I am inclined to try Lightform because it does a lot of subtle things such as getting rid of bad topdecks (I run quite a few blue cantrips and Sensei's Divining Top), threatening to flip (which forces the opponent to at least consider the possibility) and being another repeatable lifegainer to ensure that Ajani's Pridemate is a fine pick (and to combat aggro somewhat).
Just also added Gurmag Angler. I do not really run the other delve creatures, although some do seem interesting. But this was just so damn big when I faced it in the pre-release. Worth a try, imo.
Well, in the pre-release, I went 4-1 and the only person to whom I lost went 4-0-1 (intentional draw in the finals) and we both ran Goblin Heelcutter and it helped both of us enormously. I was convinced, at least, and I only ever cast it for the Dash cost, I think. Except when I was desperate. Vaultbreaker was slightly worse since it was more easily blocked but 4 damage to the dome from nowhere and some card quality was always nice if the opponent had attacked with everything. They also work together decently enough.
I made a FRF update. Also, I cut gold cards to 2 for each guild. I hope dropping Qasali Pridemage was the right decision for Selesnya. The restwere relatively easy, albeit Ribbons of Night might be somewhat better on an absolute scale than Psychatog. But the latter supports reanimator.
Now that people are discussing Vial, I generally agree with the sentiments. However, I could still see at least two things in the favor of its addition, although it may never achieve its full potential in a Cube:
1. Flash. You may still flash in your creatures as something akin to surprise blockers (or EoT, if not). The opponent should start playing around the creatures you may drop during combat, and this will hinder them.
2. Mana efficiency. Albeit _i0 might disagree, dropping something from Vial and then having spell back-up might be important for some decks. Or being able to keep mana for counters (counterspells and otherwise) up while the Vial drops a creature EoT.
The prospect of the first has rekindled my interest in the card somewhat. Too bad I sold my playset in fall 2013.
It depends on what those decks do, as I implied in my earlier post. If they do not provide the field with enough creatures (or big enough to profit from the trample part pf the effect), then the Chieftain is not going to profit them all that much. It is an aggressive card, after all, and most threshold decks seem to be slightly too grindy for it. But I leave the actual evaluation by comparing those decks with this comment to you.
But it is still a titillating card to play around with, for sure.
Well, I can only comment on Thunderstaff from personal experience and it has been very good. It does indeed buy some time for slower decks because creatures remain the main source of damage (at least outside of mono red). If that were its only effect, however, it would not make the cut. But the ability to Warcry is really good with swarm strategies and tokens in particular. It has won me games - although at least once simply because the opponent forgot my ability to pump at instant speed.
It's actual rarity is U1, it seems. They goofed up in Magiccard.info, it seems.
Oh, and Centaur Chieftain has been in my Cube for a long time but since we play so infrequently, I cannot really provide data. However, Haste is a rare ability in green and naturally profits aggro in that color. The chieftain's Threshold ability is nice but most GY heavy decks would not profit from it. Worm Harvest.deck is the only one I can think of, and it wins without the chieftain by being so grindy when it comes together.
Does Juzám Djinn have an uncommon printing? It's only listed on Gatherer as a rare. Just curious.
Technically, yes. Its rarity is U2 which is technically an uncommon (one could open two cards of this rarity from Arabian Nights). However, Gatherer classifies these as rare since they are the most rare cards in Arabian Nights which contains no actual rares in the more modern sense. Just as an aside, Cubetutor also does that if the rarity is not switched manually. But some, me and Inscho included, still play them in Peasant due to the technicality.
I really like the new red 4-drops. There are just so many which I would at least like to try... I think the set is a great success since so many of the designs for (un)commons are titillating. My personal favourites are probably Bloodfire Enforcers for spells matter and Temur Sabertooth. But I would approximate that there are a dozen or so cards which I consider adding (if I deem them better than the existing cards in those slots).
Edit: A more detailed list of cards that interest me.
Well, it basically says "Champion a Creature". The only flashable championing creature is Mistbind Clique which is likely played for its other benefits. But I would say that such a creature would have potential because it would be somewhat like Stonecloaker, after all.
I must say... I love basically all the mechanics in this set, from the returning Delve to Dash and Manifest, and to choices. They all allow interesting options and are mechanically elegant enough.
Goblin Heelcutter and Rageform interest me the most for the time being. However, I might consider Ethereal Ambush ambush as well because Simic has always been a problem for me. Still waiting, however, but this is a promising start, to say the least.
I believe not one player has real life experience with it since it is indeed such an obviously parasitic mechanic (which is bad for the reasons palingensia mentioned). Were one to attempt a recreation of the Return to Mirrodin block, it might work - when cards are available in multiples.
Were I to introduce infect into a Cube, it would be as a finisher for control. You know, as a win-condition that ends the game fast once on the board. And there do not really exist that many cards which fit this criterion. Chained Throatseeker requires other sources of poison despite being big enough (albeit without evasion). Corrupted Conscience might work, albeit it is often reliant on your opponent's board. It can be played as a bad Phyresis, however. Grafted Exoskeleton is actually quite nice, I suppose, because it keeps the poison coming despite creatures dying. Of course, removing it from the field results in utter blow-outs. The rest basically consists of Phyrexian Juggernaut (no evasion), Toxic Nim (questionable) and Triumph of the Hordes (would rather play Overrun or Tromp the Domains).
I would call it undercosted, in relation to Footsteps of the Goryo. I know Footsteps is unplayable and does not exile, but Wizards would likely be very wary of printing such a better card. I suppose I could see it at sorcery speed, however, when the card would also not flash in blockers for extra advantage. The instant speed seems really relevant in this case, and would thus increase the mana cost by a fair bit if Wizards were to print the card.
Just also added Gurmag Angler. I do not really run the other delve creatures, although some do seem interesting. But this was just so damn big when I faced it in the pre-release. Worth a try, imo.
1. Flash. You may still flash in your creatures as something akin to surprise blockers (or EoT, if not). The opponent should start playing around the creatures you may drop during combat, and this will hinder them.
2. Mana efficiency. Albeit _i0 might disagree, dropping something from Vial and then having spell back-up might be important for some decks. Or being able to keep mana for counters (counterspells and otherwise) up while the Vial drops a creature EoT.
The prospect of the first has rekindled my interest in the card somewhat. Too bad I sold my playset in fall 2013.
But it is still a titillating card to play around with, for sure.
Oh, and Centaur Chieftain has been in my Cube for a long time but since we play so infrequently, I cannot really provide data. However, Haste is a rare ability in green and naturally profits aggro in that color. The chieftain's Threshold ability is nice but most GY heavy decks would not profit from it. Worm Harvest.deck is the only one I can think of, and it wins without the chieftain by being so grindy when it comes together.
Centaur Chieftain will likely be replaced with Temur Sabertooth in my next update.
Technically, yes. Its rarity is U2 which is technically an uncommon (one could open two cards of this rarity from Arabian Nights). However, Gatherer classifies these as rare since they are the most rare cards in Arabian Nights which contains no actual rares in the more modern sense. Just as an aside, Cubetutor also does that if the rarity is not switched manually. But some, me and Inscho included, still play them in Peasant due to the technicality.
Edit: A more detailed list of cards that interest me.
Lightform - I like evasive lifelinkers a lot.*
Locus Eye Mystics - Probably no room in the slot, though.
Mardu Woe-Reaper - Auto-include.*
Wandering Champion - If I start doing 3-color slots again.*
Sandsteppe Outcast - Comparable to Attended Knight, imo.*
Cloudform - I like hexproof and evasion, to an extent.*
Frost Walker - The drawback seems light enough.*
Rite of Undoing - Probably not but I like the idea.
Battle Brawler - If I start doing 3-color slots again.*
Hooded Assassin - I like the choice, although probably not.
Orc Sureshot - Maybe. Would support Orzhov tokens.*
Bloodfire Enforcers - I like the design and spells matter is a deck.*
Break Through the Lines - Reach enchantment.*
Goblin Heelcutter - Decent.
Rageform - A decent doublestriker.
Shockmaw Dragon - Maybe in place of one of the old dragons.*
Vaultbreaker - A decent red looter.*
Abzan Beastmaster - Might provide advantage in longer games.*
Ainok Guide - Probably not - but might support more colors if need be.
Destructor Dragon - Green 6-drops are shallow enough.*
Temur Sabertooth - So many applications.*
Ethereal Ambush - Still under consideration but likely not.
Hewed Stone Retainers - Might be good enough.*
Pilgrim of the Fires - Decent enough big colorless creature.*
So, 24 in total. Asterisk for serious considerations.
Goblin Heelcutter and Rageform interest me the most for the time being. However, I might consider Ethereal Ambush ambush as well because Simic has always been a problem for me. Still waiting, however, but this is a promising start, to say the least.
Were I to introduce infect into a Cube, it would be as a finisher for control. You know, as a win-condition that ends the game fast once on the board. And there do not really exist that many cards which fit this criterion. Chained Throatseeker requires other sources of poison despite being big enough (albeit without evasion). Corrupted Conscience might work, albeit it is often reliant on your opponent's board. It can be played as a bad Phyresis, however. Grafted Exoskeleton is actually quite nice, I suppose, because it keeps the poison coming despite creatures dying. Of course, removing it from the field results in utter blow-outs. The rest basically consists of Phyrexian Juggernaut (no evasion), Toxic Nim (questionable) and Triumph of the Hordes (would rather play Overrun or Tromp the Domains).