Chief Engineer 1U
Creature - Vedalken Artificer
Artifact spells you cast have convoke.
1/3
This is probably a card that not many find exciting for cube, but I love 1/3 for 1U with useful abilities (I was also quite excited when Omenspeaker was spoiled). The body is perfect for holding off aggressive 1- and 2-drops. As for the ability, I like the artifact deck, but the support cards are getting thin in larger cubes like mine, so I am always looking for more cubable ones. Grand Architect has proven himself in blue-heavy artifact decks and while this new guy lacks the pump ability and doesn't accelerate as much (though it lets you tap any creature to make your artifacts cheaper), he is cheaper and less color-intensive.
On second thought, it may have potential. Play this on T2 followed by Lodestone Golem on T3 is serious bizniz, for example.
I still think it's too narrow for my 450 Powered, but I agree that a larger Cube that wants to support the artifact deck could make good use of this.
I also want to remark that this is the first time I notice the new reminder text for Convoke, and I think it's brilliant. Small thumbs-up to WOTC for that.
Considering that blue's other 2cmc creatures are fairly weak he's fairly cubeable even at 450 (not counting Snapcaster because he usually costs you more than 2 mana with the spell). He helps you cast swords with other creatures as well as Wurmcoil and the likes, decent body, and probably better than Omenspeaker if you're playing tinker pieces since Inkwell get even more castable. Too bad he doesn't help you cast Eldrazi spells.
It does need support. I'm a huge fan of the artifact mana archetype, but I know Etherium Sculptor/Grand Architect/Vedalken Engineer aren't often found in the cubes I play with. The cards are there, it's just a matter of sculpting the archetype to make Chief Engineer good.
Seems like he'd fit right into a UG Ramp Deck that has Tinker/Colossus/Battlesphere, etc. But, outside of that, pretty limited. I like what the card does, but then again, I'm already running Metalworker, which fits into the Artifact package much better.
Silent Edge's Tidbits of Wisdom: The Lewis Theory - When the presence of a single card makes every other card in your deck better (see Lewis, Ray). The Rubber Edict - You'd rather have it and not use it, than need it and not have it. The Shotgun Wedding - Don't commit early unless you absolutely have to.
Chief Engineer 1U
Creature - Vedalken Artificer
Artifact spells you cast have convoke.
1/3
This is probably a card that not many find exciting for cube, but I love 1/3 for 1U with useful abilities (I was also quite excited when Omenspeaker was spoiled). The body is perfect for holding off aggressive 1- and 2-drops. As for the ability, I like the artifact deck, but the support cards are getting thin in larger cubes like mine, so I am always looking for more cubable ones. Grand Architect has proven himself in blue-heavy artifact decks and while this new guy lacks the pump ability and doesn't accelerate as much (though it lets you tap any creature to make your artifacts cheaper), he is cheaper and less color-intensive.
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
On second thought, it may have potential. Play this on T2 followed by Lodestone Golem on T3 is serious bizniz, for example.
I still think it's too narrow for my 450 Powered, but I agree that a larger Cube that wants to support the artifact deck could make good use of this.
I also want to remark that this is the first time I notice the new reminder text for Convoke, and I think it's brilliant. Small thumbs-up to WOTC for that.
A Comprehensive list of Cube Archetypes
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 used to write cube articles on StarCityGames, now for GatheringMagic and podcast about cube (w/Antknee42.)
NorCal Crew Collective Cube on Cube Tutor
My 2009 Cube Draft Article - "With The First Pick..."
2009 Official Cube Power Rankings
2010 Official Cube Power Rankings
2014 Official Cube Power Rankings
Silent Edge's Tidbits of Wisdom:
The Lewis Theory - When the presence of a single card makes every other card in your deck better (see Lewis, Ray).
The Rubber Edict - You'd rather have it and not use it, than need it and not have it.
The Shotgun Wedding - Don't commit early unless you absolutely have to.
Twitter: @archplus3
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029