If I end up including a colorless matters subtheme (and it's a big if, I'm not convinced thus far), I'll probably use Darksteel Citadels as my "sixth basic" instead of Wastes as it opens up room for things like Cranial Plating too.
I think unlimited Blasted Landscapes could also be a viable way to support true colorless cards if you're willing to experiment. They support delve, Worm Harvest, etc as well as just allow people the option to cycle away extra lands.
I feel like the key will be cards that are castable without colorless mana, but get better with it. Fewer Spatial Contortions and more Prophet of Distortions. Prophet is not playable in a deck without access to colorless mana, but it doesn't need it early on. You can run it out early to wait for the payoff until later in the game, and the worst case scenario is that it can at least chump block for a turn. Meanwhile Spatial Distortion will just sit in your hand doing squat with access to colorless.
I generally am thinking about true colorless as being similar to off-color flashback costs. Lingering Souls is at its best in an true Orzhov deck, but it can also play very well in any white deck that can generate a single black mana by the late game. But the same can't be said of Tithe Drinker, which is a true B/W card and only goes in such a deck.
In theory, I'd agree, but Prophet of Distortion specifically still sucks. Worse body-for-cost Azure Mage that a lot of decks can never activate? Nooooo thanks.
Spatial Contortion is just worse than most of the in-color removal spells, so it doesn't make the cut for me yet. If it was just 2 generic (is that what we're calling it now?) mana, then I'd play it.
For something colorless to make my cube it'll probably have to cost at least 3 mana, and be worth the splash. Maybe I'd have to errata all my non-basics to make colorless.
I feel as though the point about you running painlands panda still doesn't really fly. I run 3 city of brasses, 3 gemstone mine, 3 mirrodin's core, the vivids, and a couple of rocks that tap for any color, and I would still rather cut red entirely than run incinerate as the only red card in the cube.
The idea of adding lands that don't make any color except for one spell sounds absolutely batty
Embodiment of Insight(?) Creature-Elemental 4G 4/4 Uncommon
vigilance
Land creatures you control have vigilance.
Landfall— Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, you may have target land you control becomes a 3/3 Elemental creature with haste until end of turn It's still a land.
This is a cool effect, making all your new lands 3/3's is strong but how many triggers are you going to get after casting a 5 drop? How many do you need before a vig 4/4 for 5 becomes worth it?
i like the land guys because they provide so much value when cast on curve or even a turn late, but also make lands actually great topdecks. i can even see them creating a new aggro-ramp deck or something bizarre like that, where your cultivates are super, super good since they ramp you and then provide two triggers for these two when they're otherwise "dead".
at this stage, i'm pretty happy overall already. between the two embodiments, reckless bushwhacker, and reflector mage, we have good cube cards.
what did people think of crumbling vestige again? i feel like it might be ok.
I have also speculated more about using the painlands if there are any worthwhile C cards. I agree with whydirt though, in that I'd not include cards with C in the casting cost. Something like the new rare white flicker-guy is what I would be looking for.
In the end, with this mechanic only being supported in a single block and probably not revisited for a long while, it won't be enough.
I didn't think I'd be seeing a replacement for Pharika's Mender anytime soon since I think that card is fantastic, but the Baloth is just nuts. You definitely don't want both of these guys in your Golgari section, but you should have at least one of them!!
Baloth Null has me thinking, but I don't know how often I actually want two different creatures from the yard. I think turn 5-6, it's usually something sick like a Shriekmaw or a fatty that's met a doom blade and something decent but unlikely to hugely impact the game, like a mana elf or Sakura-Tribe Elder.
There's just more value on this guy than I think I can normally put to work.
Void Grafter's cool, but simic 3s are pretty stacked. I want Simic Counter-Flash to be a thing though. Will need to think on it.
Weapons Trainer feels boring, but actually probably does what Boros wants. Not to mention that all my boros cards are spells now in a color that likes applying pressure. I don't necessarily want to run it, but I can see a world where that happens.
Technically, it's always been called generic mana. It's just that the distinction between that and truly colorless mana never actually mattered until now.
I feel as though the point about you running painlands panda still doesn't really fly. I run 3 city of brasses, 3 gemstone mine, 3 mirrodin's core, the vivids, and a couple of rocks that tap for any color, and I would still rather cut red entirely than run incinerate as the only red card in the cube.
Fair point. You're right that adding Wastes to support one spell isn't really worth it, though I do think it's a good idea to keep on the back burner just in case they do print more <> playables.
New enemy pair uncommon cycle spoiled this morning.
The izzet one seems very, very good. A 1/3 flying, haste, prowess for UR.
The golgari guy is cool, though the guild section is stacked so I don't think it's got a spot unless you're super into supporting self-mill/reanimator in BG.
Simic gets a cool new toy, a 2/4 devoid flash creature for 1UG that gives another target creature you control hexproof until end of turn.
The orzhov vampire is neat but I don't think there's room for it, despite how much I absolutely love lifedrain effects.
Boros is unplayable.
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My 360 Peasant+ Cube!. Modern borders where possible, usually with the newest (or "best") art, and always the most readable card text. I also run all 10 painlands. My playgroup is super casual, as we have a fair number of newer or less experienced players. Typically we draft with 4 to 6 people, using 5 packs of 9.
I wish the Boros guy was more playable than it is. I guess they didn't want to push it too much for regular limited and maybe standard, but I wish it gave +1/+1.
Agreed. I mean they already did that with Stone Haven Outfitter, so it's not like it would have been unfeasible for them to give Weapons Trainer's ability consistent with its pal's.
Edit: It's not a strict 1-to-1 comparison, of course. One affects equipped creatures, the other affects other creatures if you control an equipment. But I still agree that it should have been different. They could have made it a 2/1 or something for the same mana cost and had the other creatures buff be +1/+1 instead.
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My 360 Peasant+ Cube!. Modern borders where possible, usually with the newest (or "best") art, and always the most readable card text. I also run all 10 painlands. My playgroup is super casual, as we have a fair number of newer or less experienced players. Typically we draft with 4 to 6 people, using 5 packs of 9.
I'm surprised people are wavering so much on Baloth Null, since it seems like such a great value card for Golgari decks, and an excellent card to splash in lots of other mid-range to control decks.
I'm going to be a bit higher on Stormchaser Mage than others, it seems. I've enjoyed having Monastery Swiftspear in my cube, and this is an interesting variant.
In regards to the Wee Dragonauts comparison, it takes two instant/sorcery spells for Wee Dragonauts to match the sheer damage output of Stormchaser since Stormchaser gets two attacks before Dragonauts and still gets +1 power on the instant/sorcery. I know these comparisons are dangerous because of factors like what else you cast on turn 2/turn 3 in these scenarios plus potential blockers and the like, but I thought it was interesting to review. Also, prowess triggers off more than instant/sorcery spells. Not sure it's good enough for cube, but I will consider it.
It's absolutely good enough for cube. I pity the izzet section that doesn't make it an auto-include.
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My 360 Peasant+ Cube!. Modern borders where possible, usually with the newest (or "best") art, and always the most readable card text. I also run all 10 painlands. My playgroup is super casual, as we have a fair number of newer or less experienced players. Typically we draft with 4 to 6 people, using 5 packs of 9.
I think it's both better and more interesting than Kiln Fiend. Haste, built-in evasion (and ability to block Spirit/Thopter tokens), plus triggering off all noncreature spells instead of only instants/sorceries all add a lot of value.
I've been feeling pretty disillusioned by my izzet section, to be honest. I cut Gelectrode a while back and nobody has missed it. Fluxcharger is okay, I guess. I'm not super high on it though. Probably will be cutting Goblin Electromancer for Stormchaser, and then Spellheart Chimera for... basically anything else, once they print something I actually care about.
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My 360 Peasant+ Cube!. Modern borders where possible, usually with the newest (or "best") art, and always the most readable card text. I also run all 10 painlands. My playgroup is super casual, as we have a fair number of newer or less experienced players. Typically we draft with 4 to 6 people, using 5 packs of 9.
void grafter is interesting, the comparison to plaxmanta is fair but being a much better blocker is also a thing. giving all or one of your guys hexproof is more or less the same as well, since you'll just be saving from removal on one guy anyway.
stormchaser mage is pretty average. not interested whatsoever here.
cliffhaven vampire is ok, but i really can't see it pushing another card out. definitely worse than drana's emissary at least.
weapons trainer seems good to me? you just have to control an equipment, and we have some really good, cheap equipment around. it's an anthem on a good body.
baloth null tho... that's a spicy card. how am i going to make a cut in my golgari section
My 180 Peasant Cube on Cubetutor
I think unlimited Blasted Landscapes could also be a viable way to support true colorless cards if you're willing to experiment. They support delve, Worm Harvest, etc as well as just allow people the option to cycle away extra lands.
I generally am thinking about true colorless as being similar to off-color flashback costs. Lingering Souls is at its best in an true Orzhov deck, but it can also play very well in any white deck that can generate a single black mana by the late game. But the same can't be said of Tithe Drinker, which is a true B/W card and only goes in such a deck.
For something colorless to make my cube it'll probably have to cost at least 3 mana, and be worth the splash. Maybe I'd have to errata all my non-basics to make colorless.
[Developing] 430+ Peasant Cube Thread --- [and on Cube Cobra]
The idea of adding lands that don't make any color except for one spell sounds absolutely batty
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
vigilance
Land creatures you control have vigilance.
Landfall— Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, you may have target land you control becomes a 3/3 Elemental creature with haste until end of turn It's still a land.
This is a cool effect, making all your new lands 3/3's is strong but how many triggers are you going to get after casting a 5 drop? How many do you need before a vig 4/4 for 5 becomes worth it?
Draft it on Cubetutor here, and CubeCobra here.
Treasure Cruise did nothing wrong.
at this stage, i'm pretty happy overall already. between the two embodiments, reckless bushwhacker, and reflector mage, we have good cube cards.
what did people think of crumbling vestige again? i feel like it might be ok.
In the end, with this mechanic only being supported in a single block and probably not revisited for a long while, it won't be enough.
Cubetutor Peasant'ish-Funbox
Project: Khans of Tarkir Cube (cubetutor)
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
That seems like a reasonable idea. It also has excellent flavor text.
Cliffhaven Vampire is neat, but probably worse overall than Drana's Emissary.
Stormchaser Mage seems lackluster.
Void Grafter suffers from being yet another three drop in GU. Solid stats, though. A bit too defensive for my tastes.
I don't think anyone plays enough equipment to make Weapons Trainer worth running.
My Type 4 stack (Cube Tutor link)
Baloth null I like. More big creatures, yess
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 !!!
Void Grafter - Awesome! I like the Plaxmanta and dat ass he brings.
Weapons Trainer - I don't think this is good enough
Stormchaser Mage - Not feelin' it.
Cliffhaven Vampire - This card is gooooooood! Wait.. No it's not.
I didn't really have a reaction to Baloth Null.
I think that's a nice way of putting how i was feeling.
I wanna see the rest of these Embodiment creatures. Blue one's gonna have flying. That's my guess. I want it.
Mender also plays well with Necromancy, Dance and Animate Dead.
There's just more value on this guy than I think I can normally put to work.
Void Grafter's cool, but simic 3s are pretty stacked. I want Simic Counter-Flash to be a thing though. Will need to think on it.
Weapons Trainer feels boring, but actually probably does what Boros wants. Not to mention that all my boros cards are spells now in a color that likes applying pressure. I don't necessarily want to run it, but I can see a world where that happens.
My C/Ube on Cube Cobra
Fair point. You're right that adding Wastes to support one spell isn't really worth it, though I do think it's a good idea to keep on the back burner just in case they do print more <> playables.
New enemy pair uncommon cycle spoiled this morning.
The izzet one seems very, very good. A 1/3 flying, haste, prowess for UR.
The golgari guy is cool, though the guild section is stacked so I don't think it's got a spot unless you're super into supporting self-mill/reanimator in BG.
Simic gets a cool new toy, a 2/4 devoid flash creature for 1UG that gives another target creature you control hexproof until end of turn.
The orzhov vampire is neat but I don't think there's room for it, despite how much I absolutely love lifedrain effects.
Boros is unplayable.
Edit: It's not a strict 1-to-1 comparison, of course. One affects equipped creatures, the other affects other creatures if you control an equipment. But I still agree that it should have been different. They could have made it a 2/1 or something for the same mana cost and had the other creatures buff be +1/+1 instead.
Void Grafter suffers for me by being another Simic three-drop. Between Shardless Agent, Lorescale Coatl, Trygon Predator, Plaxcaster Frogling and other lower-tier options, it's just too much at the three-slot, and I don't think Void Grafter breaks the top three Simic three-drops.
I'm going to be a bit higher on Stormchaser Mage than others, it seems. I've enjoyed having Monastery Swiftspear in my cube, and this is an interesting variant.
In regards to the Wee Dragonauts comparison, it takes two instant/sorcery spells for Wee Dragonauts to match the sheer damage output of Stormchaser since Stormchaser gets two attacks before Dragonauts and still gets +1 power on the instant/sorcery. I know these comparisons are dangerous because of factors like what else you cast on turn 2/turn 3 in these scenarios plus potential blockers and the like, but I thought it was interesting to review. Also, prowess triggers off more than instant/sorcery spells. Not sure it's good enough for cube, but I will consider it.
https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/peasantsnowcube
-- Updated with Outlaws of Thunder Junction
The PioneWer Peasant CUbe
https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/pionewer
-- Updated with Murders at Karlov Manor
stormchaser mage is pretty average. not interested whatsoever here.
cliffhaven vampire is ok, but i really can't see it pushing another card out. definitely worse than drana's emissary at least.
weapons trainer seems good to me? you just have to control an equipment, and we have some really good, cheap equipment around. it's an anthem on a good body.
baloth null tho... that's a spicy card. how am i going to make a cut in my golgari section