This is sort of a copy+paste from my reply in the Invasion Block Cube thread, but here goes:
Regarding construction:
What I have found with "block cubes" is that if you limit yourself to just one copy of each card, it often feels like a random pile of cards from that set, and it can be fairly difficult to draft any one cohesive strategy. Which is fine if that's what you are going for.
I often allow up to a maximum of three copies of "key" commons (and sometimes uncommons) that allows for archetypal drafts. It also allows players who want to draft a particular strategy to at least have access to multiples of that card. (Can't imagine the Infect deck in your cube surviving without this in mind)
Feel free to draft them (and save the decks if you'd like! I'm always curious).
I don't typically include "bad" cards or cards that don't lend themselves to some sort of strategy, but I will include most rares for variance. I'll also try and find ways of allowing fringe strategies or build-around cards to actually have some impact in draft.
Of the three cubes above, Kamigawa is probably my favorite using my system.
Block Cubes are awesome. I am working on designing a Mercadian Masques cube next.
I'd be wary of running Eldrazi in an all creature Mimeo deck. I have an all creature list myself, and find that you REALLY need to limit the high cost stuff since your mana fetching isn't as good ( or as abusable) as one that has better tricks. You are much better off getting low cost, high impact stuff, dudes that can replace themselves quickly (draw power is hugely lacking overall), and not on large mana sinks. (Cut Geth and Oona from my list because they just weren't effective enough).
Cards of note:
- Mirri the Cursed is phenomenal.
- I'm glad someone else recognizes the power of Heartwood Storyteller. That card owns here.
- Ulvenwald Tracker is amazing.
- Add as many Clone effects and Wood Elf effects as you can.
My two cents. I can share my list later on when I get around to updating it.
In my experience it seems like at least 50% of Magic players consider themselves to be "Blue players." With 5 colors in the game I'd like to think that balancing blue out is a good idea.
And after playing 3 completely different mono-blue EDH decks on MTGO in a row I feel like maybe this needs to change.
Or maybe I'm just bitter. Maybe a lot of people are.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shinquickman
Timmy: Now I cast Primal Surger! Yeah! You're finished no-
::draws a land::
Timmy: D:
Quote:
A land is a permanent.
Ahahahahahahah.
Yeah this card seems pretty cool to me, and I'm already running an all-creature deck so I mean this makes sense for those sorts of things.
I can't stand Genesis Wave in EDH , and as cool as this is I'm afraid it's probably not going to replace it in many decks. Still, I welcome it to the pool of Magic options.
EDIT: ALSO, did he just use Timmy in a derogatory sense? Come on, man.
Seems like a whole lot of work for not a lot of payoff. Stax effects don't seem like any fun and they don't appeal to me at all. That doesn't mean I don't like the card, though and I'm glad it does have some appeal to others.
I am literally reading House of Leaves right now and this just freaked me out a little bit.
I wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment. I'm the same way: I play Standard, Modern, and Legacy competitively when I can, I top8 my FNM basically every week (even though I use FNM to test janky decks and see how strategies beyond the 4 or 5 top decks can compete), I have some strong finishes at larger tournaments under my belt. I'm a decent enough player, I'm a rules advisor with strong knowledge of the rules and how the game is played, I know my theory of how the game works. In other words, I can win a game in any format the "competitive" way. When I sit down to play EDH, it's Magic for fun, not anything else. So I put all the competitive nonsense outside and play for fun.
Casual players aren't "incapable" of playing the best cards. They're not "worse" than competitive players. Do you seriously think the average casual player has never heard of Armageddon? Or Obliterate? Or understands that Tooth and Nail can win you the game on the spot a hundred different ways? That's just pure ignorance on your part, then. And it is frankly insulting. Anyone can win a game with Crucible/Strip Mine lock. Anyone can win by having the largest creature and casting Armageddon. Anyone can win with a two-card combo, casual or competitive. The difference is intent.
A casual player sits down to play a game for fun, and for social experience. Winning the game is a secondary goal. Yes, I will play the game to win. I'm not ever gonna just be like "Nope, not attacking for the win with my squad! Your turn!" But I also will not Strip Mine the guy who was stuck on one land, or Disenchant the Signet that was fixing someone's colors. I have counterspells in my decks, but I'm not going to counter your Cultivate just to screw you out of the game. I don't play mass land destruction, infinite combos, or recursive loops in my decks because a) I'm playing Magic to enjoy it, b) I assume everyone else at the table is doing the same, and c) I don't want to deprive anyone else of fun just to win.
HALLEJULIAH. Now to get the rest of the EDH crowd to follow and understand this point exactly.
Hey, I don't think EDH is a competitive format at all, and should not become one. That does not mean that EDH players should not be able to evaluate a card based on that format or that we are any less important of a market to design to. Are you such a snob that you think cards should only be evaluated for competitive formats?
He also lacks the courtesy of sportsmanlike behavior. If you're going to go through the (pretty taxing, unless you're netdecking) process of building an EDH deck, you kinda have to understand the ramifications of playing the jerky type of deck that "combos out on turn 3." Expect the groans. We've all seen those types of decks, and there's a reason we try to keep them OUT of the casual side of the format (that is, not 1v1 usually).
I don't even know what cards we're talking about right now. But jeez, some people.
(P.S. Bruna rules and I'm excited to see if either card sees substantial T2 play)
Regarding construction:
What I have found with "block cubes" is that if you limit yourself to just one copy of each card, it often feels like a random pile of cards from that set, and it can be fairly difficult to draft any one cohesive strategy. Which is fine if that's what you are going for.
I often allow up to a maximum of three copies of "key" commons (and sometimes uncommons) that allows for archetypal drafts. It also allows players who want to draft a particular strategy to at least have access to multiples of that card. (Can't imagine the Infect deck in your cube surviving without this in mind)
My Block Cubes (designed and built):
Invasion Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/5255
Odyssey Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/7294
Kamigawa Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/5293
Feel free to draft them (and save the decks if you'd like! I'm always curious).
I don't typically include "bad" cards or cards that don't lend themselves to some sort of strategy, but I will include most rares for variance. I'll also try and find ways of allowing fringe strategies or build-around cards to actually have some impact in draft.
Of the three cubes above, Kamigawa is probably my favorite using my system.
Block Cubes are awesome. I am working on designing a Mercadian Masques cube next.
Edit: I also have a pretty fun Kangee, Aerie Keeper mono-bird deck I like to throw around on Magic Online.
Snakes and Birds.
For whenever you want to grab all the mono-green snake cards, throw them into a deck, and slam your opponents with them until they bleed.
Also, snakes. Snakes!
Sleep
Homework
Social Life
(pick two)
Same applies here:
Fun
Fast
Relevant
(pick maybe one)
Cards of note:
- Mirri the Cursed is phenomenal.
- I'm glad someone else recognizes the power of Heartwood Storyteller. That card owns here.
- Ulvenwald Tracker is amazing.
- Add as many Clone effects and Wood Elf effects as you can.
My two cents. I can share my list later on when I get around to updating it.
Yeah like most players don't have either Black or Blue (or both) in their EDH decks to begin with. Wrexial is almost a sure hit.
Nothing is ever enough for the people of MTGSalvation. We got a friggin INFINITE BIRD.
INFINIBIRD. GRIFFINITE. ...?
And after playing 3 completely different mono-blue EDH decks on MTGO in a row I feel like maybe this needs to change.
Or maybe I'm just bitter. Maybe a lot of people are.
Originally Posted by shinquickman
Timmy: Now I cast Primal Surger! Yeah! You're finished no-
::draws a land::
Timmy: D:
Quote:
A land is a permanent.
Ahahahahahahah.
Yeah this card seems pretty cool to me, and I'm already running an all-creature deck so I mean this makes sense for those sorts of things.
I can't stand Genesis Wave in EDH , and as cool as this is I'm afraid it's probably not going to replace it in many decks. Still, I welcome it to the pool of Magic options.
EDIT: ALSO, did he just use Timmy in a derogatory sense? Come on, man.
I am literally reading House of Leaves right now and this just freaked me out a little bit.
HALLEJULIAH. Now to get the rest of the EDH crowd to follow and understand this point exactly.
He also lacks the courtesy of sportsmanlike behavior. If you're going to go through the (pretty taxing, unless you're netdecking) process of building an EDH deck, you kinda have to understand the ramifications of playing the jerky type of deck that "combos out on turn 3." Expect the groans. We've all seen those types of decks, and there's a reason we try to keep them OUT of the casual side of the format (that is, not 1v1 usually).
I don't even know what cards we're talking about right now. But jeez, some people.
(P.S. Bruna rules and I'm excited to see if either card sees substantial T2 play)
Card is cool. People will try it. It's happening.