards as a part of the review. If there are any odd ones that you don't think will make my list, make sure you let me know and I'll be sure to cover them! Remember, I don't always looks at cards in the context of other lists. A lot of Pauper/Peasant cards, for instance, slip under the radar.
Thanks again, I am truly humbled at the response the show has received so far.
Wow, I am really blown away at the great feedback.
This weekend I am recording the set review for Return to Ravnica. It's my first solo venture, so I don't know how long it'll be or if it will work out just recording by myself. My hope is to have it up at Gathering Magic early next week. I am going to cover about 60 cards as a part of the review. If there are any odd ones that you don't think will make my list, make sure you let me know and I'll be sure to cover them! Remember, I don't always looks at cards in the context of other lists. A lot of Pauper/Peasant cards, for instance, slip under the radar.
Thanks again, I am truly humbled at the response the show has received so far.
Well, what I've seen so far has been well done and even if I don't always agree with your perspective you make your arguments well. It's been good work so far, so the response is well deserved.
To add my own two cents, I think green is getting better cards recently that allow it to have more "play" within-game by giving it more options beyond "I cast a creature, do you have removal?" Things like Wolfir Avenger, for instance, or other simple things like hate on Vengevine or "haste" on Wolfir Silverheart, or even the werewolf mini-game of Mayor of Avabruck (risky card that's not too dissimilar to a planeswalker). The latest Garruk and Prey Upon also seem like ways to let green have interactive cards, as well. I'm trying as many of these as possible, in my cube and they are successful so far. I'm "going deep" with some other choices too, like testing Bind as another tricky spell. It might also be time to bring back Briarhorn and/or Stonewood Invocation.
Mayor of Avabruck seems really good. I haven't tried him out but must deal with two drops are great, especially when you don't have to sink mana into them to effect the board, and he's 1G and not GG.
I'd proxy it but it's double sided and would rather wait to grab one.
This is an awesome podcast so far! It's definitely one of the top podcasts I look forward to each week, keep it up!
The podcast about the green evaluation was fantastic. I've been running green aggro in my cube, but it never really turns out well. Your discussion pointed out a lot of things I had trouble piecing together. I'm going to try to push ramp more in place of aggro and see how it goes.
You should definitely do a similar cast for Black!
Love this podcast. I listen every week and can't wait for the next episode. I also love the guests and have listened to each episode multiple times and will probably listen to them a few more! Keep up the good work Kranny!
I just listened to it as well, thanks for all the insights. Especially the answer to my question about Contamination was very helpful for me.
Can you fix the link in your signature, at least for me the Joy of Cubing link seems a bit outdated?
I like how in the end of the episode you talked about another card I am about to add: Trading Post. And red is my next project after black as well, I feel like it is missing something. The best way to describe that feeling is that in the colors I feel are well-defined (white, blue and green) I can say exactly why each card is in the Cube, whereas in red the answer is often "because it is burn". Now that is probably a legitimate enough answer, considering it is red, but if so I feel I should embrace it and go all the way with cards like Ball Lightning or at least think hard enough about the cards I actually play in red that the choices don't feel random.
Well, what I've seen so far has been well done and even if I don't always agree with your perspective you make your arguments well. It's been good work so far, so the response is well deserved.
I look forward to your RtR review.
Cheers!
Thanks for the feedback! I hope you enjoyed the RtR review.
To add my own two cents, I think green is getting better cards recently that allow it to have more "play" within-game by giving it more options beyond "I cast a creature, do you have removal?" Things like Wolfir Avenger, for instance, or other simple things like hate on Vengevine or "haste" on Wolfir Silverheart, or even the werewolf mini-game of Mayor of Avabruck (risky card that's not too dissimilar to a planeswalker). The latest Garruk and Prey Upon also seem like ways to let green have interactive cards, as well. I'm trying as many of these as possible, in my cube and they are successful so far. I'm "going deep" with some other choices too, like testing Bind as another tricky spell. It might also be time to bring back Briarhorn and/or Stonewood Invocation.
I was actually looking at Briarhorn the other day. Let me know if you get around to testing him in your current build. I agree that making green more interactive is key to giving it some depth. Honestly, I think we just need to keep seeing solid spells. I'd love to see green closer to 55/45 creatures-to-lands.
I have had Mayor in my list since Inn was spoiled, and I'm a huge fan. It has a surprisingly high number of interactions in red and white. It's exactly the kind of green card I want more of.
Mayor of Avabruck seems really good. I haven't tried him out but must deal with two drops are great, especially when you don't have to sink mana into them to effect the board, and he's 1G and not GG.
I'd proxy it but it's double sided and would rather wait to grab one.
This is an awesome podcast so far! It's definitely one of the top podcasts I look forward to each week, keep it up!
The podcast about the green evaluation was fantastic. I've been running green aggro in my cube, but it never really turns out well. Your discussion pointed out a lot of things I had trouble piecing together. I'm going to try to push ramp more in place of aggro and see how it goes.
You should definitely do a similar cast for Black!
Thank you for the post. You're in luck. This week's episode is all about black. I tried not to be too outside of the box, but it's pretty heavily focused on my particular build.
Love this podcast. I listen every week and can't wait for the next episode. I also love the guests and have listened to each episode multiple times and will probably listen to them a few more! Keep up the good work Kranny!
I just listened to it as well, thanks for all the insights. Especially the answer to my question about Contamination was very helpful for me.
Can you fix the link in your signature, at least for me the Joy of Cubing link seems a bit outdated?
Done. Blog updated to include all 8 episodes.
I like how in the end of the episode you talked about another card I am about to add: Trading Post. And red is my next project after black as well, I feel like it is missing something. The best way to describe that feeling is that in the colors I feel are well-defined (white, blue and green) I can say exactly why each card is in the Cube, whereas in red the answer is often "because it is burn". Now that is probably a legitimate enough answer, considering it is red, but if so I feel I should embrace it and go all the way with cards like Ball Lightning or at least think hard enough about the cards I actually play in red that the choices don't feel random.
We're definitely on the same page. I think part of it is that some of the last few year's worth of releases have given some great tools to each color, but we haven't had time to stop and consider the collateral damage across the multicolor and ally/enemy colors. I think black is a great example of a color that has gotten better with the printing of a couple more good black walkers, recurring creatures, and just a general shift in attitude for what the color should be doing. Red is in a similar spot. I ask myself, what is it that I want my red decks to do? Burn people out? That just seems very one-dimensional. I'll be updating my list with the goblins theme after RtR drafts die down, and I'll post my build and comments here. Hell, maybe I'll write up an article or cast about it. I guess it depends on how busy things get with the holidays
Good episode. I enjoyed and it gave me a few things to consider for my cube.
You've convinced me to try more of an all-in Pox support, but I have to say, a Pox-lite strategy has been working fairly well as a tempo enabler in my 360 list. I wouldn't be so quick to rule it out.
Also, as far as supporting pox in smaller lists along side aggro, control, and reanimator, these theaters aren't as mutually exclusive as one might think. In fact the pox strategy really enhances each of them in very interesting ways. Done right, there should be no need to cut any of them.
I've only listened to the first podcast, but it was quite well-done. I hadn't realized you now supported storm!
Is there an easy way to volume-limit the microphones? Klug was a lot louder than you were, and I think there's a fairly easy modification to normalize volume.
My $40 MTGO cube
Draft my cube at Cubetutor!
My secondary "cube".
Really out of date cube thread with pictures.
Really interested in some sort of Time Vault combo deck with Tezzeret 1.0, Voltaic Key, Pestermite, Deceiver Exarch, Zealous Conscripts, fits pretty well with Spliter Twin. Defiantly plays better in a power cube which I do not currently support.
Having the scripted start to the cast is positive in my opinion. It sets me, the listener, up for what I am about to hear and feels professional. I don't like the theme music playing in the background but that is a very minor quibble.
The size section jumped about a bit. The point that cube size effects how cards and archetypes play is a valid one, but you seemed to get a bit distracted by the specifics (for example whether Vault Combo is cubable) rather than just illustrating a more general idea. What did come across well is that size will absolutely determine certain things, for example the chance of a specific card being in a pool, how much information you have about your opponents' decks, etc, but it is individual preference as to whether that is a good or bad thing. Because you and Greg had different views this was well expressed.
The 1CC cube was more interesting than I expected. It seems that without having to change the rules of the game (in the manner of type 4, for example) he has created a format that plays quite differently.
Draft variants is an interesting topic. I think a future episode could look in more depth at draft strategies for the more popular variants, in particular how cube composition can affect the draft.
All in all well, done and keep it up!
My 380 Beginners’ Cube on Cube Tutor
"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less." -Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass
Modern: Jund Legacy: RUG Delver EDH: Captain Sisay
Just watched http://www.twitch.tv/joyofcubing/b/332675734
I wanted to say that I thought your rant at the very end, (@2:32 for reference) was as good or better than your regular podcasts. I think part of it was that you were getting quite passionate about your subject matter, and partly that you had the leeway to just rant for a while without having your flow interrupted or stopping to ask guests for feedback. Maybe it's just my preference for this "Rant" style of discussion rather than the "interview the guest" type that the podcast tries to accomplish. Perhaps split the difference and do a "Kranny's rant" in the first half of the show and then have the guest react (w/ host interaction) in the second half? Or 15/15/15/15, whatever.
MTGS Average Peasant Cube 2023 Edition
Follow me. I tweet.
But I don't think I can subscribe to it yet. They were all just part of the MTG Cast main feed and I had to download them individually.
Thread | Draft
That said, got a few new content items for you all to check out. I was joined by Andy Cooperfaus to commentate an 8-man draft at my place last night. The whole stream weighed in at a whopping 4 hours. I am really pleased with how it turned out. You can check that out by going to www.twitch.tv/joyofcubing
A new episode of Joy of Cubing has been posted over at Gathering Magic. We focus solely on the Pauper format. If you have any comments on the episode, please be sure to leave a comment at GM. Here is the link - http://www.gatheringmagic.com/mattkranstuber-09262012-paup-it-like-its-hot/
I should be posting a RtR review episode in the next few days.
Thanks for the support, all!
Joy of Cubing Podcast
My 600 Card Unpowered Cube
My Combo Cube
I'm gonna second this opinion. At the risk of sounding like a creepy stalker, I will say that I'm a huge - no, HUGE - fan of yours, and follow everything that you do. I actively seek out every scrap and morsel of cube information that you drop - here on the forums, on your Twitter feed, and now on your podcasts. Every time I make a change to my own cube, I double check your list as a reference first. "What would Kranny do?"
With all due respect to your excellent cast of guests, at the end of the day, I really just want to hear your opinions on all matters cube-related. I appreciate that you're a great podcast host, but it feels to me like someone else should be asking the questions and driving the flow, while letting you do what you do best - talk about Cube design (and telling people what sacred cows to chop!). I mean, you don't really post on here anymore, and it's hard to piece together a cohesive design vision from out-of-context Twitter posts. How are we loyal subjects supposed to obtain the Kranny design manifesto?
Cut the sacred cows.
This weekend I am recording the set review for Return to Ravnica. It's my first solo venture, so I don't know how long it'll be or if it will work out just recording by myself. My hope is to have it up at Gathering Magic early next week. I am going to cover about 60 cards as a part of the review. If there are any odd ones that you don't think will make my list, make sure you let me know and I'll be sure to cover them! Remember, I don't always looks at cards in the context of other lists. A lot of Pauper/Peasant cards, for instance, slip under the radar.
Thanks again, I am truly humbled at the response the show has received so far.
Joy of Cubing Podcast
My 600 Card Unpowered Cube
My Combo Cube
Well, what I've seen so far has been well done and even if I don't always agree with your perspective you make your arguments well. It's been good work so far, so the response is well deserved.
I look forward to your RtR review.
Cheers!
http://www.gatheringmagic.com/matt-kranstuber-joy-of-cubing-10262012-greener-pastures/
We talk about green and how awesome it is (now).
My secondary "cube".
Really out of date cube thread with pictures.
To add my own two cents, I think green is getting better cards recently that allow it to have more "play" within-game by giving it more options beyond "I cast a creature, do you have removal?" Things like Wolfir Avenger, for instance, or other simple things like hate on Vengevine or "haste" on Wolfir Silverheart, or even the werewolf mini-game of Mayor of Avabruck (risky card that's not too dissimilar to a planeswalker). The latest Garruk and Prey Upon also seem like ways to let green have interactive cards, as well. I'm trying as many of these as possible, in my cube and they are successful so far. I'm "going deep" with some other choices too, like testing Bind as another tricky spell. It might also be time to bring back Briarhorn and/or Stonewood Invocation.
My "underrated" green card pick: Mirri's Guile. Or Bestial Menace or Caller of the Claw (did someone mention "wrath recovery?").
My Cube Blog @theCubeMiser on Twitter
I enjoyed this episode quite a bit. I agree with the evaluations re Survival, Blastoderm, Chameleon. Also Frog theme at the end is best theme.
My 2 picks for underrated are Mayor of Avabruck and Garruk Relentless.
I'd proxy it but it's double sided and would rather wait to grab one.
Also loved the episode. You guys are great.
The podcast about the green evaluation was fantastic. I've been running green aggro in my cube, but it never really turns out well. Your discussion pointed out a lot of things I had trouble piecing together. I'm going to try to push ramp more in place of aggro and see how it goes.
You should definitely do a similar cast for Black!
Can you fix the link in your signature, at least for me the Joy of Cubing link seems a bit outdated?
I like how in the end of the episode you talked about another card I am about to add: Trading Post. And red is my next project after black as well, I feel like it is missing something. The best way to describe that feeling is that in the colors I feel are well-defined (white, blue and green) I can say exactly why each card is in the Cube, whereas in red the answer is often "because it is burn". Now that is probably a legitimate enough answer, considering it is red, but if so I feel I should embrace it and go all the way with cards like Ball Lightning or at least think hard enough about the cards I actually play in red that the choices don't feel random.
"What am I looking at? Ashes, dead man."
http://www.gatheringmagic.com/the-joy-of-cubing-cube-black-matt-kranstuber-11092012-a-pox-on-your-house/
Thanks for the feedback! I hope you enjoyed the RtR review.
I was actually looking at Briarhorn the other day. Let me know if you get around to testing him in your current build. I agree that making green more interactive is key to giving it some depth. Honestly, I think we just need to keep seeing solid spells. I'd love to see green closer to 55/45 creatures-to-lands.
I have had Mayor in my list since Inn was spoiled, and I'm a huge fan. It has a surprisingly high number of interactions in red and white. It's exactly the kind of green card I want more of.
Thanks for the feedback!
Thank you for the post. You're in luck. This week's episode is all about black. I tried not to be too outside of the box, but it's pretty heavily focused on my particular build.
Thanks so much for the feedback, Sal_V!
Haha
Done. Blog updated to include all 8 episodes.
We're definitely on the same page. I think part of it is that some of the last few year's worth of releases have given some great tools to each color, but we haven't had time to stop and consider the collateral damage across the multicolor and ally/enemy colors. I think black is a great example of a color that has gotten better with the printing of a couple more good black walkers, recurring creatures, and just a general shift in attitude for what the color should be doing. Red is in a similar spot. I ask myself, what is it that I want my red decks to do? Burn people out? That just seems very one-dimensional. I'll be updating my list with the goblins theme after RtR drafts die down, and I'll post my build and comments here. Hell, maybe I'll write up an article or cast about it. I guess it depends on how busy things get with the holidays
Joy of Cubing Podcast
My 600 Card Unpowered Cube
My Combo Cube
You've convinced me to try more of an all-in Pox support, but I have to say, a Pox-lite strategy has been working fairly well as a tempo enabler in my 360 list. I wouldn't be so quick to rule it out.
Also, as far as supporting pox in smaller lists along side aggro, control, and reanimator, these theaters aren't as mutually exclusive as one might think. In fact the pox strategy really enhances each of them in very interesting ways. Done right, there should be no need to cut any of them.
Great podcasts though. Please, keep 'em coming.
360 Unpowered Cube | Cubetutor