This/that summary:
Painlands vs Bicycle lands in UW & UB
Gates vs Tango lands in allied colors
GW Tango land vs GW Pain land (already running Horizon Canopy)
Longer version:
Trying to finalize my final allied land slots. I found the UW/UB land ranking which inspired revisiting this in my 540 powered where I run 6 lands per guild.
In all 5 allied colors I run fetch, dual, shock & Worldwake manland.
Trying to figure out the final 2 land spots. I'm currently running the 5 allied tango lands. I'm also running Irrigated Farmland, Prairie Stream, RG & RB painlands plus Horizon Canopy.
Of those 10 lands (5 tangos plus the ones listed) I think the UW & UB bicycle lands are by far the worst. I'd be fine swapping the painlands straight up for them. I'm happy with Horizon Canopy & the RG/RB painlands.
That leaves the tango lands. What should I do with these spots? I never tried the gate lands so I'd be down for that. That seems to be the consensus in the UW/UB land ranking thread. Should I simply swap the tango lands out and bring in the gate lands? Maybe keep the GW painland (Brushland) in the spot of the GW tango land?
Feedback is appreciated. Sorry if this is too much for this/that.
Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis vs Force of Virtue
Nekrataal vs Skinrender (I feel like this is an obvious Skinrender, but lately I've seen what feels like a trend back toward Nekrataal)
Elspeth, Sun's Nemesis vs Force of Virtue
Nekrataal vs Skinrender (I feel like this is an obvious Skinrender, but lately I've seen what feels like a trend back toward Nekrataal)
Elspeth was far better for us. She is good after a mass removal or when your draw was low on creatures. Non-aggro/token decks are also interested in her, as she is quite good on defense and can grind value in a long game.
We play Nekrataal over Skinrender, Nekrataal kills more high-priority targets and can be played on an empty board. Overall they are close though.
- Nexus of Fate could be a backup Thassa's Oracle if you support the inverter combo. Do not underestimate this card. ETB Nexus, then two turns in a row is often an instant win
- Clarion Spirit is incredibly strong in spells matters archetypes. If its not really a thing in your cube, then stick to Remorseful.
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I'm actively maintaining a comprehensive article to help explain to new cube players how some complex vintage level cards work in a cube environment. Vintage Cube Cards Explained
1 - I'm not excited about any of them. There are some very good 2 CMC mana rocks - I would play those over any green 2 CMC ramp. But if I had to choose, I would pick Farseek for its ability for fetch shocks/ duals then Rampant Growth. For 2 CMC ramp, I think stability/ consistency is the best.
2 - I don't think Dramatic Finale is very good, especially if its only once a turn. I still think Lurrus is the best for that slot. But out of the three, I would opt for Gerrard's Verdict. 4 CMC in White/ Black are very competitive.
3. - I would opt for Dismissive, having to attack + for a non-evasive looter is not a good proposition IMO. But I think this new card is the best option out of all the red looters
4. Disenchant style effects has been acceptable mainboard cards for Midrange/ Control decks in Vintage Cubes. Anguished Unmaking is a pretty good card - I really love it. But with the more recent options to exile planeswalkers/ enchantments becoming more prevalent, loses a bit of its flexibility.
I think this is more of a meta game call, but without too much knowledge, I opt for Anguished Unmaking.
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I'm actively maintaining a comprehensive article to help explain to new cube players how some complex vintage level cards work in a cube environment. Vintage Cube Cards Explained
2. Devoted Druid if Melira Combo. Some people like Wall of Roots for its ability to block/ generate mana the turn it comes out + harder to remove from burn spells. Some people value the ability for Devoted Druid to add 2 green (or more if pumped) in more combo centric ramp decks. Despite being a combo player at heart, I have to admit I found the former to be more relevant.
3. Fact or Fiction is the premier 3-4 CMC draw spell in cube and its slowly getting pushed out. I don't think any of these rates are good. But if I had to pick, I would pick Pull from Tomorrow over the other 2.
Pull from Tomorrow could be cast for X=0 ETB turn 2 as a discard outlet, then turn 3 corpse dance or Reanimate. Its does a fine impersonation of Sphinx's Rev in control/ blue ramp decks.
I don't think spending 4 mana for +1 card advantage is ever a good rate.
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I'm actively maintaining a comprehensive article to help explain to new cube players how some complex vintage level cards work in a cube environment. Vintage Cube Cards Explained
I'm trying to determine my cut for Pest Infestation. I've narrowed it down to one of these three being cut:
Deranged Hermit: Both make 4 tokens for 5 mana. Each has their own advantages beyond that, but with Deep Forest Hermit, Deranged Hermit, and Pest Infestation, maybe I don't need all three.
Once Upon a Time: I'm not huge on this one, but the cubecobra recommender suggests it highly, so I assume I'm underrating it.
Jadelight Ranger: I like this card as a roleplayer, but 1GG is rougher than 2G would be.
It's a little difficult to rank the Terrors because they can change a bit in value depending on cube composition. A 360 probably has less multi-color creatures and less 5-mana dragons than a 540, for example, so Ultimate Price and Power Word Kill can shift in value a bit. Cubes with Oko and W&6 probably value Eliminate more than cubes that don't have those PWs.
For me:
Power Word Kill > GftT > Heartless Act = Ultimate Price > Eliminate > Cast Down > Doom Blade > Snuff Out > Malicious Affliction
I've never played the Orc, but I imagine I like Stormblood more.
It's a little difficult to rank the Terrors because they can change a bit in value depending on cube composition. A 360 probably has less multi-color creatures and less 5-mana dragons than a 540, for example, so Ultimate Price and Power Word Kill can shift in value a bit. Cubes with Oko and W&6 probably value Eliminate more than cubes that don't have those PWs.
For me:
Power Word Kill > GftT > Heartless Act = Ultimate Price > Eliminate > Cast Down > Doom Blade > Snuff Out > Malicious Affliction
I've never played the Orc, but I imagine I like Stormblood more.
I generally agree with the ranking. Ultimate Price is actually pretty good.
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I'm actively maintaining a comprehensive article to help explain to new cube players how some complex vintage level cards work in a cube environment. Vintage Cube Cards Explained
4 - Elf > Huntmaster.
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!
Painlands vs Bicycle lands in UW & UB
Gates vs Tango lands in allied colors
GW Tango land vs GW Pain land (already running Horizon Canopy)
Longer version:
Trying to finalize my final allied land slots. I found the UW/UB land ranking which inspired revisiting this in my 540 powered where I run 6 lands per guild.
In all 5 allied colors I run fetch, dual, shock & Worldwake manland.
Trying to figure out the final 2 land spots. I'm currently running the 5 allied tango lands. I'm also running Irrigated Farmland, Prairie Stream, RG & RB painlands plus Horizon Canopy.
Of those 10 lands (5 tangos plus the ones listed) I think the UW & UB bicycle lands are by far the worst. I'd be fine swapping the painlands straight up for them. I'm happy with Horizon Canopy & the RG/RB painlands.
That leaves the tango lands. What should I do with these spots? I never tried the gate lands so I'd be down for that. That seems to be the consensus in the UW/UB land ranking thread. Should I simply swap the tango lands out and bring in the gate lands? Maybe keep the GW painland (Brushland) in the spot of the GW tango land?
Feedback is appreciated. Sorry if this is too much for this/that.
Thanks!
My 540 card Powered Cube last updated March 2022
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/5f5d0310ed602310515d4c32
Cube Tutor: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/1963
Nekrataal vs Skinrender (I feel like this is an obvious Skinrender, but lately I've seen what feels like a trend back toward Nekrataal)
MTGS Average Peasant Cube 2023 Edition
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Agreed
Elspeth was far better for us. She is good after a mass removal or when your draw was low on creatures. Non-aggro/token decks are also interested in her, as she is quite good on defense and can grind value in a long game.
We play Nekrataal over Skinrender, Nekrataal kills more high-priority targets and can be played on an empty board. Overall they are close though.
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 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
2 - Nexus of Fate vs Alrund's Epiphany ?
3 - Aurelia, the Warleader vs Velomachus Lorehold (new card in STX) ?
Alrund's Epiphany >= Nexus of Fate
Velomachus Lorehold > Aurelia, the Warleader
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
Nexus > Epiphany
Lorehold > Warleader
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!
With Narset, Enlightened Master, Griselbrand plus the eldrazi titans in the cube, I could see instant reanimator being a more viable archetype.
- Nexus of Fate could be a backup Thassa's Oracle if you support the inverter combo. Do not underestimate this card. ETB Nexus, then two turns in a row is often an instant win
- Clarion Spirit is incredibly strong in spells matters archetypes. If its not really a thing in your cube, then stick to Remorseful.
Vintage Cube Cards Explained
Here are some other articles I've written about fine tuning your cube:
1. Minimum Archetype Support
2. Improving Green Archetypes
3. Improving White Archetypes
4. Matchup Analysis
5. Cube Combos (Work in Progress)
Draft my Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/d8i
2 - Dramatic Finale (STX card) vs Gerrard's Verdict vs Firja's Retribution ? What order ?
3 - Conspiracy Theorist vs Dismissive Pyromancer ?
4 - Fracture (STX card) vs Anguished Unmaking ?
1 - I'm not excited about any of them. There are some very good 2 CMC mana rocks - I would play those over any green 2 CMC ramp. But if I had to choose, I would pick Farseek for its ability for fetch shocks/ duals then Rampant Growth. For 2 CMC ramp, I think stability/ consistency is the best.
2 - I don't think Dramatic Finale is very good, especially if its only once a turn. I still think Lurrus is the best for that slot. But out of the three, I would opt for Gerrard's Verdict. 4 CMC in White/ Black are very competitive.
3. - I would opt for Dismissive, having to attack + for a non-evasive looter is not a good proposition IMO. But I think this new card is the best option out of all the red looters
https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/the-cube-forum/cube-card-and-archetype/cube-new-card-discussion/821171-stx-cube-augusta-dean-of-order-plargg-dean-of
4. Disenchant style effects has been acceptable mainboard cards for Midrange/ Control decks in Vintage Cubes. Anguished Unmaking is a pretty good card - I really love it. But with the more recent options to exile planeswalkers/ enchantments becoming more prevalent, loses a bit of its flexibility.
I think this is more of a meta game call, but without too much knowledge, I opt for Anguished Unmaking.
Vintage Cube Cards Explained
Here are some other articles I've written about fine tuning your cube:
1. Minimum Archetype Support
2. Improving Green Archetypes
3. Improving White Archetypes
4. Matchup Analysis
5. Cube Combos (Work in Progress)
Draft my Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/d8i
2 - Wall of Roots vs Devoted Druid ?
3 - Behold the Multiverse vs Pull from Tomorrow vs Hieroglyphic Illumination ? What order ?
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!
As wtwlf said, Wall unless you support the combo.
None of these blue cards looks competitive for cube. I guess I'd rank them Behold > Illumination > Pull.
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/5f5d0310ed602310515d4c32
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Ob > Liliana
Wall > Druid except for the combo like others said
Behold >= Illumination > Pull
The list on cube cobra
Read my blog on cube - Latest post June 2nd 2022
1. Ob Nixilis > Liliana, I second rantipole.
2. Devoted Druid if Melira Combo. Some people like Wall of Roots for its ability to block/ generate mana the turn it comes out + harder to remove from burn spells. Some people value the ability for Devoted Druid to add 2 green (or more if pumped) in more combo centric ramp decks. Despite being a combo player at heart, I have to admit I found the former to be more relevant.
3. Fact or Fiction is the premier 3-4 CMC draw spell in cube and its slowly getting pushed out. I don't think any of these rates are good. But if I had to pick, I would pick Pull from Tomorrow over the other 2.
Pull from Tomorrow could be cast for X=0 ETB turn 2 as a discard outlet, then turn 3 corpse dance or Reanimate. Its does a fine impersonation of Sphinx's Rev in control/ blue ramp decks.
I don't think spending 4 mana for +1 card advantage is ever a good rate.
Vintage Cube Cards Explained
Here are some other articles I've written about fine tuning your cube:
1. Minimum Archetype Support
2. Improving Green Archetypes
3. Improving White Archetypes
4. Matchup Analysis
5. Cube Combos (Work in Progress)
Draft my Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/d8i
2 - Terror of the Peaks vs Goldspan Dragon ?
3 - Basri's Lieutenant vs Combat Calligrapher ?
4 - Thrashing Brontodon vs Wickerbough Elder ?
Radha >= Huntmaster > Escape to the Wilds
Goldspan Dragon >> Terror of the Peaks
Combat Calligrapher > Basri's Lieutenant
360 card powered Chicago cube:
https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/e7r
2020 Numerical Power Rankings:
https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/the-cube-forum/cube-card-and-archetype/817969-2020-numerical-cube-power-rankings
2018 CubeTutor Power Rankings:
https://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/the-cube-forum/cube-card-and-archetype/803301-cubetutor-power-rankings-2018-by-color-and-cmc
Deranged Hermit: Both make 4 tokens for 5 mana. Each has their own advantages beyond that, but with Deep Forest Hermit, Deranged Hermit, and Pest Infestation, maybe I don't need all three.
Once Upon a Time: I'm not huge on this one, but the cubecobra recommender suggests it highly, so I assume I'm underrating it.
Jadelight Ranger: I like this card as a roleplayer, but 1GG is rougher than 2G would be.
[180 classic cube]
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!
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/5f5d0310ed602310515d4c32
Cube Tutor: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/1963
Malicious Affliction
Cast Down
Doom Blade
Eliminate
Go for the Throat
Heartless Act
Ultimate Price
Power Word Kill
Snuff Out (additional)
2 - Stormblood Berserker vs Orcish Hellraiser ?
For me:
Power Word Kill > GftT > Heartless Act = Ultimate Price > Eliminate > Cast Down > Doom Blade > Snuff Out > Malicious Affliction
I've never played the Orc, but I imagine I like Stormblood more.
[180 classic cube]
I generally agree with the ranking. Ultimate Price is actually pretty good.
Vintage Cube Cards Explained
Here are some other articles I've written about fine tuning your cube:
1. Minimum Archetype Support
2. Improving Green Archetypes
3. Improving White Archetypes
4. Matchup Analysis
5. Cube Combos (Work in Progress)
Draft my Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/d8i