I'm not so sure about the Precon idea. Wouldn't it be better do design a bunch of cards for the different colors / sections and then cut a few away until everything fits? And when too many cards of a certain type are designed (like, six Wraths), you just step in and say: Enough of those, now we have to make more (insert archetype) cards. I feel like making those Precons would just add an unnessessary level of abstraction. Cards aren't made for a cube, but for a preconstructed deck and for a cube.
Good point. Precons are a helpful exercise when a Cube is already built, but for something like this I can see how it would be a bit backwards.
Quote from iceage4life »
I find giving every color mana acceleration that is better then Llanowar Elves is really, really going to limit design space for green.
Quote from Star Slayer »
That is a major concern for me, too. Mana stones should cost 2, while green gets a few Elves / Birds.
This is very valid. I brainstormed ways to help Green out earlier on this page, and I think there's a chance it can work just fine, but most likely I will indeed have to tone the stones down.
Good point. Precons are a helpful exercise when a Cube is already built, but for something like this I can see how it would be a bit backwards.
Yes, building some Precons could be an informative exercise once the cube is mostly completed. Then, you could build them and if anything is missing, just fill in the last few cards. It should be much easier this way than beginning with the decks.
Sparkmage Apprentice+ 1R
Creature - Human Wizard
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/1
I remember people talking about this and then being frustrated with Blisterstick Shaman.
---
Goblin Vandal 1R
Creature - Goblin Warrior
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, sacrifice it unless you destroy target artifact.
2/2
I'm not sure if this works correctly.
---
Viashino Looter 1R
Creature - Viashino Scout T: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/1
Red looting is all the rage!
---
Fury Knight RR
Creature - Human Knight
First strike, haste
2/2
---
Fireflail Knight 2RR
Creature - Human Knight
Double strike
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/2
Eternal Fire 2RR
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, CARDNAME deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
I posted these two in the "Print this Wizards" thread and I like them both a lot.
---
Ragnarok 3R
Sorcery
Destroy all lands.
This is pretty crazy, admittedly, but I think it will make things really interesting. I like the idea of there being two Armageddons, one in Red and one in White. (I don't think this is too over-the-top as many Cubes run Ravages of War alongside Geddon.) This means that RW aggro can live the dream of drafting two Geddons, and that BR or RG aggro, for instance, can get a taste of its power.
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Pyretic Ritual+ R
Instant
Add RRR to your mana pool.
Colorshift # 3. I'm having trouble making a Green-to-Red shift.
---
Runeclaw Bear G
Creature - Bear
2/1
---
Untap Instant GG
Instant
Untap all permanents you control.
Needs a lot of tweaking and is probably more fair as 1GG. Could be a or GU card.
---
A couple of gold ideas (also already posted):
Render Dreamless UUB
Instant
Counter target spell. Its controller discards a card at random.
Simic Selkie 1:symug::symug:
Creature - Merfolk
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, draw a card.
CARDNAME can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
2/2
I've planned out the creature cost curves for each color and I'll include those in my next post.
Even though it's daunting, Green will be the color I give the most attention to for a while.
As many have expressed, the mana stones being as powerful as they are may make it a bit difficult for Green to compete, so if after making Green it's still evident, I'll weaken them (probably making them cost 1 but not enter the battlefield tapped.)
As always, let me know if you have any ideas about anything.
Fury Knight RR
Creature - Human Knight
First strike, haste
2/2
Why oh why doesn't this card exist? It's PERFECT.
I Like Ragnarok and Pyretic Ritual a lot too: the effects fit and have the correct level of simplicity, and Ragnarok is a great name for a red Armageddon.
I'd cube with these in a heartbeat if they got printed.
1W Warder Wall
Creature - Wall
Defender
When Warder Wall enters the battlefield, exile target creature. When Warder Wall leaves the battlefield, return the exiled creature to the battlefield.
0/4
1UUU Mystic Drake
Creature - Drake
Flash, Flying
When Mystic Drake enters the battlefield, counter target spell.
2/2
3B Zombie Recruiter
Creature - Zombie
When Zombie Recruiter enters the battlefield, you may return target creature card from your graveyard to play. You lose life equal to that cards converted mana cost.
2/2
2R Goblin Flamethrower
Creature - Goblin
When Goblin Flamethrower enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
2/1
1G Harmonic Elf
Creature - Elf Shaman
When Harmonic Elf enters the battlefield, draw cards equal to its power.
1/1
So I was thinking about how people like Tusker and possible green creatures that could serve as both ramp enabler and ramp target without using keywords and camp up with this:
Garden Hydra XG
CARDNAME ETB with X +1/+1 counters
Remove a +1/+1 counter: search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Play this ability as a sorcery and only once per turn.
Having the restriction on when and how to use the counters seems fair given the flexibility of playing it as a rampant growth, cultivate or beater, but one or more of those restrictions could be lifted to pump the power level if desired. Alternatively, the choice to remove a counter could be an upkeep effect.
Sorry I've been a bit slow to actually add to the total number.
Psychologically, adding things to the first post feels like some sort of final "inked" decision, but I shouldn't be looking at it so rigidly. I think if instead there's a more flowing pace, it can be a success.
The mana stones have generated the most discussion, and until now, they (along with the obvious Counterspell) were the only things in the Cube. It will be more natural if I keep the ball rolling by adding people's designs to the first post more often, and that will have the added bonus of making the current designs more visible and best of all, more discussable. The downside will be that I'll have to take designs out more often, but I think that makes more sense. It will feel more like the process of, well... building a Cube.
Thus, from now on I'll try my best to do that. I've thought about everything so far and I have a big update to the Cube. I'm sorry if any designs slipped through the cracks- don't be afraid to point to designs from other posts/pages of the thread. Just because I'm not adding something now doesn't mean I won't add it in the future. I just don't want to stick everything in at once, hehe.
I hope this post makes up for my hesitance so far!
- First of all, the Mana Stones have been changed to the 2 CMC alternatives that come into play untapped. I think it's easier, and more natural, to design around that baseline than the originals. Also, this will give Green a lot more breathing room. The mana stones at 2 mana are not bulletproof or anything, but for now I think it's the best direction to take with them.
I have some additions to each section, as well as explanations for each addition. The first post should reflect these changes now.
Armageddon 3W
Sorcery
Destroy all lands.
I alluded to this earlier. It's a powerful card for sure, but it's a good tool for aggro and I'm attached to the idea of there being White Armageddon and Red Armageddon in the same Cube.
---
Guardian of the Realm W
Creature - Human Knight
Whenever Guardian of the Realm attacks, it gets +2/-2 until end of turn.
0/3
Energetic Swordmaster W
Creature - Human Soldier
Double strike
1/1
These are two white one-drops that Star Slayer suggested. I like them both a lot. Guardian is a cool design because it plays well in both aggro and control. Swordmaster is a great design that's bound to be printed one day.
My only concern is that it's strictly better than Elite Vanguard as far as I can tell, which will make me unable to include Vanguard if this is in.
Also, about that... I could dodge the "strictly better" problem somewhat if I played around with creature types and made tribal matter slightly, sort of like how Captain of the Watch did during her time in people's Cubes. Does that feel like cheating or do you guys like the idea?
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(Lifegain Lion) W
Creature - Lion
At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent gains 1 life.
3/2
This card was suggested by Pringlesman early on. I fixed the templating a bit, as he accidentally put a "may" on it originally.
I'm not so sure about this- it's certainly really powerful, but I don't quite get the flavor of it. It intrigues me enough as a design to put it in for now.
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(Exile+Draw) W
Instant
Exile target creature. Its controller draws a card.
Elegant and powerful card suggested by Pringles.
---
Disenchant 1W
Instant
Destroy target artifact or enchantment.
Seems natural.
---
(Exile+Heal) W
Instant
Exile target creature. Its controller gains 3 life.
Fredo suggested this with the caveat that it should probably be 4 instead of 3. I'm a bit concerned that it's usually stronger than Swords to Plowshares, but I like the elegance of the fixed number. Another plus is that I won't have to spend a reprint slot on STP.
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Warder Wall 1W
Creature - Wall
Defender
When Warder Wall enters the battlefield, exile target creature.
When Warder Wall leaves the battlefield, return the exiled creature to the battlefield.
0/4
This was just now suggested by carroln, and it seems pretty cool. Note that this is not strictly better than Journey to Nowhere since it's a different card type, so that card is still a possible reprint.
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I favor Wrath of God over Day of Judgment in that debate, which is the only debate about White that I can think of at the moment.
Mystic Drake 1UUU
Creature - Drake
Flash, Flying
When Mystic Drake enters the battlefield, counter target spell.
2/2
Another of carolln's designs, this is definitely powerful. I'm going to go out on a limb and include this one right from the start.
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Mean Meddler 2UU
Creature - Faerie Wizard
Flash, flying
When Mean Meddler enters the battlefield, choose one: Counter target spell; or draw three cards, then discard three cards.
1/1
Star Slayer suggested this. It will probably compete with the above card for a slot.
---
Monopolize 1U
Instant
Reveal a card from your hand. Counter target spell if it shares a card type with the revealed card.
Another one created by Star Slayer. I'm not sure how powerful this is, but it seems fun to test.
---
Mana Leak 1U
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays 3.
As others have stated, the ideal soft counter.
--- Freeze 1U
Instant
Tap target permanent. That permanent doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
Draw a card.
Dissolve
:1mana::symu:
Instant
Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard, and its controller adds mana to his or her mana pool equal to the mana cost of that spell.
Whispering Wind
:2mana::symu::symu:
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, draw a card.
Two more of my designs.
---
Inspiration+
:2mana::symu:
Instant
Draw two cards.
I also like the 1U or UUDivination and I have no problems with including both or neither. But I think this one is the easiest of the two to throw in for now.
---
Mini Cryptic
:1mana::symu::symu:
Instant
Choose one - Counter target spell; or return target permanent to its owner's hand.
I don't have much to say about this. Let me know what you think.
Shadow Efreet 2B
Creature - Efreet
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, Shadow Efreet deals 1 damage to you.
3/4
Black is the color that's been talked about the least, so I'm only going to include this for now.
Eternal Fire 2RR
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, Eternal Fire deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
My friends all tell me this is too powerful, and it probably is. But I'm just so attached to the idea of these "elemental upkeep" enchantments.
---
Magus of the Vortex 1RR
Creature - Human Wizard
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, Magus of the Vortex deals 2 damage to that player.
If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.
2/2
Pringlesman suggested this and I love it. I loved the Magi back in TSP block but none of them really see any Cube play... except maybe Magus of the Future and Magus of the Disk in larger Cubes?
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Fury Knight RR
Creature - Human Knight
First strike, haste
2/2
Fireflail Knight 2RR
Creature - Human Knight
Double strike
Whenever Fireflail Knight deals combat damage, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/2
These are two of my creature designs.
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Pyretic Ritual R
Instant
Add RRR to your mana pool.
This has gotten a lot of positive feedback and it should be interesting to see. I feel like I should indicate in the first post when a real card has been tweaked somehow. Thoughts?
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Ragnarok 3R
Sorcery
Destroy all lands.
I talked about this one in the last post. Does anyone dislike the idea of this?
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Rock Snapper 1R
Creature - Lizard
Double strike 2R: Rock Snapper gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
1/1
The main Red debate right now is whether or not to include Lightning Bolt.
Green Elves
Creature - Elf Druid
Haste
: Add to your mana pool.
0/1
Darklich528 suggested this on page 2. Even though the mana stones have been weakened now (probably for the best), I still like the design. I also like how this isn't technically better than Llanowar Elves so we can include that if we like.
---
Runeclaw Bear
Creature - Bear
2/1
I like the idea of Runeclaw Bear suddenly being a sought-after card in a draft.
---
I know I promised more Green in this post (as well as creature curves), but I thought it would be better to simply go ahead and add stuff to the Cube. Green will be the focus the next time I post cards though!
Pringlesman posted this Bonesplitter variant, which I like the feel of. It's squarely in aggro where it belongs. The only problem is that I kind of want to include Bonesplitter itself and I probably won't include them both.
Render Dreamless UUB
Instant
Counter target spell. Its controller discards a card at random.
I don't have much to say about this except that no one's really said anything about it!
Wasteland
Land T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T, Sacrifice Wasteland: Destroy target nonbasic land.
Baseland
Land T: Add 1 to your mana pool. T, Sacrifice Baseland: Destroy target basic land.
Baseland is a little silly, but Strip Mine had to be toned down a bit to be included without being strictly better. Now it's the worse of the two, but I don't see it not making too many maindecks.
(Exile+Heal)
Should be 4 life. This card already makes every fatty cry, so it should at least give its controller an exchange value that approaches a fair amount.
Mystic Drake
This would be cleaner and therefore better for a core set / cube than my "choose one" Mean Meddler.
Freeze
I'm still trying to figure out if this is would play too much like Time Walk if cast during your second turn on an opposing land. Sure, unlike TW, they get to draw a card during their turn, but so do you. The combat phase doesn't really matter that early, so Freeze is similar to TW here. On the other hand, they get their land drop and this card is much worse late game than TW, so it may be fair.
Mini Cryptic
I love this card! A flexible home run. "Choose one" is completely fine here, because it is the main and only effect and not part of an ability that sits next to others. Therefore, it wouldn't be too complicated for a core set / cube, unlike Mean Meddler.
Eternal Fire
Your friends are right, it is way too good. Maybe at 1RR with only 1 damage? Then it's like a hard to kill pinger with a timing restriction. Hm, this sounds a bit too fair...
Contentious Goblin
Should be 2/1. And even then it's a powerful card for aggro.
Ragnarok
Great name. Why didn't I think about this? Makes a great mirror with Armageddon.
Runeclaw Bear
Needs another name.
Render Dreamless
Drop the "at random" and it would be a fine, simple, core set / cube worthy and fair card.
Baseland
I like it. Except for the name of course.
And here - as a suggestion for your green section - the Utopia Tree that should have been printed:
Utopia VinesG
Creature - Plant Wall
Defender
T: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
0/2
If you want green to be really good at ramp, what about making it free (might be too good - but it's not as good as a mox):
Frelf (Mox Druid?) G
Creature - Elf Druid
You may play CARDNAME for 0 if you control a basic forest
0/1
I suppose it could be an color aligned mox-like artifact as well:
Emerald Blox 0
When CARDNAME ETB, sacrifice it unless you control a basic forest
T: G
Probably would have to ETBT as well unless you want almost mox level brokenness. That could be a cycle of color aligned zero cost artifacts where none of the others ramp permanently but do powerful early game things associated with their color.
Or combine green ramp with the white tax mechanic
Qasali Tax Collector WG
Creature - Cat Druid
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped, then shuffle your library.
If an opponent controls more lands that you, you may play CARDNAME for
2/2
Not sure I like that this might more often be played as a hybrid card and thus allow G to land tax.
Alternate version:
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped. If an opponent controls more lands that you, you may search your library for a second basic land and put it into your hand.
Alternate 2:
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped. If an opponent controls more lands that you, untap up to 2 lands you control. (or make it all lands, if you want to push the power)
Please excuse the playtest names... if they make the cube they'd probably want to be changed
Gaea's Little Revenge 1GG
Creature - Elemental
CARDNAME can't be the target of nongreen spells or abilities from nongreen sources.
3/3
I'm not sure if this ability is really worth it. This is kind of just a weaker troll-shroud, right? It's cool on Gaea's Revenge, but this card can still be blocked in combat just fine.
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Lure Basilisk 1GG
Creature - Basilisk
Deathtouch
All creatures able to block CARDNAME do so.
2/2
I like these two effects being on one card for a cool retro feel.
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Gaea's Cleansing GGG
Sorcery
Destroy all noncreature permanents.
4? 5? I don't know if this is justifiable in Green or not but I like the idea of it having some sort of Wildfire-ish card like this.
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Expand the Land 1G
Sorcery
Search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Better than Rampant Growth, but so is Farseek for most purposes. I think this is the kind of flexibility that Green should have in this Cube. This may even be a little weak compared to the new manastones!
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Expanding Earth 2GG
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Help, I'm doing it again! Is it better "tapped", "untapped", or nonexistent?
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Primal Anthem 2GG
Enchantment
Creatures you control get +1/+1 and have trample.
I like Gaea's Anthem in Cube a lot more than many do, but this is probably worse. I like the idea of an anthem that is more midrangey like this.
Even if it's not right for this project I hope they actually print it in real life.
---
Unified Anthem 2:symwg::symwg::symwg:
Enchantment
Creatures you control get +X/+X, where X is the number of creatures you control.
Originally I had this as monogreen, but this seems like a really fitting hybrid Selesnya card. It might be more fair at 3:symgw::symgw::symgw:.
(Exile+Heal)
Should be 4 life. This card already makes every fatty cry, so it should at least give its controller an exchange value that approaches a fair amount.
Yeah, 4 life seems right to me.
Mystic Drake
This would be cleaner and therefore better for a core set / cube than my "choose one" Mean Meddler.
I think you're right. I like Mean Meddler but the other card seems more appropriate and riffs off Mystic Snake.
Freeze
I'm still trying to figure out if this is would play too much like Time Walk if cast during your second turn on an opposing land. Sure, unlike TW, they get to draw a card during their turn, but so do you. The combat phase doesn't really matter that early, so Freeze is similar to TW here. On the other hand, they get their land drop and this card is much worse late game than TW, so it may be fair.
This is something I too have been thinking about. It seems like the easiest way to fix the problem is to either:
- drop the "untap" clause and make it cost U; then it would be an Ice that costs 1 less.
OR
- leave the "untap" clause as-is but drop the draw. Leave the cost the same (or possibly drop 1?)
Mini Cryptic
I love this card! A flexible home run. "Choose one" is completely fine here, because it is the main and only effect and not part of an ability that sits next to others. Therefore, it wouldn't be too complicated for a core set / cube, unlike Mean Meddler.
This could also be a potentially cool cycle among all 5 colors.
Eternal Fire
Your friends are right, it is way too good. Maybe at 1RR with only 1 damage? Then it's like a hard to kill pinger with a timing restriction. Hm, this sounds a bit too fair...
This is a tough one for sure and I think it might be best to test it. I actually think it's somewhat acceptable as-is, but this is likely another situation where I'm very, very wrong.
Contentious Goblin
Should be 2/1. And even then it's a powerful card for aggro.
I think it should be 2/1 too. In fact, I thought about this card a lot, and this came to mind:
R
Creature - Goblin Warrior
Haste
CARDNAME attacks each turn if able.
2/1
"Attacks each turn if able" is slightly more Red than "can't block" which is more Black in modern design.
With people talking Tattermunge Maniac being a good Red card but an underwhelming Green card, this came to mind. I know it's powerful but it's probably less powerful than Goblin Guide.
Runeclaw Bear
Needs another name.
As much as I love the idea of this, you may be right. However, wouldn't it be cool if White had Savannah Lions, Red had a one-drop Tiger (possibly even the above card!), and Green had this?
Render Dreamless
Drop the "at random" and it would be a fine, simple, core set / cube worthy and fair card.
I actually kind of like the "at random" on here, but I think it would still be pretty good without it.
Baseland
I like it. Except for the name of course.
Yeah, I just threw it in because it kinda rhymed with Wasteland. This definitely needs a better name.
And here - as a suggestion for your green section - the Utopia Tree that should have been printed:
Utopia VinesG
Creature - Plant Wall
Defender
T: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
0/2
I love this. I think I will include this as being named Utopia Tree if that's okay with you. It's just so perfect.
Quote from ScreamingHippo »
So I was thinking about how people like Tusker and possible green creatures that could serve as both ramp enabler and ramp target without using keywords and camp up with this:
Garden Hydra XG
CARDNAME ETB with X +1/+1 counters
Remove a +1/+1 counter: search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Play this ability as a sorcery and only once per turn.
Having the restriction on when and how to use the counters seems fair given the flexibility of playing it as a rampant growth, cultivate or beater, but one or more of those restrictions could be lifted to pump the power level if desired. Alternatively, the choice to remove a counter could be an upkeep effect.
Cleaned up a bit...
Garden Hydra XG
Creature - Plant Hydra
CARDNAME enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from CARDNAME: search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Activate this ability only as a sorcery and only once per turn.
I think this is great. I definitely want this, or some iteration of this, to be in. Let me know what you guys think the best way to template this is. (at upkeep? as an instant or not? etc)
I think it would be interesting as is, but allowing you to activate its ability as an instant. It eclipses STE, though, for what it's worth. Possibly a problem.
Or combine green ramp with the white tax mechanic
Qasali Tax Collector :symw::symg:
Creature - Cat Druid
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped, then shuffle your library.
If an opponent controls more lands that you, you may play CARDNAME for
2/2
With the second clause, this seems a bit much if you're on the draw.
I like the train of thought on the Mox-ish ideas too, Hippo, but they're less necessary now that the mana stones have been toned down.
---
I think from now on I'm going to propose updates like this in all of my posts, to give a reasonable window of time for people to say "No, stop, that's crazy!!" before I change the first post, etc.
Proposed update:
Add Garden Hydra
Add Utopia Vines (Tree?)
Drop Mean Meddler
Change (Exile+Draw)'s lifegain to 4.
Change Freeze somehow.
Change Eternal Fire somehow.
Decide whether or not Render Dreamless causes random discard.
Add some of my green cards from this post, unless they're all totally crazy.
Change Contentious Goblin to a 2/1, maybe change "can't block" to haste and "attacks each turn if able"
This randomly occurred to me: Change the 1/1 W double strike so that it only has double strike when attacking. This will enable a vanilla 2/1 in white and make the two cards play slightly differently.
I agree with most of that. I don't think that Eternal Fire is salvageable, I think that Render Dreamless is best as "at random," and I like Freeze as it is. Expanding Earth also seems stupidly powerful. Primal Anthem seems a bit weak, to be honest. The Gaea's Revenge is kind of underwhelming, too.
- Flickerwisp is a good one that slipped under my radar! That's a pretty neat choice. My other ideas for White->Blue were Scepter of Dominance, Moat, and Humility.
- Bitterblossom won't work because it is Tribal, unfortunately, but it's an interesting train of thought. My thoughts for Black->Blue were Coercion and the more aggressive Duress, but that is a bit too strong for Blue discard possibly.
- Wheel of Fortune is cool, but is not too much of a stretch given Timetwister, so I'm not sure if I'll use it or not.
- Plow Under is one of the two Green->Blue cards I thought about along with the weirder Harrow as a nod to Dreamscape Artist.
3WW Back to Life
Sorcery
Target player's life total becomes 20.
This is pretty cool. I like the idea of there being a pure lifegain card.
2UU Ebb and Flow
Sorcery
Return target land to its owner's hand. Draw a card.
This is a good design that I bet they'll print one day, but since my Cube has no Planeswalkers, it's not that much different from Creeping Mold.
Quote from Pringlesman »
Warder Wall is A-mazing. Probably should cost 2W so it doesn't outclass Journey to Nowhere. A card that is already a cube staple.
I love how you can Warder Wall your own creature, than wrath the board getting your creature back.
It doesn't strictly outclass Journey since being a creature makes it easier to destroy (though I don't think you were implying it was "strictly better"), but it probably is better. I think 2W is indeed more fair, in part because of the interaction you described.
Charring Blaze XR
Choose one - CARDNAME deals X damage to target player; or CARDNAME deals two times X damage to target creature and X damage to you.
---
Gleemax on a body
:?mana::symu::symu: or :?mana::symb::symb:
Creature
You choose all targets for all spells and abilities.
?/?
Mindslaver Spell
:3mana::symub::symub::symub:
Sorcery
You control target player's next turn.
I think the idea of these is pretty interesting but I'm not sure how well they would fare.
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Mystic Ooze GG
Creature - Ooze
Whenever a player casts a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on CARDNAME.
CARDNAME has trample and shroud as long as it has four or more +1/+1 counters on it.
1/1
I like the idea of this, but what do you folks think is the most interesting number of counters to activate trample and shroud? For a while I made it require a certain number for shroud and a certain number for trample, but I feared that might be a bit clunky.
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Ocean Elemental 1UU
Creature - Elemental
Shroud
Whenever CARDNAME blocks or becomes blocked, you may switch CARDNAME's power and toughness until end of turn.
4/1
Calcite Snapper variant that is more vulnerable to Pyroclasm effects but is more versatile. This is my favorite design in this group.
---
Spellstutter Sprite Variant 1U
Creature - Faerie Wizard
Flash, Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, counter target spell with converted mana cost 2 or less.
1/1
Originally I thought "3 or less", but that seems too powerful.
---
Some attempts at Blue finishers.
Distant Sphinx 4UU
Creature - Sphinx
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, target opponent may have you draw three cards. If he or she doesn't, search your library for a card and put that card into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
4/5
Distant Memories-ish ability stapled onto a finisher. Not sure I like this or not, but it fits a Sphinx well.
Otherworldly Djinn 4UU
Creature - Djinn
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, return target permanent to its owner's hand. 2UU: Exile CARDNAME. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
5/6
I like the idea of "Mahamoti Djinn with some abilities", and this is what popped into my head.
Knowledge Dragon 4UUU
Creature - Dragon
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield or is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw two cards.
5/5
I'm not sure about these specific iterations, but these were the first things that popped into my head for "a sphinx, a djinn, and a dragon".
The reason there are so many blue cards again is somewhat related to this.
I chose Blue because it had the fewest creature slots, and thought "what are some creature types that would be cool for Blue to have at least one of?" to help me brainstorm creature ideas. I came up with this list:
- drake (carroln's Mystic Drake is a good one)
- faerie
- human wizard
- djinn
- sphinx
- bird
- bird soldier/wizard/etc.
- merfolk
- illusion
- shapeshifter
- elemental (I like my Ocean Elemental above)
- jellyfish (If I have the space, I would like to include Man-o'-War)
- leviathan
- dragon (Not absolutely necessary, but it would be cool to have a monocolor dragon for each color.)
That's 14 right there, and Blue has 16 creature slots. Its curve for creatures will tentatively look something like this:
1 |
2 |||
3 |||
4 |||
5 |||
6 ||
7 |
Update:
Add Garden Hydra
Add Utopia Vines
Add Mine Memory
Add Pyroclastic Flow
Drop Mean Meddler
Change (Exile+Heal)'s lifegain to 4.
Change the 1/1 double strike so that it only has double strike when attacking. This will enable a vanilla 2/1 in white and make the two cards play slightly differently.
The rest will remain unchanged for now. Let me know what you think!
I'll still be around tonight, but I'm going on a trip tomorrow! I'll be gone until Sunday. Feel free to suggest things if you have any ideas- I might be able to post from my phone.
I've been meaning to comb the "Print this Wizards" thread for people's ideas, and I will try to do so as soon as possible. When I do, I'll ask individual people if I can use specific designs of theirs for this project.
I think another important thing to decide on when putting something like this together is the power of colourless and multicoloured cards compared to the WUBRG section. When we play, powerful artifacts are generally snatched up in the first few picks, while people tend to shy away from taking early multicoloured cards. Obviously this makes sense, since artifacts can be played in any deck and multicolour cards are quite a bit less flexible.
Since you have complete control over the power level of this cube, it might be worthwhile to push the comparative power of multicolour cards. It may just be me, but I feel that having to make the choice between flexible, decent cards, and specific, powerful cards is an interesting dynamic.
Okay, huge update. (This is going to double the size of this so far!) I've scanned the entire "Print this Wizards" thread and I found several gems. I have more in mind to include than these, but this is already going to be a big increase in cards. I'll save the rest for the next big update!
I picked some of the ones that I thought were the very best. None of these cards are necessarily bulletproof, but I think it'll be easier to add things in now and then take them away later if necessary.
I will mention the creator of each card to give them credit. (I don't expect this to happen, but if anyone whose cards I chose doesn't want their cards used, I'll take them out) Would people prefer it if I credited everyone in the opening post as well, or would that bog things down too much?
Where appropriate, I've cleaned up the wording on the cards.
The cards I'm adding, by color:
Golden Pegasus (metamind) 1WW
Creature - Pegasus
Flying, protection from black and from red
2/2
Definitely powerful, but I think the heavy white cost balances it and I like the idea of there being occasional heavy mono-color cards like this.
How many creature removal spells should White have in all? Maybe 4 or 5 cards?
---
Enlightened Sorceress (xfollowthereaperx) 2W
Creature - Human Wizard
When Enlightened Sorceress enters the battlefield, search your library for an artifact or enchantment card and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put the card on top of it.
2/1
reaper suggested three of these, and I'm going to put all three in for now. I'm not sure if all three will make it in the end, but I love the designs.
---
Kor Falconer (Goodking) 1W
Creature - Kor Soldier
When Kor Falconer enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
Really cool design. I like it.
---
Pro-Bear (HotShot) WW
As Pro-Bear enters the battlefield, choose a color.
Pro-Bear has protection from the chosen color.
2/2
The original cost was 1W; ThatOneNinja suggested the WW cost. I'm putting it at the latter for now.
---
Essence Meld (wtwlf123) 2W
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast Essence Weld, sacrifice an enchantment.
Search your library for an enchantment card and put that card onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
Not sure if it's supposed to be "Meld" or "weld." Either name is really nice.
With the high concentration of enchantments that it seems like this Cube will have, this seems appropriate. I will also probably include the regular Tinker as well, giving it a cool mirror.
---
Twin Cadet (Pringlesman) 1WW
Creature - Human Soldier
When Twin Cadet enters the battlefield, put a 2/2 White Human Soldier creature token onto the battlefield.
2/2
Pringlesman actually suggested this early in this thread as well; I meant to add it because I liked it but it just slipped through the cracks. His version in this thread has an "if one leaves play, so does the other" clause but I'm going to post it without that for now.
I actually think one interesting variant of this that avoids the problem of making one soldier better than the other would be a 1WW Sorcery that puts two 2/2 soldiers (or whatever creature type is appropriate) into play.
Rehearse (BlueBabyDragon) U
Instant
The next time you cast an instant or sorcery spell this turn, put that card into your hand as it resolves.
Draw a card.
I forgot all about this design, but I still like it. I'm not sure where the power level of this card falls but it should be fun to test it out and see.
---
Counterstifle (bondafong) 1UU
Instant
Counter target spell or activated ability.
Kind of similar to my "Cancel or Boomerang", But it's sort of hard to design counterspells without making them similar to each other, so I will put this in for now and maybe take one of them out in the future.
---
Ocean Elemental 1UU
Creature - Elemental
Shroud
Whenever Ocean Elemental blocks or becomes blocked, you may switch its power and toughness until end of turn.
4/1
Spellstutter Sprite Variant
:1mana::symu:
Creature - Faerie Wizard
Flash, Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, counter target spell with converted mana cost 2 or less.
1/1
Both of these are my designs from earlier, and I still love the elemental. I thought about taking away the "may", but that produces weird results if it gets double-blocked and stuff.
---
Treason (wtwlf123) 1UUU
Instant
Counter target spell. If a creature spell is countered this way, put that card onto the battlefield under your control instead of into its owner's graveyard.
Dimmed Droning (cuttups) 2UU
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant nonland permanent
You control enchanted permanent.
Enchanted permanent's activated abilities can't be activated.
Vedalken Æthershackles (FoggManatic) 1UU
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
You control enchanted creature as long as its power is less than or equal to the number of Islands you control.
All of these are awesome and are the first few Control Magic effects. I changed the wording on Mogg's a bit.
---
Thought Field (wtwlf123) U
Creature - Illusion
Defender
When Thought Field enters the battlefield, you may draw a card.
0/3
I love this. Should it keep the "may" ?
---
Mystic Debate (cuttups) 2U
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays 3. If that player does, you may return Mystic Debate to your hand.
This is interesting. Note that the second clause makes it not strictly worse than Mana Leak so both can be in if we want.
---
Mystical Sorceress (xfollowthereaperx) 2U
Creature - Human Wizard
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield search your library for an instant or sorcery card and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put the card on top of it.
1/3
Zombie Gates (cuttups) BB
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield.
At the end of your turn, you lose 1 life for each Zombie on the battlefield.
This is really cool.
---
Meddle Vack (xfollowthereaperx) 2B
Creature - Ninja Assassin
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, destroy target creature with power less than or equal to CARDNAME.
2/2
I wouldn't have thought to restrict a kill ability in that way but it seems like it would play really well. It might read better as "power 2 or less" even though that disables Anthem shenanigans.
---
Underhanded Dealer (killem2) 1BB
Creature - Human Mercenary
Intimidate
Whenever Underhanded Dealer deals damage to a player, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
2/2
I love the idea of a monoblack Finkel.
---
Lifegorger (Lanxal) BB
Creature - Horror
Sacrifice a creature: ~ gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Discard a creature card: ~ gets +2/+2 until end of turn. Quick, before the gorger gets it.
2/1
Two activated abilities that achieve the same result is flavorful and neat.
Tamed Beast (OP_Forever) R
Creature - Beast
Tamed Beast attacks each turn if able. 1: Tamed Beast can't attack this turn.
2/1
Original wording was "attacks each turn if able unless you pay 1" but I'm not sure if that works.
---
Charring Blaze xR
Sorcery
Choose one - Charring Blaze deals X damage to target player; or Charring Blaze deals two times X damage to target creature and X damage to you.
Viashino Looter 1R
Creature - Viashino Scout T: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/1
I suggested these at different times in the past but didn't add either yet.
---
Warren Crusader (cuttups) 1R
Creature - Goblin Knight
First Strike
Whenever Warren Crusader deals combat damage, it deals that much damage to itself.
2/3
Beautiful, I love it! As cuttups said, "Can deal with almost any little guy but gets chumped by Bottle Gnomes."
---
Maniacal Berserker (wermine) 1R
Creature - Goblin Berserker
At the beginning of your upkeep, Maniacal Berserker deals 1 damage to each player.
Maniacal Berserker attacks each turn if able.
3/2
Another aggro creature that feels very red.
---
Storm Rider (xfollowthereaperx) 2RR
Creature - Human Vandal
When Storm Rider enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact or land.
2/2
Elegant.
---
Evocative Pulse (metamind) 2R
Instant
Evocative Pulse deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
Draw a card.
Cantrips are always welcome in Red.
---
Goblin of the 6th Pride (Usman) 1R
Creature - Goblin Rebel
3/1
Obviously needs a name change, but this is cool.
---
Ghostlit Volley (Lanxal) (2/R)
Instant
Ghostlit Volley deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
I love costs like this.
---
Wisdom Seeker (xfollowthereaperx) RR
Creature - Human Wizard
When Wisdom Seeker enters the battlefield, you may play target red instant or sorcery card with converted mana cost one in your graveyard without paying its mana cost. If you do, exile it.
2/1
This is pretty awesome.
Unfortunately it can't play the above card, and I'm not sure if this Cube will have as many one-drop burn spells as a real Cube.
---
Burning Fields (Usman) 1RR
Sorcery
Choose one - Destroy target land; or Burning Fields deals 3 (4?) damage to target player.
3 or 4?
Wall of Growth (xfollowthereaperx) 2G
Creature - Plant Wall
When Wall of Growth enters the battlefield, search your library for a basic land card and put that card onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
0/4
Like a more elegant Wall of Roots or whatever. It's cool.
---
Elvish Shaman (xfollowthereaperx) G
Creature - Elf t: Add 1 to your mana pool. t: Untap target basic land.
1/1
(Green Pillage) 1GG
Sorcery
Destroy target artifact or land. It can't be regenerated.
I don't remember who suggested this, but I think it was wtwlf123.
---
Mystic Ooze GG
Creature - Ooze
Whenever a player casts a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Mystic Ooze.
Mystic Ooze has trample and shroud as long as it has four or more +1/+1 counters on it.
1/1
I suggested this a few posts back. I think it still needs tweaking but I like the overall concept.
---
(Card-Draw Beast) (Pringlesman) 2GG
Creature - Beast
When CARDNAME is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw 2-3 cards.
4/3
I'm putting this in at 2 cards.
---
Worldly Sorceress (xfollowthereaperx) 2G
Creature - Elf Wizard
When Worldly Sorceress enters the battlefield, search your library for a creature card and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put the card on top of it.
2/2
Part of the set of three.
---
Greenbark Dryad (metamind) 3G
Creature - Dryad
When Greenbark Dryad enters the battlefield, put target land on the top of its owner's library.
2/2
The only concern with this is that if there's some kind of repeatable bounce, it can basically win the game. Or is that a good thing?
---
Bestial Onslaught (Goodking) 4GGG
Sorcery
Put a 1/1 green Insect creature token, a 2/2 green Wolf creature token, a 3/3 green Elephant creature token, a 4/4 green Beast creature token, and a 5/5 green Wurm creature token onto the battlefield.
This is so cool! With that number of creatures, this could just be named "Onslaught".
---
Suck it up (DerBK) G
Instant
Regenerate target permanent.
I think this is worth trying out. I love the design.
---
Lure Basilisk 1GG
Creature - Basilisk
Deathtouch
All creatures able to block CARDNAME do so.
2/2
Expand the Land 1G
Sorcery
Search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Expanding Earth 2GG
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Three more of my designs from last time. A lot of friends tell me the third is too strong.
---
Pure Elves (xfollowthereaperx) 1G
Creature - Elf Warrior
Vigilance t: Regenerate target elf. "Sometimes staying alive is all it takes to win the war."
2/1
I like this.
---
Seasonal Hatching (wtwlf123) (2/G)(2/G)(2/G)
Sorcery
Put four 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens onto the battlefield.
I love {2g} costs and this is really elegant.
---
Spark of Insight (wtwlf123) 2G
Sorcery
Each player may put a permanent card from his or her hand onto the battlefield.
I like that this is an effect that isn't really represented in most real Cubes.
Sol Crescent (Donald) 1
Artifact
Sol Crescent enters the battlefield tapped. T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Colorless 'old' manastone? Seems fine to me.
---
Micro Trike (TakeABow) 2
Artifact Creature - Construct
Micro Trike enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter form Micro Trike: Micro Trike deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
1/1
One of my favorite designs in that entire thread! Very cool.
(Guardian Statue) (xfollowthereaperx) 2
Artifact t: Add 1 mana to your mana pool. 4: CARDNAME becomes a 4/4 Golem artifact creature until end of turn.
This didn't have a name, and I edited the wording a bit to make it more like Guardian Idol.
Unified Anthem
:2mana::symgw::symgw::symgw:
Enchantment
Creatures you control get +X/+X, where X is the number of creatures you control.
I suggested this a few posts ago.
---
Flameheart Specter (xfollowthereaperx) 1RW
Creature - Specter
Flying
Whenever Flameheart Specter deals combat damage to a player, Flameheart Specter deals 2 damage to target creature or player and you gain 2 life.
2/1
(Big RW Creature) (xfollowthereaperx) 3RW
Creature
Lifelink
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 3 damage to each other creature.
4/4
Two fantastic RW designs by xfollowthereaperx. I added an instance of "combat damage" to the first so it wouldn't instant-kill. The second one needs a name and creature type.
---
Jester's Specter 1(U/B)(U/B)
Flying
Whenever Jester's Specter deals combat damage to a player, search that player's library for 3 cards and exile them. Then that player shuffles his or her library.
2/2
I suggested this in the Print This Wizards thread recently. I'm going to put this in as a hybrid card to push it a bit. The power level of this card is very difficult to gauge.
Terra Incognita (InsuranceMan)
Land t, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice Terra Incognita: Search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
Really simple and cool. I bet they'll print this someday.
Wild Pegasus -W Creature - Pegasus
Flying
Echo W (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.)
2/1
War Squad - W Creautre - Human Solider
Vigilance T: Target attacking creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1/1
Kor Falconer - 1W Creature - Kor Soldier
When Kor Falconer enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
Reverse Cataclysm - 2WW Sorcery
Each player sacrifices a permament of each type.
Magus of the Stasis - 1U Creature - Human Wizard
Players skip their untap steps.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Magus of the Stasis unless you pay U.
0/1
Vassal of Lim-Dul - B Creature - Human Wizard
Discard a card: Vassal of Lim-Dul gets -1/-0 until end of turn. Any player may activate this ability.
2/1
Blackout -1B Sorcery
Target player discards a card at random.
Rebound
Doomed Student - 1B Creature - Wizard B, Sacrifice Doomed Student: Draw two cards and lose 3 life.
2/1
CARDNAME -BB Creature - Human Knight
First Strike, deathtouch
2/2
Bendable Lightning -1R Instant
Bendable Lightning deals 3 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures and/or players.
Bendable Lightning costs 1 more to cast for each target beyond the first.
Treefingers - G Enchantment - Aura
Enchanted creature is a forest.
Flourishing Growth - 1G Sorcery
Search your library for a land card, reveal it and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library afterward.
Rebound
Cursed Library Legendary Land T, Pay 1 life: add 1 to your mana pool. ,T: Cursed Library deals 2 damage to target creature or player. Play this ability only if you have exactly 1 card in hand.
Wall of Endless Thoughts - 1U Creature - Illusion Wall
Cards in your hand have Cycling 2
1/3
Darkling Embalmer - 1B Creature - Shade Spirit
Sacrifice Darkling Embalmer: Search your library for a card and put that card into your graveyard. Then shuffle your library.
2/1
Mystic Debate is actually worse than Cancel. I love the idea but it's not a good card.
I feel that Storm Rider is way too good even if it doesn't destroy an artifact.
I do not think that Viashino Looter is good enough for the cube. It isn't want red likes.
Ghostlit Volley isn't that great. Here is a version that I think would be better (suggestions welcomed):
Ghostlit Volley -(2/R) Sorcery
Ghostlit Volley deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If R was spent to play Ghostlit Volley, it instead deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Mine Memory is very cool but the best things you can steal with it are creatures, making it instant speed would increase the power level of course but I do not think it would be too powerful. Most of the permanents worth stealing (that are not creatures) are best used on your turn, not your opponents.
Magus of the Stasis - 1U Creature - Human Wizard
Players skip their untap steps.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Magus of the Stasis unless you pay U.
0/1
this is worse than stasis, a card which sees next to no play in cube. why would it be worthwhile?
Treefingers - G Enchantment - Aura
Enchanted creature is a forest.
i'm not sure how auras work, but it should say "enchant [permanent type]" on it, right? and if you pick "enchant creature," won't it fall off once the creature becomes a forest? i really like the card, though.
Ghostlit Volley -(2/R) Sorcery
Ghostlit Volley deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If R was spent to play Ghostlit Volley, it instead deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
this is great but where would you classify it? i think it's good enough at 2 that it would see substantial play outside red.
When I see Healing Salve, I'm often like "Oh girl, I wish I could turn every card into this." Thanks they removed the gain life part, otherwise this would have been broken.
i'm not sure how auras work, but it should say "enchant [permanent type]" on it, right? and if you pick "enchant creature," won't it fall off once the creature becomes a forest? i really like the card, though.
Yes, you are right, it could get messy but the card is fun.
Treefingers - G Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
When Treefingers enters the battlefield, if it's on the battlefield, it loses "enchant creature" and gains "enchant land".
Enchanted permanent is a forest.
I do not think that Essence Meld will be powerful enough in this cube, unless we make a lot of awesome enchantments.
I think there should be 5 creature removals or so in white, not including Banish. Banish is a swiss army knife, much like O Ring. My semi-powered cube has four creature only targeted removal spells, and two army knifes (Ring and Faith's Feathers).
Here is a card that acts as a tinker for our cube:
CARDNAME - 2U Sorcery
Return target artifact from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control.
It just looks like a lot of fun, especially with Entomb on a Stick and the discarding 2/1.
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That is a major concern for me, too. Mana stones should cost 2, while green gets a few Elves / Birds.
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
Green Elves
G
Creature - Elf Druid
Haste
T: Add G to your mana pool.
0/1
Good point. Precons are a helpful exercise when a Cube is already built, but for something like this I can see how it would be a bit backwards.
This is very valid. I brainstormed ways to help Green out earlier on this page, and I think there's a chance it can work just fine, but most likely I will indeed have to tone the stones down.
My Custom Cube - a super-powered Core Set
Yes, building some Precons could be an informative exercise once the cube is mostly completed. Then, you could build them and if anything is missing, just fill in the last few cards. It should be much easier this way than beginning with the decks.
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
Sparkmage Apprentice+
1R
Creature - Human Wizard
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/1
I remember people talking about this and then being frustrated with Blisterstick Shaman.
---
Goblin Vandal
1R
Creature - Goblin Warrior
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, sacrifice it unless you destroy target artifact.
2/2
I'm not sure if this works correctly.
---
Viashino Looter
1R
Creature - Viashino Scout
T: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/1
Red looting is all the rage!
---
Fury Knight
RR
Creature - Human Knight
First strike, haste
2/2
---
Fireflail Knight
2RR
Creature - Human Knight
Double strike
Whenever CARDNAME deals combat damage, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/2
Eternal Fire
2RR
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, CARDNAME deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
I posted these two in the "Print this Wizards" thread and I like them both a lot.
---
Ragnarok
3R
Sorcery
Destroy all lands.
This is pretty crazy, admittedly, but I think it will make things really interesting. I like the idea of there being two Armageddons, one in Red and one in White. (I don't think this is too over-the-top as many Cubes run Ravages of War alongside Geddon.) This means that RW aggro can live the dream of drafting two Geddons, and that BR or RG aggro, for instance, can get a taste of its power.
---
Pyretic Ritual+
R
Instant
Add RRR to your mana pool.
Colorshift # 3. I'm having trouble making a Green-to-Red shift.
---
Runeclaw Bear
G
Creature - Bear
2/1
---
Untap Instant
GG
Instant
Untap all permanents you control.
Needs a lot of tweaking and is probably more fair as 1GG. Could be a or GU card.
---
A couple of gold ideas (also already posted):
Render Dreamless
UUB
Instant
Counter target spell. Its controller discards a card at random.
Simic Selkie
1:symug::symug:
Creature - Merfolk
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, draw a card.
CARDNAME can’t be the target of spells or abilities your opponents control.
2/2
I've planned out the creature cost curves for each color and I'll include those in my next post.
Even though it's daunting, Green will be the color I give the most attention to for a while.
As many have expressed, the mana stones being as powerful as they are may make it a bit difficult for Green to compete, so if after making Green it's still evident, I'll weaken them (probably making them cost 1 but not enter the battlefield tapped.)
As always, let me know if you have any ideas about anything.
My Custom Cube - a super-powered Core Set
Why oh why doesn't this card exist? It's PERFECT.
I Like Ragnarok and Pyretic Ritual a lot too: the effects fit and have the correct level of simplicity, and Ragnarok is a great name for a red Armageddon.
I'd cube with these in a heartbeat if they got printed.
1W
Warder Wall
Creature - Wall
Defender
When Warder Wall enters the battlefield, exile target creature. When Warder Wall leaves the battlefield, return the exiled creature to the battlefield.
0/4
1UUU
Mystic Drake
Creature - Drake
Flash, Flying
When Mystic Drake enters the battlefield, counter target spell.
2/2
3B
Zombie Recruiter
Creature - Zombie
When Zombie Recruiter enters the battlefield, you may return target creature card from your graveyard to play. You lose life equal to that cards converted mana cost.
2/2
2R
Goblin Flamethrower
Creature - Goblin
When Goblin Flamethrower enters the battlefield, it deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
2/1
1G
Harmonic Elf
Creature - Elf Shaman
When Harmonic Elf enters the battlefield, draw cards equal to its power.
1/1
Also, are you 100% sold on the mana stones. I'm not sure I like a cycle of 10 llanowar elf clones in the cube.
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor
Garden Hydra XG
CARDNAME ETB with X +1/+1 counters
Remove a +1/+1 counter: search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Play this ability as a sorcery and only once per turn.
Having the restriction on when and how to use the counters seems fair given the flexibility of playing it as a rampant growth, cultivate or beater, but one or more of those restrictions could be lifted to pump the power level if desired. Alternatively, the choice to remove a counter could be an upkeep effect.
Psychologically, adding things to the first post feels like some sort of final "inked" decision, but I shouldn't be looking at it so rigidly. I think if instead there's a more flowing pace, it can be a success.
The mana stones have generated the most discussion, and until now, they (along with the obvious Counterspell) were the only things in the Cube. It will be more natural if I keep the ball rolling by adding people's designs to the first post more often, and that will have the added bonus of making the current designs more visible and best of all, more discussable. The downside will be that I'll have to take designs out more often, but I think that makes more sense. It will feel more like the process of, well... building a Cube.
Thus, from now on I'll try my best to do that. I've thought about everything so far and I have a big update to the Cube. I'm sorry if any designs slipped through the cracks- don't be afraid to point to designs from other posts/pages of the thread. Just because I'm not adding something now doesn't mean I won't add it in the future. I just don't want to stick everything in at once, hehe.
I hope this post makes up for my hesitance so far!
- First of all, the Mana Stones have been changed to the 2 CMC alternatives that come into play untapped. I think it's easier, and more natural, to design around that baseline than the originals. Also, this will give Green a lot more breathing room. The mana stones at 2 mana are not bulletproof or anything, but for now I think it's the best direction to take with them.
I have some additions to each section, as well as explanations for each addition. The first post should reflect these changes now.
Armageddon
3W
Sorcery
Destroy all lands.
I alluded to this earlier. It's a powerful card for sure, but it's a good tool for aggro and I'm attached to the idea of there being White Armageddon and Red Armageddon in the same Cube.
---
Guardian of the Realm
W
Creature - Human Knight
Whenever Guardian of the Realm attacks, it gets +2/-2 until end of turn.
0/3
Energetic Swordmaster
W
Creature - Human Soldier
Double strike
1/1
These are two white one-drops that Star Slayer suggested. I like them both a lot. Guardian is a cool design because it plays well in both aggro and control. Swordmaster is a great design that's bound to be printed one day.
My only concern is that it's strictly better than Elite Vanguard as far as I can tell, which will make me unable to include Vanguard if this is in.
Also, about that... I could dodge the "strictly better" problem somewhat if I played around with creature types and made tribal matter slightly, sort of like how Captain of the Watch did during her time in people's Cubes. Does that feel like cheating or do you guys like the idea?
---
(Lifegain Lion)
W
Creature - Lion
At the beginning of your upkeep, target opponent gains 1 life.
3/2
This card was suggested by Pringlesman early on. I fixed the templating a bit, as he accidentally put a "may" on it originally.
I'm not so sure about this- it's certainly really powerful, but I don't quite get the flavor of it. It intrigues me enough as a design to put it in for now.
---
(Exile+Draw)
W
Instant
Exile target creature. Its controller draws a card.
Elegant and powerful card suggested by Pringles.
---
Disenchant
1W
Instant
Destroy target artifact or enchantment.
Seems natural.
---
(Exile+Heal)
W
Instant
Exile target creature. Its controller gains 3 life.
Fredo suggested this with the caveat that it should probably be 4 instead of 3. I'm a bit concerned that it's usually stronger than Swords to Plowshares, but I like the elegance of the fixed number. Another plus is that I won't have to spend a reprint slot on STP.
---
Warder Wall
1W
Creature - Wall
Defender
When Warder Wall enters the battlefield, exile target creature.
When Warder Wall leaves the battlefield, return the exiled creature to the battlefield.
0/4
This was just now suggested by carroln, and it seems pretty cool. Note that this is not strictly better than Journey to Nowhere since it's a different card type, so that card is still a possible reprint.
---
I favor Wrath of God over Day of Judgment in that debate, which is the only debate about White that I can think of at the moment.
Mystic Drake
1UUU
Creature - Drake
Flash, Flying
When Mystic Drake enters the battlefield, counter target spell.
2/2
Another of carolln's designs, this is definitely powerful. I'm going to go out on a limb and include this one right from the start.
---
Mean Meddler
2UU
Creature - Faerie Wizard
Flash, flying
When Mean Meddler enters the battlefield, choose one: Counter target spell; or draw three cards, then discard three cards.
1/1
Star Slayer suggested this. It will probably compete with the above card for a slot.
---
Monopolize
1U
Instant
Reveal a card from your hand. Counter target spell if it shares a card type with the revealed card.
Another one created by Star Slayer. I'm not sure how powerful this is, but it seems fun to test.
---
Mana Leak
1U
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays 3.
As others have stated, the ideal soft counter.
---
Freeze
1U
Instant
Tap target permanent. That permanent doesn't untap during its controller's next untap step.
Draw a card.
Ice + untap clause. May need some tweaking.
---
Dissolve
:1mana::symu:
Instant
Counter target spell. If that spell is countered this way, exile it instead of putting it into its owner's graveyard, and its controller adds mana to his or her mana pool equal to the mana cost of that spell.
Whispering Wind
:2mana::symu::symu:
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, draw a card.
Two more of my designs.
---
Inspiration+
:2mana::symu:
Instant
Draw two cards.
I also like the 1U or UU Divination and I have no problems with including both or neither. But I think this one is the easiest of the two to throw in for now.
---
Mini Cryptic
:1mana::symu::symu:
Instant
Choose one - Counter target spell; or return target permanent to its owner's hand.
I don't have much to say about this. Let me know what you think.
Shadow Efreet
2B
Creature - Efreet
Flying
At the beginning of your upkeep, Shadow Efreet deals 1 damage to you.
3/4
Black is the color that's been talked about the least, so I'm only going to include this for now.
Eternal Fire
2RR
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, Eternal Fire deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
My friends all tell me this is too powerful, and it probably is. But I'm just so attached to the idea of these "elemental upkeep" enchantments.
---
Magus of the Vortex
1RR
Creature - Human Wizard
At the beginning of each player's upkeep, Magus of the Vortex deals 2 damage to that player.
If a player would gain life, that player gains no life instead.
2/2
Pringlesman suggested this and I love it. I loved the Magi back in TSP block but none of them really see any Cube play... except maybe Magus of the Future and Magus of the Disk in larger Cubes?
---
Contentious Goblin
R
Creature - Goblin Warrior
Contentious Goblin can't block.
2/2
Another of Pringlesman's. Is this too good?
---
Fury Knight
RR
Creature - Human Knight
First strike, haste
2/2
Fireflail Knight
2RR
Creature - Human Knight
Double strike
Whenever Fireflail Knight deals combat damage, it deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
2/2
These are two of my creature designs.
---
Pyretic Ritual
R
Instant
Add RRR to your mana pool.
This has gotten a lot of positive feedback and it should be interesting to see. I feel like I should indicate in the first post when a real card has been tweaked somehow. Thoughts?
---
Ragnarok
3R
Sorcery
Destroy all lands.
I talked about this one in the last post. Does anyone dislike the idea of this?
---
Rock Snapper
1R
Creature - Lizard
Double strike
2R: Rock Snapper gets +1/+0 until end of turn.
1/1
Star Slayer's design; a cool "fixed" Viashino Slaughtermaster.
---
The main Red debate right now is whether or not to include Lightning Bolt.
Creature - Elf Druid
Haste
: Add to your mana pool.
0/1
Darklich528 suggested this on page 2. Even though the mana stones have been weakened now (probably for the best), I still like the design. I also like how this isn't technically better than Llanowar Elves so we can include that if we like.
---
Runeclaw Bear
Creature - Bear
2/1
I like the idea of Runeclaw Bear suddenly being a sought-after card in a draft.
---
I know I promised more Green in this post (as well as creature curves), but I thought it would be better to simply go ahead and add stuff to the Cube. Green will be the focus the next time I post cards though!
Masochist's Hammer
1
Artifact - Equipment
Equipped creature gets +2/+0.
Pay 3 life: Attach Masochist's Hammer to target creature you control.
Pringlesman posted this Bonesplitter variant, which I like the feel of. It's squarely in aggro where it belongs. The only problem is that I kind of want to include Bonesplitter itself and I probably won't include them both.
Render Dreamless
UUB
Instant
Counter target spell. Its controller discards a card at random.
I don't have much to say about this except that no one's really said anything about it!
Wasteland
Land
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
T, Sacrifice Wasteland: Destroy target nonbasic land.
Baseland
Land
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
T, Sacrifice Baseland: Destroy target basic land.
Baseland is a little silly, but Strip Mine had to be toned down a bit to be included without being strictly better. Now it's the worse of the two, but I don't see it not making too many maindecks.
My Custom Cube - a super-powered Core Set
(Exile+Heal)
Should be 4 life. This card already makes every fatty cry, so it should at least give its controller an exchange value that approaches a fair amount.
Mystic Drake
This would be cleaner and therefore better for a core set / cube than my "choose one" Mean Meddler.
Freeze
I'm still trying to figure out if this is would play too much like Time Walk if cast during your second turn on an opposing land. Sure, unlike TW, they get to draw a card during their turn, but so do you. The combat phase doesn't really matter that early, so Freeze is similar to TW here. On the other hand, they get their land drop and this card is much worse late game than TW, so it may be fair.
Mini Cryptic
I love this card! A flexible home run. "Choose one" is completely fine here, because it is the main and only effect and not part of an ability that sits next to others. Therefore, it wouldn't be too complicated for a core set / cube, unlike Mean Meddler.
Eternal Fire
Your friends are right, it is way too good. Maybe at 1RR with only 1 damage? Then it's like a hard to kill pinger with a timing restriction. Hm, this sounds a bit too fair...
Contentious Goblin
Should be 2/1. And even then it's a powerful card for aggro.
Ragnarok
Great name. Why didn't I think about this? Makes a great mirror with Armageddon.
Runeclaw Bear
Needs another name.
Render Dreamless
Drop the "at random" and it would be a fine, simple, core set / cube worthy and fair card.
Baseland
I like it. Except for the name of course.
And here - as a suggestion for your green section - the Utopia Tree that should have been printed:
Utopia Vines G
Creature - Plant Wall
Defender
T: Add one mana of any color to your mana pool.
0/2
Uril, the Miststalker RGW -- Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre C -- Vhati il-Dal BG -- Jor Kadeen, the Prevailer RW -- Animar, Soul of Elements URG
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker R -- Maga, Traitor to Mortals B -- Ghave, Guru of Spores BGW -- Sliver Hivelord WUBRG
Frelf (Mox Druid?) G
Creature - Elf Druid
You may play CARDNAME for 0 if you control a basic forest
0/1
I suppose it could be an color aligned mox-like artifact as well:
Emerald Blox 0
When CARDNAME ETB, sacrifice it unless you control a basic forest
T: G
Probably would have to ETBT as well unless you want almost mox level brokenness. That could be a cycle of color aligned zero cost artifacts where none of the others ramp permanently but do powerful early game things associated with their color.
Or combine green ramp with the white tax mechanic
Qasali Tax Collector WG
Creature - Cat Druid
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped, then shuffle your library.
If an opponent controls more lands that you, you may play CARDNAME for
2/2
Not sure I like that this might more often be played as a hybrid card and thus allow G to land tax.
Alternate version:
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped. If an opponent controls more lands that you, you may search your library for a second basic land and put it into your hand.
Alternate 2:
When CARDNAME ETB, you may search your library for a basic land and put it into play tapped. If an opponent controls more lands that you, untap up to 2 lands you control. (or make it all lands, if you want to push the power)
Please excuse the playtest names... if they make the cube they'd probably want to be changed
Gaea's Little Revenge
1GG
Creature - Elemental
CARDNAME can't be the target of nongreen spells or abilities from nongreen sources.
3/3
I'm not sure if this ability is really worth it. This is kind of just a weaker troll-shroud, right? It's cool on Gaea's Revenge, but this card can still be blocked in combat just fine.
---
Lure Basilisk
1GG
Creature - Basilisk
Deathtouch
All creatures able to block CARDNAME do so.
2/2
I like these two effects being on one card for a cool retro feel.
---
Gaea's Cleansing
GGG
Sorcery
Destroy all noncreature permanents.
4? 5? I don't know if this is justifiable in Green or not but I like the idea of it having some sort of Wildfire-ish card like this.
---
Expand the Land
1G
Sorcery
Search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Better than Rampant Growth, but so is Farseek for most purposes. I think this is the kind of flexibility that Green should have in this Cube. This may even be a little weak compared to the new manastones!
---
Expanding Earth
2GG
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Help, I'm doing it again! Is it better "tapped", "untapped", or nonexistent?
---
Primal Anthem
2GG
Enchantment
Creatures you control get +1/+1 and have trample.
I like Gaea's Anthem in Cube a lot more than many do, but this is probably worse. I like the idea of an anthem that is more midrangey like this.
Even if it's not right for this project I hope they actually print it in real life.
---
Unified Anthem
2:symwg::symwg::symwg:
Enchantment
Creatures you control get +X/+X, where X is the number of creatures you control.
Originally I had this as monogreen, but this seems like a really fitting hybrid Selesnya card. It might be more fair at 3:symgw::symgw::symgw:.
Yeah, 4 life seems right to me.
I think you're right. I like Mean Meddler but the other card seems more appropriate and riffs off Mystic Snake.
This is something I too have been thinking about. It seems like the easiest way to fix the problem is to either:
- drop the "untap" clause and make it cost U; then it would be an Ice that costs 1 less.
OR
- leave the "untap" clause as-is but drop the draw. Leave the cost the same (or possibly drop 1?)
This could also be a potentially cool cycle among all 5 colors.
This is a tough one for sure and I think it might be best to test it. I actually think it's somewhat acceptable as-is, but this is likely another situation where I'm very, very wrong.
I think it should be 2/1 too. In fact, I thought about this card a lot, and this came to mind:
R
Creature - Goblin Warrior
Haste
CARDNAME attacks each turn if able.
2/1
"Attacks each turn if able" is slightly more Red than "can't block" which is more Black in modern design.
With people talking Tattermunge Maniac being a good Red card but an underwhelming Green card, this came to mind. I know it's powerful but it's probably less powerful than Goblin Guide.
As much as I love the idea of this, you may be right. However, wouldn't it be cool if White had Savannah Lions, Red had a one-drop Tiger (possibly even the above card!), and Green had this?
I actually kind of like the "at random" on here, but I think it would still be pretty good without it.
Yeah, I just threw it in because it kinda rhymed with Wasteland. This definitely needs a better name.
I love this. I think I will include this as being named Utopia Tree if that's okay with you. It's just so perfect.
Cleaned up a bit...
Garden Hydra
XG
Creature - Plant Hydra
CARDNAME enters the battlefield with X +1/+1 counters on it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter from CARDNAME: search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped. Activate this ability only as a sorcery and only once per turn.
I think this is great. I definitely want this, or some iteration of this, to be in. Let me know what you guys think the best way to template this is. (at upkeep? as an instant or not? etc)
I think it would be interesting as is, but allowing you to activate its ability as an instant. It eclipses STE, though, for what it's worth. Possibly a problem.
With the second clause, this seems a bit much if you're on the draw.
I like the train of thought on the Mox-ish ideas too, Hippo, but they're less necessary now that the mana stones have been toned down.
---
I think from now on I'm going to propose updates like this in all of my posts, to give a reasonable window of time for people to say "No, stop, that's crazy!!" before I change the first post, etc.
Proposed update:
My Custom Cube - a super-powered Core Set
Some Sorceries:
3WW
Back to Life
Sorcery
Target player's life total becomes 20.
---
2UU
Ebb and Flow
Sorcery
Return target land to its owner's hand. Draw a card.
Another riff off of cryptic plus inspiration from Temporal Eddy.
---
3BB
Mine Memory
Put target permanent card in a graveyard onto the battlefield under your control.
Cleaner upgrade to Beacon of Unrest.
---
2RRR
Pyroclastic Flow
Sorcery
Pyroclastic Flow deals 5 damage to each creature and each player.
No bells, no whistles. Just hella burn.
---
2GG
Eternity Mold
Sorcery
Exile target noncreature permanent.
Cleaner upgrade to Creeping Mold.
I love how you can Warder Wall your own creature, than wrath the board getting your creature back.
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor
- Flickerwisp is a good one that slipped under my radar! That's a pretty neat choice. My other ideas for White->Blue were Scepter of Dominance, Moat, and Humility.
- Bitterblossom won't work because it is Tribal, unfortunately, but it's an interesting train of thought. My thoughts for Black->Blue were Coercion and the more aggressive Duress, but that is a bit too strong for Blue discard possibly.
- Wheel of Fortune is cool, but is not too much of a stretch given Timetwister, so I'm not sure if I'll use it or not.
- Plow Under is one of the two Green->Blue cards I thought about along with the weirder Harrow as a nod to Dreamscape Artist.
This is pretty cool. I like the idea of there being a pure lifegain card.
This reminds me of two cards I was about to post myself:
Bounce-a-Land
U
Sorcery
Return target land to its owner's hand.
This one is probably too aggressively costed and overlaps a bit with more interesting cards like Freeze (which I still need to tweak).
Blast-a-land
2RR
Sorcery
Destroy target land.
Draw a card.
I think it's more interesting in Red than in Blue, especially if Blue gets Plow Under.
Cool! I'm going to go ahead and add this for now.
Ditto to this. Red is in need of cool sweepers.
This is a good design that I bet they'll print one day, but since my Cube has no Planeswalkers, it's not that much different from Creeping Mold.
It doesn't strictly outclass Journey since being a creature makes it easier to destroy (though I don't think you were implying it was "strictly better"), but it probably is better. I think 2W is indeed more fair, in part because of the interaction you described.
Charring Blaze
XR
Choose one - CARDNAME deals X damage to target player; or CARDNAME deals two times X damage to target creature and X damage to you.
---
Gleemax on a body
:?mana::symu::symu: or :?mana::symb::symb:
Creature
You choose all targets for all spells and abilities.
?/?
Mindslaver Spell
:3mana::symub::symub::symub:
Sorcery
You control target player's next turn.
I think the idea of these is pretty interesting but I'm not sure how well they would fare.
---
Mystic Ooze
GG
Creature - Ooze
Whenever a player casts a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on CARDNAME.
CARDNAME has trample and shroud as long as it has four or more +1/+1 counters on it.
1/1
I like the idea of this, but what do you folks think is the most interesting number of counters to activate trample and shroud? For a while I made it require a certain number for shroud and a certain number for trample, but I feared that might be a bit clunky.
---
Ocean Elemental
1UU
Creature - Elemental
Shroud
Whenever CARDNAME blocks or becomes blocked, you may switch CARDNAME's power and toughness until end of turn.
4/1
Calcite Snapper variant that is more vulnerable to Pyroclasm effects but is more versatile. This is my favorite design in this group.
---
Spellstutter Sprite Variant
1U
Creature - Faerie Wizard
Flash, Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, counter target spell with converted mana cost 2 or less.
1/1
Originally I thought "3 or less", but that seems too powerful.
---
Some attempts at Blue finishers.
Distant Sphinx
4UU
Creature - Sphinx
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, target opponent may have you draw three cards. If he or she doesn't, search your library for a card and put that card into your hand. Then shuffle your library.
4/5
Distant Memories-ish ability stapled onto a finisher. Not sure I like this or not, but it fits a Sphinx well.
Otherworldly Djinn
4UU
Creature - Djinn
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, return target permanent to its owner's hand.
2UU: Exile CARDNAME. Return it to the battlefield under its owner's control at the beginning of the next end step.
5/6
I like the idea of "Mahamoti Djinn with some abilities", and this is what popped into my head.
Knowledge Dragon
4UUU
Creature - Dragon
Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield or is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw two cards.
5/5
I'm not sure about these specific iterations, but these were the first things that popped into my head for "a sphinx, a djinn, and a dragon".
The reason there are so many blue cards again is somewhat related to this.
I chose Blue because it had the fewest creature slots, and thought "what are some creature types that would be cool for Blue to have at least one of?" to help me brainstorm creature ideas. I came up with this list:
- drake (carroln's Mystic Drake is a good one)
- faerie
- human wizard
- djinn
- sphinx
- bird
- bird soldier/wizard/etc.
- merfolk
- illusion
- shapeshifter
- elemental (I like my Ocean Elemental above)
- jellyfish (If I have the space, I would like to include Man-o'-War)
- leviathan
- dragon (Not absolutely necessary, but it would be cool to have a monocolor dragon for each color.)
That's 14 right there, and Blue has 16 creature slots. Its curve for creatures will tentatively look something like this:
1 |
2 |||
3 |||
4 |||
5 |||
6 ||
7 |
Update:
I'll still be around tonight, but I'm going on a trip tomorrow! I'll be gone until Sunday. Feel free to suggest things if you have any ideas- I might be able to post from my phone.
I've been meaning to comb the "Print this Wizards" thread for people's ideas, and I will try to do so as soon as possible. When I do, I'll ask individual people if I can use specific designs of theirs for this project.
My Custom Cube - a super-powered Core Set
Since you have complete control over the power level of this cube, it might be worthwhile to push the comparative power of multicolour cards. It may just be me, but I feel that having to make the choice between flexible, decent cards, and specific, powerful cards is an interesting dynamic.
I picked some of the ones that I thought were the very best. None of these cards are necessarily bulletproof, but I think it'll be easier to add things in now and then take them away later if necessary.
I will mention the creator of each card to give them credit. (I don't expect this to happen, but if anyone whose cards I chose doesn't want their cards used, I'll take them out) Would people prefer it if I credited everyone in the opening post as well, or would that bog things down too much?
Where appropriate, I've cleaned up the wording on the cards.
The cards I'm adding, by color:
Golden Pegasus (metamind)
1WW
Creature - Pegasus
Flying, protection from black and from red
2/2
This creature is elegant and strong.
---
Banish (xfollowthereaperx)
1WWW
Sorcery
Exile target nonland permanent.
Definitely powerful, but I think the heavy white cost balances it and I like the idea of there being occasional heavy mono-color cards like this.
How many creature removal spells should White have in all? Maybe 4 or 5 cards?
---
Enlightened Sorceress (xfollowthereaperx)
2W
Creature - Human Wizard
When Enlightened Sorceress enters the battlefield, search your library for an artifact or enchantment card and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put the card on top of it.
2/1
reaper suggested three of these, and I'm going to put all three in for now. I'm not sure if all three will make it in the end, but I love the designs.
---
Kor Falconer (Goodking)
1W
Creature - Kor Soldier
When Kor Falconer enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
Really cool design. I like it.
---
Pro-Bear (HotShot)
WW
As Pro-Bear enters the battlefield, choose a color.
Pro-Bear has protection from the chosen color.
2/2
The original cost was 1W; ThatOneNinja suggested the WW cost. I'm putting it at the latter for now.
---
Essence Meld (wtwlf123)
2W
Sorcery
As an additional cost to cast Essence Weld, sacrifice an enchantment.
Search your library for an enchantment card and put that card onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
Not sure if it's supposed to be "Meld" or "weld." Either name is really nice.
With the high concentration of enchantments that it seems like this Cube will have, this seems appropriate. I will also probably include the regular Tinker as well, giving it a cool mirror.
---
Twin Cadet (Pringlesman)
1WW
Creature - Human Soldier
When Twin Cadet enters the battlefield, put a 2/2 White Human Soldier creature token onto the battlefield.
2/2
Pringlesman actually suggested this early in this thread as well; I meant to add it because I liked it but it just slipped through the cracks. His version in this thread has an "if one leaves play, so does the other" clause but I'm going to post it without that for now.
I actually think one interesting variant of this that avoids the problem of making one soldier better than the other would be a 1WW Sorcery that puts two 2/2 soldiers (or whatever creature type is appropriate) into play.
Rehearse (BlueBabyDragon)
U
Instant
The next time you cast an instant or sorcery spell this turn, put that card into your hand as it resolves.
Draw a card.
I forgot all about this design, but I still like it. I'm not sure where the power level of this card falls but it should be fun to test it out and see.
---
Counterstifle (bondafong)
1UU
Instant
Counter target spell or activated ability.
Kind of similar to my "Cancel or Boomerang", But it's sort of hard to design counterspells without making them similar to each other, so I will put this in for now and maybe take one of them out in the future.
---
Ocean Elemental
1UU
Creature - Elemental
Shroud
Whenever Ocean Elemental blocks or becomes blocked, you may switch its power and toughness until end of turn.
4/1
Spellstutter Sprite Variant
:1mana::symu:
Creature - Faerie Wizard
Flash, Flying
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, counter target spell with converted mana cost 2 or less.
1/1
Both of these are my designs from earlier, and I still love the elemental. I thought about taking away the "may", but that produces weird results if it gets double-blocked and stuff.
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Treason (wtwlf123)
1UUU
Instant
Counter target spell. If a creature spell is countered this way, put that card onto the battlefield under your control instead of into its owner's graveyard.
Dimmed Droning (cuttups)
2UU
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant nonland permanent
You control enchanted permanent.
Enchanted permanent's activated abilities can't be activated.
Vedalken Æthershackles (FoggManatic)
1UU
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
You control enchanted creature as long as its power is less than or equal to the number of Islands you control.
All of these are awesome and are the first few Control Magic effects. I changed the wording on Mogg's a bit.
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Thought Field (wtwlf123)
U
Creature - Illusion
Defender
When Thought Field enters the battlefield, you may draw a card.
0/3
I love this. Should it keep the "may" ?
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Mystic Debate (cuttups)
2U
Instant
Counter target spell unless its controller pays 3. If that player does, you may return Mystic Debate to your hand.
This is interesting. Note that the second clause makes it not strictly worse than Mana Leak so both can be in if we want.
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Mystical Sorceress (xfollowthereaperx)
2U
Creature - Human Wizard
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield search your library for an instant or sorcery card and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put the card on top of it.
1/3
Zombie Gates (cuttups)
BB
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, put a 2/2 black Zombie creature token onto the battlefield.
At the end of your turn, you lose 1 life for each Zombie on the battlefield.
This is really cool.
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Meddle Vack (xfollowthereaperx)
2B
Creature - Ninja Assassin
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, destroy target creature with power less than or equal to CARDNAME.
2/2
I wouldn't have thought to restrict a kill ability in that way but it seems like it would play really well. It might read better as "power 2 or less" even though that disables Anthem shenanigans.
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Underhanded Dealer (killem2)
1BB
Creature - Human Mercenary
Intimidate
Whenever Underhanded Dealer deals damage to a player, you draw a card and you lose 1 life.
2/2
I love the idea of a monoblack Finkel.
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Lifegorger (Lanxal)
BB
Creature - Horror
Sacrifice a creature: ~ gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Discard a creature card: ~ gets +2/+2 until end of turn.
Quick, before the gorger gets it.
2/1
Two activated abilities that achieve the same result is flavorful and neat.
Tamed Beast (OP_Forever)
R
Creature - Beast
Tamed Beast attacks each turn if able.
1: Tamed Beast can't attack this turn.
2/1
Original wording was "attacks each turn if able unless you pay 1" but I'm not sure if that works.
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Charring Blaze
xR
Sorcery
Choose one - Charring Blaze deals X damage to target player; or Charring Blaze deals two times X damage to target creature and X damage to you.
Viashino Looter
1R
Creature - Viashino Scout
T: Draw a card, then discard a card.
1/1
I suggested these at different times in the past but didn't add either yet.
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Warren Crusader (cuttups)
1R
Creature - Goblin Knight
First Strike
Whenever Warren Crusader deals combat damage, it deals that much damage to itself.
2/3
Beautiful, I love it! As cuttups said, "Can deal with almost any little guy but gets chumped by Bottle Gnomes."
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Maniacal Berserker (wermine)
1R
Creature - Goblin Berserker
At the beginning of your upkeep, Maniacal Berserker deals 1 damage to each player.
Maniacal Berserker attacks each turn if able.
3/2
Another aggro creature that feels very red.
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Storm Rider (xfollowthereaperx)
2RR
Creature - Human Vandal
When Storm Rider enters the battlefield, destroy target artifact or land.
2/2
Elegant.
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Evocative Pulse (metamind)
2R
Instant
Evocative Pulse deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
Draw a card.
Cantrips are always welcome in Red.
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Goblin of the 6th Pride (Usman)
1R
Creature - Goblin Rebel
3/1
Obviously needs a name change, but this is cool.
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Ghostlit Volley (Lanxal)
(2/R)
Instant
Ghostlit Volley deals 2 damage to target creature or player.
I love costs like this.
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Wisdom Seeker (xfollowthereaperx)
RR
Creature - Human Wizard
When Wisdom Seeker enters the battlefield, you may play target red instant or sorcery card with converted mana cost one in your graveyard without paying its mana cost. If you do, exile it.
2/1
This is pretty awesome.
Unfortunately it can't play the above card, and I'm not sure if this Cube will have as many one-drop burn spells as a real Cube.
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Burning Fields (Usman)
1RR
Sorcery
Choose one - Destroy target land; or Burning Fields deals 3 (4?) damage to target player.
3 or 4?
Wall of Growth (xfollowthereaperx)
2G
Creature - Plant Wall
When Wall of Growth enters the battlefield, search your library for a basic land card and put that card onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
0/4
Like a more elegant Wall of Roots or whatever. It's cool.
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Elvish Shaman (xfollowthereaperx)
G
Creature - Elf
t: Add 1 to your mana pool.
t: Untap target basic land.
1/1
Another welcome mana elf.
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Thundering Thoctar (TakeABow)
5GG or 3GGG
Creature - Beast
Trample, Shroud
8/7
Elegant and cool.
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(Green Pillage)
1GG
Sorcery
Destroy target artifact or land. It can't be regenerated.
I don't remember who suggested this, but I think it was wtwlf123.
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Mystic Ooze
GG
Creature - Ooze
Whenever a player casts a spell, put a +1/+1 counter on Mystic Ooze.
Mystic Ooze has trample and shroud as long as it has four or more +1/+1 counters on it.
1/1
I suggested this a few posts back. I think it still needs tweaking but I like the overall concept.
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(Card-Draw Beast) (Pringlesman)
2GG
Creature - Beast
When CARDNAME is put into a graveyard from the battlefield, draw 2-3 cards.
4/3
I'm putting this in at 2 cards.
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Worldly Sorceress (xfollowthereaperx)
2G
Creature - Elf Wizard
When Worldly Sorceress enters the battlefield, search your library for a creature card and reveal that card. Shuffle your library, then put the card on top of it.
2/2
Part of the set of three.
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Greenbark Dryad (metamind)
3G
Creature - Dryad
When Greenbark Dryad enters the battlefield, put target land on the top of its owner's library.
2/2
The only concern with this is that if there's some kind of repeatable bounce, it can basically win the game. Or is that a good thing?
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Bestial Onslaught (Goodking)
4GGG
Sorcery
Put a 1/1 green Insect creature token, a 2/2 green Wolf creature token, a 3/3 green Elephant creature token, a 4/4 green Beast creature token, and a 5/5 green Wurm creature token onto the battlefield.
This is so cool! With that number of creatures, this could just be named "Onslaught".
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Suck it up (DerBK)
G
Instant
Regenerate target permanent.
I think this is worth trying out. I love the design.
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Lure Basilisk
1GG
Creature - Basilisk
Deathtouch
All creatures able to block CARDNAME do so.
2/2
Expand the Land
1G
Sorcery
Search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Expanding Earth
2GG
Enchantment
At the beginning of your upkeep, search your library for a land card and put it onto the battlefield tapped.
Three more of my designs from last time. A lot of friends tell me the third is too strong.
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Pure Elves (xfollowthereaperx)
1G
Creature - Elf Warrior
Vigilance
t: Regenerate target elf.
"Sometimes staying alive is all it takes to win the war."
2/1
I like this.
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Seasonal Hatching (wtwlf123)
(2/G)(2/G)(2/G)
Sorcery
Put four 1/1 green Saproling creature tokens onto the battlefield.
I love {2g} costs and this is really elegant.
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Spark of Insight (wtwlf123)
2G
Sorcery
Each player may put a permanent card from his or her hand onto the battlefield.
I like that this is an effect that isn't really represented in most real Cubes.
Sol Crescent (Donald)
1
Artifact
Sol Crescent enters the battlefield tapped.
T: Add 1 to your mana pool.
Colorless 'old' manastone? Seems fine to me.
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Micro Trike (TakeABow)
2
Artifact Creature - Construct
Micro Trike enters the battlefield with a +1/+1 counter on it.
Remove a +1/+1 counter form Micro Trike: Micro Trike deals 1 damage to target creature or player.
1/1
One of my favorite designs in that entire thread! Very cool.
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(Card-Drawing Artifact Creature) (klug)
3
Artifact Creature
Sacrifice CARDNAME: Draw a card.
2/2
Needs a name and creature type but this is neat.
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(Guardian Statue) (xfollowthereaperx)
2
Artifact
t: Add 1 mana to your mana pool.
4: CARDNAME becomes a 4/4 Golem artifact creature until end of turn.
This didn't have a name, and I edited the wording a bit to make it more like Guardian Idol.
Unified Anthem
:2mana::symgw::symgw::symgw:
Enchantment
Creatures you control get +X/+X, where X is the number of creatures you control.
I suggested this a few posts ago.
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Flameheart Specter (xfollowthereaperx)
1RW
Creature - Specter
Flying
Whenever Flameheart Specter deals combat damage to a player, Flameheart Specter deals 2 damage to target creature or player and you gain 2 life.
2/1
(Big RW Creature) (xfollowthereaperx)
3RW
Creature
Lifelink
When CARDNAME enters the battlefield, it deals 3 damage to each other creature.
4/4
Two fantastic RW designs by xfollowthereaperx. I added an instance of "combat damage" to the first so it wouldn't instant-kill. The second one needs a name and creature type.
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Jester's Specter
1(U/B)(U/B)
Flying
Whenever Jester's Specter deals combat damage to a player, search that player's library for 3 cards and exile them. Then that player shuffles his or her library.
2/2
I suggested this in the Print This Wizards thread recently. I'm going to put this in as a hybrid card to push it a bit. The power level of this card is very difficult to gauge.
Land
t, Pay 1 life, Sacrifice Terra Incognita: Search your library for a basic land card and put it onto the battlefield. Then shuffle your library.
Really simple and cool. I bet they'll print this someday.
My Custom Cube - a super-powered Core Set
Wild Pegasus - W
Creature - Pegasus
Flying
Echo W (At the beginning of your upkeep, if this came under your control since the beginning of your last upkeep, sacrifice it unless you pay its echo cost.)
2/1
War Squad - W
Creautre - Human Solider
Vigilance
T: Target attacking creature gets +1/+1 until end of turn.
1/1
Kor Falconer - 1W
Creature - Kor Soldier
When Kor Falconer enters the battlefield, put a 1/1 white Bird creature token with flying onto the battlefield.
2/1
CARDNAME - 2W
Creature - Human Cleric
Sacrifice CARDNAME: Exile target creature.
2/2
Reverse Cataclysm - 2WW
Sorcery
Each player sacrifices a permament of each type.
Magus of the Stasis - 1U
Creature - Human Wizard
Players skip their untap steps.
At the beginning of your upkeep, sacrifice Magus of the Stasis unless you pay U.
0/1
Vassal of Lim-Dul - B
Creature - Human Wizard
Discard a card: Vassal of Lim-Dul gets -1/-0 until end of turn. Any player may activate this ability.
2/1
Blackout - 1B
Sorcery
Target player discards a card at random.
Rebound
Doomed Student - 1B
Creature - Wizard
B, Sacrifice Doomed Student: Draw two cards and lose 3 life.
2/1
CARDNAME - BB
Creature - Human Knight
First Strike, deathtouch
2/2
Bendable Lightning - 1R
Instant
Bendable Lightning deals 3 damage divided as you choose among any number of target creatures and/or players.
Bendable Lightning costs 1 more to cast for each target beyond the first.
Treefingers - G
Enchantment - Aura
Enchanted creature is a forest.
Flourishing Growth - 1G
Sorcery
Search your library for a land card, reveal it and put it into your hand. Shuffle your library afterward.
Rebound
Twisted Mold - 2GGG
Sorcery
Destroy target permanent.
Cursed Library
Legendary Land
T, Pay 1 life: add 1 to your mana pool.
,T: Cursed Library deals 2 damage to target creature or player. Play this ability only if you have exactly 1 card in hand.
Wall of Endless Thoughts - 1U
Creature - Illusion Wall
Cards in your hand have Cycling 2
1/3
Darkling Embalmer - 1B
Creature - Shade Spirit
Sacrifice Darkling Embalmer: Search your library for a card and put that card into your graveyard. Then shuffle your library.
2/1
Mystic Debate is actually worse than Cancel. I love the idea but it's not a good card.
I feel that Storm Rider is way too good even if it doesn't destroy an artifact.
I do not think that Viashino Looter is good enough for the cube. It isn't want red likes.
Ghostlit Volley isn't that great. Here is a version that I think would be better (suggestions welcomed):
Ghostlit Volley - (2/R)
Sorcery
Ghostlit Volley deals 2 damage to target creature or player. If R was spent to play Ghostlit Volley, it instead deals 3 damage to target creature or player.
Mine Memory is very cool but the best things you can steal with it are creatures, making it instant speed would increase the power level of course but I do not think it would be too powerful. Most of the permanents worth stealing (that are not creatures) are best used on your turn, not your opponents.
this is worse than stasis, a card which sees next to no play in cube. why would it be worthwhile?
i'm not sure how auras work, but it should say "enchant [permanent type]" on it, right? and if you pick "enchant creature," won't it fall off once the creature becomes a forest? i really like the card, though.
this is great but where would you classify it? i think it's good enough at 2 that it would see substantial play outside red.
or
Creature
You choose all targets for all spells and abilities.
?/?
My take:
Elation, One of Supreme Insight - 6UB
Legendary Creature - Eye
Pay 5 life: You choose all targets for all spells and abilities until end of turn.
5/5
Crystal Shard, kill the creature before your turn. I am unsure as well, I really like the idea, but yes I do not thing it is good enough.
Yes, you are right, it could get messy but the card is fun.
Treefingers - G
Enchantment - Aura
Enchant creature
When Treefingers enters the battlefield, if it's on the battlefield, it loses "enchant creature" and gains "enchant land".
Enchanted permanent is a forest.
Yes, that is the problem with that card. I don't think it is worthwhile to include (either version).
Zombie 1 B
Creature - Zombie
At the beginning of your upkeep, you lose 1 life unless you pay B.
2/2
Zombie 2 B
Creature - Zombie
Whenever CARDNAME becomes blocked, sacrifice CARDNAME.
3/2
BlackCreature BB
Creature - Zombie
Sacrifice CARDNAME: Target player discards a card.
2/2
BlackCreature 1B
Creature - Zombie
Intimidate
2/1
Dark Confidant, Graveborn Muse, hmmm...
Black Removal 1 1BB
Instant
Destroy target creature.
Black Removal 2 1BB
Sorcery
Destroy target creature or land. Lose 3 life.
Creature - Human Wizard
When ~ enters the battlefield, draw a card
When ~ leaves the battlefield, draw a card
1/1
Had this in my head before Occulus, and that card reminded me of this one.
The Great Cube Map!
My Powered Cube
Draft it here!
I think there should be 5 creature removals or so in white, not including Banish. Banish is a swiss army knife, much like O Ring. My semi-powered cube has four creature only targeted removal spells, and two army knifes (Ring and Faith's Feathers).
Here is a card that acts as a tinker for our cube:
CARDNAME - 2U
Sorcery
Return target artifact from a graveyard to the battlefield under your control.
It just looks like a lot of fun, especially with Entomb on a Stick and the discarding 2/1.