Gift of Growth - similar to Aim High, but I value the untap clause more than the kicker here.
Both actually untap though, so it's more whether you want the option of having kicker vs granting reach. Also, I think Vines of the Recluse might be slightly better in the untap reach green combat spot if you want the reach option.
Call the cavalry
I like this also. The cards seems fine for the cost
Sergeant-at-arms
I like the option of having a man sink but he doesn't seem quite there stat wise imo but Idk.
Dark Bargain
I feel like this can be a pretty good card just happens to be in the wrong color. Reminds me of a slightly worse Glimmer Genius but in black, a color doesn't doesn't really need the instant speed, Read the bones is probably just better than this.
Windgrace Acolyte
First time black has had a Angel of Mercy. Fills the yard but only has 2 toughness. Can be a nice stabilizer though but Idk if it's good enough.
Ghitu Lavarunnr
I don't think this card is nearly good enough in cube. You won't often be running enough instants or sorceries, especially one turn it on in a reasonable amount of time. By the time you do 2/2 haste isn't going to be very exciting anymore
Keldon Raider
I kind of liking this card. Not the most exicting I'll give you that but a decent body with some filtering seems like a okay card.
Seems pretty solid. On par rate-wise with similar, Cartouche of Knowledge, One with the Wind/Spectral Flight. Not sure whether you'd rather want the 1 mana discount or the extra power in most cases but card seems solid nevertheless and sweet art too.
Yeah, I don't it's too weird for Pyromantic Pilgrim and Brambleweft Behemoth to be strictly worse than or pretty similar to their counterparts since neither is in the actually set or packs, and are only found in planeswalker decks so they won't be appearing in draft and be competing with their counterparts. They probably opted for strictly worse versions in the planeswalker decks just to try to keep the overall complexity of cards in the decks somewhat simple.
I was looking through the red sections and noticed some updates, mostly more clear-cut ones, that could be made. Some of these ended up being less impactful as I read that you're merging the lowest two sections, they're still helpful for knowing which cards to combine into groups without having to look at every card. Some are also just about ascetics. The numbers in parentheses by some cards are there current ratings.
Creatures
Falkenrath Reaver & Goblin Furrier
To me, a 0 rating seems like a too low rating for bears with no or virtually no downside, at least when their put together with red bears with significant downsides. Bumping them up a rating probably won't matter as much now, since you're merging the bad(1) and terrible(0) but it's something to think about. As unexciting as they are, maybe they're good enough just to make borderline, throwing it out there for discussion.
Reckless Cohort(1) / mad dog(0)
Should group the Cohort with the nearly identical mad dog beside the rest of the bears with downside
Embraal Gear-Smasher
Should be combined with the other group of cards for artifact cubes a few spots down in the same section.
Howlpack Wolf(1) & Hulking Ogre(2)
Funnily enough, the strictly better version has a lower rating although I feel like bordline (2) might be an alright but it's up for discussion.
Frontline Rebel(2) & Bloodrock Cyclops(1)
Save for their one time ability to block the turn cycle you cast them, I feel like 1/bad is a good rating for them considering they mostly significantly worse than the above cards that at least aren't forced to attack.
Tribal Cards (2)
Their rating here seems a bit odd since mostly every other section has such cards at 1 rating lower.
Flowstone Blade(0)
This feels currently pretty underrated. Has the typical problems of aura but the second option of also being a kill spell should at least make it go up a rating if not be borderline in my opinion. Moving to borderline if a bit more debatable though.
Crimson Wisps & Expedite
Can be combined into one group since they're practically the same card.
Wild Guess(1)
Even though it's a harder to cast Tormenting Voice I wouldn't think that would deem it a rating 2 points lower. Should be bumped up to borderline.
Goblin War Paint(1/2)
Appears twice in it's spell sections. Once, by itself, in the 2/bordline section and again with a group of a meh aura's at rating 1 that starts with agility. I feel like 2 is an alright rating. It seems a decent amount better than the group of enchantment rate 1.
Boiling Earth
Seems like this should be with the similar cards with this effect with an upside and 2/borderline rating (Electrickery & [card]Scouring Sands)
[/card]
Soul's Fire(0) & Tail Slash(1)
Should be combined into their own group with the merge of the rating categories, since they're practictally the same funtionally.
Thermal Blast & Reduce to Ashes
Blast is wrongly in a group of cards that only hit players. Both of these can probably just be combined with the group that starts with Pinpoint Avalanche
Nothing too exciting. Just a couple vanilla creature and a third with a kind of interesting ability. Interestingly though, he 9/9 is the biggest creature we have, not including X creatures. Pretty big but with it being a plain vanilla, probably means it won't make the cut over any of the other good options we've got for top end.
Desperate Castaways
Could have been interesting if it couldn't block instead, if you didn't control an artifact but otherwise not typically going to be that good.
I feel like Survival Cache in its best case is a good card, it's just that it's unreliability and low floor that kind of turns me off from the card. It's not great against aggressive decks unless maybe if you're pretty aggressive as well. Basically, it's only going to be good in some decks, whatever those are, but maybe it's good enough in the decks that want that it's worth testing.
I believe Angel of Mercy is the last new card for us that's hasn't been mentioned so far. Not too exciting but kind of funny getting it right after getting a bird functional reprint in Aven of Enduring Hope.
Finally, two new arts for cards we already have, Phantom Tiger and Condescend.
Solid card. Not sure how many people run it or thoughts on it now a days though.
Oh, Crowned Ceratok and Abzan Battle Priest could be the "counters lords" we were needing...
I wonder how Scion of Ugin will affect pauper cubes in general... a 4/4 flying guy that everyone can cast could change how we value flying creatures in general.
Thrill-kill Assassin is a thing, too. Very good 2-drop for black.
I like a playable dragon in my cube n.n
Duskdale Wurm is very big, but I think is too "vainilla" for a drop that high. I think I prefer Greater Sandwurm for its cycling.
Yeah, I like the Battle Priest the most but both could help make a nice subtheme along with Ainok Bond-Kin. It seems like just so many creature incidentally can get or give +1/+1 counters by themselves that getting some value won't be much a hassle in cube. You'd maybe want to up the count by some by you wouldn't need to by much if you really wanted there to be plenty cards that interact.
Yeah, for being a colorless creature, it's a surprisingly solid flyer for 6 mana compared to our other options. Solid option for being a colorless card.
Yeah, Duskdale Wurm is an okay fattie but not exciting
Here's some more cards with some confirmed and some not but which are pretty certain to be common . The list majikian posted seems to be completely correct so far.
I kind of like Frontline Devastor. It not fantastic but it seems like it could be better than it looks. The 3/3 body for 4 isn't the greatest but the firebreathing ability helps it out. Even the threat of activing it and becoming a 4-6/3 is decent. Either way you manage to get damage in with afflict and pump as needed. Probably on the high end of the 2-bordline section of red 4 drops.
God-Pharoh's Faithful is one of the better white one-drop defensive creatures, being strictly better than Yoked Ox and sort of comparable to Pride Guardian. Overall though, still not very exciting.
Call the cavalry
I like this also. The cards seems fine for the cost
Sergeant-at-arms
I like the option of having a man sink but he doesn't seem quite there stat wise imo but Idk.
Dark Bargain
I feel like this can be a pretty good card just happens to be in the wrong color. Reminds me of a slightly worse Glimmer Genius but in black, a color doesn't doesn't really need the instant speed, Read the bones is probably just better than this.
Windgrace Acolyte
First time black has had a Angel of Mercy. Fills the yard but only has 2 toughness. Can be a nice stabilizer though but Idk if it's good enough.
Ghitu Lavarunnr
I don't think this card is nearly good enough in cube. You won't often be running enough instants or sorceries, especially one turn it on in a reasonable amount of time. By the time you do 2/2 haste isn't going to be very exciting anymore
Keldon Raider
I kind of liking this card. Not the most exicting I'll give you that but a decent body with some filtering seems like a okay card.
Yavimaya Sapherd
This card is usually just going to be a worse Junglborn Pioneer Scion Summoner so not very exciting.
Gift of Growth
Solid pump spell with surprise factor right along side Aim High
A lot of decent inclusion for an artifact cube
Seems pretty solid. On par rate-wise with similar, Cartouche of Knowledge, One with the Wind/Spectral Flight. Not sure whether you'd rather want the 1 mana discount or the extra power in most cases but card seems solid nevertheless and sweet art too.
Adventurous Impulse
This one seems like a solid addition for nice. Nice and flexible unexpected cantrip for green
Creatures
To me, a 0 rating seems like a too low rating for bears with no or virtually no downside, at least when their put together with red bears with significant downsides. Bumping them up a rating probably won't matter as much now, since you're merging the bad(1) and terrible(0) but it's something to think about. As unexciting as they are, maybe they're good enough just to make borderline, throwing it out there for discussion.
Reckless Cohort(1) / mad dog(0)
Should group the Cohort with the nearly identical mad dog beside the rest of the bears with downside
Impetuous Sunchaser
Flying men reference link is broken due to incorrect name
Goblin Masons & Grotag Siege-Runner
These seem like they could probably be put into the group of Goblin Pikers with no or hardly ever relevant abilities.
Should be combined with the other group of cards for artifact cubes a few spots down in the same section.
Howlpack Wolf(1) & Hulking Ogre(2)
Funnily enough, the strictly better version has a lower rating although I feel like bordline (2) might be an alright but it's up for discussion.
Frontline Rebel(2) & Bloodrock Cyclops(1)
Save for their one time ability to block the turn cycle you cast them, I feel like 1/bad is a good rating for them considering they mostly significantly worse than the above cards that at least aren't forced to attack.
Tribal Cards (2)
Their rating here seems a bit odd since mostly every other section has such cards at 1 rating lower.
Should be combine with the other artfact-cube cards in the same section that start with Blade-Tribe Berserkers
Spells
Should be combined with the merge of 0 and 1.
Flowstone Blade(0)
This feels currently pretty underrated. Has the typical problems of aura but the second option of also being a kill spell should at least make it go up a rating if not be borderline in my opinion. Moving to borderline if a bit more debatable though.
Panic(1), Renegade tactics(2) & Panic Spellbomb
These all should be combine into one group, likely at 2/Borderline
Crimson Wisps & Expedite
Can be combined into one group since they're practically the same card.
Even though it's a harder to cast Tormenting Voice I wouldn't think that would deem it a rating 2 points lower. Should be bumped up to borderline.
Goblin War Paint(1/2)
Appears twice in it's spell sections. Once, by itself, in the 2/bordline section and again with a group of a meh aura's at rating 1 that starts with agility. I feel like 2 is an alright rating. It seems a decent amount better than the group of enchantment rate 1.
Boiling Earth
Seems like this should be with the similar cards with this effect with an upside and 2/borderline rating (Electrickery & [card]Scouring Sands)
[/card]
Should be combined into their own group with the merge of the rating categories, since they're practictally the same funtionally.
Welding Sparks
Just mispelled, so needs fixing.
Destructive Tampering
There's a repeat entry of this card in the cmc4 section.
Thermal Blast & Reduce to Ashes
Blast is wrongly in a group of cards that only hit players. Both of these can probably just be combined with the group that starts with Pinpoint Avalanche
The keeper cycle at common is interesting but 8 mana is quite a lot of mana. Might try a couple but not sure if they're good enough.
Bishop's Solider
Being an easier to cast Ajani's Sunstriker seems like an okay card.
Territorial Hammerskull
A better Master of Diversion is a pretty good card
Fathom Fleet Cutthroat
The ability seems a little too situational. It does have an okay body at least.
Fathom Fleet Firebrand
This creature seem it be an okay option being a decent mana sink. Could be okay but maybe not.
Jade Guardian
Pretty much just another Primal Huntbeast if any cube wants a second.
Spike-Tailed Ceratops4G
Can block an additional creature each combat
4/4
Ancient Brontodon 6GG
9/9
Looming Altisaur 3W
1/7
Nothing too exciting. Just a couple vanilla creature and a third with a kind of interesting ability. Interestingly though, he 9/9 is the biggest creature we have, not including X creatures. Pretty big but with it being a plain vanilla, probably means it won't make the cut over any of the other good options we've got for top end.
EDIT: Fixed Altisaur's mana cost
Tilonalli's Knight
Kinjali's Caller
Desperate Castaways
Could have been interesting if it couldn't block instead, if you didn't control an artifact but otherwise not typically going to be that good.
Dire Fleet Hoarder
Reminds me of Carrier Thrall. Doesn't seem too impressive though.
Brazen Buccaneers
Interesting card for red. Sort of like a Civic Wayfinder for 4 with haste or a easier to cast Talruum Minotaur with sry 1 on enter. Seems like a okayish 4 drop I guess.
Skulduggery
A solid effect for 1 mana.
Phantom Tiger was already a common.
Also, masters 25 will probably have plenty more old school cards than this did.
I believe Angel of Mercy is the last new card for us that's hasn't been mentioned so far. Not too exciting but kind of funny getting it right after getting a bird functional reprint in Aven of Enduring Hope.
Finally, two new arts for cards we already have, Phantom Tiger and Condescend.
Solid card. Not sure how many people run it or thoughts on it now a days though.
and then sweet condescend.
Yeah, I like the Battle Priest the most but both could help make a nice subtheme along with Ainok Bond-Kin. It seems like just so many creature incidentally can get or give +1/+1 counters by themselves that getting some value won't be much a hassle in cube. You'd maybe want to up the count by some by you wouldn't need to by much if you really wanted there to be plenty cards that interact.
Yeah, for being a colorless creature, it's a surprisingly solid flyer for 6 mana compared to our other options. Solid option for being a colorless card.
Yeah, Duskdale Wurm is an okay fattie but not exciting
On side note, cool new art for Furnace Whelp
Mark of Mutiny
Ivy Elemental
Sustainer of the Realm
Dragonlord's Servant
Thrill-Kill Assassin
Virulent Swipe
Furnace Whelp
Scion of Ugin
Abzan Battle PriestEarth Elemental
Duskdale Wurm
Crowned Ceratok
I agree there hasn't been anything too exciting yet. I feel like the wayfinder has the most potential so far.
Two more commons got spoiled.
I kind of like Frontline Devastor. It not fantastic but it seems like it could be better than it looks. The 3/3 body for 4 isn't the greatest but the firebreathing ability helps it out. Even the threat of activing it and becoming a 4-6/3 is decent. Either way you manage to get damage in with afflict and pump as needed. Probably on the high end of the 2-bordline section of red 4 drops.
God-Pharoh's Faithful is one of the better white one-drop defensive creatures, being strictly better than Yoked Ox and sort of comparable to Pride Guardian. Overall though, still not very exciting.
Edit: Fixed the links