Cut one: Sarkhan Dragonspeaker: I already run Koth, Daretti, and Chandra, Torch of Defiance. Fireblast: Narrow, but I suppose it might be needed. War-name Aspirant: Red is already lacking in 2 drops, I don't know if I should be cutting this. Manic Vandal: I already run Release the Gremlins and Smash to Smithereens at 450, but there are so many targets in a powered cube. Fire Imp: Red Card advantage can be hard to get so perhaps this isn't the one to cut.
I like Sarkhan the least, it has less homes than the other cards and is interchangeable with other five drops in red and other colors. If Wildfire is big in your cube and lacks things that survive it, then perhaps Fire Imp.
What do you prefer? Valorous Stance or Stasis Snare? (I've asked before but the question got lost in the discussion)
I do prefer Stasis Snare to Valorous Stance. I'm not a big fan of combat tricks and conditional removal like Stance. I also like that Snare is instant. Have you considered Temporal Isolation as a pseudo-removal?
IMO, Looter il-Kor. And it's not close for me. Primarily because looter is more than just a discard outlet. It doubles as a cheap unblockable attacker that helps ensure card quality in tempo builds.
Cryptologist is fine and if you need a second, that's a good option. Main argument for him is that he comes online a turn earlier if you can play it T1. But it costs you more mana, so unless you have accelerants, it's hard to level him and play something else T2 to take advantage (with say a reanimation spell). So I think in actual game play this small perk is not really all that valuable.
I do prefer Stasis Snare to Valorous Stance. I'm not a big fan of combat tricks and conditional removal like Stance. I also like that Snare is instant. Have you considered Temporal Isolation as a pseudo-removal?
Actually Snare replaced Isolation, maybe it's best to reverse that decision.
I also like Looter more than Enclave. You can abuse the unblockability of the Looter with quite a few effects - UG Opposition with equipment is a generally nice strategy, and Looter is a happy addition to that deck.
@Metamind: Actually, after mulling on it, I think it was the right call to removal Temporal Isolation for Stasis Snare. Isolation doesn't turn off annoying threats like Young Pyro, Mentor, Hanweir, Bladehold, Ulamog, etc., while Snare does, but I'd still go Snare over Stance. Stance has a harder time dealing with those creatures I list above.
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Looter over Cryptologist any day. It deals damage and can hold equipment like a boss.
It depends on what removal you need. They are all for different decks IMO.
If I'm playing something aggressive, top choice is Valorous Stance. It gets rid of things I can't plow through or burn and it's removal insurance. Pretty flexible card. Temporal Isolation is OK for pushing through damage, but I think stance is a lot better.
If I'm rolling with something more controlling or midrange, I still don't love Stasis Snare because of that WW in the cost and the blowout potential if they have a disenchant effect. But it's probably better than the first two.
Single target removal options in white get janky pretty quick after the few top tier choices. I'd ask yourself if you really need to drag some of the chaffier stuff into your list as they will be lower picks and only put in decks where people are in desperate need of removal.
@Metamind: Actually, after mulling on it, I think it was the right call to removal Temporal Isolation for Stasis Snare. Isolation doesn't turn off annoying threats like Young Pyro, Mentor, Hanweir, Bladehold, Ulamog, etc., while Snare does, but I'd still go Snare over Stance. Stance has a harder time dealing with those creatures I list above.
That was why I switched them.
However I think I currently have too many removals in enchantment form, which makes the color weak to Naturalize effects and permanents bounce. Sort of putting all your eggs in one basket. A negative synergy with Cataclysmic Gearhulk. Diversifying answers will do good to white. An instant, like Stance, will have more synergies in the cube, like delve, Snapcaster Mage, Regrowth, Iterative Analysis etc.
It depends on what removal you need. They are all for different decks IMO.
If I'm playing something aggressive, top choice is Valorous Stance. It gets rid of things I can't plow through or burn and it's removal insurance. Pretty flexible card. Temporal Isolation is OK for pushing through damage, but I think stance is a lot better.
If I'm rolling with something more controlling or midrange, I still don't love Stasis Snare because of that WW in the cost and the blowout potential if they have a disenchant effect. But it's probably better than the first two.
Single target removal options in white get janky pretty quick after the few top tier choices. I'd ask yourself if you really need to drag some of the chaffier stuff into your list as they will be lower picks and only put in decks where people are in desperate need of removal.
Snare sees regular play, as did Isolation before it. I have no doubt Valorous Stance will also find many homes. It usually sees play alongside several other removals, for various reasons. Control decks like the instant speed, aggro decks like answers to fatties and care less about the drawback as the game is usually over too quickly for them to find enchantment destruction. Other decks just prefer to have that third piece of spot removal over an expensive card, or that one too many card draw/ramp effect. It is obviously not a great card, but I'd not call it desperation to play it.
Another point in favor of Stance is that white has plenty of answers that cost 3 mana and fewer that cost 2. That said, being playable only in aggro requires it to be stellar there to be worthy of inclusion.
Rishkar has more value in the fact that it doesn't have GG in its casting cost, and can be abused with blink / recursion shenanigans along with Reveilark / Alesha / Recruiters synergy.
All quite true! I have very high hopes for Rishkar as a splashable option for a slot that's always been weak in terms of actual beaters for midrange that also supports ramp. I think it will prove to be better than either of TheCaper85's alternatives, I'm just making it clear that my opinion of Rishkar is based on theorycraft, as I've only gotten in one draft since including Rishkar and he didn't see play. I see no reason not to be optimistic, but my opinion isn't backed up by playtesting data yet.
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Accorder Paladin is great, I'd probably cube it at any size.
Agreed, it's an exceptional card. A vanilla 3/1 is a fine floor, and every battlecry trigger puts Paladin over the top even further. I think it's one of the best white two drops.
I'm still playing Knight of Meadowgrain and can totally cut it by my group loves it and we all played standard back in Lorwyn so it has a special place in our hearts. Pet card for sure haha. I think Precinct Captain is the best all around WW two drop for cube.
The pick is between ankh and cruiser imo. I personally like ankh for the vintage aesthetic but I havent played much with either so I have no relevant input.
I do prefer Stasis Snare to Valorous Stance. I'm not a big fan of combat tricks and conditional removal like Stance. I also like that Snare is instant. Have you considered Temporal Isolation as a pseudo-removal?
450 Unpowered Cube Cobra
Cryptologist is fine and if you need a second, that's a good option. Main argument for him is that he comes online a turn earlier if you can play it T1. But it costs you more mana, so unless you have accelerants, it's hard to level him and play something else T2 to take advantage (with say a reanimation spell). So I think in actual game play this small perk is not really all that valuable.
http://riptidelab.com/forum/threads/modular-cube-5-colors.800/
Retro combo cube thread
http://riptidelab.com/forum/threads/retro-combo-cube.1454/
Actually Snare replaced Isolation, maybe it's best to reverse that decision.
Looter for me. It is a great carrier of equipment.
The list on cube cobra
Read my blog on cube - Latest post June 2nd 2022
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Looter over Cryptologist any day. It deals damage and can hold equipment like a boss.
450 Unpowered Cube Cobra
If I'm playing something aggressive, top choice is Valorous Stance. It gets rid of things I can't plow through or burn and it's removal insurance. Pretty flexible card. Temporal Isolation is OK for pushing through damage, but I think stance is a lot better.
If I'm rolling with something more controlling or midrange, I still don't love Stasis Snare because of that WW in the cost and the blowout potential if they have a disenchant effect. But it's probably better than the first two.
Single target removal options in white get janky pretty quick after the few top tier choices. I'd ask yourself if you really need to drag some of the chaffier stuff into your list as they will be lower picks and only put in decks where people are in desperate need of removal.
http://riptidelab.com/forum/threads/modular-cube-5-colors.800/
Retro combo cube thread
http://riptidelab.com/forum/threads/retro-combo-cube.1454/
That was why I switched them.
However I think I currently have too many removals in enchantment form, which makes the color weak to Naturalize effects and permanents bounce. Sort of putting all your eggs in one basket. A negative synergy with Cataclysmic Gearhulk. Diversifying answers will do good to white. An instant, like Stance, will have more synergies in the cube, like delve, Snapcaster Mage, Regrowth, Iterative Analysis etc.
Snare sees regular play, as did Isolation before it. I have no doubt Valorous Stance will also find many homes. It usually sees play alongside several other removals, for various reasons. Control decks like the instant speed, aggro decks like answers to fatties and care less about the drawback as the game is usually over too quickly for them to find enchantment destruction. Other decks just prefer to have that third piece of spot removal over an expensive card, or that one too many card draw/ramp effect. It is obviously not a great card, but I'd not call it desperation to play it.
Another point in favor of Stance is that white has plenty of answers that cost 3 mana and fewer that cost 2. That said, being playable only in aggro requires it to be stellar there to be worthy of inclusion.
The list on cube cobra
Read my blog on cube - Latest post June 2nd 2022
Kalonian hydra vs Whisperwood Elemental
Rishkar, Peema Renegade vs Boon satyr vs Wolfir Avenger
Thanx.
https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/5f79d238debf310362d43d47
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Modern:
Dredge | Restore Balance | Titanshift
My [360][Unpowered][Modern-Frame] Cube
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 49th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from MKM!
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 49th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from MKM!
But I dont exactly love Precinct Captain in my cube and I'm considering cutting him for Accorder Paladin or a 3 drop like Blade splicer, or Silverblade Paladin.
I'm currently not playing any 2-drop spells that cost WW, I think there are better options at 540.
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
Agreed, it's an exceptional card. A vanilla 3/1 is a fine floor, and every battlecry trigger puts Paladin over the top even further. I think it's one of the best white two drops.
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Rank the following aggro artifact cards please:
Cursed Scroll, Ankh of Mishra, Fleetwheel Cruiser
450 Unpowered Cube Cobra
I like Fleetwheel Cruiser the most. The threat diversification it provides is great against control.
The list on cube cobra
Read my blog on cube - Latest post June 2nd 2022
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 49th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from MKM!