To start, I don't like comparing Sower to straight Control Magic effects. It's more of a hybrid tempo-creature-removal-spell-potential-blowout... okay its a lot of things. I'm regurgitating a few arguments, but dying to removal is one of the creature downsides to Sower, while there are 10 creature upsides you might be forgetting. BothRecruiters grab it, it's a Reanimate-able Control Magic, it can't be Duressed, pressures walkers in two ways, hell its recurrable after you trade off/sac what you stole!
I run both Sower and Rogue, love em to death!
I REALLY dislike Desertion btw. Who wants to hold up 5 mana turn after turn when you should be playing sick creatures yourself?
Dying for no value is fine if the upside is well worth it, especially since Sower is blue. If they don’t deal with it right away, you untap with potential counterspells to protect it.
Thank you very much steve_man, Salmo, SaucyFaucet and AntiPox for the discussion. Like I said, I'm not ready to cut Sower. I've played with and been successful with the card plenty to understand what y'all are saying. However, I could see a day where the environment is too hostile toward Sower and it would be replaced by something else, especially if power creep is involved, so I find it less than useful to say to myself "I'll never cut this from my cube."
Current creatures at 4cmc or higher under scrutiny and their status: Gisela the Broken Blade (doubtful) strong in certain matchups if it survives, but I don't believe I need this and white 4's are jam packed. Hero of Bladehold (staying) Takes over game if unchecked, survives most burn, often included in decks with high creature count which taxes opponents removal. Baneslayer Angel (doubtful) Takes over game but has stiff competition at that CMC slot. Sower of Tempation(staying) As discussed... Meloku, the Clouded Mirror (staying) Difficult to analyze, but the flexibility of the card paired with the comparitive lack of good options in that CMC range makes him safe for now. Also synergizes with many things in the cube. Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet (doubtful) I like this card and the lifegain is welcome in black, but Chupacabra has taken his place and I don't mind running the full suite of that type of effect. Polukranos, World Eater (staying) I'm not a huge fan of this card, but the lack of good options at this CMC slot in green makes him safe for now. Master of the Wild Hunt (staying) Better than World Eater, but still am looking forward to replacing this someday.
Follow-up to a question from a few weeks ago. I'm planning to add Fractured Identity to Azorius per feedback, and am making sure I have the right cut. The Grand Calculatron is a no-go, since I want to test it more, so the options are:
Follow-up to a question from a few weeks ago. I'm planning to add Fractured Identity to Azorius per feedback, and am making sure I have the right cut. The Grand Calculatron is a no-go, since I want to test it more, so the options are:
I'm leaning Reflector Mage pretty heavily, but can't hurt to get additional opinions!
Its really just a meta question IMO: do people you play with like Geist or Mage more? I'd keep the one that's actually wanted.
But in reality, be ready to cut Calcutron, I have not liked it due to how much it can complicate games and be misplayed with whereas all the other options either support the same deck in a better way or are just strong cards. Maybe you're having better results than me, but it's really not wanted and that's not where I want my guild cards to be.
Its really just a meta question IMO: do people you play with like Geist or Mage more? I'd keep the one that's actually wanted.
But in reality, be ready to cut Calcutron, I have not liked it due to how much it can complicate games and be misplayed with whereas all the other options either support the same deck in a better way or are just strong cards. Maybe you're having better results than me, but it's really not wanted and that's not where I want my guild cards to be.
Fair enough. I'm theoretically ready to cut Calculatron, I just haven't had enough opportunities to cube with it yet, so I don't want to cut it now.
I had to make this exact choice when making room for Calcutron, and I cut Reflector Mage. That card is stellar, but I found it was unneeded. White 3s are already plentiful and strong, so cutting an UW 3 made sense. And Geist comes out ahead, being more of a unique card. Also I think it's stronger. Verdict is needed for wrath saturation at my size.
This is basically where I'm at. I think Geist is stronger in a vacuum, and has more than carried its weight. salmo is correct that whatever I cut will probably find its way back into the cube soon enough anyways.
Current creatures at 4cmc or higher under scrutiny and their status: Gisela the Broken Blade (doubtful) strong in certain matchups if it survives, but I don't believe I need this and white 4's are jam packed. Hero of Bladehold (staying) Takes over game if unchecked, survives most burn, often included in decks with high creature count which taxes opponents removal. Baneslayer Angel (doubtful) Takes over game but has stiff competition at that CMC slot. Sower of Tempation(staying) As discussed... Meloku, the Clouded Mirror (staying) Difficult to analyze, but the flexibility of the card paired with the comparitive lack of good options in that CMC range makes him safe for now. Also synergizes with many things in the cube. Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet (doubtful) I like this card and the lifegain is welcome in black, but Chupacabra has taken his place and I don't mind running the full suite of that type of effect. Polukranos, World Eater (staying) I'm not a huge fan of this card, but the lack of good options at this CMC slot in green makes him safe for now. Master of the Wild Hunt (staying) Better than World Eater, but still am looking forward to replacing this someday.
I would love to spin off into particular opinions, but I'm going to fight the urge to always de-rail This or That.
(one quick one: plz try out Whisperwood Elemental in place of Master of the Wild Hunt for me, passes way more removal tests, so much more fun to manifest and you get it that turn. Mass fight is just as unique as boardwipe protection too!)
My group adores Geist, so do I. The card is a test. The test is "can you clear the way for a 2/2?" and the prize is winning the game with your 3-drop alone. I'd cut the Mage, but would feel bad about it. Also, shuttering at the thought of cutting a 4-mana wrath at my size.
I would love to spin off into particular opinions, but I'm going to fight the urge to always de-rail This or That.
(one quick one: plz try out Whisperwood Elemental in place of Master of the Wild Hunt for me, passes way more removal tests, so much more fun to manifest and you get it that turn. Mass fight is just as unique as boardwipe protection too!)
Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm afraid that being about 16% less likely on avg. to be able to play Whisperwood on curve than Master makes it a no go for me. I like my green 5's a lot and don't need another! (Slime, Hermit, 'Tusk, Gearhulk, Nissa WW, Plow)
expertise> raise the alarm > gather > history Hard to say with history as havent seen it in action but potentially getting removed before 2 and 3 seems bad.
Hedron Archive is underrated and I recommend it more than most people. Memory Jar isn't a card I have experience with. It seems better in combo based decks where you're doing broken things and it's definitely a more unique card than Hedron Archive. Memory Jar seems strong enough and offers a nice build around option so I would include that if your cube runs combo oriented archetypes. I'd try to find a way to include both if your cube is larger than 360, though.
I want to cut one of these one drop red creatures in my 360 unpowered. If you could rank them that would would be great, or provide a bottom 3:
I honestly feel like none of these cards are clearly better than the rest, which makes this so difficult. The card I want to cut is Monastery Swiftspear. Even if you don't think Monastery Swiftspear is the weakest (or among the weakest) would you say it's a clear mistake to cut it over something else? I run a fair amount of Vampires, so Gorger gets a very, very slight bump. I also run a lot of Humans, so Stromkirk Noble gets a decent bump. Soul-Scar Mage has more synergies than it seems at first glance (for example, flip Garruk goes great with it and persist creatures are easily dealt with). I think Legion Loyalist is underrated. Monastery Swiftspear is clearly solid, but doesn't do anything special or unique. Obviously, I'm trying to talk myself into picking Swiftspear as the cut and maybe trying to convince you all to tell me that. But what's your opinion, despite what I've said here?
They're very different. If you're looking for an additional piece for aggro and midrange decks to use as disruption, play Dust Bowl. If you're looking for a way for control decks to deal with problematic lands without going down resources, play Field of Ruin. I play and like both.
Jailer > Faith's Fetters > Quarantine Field. Palace Jailer is a huge bomb and is very abusable, it's very worth the risk.
Not too happy with any of these, but gun to head: Whisperwood Elemental = Vizier of the Menegerie > Wolfir Silverheart = Conclave Naturalists. I feel like you could do much better in the 4-5 cmc green slot though.
Consuming Vapors > Dark Salvation > Black Sun's Zenith. Yahenni's Expertise is a lot more useful than BSZ if you're looking for another sweeper.
Volcanic Hammer >>> Devil's Play. Incendiary Flow is a strictly better Volcanic Hammer if you're already maxed out on Incinerate variants.
I run both Sower and Rogue, love em to death!
I REALLY dislike Desertion btw. Who wants to hold up 5 mana turn after turn when you should be playing sick creatures yourself?
This is still the best place for high-power-level cube chat & debate.
Here's to many more years at MTGS *clink*
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
Current creatures at 4cmc or higher under scrutiny and their status:
Gisela the Broken Blade (doubtful) strong in certain matchups if it survives, but I don't believe I need this and white 4's are jam packed.
Hero of Bladehold (staying) Takes over game if unchecked, survives most burn, often included in decks with high creature count which taxes opponents removal.
Baneslayer Angel (doubtful) Takes over game but has stiff competition at that CMC slot.
Sower of Tempation(staying) As discussed...
Meloku, the Clouded Mirror (staying) Difficult to analyze, but the flexibility of the card paired with the comparitive lack of good options in that CMC range makes him safe for now. Also synergizes with many things in the cube.
Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet (doubtful) I like this card and the lifegain is welcome in black, but Chupacabra has taken his place and I don't mind running the full suite of that type of effect.
Polukranos, World Eater (staying) I'm not a huge fan of this card, but the lack of good options at this CMC slot in green makes him safe for now.
Master of the Wild Hunt (staying) Better than World Eater, but still am looking forward to replacing this someday.
-Geist of Saint Traft
-Reflector Mage
-Supreme Verdict
I'm leaning Reflector Mage pretty heavily, but can't hurt to get additional opinions!
Draft my cube! (630 cards)
Its really just a meta question IMO: do people you play with like Geist or Mage more? I'd keep the one that's actually wanted.
But in reality, be ready to cut Calcutron, I have not liked it due to how much it can complicate games and be misplayed with whereas all the other options either support the same deck in a better way or are just strong cards. Maybe you're having better results than me, but it's really not wanted and that's not where I want my guild cards to be.
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Draft my cube! (630 cards)
I would love to spin off into particular opinions, but I'm going to fight the urge to always de-rail This or That.
(one quick one: plz try out Whisperwood Elemental in place of Master of the Wild Hunt for me, passes way more removal tests, so much more fun to manifest and you get it that turn. Mass fight is just as unique as boardwipe protection too!)
My group adores Geist, so do I. The card is a test. The test is "can you clear the way for a 2/2?" and the prize is winning the game with your 3-drop alone. I'd cut the Mage, but would feel bad about it. Also, shuttering at the thought of cutting a 4-mana wrath at my size.
This is still the best place for high-power-level cube chat & debate.
Here's to many more years at MTGS *clink*
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
Thanks for the suggestion, but I'm afraid that being about 16% less likely on avg. to be able to play Whisperwood on curve than Master makes it a no go for me. I like my green 5's a lot and don't need another! (Slime, Hermit, 'Tusk, Gearhulk, Nissa WW, Plow)
2 - Evasive Action vs Negate vs Dissolve vs Unsubstantiate ? What order ?
3 - Opt vs Gitaxian Probe vs Anticipate ? What order ?
negate > Unsubstantiate > dissolve > EA
probe > opt > anticipate
Sram's Expertise > Gather the Townsfolk > History of Benalia
Dissolve > Negate > Unsubstantiate > Evasive Action
Gitaxian Probe > Anticipate > Opt
Also, I'm curious about what people think between Lotus Cobra and Sylvan Caryatid?
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I'd cut either Geist or Mage, whichever your playgroup likes less.
Sower >> Rogue. Sower is a fantastic creature, and I think it's a staple that's not going anywhere.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
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I want to cut one of these one drop red creatures in my 360 unpowered. If you could rank them that would would be great, or provide a bottom 3:
Stromkirk Noble
Legion Loyalist
Soul-Scar Mage
Monastery Swiftspear
Falkenrath Gorger
I honestly feel like none of these cards are clearly better than the rest, which makes this so difficult. The card I want to cut is Monastery Swiftspear. Even if you don't think Monastery Swiftspear is the weakest (or among the weakest) would you say it's a clear mistake to cut it over something else? I run a fair amount of Vampires, so Gorger gets a very, very slight bump. I also run a lot of Humans, so Stromkirk Noble gets a decent bump. Soul-Scar Mage has more synergies than it seems at first glance (for example, flip Garruk goes great with it and persist creatures are easily dealt with). I think Legion Loyalist is underrated. Monastery Swiftspear is clearly solid, but doesn't do anything special or unique. Obviously, I'm trying to talk myself into picking Swiftspear as the cut and maybe trying to convince you all to tell me that. But what's your opinion, despite what I've said here?
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 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
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!
2 - Vizier of the Menagerie vs Conclave Naturalists vs Whisperwood Elemental vs Wolfir Silverheart ? What order ?
3 - Pick one: Consuming Vapors vs Black Sun's Zenith vs Dark Salvation ? What order ?
4 - Pick one: Devil's Play vs Volcanic Hammer ?
Jailer > Faith's Fetters > Quarantine Field. Palace Jailer is a huge bomb and is very abusable, it's very worth the risk.
Not too happy with any of these, but gun to head: Whisperwood Elemental = Vizier of the Menegerie > Wolfir Silverheart = Conclave Naturalists. I feel like you could do much better in the 4-5 cmc green slot though.
Consuming Vapors > Dark Salvation > Black Sun's Zenith. Yahenni's Expertise is a lot more useful than BSZ if you're looking for another sweeper.
Volcanic Hammer >>> Devil's Play. Incendiary Flow is a strictly better Volcanic Hammer if you're already maxed out on Incinerate variants.
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
Unless you have a combo focused cube, Hedron Archive is much better. I had Jar in my cube for years and it did absolutely nothing.