The Limited forum and the Commander forum each have one, I think it's time we had one too. We spend a lot of time discussing the latest cube cards, I think it would be helpful to see some discussion of older cards to see how well they're holding up as staples, as well as to discuss some less orthodox choices. This is a good place to discuss why you would or wouldn't include each card in your cube, what archetypes it supports, interesting interactions with other popular cube cards, as well as how highly you'd pick it as a player in a cube draft. Feel free to also share stories of broken or lousy plays you've seen or experienced with each card. Also, aesthetics are an important part of the cube experience, so feel free to share which edition/art for each card you like best, or even post scans of any sweet alters you might have for cards discussed here. Power levels are also fine to discuss, some cards that are amazing for some cube environments just aren't a good fit for others based on design goals. Financial considerations are also fine, some cards are just too expensive to be popular, and others might make good placeholders.
I should be able to update this every day or find someone to help when I can't. I'll start by selecting cards at random from the Cube Tutor Average 720 cube's Sample Pack feature, that should give us a pretty wide pool of cards to discuss that could reasonably be considered for inclusion in cubes. If that gets stale, I'll find other cube lists to draw from like the MTGO lists, the cube lists of prominent cube managers, or even my own cube.
Guidelines:
Please stick to discussing only the current card in this thread, except to compare/contrast with the current card. If you'd like to discuss a previous card further once its time is up, please take it to the SCD thread for that card (or start one for it if there isn't one already).
Please discuss the card in the context of cube only.
Please don't spam. Explain why a card is a staple, why it sucks, tell a story, or don't say anything at all.
After each discussion, I'll add a link to this discussion to the SCD thread for each card if there is one so that this discussion is easy to find in the future.
This iteration of Nissa has proven to be a pretty solid planeswalker for ramp decks. It provides a potentially massive boost in mana while turning lands into threats, and both + abilities can protect it pretty effectively. There are times when putting your lands into the red zone isn't really what you want to be doing, so I do sometimes miss the token generation and card draw that Garruk, Primal Hunter provided when I ran it in this spot in my cube. I've never first picked Nissa, Worldwaker, but I'm really happy to have it once I'm sure I'm drafting a green-based ramp deck. I don't think I'd bother with Nissa in any other type of deck.
Aesthetically, there are only two versions of this card, and I'm really not a fan of the SDCC promo version. The black-on-black design makes the card hard to read, and the art is quite a bit worse than the original, so I'd be happy to stick with the original M15 edition even if the promo weren't so expensive and hard to find.
I like this thread idea. Props to whoever came up with it and props to you, Spike Rogue, for stealing it for us!
As to Nissa, Worldwaker, I'm luke warm on her. For me she's always been a 50/50 card. In some games, she's really freaking good and either takes over the game by creating so many 4/4 trample threats that my opponent just can't keep up or helps me ramp out something else equally nasty. However, in other games, the make a 4/4 ability isn't impactful enough given the board state or your opponent has 1-for-1 creature removal that allows him to Sinkhole you. Luckily the first scenario seems to happen more often than the second so Nissa definitely earns her keep and isn't near the chopping block.
As to aesthetics, I'm also not a fan of the SDCC black on black promos. The Jae Lee art is sick, but they're so hard to read especially in a sleeve laying on a table with overhead lights causing any sort of glare.
I like this thread idea, gives us something to talk about during he downtime when there's no new spoilers, lol.
Nissa is a powerful card and is definitely the 3rd best green planeswalker overall. I don't first pick / slam Nissa into every green deck like I do with Garruk Wildspeaker / Relentless, but Nissa does a lot of work in the decks that she finds a home in. I don't see myself cutting her anytime soon at 540 unless we get an absurdly good 5cmc green planeswalker.
Nissa cannot protect herself the turn she comes down and has medium starting loyalty, in some shells she qualifies as a six drop because of that. I also find that animating more than two lands leaves you open for mass removal/bounce blowouts, so it is generally better to play safe and slow with her, giving the tramplers vigilance while she builds for her ultimate.
I think she is a bit weaker than Primal Hunter in the average green midrange decks, but she is so instrumental to decks trying to cast Eldrazis and the like that she will outlast him in cube.
I like Garruk, Primal Hunter's ability to spam 3/3s more than I like Nissa, Worldwaker's ability to turn my lands into 4/4s, but the trip green cost on Garruk made him ride too many sideboards. The cost on Nissa along with her abilities makes her a solid inclusion for almost any green deck.
I like both Wildspeaker and Primal Hunter better than this Nissa. Really need a haste enabler before you use her ult, else you could get completely ruined by a ***.
I like this thread idea, gives us something to talk about during he downtime when there's no new spoilers, lol.
That's exactly what I was thinking, and I think it's good to take a critical look at some of the the cards we've had for a while to see how they're holding up compared to their competition. I'm glad to see this thread idea is well received.
Nissa cannot protect herself the turn she comes down and has medium starting loyalty, in some shells she qualifies as a six drop because of that.
If untapping lands gives you enough mana to play a blocker or removal spell, Nissa's 2nd +1 ability can be used to protect her.
I like both Wildspeaker and Primal Hunter better than this Nissa.
I think OG Garruk is the best green walker, hands down. It's better in midrange decks and still fantastic in ramp decks. Wildspeaker comes down cheap, ramps, poops out substantial threats/blockers, and has a really quick ultimate that can often end the game the turn after you cast it. Definitely don't cut OG Garruk for Nissa. I think you could make a case for running Garruk, Primal Hunter over Nissa, Worldwaker if you're not supporting decks that ramp into 9+ drops. Garruk, Primal Hunter protects itself more effectively while plussing, and the card draw ability is really strong in the midrange vs. control matchup as well as in ramp decks, and the triple green cost is easier to manage in green than it would be in any other color.
If you do want your green decks to be able to ramp into Eldrazi and Worldspine Wurm, though, Nissa, Worldwaker is the 5CMC green walker you want.
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
This is one of the more underrated manlands from the Worldwake cycle, the ETBT drawback does hurt more in the average Rakdos deck than it does on most of the other lands in the cycle. There are enough color intensive plays in even the most aggressive Rakdos cube decks, though, that I'm always glad to have the fixing this land brings even if it is slow, and Rakdos has access to enough removal that you can often clear a path for this to be a great mana sink in the late game. I have seen quite a few lists that run Blackcleave Cliffs or Sulfurous Springs instead of Lavaclaw Reaches for more consistent fixing in the early game, but I value the threat density enough that I think the manland is the right choice for smaller cubes.
There's only one version available of this card, but the fact that it's unwanted in Constructed formats means this is one of the cheapest cube duals to foil out at only around $6.50.
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Cool idea, Spike Roque! If it becomes too much to find and argue for a random card every day, you could make it a weekly occurance.
Check the title of your thread . I think you edited it to the wrong card 'Blackcleave Cliffs'.
The cheap activation cost of Lavaclaw Reaches makes up for the ETBT clause - even for aggro decks. Being able to animate it for an extra attacker is very valueable and it is maindecked in any deck that run the colors.
Check the title of your thread Smile . I think you edited it to the wrong card 'Blackcleave Cliffs'.
Fixed it, thanks for pointing that out!
If it becomes too much to find and argue for a random card every day, you could make it a weekly occurance.
We'll see, there definitely isn't as much variety or turnover in cube as there is in Commander or retail limited, but I think we've got a deep enough card pool to keep this up for quite a while. If CTA 720 starts to get repetitive I'll start looking into some more offbeat cube lists for ideas.
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Reaches is not the best mandual but all the manduals are worth running (GW loses out to Horizon Canopy in smaller cubes). The cheap activation and ability to hit really hard make up for the CIPT clause that can hinder aggro.
First of all, man lands are great pretty much no matter what the creature it turns into is. Lavaclaw Reaches turns into a pretty fantastic creature. It does ETB tapped, which is a bummer in such an aggressive color pair, but it's likely one of the only ETB tapped lands you'll be playing in your Rakdos aggro deck so it shouldn't be that big of a hindrance. Ideally you'll just play it on turn three or later after you've already started building your board presence. Not only that, but Rakdos aggro decks can run out of steam quickly and this land gives you a nice mana sink for those later turns when you've exhausted your hand.
Definitely the most underrated Zendikar manland, I still play it any Rakdos deck. Having some insurance policy against Wrath of Gods is always nice on top of mana fixing. I think most manlands are best in three-color decks that have green. In my experience, Lavaclaw Reaches shines most in Jund where you can abuse it with Primeval Titan.
Ive had this card shine best not in Rakdos aggro, but in a control shell like Grixis or Jund. Get control of the board and this can end the game in a couple of turns.
I played it in a Jund deck last week and all really it took was one good opening to make the card good. After a removal spell to clear the way, suiting it up with a Grafted Wargear plus a couple pumps means a ton of damage. It can definitely steal a game from out of nowhere from time to time.
After a removal spell to clear the way, suiting it up with a Grafted Wargear plus a couple pumps means a ton of damage.
Be careful with that. If you suit up a manland with Grafted Wargear you'll have to sacrifice it during your end step. It's not obvious from how the card is printed, but here's the Oracle text:
Equipped creature gets +3/+2.
Whenever Grafted Wargear becomes unattached from a permanent, sacrifice that permanent.
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Even now that there are plenty of 2 power 1-drops available to support aggro decks, I wouldn't necessarily be too quick to write this little guy off for small to medium sized cubes as outdated aggro curve filler. A 0: activation cost sac outlet can enable a lot of interesting combos, so I ran this for a while recently to support my favorite infinitecombo. It's also a Zombie, a tribe that has some great synergy enablers that are good enough to cube even without Carrion Feeder, but get a bit better with it. This might not be for every cube, but there's definitely a lot of potential to consider in this common 1/1 for B critter.
If you like this card enough to pimp it out, there is an FNM promo available, but since the art's exactly the same I'd probably go with the original old frame pack foil.
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450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Talked about him in another thread recently, but the Feeder is a personal favorite. He won't shine in every deck, but he really does shine when he does. Plus we run conspiracies so having another infinite sac outlet for Mezzo's Preparations + persist creature is pretty nice.
I don't use him in my cube, but I do in plenty of EDH decks. I feel like I just don't have enough to support the guy in the cube to make him truly shine.
I run a zombie theme cube, and a lot of token support, so this is a staple for me.
I noticed your running quadruple Gravecrawlers, so that alone probably makes Carrion Feeder a monster in your cube. Any other synergies with Carrion Feeder in your cube the rest of us might not have thought of?
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
I don't like him as much as the actual two power 1-drops for supporting black aggro, but I do like him in addition to those guys if you have room and want to support that strategy. He has a lot of synergies that happen naturally in cubes just because recursive cards tend to be good enough on their own.
I should be able to update this every day or find someone to help when I can't. I'll start by selecting cards at random from the Cube Tutor Average 720 cube's Sample Pack feature, that should give us a pretty wide pool of cards to discuss that could reasonably be considered for inclusion in cubes. If that gets stale, I'll find other cube lists to draw from like the MTGO lists, the cube lists of prominent cube managers, or even my own cube.
Guidelines:
After each discussion, I'll add a link to this discussion to the SCD thread for each card if there is one so that this discussion is easy to find in the future.
5/31/2017 - Thran Dynamo
5/30/2017 - Exhume
5/29/2017 - Flesh Carver
5/28/2017 - Terminate
5/27/2017 - Earthquake
5/26/2017 - Izzet Charm
5/25/2017 - Garruk, Primal Hunter
5/24/2017 - Warden of the First Tree
5/23/2017 - Firebolt
5/22/2017 - Treasure Cruise
5/21/2017 - Relentless Dead
5/20/2017 - Verdurous Gearhulk
5/19/2017 -Kozilek, Butcher of Truth
5/18/2017 - Fire // Ice
5/17/2017 - Accorder Paladin
5/16/2017 - Merfolk Looter
5/15/2017 - Ral Zarek
5/13/2017 - Path to Exile
5/12/2017 - Shelldock Isle
5/11/2017 - City of Brass
5/10/2017 - Hanweir Garrison
5/9/2017 - Oath of Nissa
5/8/2017 - Thragtusk
5/7/2017 - Inquisition of Kozilek
5/6/2017 - Repeal
5/5/2017 - Jace Beleren
5/4/2017 - Rishadan Port
5/3/2017 - Emrakul, the Aeons Torn
5/2/2017 - Mulldrifter
5/1/2017 - Garruk Wildspeaker
4/30/2017 - Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
4/29/2017 - Strip Mine
4/28/2017 - Hallowed Spiritkeeper
4/27/2017 - Sylvan Library
4/26/2017 - Prey Upon
4/25/2017 - Serum Visions
4/24/2017 - Duplicant
4/23/2017 - Gideon Jura
4/22/2017 - Emrakul, the Promised End
4/21/2017 - Goblin Bombardment
4/20/2017 - Stirring Wildwood
4/19/2017 - Hidden Dragonslayer
4/18/2017 - Reflecting Pool
4/17/2017 - Surrak, the Hunt Caller
4/16/2017 - Bloom Tender
4/15/2017 - Old Man of the Sea
4/14/2017 - Windbrisk Heights
4/13/2017 - Darkslick Shores and the rest of the SOM/KLD "fast" lands
4/12/2017 - Knight of the Reliquary
4/11/2017 - Sakura-Tribe Elder
4/10/2017 - Boros Reckoner
4/9/2017 - Hellspark Elemental
4/8/2017 - Precinct Captain
4/7/2017 - Rift Bolt
4/6/2017 - Liliana, Heretical Healer
4/5/2017 - Trygon Predator
4/4/2017 - Necropotence
4/3/2017 - Chrome Mox
4/2/2017 - Sulfuric Vortex
4/1/2017 - Chord of Calling
3/31/2017 - Blightsteel Colossus
3/30/2017 - Mishra's Factory
3/29/2017 - Seeker of the Way
3/28/2017 - Lotus Cobra
3/27/2017 - Tormenting Voice
3/26/2017 - Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
3/25/2017 - Dismember
3/24/2017 - Oracle of Mul Daya
3/23/2017 - Essence Scatter / Remove Soul
3/22/2017 - Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
3/21/2017 - Genju of the Spires
3/20/2017 - Pact of Negation
3/19/2017 - Duress
3/18/2017 - Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker
3/17/2017 - Zurgo Bellstriker
3/16/2017 - Dead // Gone
3/15/2017 - Vendetta
3/14/2017 - Chandra, Flamecaller
3/13/2017 - Rugged Prairie and the rest of the SHM/EVE filter lands
3/12/2017 - Threads of Disloyalty
3/11/2017 - Glint-sleeve Siphoner
3/10/2017 - Kitchen Finks
3/9/2017 - Bloodgift Demon
3/8/2017 - Force Spike
3/7/2017 - Lodestone Golem
3/6/2017 - Vampiric Tutor
3/5/2017 - Gray Merchant of Asphodel
3/4/2017 - Ancient Grudge
3/3/2017 - Wandering Fumarole
3/2/2017 - Isochron Scepter
3/1/2017 - Den Protector
2/28/2017 - Necromancy
2/27/2017 - Sun Titan
2/26/2017 - Siege-Gang Commander
2/25/2017 - Secure the Wastes
2/24/2017 - Fleecemane Lion
2/23/2017 - Umezawa's Jitte
2/22/2017 - Tooth and Nail
2/21/2017 - Nissa, Voice of Zendikar
2/20/2017 - Avacyn's Pilgrim
2/19/2017 - Elvish Visionary
2/18/2017 - Time Spiral
2/17/2017 - Heir of Falkenrath
2/16/2017 - Search for Tomorrow
2/15/2017 - Maze of Ith
2/14/2017 - Wolfir Silverheart
2/13/2017 - Sword of War and Peace
2/12/2017 - Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite
2/11/2017 - Kytheon, Hero of Akros
2/10/2017 - Deathrite Shaman
2/9/2017 - Acidic Slime
2/8/2017 - Manic Vandal
2/7/2017 - Imposing Sovereign
2/6/2017 - Westvale Abbey
2/5-2017 - Vendilion Clique
2/4/2017 - Staggershock
2/3/2017 - Entomb
2/2/2017 - Myr Battlesphere
2/1/2017 - Terramorphic Expanse / Evolving Wilds
1/31/2017 - Dragon Hunter
1/30/2017 - Mardu Strike Leader
1/29/2017 - Rakdos's Return
1/28/2017 - Burst Lightning
1/27/2017 - Memory Lapse
1/26/2017 - Young Pyromancer
1/25/2017 - Woodfall Primus
1/24/2017 - Mox Sapphire (and the rest of the original Moxen)
1/23/2017 - Thundermaw Hellkite
1/22/2017 - Loxodon Warhammer
1/21/2017 - Eldrazi Displacer
1/20/2017 - Sidisi, Undead Vizier
1/19/2017 - Hissing Quagmire
1/18/2017 - Selvala, Heart of the Wilds
1/17/2017 - Fleetwheel Cruiser
1/16/2017 - Gonti, Lord of Luxury
1/15/2017 - Recruiter of the Guard
1/14/2017 - Blossoming Defense
1/13/2017 - Bribery
1/12/2017 - Monastery Swiftspear
1/11/2017 - Dromoka's Command
1/10/2017 - Brago, King Eternal
1/9/2017 - Grafted Wargear
1/8/2017 - Electrolyze
1/7/2017 - Supreme Verdict
1/6/2017 - Bloodline Keeper
1/5/2017 - Stratus Dancer (repeat)
1/4/2017 - Control Magic
1/3/2017 - Lotleth Troll
1/2/2017 - Mana Tithe
1/1/2017 - Sin Prodder
12/31/2016 - Burning of Xinye
12/30/2016 - Kird Ape
12/29/2016 - Putrid Imp
12/28/2016 - Garruk, Apex Predator
12/27/2016 - Bring to Light
12/26/2016 - Chandra, Torch of Defiance
12/25/2016 - Thopter Pie Network
12/24/2016 - Roast
12/23/2016 - Disfigure
12/22/2016 - Thada Adel, Acquisitor
12/21/2016 - Torrential Gearhulk
12/20/2016 - Traverse the Ulvenwald
12/19/2016 - Linvala, the Preserver
12/18/2016 - Timetwister
12/17/2016 - Magus of the Wheel
12/16/2016 - Conclave Naturalists
12/15/2016 - Leyline of Sanctity
12/14/2016 - Cryptic Command
12/13/2016 - Bonesplitter
12/12/2016 - Ash Zealot
12/11/2016 - Liliana of the Veil
12/10/2016 - Steppe Lynx
12/9/2016 - Icy Manipulator
12/8/2016 - Balance
12/7/2016 - Grim Monolith
12/6/2016 - Gore-house Chainwalker
12/5/2016 - Dualcaster Mage
12/4/2016 - Plow Under
12/3/2016 - Celestial Convergence
12/2/2016 - Voice of Resurgence
12/1/2016 - Awakening Zone
11/30/2016 - Glen Elendra Archmage
11/29/2016 - Consuming Vapors
11/28/2016 - Tragic Slip
11/27/2016 - Frantic Search
11/26/2016 - Lightning Helix
11/25/2016 - Kor Skyfisher
11/24/2016 - Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre
11/23/2016 - Crucible of Worlds
11/22/2016 - Student of Warfare
11/21/2016 - Prophetic Bolt
11/20/2016 - Pacifism
11/19/2016 - Utter End
11/18/2016 - Backup Plan
11/17/2016 - Hangarback Walker
11/16/2016 - Stratus Dancer
11/15/2016 - Shambling Vent
11/14/2016 - Gaea's Cradle
11/13/2016 - Remand
11/12/2016 - Karmic Guide
11/11/2016 - Batterskull
11/10/2016 - Sorin, Solemn Visitor
11/9/2016 - Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger
11/8/2016 - Xenagos, the Reveler
11/7/2016 - Boon Satyr
11/6/2016 - Mana Vault
11/5/2016 - Greater Gargodon
11/4/2016 - Hymn to Tourach
11/3/2016 - Vapor Snag
11/2/2016 - Pernicious Deed
11/1/2016 - Sword of Light and Shadow
10/31/2016 - All Hallow's Eve
10/29/2016 - Ancient Tomb
10/28/2016 - Abbot of Keral Keep
10/27/2016 - Devil's Play
10/26/2016 - Negate
10/25/2016 - Smallpox
10/24/2016 - Library of Alexandria
10/23/2016 - Mikaeus, the Lunarch
10/22/2016 - Oona's Prowler
10/21/2016 - Phantasmal Image
10/20/2016 - Stromkirk Noble
10/19/2016 - Consecrated Sphinx
10/18/2016 - Stormblood Berserker
10/17/2016 - Inferno Titan
10/16/2016 - Imperial Recruiter
10/15/2016 - Black Lotus
10/14/2016 - Tolarian Academy
10/13/2016 - Basalt Monolith
10/12/2016 - Phyrexian Arena
10/11/2016 - Green Sun's Zenith
10/10/2016 - Psychatog
10/9/2016 - Jackal Pup
10/8/2016 - Koth of the Hammer
10/7/2016 - Golgari Rot Farm and the rest of the Ravnica bounce lands
10/6/2016 - Sensei's Divining Top
10/5/2016 - Cursed Scroll
10/4/2016 - Flickerwisp
10/3/2016 - Hedron Archive
10/2/2016 - Mind Stone
10/1/2016 - Ætherling
9/30/2016 - Living Death
9/29/2016 - Sphinx of the Steel Wind
9/28/2016 - Raise the Alarm
9/27/2016 - Goblin Dark-dwellers
9/26/2016 - Flame Slash
9/25/2016 - Purphoros, God of the Forge
9/24/2016 - Bloodbraid Elf
9/23/2016 - Counterspell
9/22/2016 - Harmonize
9/21/2016 - Vampire Lacerator
9/20/2016 - Cultivate/Kodama's Reach
9/19/2016 - Disenchant
9/18/2016 - Kiora, Master of the Depths
9/17/2016 - Condescend
9/16/2016 - Nomad Outpost (and the rest of the ALA/KTK tri-lands)
9/15/2016 - Tarmogoyf
9/14/2016 - Mindslaver
9/13/2016 - Far // Away
9/12/2016 - Collected Company
9/11/2016 - Sneak Attack
9/10/2016 - Puppeteer Clique
9/9/2016 - Compulsive Research
9/8/2016 - Mirror Entity
9/7/2016 - Qasali Pridemage
9/6/2016 - Anticipate
9/5/2016 - Crystal Shard
9/4/2016 - Bonfire of the Damned
9/3/2016 - Coldsteel Heart
9/2/2016 - Anafenza, Kin-Tree Spirit
9/1/2016 - Phyrexian Revoker
8/31/2016 - Ultimate Price
8/30/2016 - Sword of Body and Mind
8/29/2016 - Animate Dead
8/28/2016 - Karn Liberated
8/27/2016 - Archangel of Thune
8/26/2016 - Abrupt Decay
8/25/2016 - Wurmcoil Engine
8/24/2016 - Jace, Architect of Thought
8/23/2016 - Aether Adept
8/22/2016 - Tropical Island (and the rest of the ABU duals)
8/21/2016 - Exalted Angel
8/20/2016 - Pia and Kiran Nalaar
8/19/2016 - Elspeth, Sun's Champion
8/18/2016 - Dack Fayden
8/16/2016 - Through the Breach
8/14/2016 - Monastery Mentor
8/13/2016 - Reckless Charge
8/12/2016 - Psionic Blast
8/11/2016 - Nevinyrral's Disk
8/10/2016 - Boros Charm
8/9/2016 - Cyclonic Rift
8/8/2016 - Craterhoof Behemoth
8/7/2016 - Waterfront Bouncer
8/6/2016 - Strangleroot Geist
8/5/2016 - Mimic Vat
8/4/2016 - Molten Rain
8/3/2016 - Precursor Golem
8/2/2016 - Stoke the Flames
8/1/2016 - Deathrite Shaman
7/31/2016 - Demonic Tutor
7/30/2016 - Dark Ritual
7/29/2016 - Miscalculation
7/28/2016 - Yawgmoth's Will
7/27/2016 - Ob Nixilis of the Black Oath
7/26/2016 - Bloodsoaked Champion
7/25/2016 - Time Warp
7/24/2016 - Ancestral Visions
7/22/2016 - Jace, Memory Adept
7/21/2016 - Lingering Souls
7/20/2016 - Magma Jet
7/19/2016 - Kessig Wolf Run
7/18/2016 - Dark Confidant
7/17/2016 - Fact of Fiction
7/16/2016 - Moat
7/14/2016 - Tezzeret the Seeker
7/13/2016 - Profane Command
7/12/2016 - Delver of Secrets
7/11/2016 - Rakdos Signet and the rest of the Signets
7/10/2016 - Lightning Bolt
7/9/2016 - Squee, Goblin Nabob
7/8/2016 - Summoning Trap
7/7/2016 - Sword of Fire and Ice
7/6/2016 - Lightning Mauler
7/5/2016 - Brain Freeze / Storm archetype and finishers
7/4/2016 - Guul Draz Assassin
7/3/2016 - Reveillark
7/2/2016 - Plated Geopede
7/1/2016 - Duskmantle Seer
6/30/2016 - Genesis
6/29/2016 - Council's Judgment
6/28/2016 - Wood Elves
6/27/2016 - Vines of Vastwood
6/26/2016 - Sphinx's Revelation
6/25/2016 - Turkey Hill Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup
6/24/2016 - Sol Ring
6/23/2016 - Jokulhaups
6/22/2016 - Baleful Strix
6/20/2016 - Unexpectedly Absent
6/19/2016 - Spectral Procession
6/18/2016 - Kami of Ancient Law (and all functional reprints)
6/17/2016 - Augur of Bolas
6/16/2016 - Brainstorm
6/15/2016 - Soldier of Pantheon
6/14/2016 - Recurring Nightmare
6/13/2016 - Ob Nixilis Reignited
6/12/2016 - Sacred Foundry and the rest of the shock lands
6/11/2016 - Land Tax
6/10/2016 - Frontline Medic
6/9/2016 - Gilt-Leaf Winnower
6/8/2016 - Jace, the Mind Sculptor
6/7/2016 - Nekrataal
6/6/2016 - Tidehollow Sculler
6/5/2016 - Sower of Temptation
6/4/2016 - Temple of Plenty (and the rest of the Scry duals)
6/3/2016 - Shadowmage Infiltrator
6/2/2016 - Drana, Liberator of Malakir
6/1/2016 - Keldon Marauders
5/31/2016 - Ruinous Path
5/30/2016 - Frost Titan
5/29/2016 - Rakdos Cackler
5/28/2016 - Greenwarden of Murasa
5/27/2016 - Krosan Grip
5/26/2016 - Reflector Mage
5/25/2016 - Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
5/24/2016 - Kolaghan's Command
5/23/2016 - Ajani Goldmane
5/22/2016 - Venser, Shaper Savant
5/21/2016 - Fauna Shaman
5/20/2016 - Wall of Blossoms
5/19/2016 - Soulfire Grand Master
5/18/2016 - Mox Diamond
5/17/2016 - Cloudgoat Ranger
5/16/2016 - Chandra's Phoenix
5/15/2016 - Woodland Cemetery and the rest of the M10/Innistrad check lands
5/14/2016 - Splinter Twin
5/13/2016 - Misty Rainforest and the rest of the ONS/ZEN fetch land cycle
5/12/2016 - Worn Powerstone
5/11/2016 - Ghor-Clan Rampager
5/10/2016 - Braids, Cabal Minion
5/9/2016 - Herald of Torment
5/8/2016 - Birthing Pod
5/7/2016 - Falkenrath Aristocrat
5/6/2016 - Serendib Efreet
5/5/2016 - Prophet of Kruphix
5/4/2016 - Restoration Angel
5/3/2016 - Shardless Agent
5/2/2016 - Carrion Feeder
5/1/2016 - Lavaclaw Reaches
4/30/2016 - Nissa, Worldwaker
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
This iteration of Nissa has proven to be a pretty solid planeswalker for ramp decks. It provides a potentially massive boost in mana while turning lands into threats, and both + abilities can protect it pretty effectively. There are times when putting your lands into the red zone isn't really what you want to be doing, so I do sometimes miss the token generation and card draw that Garruk, Primal Hunter provided when I ran it in this spot in my cube. I've never first picked Nissa, Worldwaker, but I'm really happy to have it once I'm sure I'm drafting a green-based ramp deck. I don't think I'd bother with Nissa in any other type of deck.
Aesthetically, there are only two versions of this card, and I'm really not a fan of the SDCC promo version. The black-on-black design makes the card hard to read, and the art is quite a bit worse than the original, so I'd be happy to stick with the original M15 edition even if the promo weren't so expensive and hard to find.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
As to Nissa, Worldwaker, I'm luke warm on her. For me she's always been a 50/50 card. In some games, she's really freaking good and either takes over the game by creating so many 4/4 trample threats that my opponent just can't keep up or helps me ramp out something else equally nasty. However, in other games, the make a 4/4 ability isn't impactful enough given the board state or your opponent has 1-for-1 creature removal that allows him to Sinkhole you. Luckily the first scenario seems to happen more often than the second so Nissa definitely earns her keep and isn't near the chopping block.
As to aesthetics, I'm also not a fan of the SDCC black on black promos. The Jae Lee art is sick, but they're so hard to read especially in a sleeve laying on a table with overhead lights causing any sort of glare.
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StaffNissa is a powerful card and is definitely the 3rd best green planeswalker overall. I don't first pick / slam Nissa into every green deck like I do with Garruk Wildspeaker / Relentless, but Nissa does a lot of work in the decks that she finds a home in. I don't see myself cutting her anytime soon at 540 unless we get an absurdly good 5cmc green planeswalker.
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Nissa cannot protect herself the turn she comes down and has medium starting loyalty, in some shells she qualifies as a six drop because of that. I also find that animating more than two lands leaves you open for mass removal/bounce blowouts, so it is generally better to play safe and slow with her, giving the tramplers vigilance while she builds for her ultimate.
I think she is a bit weaker than Primal Hunter in the average green midrange decks, but she is so instrumental to decks trying to cast Eldrazis and the like that she will outlast him in cube.
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That's exactly what I was thinking, and I think it's good to take a critical look at some of the the cards we've had for a while to see how they're holding up compared to their competition. I'm glad to see this thread idea is well received.
If untapping lands gives you enough mana to play a blocker or removal spell, Nissa's 2nd +1 ability can be used to protect her.
I think OG Garruk is the best green walker, hands down. It's better in midrange decks and still fantastic in ramp decks. Wildspeaker comes down cheap, ramps, poops out substantial threats/blockers, and has a really quick ultimate that can often end the game the turn after you cast it. Definitely don't cut OG Garruk for Nissa. I think you could make a case for running Garruk, Primal Hunter over Nissa, Worldwaker if you're not supporting decks that ramp into 9+ drops. Garruk, Primal Hunter protects itself more effectively while plussing, and the card draw ability is really strong in the midrange vs. control matchup as well as in ramp decks, and the triple green cost is easier to manage in green than it would be in any other color.
If you do want your green decks to be able to ramp into Eldrazi and Worldspine Wurm, though, Nissa, Worldwaker is the 5CMC green walker you want.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
This is one of the more underrated manlands from the Worldwake cycle, the ETBT drawback does hurt more in the average Rakdos deck than it does on most of the other lands in the cycle. There are enough color intensive plays in even the most aggressive Rakdos cube decks, though, that I'm always glad to have the fixing this land brings even if it is slow, and Rakdos has access to enough removal that you can often clear a path for this to be a great mana sink in the late game. I have seen quite a few lists that run Blackcleave Cliffs or Sulfurous Springs instead of Lavaclaw Reaches for more consistent fixing in the early game, but I value the threat density enough that I think the manland is the right choice for smaller cubes.
There's only one version available of this card, but the fact that it's unwanted in Constructed formats means this is one of the cheapest cube duals to foil out at only around $6.50.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Check the title of your thread
The cheap activation cost of Lavaclaw Reaches makes up for the ETBT clause - even for aggro decks. Being able to animate it for an extra attacker is very valueable and it is maindecked in any deck that run the colors.
Fixed it, thanks for pointing that out!
We'll see, there definitely isn't as much variety or turnover in cube as there is in Commander or retail limited, but I think we've got a deep enough card pool to keep this up for quite a while. If CTA 720 starts to get repetitive I'll start looking into some more offbeat cube lists for ideas.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Reaches is not the best mandual but all the manduals are worth running (GW loses out to Horizon Canopy in smaller cubes). The cheap activation and ability to hit really hard make up for the CIPT clause that can hinder aggro.
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StaffMy High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/3pq
Be careful with that. If you suit up a manland with Grafted Wargear you'll have to sacrifice it during your end step. It's not obvious from how the card is printed, but here's the Oracle text:
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
Carrion Feeder
Even now that there are plenty of 2 power 1-drops available to support aggro decks, I wouldn't necessarily be too quick to write this little guy off for small to medium sized cubes as outdated aggro curve filler. A 0: activation cost sac outlet can enable a lot of interesting combos, so I ran this for a while recently to support my favorite infinite combo. It's also a Zombie, a tribe that has some great synergy enablers that are good enough to cube even without Carrion Feeder, but get a bit better with it. This might not be for every cube, but there's definitely a lot of potential to consider in this common 1/1 for B critter.
If you like this card enough to pimp it out, there is an FNM promo available, but since the art's exactly the same I'd probably go with the original old frame pack foil.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
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StaffMy High Octane Unpowered Cube on CubeCobra
https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/3pq
I noticed your running quadruple Gravecrawlers, so that alone probably makes Carrion Feeder a monster in your cube. Any other synergies with Carrion Feeder in your cube the rest of us might not have thought of?
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
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