MTG Salvation

So, any thoughs on Xathrid Slyblade which was spoiled a while ago? To me, it seems promising otherwise but the mana costs on both the card itself and particularly on its activated ability are quite the turn-off.

Not only do you play a bigger Guild section, but at least that Boros section seems really color intensive. While I also play more gold cards than most, I try to include as many less intensive cards as I can.

However, I would agree with you on the changes:
Cerodon Yearling -> Goblin Legionnaire
Viashino Firstblade -> Spitemare

Quote from blacksmithy »

and am torn between Lingering Souls and Cartel Aristocrat. The Aristocrat would help the sacrifice deck and the persist combo deck, but the Souls would go nicely in the Esper Prison deck I'm trying to craft within the cube.

Well, Lingering Souls also provides fodder to be sacrificed en masse, and fodder is at least as important as sacrificers for the sacrifices.deck. I would agree with Leelue - it really belongs in all (Peasant) Cubes which want powerful effects.

Quote from GoneBeYonder »

@ VariSami:
Without looking at your cube list, I would take the Skullclamp. Now that I have looked at your cube list, I would still take the Skullclamp. Also, how satisfied are you with the power level and mana fixing of your cube?

Problem is, amassing 8 players in our playgroup is a hassle so I hardly have chances to test the the Cube live. I recently started advocating sealed just to test it more often... but since it is summer, many have left for their home towns. I originally ran a full set of signets (and this was tested) but they were hogging too much space from more interesting cards which is why they were eventually cut. I suppose I have been chewing at the fixing by removing Alloy Myr and Scuttlemutt recently but the current amount of fixing remains untested, sadly.

However, based on my goldfishing of drafts in Cubetutor, there should be enough fixing even for 3-color decks if one realizes its importance during drafting. This is also ameliorated by the fact that I refuse to include mono-colored CC(...) cards.

Regarding the power level... Well, I suppose I am happy but for the reasons explained above, I cannot swear on the reality of the matter. I know I include quite a few cards which other cubes have banned such as the aforementioned Skullclamp but on the other hand, there are clearly more niche cards as well. This potentially threatens the balance but I try and include a sufficient number of answers as well.

Well, most naturally there are also 1-drops for control. I was not implying that. Merely that Dakra Mystic might not make the cut because supporting aggro forces to balance those slots a bit differently. I might be completely off here, however.

Also, I agree that the fatesealing is very relevant. That is why I called it better than a Temple Bell.

I see. There is a clear theme in the two above posters' posts and I suppose I agree. The repeatable blinkers were probably misevaluated by me simply because I unjustifiably believe games to be grindier than they really are. In this case, they were intended to produce a continuous stream of tokens and some repeatable removal. This has been most enlightening. Thank you.

I have added it... But I have yet to test the inclusion. In theory, it should be a fine 1-drop, particularly if blue aggro is not supported (1-drop slots would be batter served by aggressive creatures when it is). At the very least, the effect is interesting for it provides a slightly better Temple Bell / Howling Mine effect for 1 mana and a 1 mana optional upkeep to keep drawing the cards.

Earlier, I posted a picture of this booster:
There, I asked what would the first pick be. I went with Skullclamp myself but I ended up becoming greedy and attempting too many things at once. How would you have built this pool?
The Pool

And the same logic also applies to Reckless Waif. Cloistered Youth, on the other hand, might not feel worth the extra hassle although it is reliable and quite big for its cost.

Edit: I started drafting casually to train the bots for my cube. Then this as the first pack. What would you choose? I suppose Skullclamp is the strongest contender but it not being the obvious choice is stupendous.

I do run Delver - as well as Reckless Waif and Cloistered Youth. Because I use transparent sleeves, I have opted for the most annoying possible alternative. The check cards which were printed at the same time since I saved them back then. Admittedly, this is a reason why I did not originally want to integrate double-faced cards. However, most of them are also of questionable utility in the cube environment. I find them good enough but they should not be considered staples by any means, not even Delver.

I will be playing Split Decision and Custodi Squire in my Peasant Cube by the looks of things.

I am also planning a spiced Conspiracy Cube which integrates the draft-altering cards and conspiracies in multiples but replaces most other cards with a personally crafted selection of other cards (non-rares in multiples when so desired).

For me, it is sort of on the limit. I cut it simply because I wanted to play Shower of Coals instead but were I to ever increase the size of my cube, it would be reconsidered. But as many have already mentioned, Rolling Thunder is better most of the time, and red con only support a limited amount of big mana spells.

Well, this comes from someone with a Peasant Cube which plays somewhat differently, of course. However, Pendelhaven and Teetering Peaks should be passable for their colors. Since you also listed Treetop Village, how about Faerie Conclave? They are probably not great for the most powered of cubes but other cubes might find each decent.

I have high~ish hopes for those two cards. Bullwhip is should be quite different from the Manipulator simply because it removes X/1 creatures and because it can force an opponent to attack unprofitably, thus being a potential removal for bigger creatures as well. Leonin Bladetrap, on the other hand, is a colorless mass removal spell despite being a conditional one. I like how one may flash it in at the end of a turn although even when it is not used on that turn. Besides, it will require some playing around while it is on the field. But yeah - I agree, they are interesting but slightly questionable choices. (Too bad gathering enough players is kind of hard when I do not attend FNMs.)

Ironically, my 2-drop spot is much more stacked than the 3-drop spot in red and white. Of course, aggressive decks appreciate additional 2-drops more than 3-drops but the Swiftblade just does not do it for me somehow. Most importantly, I suppose, it trades with bears whereas the hobgoblin does not. Although being a hybrid (despite being an intensive one) also affects the standing the goblin has. This cube is intended to be particularly friendly towards 2- and even 3-color decks but in the Draft thread someone managed to pull a mono red aggro, and thus the goblin has the possibility of being included in a mono-colored deck going for it.

Quote from Squirrely »

Seems like a good update! I think you'll be pretty happy with the change.

I suppose. I have also made quite a few other changes today, mostly pertaining to artifacts. However, I also added Fencing Ace and Hearthfire Hobgoblin to increase the amount of double strikers. Bullwhip is going to be tested here alongside Leonin Bladetrap. I also finally remembered to add Lurebound Scarecrow.