Scepter is one of those cards whose evaluation depends quite heavily on what kind of Cube environment you want to craft, and, as a result of that, how you evaluate cards.
If you evaluate on the axis of "consistency" and "maindeck %", Scepter scores pretty poorly.
If you evaluate on the axis of "best-case-scenario", "uniqueness" and "build-around-me-cards", it scores highly.
I tend towards the latter metric, so I'm happy to Cube Scepter.
My friend loves scepter, and he was really upset when I took it out of the cube. My next update is going to put back in some fringe risk/reward type cards, so scepter might make a return. It certainly is a powerful effect and potentially game breaking if you can get a few uses out of it.
Scepter is also a really fun toy if you Roto draft your cube. Plumeveil or Geist of Saint Traft? Im looking for Thassa support and this is one of the best exchanges I can think of...
Plumeveil or Geist of Saint Traft? Im looking for Thassa support and this is one of the best exchanges I can think of...
I have been running Thassa with no devotion support for a while. She is a house even without going super crazy on devotion. Thus I think Geist is just far to strong to cut - particularly for Plumeveil. I also have not been having issues animating Thassa: Control Magic, JTMS, Thassa is a sweet board.
Scepter is also a really fun toy if you Roto draft your cube. Plumeveil or Geist of Saint Traft? Im looking for Thassa support and this is one of the best exchanges I can think of...
Geist of Saint Traft, easily. Only reason not to include him is if you want to tone down the power level because he's bonkers.
You know what sounds kind of sweet with Thassa? Future Sight
Revoke. Especially since you're unpowered, so a higher % of the targets are high-impact cards that need to stay dead, and it's harder to gain tempo by dropping LRW on T2.
You know what sounds kind of sweet with Thassa? Future Sight
I'm not a fan of any of those blue dudes, but I think I like the Hatchling the most. None of them are remotely the same as Ætherling though, lol.
Either of those red cards are fine cuts. I'd probably drop the Volley first, because red's 3cc noncreature spells are stacked with great options.
I agree that they're not exceptional. I traded a Keiga towards a Toxic Deluge which will be coming in shortly, so I needed to find something to fill in that blue slot until I get an AEtherling.
Why Hatchling over Drakeling? It seems that the 2 power and 2 mana tax is stronger than a 1/1 flier with a Force Spike.
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Because tempo decks are jammed (I mean jammed) with fantastic 3cc cards, and Drakeling isn't one of them. But more 2-drops are always welcome.
I get that you're looking for a placeholder, I just found the question funny. "Which one of these cards that's nothing like Ætherling is a good placeholder for it?" ...the answer is none of them, lol. I'd just add in another control finisher so you can be playtesting with a similar balance to what you'll have after you obtain one.
Because tempo decks are jammed (I mean jammed) with fantastic 3cc cards, and Drakeling isn't one of them. But more 2-drops are always welcome.
I get that you're looking for a placeholder, I just found the question funny. "Which one of these cards that's nothing like Ætherling is a good placeholder for it?" ...the answer is none of them, lol. I'd just add in another control finisher so you can be playtesting with a similar balance to what you'll have after you obtain one.
Fair enough. I guess I was just looking to use the extra slot for a lower-CC tempo card and see if I missed the extra control finisher.
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I'd add in something like Coralhelm Commander first over one of those dudes. Better yet, I'd pick up a Treachery and use that instead. I noticed it was absent from your list. As is Vedalken Shackles.
I'd add in something like Coralhelm Commander first over one of those dudes. Better yet, I'd pick up a Treachery and use that instead. I noticed it was absent from your list. As is Vedalken Shackles.
Still looking for copies! We'll see what goodies Santa brings me.
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What are people's thoughts on cutting Venser, the Sojourner for Lavinia of the Tenth? The walker hasn't done much in a good while and Lavinia is nice tempo support to back up Geist. Detention Sphere and Supreme Verdict complete my 4 card section.
Something I'm aware of is that I run three 5 drops in blue and four in white, so maybe the spots a bit too crowded? Guess that may not matter so much as venser is also 5 mana.
Venser has grown on me and I would hate to see it leave. Parallax Wave is a card you might want to try out, if you want to support Venser more as they're both best in decks that want to max out on great enter the battlefield effects, plus Venser + Parallax Wave = gg most of the time.
I'm surprised you're playing Kjeldoran Outpost and Kor Haven tbh.
We like to do fun blink/bounce shenanigans with Venser, but he's a cuttable card. If you're more interested in a sick curve-topper for a WU tempo deck, Livinia is a bonkers creature.
I'm looking to slot in Firestorm for a test to increase the chances of turn 2 reanimation while also giving additional options to decks that are interested in the damage effect. I'm thinking about cutting Flame Javelin...thoughts on this swap?
I like that change. I'm a huge fan of Firestorm, and the RRR on Flame Jav was kinda rough for an effect that didn't seem particularly overpowered or unique.
Venser has grown on me and I would hate to see it leave. Parallax Wave is a card you might want to try out, if you want to support Venser more as they're both best in decks that want to max out on great enter the battlefield effects, plus Venser + Parallax Wave = gg most of the time.
I'm surprised you're playing Kjeldoran Outpost and Kor Haven tbh.
Quote from wtwlf123 »
We like to do fun blink/bounce shenanigans with Venser, but he's a cuttable card. If you're more interested in a sick curve-topper for a WU tempo deck, Livinia is a bonkers creature.
I've kept Venser around as I really enjoyed blink decks in the past but I've found that the decks tend to look pretty durdely in a powered cube.
I have wondered about Paralax Wave before but it's another 4 drop in a stacked colour. Could be worth a try. I like running lands when available, thoese 2 aren't the best but with some token support added I feel the Outpost needs to stay for a wee while to see if it's worth its spacer. Kor Haven is a nice way to encourage an opponent to over commit into a wrath but it is a bit costly for the effect.
Parallax Wave is amazing. It kills tokens, it can be used to get rid of blockers to get the last few points of damage in. It can temporarily remove a really dangerous threat. It can even be used to trigger enter/leave the battlefield effects on your own dudes. That card does everything.
I'm looking to slot in Firestorm for a test to increase the chances of turn 2 reanimation while also giving additional options to decks that are interested in the damage effect. I'm thinking about cutting Flame Javelin...thoughts on this swap?
Flame Javelin only goes in one deck, so I'd definitely make that swap. (Plus, I think Char and Brimstone Volley are both better.) Firestorm can be an awesome thing to Wheel of Fortune into, as well.
Venser, Shaper Savant should 100% be the first one. And either Looter il-Kor or Serendib Efreet for the second one; Looter if you play UB or Bug reanimator, Efreet if you play blue tempo.
I'd find it very hard to only play two of those cards though.
After that you could try to give Tezzeret a spot. You don't need the whole artifact.dec package to make him good, you just need enough artefacts. Especilly fast mana.
If you evaluate on the axis of "consistency" and "maindeck %", Scepter scores pretty poorly.
If you evaluate on the axis of "best-case-scenario", "uniqueness" and "build-around-me-cards", it scores highly.
I tend towards the latter metric, so I'm happy to Cube Scepter.
A Comprehensive list of Cube Archetypes
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Retro combo cube thread
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http://cubetutor.com/cubeblog/993
http://www.cubetutor.com/cubeblog/23690
I have been running Thassa with no devotion support for a while. She is a house even without going super crazy on devotion. Thus I think Geist is just far to strong to cut - particularly for Plumeveil. I also have not been having issues animating Thassa: Control Magic, JTMS, Thassa is a sweet board.
I'm already running Seal, Disenchant, and Kor.
Geist of Saint Traft, easily. Only reason not to include him is if you want to tone down the power level because he's bonkers.
You know what sounds kind of sweet with Thassa? Future Sight
Geist. Cut Azorius Guildmage if you want to include Plumeveil.
Revoke. Especially since you're unpowered, so a higher % of the targets are high-impact cards that need to stay dead, and it's harder to gain tempo by dropping LRW on T2.
A Comprehensive list of Cube Archetypes
- Cloudfin Raptor
- Invisible Stalker
- Spiketail Hatchling
- Spiketail Drakeling
Right now, I have Drakeling in there, but I wanted to see everyone's opinions.
Also, I wanted to throw in Wildfire to try out. Cut either Brimstone Volley or Rift Bolt?
Either of those red cards are fine cuts. I'd probably drop the Volley first, because red's 3cc noncreature spells are stacked with great options.
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I agree that they're not exceptional. I traded a Keiga towards a Toxic Deluge which will be coming in shortly, so I needed to find something to fill in that blue slot until I get an AEtherling.
Why Hatchling over Drakeling? It seems that the 2 power and 2 mana tax is stronger than a 1/1 flier with a Force Spike.
I get that you're looking for a placeholder, I just found the question funny. "Which one of these cards that's nothing like Ætherling is a good placeholder for it?" ...the answer is none of them, lol. I'd just add in another control finisher so you can be playtesting with a similar balance to what you'll have after you obtain one.
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!
Fair enough. I guess I was just looking to use the extra slot for a lower-CC tempo card and see if I missed the extra control finisher.
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Still looking for copies! We'll see what goodies Santa brings me.
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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!
Something I'm aware of is that I run three 5 drops in blue and four in white, so maybe the spots a bit too crowded? Guess that may not matter so much as venser is also 5 mana.
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I'm surprised you're playing Kjeldoran Outpost and Kor Haven tbh.
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Flame Javelin -----> Firestorm
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I've kept Venser around as I really enjoyed blink decks in the past but I've found that the decks tend to look pretty durdely in a powered cube.
I have wondered about Paralax Wave before but it's another 4 drop in a stacked colour. Could be worth a try. I like running lands when available, thoese 2 aren't the best but with some token support added I feel the Outpost needs to stay for a wee while to see if it's worth its spacer. Kor Haven is a nice way to encourage an opponent to over commit into a wrath but it is a bit costly for the effect.
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http://riptidelab.com/forum/threads/retro-combo-cube.1454/
Flame Javelin only goes in one deck, so I'd definitely make that swap. (Plus, I think Char and Brimstone Volley are both better.) Firestorm can be an awesome thing to Wheel of Fortune into, as well.
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I'd find it very hard to only play two of those cards though.
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My 49th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from MKM!
Venser and Serendib are too strong not to play.
After that you could try to give Tezzeret a spot. You don't need the whole artifact.dec package to make him good, you just need enough artefacts. Especilly fast mana.
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