Looking back, I do agree that Sram's Expertise is being underrated, but I think it's mostly due to competition in the 4-cmc slot. Admittedly, I was mainly looking it as a spell, not a creature where the competition is lighter. You do bring up a valid point that Sram's Expertise "free spell" clause has the least amount of conflict of interests compared to the rest of the cycle.
I couldn't find a cut at first, but I combed through my white section and decided that Karakas isn't something I want in my cube and will test Sram's Expertise in its place.
I also like Keri Zev's Expertise and will probably stick it in for testing. I've seen Frenzied Fugue mentioned a few times, and I didn't see that card during C14 spoiler season, but I think I like Expertise more.
I was not at all sold on Nissa, Vastwood Seer when it debuted, but that card is very good. Its floor is a serviceable card and the 'walker side is good in the deck's worst match-ups.
Walking Ballista, Release the Gremlins, and Yahenni's Expertise are way too high.
Depends on the context, but I do believe they're correct for the most part. Besides Kari Zev, nothing is a slam dunk inclusion for small powered lists. Since this is an artifact heavy set, a lot of cards fall in the "great for powered cubes, okay for non-powered cubes" territory, especially Release the Gremlins.
Walking Ballista is extremely mana intensive. 2 mana for a Gut Shot? 4 mana for Forked Bolt/Shock? 6 mana for Arc Lightning? Yes, you do also get a vastly underpowered body and it isn't a small deal that you can just remove 1 or 2 counters and keep this around and eventually make it incrementally bigger (for a whopping 4) if you have tons of mana to burn. It's just bad resource management trying to make this guy work for you.
As I said multiple times, I believe that Walking Ballista is the sleeper of the set.
- 2 mana is worth removing a problematic 1 toughness creature like Mother of Runes / Dark Confidant / Thalia 1.0 / Young Pyromancer / Mana Dork and 4 mana is perfectly fine to be able to pick off two of those. At six mana you get a trike with -1/-1, and at 8+ mana, you have reasonable damage from both attacking and pinging, not to mention you're able to reload 2 times at this range.
I will say its stock vastly improves in powered cubes that have fast mana to dump into this guy
While you can play it faster in a powered cube, there are still plenty of unpowered cubes that can support heavy ramp strategies. Versatility is the name of Ballista's game, not speed.
I think you can get better value from most alternatives.
I can't name a single colorless card that can even cover half of Ballista's functions.
Baral's Expertise is ridiculous. You talk about the situations where this is going to whiff and just act as an undo but honestly that is going to be incredibly rare given that this hits artifacts too!
I love Baral's Expertise but I have cooled down on it a bit. There's a lot of conflict of interests when it comes to the free spell you get for a lot of the Expertise cycle, especially with Baral's Expertise. Doesn't work great with counterspells and other reactive spells, but hopefully the 4-cmc option will help mitigate this. We all know the BCS is bonkers, but its the ACS that will make / break this card. Jury's still out on exactly what the ACS will be, but I'm hoping it'll be somewhere along power level of Cryptic Command. I really wish Baral's Expertise could bounce planeswalkers, but that's me being greedy.
Kari Zev's expertise is the best threaten effect non-creature we are ever going to get for cube. Sig it. Steal your guy and Boros Charm don't mind if I do. Threaten effects aren't just good for the late game, they can be surprisingly relevant in aggro strategies as well.
Agreed that Kari Zev's expertise is the best 3-cmc mono red threaten effect that we currently have, but competition is extremely tight in the 3-cmc slot for red. Probably one of the biggest victims of competition for me in this set.
Rishkar, Peema Renegade's floor is a 3/3 mana-elf which is serviceable and a lot better than certain options I see in some cubes "cough, Nissa, Vastwood Seer, cough". She does two things green wants very well giving her incredible flexibility. In big green decks she is a critical ramp card. In aggro, she is a decent pump spell attached to a good body. I don't find Rishkar to be incredible but I'm so ready to cut Troll Ascetic for this. In you cube, you could consider cutting the sex monkeys (Nissa would be my cut, but I know you're attached to her).
I wouldn't compare Rishkar to Nissa. Nissa replacing herself with a card is a huge reason why she's good since that creates a very acceptable WCS and her BCS is extremely high for a 3-drop. I do like Rishkar more than Troll Ascetic, but my original thoughts on Rishkar still stand:
This is an odd card. Aggro doesn't necessarily need the ramp and if you're curving into this with midrange, there's a good chance your creatures on the battlefield can alread produce mana. A 3 mana 3/3 that can tap for mana isn't bad for a WCS, but it's not exactly good either.
Tireless Tracker was a miss for us. I do like this card design wise, but I don't think it's something green needs or has space for in my cube.
Ya, I knew the placement of Rishkar was going to upset some folks, but I just don't think she quite makes it into small/medium sized lists.
I lol' when reading this, imagining people actually getting upset over such a thing! Rishkar was the first card from the set that I decided to definitely add and will happily run him, but I totally understand your reasoning and ranking (I too was a little wishing he could put +2/+2 on himself!).
Overall very nice write-up! As many have mentioned, your discussion on the Ballista and the White expertise were incredibly thought provoking and insightful! Your efforts are most appreciated!
One last thing, on organizing and classifying things in your cube:
How have you decided on the number of "creature" slots and "non-creature" slots to have at each point on the curve? Your mentioning of Sram's Expertise filling a creature slot in the 4's got me thinking about this. And does Gideon, Ally of Zendikar or Elspeth, Knight Errant count in the creature slot since they make tokens and/or become creatures? Just curious.
Great write up as always. Surprisingly we mostly agree. I think Rishkar should be significantly higher, Disallow a bit lower. I also think Rogue Refiner, Gifted Aetherborn and Renegade Rallier are better than at least the bottom 5 or so of this list. Manic Vandal not having a target is a pretty common scenario here despite playing a powered cube, which makes me suspect Release the Gremlins would not be great. I am glad to see Ballista is testing so well.
To be fair Rishkar putting both counters on itself would be kind of ridiculous, since I don't think they can reasonably print a 4/4 which taps for G for 2G, especially one with the significant upside of going wide instead if needed.
If I am playing Green I do not want to be playing something on turn 3 that trades with aggro 1CC drops and has no other useful effect until I drop my 7th land. Searching for a forest which goes into your hand is serviceable, it isn't cubeable. If Nissa put the forest onto the battlefield, searched for any land to put into your hand, or hell even any basic so it would at least help fix, I could see why people run it. Even the loyalty and ability costs on the flipwalker side are underwhelming.
If I'm playing Nissa, odds are its in a midrange / ramp deck that probably has a favorable matchup vs aggro. Being able to block for a turn and guarantee I curve into my backbreaking 4-drops is not a favorable position for aggro. Nissa shines most vs control, midrange's worst matchup. While searching only for a basic forest is a downer, it's not a deal breaker for Nissa. She helps me curve early game, can be abused for extra value via blink / recursion shenanigans, and is a better topdeck than most 3-drops late game.
The token protects Nissa very well. It is also renewable in case it dies to removals/combat. Even if Nissa will be killed immediately to a burn spell or an attack, paying three mana for a 4/4 body, a land and a 1-for-1 or some life is not a bad deal. She usually draws a 1-for-1 removal spell from opposing control decks when you get near 7 lands.
Thanks very much for the great review! AER really feels like a frankenstein's monster of a set, with so many cards with multiple moving parts and functions!
I'm pleased that a goodly number of uncommons made the list this time around, but it's interesting to note how few commons and mythics made it on! I'll be paying close attention to folks' limited reviews for cards that may have utterly slipped under the radar on the first pass.
The only card missing from the top 20 that I would have included is Metallic Mimic.
#1 is no surprise and made the set for me. Like you said not a lot of inclusions for small cubes but lots to think about and a variety of one could fit in depending on what someone is pushing. Certainly a very fun set.
Ballista is one that I would quibble with. Not that I can't imagine that places it would be good, and it is certainly flexible. It just isn't what I want to be paying 4 mana for out of my control decks. But I think it might be that my cube is on the small side for it either way.
If you are playing green and having trouble getting to 4 mana you have bigger problems.
I don't recall saying anything about having trouble getting to 4 mana so I dunno why you're bringing this up. Regardless, the important thing that I'm trying iterate is A.) She helps you curve into your bigger spells, period and B.) She replaces herself and is incidental card advantage in the long run.
I don't think I would ever feel excited if my Restoration Angel or Flickerwisp target was a Nissa. Beats nothing I guess.
You're right, synergy with various things such as blink / bounce / recursion effects on top of Reveilark / Recruiter / Alesha (kind of) does beat nothing.
I'll grant that it is a better top deck than other three drops late game, but again the walker side, not so great. Card advantage is great in green but that's the it of it.
Nissa being valuable both early and late game is why she's good. Early game she replaces herself, maybe chumps or gets blinked / recurred for more value. Late game she's a card advantage engine that can protect herself. Starting loyalty may be low, but she's still technically a 3-drop, meaning that there's a good chance that you can play most spells off her draw the same turn she transforms.
The second ability will make you a vanilla 4/4 (meh)that is legendary to boot so you can't make a second until the first one dies!
Not the greatest ability in the world, but Nissa's ability to protect herself is better than most other PWs ability to protect themselves.
The ultimate takes five turns after you hit seven lands to get to (good luck with that).
Planeswalkers ultimates are rarely factored into their overall usefulness unless they can achieve it in 1-3 turns. It's not Ral Zarek's ultimate that makes him a staple in my cube....
.Nissa doesn't even do work in Magic Duels
Can't say I know what Magic Duels is, but just because it doesn't work in one format doesn't mean it won't work in another.
let alone cube.
Broad statement is broad. She may not work for your cube, but she puts in plenty of work in mine.
Closing statement: If you don't like Nissa, you don't like Nissa, I just don't agree with most of your points that you brought up against her. While Rishkar may be the better offensive creature, I think Nissa is much more versatile and the better cube card overall.
I see these rankings used as a means to influence opinion on certain cards and not an actual reflection on how impactful a card will be for cube in relation to others from the same set.
Sorry you feel that way. It's not the case at all.
Quote from sunshinesoldier »
Walking Ballista, Release the Gremlins, and Yahenni's Expertise are way too high.
The black expertise may be ranked too high, for sure. The other two feel correct to me after seeing them in action. You're of course entitled to disagree.
Quote from sunshinesoldier »
Baral's Expertise, Kari Zev's Expertise, and Rishkar, Peema Renegade are all ranked FAR too low.
The blue Expertise can be insane, for sure. It can also be unacceptably bad. It's very matchup/board/situationally dependent on other things going on to control its powerlevel.
The red Expertise is maybe the best 3cc threaten we've seen. But that doesn't mean much, considering none of them see play as it is. I explained its shortcomings, but again, you're free to disagree.
I think Rishkar is pretty medium, and I explained why.
..........
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Quote from B&R »
How have you decided on the number of "creature" slots and "non-creature" slots to have at each point on the curve? Your mentioning of Sram's Expertise filling a creature slot in the 4's got me thinking about this. And does Gideon, Ally of Zendikar or Elspeth, Knight Errant count in the creature slot since they make tokens and/or become creatures? Just curious.
They're always in flux, but I try to get the curve to mirror the curve structure I want to see for my decks. The only non-creature cards I count as creatures are cards that immediately produce creatures and always produce creatures. Spells with an optional creature mode are spells for me.
Quote from Metamind »
Manic Vandal not having a target is a pretty common scenario here despite playing a powered cube, which makes me suspect Release the Gremlins would not be great. I am glad to see Ballista is testing so well.
I'm surprised by the Vandal. Perhaps larger cubes have a smaller density of artifacts by percentage? IDK. And ya, Ballsta has been doing some decent work.
Quote from Dolono »
Thanks very much for the great review! AER really feels like a frankenstein's monster of a set, with so many cards with multiple moving parts and functions!
It is! There were a lot of cool cards to choose from and write about. I like the flavor of the set overall.
Quote from majikan »
Great read as usual, it'll be interesting to see where the dust settles as there seems to be quite a few cards that are on the margin.
(I can't quite shake the feeling that Sram's Expertise is only a slightly better Coal Stoker/Mardu Warshrieker; although if Expertise tests well for you I suppose I might have to re-evaluate those two for Peasant cube!)
That assumption has to start with the position that Spectral Procession and Roc of Kher Ridges are of the same value when they resolve. IF you evaluate three 1/1 bodies as being better than a 3/3 body, Coal Stoker and Sram's Expertise don't have much in common.
Quote from deschumm »
The only card missing from the top 20 that I would have included is Metallic Mimic.
#1 is no surprise and made the set for me. Like you said not a lot of inclusions for small cubes but lots to think about and a variety of one could fit in depending on what someone is pushing. Certainly a very fun set.
Let us know how the Mimic does in testing! It was very close to making the list for me.
I'll have to respectfully disagree here. I think that decks that want token makers are playing multiple ways to take advantage of them. And Hordeling Outburst is not only a better card than Trained Armodon on its own, but the difference between the two becomes ginormous once interaction/synergy gets factored in. I think that's significantly more than just "slightly better". And, the 3 free mana can be used on spells of any color, as opposed to Coal Stoker that can only play red/colorless cards, or Mardu Warshrieker which can't play any CC costed cards.
I have been pushing spells matter decks in my cube more than most and a couple take-aways:
1. The decks are want to play multiple cards in a turn.
2. Spells that make creatures are idea for the decks.
3. There still aren't enough big payoff cube worthy cards. (Young Pyromaster, Monastery Mentor are the only 360 cards) (Marginal ones: Empty the Warrens, Tallrand, Thing in the Ice, Kiln Fiend)
4. Best in Red, White, Blue
Sram's Expertise hits #1, #2, and #4 very well and will see plenty of action outside the Spells.dec, but not so much in the U/W counter/wrath deck. It's most similar analogs are Spectral Procession and Battle Screech. Both of those cards I have played and we lose the flying, but token decks can struggle with curve (Too many mid-range drops) and this could help there. I can easily see getting a sword on the board, or spear of helliod etc. and catch up on tempo for missing a 2 drop. But if you aren't super into tokens and the spells deck, it is going to be pretty mediocre.
While I always appreciate the analysis you include with these top 20's, I often see some bias to try to convince us that certain cards are much better or worse than they actually are. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion of course and those opinions will vary, but I see these rankings used as a means to influence opinion on certain cards and not an actual reflection on how impactful a card will be for cube in relation to others from the same set. That's your prerogative, I just think people should know this going in.
1) What does wtwlf have to gain by having us play certain cards? We're almost certainly never going to play each other's cube in person, us running or not running cards has no effect on his cube, and vice versa.
2) Opinions are of course biased. This is an article written by a single individual, of course it's going to reflect his thoughts and opinions.
It's a bit crazy to insinuate that this is anything more than a top 20 list that one should take, like all things regarding opinions, with a grain of salt.
To be fair, 2 days ago, when CuberAng said "I'm not fan of Walking Ballista but you put so many arguments in its favor that now I probably need to test it, even if we play an unpowered cube" wtwlf123's response was something along the lines of "that is why I ranked it so high" which sounds a lot like him placing it at #2 so that people would consider it even if it not powerful enough to reach #2 on the list. He has since removed that part of his response so he probably saw the confusion too.
To be fair, 2 days ago, when CuberAng said "I'm not fan of Walking Ballista but you put so many arguments in its favor that now I probably need to test it, even if we play an unpowered cube" wtwlf123's response was something along the lines of "that is why I ranked it so high" which sounds a lot like him placing it at #2 so that people would consider it even if it not powerful enough to reach #2 on the list. He has since removed that part of his response so he probably saw the confusion too.
Regardless, it's still his opinion. If someone respects his opinion enough to test a card when he goes into depth about how great it is when they wouldn't if he didn't, it's still on the individual and not wtwlf for making that change. To insinuate that the driving force behind these posts is "to influence opinion on certain cards and not an actual reflection on how impactful a card will be for cube in relation to others from the same set" is insane IMO and not a healthy way to look at this or any posts that list cards as such.
He has since removed that part of his response so he probably saw the confusion too.
I did. I saw way my initial response was phrased, and I updated it to reflect what I meant to say the first time. Sorry for any confusion.
Quote from Salmo »
Regardless, it's still his opinion.
Ya, it's almost as if I ranked the cards I like higher than the cards I don't like!
I ranked Walking Ballista where I did because I feel it has a shot to compete in lists of that size better than the cards behind it do. THAT, is the beginning and end of my opinion on it. I'm not intentionally misrepresenting Walking Ballista or any other card. I ranked them in the order I think they go in for no other reasons than where I think they ultimately fall on the cube playability scale, and I have no other motives for placing the cards where I did.
He has since removed that part of his response so he probably saw the confusion too.
I reworded it, yes. I saw way my initial response was phrased, and I updated it to reflect what I meant to say. Sorry for any confusion.
Quote from Salmo »
Regardless, it's still his opinion.
Ya, it's almost as if I ranked the cards I like higher than the cards I don't like!
I ranked Walking Ballista where I did because I feel it has a shot to compete in lists of that size better than the cards behind it do. THAT, is the beginning and end of my opinion on it. I'm not intentionally misrepresenting Walking Ballista or any other card. I ranked them in the order I think they go in for no other reasons than where I think they ultimately fall on the cube playability scale, and I have no other motives for placing the cards where I did.
1) Thanks.
2) I corrected the statement that caused the issues, and I apologize for any confusion it caused.
3) I don't have an agenda of any kind. Just sharing my thoughts on cube cards for everybody's fun and enjoyment.
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I couldn't find a cut at first, but I combed through my white section and decided that Karakas isn't something I want in my cube and will test Sram's Expertise in its place.
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I was not at all sold on Nissa, Vastwood Seer when it debuted, but that card is very good. Its floor is a serviceable card and the 'walker side is good in the deck's worst match-ups.
On spoiled card wishlisting and 'should-have-had'-isms:
Depends on the context, but I do believe they're correct for the most part. Besides Kari Zev, nothing is a slam dunk inclusion for small powered lists. Since this is an artifact heavy set, a lot of cards fall in the "great for powered cubes, okay for non-powered cubes" territory, especially Release the Gremlins.
As I said multiple times, I believe that Walking Ballista is the sleeper of the set.
- 2 mana is worth removing a problematic 1 toughness creature like Mother of Runes / Dark Confidant / Thalia 1.0 / Young Pyromancer / Mana Dork and 4 mana is perfectly fine to be able to pick off two of those. At six mana you get a trike with -1/-1, and at 8+ mana, you have reasonable damage from both attacking and pinging, not to mention you're able to reload 2 times at this range.
While you can play it faster in a powered cube, there are still plenty of unpowered cubes that can support heavy ramp strategies. Versatility is the name of Ballista's game, not speed.
I can't name a single colorless card that can even cover half of Ballista's functions.
I love Baral's Expertise but I have cooled down on it a bit. There's a lot of conflict of interests when it comes to the free spell you get for a lot of the Expertise cycle, especially with Baral's Expertise. Doesn't work great with counterspells and other reactive spells, but hopefully the 4-cmc option will help mitigate this. We all know the BCS is bonkers, but its the ACS that will make / break this card. Jury's still out on exactly what the ACS will be, but I'm hoping it'll be somewhere along power level of Cryptic Command. I really wish Baral's Expertise could bounce planeswalkers, but that's me being greedy.
Agreed that Kari Zev's expertise is the best 3-cmc mono red threaten effect that we currently have, but competition is extremely tight in the 3-cmc slot for red. Probably one of the biggest victims of competition for me in this set.
I wouldn't compare Rishkar to Nissa. Nissa replacing herself with a card is a huge reason why she's good since that creates a very acceptable WCS and her BCS is extremely high for a 3-drop. I do like Rishkar more than Troll Ascetic, but my original thoughts on Rishkar still stand:
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I lol' when reading this, imagining people actually getting upset over such a thing! Rishkar was the first card from the set that I decided to definitely add and will happily run him, but I totally understand your reasoning and ranking (I too was a little wishing he could put +2/+2 on himself!).
Overall very nice write-up! As many have mentioned, your discussion on the Ballista and the White expertise were incredibly thought provoking and insightful! Your efforts are most appreciated!
One last thing, on organizing and classifying things in your cube:
How have you decided on the number of "creature" slots and "non-creature" slots to have at each point on the curve? Your mentioning of Sram's Expertise filling a creature slot in the 4's got me thinking about this. And does Gideon, Ally of Zendikar or Elspeth, Knight Errant count in the creature slot since they make tokens and/or become creatures? Just curious.
I am planning to do the same.
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On spoiled card wishlisting and 'should-have-had'-isms:
If I'm playing Nissa, odds are its in a midrange / ramp deck that probably has a favorable matchup vs aggro. Being able to block for a turn and guarantee I curve into my backbreaking 4-drops is not a favorable position for aggro. Nissa shines most vs control, midrange's worst matchup. While searching only for a basic forest is a downer, it's not a deal breaker for Nissa. She helps me curve early game, can be abused for extra value via blink / recursion shenanigans, and is a better topdeck than most 3-drops late game.
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I'm pleased that a goodly number of uncommons made the list this time around, but it's interesting to note how few commons and mythics made it on! I'll be paying close attention to folks' limited reviews for cards that may have utterly slipped under the radar on the first pass.
Cheers!
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#1 is no surprise and made the set for me. Like you said not a lot of inclusions for small cubes but lots to think about and a variety of one could fit in depending on what someone is pushing. Certainly a very fun set.
Ballista is one that I would quibble with. Not that I can't imagine that places it would be good, and it is certainly flexible. It just isn't what I want to be paying 4 mana for out of my control decks. But I think it might be that my cube is on the small side for it either way.
I don't recall saying anything about having trouble getting to 4 mana so I dunno why you're bringing this up. Regardless, the important thing that I'm trying iterate is A.) She helps you curve into your bigger spells, period and B.) She replaces herself and is incidental card advantage in the long run.
You're right, synergy with various things such as blink / bounce / recursion effects on top of Reveilark / Recruiter / Alesha (kind of) does beat nothing.
Nissa being valuable both early and late game is why she's good. Early game she replaces herself, maybe chumps or gets blinked / recurred for more value. Late game she's a card advantage engine that can protect herself. Starting loyalty may be low, but she's still technically a 3-drop, meaning that there's a good chance that you can play most spells off her draw the same turn she transforms.
Not the greatest ability in the world, but Nissa's ability to protect herself is better than most other PWs ability to protect themselves.
Planeswalkers ultimates are rarely factored into their overall usefulness unless they can achieve it in 1-3 turns. It's not Ral Zarek's ultimate that makes him a staple in my cube....
Can't say I know what Magic Duels is, but just because it doesn't work in one format doesn't mean it won't work in another.
Broad statement is broad. She may not work for your cube, but she puts in plenty of work in mine.
Closing statement: If you don't like Nissa, you don't like Nissa, I just don't agree with most of your points that you brought up against her. While Rishkar may be the better offensive creature, I think Nissa is much more versatile and the better cube card overall.
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Sorry you feel that way. It's not the case at all.
The black expertise may be ranked too high, for sure. The other two feel correct to me after seeing them in action. You're of course entitled to disagree.
The blue Expertise can be insane, for sure. It can also be unacceptably bad. It's very matchup/board/situationally dependent on other things going on to control its powerlevel.
The red Expertise is maybe the best 3cc threaten we've seen. But that doesn't mean much, considering none of them see play as it is. I explained its shortcomings, but again, you're free to disagree.
I think Rishkar is pretty medium, and I explained why.
..........
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
They're always in flux, but I try to get the curve to mirror the curve structure I want to see for my decks. The only non-creature cards I count as creatures are cards that immediately produce creatures and always produce creatures. Spells with an optional creature mode are spells for me.
I'm surprised by the Vandal. Perhaps larger cubes have a smaller density of artifacts by percentage? IDK. And ya, Ballsta has been doing some decent work.
It is! There were a lot of cool cards to choose from and write about. I like the flavor of the set overall.
That assumption has to start with the position that Spectral Procession and Roc of Kher Ridges are of the same value when they resolve. IF you evaluate three 1/1 bodies as being better than a 3/3 body, Coal Stoker and Sram's Expertise don't have much in common.
Let us know how the Mimic does in testing! It was very close to making the list for me.
Agreed; I think the set is a blast.
..........
Cheers everybody, and happy cubing!
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1. The decks are want to play multiple cards in a turn.
2. Spells that make creatures are idea for the decks.
3. There still aren't enough big payoff cube worthy cards. (Young Pyromaster, Monastery Mentor are the only 360 cards) (Marginal ones: Empty the Warrens, Tallrand, Thing in the Ice, Kiln Fiend)
4. Best in Red, White, Blue
Sram's Expertise hits #1, #2, and #4 very well and will see plenty of action outside the Spells.dec, but not so much in the U/W counter/wrath deck. It's most similar analogs are Spectral Procession and Battle Screech. Both of those cards I have played and we lose the flying, but token decks can struggle with curve (Too many mid-range drops) and this could help there. I can easily see getting a sword on the board, or spear of helliod etc. and catch up on tempo for missing a 2 drop. But if you aren't super into tokens and the spells deck, it is going to be pretty mediocre.
1) What does wtwlf have to gain by having us play certain cards? We're almost certainly never going to play each other's cube in person, us running or not running cards has no effect on his cube, and vice versa.
2) Opinions are of course biased. This is an article written by a single individual, of course it's going to reflect his thoughts and opinions.
It's a bit crazy to insinuate that this is anything more than a top 20 list that one should take, like all things regarding opinions, with a grain of salt.
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Regardless, it's still his opinion. If someone respects his opinion enough to test a card when he goes into depth about how great it is when they wouldn't if he didn't, it's still on the individual and not wtwlf for making that change. To insinuate that the driving force behind these posts is "to influence opinion on certain cards and not an actual reflection on how impactful a card will be for cube in relation to others from the same set" is insane IMO and not a healthy way to look at this or any posts that list cards as such.
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I did. I saw way my initial response was phrased, and I updated it to reflect what I meant to say the first time. Sorry for any confusion.
Ya, it's almost as if I ranked the cards I like higher than the cards I don't like!
I ranked Walking Ballista where I did because I feel it has a shot to compete in lists of that size better than the cards behind it do. THAT, is the beginning and end of my opinion on it. I'm not intentionally misrepresenting Walking Ballista or any other card. I ranked them in the order I think they go in for no other reasons than where I think they ultimately fall on the cube playability scale, and I have no other motives for placing the cards where I did.
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!
I reworded it, yes. I saw way my initial response was phrased, and I updated it to reflect what I meant to say. Sorry for any confusion.
Ya, it's almost as if I ranked the cards I like higher than the cards I don't like!
I ranked Walking Ballista where I did because I feel it has a shot to compete in lists of that size better than the cards behind it do. THAT, is the beginning and end of my opinion on it. I'm not intentionally misrepresenting Walking Ballista or any other card. I ranked them in the order I think they go in for no other reasons than where I think they ultimately fall on the cube playability scale, and I have no other motives for placing the cards where I did.
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!
*insert 'lying dishonest media!' joke here*
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
2) I corrected the statement that caused the issues, and I apologize for any confusion it caused.
3) I don't have an agenda of any kind. Just sharing my thoughts on cube cards for everybody's fun and enjoyment.
All the best!
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!