Seems pretty solid. On par rate-wise with similar, Cartouche of Knowledge, One with the Wind/Spectral Flight. Not sure whether you'd rather want the 1 mana discount or the extra power in most cases but card seems solid nevertheless and sweet art too.
Cloudreader Sphinx is very similar to Prescient Chimera, but more splashable, but with no repeatable ability. Prescient requires a build around strategy, and often when you get to your 5-drop you've exhausted your better instants and sorceries... It's a toss up!!
as you said, scry 2 is not nearly as good as 2x scry1. and the scrying allows you to find more spells, so you get some kind of engine going. Prescient is much much better.
the pegasus is quite weak as well. if i wanted something similiar id run Cavalry Pegasus
Scry 2 is definitely better than x2 Scry 1, especially since it's self-contained and doesn't rely on other cards to activate its ability. That, and being easier to cast, makes it seem generically better and probably overall better outside of games where you get 4+ scry 1s off it.
Edit: Is it just me or does it seem like they completely abandon multicolor commons outside of multicolor and master sets? I think this is the first time I actually realize this, since I'm always crossing my fingers with each new set, hoping for a 3rd decent golgari card.
That's how its been for a long time. Have there been a lot of examples of multicolored commons in sets recently?
as you said, scry 2 is not nearly as good as 2x scry1. and the scrying allows you to find more spells, so you get some kind of engine going. Prescient is much much better.
the pegasus is quite weak as well. if i wanted something similiar id run Cavalry Pegasus
???
lol that's the opposite of what he said and the opposite of how scry actually works out in games
Scry 2 is vastly better than "scry 1, scry 1", even ignoring the fact that Chimera very often won't LET you get two triggers. Sphinx does its thing right away, no matter if your thing bounces or eats removal or trades in combat. And one is easier to cast! It's a super easy swap and upgrade (or you could use both, but Sphinx will always be a higher pick)
You're right that the ceiling is higher on Chimera, but if you're untapping repeatedly with a 3/4 flyer on the battlefield you very often don't need an "engine" to win the game. Sphinx's FLOOR is much higher, which is far more important.
idk, the decks where you want the chimera, which is some sort of spell heavy blue control she does her job quite well in the lategame and filter your draws. and a 3/4 is not that unstoppable, a single Aerie Bowmasters or Bitterbow Sharpshooters stalls it all day long. and whites removal can stop it as well (not the scry). a single shot scry2 seems irrelevant.
nevertheless both are no spike cards
regarding the set and as mentioned on the last page, for now im pretty much settled with
Sphinx does the things you say, except immediately and not waiting for 3-4+ other spells to be cast first, and all the while an easier card to cast. (Less relevant for a 5 drop, but still.) Other than a specific scenario where you're going incredibly late with your 5 drop flier lasting the whole time, it seems like the new Sphinx is undoubtedly better than Chimera.
Doesn't mean either card is a spike card, sure, but it's important to understand these fundamentals when discussing pros/cons, as its objectively wrong (or extremely close to it) that x2 Scry 1>Scry 2.
i dont think you can objectively falsify that statement, since it is dependant on the order of you library and the cards you want from it. but my gut says its more likely you hit a card you want/dont want with scy1 on different turns than scry2 once.
i dont think you can objectively falsify that statement, since it is dependant on the order of you library and the cards you want from it. but my gut says its more likely you hit a card you want/dont want with scy1 on different turns than scry2 once.
Your gut might be off a bit with this one, I'm not fully sure on the math but it's almost certainly there to show Scry 2 > x2 scry 1. You inherently get more choices of how to order those cards with scry 2 (6v2, though technically 5v2 since changing the order they both go on the bottom is irrelevant, so 5v4 in terms of choices and options when combining the two scry 1s, but overall better options in the 5 since you get to possibly rearrange the top two cards of your library or bottom the second one and keep the first, which you can't know if you definitely want to do with scry 1) and you're digging the same amount. But one you get to do immediately, and the other requires a lot more to manipulate your deck. Seems really clear that Scry 2 is better.
I guess the bigger question is: IF you are trying to support a spells-matters theme, and your cube does allow a spellslinger archetype to appear - which will most likely be heavily blue with some red - IS Prescient Chimera a strong enough inclusion, and if NOT, then should you just run the Sphinx?
The sphinx is better, no doubt about it. Scry 2 is strictly better than scry 1, scry 1. You adquire more information ahead of time, and can act upon that bigger pool of information to get better value.
Besides that, I don't think that the Quimera is a good enough enabler for "spells matter". As you only get so much spells per deck (this is pauper and you need creatures to win), the payoffs should be on smaller creatures (Thermoalchemist, Archer) or otherwise you should be saving your spells for the late game, which is playings suboptimally most of the time.
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My 490 Pauper Cube
Modern frame only- Common on paper only - no functional copies, no strictly-betters - no subtype-matters
I'm not even 100% that I'd play Chimera over the Sphinx in control decks with 33% spells, so overall Sphinx is a good bit better.
This is why I'm not sold on UR Spells as an archetype. Almost all of its payoffs aren't even that much better than the non-archetype specific equivalents we have in the focused deck.
Hey Izor, this may be an odd request but I like to collect data regarding Pauper Cubes from regular MTGS Pauper posters. I was wondering if you had an updated list available anywhere as the link in your signature is quite out of date? Apologies if this would have been better as a personal message but I am merely collecting data that would potentially benefit everyONE so I think it is just as well to make the request openly.
It's very outdated, yes. I've come used to keeping my cube list only in a writer doc because of how easy and practical it is to make changes and more importantly, group and categorize all cards correctly without having to edit individual cards with a 10 second lag on cubetutor. I don't enjoy test-drafting against bots anyway, so I'm done with that site.
I'm too busy right now but if you give me a few days I'll find a way to send you an updated list.
I agree there are many nuisances with CT. However, from writer you could easily paste into google sheets too.
Call the cavalry
I like this also. The cards seems fine for the cost
Sergeant-at-arms
I like the option of having a man sink but he doesn't seem quite there stat wise imo but Idk.
Dark Bargain
I feel like this can be a pretty good card just happens to be in the wrong color. Reminds me of a slightly worse Glimmer Genius but in black, a color doesn't doesn't really need the instant speed, Read the bones is probably just better than this.
Windgrace Acolyte
First time black has had a Angel of Mercy. Fills the yard but only has 2 toughness. Can be a nice stabilizer though but Idk if it's good enough.
Ghitu Lavarunnr
I don't think this card is nearly good enough in cube. You won't often be running enough instants or sorceries, especially one turn it on in a reasonable amount of time. By the time you do 2/2 haste isn't going to be very exciting anymore
Keldon Raider
I kind of liking this card. Not the most exicting I'll give you that but a decent body with some filtering seems like a okay card.
Blink of an Eye - functional copy of Into the Roil for cubes that want it. Spellslingers and 540 cubes will snap this up for its utility.
Cloudreader Sphinx - makes Prescient Chimera look like a goober. Straight-up value, better with blink, and easier to cast. Current blue five-drop of choice, excluding Mulldrifter because lol Mulldrifter.
Unwind - how often do you want to play around with three mana on the opponent's turn? This is on the cusp for me.
Divest - second best discard spell in pauper after Duress. Should see play for a long time - hitting artifacts is a huge upgrade on Ostracize.
Soul Salvage - functional copy of Death's Duet for those that want it. Brings the count to 3 (Wander in Death). I think this hits the max number of copies you'd want at 540, so smaller cubes will probably pass.
Frenzied Rage - functional copy of Giant Spectacle. Not spectacular (lol) by itself, but cubers will want to watch closely for similar red auras to pair with the growing number of quality hasty dudes in that color.
Ghitu Lavarunner - big question mark for me. Obviously not good in early game. But adds to the critical mass of hasty duders alongside something that red already does.
Keldon Overseer - big yes for me. Good borderline baseline with a game-ending kicker - not the norm for pauper.
Gift of Growth - similar to Aim High, but I value the untap clause more than the kicker here.
Both actually untap though, so it's more whether you want the option of having kicker vs granting reach. Also, I think Vines of the Recluse might be slightly better in the untap reach green combat spot if you want the reach option.
my t2 will run a small unicorn tribal from now on, featuring Mesa Unicorn, ronom unicorn und benevolent unicorn
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
Seems pretty solid. On par rate-wise with similar, Cartouche of Knowledge, One with the Wind/Spectral Flight. Not sure whether you'd rather want the 1 mana discount or the extra power in most cases but card seems solid nevertheless and sweet art too.
It's a work in progress
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
GWUBRDraft my Old Border Nostalgia Cube! and/or The Little Pauper Cube That Could!RBUWG
Modern:WDeath & TaxesW | RUGRUG DelverRUG
the pegasus is quite weak as well. if i wanted something similiar id run Cavalry Pegasus
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
Also, follow us on twitter! @TurnOneMagic
That's how its been for a long time. Have there been a lot of examples of multicolored commons in sets recently?
Also, follow us on twitter! @TurnOneMagic
My 490 Pauper Cube
Modern frame only- Common on paper only - no functional copies, no strictly-betters - no subtype-matters
???
lol that's the opposite of what he said and the opposite of how scry actually works out in games
Scry 2 is vastly better than "scry 1, scry 1", even ignoring the fact that Chimera very often won't LET you get two triggers. Sphinx does its thing right away, no matter if your thing bounces or eats removal or trades in combat. And one is easier to cast! It's a super easy swap and upgrade (or you could use both, but Sphinx will always be a higher pick)
You're right that the ceiling is higher on Chimera, but if you're untapping repeatedly with a 3/4 flyer on the battlefield you very often don't need an "engine" to win the game. Sphinx's FLOOR is much higher, which is far more important.
nevertheless both are no spike cards
regarding the set and as mentioned on the last page, for now im pretty much settled with
for my t2, which seems fine.
btw multicolored cards were always scarce and mostly in dedicated blocks like alara.
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
Doesn't mean either card is a spike card, sure, but it's important to understand these fundamentals when discussing pros/cons, as its objectively wrong (or extremely close to it) that x2 Scry 1>Scry 2.
Also, follow us on twitter! @TurnOneMagic
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
Your gut might be off a bit with this one, I'm not fully sure on the math but it's almost certainly there to show Scry 2 > x2 scry 1. You inherently get more choices of how to order those cards with scry 2 (6v2, though technically 5v2 since changing the order they both go on the bottom is irrelevant, so 5v4 in terms of choices and options when combining the two scry 1s, but overall better options in the 5 since you get to possibly rearrange the top two cards of your library or bottom the second one and keep the first, which you can't know if you definitely want to do with scry 1) and you're digging the same amount. But one you get to do immediately, and the other requires a lot more to manipulate your deck. Seems really clear that Scry 2 is better.
Also, follow us on twitter! @TurnOneMagic
scry on low cost cards is obv much stronger since it also fixes you mana and curve. besides being a red card...
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
GWUBRDraft my Old Border Nostalgia Cube! and/or The Little Pauper Cube That Could!RBUWG
Modern:WDeath & TaxesW | RUGRUG DelverRUG
Besides that, I don't think that the Quimera is a good enough enabler for "spells matter". As you only get so much spells per deck (this is pauper and you need creatures to win), the payoffs should be on smaller creatures (Thermoalchemist, Archer) or otherwise you should be saving your spells for the late game, which is playings suboptimally most of the time.
My 490 Pauper Cube
Modern frame only- Common on paper only - no functional copies, no strictly-betters - no subtype-matters
Hey Izor, this may be an odd request but I like to collect data regarding Pauper Cubes from regular MTGS Pauper posters. I was wondering if you had an updated list available anywhere as the link in your signature is quite out of date? Apologies if this would have been better as a personal message but I am merely collecting data that would potentially benefit everyONE so I think it is just as well to make the request openly.
CT makes it easy because I can just Follow all of the relevant cubes
Because I don't get to play as much as I like I've taken more of an interest in how other Cubes are constructed.
I agree there are many nuisances with CT. However, from writer you could easily paste into google sheets too.
Call the cavalry
I like this also. The cards seems fine for the cost
Sergeant-at-arms
I like the option of having a man sink but he doesn't seem quite there stat wise imo but Idk.
Dark Bargain
I feel like this can be a pretty good card just happens to be in the wrong color. Reminds me of a slightly worse Glimmer Genius but in black, a color doesn't doesn't really need the instant speed, Read the bones is probably just better than this.
Windgrace Acolyte
First time black has had a Angel of Mercy. Fills the yard but only has 2 toughness. Can be a nice stabilizer though but Idk if it's good enough.
Ghitu Lavarunnr
I don't think this card is nearly good enough in cube. You won't often be running enough instants or sorceries, especially one turn it on in a reasonable amount of time. By the time you do 2/2 haste isn't going to be very exciting anymore
Keldon Raider
I kind of liking this card. Not the most exicting I'll give you that but a decent body with some filtering seems like a okay card.
Yavimaya Sapherd
This card is usually just going to be a worse Junglborn Pioneer Scion Summoner so not very exciting.
Gift of Growth
Solid pump spell with surprise factor right along side Aim High
A lot of decent inclusion for an artifact cube
It's a work in progress
T2
Call the Cavalry
Healing Grace
Mesa Unicorn
Cloudreader Sphinx gonna follow your opinion here
Keldon Overseer
Radiating Lightning
Saproling Migration
Yavimaya Sapherd
i also like
Stronghold Confessor
Seismic Shift
Shivan Fire
Adventurous Impulse
Krosan Druid
Pardic Wanderer
T2 powpercube Value https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/37t
As I look at your Tier 2 picks, I realize my cube IS just a tier 2 cube. I enjoy it though Throwing in these same picks most likely.
GWUBRDraft my Old Border Nostalgia Cube! and/or The Little Pauper Cube That Could!RBUWG
Modern:WDeath & TaxesW | RUGRUG DelverRUG
Arcane Flight is a nice add alongside Cartouche of Knowledge, Spectral Flight and One with the Wind. In fact, I would seriously consider an Aura theme in blue/X now, thanks to this card adding a critical mass of wings to the deck that wants them.
Blink of an Eye - functional copy of Into the Roil for cubes that want it. Spellslingers and 540 cubes will snap this up for its utility.
Cloudreader Sphinx - makes Prescient Chimera look like a goober. Straight-up value, better with blink, and easier to cast. Current blue five-drop of choice, excluding Mulldrifter because lol Mulldrifter.
Cold-Water Snapper - functional copy of Benthic Giant. I think this kind of finisher tops out at two in most cubes, and some people will be happy to swap out Bastion Inventor for it.
Unwind - how often do you want to play around with three mana on the opponent's turn? This is on the cusp for me.
Divest - second best discard spell in pauper after Duress. Should see play for a long time - hitting artifacts is a huge upgrade on Ostracize.
Soul Salvage - functional copy of Death's Duet for those that want it. Brings the count to 3 (Wander in Death). I think this hits the max number of copies you'd want at 540, so smaller cubes will probably pass.
Frenzied Rage - functional copy of Giant Spectacle. Not spectacular (lol) by itself, but cubers will want to watch closely for similar red auras to pair with the growing number of quality hasty dudes in that color.
Ghitu Lavarunner - big question mark for me. Obviously not good in early game. But adds to the critical mass of hasty duders alongside something that red already does.
Keldon Overseer - big yes for me. Good borderline baseline with a game-ending kicker - not the norm for pauper.
Adventurous Impulse - maybe, but Oath of Nissa plays really well in regular cubes so I expect this to be similarly functional.
Broken Bond - not a fan of Explores, but this adds enough value to be maindeckable without the land drop.
Baloth Gorger - looks very good. Where would you rank this among current 4-drops? It looks good enough to be 3rd or 4th.
Gift of Growth - similar to Aim High, but I value the
untap clausereach more than the kicker here.Saproling Migration - super include card.
Short Sword - functional copy of Leonin Scimitar. Puts the count at 3 with Honed Khopesh, which is a nice sweet spot for 540.
My top 5 Dominaria cards:
1. Divest
2. Baloth Gorger
3. Cloudreader Sphinx
4. Keldon Overseer
5. Saproling Migration
My Cube (DeckStats)
My Pauper Cube: 540 (CubeTutor link!)
Level 1 Judge
It's a work in progress