MTG Salvation

I'm not sure I would call that token ability powerful; It can only use it twice before dying, the anthem isn't as good as the emblems on the first Sorin, and I seldom judge PWs by their ultimate.

I dunno, man, I'm just not seeing it. I would rather have FAR-reaching removal that we really haven't seen before than this.

-AA

I don't like the new Sorin at all, and would run Utter End over it.

-AA

I'm currently on:

Esper: Sphinx of the Steel Wind (past choices: Dromar's Charm, Enigma Sphinx)
Bant: Bant Charm (past choices: Empyrial Archangel, Rafiq of the Many, Jenara, Asura of War)
Grixis: Nicol Bolas, PW (past choices: Cruel Ultimatum)
Naya: Realm Razer (past choices: Rith, the Awakener, Uril, the Miststalker). Wild Nacatl is a green card in my Cube.
Jund: Broodmate Dragon (past choices: Hellkite Overlord, Hit // Run)

Abzan: Doran, the Siege Tower (past choices: Crime // Punishment)
Jeskai: Lightning Angel
Sultai: The Mimeoplasm (past choices: Fungal Shambler)
Mardu: Nothing currently. Oros, the Avenger wasn't good enough.
Temur: Maelstrom Wanderer

Sultai Charm looks sweet, and the big Mardu haste guy in the duel deck is also interesting, but I'm going to wait to judge until the release is upon us.

-AA

I really like Thornling too, but it wasn't on the list so I didn't talk about it. It is another game-winner that can be hard to deal with, and has the ability to push through blockers. It is also resilient to sweepers, which is something the others are not.

-AA

Kalonian Hydra has been an absolute monster since I added it to my Cube. I have lost multiple game to it, BY ITSELF, than any other card in recent months. Two attacks is usually all that it takes due to evasion, which means ramping it out or giving it haste shortens the clock significantly! I have been so impressed, and can't imagine there being a better attacking 5-drop in green.

I also do not run 'sideboard' cards in my Cube (since I don't use sideboards), so the ability to blow up artifacts/enchantments is highly valued in my Cube (which made Reclamation Sage a wonderful addition), so with that in mind:

Tier 1: Kalonian Hydra, Thragtusk, Acidic Slime
Tier 1.5: Deranged Hermit, Indrik Stomphowler
Tier 2: Vorapede, Wolfir Silverheart, Genesis

I run all the cards in tier 1 and 1.5.

-AA

I liked Trenches way more when playing it, but you can try the guildmage if you want more devotion cards earlier in the curve?

-AA

Polukranos and Wickerbough Elder seem to be the best of the remaining 4-drops, with perhaps Obstinate Baloth being another possible one.

-AA

The best cards in those comparisons are Thassa, Venser, Verdict, Duplicate, and Snake.

-AA

Plumeveil has been a good add for me since introducing a devotion package across blue (and now black). It replaced Wall of Denial, which was very good defensively but a very boring card.

I am adding Nightveil Specter for the next draft, as it was highly recommended to me by numerous people I trust. I"m planning on good things.

-AA

Eidolon of the Great Revel is the nuuuuuuut, btw. Fits perfectly if you like burn decks/mono-ish red decks.

-AA

I would cut Test Subject and Fireslinger, with an eye on how Chief Engineer plays out (since it is new and all).

-AA

Here's the thing: Curse doesn't take over a game by itself. I have had Master singlehandedly take over games due to the reusable removal and army in a can.

They are different cards for different areas of Cube construction, I think, so it's hard to place them vs. each other. I just know that Master is one of those cards that people underestimate time and again and then learn while playing vs. it.

-AA

Master of the Wild Hunt is a criminally underrated cards historically on these forums, but I would surely find a way to play both it and the curse. Gun to head, however, Master gets it.

Ajani G, while not that impressive in control decks (even though gaining life/preventing damage by being attacked isn't a 0), really shines when played behind creatures vs. other creature decks. Aggro mirrors, Aggro vs. Midrange, Midrange mirrors...all of them greatly favor the player with the lion. However, I've also played t3 wrath t4 Ajani t5 Meloku in a control deck before, and that worked out just fine for the home team. Every time I want to cut him, he has a great run and keeps his spot.

-AA

A few things, as I'm a bit behind.

Chaos Warp is one of the precious few answers Red has for a variety of permanents, and it happens at instant speed and for only a single red. Even vs. a deck with lots of permanents, it will hit a land half or more of the time (land < thing you are Warping), and the odds are even higher for hitting a permanent that is a downgrade, and even HIGHER for hitting a land, worse permanent, or spell! The other thing that Chaos Warp has going for it is that it has a tendency to become a spectator event (often stopping games around it to see what happens), and can sometimes lead to GREAT stories (remember that time I warped x and got y??) If that's not the definition of a fun and effective Cube card, I'm not sure what is. It is pretty dang far from unplayable chaff.

I would put Mortars 4th in that list, and Bloodseeker from M15 is a reason to run more Arc Lightnings.

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If you are looking at black 3 drops, please don't underestimate Lifebane Zombie. I talked it up on our Third Power review, but after playing with Gitaxian Probe in constructed so much you REALLY get an idea of the value of known information about your opponent. On top of that you get 3 evasive power for 3, a zombie tribal interaction (gravecrawler, Graveborn Muse), black mana symbols for devotion (another thing I've been pushing a little and paying off so far)...oh and you might get to exile a card!

Please try it if you haven't; I think it is WAY better than Lili's Specter, which has found its way out of my Cube.

-AA

Obviously you disagree, so why even bring it up if it's a dead horse? There are arguments in both directions, and we'll never convince each other, so why even say it other than to try to START another useless beating of said horse?

Yes it is, no it isn't...real useful.

-AA