With the epidemic making tabletop Magic impossible I set out to make a cube that could be drafted using the Historic card pool on MTG Arena. I'm thinking 450, but I could be talked into pruning it down to 360. This is the first cube I have built from scratch - so please bear with me if there are too many one or two drops. I am also unsure of ratio of lands to spells or creatures to removal et cetera.
With devotion cards, adamant and the 4 hybrid mana cost creatures I hope to seed some incentive to go strictly mono color or heavy in one color with a splash. As in Eldraine draft I also intend for the artifacts to fill out the gaps in such decks - e.g white devotion with Arcanist's Owl cantripping when it hits creatures, equipment or removal spells.
* as opposed to instant/sorcery to give cross-synergy with artifacts and planeswalkers.
Troubleshooting
Is there too much "air" with artifact cantrips, Opt and the odd Warlord's Fury. The cycle payoffs MUST have cheap cyclers while the Wizards and Prowess creatures need the spells to actually be cast. So far I've tried to satisfy both, but it may be too far of a stretch.
I have a hard time balancing green. How many ramp spells at the different mana costs is reasonable?
Inclusion and selection of hate cards. Examples: Soul-Guide Lantern for GY hate. In a pinch it also triggers Prowess and Draw 2 or is recurrable with Emry, Lurker of the Loch. Fell Specter is this guy too dorky as a hate card against cycling/discard shenanigans? It does have some interaction with Duress, Hypnotic Specter etc. Are there enough enchantment and artifact removals and removal that exiles?
Any feedback is appreciated. Keep in mind what is in the historic pool before suggesting cards. As of this summer it will include all sets from Amonkhet to Core Set 21 including the Three anthologies https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&order=name&page=2&q=%28set%3Aha3+OR+set%3Aha2+OR+set%3Aha1%29&unique=cards. PM me if you are interested in drafting the cube with a virtual draft and playing the games via direct challenge. You need to have the cards in your collection to participate.
Cube List
With the epidemic making tabletop Magic impossible I set out to make a cube that could be drafted using the Historic card pool on MTG Arena. I'm thinking 450, but I could be talked into pruning it down to 360. This is the first cube I have built from scratch - so please bear with me if there are too many one or two drops. I am also unsure of ratio of lands to spells or creatures to removal et cetera.
Allied Colors
{W}{U} Artifacts/enchantments matter, Blink Arcanist's Owl Master Splicer All that Glitters
{U}{B} (Classic control - "Flash" Blacklance Paragon Slitherwisp Naiad of Hidden Coves Brineborn Cutthroat
{B}{R} Discard, sacrifice and recursion - Weaponize The Monsters Gutterbones Bastion of remembrance
{R}{G} Ferocious (power > 4) Goreclaw, Terror of Qal Sisma Sarkhan's Unsealing Zilortha, Strength Incarnate Pelakka Wurm
{G}{W} TBD (Constellation?) Setessan Champion Sigil of the empty Throne
Enemy colors
{W}{B} Life gain matters with some smattering of token sacrifice - Ajani's Pridemate Epicure of Blood Lampad of Death's Vigil Regal Bloodlord
{W}{R} Cycling - Go wide - Valiant Rescuer Coordinated Charge Heroic Reinforcements
{R}{U} Prowess*, Draw 2 each turn, Wizards (might have to hone in on 1 or 2 of these)
Saheeli, Sublime Artificer Improbable Alliance Channeled Force also some cheap spells stapled onto creatures with the adventure mechanic Merchant of the Vale
{U}{G} This pair is less focused than the others. It houses Vannifar + tappers. Ramp and flash
{B}{G} Reanimator and graveyard-recursion - Cycle, discard or mill your fatties and reanimate them with Blood for Bones or Back for More or just grind them out with Deathless knight or Loathsome Chimera
With devotion cards, adamant and the 4 hybrid mana cost creatures I hope to seed some incentive to go strictly mono color or heavy in one color with a splash. As in Eldraine draft I also intend for the artifacts to fill out the gaps in such decks - e.g white devotion with Arcanist's Owl cantripping when it hits creatures, equipment or removal spells.
* as opposed to instant/sorcery to give cross-synergy with artifacts and planeswalkers.
Troubleshooting
Is there too much "air" with artifact cantrips, Opt and the odd Warlord's Fury. The cycle payoffs MUST have cheap cyclers while the Wizards and Prowess creatures need the spells to actually be cast.
I have a hard time balancing green. How many ramp spells at the different mana costs is reasonable?
Inclusion and selection of hate cards. Examples: Soul-Guide Lantern for GY hate. In a pinch it also triggers Prowess and Draw 2 or is recurrable with Emry, Lurker of the Loch. Fell Specter is this guy too dorky as a hate card against cycling/discard shenanigans? It does have some interaction with Duress, Hypnotic Specter etc. Are there enough enchantment and artifact removals and removal that exiles?
Any feedback is appreciated. Keep in mind what is in the historic pool before suggesting cards. As of this summer it will include all sets from Amonkhet to Core Set 21 including the Three anthologies https://scryfall.com/search?as=grid&order=name&page=2&q=%28set%3Aha3+OR+set%3Aha2+OR+set%3Aha1%29&unique=cards. PM me if you are interested in drafting the cube with a virtual draft and playing the games via direct challenge. You need to have the cards in your collection to participate.