My cube is the "traditional" mostly power-oriented version. I play all the strong commons and balance the cube around them with strong and consistent cards and viable archetypes.
Humphreys cube is power oriented, aswell, but with a different definiton of "power". It's pretty straight forward tempo oriented. The cards are mostly way less consistent and simply fast in exchange.
Reading back through this thread, I think I'm leaning toward's Al's the most. It seems like my best bet is to go with a traditional powered cube as my first cube.
I was trying to draft some of the list here on CT (Mainly Al's) to see how I like it. What are you "viable archetypes" you mention above Al?
I remember reading some comments in this thread (I don't know by who) but I usually saw several archetypes per cube (i.e white weenie, G tokens, goblins etc).
Since I didn't really know the archetypes I was kinda picking blind. I'm hoping some insight will let me draft with more of an idea of what's smart, and then hopefully I'll like it enough and buy it all tonight.
@metalevolence:
I can't think of anything, Runner hasn't said already.
@Elvemage:
A question Humphrey mentioned is something you have to decide for yourself.
Online-only Commons: Yes or No?
You have to ask yourself, what "Pauper" means to you:
1) All Cards that have once been printed as a Common.
2) All Cards that have once been released as a Common. (Includes Online cards)
My opinion is, that Wotc reevaluated the cards, they released online and came to the conclusion, that they should be common. They do this, knowing that this enables these cards for the online constructed format "Pauper".
My cube contains quite a few online-only commons and I don't think I would have included a swarm arcbetype without Battle Screech and Beetleback Chief. A big chunk of my cube would look different without these.
The question how to define pauper, is something each cube owner of a pauper cube has to decide for himself.
@Al
I don't really have a strong opinion either way for that question. I'm indifferent.
If it was common or not in a different version or isn't now it doesn't matter too much to me. My original purpose for Pauper was budget (and then it being something new and fun)
So for now at least, my pauper definition isn't strict. Maybe once I play I'll determine a better idea - but I was originally doing it so I could get my cube for just around 100 bucks, which it seems I can.
Based on the advice, most people are reccomending the power cube first, as opposed to non-powered. As much as I like, Humprhey's tier 2 cube, I think I want to focus on a powered cube first. So I'm really liking yours and I will have to look at Izor's more (who posted recently! @izor - thanks for pitching your 2 cents in!) I know he said it's pretty current, but not fully up to date. As opposed to Al's who I saw is so up to date he already got the good additions from EMA like Elite Vanguard!
I think it's worth mentioning that Humphrey's cube's construction seems to lean more towards constructed-style decks where Al's (and Runner's, and my own) lean more towards reproducing a semi-traditional limited environment. Humphrey, correct me if I'm wrong? I won't claim to know which is "better," just keep it in mind as you're deciding on a cube to model yours after.
Can you elaborate more on that?
As I mentioned I haven't played in a while, and back then it was some Limited (mainly Standard). I think I get what youre implying with saying "leaning towards a semi-limited environment". But saying Humphrey's is like a constructed style deck....I haven't bought a constructed deck basically ever (never thought they were worth the money) so I don't know what style you mean by it.
Oh! One more important point - I forgot to include - definitely should have.
This will mainly just be 2-3 players. Maybe 4 players. I doubt I will rarely have 8 players to play with. Will you guy's 360-400 card cube work with that few people?
I thought it would, but now thinking about it, if all the cards aren't being drafted that would interfere with building the full archetype right?
Wow! Thanks for all the helpful responses, guys. This is great!
@AL - Thanks for the correction - I knew it was an obscure set name (Not Homelands but Portal). Since it's only 1 that's good news, Ill take it out and switch it for something else (I didn't like it for the same reasons you listed.)
It's gong to be a hard choice between yours and Humphrey's Tier 1 cube!
To throw my two cents in, start with a powered cube. It is far more straight forward and easy to make decisions about what to include and cut. There are also a few good examples floating around as well. Watered down cubes that put more emphasis on supporting archetypes require far more actual play testing and tweaking and generally make adding and cutting a lot more painful. I have spent so long twiddling with my current cube and I know it needs way more play testing.
Those are some awesome points too. I agree I'll start with a Powered one - which I think Al or Humphreys fit perfectly. As I mentioned before, since I don't know what I'll like and don't like, I do want to copy a list first, and go from there. Then, with experience I can see what I like (I.e. the individual changes and personality each person adds to their cube).
Backstory: Used to play pretty competitively up until about Ravnica/Lorwyn. (Can't believe how much has passed since then...). Now, my friend and I who have moved more into playing other board games, want to have some Magic we can cycle in too. I figured a cube would be great - since if we each buy a budget competitive deck, it would be around the same cost, yet very repetitive. I feel like a pauper cube is my best option (since it's also portable like any other board game) and it will have replay value. And I've checked a few, and it seems all of them are 80-100. It would be ideal staying under 100.
I know based on reading this thread, a cube is very personal and creative there - thus you can take whatever flavor or styles you want and work with it. That being said, since I'm just starting out a new cube, I don't know what I'd want to focus on.
Thus, my main idea is the "average" general pauper cube. Whatever is the normal list to follow.
Is there a generally accepted list to follow? Once I find my list I'm going to pop it into the TCGPlayer Mass entry. From reading these posts, I know a previous comment mentioned Al Heimer's List and Humphrey's list? Are they the best options? I also learned about CubeTutor, and when I saw it has the "Average" cube - I figured that was perfect for me - since i just want the normal pauper cube I've heard 2 issues. A) Since it aggregates all of the cubes, if people don't update their lists, the average list is partially behind. B) Since it's an algorithm it can ruin the color balance, mana curve etc. Whereas a unique list would have made minute changes to fix it. Is that true? Or is the Average Pauper good to be played out of the box if I just copy it and buy all of the cards on it?
I see Humphrey and Al are regulars here! I really like both of your lists - I have some questions. For Humphrey I see alot of of the list run some common mana fixing lands (bouncelands etc) did you remove them? For Al, I see your list has Homelands (I think that's the set with Horsemanship) in it - I would prefer to not have that - If I just remove them would that ruin some of the balance or value of your overall cube?
Alright thanks for the help guys. I realized that I really wouldn't be losing much here since the value is like nothing at all.
And now the trade was worked out and completed. Thanks
I feel really sorry about this but I am conceding this match and dropping from the whole tourney. My opponent obviously will take a 2-0 victory. I just don't have any time to play nor the effort. I also want to apologize for last round. I totally forgot about playing my match before I went away for the weekend. Thus, when I got back the round was over and I never responded to OptimusPrimm about when we could arrange to play. I'm sorry for any confusion I created last round with no responses to Optimuss, and I'm sorry about dropping out, but I just can't play anymore and I don't want to make it inconvenient to my opponents.
Still after the many days of extension on Round 4, my opponent has yet to answer to my PM's.
I'm still waiting for him to answer back and I hoped that he would respond back to me so we can set up a time. He even had about an extra week to respond back but he is MIA. Well, now we have limited time left to play so I doubt we will get our match in.
I am sorry for any troubles/inconvenience might be.
It's after the deadline and I have yet to hear back from my opponent yet.
Is this being extended?? or have you not had the time to open the new round??? Just wondering.. Thanks
I really don't think Avenger is needed in the deck.
Personally, I hate the card. It is NOT a two-drop, you can't play until turn 4 when I'd rather be playing a Redcap. In a deck like this, where the curve is tech, Avenger is pretty crappy in the deck, because it can't attack until turn 5.
Don't get me wrong, it is a good card, but there are MUCH better choices.
And, yes Boros is not only a guild in Ravnica, but a general name for a R/W aggro deck. Just because it doesn't include Boros cards, it doesn't mean it isn't a Boros R/W aggro deck....
Reading back through this thread, I think I'm leaning toward's Al's the most. It seems like my best bet is to go with a traditional powered cube as my first cube.
I was trying to draft some of the list here on CT (Mainly Al's) to see how I like it. What are you "viable archetypes" you mention above Al?
I remember reading some comments in this thread (I don't know by who) but I usually saw several archetypes per cube (i.e white weenie, G tokens, goblins etc).
Since I didn't really know the archetypes I was kinda picking blind. I'm hoping some insight will let me draft with more of an idea of what's smart, and then hopefully I'll like it enough and buy it all tonight.
@Al
I don't really have a strong opinion either way for that question. I'm indifferent.
If it was common or not in a different version or isn't now it doesn't matter too much to me. My original purpose for Pauper was budget (and then it being something new and fun)
So for now at least, my pauper definition isn't strict. Maybe once I play I'll determine a better idea - but I was originally doing it so I could get my cube for just around 100 bucks, which it seems I can.
Based on the advice, most people are reccomending the power cube first, as opposed to non-powered. As much as I like, Humprhey's tier 2 cube, I think I want to focus on a powered cube first. So I'm really liking yours and I will have to look at Izor's more (who posted recently! @izor - thanks for pitching your 2 cents in!) I know he said it's pretty current, but not fully up to date. As opposed to Al's who I saw is so up to date he already got the good additions from EMA like Elite Vanguard!
Can you elaborate more on that?
As I mentioned I haven't played in a while, and back then it was some Limited (mainly Standard). I think I get what youre implying with saying "leaning towards a semi-limited environment". But saying Humphrey's is like a constructed style deck....I haven't bought a constructed deck basically ever (never thought they were worth the money) so I don't know what style you mean by it.
This will mainly just be 2-3 players. Maybe 4 players. I doubt I will rarely have 8 players to play with. Will you guy's 360-400 card cube work with that few people?
I thought it would, but now thinking about it, if all the cards aren't being drafted that would interfere with building the full archetype right?
@AL - Thanks for the correction - I knew it was an obscure set name (Not Homelands but Portal). Since it's only 1 that's good news, Ill take it out and switch it for something else (I didn't like it for the same reasons you listed.)
It's gong to be a hard choice between yours and Humphrey's Tier 1 cube!
Those are some awesome points too. I agree I'll start with a Powered one - which I think Al or Humphreys fit perfectly. As I mentioned before, since I don't know what I'll like and don't like, I do want to copy a list first, and go from there. Then, with experience I can see what I like (I.e. the individual changes and personality each person adds to their cube).
Looking to build a pauper cube!
Backstory: Used to play pretty competitively up until about Ravnica/Lorwyn. (Can't believe how much has passed since then...). Now, my friend and I who have moved more into playing other board games, want to have some Magic we can cycle in too. I figured a cube would be great - since if we each buy a budget competitive deck, it would be around the same cost, yet very repetitive. I feel like a pauper cube is my best option (since it's also portable like any other board game) and it will have replay value. And I've checked a few, and it seems all of them are 80-100. It would be ideal staying under 100.
I know based on reading this thread, a cube is very personal and creative there - thus you can take whatever flavor or styles you want and work with it. That being said, since I'm just starting out a new cube, I don't know what I'd want to focus on.
Thus, my main idea is the "average" general pauper cube. Whatever is the normal list to follow.
Is there a generally accepted list to follow? Once I find my list I'm going to pop it into the TCGPlayer Mass entry. From reading these posts, I know a previous comment mentioned Al Heimer's List and Humphrey's list? Are they the best options? I also learned about CubeTutor, and when I saw it has the "Average" cube - I figured that was perfect for me - since i just want the normal pauper cube I've heard 2 issues. A) Since it aggregates all of the cubes, if people don't update their lists, the average list is partially behind. B) Since it's an algorithm it can ruin the color balance, mana curve etc. Whereas a unique list would have made minute changes to fix it. Is that true? Or is the Average Pauper good to be played out of the box if I just copy it and buy all of the cards on it?
I see Humphrey and Al are regulars here! I really like both of your lists - I have some questions. For Humphrey I see alot of of the list run some common mana fixing lands (bouncelands etc) did you remove them? For Al, I see your list has Homelands (I think that's the set with Horsemanship) in it - I would prefer to not have that - If I just remove them would that ruin some of the balance or value of your overall cube?
Sorry if I provided too much info!
And now the trade was worked out and completed. Thanks
Thanks, and good luck to everyone else!
My security code is B88FF0B1.
Good Luck optimus!
I'm still waiting for him to answer back and I hoped that he would respond back to me so we can set up a time. He even had about an extra week to respond back but he is MIA. Well, now we have limited time left to play so I doubt we will get our match in.
I am sorry for any troubles/inconvenience might be.
Is this being extended?? or have you not had the time to open the new round??? Just wondering.. Thanks
Just wondering if there is anything I can do while I wait for him.
Personally, I hate the card. It is NOT a two-drop, you can't play until turn 4 when I'd rather be playing a Redcap. In a deck like this, where the curve is tech, Avenger is pretty crappy in the deck, because it can't attack until turn 5.
Don't get me wrong, it is a good card, but there are MUCH better choices.
And, yes Boros is not only a guild in Ravnica, but a general name for a R/W aggro deck. Just because it doesn't include Boros cards, it doesn't mean it isn't a Boros R/W aggro deck....