Woah that land is really cool. Etb tapped dual that doesn't etb tapped.
With two blooms you could make it add any color, like a permanent mirrodins core.
I want
Anthem Gnarlid 1WW
Creatures you control get +1/+1 as long as you control an aura.
2/4
I'd guess the anthem guy is a bit undercosted, probably needs 1 more mana or come down to a 2/2. It's conditional but a what could be a 3/5 for 3 mana, as well pumping other guys seems just slightly too pushed.
Couple of random attempts at enchantment matters. My theory is they should try and slot in to some other deck and be at least playable so they aren't as 'all in'.
Some black aura
Cost: 2B
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +3/+3. It has "B: Put the top card of your library into your graveyard. If it's an enchantment, regenerate this creature'.
Sacrifice ~THIS~: Target player loses X life, where X is equal to the number of enchantments in your graveyard.
So decent boost, possibly good enough for aggro to outclass opponents creatures. If they can kill it or try to remove it, you can always threaten to regenerate it. If you don't have the mana or you don't get lucky, you have the option of sacrificing the aura to get at least 1 life loss if you haven't cared about any other enchantments. And you can always sit back with your creature and play defensively, and slowly dump cards in your graveyard for graveyard decks.
Aura Mage
Creature - Cat Mage
Cost : 1G
Whenever an aura becomes attached to a creature you control, that creature gets +2/+2 and gains haste until end of turn.
2/2
Maybe that is too much upside for a bear, but it would get me to pay attention to auras.
I'd rather nerf my card like this
Anthem Gnarlid 1WW
Creatures you control get +1/+1 as long as you control an enchanted creature.
2/4
Yes this card is almost exactly the same, but what this version does is properly give you large upside for playing the worst subset of cards. This way you can't get the supreme bonus of a 3/5 that anthems your guys for 3 mana by cheating the wording (faith's fetters, accursed witch). But the point is supposed to be that it is OP when you set it off.
Auras in black that grant significant power/toughness boosts typically have some drawback (Oni Possession, Spinal Graft). Perhaps it could grant +X/+X, where X is the number of Enchantments in your graveyard?
---
I really like leadfeather's land. It is a strictly better version of the "inverse Crumbling Vestige" cycle that I proposed a long time ago (ETBT dual cycle that adds C when ETB).
I feel like they might think it does interfere with limited. Perhaps it is not as impossible as I initially thought, but an uncommon 2/4 that comes down on turn 3 makes it hard to be aggressive in that environment, doesn't it?
The black aura was pushed; I did consider making it +3/+0 so the regenerate ability was more relevant. But this is cube after all, so auras have to be a bit pushed to make it. +2/+2 is probably fine. The problem with just +x/+x for each enchantment in your yard is that it might simply do nothing.
Here's another enchantment themed card.
Aura Predation Guy
Enchantment Creature
Cost: 2G
Bestow: 4G
Whenever an enchantment creature or enchanted creature you control attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2
2/2
On its own attacks like a Nessian Courser, so the baseline is acceptable without other support while still playing into +1/+1 themes. Not sure if 'enchanted creature' is the proper rules, but the intent is obvious. A turn 2 Leafcrown Dryad into this would be a pretty solid start.
I feel like they might think it does interfere with limited. Perhaps it is not as impossible as I initially thought, but an uncommon 2/4 that comes down on turn 3 makes it hard to be aggressive in that environment, doesn't it?
The new mole that gains life in SOI would be my counter argument. That guy is easier to cast and gains life.
While I can admit that it would be trouble in some environments, I'm sure it can fit in one somewhere. Perhaps an environment where being aggressive isn't really that supported to begin with
This is all true, and I am probably wrong. Although both those examples are green, it is probably a hell of a lot more likely than I thought that a 2/4 for 1WW could exist.
Could an evolving Wall of Roots be fun? Modern-friendly so it uses -1/-1-counters... something like:
Wall of evolving roots 1G
Creature - Plant Wall
Defender, Evolve
Put a -1/-1 counter on Wall of Roots: Add G to your mana pool. Activate this ability only once each turn.
2/3
I find it a bit problematic just how good it would be as a simple wall, even if it was not ramping when need be. Just evolving it once would give you a 3/4 wall to sit on, which is quite hard for aggressive decks without mostly evasive threats to deal with. I would get rid of any power in the starting stats, leaving a 0/3. Yeah, it is easier to level up but at least it will not immediately start killing all creatures being thrown against it.
Then again... Wall of Roots is already a really powerful card. Even if the idea would be nifty, I do not think that we need an upgraded version in addition to the original.
I'd never consider the Shrub over any 1-drop Elf. It badly needs you to have a 2-drop creature, and even then the upside isn't worth the lack of reliability.
I think the shrub is a very plausible design actually. The one I suggested could only see print in something like a commander set, where they might not be as dodgy about doing "confusing" things. Still, might push it to rare..
Another random design. It doesn't really fill a hole, I just like the design.
Some Vampire
Creature
Cost: B
Menace
Whenever this attacks, defending player loses 1 life.
1/1
Pulse Tracker was essentially a bad 2/1 which couldn't kill opposing 2 toughness creatures. It probably doesn't look like much, but I think the menace adds enough to consider it. If you play it on turn 1, it acts like any other 2/1 1-drop but is likely to get in for more hits. Menace looks innocuous, but I think it really opens up some interesting design space. In a lot of game states, your opponent could attack, then play a creature post-combat that could either trade with your guy or kill it, repeat next turn. With menace, if they care enough about the creature, they have to actively think about keeping creatures back so they can block it. Which makes your removal more interactive to 'turn on' your evasion. They might be forced to block it with two creature when one of them would trade or just outright kill it, opening them up to pump spells and potential 2-for-1's. Anyway, I think it will play out differently enough than almost every other 2/1 for 1.
I think menace is subtle but is good for game play and decision making. I might need a cold shower.
I've had this percolating in my head over the last day or so.
Ravaging Trailblazer
Cost : 1G
Creature - Beast
When ~this~ comes into play, search your library for a basic land card, put that card on to the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.
~This~ can't attack or block unless you sacrifice a land.
3/3
It's probably too good, but is an interesting design that suits both aggro (can afford the lands) and ramp decks (sidelined until you hit your ramp target). It probably needs to be 3 mana perhaps with a minor stat adjustment (it's pretty much a strictly better Rampant Growth at this point), but I think that starts pushing it out of what I would want in my cube.
Well, I'd never play it in a heavily aggro deck, but it's absurd in any deck that would play a Rampant Growth. Even if it was a 0/1, it's a Rampant Growth that occasionally gains you two or three or eight life by providing a late-game block.
As a 3/3? Just absurd, considering the last Rampant Growth effect we saw was Ruin in their Wake... at uncommon...
Plus, the better comparison would probably be Sakura-Tribe Elder rather than Rampant Growth. Sakura Tribe is really, really solid: it seems to be considered staple in powered environments. Now then,
- STE can block immediately to avoid some damage.
- ETB triggers are more easily abused than sac activations.
- 3/3 is much more relevant towards the late game than a 1/1.
- STE can only ever block once.
I think the second point is particularly relevant here.
Yeah, it was a bit ambitious. Maybe it just needs to cost 3 mana. Which I probably wouldn't play Maybe if I could raise one of the stats, but that is probably too greedy.
Prohpetic Firespank enters the battlefield tapped.
When Prohpetic Firespank enters the battlefield, draw a card.
The name is obviously 10/10, and it looks silly with the ETBT on a land that doesn't tap for mana. But the general concept is intriguing. Would anyone play a land if all it did was draw you a card?
It shouldn't be thought of as a land, probably, Urza's Bauble and Mishra's Bauble are probably better comparisons. And they would also be better?
With two blooms you could make it add any color, like a permanent mirrodins core.
I want
Anthem Gnarlid 1WW
Creatures you control get +1/+1 as long as you control an aura.
2/4
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Couple of random attempts at enchantment matters. My theory is they should try and slot in to some other deck and be at least playable so they aren't as 'all in'.
Some black aura
Cost: 2B
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant Creature
Enchanted creature gets +3/+3. It has "B: Put the top card of your library into your graveyard. If it's an enchantment, regenerate this creature'.
Sacrifice ~THIS~: Target player loses X life, where X is equal to the number of enchantments in your graveyard.
So decent boost, possibly good enough for aggro to outclass opponents creatures. If they can kill it or try to remove it, you can always threaten to regenerate it. If you don't have the mana or you don't get lucky, you have the option of sacrificing the aura to get at least 1 life loss if you haven't cared about any other enchantments. And you can always sit back with your creature and play defensively, and slowly dump cards in your graveyard for graveyard decks.
Aura Mage
Creature - Cat Mage
Cost : 1G
Whenever an aura becomes attached to a creature you control, that creature gets +2/+2 and gains haste until end of turn.
2/2
Maybe that is too much upside for a bear, but it would get me to pay attention to auras.
Anthem Gnarlid 1WW
Creatures you control get +1/+1 as long as you control an enchanted creature.
2/4
Yes this card is almost exactly the same, but what this version does is properly give you large upside for playing the worst subset of cards. This way you can't get the supreme bonus of a 3/5 that anthems your guys for 3 mana by cheating the wording (faith's fetters, accursed witch). But the point is supposed to be that it is OP when you set it off.
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
The only white creatures that show up in a search for CMC=3 with power/toughness >=2/4 are Brimaz, King of Oreskos, Kemba, Kha regent, Stoic Ephemera and Faithful Squire \\Kaiso, memory of Loyalty.
Auras in black that grant significant power/toughness boosts typically have some drawback (Oni Possession, Spinal Graft). Perhaps it could grant +X/+X, where X is the number of Enchantments in your graveyard?
---
I really like leadfeather's land. It is a strictly better version of the "inverse Crumbling Vestige" cycle that I proposed a long time ago (ETBT dual cycle that adds C when ETB).
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
Here's another enchantment themed card.
Aura Predation Guy
Enchantment Creature
Cost: 2G
Bestow: 4G
Whenever an enchantment creature or enchanted creature you control attacks, put a +1/+1 counter on it.
Enchanted creature gets +2/+2
2/2
On its own attacks like a Nessian Courser, so the baseline is acceptable without other support while still playing into +1/+1 themes. Not sure if 'enchanted creature' is the proper rules, but the intent is obvious. A turn 2 Leafcrown Dryad into this would be a pretty solid start.
The new mole that gains life in SOI would be my counter argument. That guy is easier to cast and gains life.
While I can admit that it would be trouble in some environments, I'm sure it can fit in one somewhere. Perhaps an environment where being aggressive isn't really that supported to begin with
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Could an evolving Wall of Roots be fun? Modern-friendly so it uses -1/-1-counters... something like:
Wall of evolving roots 1G
Creature - Plant Wall
Defender, Evolve
Put a -1/-1 counter on Wall of Roots: Add G to your mana pool. Activate this ability only once each turn.
2/3
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
Then again... Wall of Roots is already a really powerful card. Even if the idea would be nifty, I do not think that we need an upgraded version in addition to the original.
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
Some Vampire
Creature
Cost: B
Menace
Whenever this attacks, defending player loses 1 life.
1/1
Pulse Tracker was essentially a bad 2/1 which couldn't kill opposing 2 toughness creatures. It probably doesn't look like much, but I think the menace adds enough to consider it. If you play it on turn 1, it acts like any other 2/1 1-drop but is likely to get in for more hits. Menace looks innocuous, but I think it really opens up some interesting design space. In a lot of game states, your opponent could attack, then play a creature post-combat that could either trade with your guy or kill it, repeat next turn. With menace, if they care enough about the creature, they have to actively think about keeping creatures back so they can block it. Which makes your removal more interactive to 'turn on' your evasion. They might be forced to block it with two creature when one of them would trade or just outright kill it, opening them up to pump spells and potential 2-for-1's. Anyway, I think it will play out differently enough than almost every other 2/1 for 1.
I think menace is subtle but is good for game play and decision making. I might need a cold shower.
... six damage [when played] on T1
Ravaging Trailblazer
Cost : 1G
Creature - Beast
When ~this~ comes into play, search your library for a basic land card, put that card on to the battlefield tapped, then shuffle your library.
~This~ can't attack or block unless you sacrifice a land.
3/3
It's probably too good, but is an interesting design that suits both aggro (can afford the lands) and ramp decks (sidelined until you hit your ramp target). It probably needs to be 3 mana perhaps with a minor stat adjustment (it's pretty much a strictly better Rampant Growth at this point), but I think that starts pushing it out of what I would want in my cube.
As a 3/3? Just absurd, considering the last Rampant Growth effect we saw was Ruin in their Wake... at uncommon...
- STE can block immediately to avoid some damage.
- ETB triggers are more easily abused than sac activations.
- 3/3 is much more relevant towards the late game than a 1/1.
- STE can only ever block once.
I think the second point is particularly relevant here.
What if it was a 3/1?
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
Land
Prohpetic Firespank enters the battlefield tapped.
When Prohpetic Firespank enters the battlefield, draw a card.
The name is obviously 10/10, and it looks silly with the ETBT on a land that doesn't tap for mana. But the general concept is intriguing. Would anyone play a land if all it did was draw you a card?
It shouldn't be thought of as a land, probably, Urza's Bauble and Mishra's Bauble are probably better comparisons. And they would also be better?
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)