Maul has played way better for me than Halvar. Halvar never really did enough to warrant a 4CMC slot - I played it a few times, nothing really changed when he hit the board and I died or would have won anyway. Maul changed a few tricky situations of a gummed up board to actually get the job done.
Skyclave Shade or Tenacious Underdog? I was on team Shade, but adding Seasoned Dungeoneer (and having Najeela) made me question this.
Both are good cards and are fairly interchangeable. I've liked Underdog more for straight ahead aggro since it has a better base rate for 1B, and that's the mode you're going to be casting it for the most anyways. I can see Skyclave Shade being better for aristocrats since it's easier to recur at a cheaper cost, but I've found Underdog to be the better beater overall. I also never liked how Skyclave Shade's recursion ability was like the worst of both worlds of requiring landfall like Bloodghast AND needing to pay mana on top of that like Scrapheap Scrounger.
Shade for me. Underdog never felt great for us, as paying 4 mana and not getting a threat that stayed on the board felt like an underwhelming investment.
What is the verdict of people on "Taking the Initiative" and "Venture into the Dungeon"?
I've been away from Cube for a year and now while doing updates I feel like it is a step too far away from "Reading the Card explains the Card", which was already a problem with Monarch to be fair, but at least there is no choice involved regarding different Dungeons and the like.
What is the verdict of people on "Taking the Initiative" and "Venture into the Dungeon"?
I've been away from Cube for a year and now while doing updates I feel like it is a step too far away from "Reading the Card explains the Card", which was already a problem with Monarch to be fair, but at least there is no choice involved regarding different Dungeons and the like.
The cards are certainly powerful, but yeah it's even more complex than monarch since you need 2 other tokens to explain what it actually does. I wouldn't recommend it unless your group is already pretty advanced and comfortable with monarch. Even with advanced players, it's quite the polarizing mechanic. On one hand, people love the flavor / options / risk and reward aspect to it, but others will hate its complexity and snowball-y nature of initiative.
IMO, monarch is probably the best initial litmus test to test for any playgroup for dungeons / initiative. If your playgroup isn't a fan of monarch, they're probably not going to like dungeons / initiative. If your playgroup is fine with monarch, then it's probably worth at least seeing if they like it or not.
I may be in the minority here, but I just find these mechanics distort the game in ways that aren't enjoyable. So, I exclude any cards that reference monarch, initiative, or dungeons (or any other such minigame). But I think 'Taking the Initiative' is the superior form of the dungeon mechanics because as you say, there's no choice of dungeon going on to needlessly complicate things.
Preface, I hate the dungeon mechanic. My litmus test though was explaining Initiative/Venture into Undercity to my husband (who hasn't played in years and honestly kind of hates playing Magic) and he seemed to understand the mechanic and did get how powerful it was, so I think it should be okay. It IS something that still bugs me because I play with a lot of extremely casual/lapsed players who aren't up to date with all the newer mechanics and that one will definitely be a bit of a hassle to explain, and it NEEDS explaining with the double-faced token too (I can't imagine how anyone could undestand that mechanic without it), but the strong Initiative cards look to be way too good not to be played.
I think the earliest I'll get to draft my cube again will be around November so by then I'll see how it is in practise.
Preface, I hate the dungeon mechanic. My litmus test though was explaining Initiative/Venture into Undercity to my husband (who hasn't played in years and honestly kind of hates playing Magic) and he seemed to understand the mechanic and did get how powerful it was, so I think it should be okay. It IS something that still bugs me because I play with a lot of extremely casual/lapsed players who aren't up to date with all the newer mechanics and that one will definitely be a bit of a hassle to explain, and it NEEDS explaining with the double-faced token too (I can't imagine how anyone could undestand that mechanic without it), but the strong Initiative cards look to be way too good not to be played.
I think the earliest I'll get to draft my cube again will be around November so by then I'll see how it is in practise.
I second this.
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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 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
Wren and Six vs Minsc & Boo, Timeless Heroes vs BBE
Minsc and Boo > Wreen and Six > BBE
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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 don't want to move too far off topic, but do you want to sell me on Faerie Conclave.
Its stats are decent, but it doesn't feel like the thing blue wants to be doing.
Otawara has been fairly good for myself - Channel being uncounterable has been a huge plus.
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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
https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/5f79d238debf310362d43d47
Maul has played way better for me than Halvar. Halvar never really did enough to warrant a 4CMC slot - I played it a few times, nothing really changed when he hit the board and I died or would have won anyway. Maul changed a few tricky situations of a gummed up board to actually get the job done.
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!
Both are good cards and are fairly interchangeable. I've liked Underdog more for straight ahead aggro since it has a better base rate for 1B, and that's the mode you're going to be casting it for the most anyways. I can see Skyclave Shade being better for aristocrats since it's easier to recur at a cheaper cost, but I've found Underdog to be the better beater overall. I also never liked how Skyclave Shade's recursion ability was like the worst of both worlds of requiring landfall like Bloodghast AND needing to pay mana on top of that like Scrapheap Scrounger.
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!
I've been away from Cube for a year and now while doing updates I feel like it is a step too far away from "Reading the Card explains the Card", which was already a problem with Monarch to be fair, but at least there is no choice involved regarding different Dungeons and the like.
The cards are certainly powerful, but yeah it's even more complex than monarch since you need 2 other tokens to explain what it actually does. I wouldn't recommend it unless your group is already pretty advanced and comfortable with monarch. Even with advanced players, it's quite the polarizing mechanic. On one hand, people love the flavor / options / risk and reward aspect to it, but others will hate its complexity and snowball-y nature of initiative.
IMO, monarch is probably the best initial litmus test to test for any playgroup for dungeons / initiative. If your playgroup isn't a fan of monarch, they're probably not going to like dungeons / initiative. If your playgroup is fine with monarch, then it's probably worth at least seeing if they like it or not.
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!
I think the earliest I'll get to draft my cube again will be around November so by then I'll see how it is in practise.
I second this.
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
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!
T4feri enters the chat
My High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
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
Minsc and Boo > Wreen and Six > BBE
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
Opt > Scour
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!
2 - Lair of the Hydra vs Treetop Village ?
village >> lair
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!
Before I lost my cube, my cube have a rather planeswalker overflood problem at 360.
Opt > Thought Scour
Faerie Conclave > Hall of Storm Giants > Shelldock Isle vs Otawara, Soaring City
Treetop Village > Lair of the Hydra
2- Thran Portal vs Reflecting Pool?
I don't want to move too far off topic, but do you want to sell me on Faerie Conclave.
Its stats are decent, but it doesn't feel like the thing blue wants to be doing.
Otawara has been fairly good for myself - Channel being uncounterable has been a huge plus.
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
1 I like March of Otherworldly Light more, but I have no experiences with either cards.
2.Pool>Portal
My cube
My cube on Cube tutor
I'm OP_Forever. I'll be putting this in my signature for a while so everyone know I change my nickname.