Wow, I might be in the minority here, but I am loving these DFCs. For example Spikefield Hazard is better flood protection than a basic land would be, no matter how poor of a floor it may have. I think many people are looking at cards like Bala Ged Recovery and making unfair comparisons to Regrowth, because it's not competing for a spell slot in your deck at all. Bala Ged Recovery is going to count towards your 17 lands when you're drafting, not as a spell, and because of this you get to play more spells. The opportunity cost is almost 0, and the ceiling is huge, because of your deck is getting to play more spells than an opponent's whose deck does not contain these DFCs. And again, it costs you virtually nothing to unlock that potential, you simply play a tapped land instead of a Basic Forest. All told these DFCs are more reliable and consistent than cycling to find a land, and their effects are potentially insanely powerful as they allow you to play more spells than your opponents who do not play them. As Leelue said: Akoum Warrior effectively has 'cycling for Akoum Teeth', and that similar enough to how Striped Riverwinder plays out in the early game a large portion of the time.
I would always rather draw a Skyclave Cleric in the late game than a Basic Plains, and Skyclave Basilica has got me covered when I need a land instead. Yes, coming into play tapped will lead to awkward sequencing occasionally, but I'm okay with the awkward sequencing for the high upside of flood protection and getting to play more spells in my deck, on average, than my opponents. Another good example is, any non-ShelterGods Willing effect in my CUbe could easily be swapped out for Sejiri Shelter and I'd be ecstatic to play it over the 17th land every time. I am willing to admit that a card with cycling can be better, look at Censor versus Jwar Isle Disturbance, because instead of cycling you get to play a land. However, I believe that more often the comparison will be more favorable yet different. Similar to Malakir Rebrith versus Supernatural Stamina, because in this instance you can trade the card out for a land when it's not great.
As for the non-DFC cards that I'm considering currently:
1) Acquisitions Expert looks awesome! Kitesail Freebooter is a great card, and while this will more often be a Burglar Rat I'm very happy to get more of this effect in CUbe. Plus, I'm cautiously optimistic of for the Rogue's Matter archetype that is burgeoning. I'm watching Blackbloom Rogue/Blackbloom Bog, Shadow Stinger, and Merfolk Windrobber. If they push this archetype enough in the right direction, I could see the Faerie Vandal, Jhessian Thief, Library Larcenist, Looter il-Kor, Nightveil Sprite, Whirler Rogue, Audacious Thief, Marsh Flitter, Orzhov Enforcer, Vampire Aristocrat, Zulaport Cutthroat, and Cunning Nightbonder that I am already running in my CUbe get a new archetype to play with.
2) Akoum Hellhound is a colorshifted Steppe Lynx, a card I haven't played in years, but in better creature types. I have high hopes for this good boy.
3) Anticognition is very reminiscent of Quench, but with a Despise flavor. The upside isn't unachievable or that unrealistic if you're late enough in the game.
4) Bloodchief's Thirst is like a Fatal Push that costs more, but has you no ceiling. Also, hitting Planeswalkers is not negligible.
4) Brushfire Elemental will likely push Gruul into having an 'Elementals Matter' archetype. This is something I've been flirting with loosely since Creeping Trailblazer, but I will probably follow through with now.
5) Demon's Disciple is probably the 2nd copy of Plaguecrafter that I didn't think or know I wanted. It's a likely include for anyone still running Fleshbag Marauder or Merciless Executioner, creature types not withstanding.
6) Fearless Fledgling is a cute card. I support the +1/+1 Counters Matter archetype, and could see this being decent. Although, the fact that it is a mediocre late-game top-deck, and that the art is, well, lets just say interesting, does mean I wouldn't be surprised to see this one missing the mark.
7) Feed the Swarm is going to be insane. I depower my removal, so this will be a welcomed addition to my CUbe as Vendetta is right were I wanted my strongest removal spell to be in power level. Welcome to the CUbe.
8) For the same reason as mentioned with #6, Gnarlid Colony will give additional support to a beloved archetype. Welcome to the CUbe.
9) Goma Fada Vanguard has me thinking: there's no way we don't meet the threshold of enough Warriors to make this work.
10) Grotag Night-Runner this is the Red equivalent of Jhessian Thief.
11) Hagra Constrictor opens up the conversation to including the +1/+1 Counters Matter archetype in Black also. Some additional goodies would be Oona's Blackguard, Oblivion's Hunger, Mer-Ek Nightblade, Winding Constrictor, Corpsejack Menace, and Vraska, Swarm's Eminence.
12) Iridescent Hornbeetle will be either very good or win-more. Time and testing will tell. However, you will need to put in the proper support for the +1/+1 Counters Matter archetype.
13) Kor Blademaster is a better Fencing Ace, creature types not withstanding.
14) Lullmage's Domination is probably better than it looks. It surprises me that this isn't getting any discussion. Dominate used to be A+ material in CUbe, but I think the upside is worth the more restrictive cost.
15) Rockslide Sorcerer is probably good enough if we hit the threshold of playable Wizards and if you already support the U/R Spells Matter archetype.
16) Roil Eruption is exciting, if only because I depowered my removal, and it isn't even just a removal spell. This is going to get ignored by some, but it should be tested more than it probably will be.
17) Skyclave Geopede is going to be interesting. This will often play out similarly to a Skizzik with upside.
18) Skyclave Pick-Axe and really the whole cycle(?) will be on my radar. I like the auto-equip, and each is uniquely powerful in their own right. However, this is the best one revealed so far.
19) Thwart the Grave has cool art, is a cool card, and will be a serious consideration depending on how the Party Mechanic ends up. Similarly, I will be watching Spoils of Adventure, Skyclave Loot, and any other Party cards that seems powerful.
20) Windrider Wizard is in the same boat as Rockslide Sorcerer.
Please give me your thoughts on all of the cards I mentioned. Also, I am interested to read everyone's evaluation of the DFCs after reading my post.
Okay everyone, I've got a bit of a crazy idea here that MIGHT just be good. Based on the performance (mostly to my surprise) of the Standard "Guildgates" deck I felt inspired to take a look at trying to support the archetype here in Peasant Cube. My thoughts where that it may be one of those "all-or-nothing" archetypes (where you either get all of the good cards for the deck, or you get less than all of them and your deck is unplayable), that it may be a bit parasitic (this part is true, but less so if you're willing to put in a bit of work at retooling your Cube's manabase), or lastly and arguably most importantly that the archetype requires too many cards being added or retooled to make the archetype worthwhile. While the previous concerns are all true (some more so than others), I do think that the solutions I've come up with can be the beginnings of a discussion on whether the archetype could be supported by Peasant Cube Curators who are feeling a bit adventurous.
So, now that I've listed the problems, I'd like to take a moment to show what the archetype has to offer that makes the "extra work" (retooling your Cube's mana base, and a few cards) offered in my "solutions" worthwhile. These are all of the cards that I deem playable or as payoffs for this archetype (which is by no means an exhaustive list):
My solution to the problems listed above is a simple one that requires a retooling of your Cube's manabase, but will enable the archetype rather well: include four copies of each individual Guildgate. There are even four distinct arts available, so for aesthetic purposes you can still have your Cube include four "different" copies of each Guildgate. If you include all of the above listed cards and utilize this solution you would have access to 41 Guildgates in your Cube, and the Guildgates would be plentiful enough to allow the "Gates deck" to flourish while still allowing for other drafters to pick them for their own fixing.
While I'm not sure if anyone else would consider this solution enough to retool their manabases, and/or be willing to put in some cards that are parasitic (not as much if you utilize my proposed solution, but still parasitic in nature), I do believe that the idea is worth discussing. Worst case scenario it's something to keep in mind for the future for if Wizards keeps pushing Gates cards into Standard sets. However, for an adventurous Cube Curator this idea may have legs. Please feel free to respond and let me know what you think. My last radical idea post(using Surveil as the Dimir mechanic that gives Dimir a true identity in Cube) has been performing moderately well in my Cube, so I figured that this one was worthwhile to post and get others' thoughts and opinions.
What are people's thoughts on Sharktocrab? I can't believe I'm saying it, but: I think it just might be good. I'm ready for the posts making fun of my card assessment, but with lots of ways to give this thing +1/+1 counters, besides using it's own ability, you could have an octopus-sized monsterfreezing creatures left and right and making combat a nightmare. Plus, it's got decent stats to begin with, and have you seen the art/name of this card?
Today seems a decent day for people who run a +1/+1 counters archetype.
I agree. I think Ministrant of Obligation is very close to playable, if not actually playable. I'm going to look for something to cut for it, since I've been trying to give the Aristocrats archetype (one of my top 3 favorite archetypes) a little more love. I, also, can't wait to put this awesome card into my Peasant Cube since she's a very good Aristocrat!
For those of us who support +1/+1 Counter synergies, what do you think of this card? Is it too costly, or is it a similar enough to Overrun that it warrants testing? With Bramblewood Paragon, Tuskguard Captain and Crowned Ceratok in the same color it is not hard to have this be a pseudo-Overrun. Also, doubling the number of +1/+1 Counters is a pretty unique effect at Peasant rarity, as far as I've seen.
What does everyone think of the Peasant Cube version of Thoughtseize for aggro decks? Drill Bit seems good enough to me, but I am normally a little too open-minded and eager to call a card good when it comes to effects being downgraded, or printed for the first time at a lower rarity, that I enjoy.
Glancing over your cube, it looks like the archetype is well supported. White has plenty of enchantments, green could maybe use a smidge more. Is there any reason you're not running Wild Growth, for example?
I'd love some feedback on Sage's Reverie and Fists of Ironwood (and Fumble!). Especially Reverie looks like a hoot, but I never got around to pull the trigger on testing it.
@Suirrely: I have never been much of a fan of the "Enchant Forest" Auras for ramp/fixing. I've conceded the point when it comes to Utopia Sprawl, but that's more due to it being an Uncommon Birds of Paradise. I'm less excited about Wild Growth when I already play so many Llanowar Elves variants. Ramp is abundant in Green, and I just never felt like I needed more, especially in the form of Wild Growth. Overall, I'd have to say it's more of a personal preference thing, because Wild Growth is clearly a very good card.
As far as feedback about Sage's Reverie: I have found the card to be very good when it draws you at least 2 cards. So, as long as you have at least one other Aura, you're going to be casting a Divination and an Ethereal Armor (minus the First Strike) all in one card. On average, that was good enough for me.
Lastly, Fumble is AWESOME! Seriously, I play it even now that I've made changes to my cube and stopped supporting the Enchantment Matters theme. It's almost always a 2 for 1 since you gain control of the Aura/Equipment! It's Tier 1 Blue removal in my humble opinion.
Speaking of the change in the themes I support in my Peasant Cube, I've changed some things up recently with my Guilds of Ravnica update. I'd love anyone's thoughts on the changes and/or overall thoughts about my Cube. My Cube.
@Narvuntien: I play Adeliz, the Cinder Wind with minimal other Tribal Wizards support, but the deck often is just better when it ends up as the UR Spells Matter deck. I think you'll find that Wizards in Red are few and far between, and that even fewer want to be in the Spells Matter deck that Adeliz clearly wants to be a part of. Also, instead of Azure Mage maybe try Thought Courier? It's a direct replacement for Merfolk Looter.
@CadaverousBl00m: Great article! I'll definitely be looking out for the next one, as I'm always willing to support a fellow Peasant Cuber however I can, if I can!
First off, I'd like to say thank you for all the work you've put into the Peasant Cube community Leelue. Your work has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. You and many others on these forums are the reason I got into Peasant Cubing to begin with. So, I hope things don't/haven't become so difficult or uninteresting that you have to "put up with" the curating of your Cube and sharing your results. Your insight into many topics within Peasant Cube have helped me (and I'm sure many others like me) to learn and adopt ideas into our own Peasant Cubes that we may not otherwise have considered.
My Unpowered Cube aside, I have tried to take the lessons I've learned from there and implement them into my Peasant Cube. In other words, my main problem with Protection (unless via another spell or ability, because that allows for interaction) and Shadow are that they lead to too many blowout games where there was never a chance for certain opponents to interact.
As for Enchantment Matters, I am experimenting. You're probably right about it not being great. However, Squirrely seems to think it's good, and that's what has got me thinking its worth trying out. My Cube size is smaller than his, so if anything that may make things easier for the archetype to be successful in my Cube. I'll report back once I have a few drafts worth of data to share.
As for Surveil Matters, I'm very excited. It allows for me to do what I have been wanting to do with Dimir for a long time: give it a real identity. Instead of Dimir being whatever good Blue and Black creatures fit into a loose theme, the Dimir identity would be tied together mechanically and would still include the other topDimir cards.
My group and I have had our doubts about Delver of Secrets, but the card is a Legacy and Modern All-Star for a reason. When you see it: it's one of the best cards in your deck. It's best home is in the Izzet Spells deck, but it has shown up in Midrange and Control lists featuring mostly Instants and Sorceries. I think the key to my success with it has been to keep a minimum of 20 Instants and 10 Sorceries in my Blue section.
Duress is an All-Star. Seriously, I've been very happy with it in Aggro or Midrange decks due to it's ability to strip removal and give me information. Information is key, after all. I've won many games by knowing whether the coast was clear to overextend or not, and then doing so or not doing so with the information from Duress. The trick that I've found with Duress is to focus on the information you've gained from the hand and play appropriately. Playing it like this will lead to even the occasional "wiff" to be acceptable.
As for Wasteland, Field of Ruin and Strip Mine I've got to admit that it does feel a little silly, and I could see removing them, but my intention at this point is to look into possibly adding a cycle or two of activated ability lands and these three would help balance against the cycles. However, I'm not sure if the actual usage of the lands will be anything more than what you suggested, and that's quite brutal for the environment I'm trying to cultivate. Perhaps I should remove Strip Mine at least?
Thanks again for all of the feedback! I'll keep my list updated, and will make a post of some ideas I have for my Guilds of Ravnica updates and testing. So far: I'm considering overhauling Dimir and Selesnya. I, honestly, think that the SurveilMechanic and it's payoffs could be just what I've been looking for to give Dimir a more rigid identity in my Cube. As for Selesnya, I've been experimenting with the color combination for some time. My first experiments were with +1/+1CountersMatter, and you can still see some of the effects and results it has had on my Cube, and I really liked the +1/+1 Counters Matter theme. I've, also, tried Tokens Matter. I've since moved the primary mechanic of Selesnya to EnchantmentsMatter. Partially due to Squirrely's inspiration, and partially because WOTC did the unthinkable and printed a Peasant Enchantress. However, now I think I may want to put the emphasis back on tokens.
Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for my Dimir and Selesnya dilemmas?
Hello Everyone,
Long time lurker, first time poster (in fact, I'm brand new to posting on any online forum, so please bear with me as I get the hang of things)
For a while I was the only person in my local area who owned a Peasant Cube. Sadly, about a year ago, I took a break from curating my Peasant Cube and dissembled it entirely. The common thought at the time was that my weekly drafters would rather draft my Unpowered Cube than draft my Peasant Cube. I've come to realize this was a mistake. I should not have dissembled my 80% foiled out Peasant Cube. As a 10-year-long Magic player and 6-year-long multiple Cube owner and curator, I've come to realize that with this iteration of my Peasant Cube I should try and be a more active and contributing member of the Peasant Cube community.
First off, I'd like to go ahead and thank a couple of people who I've taken most of my Peasant Cube ideas from (directly, or through inspiration) over the years (as they deserve credit for their inspiration in both the first iteration of my Peasant Cube, and the current iteration of my Peasant Cube):
Leelue - For introducing me to the "Hybrid System", for "Depowering Removal" (a problem I had identified myself yet had no idea how to solve until Leelue implemented the solution in his own Cube), and for providing several great Peasant Cube articles for people like myself to reference and compare ideas with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Squirrely - For ALWAYS thinking of off-the-wall ideas to test out new mechanics and ideas for Peasant Cube. Some of my most fun and innovative ideas have been tested by you in your Peasant Cube, tangentially to my Peasant Cube or prior to my implementation (providing me with evidence and feedback on my own ideas). Keep challenging the normal boundaries of Peasant Cube limitations!
n00b1n8R - For providing so much of your feedback from testing that at times, between you and Leelue, I've decided on whether or not to try out a card or archetype long before I even sleeve it up. Thank you and Leelue both in this regard!
BrownDog5117 - For being the first Peasant Cube curator I stumbled across when I was browsing the forums for ideas for my Unpowered Cube to truly inspire me. Your Cube was such an inspiration that I decided I had to have one for myself all those years ago. So, I set out to discover just what a Peasant Cube was and how to build one for myself.
Lastly, I'd like to ask for any constructive feedback, at all, on my Peasant Cube. The link is: My Peasant Cube
Thank you so much for everyone putting up with my long post. I hope to become a regularly contributing member of the Peasant Cube community on this forum and others like it. If this post isn't the type of thing that would normally go in this topic thread (perhaps the moderators will be kind to me and help me relocate it?), I apologize (if this is the case, if not: this part will look silly) and blame my newbie status to both posting in the mtgsalvation threads, and my ignorance of how to make posts period.
To support these synergies I’ve considered adding Cauldron Familiar, Witch’s Oven, Old Flitterfang, Icing Manipulator, and Peregrin Took. Is the combo and are the synergies too cute?
I would always rather draw a Skyclave Cleric in the late game than a Basic Plains, and Skyclave Basilica has got me covered when I need a land instead. Yes, coming into play tapped will lead to awkward sequencing occasionally, but I'm okay with the awkward sequencing for the high upside of flood protection and getting to play more spells in my deck, on average, than my opponents. Another good example is, any non-Shelter Gods Willing effect in my CUbe could easily be swapped out for Sejiri Shelter and I'd be ecstatic to play it over the 17th land every time. I am willing to admit that a card with cycling can be better, look at Censor versus Jwar Isle Disturbance, because instead of cycling you get to play a land. However, I believe that more often the comparison will be more favorable yet different. Similar to Malakir Rebrith versus Supernatural Stamina, because in this instance you can trade the card out for a land when it's not great.
As for the non-DFC cards that I'm considering currently:
1) Acquisitions Expert looks awesome! Kitesail Freebooter is a great card, and while this will more often be a Burglar Rat I'm very happy to get more of this effect in CUbe. Plus, I'm cautiously optimistic of for the Rogue's Matter archetype that is burgeoning. I'm watching Blackbloom Rogue/Blackbloom Bog, Shadow Stinger, and Merfolk Windrobber. If they push this archetype enough in the right direction, I could see the Faerie Vandal, Jhessian Thief, Library Larcenist, Looter il-Kor, Nightveil Sprite, Whirler Rogue, Audacious Thief, Marsh Flitter, Orzhov Enforcer, Vampire Aristocrat, Zulaport Cutthroat, and Cunning Nightbonder that I am already running in my CUbe get a new archetype to play with.
2) Akoum Hellhound is a colorshifted Steppe Lynx, a card I haven't played in years, but in better creature types. I have high hopes for this good boy.
3) Anticognition is very reminiscent of Quench, but with a Despise flavor. The upside isn't unachievable or that unrealistic if you're late enough in the game.
4) Bloodchief's Thirst is like a Fatal Push that costs more, but has you no ceiling. Also, hitting Planeswalkers is not negligible.
4) Brushfire Elemental will likely push Gruul into having an 'Elementals Matter' archetype. This is something I've been flirting with loosely since Creeping Trailblazer, but I will probably follow through with now.
5) Demon's Disciple is probably the 2nd copy of Plaguecrafter that I didn't think or know I wanted. It's a likely include for anyone still running Fleshbag Marauder or Merciless Executioner, creature types not withstanding.
6) Fearless Fledgling is a cute card. I support the +1/+1 Counters Matter archetype, and could see this being decent. Although, the fact that it is a mediocre late-game top-deck, and that the art is, well, lets just say interesting, does mean I wouldn't be surprised to see this one missing the mark.
7) Feed the Swarm is going to be insane. I depower my removal, so this will be a welcomed addition to my CUbe as Vendetta is right were I wanted my strongest removal spell to be in power level. Welcome to the CUbe.
8) For the same reason as mentioned with #6, Gnarlid Colony will give additional support to a beloved archetype. Welcome to the CUbe.
9) Goma Fada Vanguard has me thinking: there's no way we don't meet the threshold of enough Warriors to make this work.
10) Grotag Night-Runner this is the Red equivalent of Jhessian Thief.
11) Hagra Constrictor opens up the conversation to including the +1/+1 Counters Matter archetype in Black also. Some additional goodies would be Oona's Blackguard, Oblivion's Hunger, Mer-Ek Nightblade, Winding Constrictor, Corpsejack Menace, and Vraska, Swarm's Eminence.
12) Iridescent Hornbeetle will be either very good or win-more. Time and testing will tell. However, you will need to put in the proper support for the +1/+1 Counters Matter archetype.
13) Kor Blademaster is a better Fencing Ace, creature types not withstanding.
14) Lullmage's Domination is probably better than it looks. It surprises me that this isn't getting any discussion. Dominate used to be A+ material in CUbe, but I think the upside is worth the more restrictive cost.
15) Rockslide Sorcerer is probably good enough if we hit the threshold of playable Wizards and if you already support the U/R Spells Matter archetype.
16) Roil Eruption is exciting, if only because I depowered my removal, and it isn't even just a removal spell. This is going to get ignored by some, but it should be tested more than it probably will be.
17) Skyclave Geopede is going to be interesting. This will often play out similarly to a Skizzik with upside.
18) Skyclave Pick-Axe and really the whole cycle(?) will be on my radar. I like the auto-equip, and each is uniquely powerful in their own right. However, this is the best one revealed so far.
19) Thwart the Grave has cool art, is a cool card, and will be a serious consideration depending on how the Party Mechanic ends up. Similarly, I will be watching Spoils of Adventure, Skyclave Loot, and any other Party cards that seems powerful.
20) Windrider Wizard is in the same boat as Rockslide Sorcerer.
Please give me your thoughts on all of the cards I mentioned. Also, I am interested to read everyone's evaluation of the DFCs after reading my post.
White:
Dryad Militant
Nahiri, Storm of Stone
Blue:
Ashiok, Dream Render
Dovin, Hand of Control
Black:
Murderous Redcap
Vraska, Swarm's Eminence
Red:
Rakdos Cackler
Saheeli, Sublime Artificer
Green:
Kitchen Finks
Kiora, Behemoth Beckoner
So, now that I've listed the problems, I'd like to take a moment to show what the archetype has to offer that makes the "extra work" (retooling your Cube's mana base, and a few cards) offered in my "solutions" worthwhile. These are all of the cards that I deem playable or as payoffs for this archetype (which is by no means an exhaustive list):
- Archway Angel
- Gateway Sneak
- Guild Summit
- Gates Ablaze
- District Guide
- Gatebreaker Ram
- Open the Gates
- Circuitous Route
- Gate Colossus
- Gateway Plaza
My solution to the problems listed above is a simple one that requires a retooling of your Cube's manabase, but will enable the archetype rather well: include four copies of each individual Guildgate. There are even four distinct arts available, so for aesthetic purposes you can still have your Cube include four "different" copies of each Guildgate. If you include all of the above listed cards and utilize this solution you would have access to 41 Guildgates in your Cube, and the Guildgates would be plentiful enough to allow the "Gates deck" to flourish while still allowing for other drafters to pick them for their own fixing.While I'm not sure if anyone else would consider this solution enough to retool their manabases, and/or be willing to put in some cards that are parasitic (not as much if you utilize my proposed solution, but still parasitic in nature), I do believe that the idea is worth discussing. Worst case scenario it's something to keep in mind for the future for if Wizards keeps pushing Gates cards into Standard sets. However, for an adventurous Cube Curator this idea may have legs. Please feel free to respond and let me know what you think. My last radical idea post(using Surveil as the Dimir mechanic that gives Dimir a true identity in Cube) has been performing moderately well in my Cube, so I figured that this one was worthwhile to post and get others' thoughts and opinions.
I agree. I think Ministrant of Obligation is very close to playable, if not actually playable. I'm going to look for something to cut for it, since I've been trying to give the Aristocrats archetype (one of my top 3 favorite archetypes) a little more love. I, also, can't wait to put this awesome card into my Peasant Cube since she's a very good Aristocrat!
@Suirrely: I have never been much of a fan of the "Enchant Forest" Auras for ramp/fixing. I've conceded the point when it comes to Utopia Sprawl, but that's more due to it being an Uncommon Birds of Paradise. I'm less excited about Wild Growth when I already play so many Llanowar Elves variants. Ramp is abundant in Green, and I just never felt like I needed more, especially in the form of Wild Growth. Overall, I'd have to say it's more of a personal preference thing, because Wild Growth is clearly a very good card.
As far as feedback about Sage's Reverie: I have found the card to be very good when it draws you at least 2 cards. So, as long as you have at least one other Aura, you're going to be casting a Divination and an Ethereal Armor (minus the First Strike) all in one card. On average, that was good enough for me.
As for Fists of Ironwood: It's like playing Saproling Migration without the Kicker, but it helps to bump the Aura count for the theme and for Aura Gnarlid.
Lastly, Fumble is AWESOME! Seriously, I play it even now that I've made changes to my cube and stopped supporting the Enchantment Matters theme. It's almost always a 2 for 1 since you gain control of the Aura/Equipment! It's Tier 1 Blue removal in my humble opinion.
Speaking of the change in the themes I support in my Peasant Cube, I've changed some things up recently with my Guilds of Ravnica update. I'd love anyone's thoughts on the changes and/or overall thoughts about my Cube. My Cube.
@Narvuntien: I play Adeliz, the Cinder Wind with minimal other Tribal Wizards support, but the deck often is just better when it ends up as the UR Spells Matter deck. I think you'll find that Wizards in Red are few and far between, and that even fewer want to be in the Spells Matter deck that Adeliz clearly wants to be a part of. Also, instead of Azure Mage maybe try Thought Courier? It's a direct replacement for Merfolk Looter.
@CadaverousBl00m: Great article! I'll definitely be looking out for the next one, as I'm always willing to support a fellow Peasant Cuber however I can, if I can!
Actually, yes. I have gone out of my way to avoid Shadow (sans Looter il-Kor). My exception for Looter il-Kor stems from there being nearly no other options that do the same thing. My distaste for Shadow stems from the fact that I like for games to be interactive and fun. My Unpowered Cube is a good example of my commitment to this, because I go out of my way to not play things that hose certain archetypes and have decided to cut all Mass Land Destruction, instant-win combos (Splinter Twin + Deceiver Exarch, Sneak Attack/Show and Tell + Eldrazi Titans, and Super Fast Reanimator + unbeatable fatties), and other aggro hosers that just make games ridiculously difficult for the aggro opponent to win.
My Unpowered Cube aside, I have tried to take the lessons I've learned from there and implement them into my Peasant Cube. In other words, my main problem with Protection (unless via another spell or ability, because that allows for interaction) and Shadow are that they lead to too many blowout games where there was never a chance for certain opponents to interact.
As for Enchantment Matters, I am experimenting. You're probably right about it not being great. However, Squirrely seems to think it's good, and that's what has got me thinking its worth trying out. My Cube size is smaller than his, so if anything that may make things easier for the archetype to be successful in my Cube. I'll report back once I have a few drafts worth of data to share.
As for Surveil Matters, I'm very excited. It allows for me to do what I have been wanting to do with Dimir for a long time: give it a real identity. Instead of Dimir being whatever good Blue and Black creatures fit into a loose theme, the Dimir identity would be tied together mechanically and would still include the other top Dimir cards.
My group and I have had our doubts about Delver of Secrets, but the card is a Legacy and Modern All-Star for a reason. When you see it: it's one of the best cards in your deck. It's best home is in the Izzet Spells deck, but it has shown up in Midrange and Control lists featuring mostly Instants and Sorceries. I think the key to my success with it has been to keep a minimum of 20 Instants and 10 Sorceries in my Blue section.
Duress is an All-Star. Seriously, I've been very happy with it in Aggro or Midrange decks due to it's ability to strip removal and give me information. Information is key, after all. I've won many games by knowing whether the coast was clear to overextend or not, and then doing so or not doing so with the information from Duress. The trick that I've found with Duress is to focus on the information you've gained from the hand and play appropriately. Playing it like this will lead to even the occasional "wiff" to be acceptable.
As for Wasteland, Field of Ruin and Strip Mine I've got to admit that it does feel a little silly, and I could see removing them, but my intention at this point is to look into possibly adding a cycle or two of activated ability lands and these three would help balance against the cycles. However, I'm not sure if the actual usage of the lands will be anything more than what you suggested, and that's quite brutal for the environment I'm trying to cultivate. Perhaps I should remove Strip Mine at least?
Thanks again for all of the feedback! I'll keep my list updated, and will make a post of some ideas I have for my Guilds of Ravnica updates and testing. So far: I'm considering overhauling Dimir and Selesnya. I, honestly, think that the Surveil Mechanic and it's payoffs could be just what I've been looking for to give Dimir a more rigid identity in my Cube. As for Selesnya, I've been experimenting with the color combination for some time. My first experiments were with +1/+1 Counters Matter, and you can still see some of the effects and results it has had on my Cube, and I really liked the +1/+1 Counters Matter theme. I've, also, tried Tokens Matter. I've since moved the primary mechanic of Selesnya to Enchantments Matter. Partially due to Squirrely's inspiration, and partially because WOTC did the unthinkable and printed a Peasant Enchantress. However, now I think I may want to put the emphasis back on tokens.
Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions for my Dimir and Selesnya dilemmas?
Long time lurker, first time poster (in fact, I'm brand new to posting on any online forum, so please bear with me as I get the hang of things)
For a while I was the only person in my local area who owned a Peasant Cube. Sadly, about a year ago, I took a break from curating my Peasant Cube and dissembled it entirely. The common thought at the time was that my weekly drafters would rather draft my Unpowered Cube than draft my Peasant Cube. I've come to realize this was a mistake. I should not have dissembled my 80% foiled out Peasant Cube. As a 10-year-long Magic player and 6-year-long multiple Cube owner and curator, I've come to realize that with this iteration of my Peasant Cube I should try and be a more active and contributing member of the Peasant Cube community.
First off, I'd like to go ahead and thank a couple of people who I've taken most of my Peasant Cube ideas from (directly, or through inspiration) over the years (as they deserve credit for their inspiration in both the first iteration of my Peasant Cube, and the current iteration of my Peasant Cube):
Leelue - For introducing me to the "Hybrid System", for "Depowering Removal" (a problem I had identified myself yet had no idea how to solve until Leelue implemented the solution in his own Cube), and for providing several great Peasant Cube articles for people like myself to reference and compare ideas with. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Squirrely - For ALWAYS thinking of off-the-wall ideas to test out new mechanics and ideas for Peasant Cube. Some of my most fun and innovative ideas have been tested by you in your Peasant Cube, tangentially to my Peasant Cube or prior to my implementation (providing me with evidence and feedback on my own ideas). Keep challenging the normal boundaries of Peasant Cube limitations!
n00b1n8R - For providing so much of your feedback from testing that at times, between you and Leelue, I've decided on whether or not to try out a card or archetype long before I even sleeve it up. Thank you and Leelue both in this regard!
BrownDog5117 - For being the first Peasant Cube curator I stumbled across when I was browsing the forums for ideas for my Unpowered Cube to truly inspire me. Your Cube was such an inspiration that I decided I had to have one for myself all those years ago. So, I set out to discover just what a Peasant Cube was and how to build one for myself.
Lastly, I'd like to ask for any constructive feedback, at all, on my Peasant Cube. The link is: My Peasant Cube
Thank you so much for everyone putting up with my long post. I hope to become a regularly contributing member of the Peasant Cube community on this forum and others like it. If this post isn't the type of thing that would normally go in this topic thread (perhaps the moderators will be kind to me and help me relocate it?), I apologize (if this is the case, if not: this part will look silly) and blame my newbie status to both posting in the mtgsalvation threads, and my ignorance of how to make posts period.