Hello, I am ArBor4817 and welcome to my cube thread! My cube is a peasant cube in the broadest definition of the word. All cards ever printed as (un)common including U2 from Arabian Nights and cards release online as (un)common are fair game. Moreover, I use rare land fixing since fixing for aggro decks just isn't very good in peasant otherwise. Currently I run a full set of painlands to stay somewhat true to the spirit of peasant, but I have run a full set of duals, shockduals and fetch in the past and I might return to that setup at some point. I am always open to suggestions and always like some feedback.
Basic Information Cube Size: 360 Breakdown: 56 of each color, 30 multicolor (2 cards and per guild/10 hybrid cards), 22 colorless (artifact/eldrazi, phyrexian), 28 land Standard or Theme: Peasant with rare land fixing Average Number of Players: mostly 2 or 3, sometimes 4 Type of play: Sealed, Grid Draft, Draft
Cube Design Multiplayer: Sideboard is multiplayer expansion Color Balance: Yes Gold Balance: Yes Hybrid/Split/Kicker/Flashback as Gold: As played, "Hybrid"-system Phyrexian as Colorless: Yes Perfectly Balanced CMC: No
White
Aggro, Tokens, Ramp Support, +1/+1 counters, spot removal
The fact that you've been lurking a long time is painfully obvious. And I mean that in the best way possible. Your cube looks really good.
I wouldn't say "card draw" is an identity in blue. To me, an identity for a color in a cube should be something your drafters want to exploit, and cards that draw cards are just cards that draw cards. Just me nitpicking terminology.
Not all color pairs value mana fixing the same way. The dead-horse to beat here is that Boros garrison is almost always a bad card while Simic growth chamber is pretty good often.
Seeing azorius guildmage in white made my heart jump with joy
I will always have no love for mogg fanatic and will always say that seal of fire is vastly superior.
I just cruised through your list real quick and I think it's very solid. It looks like you've done your research!
Even though I just scanned through it, I can't say I see anything that sticks out as being a terrible choice. It looks good my man!
At this point, I think our advice would be better suited for helping you with more specific problem areas that you may see in your cube. The only way you'll identify those is by drafting it! So keep drafting and let us know how it goes! I think this cube looks like a lot of fun and I'd draft it for sure!
That one does seem a bit inconsistent. It's probably good for the first 2 or 3 turns, then it's just a Stone Rain on yourself, making it harder to cast a creature and a removal/burn spell in the same turn, which is mighty important for an aggro deck. I'd have to see it played out in a creature heavy aggro deck to make a better judgment.
Not all color pairs value mana fixing the same way. The dead-horse to beat here is that Boros garrison is almost always a bad card while Simic growth chamber is pretty good often.
That's the main reason why I only play 3 signets (Azorius, Izzet and Dimir) and they're in the colorless section. I'm just reluctant to remove even more fixing from the remaining guilds. If I would remove them, would you replace them with other cards in their respective guilds or move all lands to the colorless section (as I did with the signets)?
I will always have no love for mogg fanatic and will always say that seal of fire is vastly superior.
I don't consider Seal of Fire as the same type of card as Mogg Fanatic. If I were to cut the goblin for a burn spell I would rather play Lightning Strike or am I misevaluating Seal of Fire? I do agree that the goblin is my weakest red one drop and he will be the first to leave the cube if an new option presents itself, but as for now he's seems stronger than all the other one drops I considered (those being Forge Devil, Foundry Street Denizen, Goblin Patrol and Jackal Familiar).
I just recently added it. So far it showed up once in a WG ramp/token deck which splashed blue for Jelenn Sphinx and Compulsive Research and was quite powerful. I don't like domain cards in general but since Tromp the Domains is green you can easily add a random basic land of a third color in a two color deck (and maybe splash one or two cards of that color as well).
Oh, the card that stood out to me as the one that just never works out is ancient ziggurat
It had its moments in some Boros aggro decks fixing in the first couple of turns (in which you usually play only creatures) however you're probably right. There just isn't enough aggro fixing in C/Ubes and I find it hard to replace him.
If I would remove them, would you replace them with other cards in their respective guilds or move all lands to the colorless section (as I did with the signets)?
Keep the lands in the guilds and just run an uneven number of fixers. Signets in colorless isn't the worst thing in the world since they are borderline playable in a deck that only needs 1 of the colors.
Mogg fanatic has all of the benefits of being a creature, but merely the benefits of being a 1/1 grounded creature. Yeah, it can be unearthed, or block a 4 drop, or deal up to 2 points of attacking damage if dropped on turn one.
But seal of fire kills, by my count, more than 65 extra things in your cube. Over 1/4 of the creatures in your cube have exactly 2 toughness in normal game-states. It's a trade of some small utility for a massive uptick in the number of creatures you can kill.
I also suppose that this is very much a fringe upside, but seal of fire is almost never going to be removed to clear the way for something like a jade mage, just because it is an enchantment.
Mogg fanatic has all of the benefits of being a creature, but merely the benefits of being a 1/1 grounded creature. Yeah, it can be unearthed, or block a 4 drop, or deal up to 2 points of attacking damage if dropped on turn one.
But seal of fire kills, by my count, more than 65 extra things in your cube. Over 1/4 of the creatures in your cube have exactly 2 toughness in normal game-states. It's a trade of some small utility for a massive uptick in the number of creatures you can kill.
I also suppose that this is very much a fringe upside, but seal of fire is almost never going to be removed to clear the way for something like a jade mage, just because it is an enchantment.
You convinced me that I should drop the goblin, he does seem pretty bad. I am just wondering, why would you replace it with Seal of Fire and not with a card like Lightning Strike or maybe an aggro two drop? Both seems beter options imho even considering the fact that the Seal would almost never be removed (with which I agree btw).
Speaking of red two drops, I see you play a lot I don't. I am mainly interested in your experience with Ashmouth Hound, Plated Geopede and Viashino Slaughtermaster as I have been thinking of adding these but they either seems to swingy or just not good enough.
Anyone care to refute this claim? I agree that the mine is perfect for aggro decks.
In my experience, the Mine is almost always a very solid inclusion in a aggro deck.
On another note, since the lastest big update of my cube Izzet seems to be very strong. The last three draft were all won by izzet tempo (lots of burn and bounce (especially cards like Arc Lightning, Electrolyze, Jilt etc.), going in for the kill with something like Looter il-Kor carrying an equipment or a random four drop like one of the Juggernauts or Fluxcharger.
I've had moments in cube where certain decks would go on streaks. I wouldn't worry too much. It's hard to analyze a situation from our end without seeing decklists or by knowing exactly how the games played out against the Izzet deck.
Perhaps it's just a hot streak. If you see it winning like... 5 out of 7 or something like that, maybe then you can start focusing on identifying and remedying the problem.
Never really liked the elf lord as most of the time it was a Squirrel Nest which could be more easily removed. I still like the fact that it could pump the mana elfs but this is just to narrow. I am trying to push green aggro (mainly gruul and naya) so Jungle Lion seems like a good addition. Still looking for something to cut for Twinblade Slasher and Wild Dogs.
So I finally decided to change multicolored by giving some guilds more spells/creatures and less mana fixing. Moreover, I wanted to give aggro a bit more of a push and I added some cards from Born of the Gods.
Large changes. I decided to cut on the multicolored section by making each guild 1 card smaller and removing all shards cards except for nacatl. Moreover, some card that just didn't see play that often I changed as well.
Jelenn Sphinx > Viashino Slaughtermaster
Sphinx was often too expensive and I heard a lot of good things about the double strikers. Qasali Pridemage > Snap
Hard to cut pridemage but I can't see me cutting any of the other selesnya cards. Snap is another "free" spell and I am probably going to cut Vapor Snag for a Journey into Nyx card. Kingpin's Pet > Cumber Stone
Pet is weak and Stone looks promising. Horizon Chimera > Azorius Justiciar
Chimera never really did it and Justiciar seems like it can be good in a range of decks. Fire // Ice > Wildsize
Wasn't even a real Izzet card and I have enough damage dividing spells. Wildsize is pump for double strike dudes and gives trample to big dudes as well. Ashenmoor Gouger > Ostracize
Gouger is the weakest Rakdos card and black needs a bit more disruption. Psychatog > Reckless Charge
Psychatog was never the bomb I wanted it to be. Reckless Charge is pump for double strike dudes and works in aggro. Tattermunge Maniac > Butcher Ghoul
Maniac is a two power one-drop but a really bad one. Ghoul looks like it can fit in a range of decks. Korozda Guildmage > Fencing Ace
The other double strike dude. Guildmage is the weakest golgari card. Boros Charm > Tower Above
Another pump spell. Not sure about this one though. Hit // Run > Mutagenic Growth
Another pump spell and another "free" spell. Esper Charm > Gitaxian Probe
Another "free" spell. Rise // Fall > Myr Sire
Seems like a decent colorless card. Supply // Demand > Serrated Arrows
Colorless removal.
Seeing as how 80% of these changes make your cube look more like my cube, of course I am in agreement.
RIP masked admirers and horizon chimera. They kinda go in the same deck.
Just be sure to run gravetiller wurm alongside devoted druid.
I got a lot of inspiration for changing my cube after I looked at yours.
And for some cards (like the double strike dudes or Illusory Angel) it doesn't really makes sense only adding those cards without the support.
As soon as Journey to Nyx is released Fleetfeather Cockatrice is going in so I am not too sad about seeing Horizon Chimera go. If at one point I decided to really support golgari selfmill then Admirers is going straight back in.
After playing quite a lot with the new changes, there are new changes again. Journey into the Nyx is added and the multicolored section is decreased again. I also reduced the size of the cube by 20 and introduced the hybrid system by Leelue. I am hoping to end up with a cube of 420 cards so ten more cuts are necessary. This will probably mean 2 cards per color but it's very hard.
On another note, not sure what to think of the double strike dudes. They are often just 2/1 with a bad type of protection from x/1 guys. They most often end up in aggro decks which play 1 or 2 ways to abuse them but it didn't happen so far (except once but it didn't have any effect since it was lethal regardless of double strike).
Other Changes: Arrest > Banishing Light
Seems like a easy swap. Aven Riftwatcher > Emancipation Angel
Riftwatcher is only nice in a limited amount of decks. I think the angel can be used in a broader spectrum. Basilica Guards > Midnight Haunting
Turns out the guards was even worse. Knight of Meadowgrain > Griffin Guide
White had the most creatures of all colors (including green) and this one had an akward manacost. Guide seems nice with double strike dudes and in aggro in general. Cage of Hands > Land Tax
I think I have enough of these removal-enchantments and land tax seems nice.
Augury Owl > Merfolk Looter
Cutting looter was a bad idea so I needed to find a spot to put it back in. Vapor Snag > Hour of Need
Swapping a generic bounce spell for an extremely interesting and potentially strong card seems like a good idea. Memory Lapse > Latch Seeker
Still pushing blue aggro.
Terror > Slaughter
Seems more interesting. I had to much "1B: Destroy target creature." instants anyway. Doom Blade > Plagued Rusalka
See previous change and Rusalka needs another chance since Reassembling Skeleton came back last update (ironically Rusalka got cut for it.) Gray Merchant of Asphodel > Fallen Angel
Gray Merchant didn't really perform, gaining at most 5 life and often around 3-4. Fallen Angel since Reassembling Skeleton. Disfigure > Dead Reveler
Disfigure was often just a shock which couldn't be aimed at someone's head. Not sure whether Dead Reveler or Ravenous Skirge is better here. Tragic Slip > Darkblast
Trying out a golgari graveyard theme. Phyrexian Reclamation > Haunted Crossroads
2 life really hurts even if it puts the card right into your hand. Okiba-Gang Shinobi > Stupor
Seems more reliable. Thrull Parasite > Gnarled Scarhide
Parasite was average at best. Scarhide is 2 power for 1 mana.
Ember Hauler > Kiln Fiend
Pushing spells matter theme a bit more. RR is akward. Searing Spear > Lava Dart
See previous change. Rolling Thunder > Blind with Anger
Rolling Thunder wasn't what it used to be. Blind with Anger seems cool in both control and aggro. Kruin Striker > Flame Jab
I think I have enough aggro 2 drops in red. Flame Jab is more of a placeholder until I can get my hand on something better but for now it fits in the spells matter theme. Beetleback Chief > Volcanic Dragon
Red needs some finishers. The chief might get back in someday.
Momentary Blink > Ascended Lawmage
It is hard cutting Momentary Blink. I really like it but it was often pretty bad or ended up in someone's SB. Lawmage fits in UW aggro, tempo and control. Spike Jester > Rix Maadi Guildmage
Guildmage is much more interesting and I've heard very powerful. Putrid Leech > Nyx Weaver
Putrid Leech is very good but BG is not the color combination for aggro. Nyx Weaver fits nicely in the golgari graveyard theme. Golgari Rot Farm > Shambling Shell
Golgari Karoo land never got played and I needed another card for golgari graveyard theme. Not sure if Shambling Shell the best option. Might change to Rot Farm Skeleton or something like that. Elusive Krasis > Fleetfeather Cockatrice
Fleetfeather Cockatrice seems very good.
As a note, and I know it's annoying to get 1-card questions about a wave of changes, but Darkblast is ridiculous in some cubes without needing to support some archetype. It just invalidates draws for your opponent and combos with... the game of magic in general.
Oh, I do have something else to add. Grey merchant has been stone cold nuts for me, and it is one of the cards I just don't ever want to see my opponent cast. It does require deck constraints, but when it is operating within those constraints it should be regularly draining 4 life or more, and 4 life as a low end scenario is not bad. 4 life is really where things are becoming big deals in the scheme of the whole game.
All in all, though, this update looks like a nice facelift.
As a note, and I know it's annoying to get 1-card questions about a wave of changes, but Darkblast is ridiculous in some cubes without needing to support some archetype. It just invalidates draws for your opponent and combos with... the game of magic in general.
I don't really see how that could be annoying. I guess you mean Darkblast makes your opponents unable to play x/1 dudes just like having a active pinger on board?
Oh, I do have something else to add. Grey merchant has been stone cold nuts for me, and it is one of the cards I just don't ever want to see my opponent cast. It does require deck constraints, but when it is operating within those constraints it should be regularly draining 4 life or more, and 4 life as a low end scenario is not bad. 4 life is really where things are becoming big deals in the scheme of the whole game.
It's true that draining 3-4 life is already a gap of 5-8 life so he might be worth it. Not sure what to cut, I don't want to many cards in black with a CMC of 4+ but 1 more might be ok. What would you cut? (btw I find making cuts in black the hardest as I am very cautious of removing aggro cards).
I really think cutting Chain Lightning is a mistake. It's not consensus though, I've seen more people cutting it, but it's so efficient in what it does. 3 dmg for 1 mana is pretty much the best you can get. Although I can understand if you want some variety, I guess.
I just couldn't see me cutting any of the other burn spells (except for Flame Jab, but that card will probably swap for a second red end curve finisher).
Oh, because I'm hungry to talk about things that I'm doing
*note* this does not mean don't only talk in my thread after an update if you don't have much to say. Something to talk about > nothing to talk about
Having the signets count as colorless seemed strange, especially since I just introduced the hybrid system. I changed the signets from colorless to hybrid and that resulted in some changes: Dimir Signet > Culling Dais Izzet Signet > Prophetic Prism
No more room for these two signets. Prism seems ok and Dias seems a reasonable colorless sacrifice engine. Mnemonic Wall > Triskelion
Azurious Signet goes to blue so I had to cut a blue card and created an extra space in the colorless section. If you consider Triskelion an uncommon it seems like an auto-include. The wall was mediocre (especially compared to Archeomancer). Syndic of Tithes > Safehold Elite
Wanted to add this card for a while now but couldn't find a spot in the hybrid section. Since the signets are now also hybrid I made a spot. Syndic was in the weird position of giving very slow advantage while clearly having a (aggro) body which only mattered in turn 2-5. Gift of Orzhova > Orzhov Signet
Gift doesn't really cut it. Wildsize > Simic Signet
Simic Signet needed to get in for a green spot. I didn't like Wildsize. Holding open three mana is a lot so it was not very good as a combat trick except on the attack making it more like a overcosted burn spell.
Some small other changes: Lava Dart > Chain Lightning
So Chain Lightning comes back in.
Dart isn't even that much better than Chain Lightning in the spells matter decks. The extra damage almost negates the second "spell-trigger" and it doesn't require you to sacrifice a land. The only clear advantage is that it can divide the damage but I have enough of those as it is. Reckless Waif > Beetleback Chief
Reckless Waif: If played on turn 1 it has like a 60-70% of being insane. Played on any other turn it is almost always crap.
So here's the Vintage Master update, I am now using multiples of the mana fixing lands and I went down another ten cards (+some small other changes):
Vintage Master Update: Tormented Hero > Sarcomancy
Strict upgrade. Trophy Hunter > Nostalgic Dreams
Hunter felt mostly like a sideboard card and don't like that. Dreams seems good, but I am not sure. Dead Reveler > Kezzerdrix
The first true black aggro 4 drop. Gideon's Lawkeeper > Pianna, Nomad Captain
Lawkeeper was just not powerful enough. Painna seems pretty solid and has protection from Blind with Anger.
Cube Tutor List: http://www.cubetutor.com/viewcube/2083
Cube Tutor Visual: http://www.cubetutor.com/visualspoiler/2083
Cube Size: 360
Breakdown: 56 of each color, 30 multicolor (2 cards and per guild/10 hybrid cards), 22 colorless (artifact/eldrazi, phyrexian), 28 land
Standard or Theme: Peasant with rare land fixing
Average Number of Players: mostly 2 or 3, sometimes 4
Type of play: Sealed, Grid Draft, Draft
Card Selection
Proxies: Yes, a few.
Portal: Yes
"Un" Cards: Currently not, but I have no objection against cards like Booster Tutor
Functional Reprints: Yes
Banned Cards: Library of Alexandria, Skullclamp, Sol Ring, Loxodon Warhammer, Behemoth Sledge, Ghostly Prison, Propaganda, Timely Reinforcements, Hymn to Tourach, Grafted Wargear, Curse of Predation
Cube Design
Multiplayer: Sideboard is multiplayer expansion
Color Balance: Yes
Gold Balance: Yes
Hybrid/Split/Kicker/Flashback as Gold: As played, "Hybrid"-system
Phyrexian as Colorless: Yes
Perfectly Balanced CMC: No
Aggro, Tokens, Ramp Support, +1/+1 counters, spot removal
Blue
Bounce, Aggro, Tempo, Control
Black
Aggro, Sacrifice, Reanimation, Spot removal
Red
Aggro, Burn, Tokens
Green
Ramp, Midrange, Aggro support
--
Azorius
Control, UW Skies
Dimir
Control, Evasion aggro
Rakdos
Aggro, Sacrifice
Gruul
Midrange, Aggro
Selesnya
Ramp, Midrange, Tokens
Orzhov
Sacrifice, Tokens
Golgari
Graveyard, Sacrifice, Midrange
Simic
Ramp, Tempo
Izzet
Control, Agrro, Tempo
Boros
Aggro, tokens, +1/+1 counters
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
I wouldn't say "card draw" is an identity in blue. To me, an identity for a color in a cube should be something your drafters want to exploit, and cards that draw cards are just cards that draw cards. Just me nitpicking terminology.
Not all color pairs value mana fixing the same way. The dead-horse to beat here is that Boros garrison is almost always a bad card while Simic growth chamber is pretty good often.
Seeing azorius guildmage in white made my heart jump with joy
I will always have no love for mogg fanatic and will always say that seal of fire is vastly superior.
How has tromp the domains been?
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Even though I just scanned through it, I can't say I see anything that sticks out as being a terrible choice. It looks good my man!
At this point, I think our advice would be better suited for helping you with more specific problem areas that you may see in your cube. The only way you'll identify those is by drafting it! So keep drafting and let us know how it goes! I think this cube looks like a lot of fun and I'd draft it for sure!
My Peasant Cube thread !!! (380 cards)
Draft my Peasant Cube on Cube Cobra !!!
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
My Peasant Cube thread !!! (380 cards)
Draft my Peasant Cube on Cube Cobra !!!
That's the main reason why I only play 3 signets (Azorius, Izzet and Dimir) and they're in the colorless section. I'm just reluctant to remove even more fixing from the remaining guilds. If I would remove them, would you replace them with other cards in their respective guilds or move all lands to the colorless section (as I did with the signets)?
I don't consider Seal of Fire as the same type of card as Mogg Fanatic. If I were to cut the goblin for a burn spell I would rather play Lightning Strike or am I misevaluating Seal of Fire? I do agree that the goblin is my weakest red one drop and he will be the first to leave the cube if an new option presents itself, but as for now he's seems stronger than all the other one drops I considered (those being Forge Devil, Foundry Street Denizen, Goblin Patrol and Jackal Familiar).
I just recently added it. So far it showed up once in a WG ramp/token deck which splashed blue for Jelenn Sphinx and Compulsive Research and was quite powerful. I don't like domain cards in general but since Tromp the Domains is green you can easily add a random basic land of a third color in a two color deck (and maybe splash one or two cards of that color as well).
It had its moments in some Boros aggro decks fixing in the first couple of turns (in which you usually play only creatures) however you're probably right. There just isn't enough aggro fixing in C/Ubes and I find it hard to replace him.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
My Peasant Cube thread !!! (380 cards)
Draft my Peasant Cube on Cube Cobra !!!
Keep the lands in the guilds and just run an uneven number of fixers. Signets in colorless isn't the worst thing in the world since they are borderline playable in a deck that only needs 1 of the colors.
Mogg fanatic has all of the benefits of being a creature, but merely the benefits of being a 1/1 grounded creature. Yeah, it can be unearthed, or block a 4 drop, or deal up to 2 points of attacking damage if dropped on turn one.
But seal of fire kills, by my count, more than 65 extra things in your cube. Over 1/4 of the creatures in your cube have exactly 2 toughness in normal game-states. It's a trade of some small utility for a massive uptick in the number of creatures you can kill.
I also suppose that this is very much a fringe upside, but seal of fire is almost never going to be removed to clear the way for something like a jade mage, just because it is an enchantment.
Problems arise when you want to cast a removal spell and ziggurat is the only land of that color you have
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Anyone care to refute this claim? I agree that the mine is perfect for aggro decks.
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
Aalsmeer, near Amsterdam.
You convinced me that I should drop the goblin, he does seem pretty bad. I am just wondering, why would you replace it with Seal of Fire and not with a card like Lightning Strike or maybe an aggro two drop? Both seems beter options imho even considering the fact that the Seal would almost never be removed (with which I agree btw).
Speaking of red two drops, I see you play a lot I don't. I am mainly interested in your experience with Ashmouth Hound, Plated Geopede and Viashino Slaughtermaster as I have been thinking of adding these but they either seems to swingy or just not good enough.
In my experience, the Mine is almost always a very solid inclusion in a aggro deck.
On another note, since the lastest big update of my cube Izzet seems to be very strong. The last three draft were all won by izzet tempo (lots of burn and bounce (especially cards like Arc Lightning, Electrolyze, Jilt etc.), going in for the kill with something like Looter il-Kor carrying an equipment or a random four drop like one of the Juggernauts or Fluxcharger.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Perhaps it's just a hot streak. If you see it winning like... 5 out of 7 or something like that, maybe then you can start focusing on identifying and remedying the problem.
My Peasant Cube thread !!! (380 cards)
Draft my Peasant Cube on Cube Cobra !!!
Imperious Perfect > Jungle Lion
Never really liked the elf lord as most of the time it was a Squirrel Nest which could be more easily removed. I still like the fact that it could pump the mana elfs but this is just to narrow. I am trying to push green aggro (mainly gruul and naya) so Jungle Lion seems like a good addition. Still looking for something to cut for Twinblade Slasher and Wild Dogs.
I have also been thinking about the Karoo lands and I am not sure which ones to keep and which ones to remove. Rakdos Carnarium and Boros Garrison are definitely going out and Azorius Chancery, Dimir Aqueduct, Simic Growth Chamber and Izzet Boilerworks are definitely staying, but what about Gruul Turf, Selesnya Sanctuary, Orzhov Basilica and Golgari Rot Farm?
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Guild mana fixing Changes:
Gruul Turf > Fanatic of Xenagos
Boros Garrison > Boros Charm
Selesnya Sanctuary > Qasali Pridemage
Rakdos Carnarium > Crimson Muckwader
Aggro Changes:
Reassembling Skeleton > Knight of Infamy
Avalanche Riders > Ashmouth Hound
Blind with Anger > Madcap Skills
Mogg Fanatic > Plated Geopede
Mogg War Marshal > Kruin Striker
Bituminous Blast > Ashenmoor Gouger
Born to the Gods Changes:
Stab Wound > Drown in Sorrow
Hearth Kami > Reckless Reveler
Other Changes:
Crypt Rats > Marsh Flitter
Still looking for a spot to test Archetype of Courage, maybe Midnight Haunting? Also Kiora's Follower looks interesting and I'm thinking of removing Horizon Chimera or Elusive Krasis for it, but i'm not sure which one if any.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Cloudshift > Leonin Snarecaster
Cloudshift is too often just a "counter target removal spell" and there are cards in my cube that do that better. I like Azorius Arrester and want to give white aggro a bit more of a push.
Doomed Traveler > Belfry Spirit
The traveler didn't really do anything so I switch it for a bigger version.
Midnight Haunting > Basilica Guards
Too little value. Saw guards in some other lists and decided to try it.
Pacifism > Temporal Isolation
Isolation is just way more interesting and has flash.
Soltari Priest > Niblis of the Urn
WW is hard and Master of Diversion does pretty well.
Augur of Bolas > Omenspeaker
Fits in more decks.
Careful Consideration > Frantic Search
Needed some "free" cards and consideration is just another draw spell.
Force Spike > Daze
Spike is easier too avoid.
Horizon Scholar > Thassa's Emissary
Scholar wasn't the finisher I hoped it to be. I love Thieving Magpie and Tandem Lookout.
Merfolk Looter > Infiltrator il-Kor
Pushing blue aggro.
Mind Control > Binding Grasp
Saw this change a lot so decided to try it.
Mistblade Shinobi > Ghostly Flicker
I like the shinobi but it often felt like a very bad Unsummon.
Nephalia Smuggler > Spiketail Drakeling
Saw the Drakeling on some lists and it looks pretty good. Smuggler sometimes won games but was more than often pretty mediocre.
Pestermite > Skywinder Drake
I like Pestermite but maybe the drake packs more of a punch.
Remove Soul > Complicate
Complicate seems more versatile.
Standstill > Peregrine Drake
Heard some very positive thing about the drake and although I still think Standstill is a very good card, nobody ever played it...
Stitched Drake > Illusory Angel
The reason why I needed some more "free" spells.
Dead Reveler > Mogis's Marauder
Marauder seems like the better card.
Plagued Rusalka > Reassembling Skeleton
Rusalka was never really a bad card but skeleton is coming back in.
Knight of Infamy > Phyrexian Rager
Want to remove some of the protection dudes. Rager is always good.
Night's Whisper > Read the Bones
Read the Bones gives more than just +1 card, but maybe I should just play them both.
Grixis Slavedriver > Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Slavedriver seemed like the weakest finisher in black and Merchant was awesome in Theros limited.
Firemaw Kavu > Pyrohemia
Kavu is just too expensive. Pestilence is a great card.
Centaur Glade > Gravetiller Wurm
The glade never was good as I though it would be. The wurm is one of the few green finisher with trample I don't already play. He might be replace later by Havenwood Wurm.
Masked Admirers > Trophy Hunter
Admirers always was the 24th card and never made the cut. After this topic I decided to give Hunter a try.
Mire Boa > Beastbreaker of Bala Ged
Dropping some of the "protection" dudes. Beastbreaker was onces dropped in favor of Darkthicket Wolf but I see no reason not to play them both.
Tromp the Domains > Hungry Spriggan
Tromp the Domains was often just a overcosted Overrun and in most cases even gave a smaller bonus. Spriggan seems like a nice addition to X/g agrro.
Village Survivors > Beast Attack
I think I made this opposite switch once, and although Survivors is much easier to cast, it is the weakest of my 5-drops and Beast Attack has much more raw power.
Trygon Predator > Jhessian Infiltrator
Always liked Infiltrator in Alara limited, but I might reverse this change.
Guardian Idol > Chronomaton
Idol never got played. Chronomaton seems strong in the right deck.
Jelenn Sphinx > Viashino Slaughtermaster
Sphinx was often too expensive and I heard a lot of good things about the double strikers.
Qasali Pridemage > Snap
Hard to cut pridemage but I can't see me cutting any of the other selesnya cards. Snap is another "free" spell and I am probably going to cut Vapor Snag for a Journey into Nyx card.
Kingpin's Pet > Cumber Stone
Pet is weak and Stone looks promising.
Horizon Chimera > Azorius Justiciar
Chimera never really did it and Justiciar seems like it can be good in a range of decks.
Fire // Ice > Wildsize
Wasn't even a real Izzet card and I have enough damage dividing spells. Wildsize is pump for double strike dudes and gives trample to big dudes as well.
Ashenmoor Gouger > Ostracize
Gouger is the weakest Rakdos card and black needs a bit more disruption.
Psychatog > Reckless Charge
Psychatog was never the bomb I wanted it to be. Reckless Charge is pump for double strike dudes and works in aggro.
Tattermunge Maniac > Butcher Ghoul
Maniac is a two power one-drop but a really bad one. Ghoul looks like it can fit in a range of decks.
Korozda Guildmage > Fencing Ace
The other double strike dude. Guildmage is the weakest golgari card.
Boros Charm > Tower Above
Another pump spell. Not sure about this one though.
Hit // Run > Mutagenic Growth
Another pump spell and another "free" spell.
Esper Charm > Gitaxian Probe
Another "free" spell.
Rise // Fall > Myr Sire
Seems like a decent colorless card.
Supply // Demand > Serrated Arrows
Colorless removal.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
RIP masked admirers and horizon chimera. They kinda go in the same deck.
Just be sure to run gravetiller wurm alongside devoted druid.
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
And for some cards (like the double strike dudes or Illusory Angel) it doesn't really makes sense only adding those cards without the support.
As soon as Journey to Nyx is released Fleetfeather Cockatrice is going in so I am not too sad about seeing Horizon Chimera go. If at one point I decided to really support golgari selfmill then Admirers is going straight back in.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
On another note, not sure what to think of the double strike dudes. They are often just 2/1 with a bad type of protection from x/1 guys. They most often end up in aggro decks which play 1 or 2 ways to abuse them but it didn't happen so far (except once but it didn't have any effect since it was lethal regardless of double strike).
Anyway, here is the update:
Changes due to Hybrid System:
Goldmeadow Harrier > Judge's Familiar
Leonin Snarecaster > Somnomancer
Narcolepsy > Frostburn Weird
Azure Mage > Inkfathom Infiltrator
Daggerclaw Imp > Murderous Redcap
Makeshift Mannequin > Gift of Orzhova
Ancient Hydra > Manamorphose
Wild Mongrel > Burning-Tree Emissary
Embolden > Qasali Pridemage (since Dryad Militant moved from Selesnya to white)
Reckless Reveler > Boros Charm (since Spitemare moved from Boros to red)
Chain Lightning > Fire Covenant (since Rakdos Cackler moved from Rakdos to red)
Prey Upon > Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers (since Kitchen Finks moved from Selesnya to green)
Gravetiller Wurm > Gut Shot (since Nacatl moved from Naya to green)
Other Changes:
Arrest > Banishing Light
Seems like a easy swap.
Aven Riftwatcher > Emancipation Angel
Riftwatcher is only nice in a limited amount of decks. I think the angel can be used in a broader spectrum.
Basilica Guards > Midnight Haunting
Turns out the guards was even worse.
Knight of Meadowgrain > Griffin Guide
White had the most creatures of all colors (including green) and this one had an akward manacost. Guide seems nice with double strike dudes and in aggro in general.
Cage of Hands > Land Tax
I think I have enough of these removal-enchantments and land tax seems nice.
Augury Owl > Merfolk Looter
Cutting looter was a bad idea so I needed to find a spot to put it back in.
Vapor Snag > Hour of Need
Swapping a generic bounce spell for an extremely interesting and potentially strong card seems like a good idea.
Memory Lapse > Latch Seeker
Still pushing blue aggro.
Terror > Slaughter
Seems more interesting. I had to much "1B: Destroy target creature." instants anyway.
Doom Blade > Plagued Rusalka
See previous change and Rusalka needs another chance since Reassembling Skeleton came back last update (ironically Rusalka got cut for it.)
Gray Merchant of Asphodel > Fallen Angel
Gray Merchant didn't really perform, gaining at most 5 life and often around 3-4. Fallen Angel since Reassembling Skeleton.
Disfigure > Dead Reveler
Disfigure was often just a shock which couldn't be aimed at someone's head. Not sure whether Dead Reveler or Ravenous Skirge is better here.
Tragic Slip > Darkblast
Trying out a golgari graveyard theme.
Phyrexian Reclamation > Haunted Crossroads
2 life really hurts even if it puts the card right into your hand.
Okiba-Gang Shinobi > Stupor
Seems more reliable.
Thrull Parasite > Gnarled Scarhide
Parasite was average at best. Scarhide is 2 power for 1 mana.
Ember Hauler > Kiln Fiend
Pushing spells matter theme a bit more. RR is akward.
Searing Spear > Lava Dart
See previous change.
Rolling Thunder > Blind with Anger
Rolling Thunder wasn't what it used to be. Blind with Anger seems cool in both control and aggro.
Kruin Striker > Flame Jab
I think I have enough aggro 2 drops in red. Flame Jab is more of a placeholder until I can get my hand on something better but for now it fits in the spells matter theme.
Beetleback Chief > Volcanic Dragon
Red needs some finishers. The chief might get back in someday.
Rampant Growth > Edge of Autumn
Seems like a strict upgrade especially since I cut both Eldrazi.
Jungle Lion > Masked Admirers
Since the golgari graveyard theme is in so is Masked Admirers.
Elves of Deep Shadow > Fierce Empath
I think I play enough ramp in green and Fierce Empath seems sweet.
Indrik Stomphowler > Nemesis of Mortals
Indrik Stomphowler is fine but golgari graveyard theme.
Elephant Guide > Moldervine Cloak
golgari graveyard theme.
Momentary Blink > Ascended Lawmage
It is hard cutting Momentary Blink. I really like it but it was often pretty bad or ended up in someone's SB. Lawmage fits in UW aggro, tempo and control.
Spike Jester > Rix Maadi Guildmage
Guildmage is much more interesting and I've heard very powerful.
Putrid Leech > Nyx Weaver
Putrid Leech is very good but BG is not the color combination for aggro. Nyx Weaver fits nicely in the golgari graveyard theme.
Golgari Rot Farm > Shambling Shell
Golgari Karoo land never got played and I needed another card for golgari graveyard theme. Not sure if Shambling Shell the best option. Might change to Rot Farm Skeleton or something like that.
Elusive Krasis > Fleetfeather Cockatrice
Fleetfeather Cockatrice seems very good.
Ancient Ziggurat > Guardian Idol
Ziggurat is bad and Idol gets another shot.
Cuts:
Arctic Aven
Not sure. Might get back in again for Lyev Skyknight.
Moroii
Solid but other Dimir cards were more interesting.
Blightning
Seems like the worst Rakdos card.
Fanatic of Xenagos
Seems like the worst Gruul card apart from maybe Kird Ape.
Selesnya Guildmage
Seems like the worst Selesnya card.
Mortify
Solid but boring for a multicolored card.
Putrefy
See previous cut.
Jhessian Infiltrator
It was always ok when played but nothing more.
Fluxcharger
Seems like the worst Izzet card.
Duergar Hedge-Mage
Definitely the the worst Boros card.
Act of Aggression
This was more of a red card anyway and I play Blind with Anger now.
Artisan of Kozilek
Too expensive.
Everflowing Chalice
Other manastones are better.
Silver-Inlaid Dagger
Other equipments are better.
Juggernaut
Other 4 mana colorless creatures are better.
Tumble Magnet
I think I like Icy Manipulator more.
Ulamog's Crusher
Too expensive.
Wall of Tanglecord
Boring and not very good.
Desert
More of a sideboard card against aggro.
Urza's Factory
Ability is too expensive.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Oh, I do have something else to add. Grey merchant has been stone cold nuts for me, and it is one of the cards I just don't ever want to see my opponent cast. It does require deck constraints, but when it is operating within those constraints it should be regularly draining 4 life or more, and 4 life as a low end scenario is not bad. 4 life is really where things are becoming big deals in the scheme of the whole game.
All in all, though, this update looks like a nice facelift.
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
I don't really see how that could be annoying. I guess you mean Darkblast makes your opponents unable to play x/1 dudes just like having a active pinger on board?
It's true that draining 3-4 life is already a gap of 5-8 life so he might be worth it. Not sure what to cut, I don't want to many cards in black with a CMC of 4+ but 1 more might be ok. What would you cut? (btw I find making cuts in black the hardest as I am very cautious of removing aggro cards).
Thanks.
I just couldn't see me cutting any of the other burn spells (except for Flame Jab, but that card will probably swap for a second red end curve finisher).
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Also, I think Reason is the one who introduced to us at least the barebones hybrid system. I'm just the most vocal advocate.
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
*note* this does not mean don't only talk in my thread after an update if you don't have much to say. Something to talk about > nothing to talk about
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article
Dimir Signet > Culling Dais
Izzet Signet > Prophetic Prism
No more room for these two signets. Prism seems ok and Dias seems a reasonable colorless sacrifice engine.
Mnemonic Wall > Triskelion
Azurious Signet goes to blue so I had to cut a blue card and created an extra space in the colorless section. If you consider Triskelion an uncommon it seems like an auto-include. The wall was mediocre (especially compared to Archeomancer).
Syndic of Tithes > Safehold Elite
Wanted to add this card for a while now but couldn't find a spot in the hybrid section. Since the signets are now also hybrid I made a spot. Syndic was in the weird position of giving very slow advantage while clearly having a (aggro) body which only mattered in turn 2-5.
Gift of Orzhova > Orzhov Signet
Gift doesn't really cut it.
Wildsize > Simic Signet
Simic Signet needed to get in for a green spot. I didn't like Wildsize. Holding open three mana is a lot so it was not very good as a combat trick except on the attack making it more like a overcosted burn spell.
Some small other changes:
Lava Dart > Chain Lightning
So Chain Lightning comes back in.
Dart isn't even that much better than Chain Lightning in the spells matter decks. The extra damage almost negates the second "spell-trigger" and it doesn't require you to sacrifice a land. The only clear advantage is that it can divide the damage but I have enough of those as it is.
Reckless Waif > Beetleback Chief
Reckless Waif: If played on turn 1 it has like a 60-70% of being insane. Played on any other turn it is almost always crap.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Vintage Master Update:
Tormented Hero > Sarcomancy
Strict upgrade.
Trophy Hunter > Nostalgic Dreams
Hunter felt mostly like a sideboard card and don't like that. Dreams seems good, but I am not sure.
Dead Reveler > Kezzerdrix
The first true black aggro 4 drop.
Gideon's Lawkeeper > Pianna, Nomad Captain
Lawkeeper was just not powerful enough. Painna seems pretty solid and has protection from Blind with Anger.
Lands Update:
Dimir Aqueduct > Dinrova Horror
Azorius Chancery > Momentary Blink
Simic Growth Chamber > Horizon Chimera
Izzet Boilerworks > Prophetic Bolt
Orzhov Basilica > Zealous Persecution
IN:
- City of Brass
- City of Brass
- City of Brass
- Mirrodin's Core
- Mirrodin's Core
- Mirrodin's Core
- Terramorphic Expanse
- Terramorphic Expanse
- Terramorphic Expanse
- Gemstone Mine
OUT:Other changes:
Lyev Skyknight > Arctic Aven
Aven looks stronger.
Cenn's Enlistment > Battle Screech
I like Enlistment but Screech seems solid too.
Plagued Rusalka > Rakdos Guildmage
And Rusalka is out again.
Shambling Shell > Putrid Leech
Shell is really bad.
Famine > Gray Merchant of Asphodel
Merchant is back in. It was hard finding a place for it as I don't want to have too much cards in black at the end of the curve. It was either Famine or Phyrexian Gargantua. Might swap those later.
Kiln Fiend > Lava Hounds
I don't see how people like Fiend. It is only good in one deck and only if your opponent has no blockers at all.
Flame Jab > Chartooth Cougar
Flame Jab was mediocre. Red can use a second finisher.
Explore > Gruul Guildmage
I think I can cut a ramp spell now I went down from 450 to 430 to 420. Guildmage seems like it can be good.
Skymark Roc > Mistmeadow Witch
Roc was underperforming and Witch gets another try after a long absence.
Judge's Familiar > Izzet Signet
1/1 flier for 1 isn't very good and I wanted some more signets.
Goblin Shortcutter > Duergar Hedge-Mage
Because of the previous change a W/R hybrid card had to be introduced and Hedge-Mage was never bad when I had it before. I like Shortcutter but it is often pretty bad if you play it on curve.
As soon as Conspiracy is on Cubetutor I am going to update those cards too.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
My CubeCobra (draft 20 card packs, 2 packs.)
430, Peasant, Very Unpowered
Why you should take your hybrids out of your gold section
Manamath Article