This is my "Shiny" 450 card cube. I built it from the ground up as "all foil" because I had so many junk foil cards lying around. I have since bought a bunch as well and upgraded the overall quality of its contents - including adding non-foil cards like the Power 9. If I had known what I was doing I probably wouldn't have gone hat route - its was costly It did help me wrap my head around "cube" with a more restricted card pool though.
My playgroup has been playing Magic together a long time (since beta!) and now that we really don't have time to build decks I have introduced the cube format to them. Over the several times we have played it has been a huge success.
You may notice that there are several cards in each color that are not typical cube choices - most of them are there because I wanted to bring a sense of nostalgia to the table. Over time some these cards will probably become more annoying than fun (or side-boarded all of the time) and then I will switch them out.
I would love constructive feedback!
I'm trying to build a cube worthy of being here - but Rome wasn't built in a day! The list is up on Cube Tutor now. It has just become a pain to update it in multiple locations. Go here to CubeTutor to see the full list!
It's kind of nice seeing a project like this. I acctualy like how you have inconsistant sets of non-basics. Normally if you see something like a Temple Garden you expect to see the entire cycle. But not here. Which makes people think a bit more on there feet.
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That's the remarkable thing about life. It's never so bad that it can't get worse
Calvin and Hobbes Cube Tutor
Thanks for the feedback Pringlesman! I have three cubes I always look at when trying to figure out better cards and yours is one of them - sometimes Pauper gives me a perspective I have been missing.
I'm honestly attempting to get the full cycle of shock duals but it takes time (and Gatecrash). I do like a bit of the randomness in the lands, but what are your thoughts on the fact that you are not necessarily being fair to the "enemy" pairs?
In Magic's history they have traditionally loved more on the "allied" pairs, but in a cube with such limited card pool I think giving everyone an equal chance is fair. Right now in my cube its really not. Then again.... it hasn't affected any of the drafts we have done, so I may be being overcautious.
In the end I am not really a balance purist. I consider Kird Ape a red card and Lingering Souls a white one. I know that's really not the case, but I guess I am just set in my ways
I think it is a solid upgrade, but would love to hear your opinions.
Biggest thing I have gotten over is not running one miracle for each color. I upgraded the white one (and bought tokens) and I have an Upheaval coming to replace the Blue and a Primal Command coming to replace the Green. I'm keeping the red one (Thunderous Wrath) because I think it fits nicely within the cube and I can't think of something that would fit better at that cc. Let me know if you have a suggestion.
I also have a "cycle" of lands in my cube one good non-basic land of aligned toward each color. I have figured out that this isn't really necessary. I mean I want to run Windbrisk Heights and Treetop Village but really there is no (foil) black land that doesn't "sing" must have (in my cube at least) so I pulled it. I have Desert sitting there for now, but I have a Vesuva on order to replace it.
I am just dipping my toe in this way of thinking, but I don't think that the equality in this case justifies a slot. Black will still have plenty to draft and overall the cube will be better.
(Love your cube, BTW and the storage box is awesome)
So I am getting close to where I want this thing, but I could use a little help. I have a few cards I am not in love with, but can't figure out a good replacement.
According to some of the functional replacement stats I should cut 12 creatures and add 12 colorless cards. My guess is I would add 5 planeswalkers and 5 artifacts (I still need some swords) So that would get me a bit closer to the median.
I am trying to wait to switch out the Planeswalkers until Modern Masters ships in the summer. I have a box coming and there is a foil in every pack. Even if I don't pull one the prices should drop a bit (temporarily).
I'm well aware that I have other "Oddball" cards in my cube They are just stuff that we enjoy playing or have a personal history with - so some of the cards like Rukh Egg and Serendib Efreet are staying
Here's the list of cards that I need advice on. One of my concerns is removing token producers and I am light on them as is - so if some of the recommendations could include token alternatives that would be super. Remember, I only run foils so in some cases replacements become a bit tougher
W Pacifism- Placeholder, but hasn't been bad to us. Story Circle- On the Nostalgia list, but really can't compete with other stuff. It can go. Captain of the Watch- Token Producer.
The. Swords. are. in. Pretty happy about this - 5 foil swords were not easy to get Also a host of other really good upgrades (I think) - Please let me know! (Remember all this stuff is foil, which while some of these seem like "no brainer" upgrades the cards weren't really easy to get!)
Agreed, very impressive! Can we see foil sword photos? Did you go for the DCI swords where available or pack foil?
I went with the pack foils. I was looking through my artifacts before I bought them and noticed I actually have no old border artifacts in the deck, so I figured I would just keep them consistent.
I went with the pack foils. I was looking through my artifacts before I bought them and noticed I actually have no old border artifacts in the deck, so I figured I would just keep them consistent.
I'll take some picks of the swords this weekend
Makes sense. I'll keep an eye out for the photos! I'd like to foil out the rest of my swords eventually but some of them are still pretty expensive.
Looks good to me! I was a little confused at first when I thought you were cutting Arbor Elf but once I realized it was going the other way it made sense. I think most people list their changes the other way, fwiw. Tons of fun cards in there.
Glad to hear I am on the right track though. I want to get a Natural Order or Survival of the Fittest for Green, but those foils are tough to find and steep :). Of the two which do you think I should get?
I'd also like to get my hands on a Thoughtseize - that may take some time too.
For Dragon's Maze, I want to add Ral Zarek, but I'll wait for the price to stabilize.
I have added a lot of new stuff for Black that requires payment in life but I don't have a ton of life gain in the cube - but I have noticed that I have about as much as most - should I worry about this at all?
Life gain isn't really black's thing. I think I only have 2 cards in black that gain life. You pretty much need to splash another color if you want to consistantly gain life.
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This is my "Shiny" 450 card cube. I built it from the ground up as "all foil" because I had so many junk foil cards lying around. I have since bought a bunch as well and upgraded the overall quality of its contents - including adding non-foil cards like the Power 9. If I had known what I was doing I probably wouldn't have gone hat route - its was costly
My playgroup has been playing Magic together a long time (since beta!) and now that we really don't have time to build decks I have introduced the cube format to them. Over the several times we have played it has been a huge success.
You may notice that there are several cards in each color that are not typical cube choices - most of them are there because I wanted to bring a sense of nostalgia to the table. Over time some these cards will probably become more annoying than fun (or side-boarded all of the time) and then I will switch them out.
I would love constructive feedback!
I'm trying to build a cube worthy of being here - but Rome wasn't built in a day! The list is up on Cube Tutor now. It has just become a pain to update it in multiple locations. Go here to CubeTutor to see the full list!
Thanks!!!
Grave Titan ----> Fallen Angel
Bonesplitter ----> Darksteel Axe
seriously, would really like to see pictures of this all foil cube
Yep Grave Titan and Bonesplitter are IN
I'll take some when I get home tonight and post them
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor
I'm honestly attempting to get the full cycle of shock duals but it takes time (and Gatecrash). I do like a bit of the randomness in the lands, but what are your thoughts on the fact that you are not necessarily being fair to the "enemy" pairs?
In Magic's history they have traditionally loved more on the "allied" pairs, but in a cube with such limited card pool I think giving everyone an equal chance is fair. Right now in my cube its really not. Then again.... it hasn't affected any of the drafts we have done, so I may be being overcautious.
In the end I am not really a balance purist. I consider Kird Ape a red card and Lingering Souls a white one. I know that's really not the case, but I guess I am just set in my ways
IN ----> OUT
Entreat the angels ----> Banishing Stroke
Inferno Titan ----> Shivan Dragon
Farseek ----> Plummet
Sundering Titan ----> Stuffy Doll
Shelldock Isle ----> Cephalid Coliseum
I think it is a solid upgrade, but would love to hear your opinions.
Biggest thing I have gotten over is not running one miracle for each color. I upgraded the white one (and bought tokens) and I have an Upheaval coming to replace the Blue and a Primal Command coming to replace the Green. I'm keeping the red one (Thunderous Wrath) because I think it fits nicely within the cube and I can't think of something that would fit better at that cc. Let me know if you have a suggestion.
I also have a "cycle" of lands in my cube one good non-basic land of aligned toward each color. I have figured out that this isn't really necessary. I mean I want to run Windbrisk Heights and Treetop Village but really there is no (foil) black land that doesn't "sing" must have (in my cube at least) so I pulled it. I have Desert sitting there for now, but I have a Vesuva on order to replace it.
I am just dipping my toe in this way of thinking, but I don't think that the equality in this case justifies a slot. Black will still have plenty to draft and overall the cube will be better.
(Love your cube, BTW and the storage box is awesome)
Old ------> New
Cenn's Tactician ------> Weathered Wayfarer
Fog ------> Experiment One
Giant Growth ------> Berserk
Drumhunter ------> Vengevine
Ant Queen ------> Thragtusk
Allosaurus Rider ------>Terastodon
Syphon Mind ------> Profane Command
Terminate ------> Dreadbore
Rakdos, Lord of Riots ------> Blightning
I also completed my Shock Land Cycle getting the final two Gatecrash duals that I needed! (Sacred Foundry, Watery Grave)
I'm excited about this one - getting the foil Berserk was something I have been eyeing for a while!!!
Old ------> New
W
Plated Pegasus ----> Fiend Hunter
Crusader of Odric -----> Mirran Crusader
Honor of the Pure -----> Glorious Anthem
Knight of Sursi -----> Restoration Angel
Skyhunter Prowler -----> Porcelain Legionnaire
Attended Knight -----> Precinct Captain
Elspeth, Knight-Errant -----> Divine Verdict
B
Drudge Skeletons-----> Bloodghast
Severed Legion -----> Oona's Prowler
Skulking Knight -----> Geralf's Messenger
U
Djinn of Wishes -----> Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
R
Smelt -----> Burst Lightning
Taurean Mauler ----> Manic Vandal
Lava Axe -----> Koth of the Hammer
G
Whirling Dervish-----> Wall of Roots
Maro-----> Master of the Wild Hunt
Lure -----> Beast Within
T
Thran Quarry-----> Gemstone Mine
So I am getting close to where I want this thing, but I could use a little help. I have a few cards I am not in love with, but can't figure out a good replacement.
According to some of the functional replacement stats I should cut 12 creatures and add 12 colorless cards. My guess is I would add 5 planeswalkers and 5 artifacts (I still need some swords) So that would get me a bit closer to the median.
I am trying to wait to switch out the Planeswalkers until Modern Masters ships in the summer. I have a box coming and there is a foil in every pack. Even if I don't pull one the prices should drop a bit (temporarily).
I'm well aware that I have other "Oddball" cards in my cube
Here's the list of cards that I need advice on. One of my concerns is removing token producers and I am light on them as is - so if some of the recommendations could include token alternatives that would be super. Remember, I only run foils so in some cases replacements become a bit tougher
U
Brackwater Elemental - Placeholder
Encrust - Placeholder
W
Pacifism - Placeholder, but hasn't been bad to us.
Story Circle - On the Nostalgia list, but really can't compete with other stuff. It can go.
Captain of the Watch - Token Producer.
G
Trophy Hunter - Placeholder
The. Swords. are. in. Pretty happy about this - 5 foil swords were not easy to get
In -----> Out
WW
Accorder Paladin ----> Palladin en-Vec
Silverblade Palladin ----> Fiend Hunter
Stoneforge Mystic ----> Knight of Glory
Swords to Plowshares ----> Pacifism
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben ----> Captain of the Watch
UU
Crystal Shard ----> Spell Syphon
Meloku the Clouded Mirror ----> Aven Fisher
Phyrexian Metamorph ----> Merfolk Looter
Treachery ----> Mind Control
BB
Bone Shredder ----> Infectious Host
Necropotence ----> Necrobite
GG
Sylvan Library ----> Farseek
WUBRG
Vindicate ----> Mortify
XX
Crucible of Worlds ----> Bottle Gnomes
Sword of Body and Mind ----> Marshalling Cry
Sword of Feast and Famine ----> Fog Bank
Sword of Fire and Ice ----> Sign in Blood
Sword of Light and Shadow ----> Thunderous Wrath
Sword of War and Peace ----> Erhnam Djinn
Intuitively I was confused by the direction of these arrows.
Knowing what you meant - all these changes look great.
[Pauper Cube] - Heisen's Travel Cube || [Cube] - USAstrat's Cube
[EDH] - Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind || [Modern] - Grixis Kiln
Cheers,
rant
My Cube
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Draft it here!
[360][Unpowered] USAstrat's Cube
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Modern: UWR UWR Control
EDH: WBR Kaalia of the Vast
I went with the pack foils. I was looking through my artifacts before I bought them and noticed I actually have no old border artifacts in the deck, so I figured I would just keep them consistent.
I'll take some picks of the swords this weekend
Makes sense. I'll keep an eye out for the photos! I'd like to foil out the rest of my swords eventually but some of them are still pretty expensive.
[360][Unpowered] USAstrat's Cube
Draft my cube on CubeTutor!
Modern: UWR UWR Control
EDH: WBR Kaalia of the Vast
Talrand, Sky Summoner -----> Remand (FNM)
Browbeat -----> Sulfuric Vortex
I finally found a foil Sulfuric Vortex. holy. crap.
[360][Unpowered] USAstrat's Cube
Draft my cube on CubeTutor!
Modern: UWR UWR Control
EDH: WBR Kaalia of the Vast
In -----> Out
G
Arbor Elf -----> Elvish Lyrist
W
Spectral Procession -----> Blessed Reversal
Day of Judgement -----> Chastise
U
Miscalculation -----> Delver of Secrets
B
Entomb -----> Liliana's Specter
Bitterblossom -----> Disciple of Bolas
R
Greater Gargadon -----> Beacon of Destruction
X
Ratchet Bomb -----> Powder Keg
[360][Unpowered] USAstrat's Cube
Draft my cube on CubeTutor!
Modern: UWR UWR Control
EDH: WBR Kaalia of the Vast
Glad to hear I am on the right track though. I want to get a Natural Order or Survival of the Fittest for Green, but those foils are tough to find and steep :). Of the two which do you think I should get?
I'd also like to get my hands on a Thoughtseize - that may take some time too.
For Dragon's Maze, I want to add Ral Zarek, but I'll wait for the price to stabilize.
I have added a lot of new stuff for Black that requires payment in life but I don't have a ton of life gain in the cube - but I have noticed that I have about as much as most - should I worry about this at all?