I prefer the Battlemage. But Wild Nacatl should be your Naya card.
I actually have Nacatl organized in green. Probably less than ideal, but its working ok for now.
I would run Bant Charm and Esper Charm over the battlemages any day. They're not as splashable, but you rarely want a Gray Ogre out of the battlemages and they're a tad overcosted for their extras, while the charms provide huge flexibility in an aggressively-costed package.
You are probably right here... but that begs the question:
It really depends on the charm and the Battlemage. I like some more than others.
Bant Charm is pretty good, but so is the Monk. If it's for a C/U cube, I'd play the Rhox War Monk because increased creature quality is always welcome.
Specialities about the cube: U tempo, B aggro, R slow-ish are supported. G aggro is not.
Currently trying to support tokens in all colors but blue, in different ways: W pumps them, B sacrifices them, R suicides them, G has decent-sized ones.
cube list outdated
*literal C/U definition according to gatherer
**some cards are banned. Library of Alexandria, Land Tax, Sol Ring.
How do you guys feel about M10-type Dual Lands versus Lorwyn-Shadowmoor's Filterlands? I'm building the mana base for my new Cube, and my first reflex was to throw the 5 Duals from M10 in, but the more I think about it and the more I feel that the Filterlands could actually be better.
(For the record, the Cube will run all Shocklands and the Zendikar Fetchlands).
I agree with Edolon that the filters are better than the M10's, that said if looking to add a 4th cycle I'd mix and match to get the good WWK Manlands, and Horizon Canopy in there.
I think liking the filters more than say the pain lands is a minority opinion, but I really like the filters.
I actually think the filters are TOO good at fixing CC/CCC/CCCC mana costs, and therefore took them out of my Cube years ago because they were a little too good at fixing bad drafting/manabases (casting cards like Cryptic Command too easily, e.g.).
It also calmed down the number of 4-5c decks we were seeing, too. Good change.
If your deck is so bad that you need Filters to fix your mana problems, you did something wrong. If you NEED filters, what happens when you don't draw it? You just can't cast your spells?
Not to speak for anyone, but I think Antknee may have unintentionally misrepresented the value of filterlands. They don't make bad manabases better; they make good manabases broken. This in turn leads to the enabling of four and five-color decks, which was the reason why I scaled back on my mana-fixing by removing (most of the) filterlands and vivid lands. This theory is lent credence by Antknee mentioning the reduced presence of 4-5 color decks. If the deck came together poorly, there wouldn't be such a prevalence of this decktype.
Not to speak for anyone, but I think Antknee may have unintentionally misrepresented the value of filterlands. They don't make bad manabases better; they make good manabases broken. This in turn leads to the enabling of four and five-color decks, which was the reason why I scaled back on my mana-fixing by removing (most of the) filterlands and vivid lands. This theory is lent credence by Antknee mentioning the reduced presence of 4-5 color decks. If the deck came together poorly, there wouldn't be such a prevalence of this decktype.
Well, that is certainly true as well. My point was more that you don't have to work as hard to cast the color-intensive spells, which should be the bane of 4- and 5c decks. Sorry if I made it seem like they make bad bases awesome; what they do is allow you to do things that you shouldn't be able to do with a lot more help.
It's hard to say with Entreat. When I played Decree, it was cycled 90+% of the time. Losing that ability would mean I wouldn't play it at all. Entreat has a good Miracle ability starting on T5, but any time before that (or in your starting hand) It'll basically be a Decree with no cycling power. That being said, the hardcast mode of Entreat is better than that of Decree's, so it's a tossup. I could see cutting Decree for Entreat, at least to test it out.
I prefer Vorapede. For an extra mana, you get more base power, evasion, vigilance and removal protection. On an open board, Colossus is better. But in most in-game scenarios where both players have creatures out, the Vorapede has been clutch.
I think I still prefer Decree. The fact that you can cycle it is a huge difference. It makes it an uncounterable instant and it alleviates the build in weakness of finishers (being dead before late game).
Vorapede and Colossus are both good and I wouldn't fault anyone for playing them. It depends on how your 4 and 5 CC section look like. I think my vote goes to Vorapede as the Colossus has to fight with two Garruks for a spot at that casting cost.
Cube gurus, I have another question/scenario I need help with. I'm running a smaller sized cube, non-powered. I want to have each of the 5 colors to get 1 representative land. The "lands" of the cube will be geared towards color-fixing and generic utility. Hybrids are unaffected/do not qualify for what I'm trying to sift through. What would you run?
I mean, hell, we're all on a forum for something that most people would describe as a "children's card game"...do what makes you happy. You are never too old to enjoy yourself.
Blue has a bunch of lands worth running, Academy Ruins, Faerie Conclave, and Shelldock Isle are all good enough for most cubes, and with power or an artifact focus Tolarian Academy is also on the list. I personally run Faerie Conclave as I like to push U/x tempo and manlands are awesome, though Shelldock is better if you don't push U/x Tempo.
Couldn't you run two each? Kor Haven and Kjeldoran Outpost for white, Faerie Conclave and Shelldock Isle for blue, Volrath's Stronghold and, dunno, Lake of the Dead for black, Ghitu Encampment and Barbarian Ring/Keldon Megaliths for red, Treetop Village and Yavimaya Hollow for green.
There's only the second black one that's a little lackluster, does anyone have a suggestion instead of Lake of the Dead?
Specialities about the cube: U tempo, B aggro, R slow-ish are supported. G aggro is not.
Currently trying to support tokens in all colors but blue, in different ways: W pumps them, B sacrifices them, R suicides them, G has decent-sized ones.
cube list outdated
*literal C/U definition according to gatherer
**some cards are banned. Library of Alexandria, Land Tax, Sol Ring.
Couldn't you run two each? Kor Haven and Kjeldoran Outpost for white, Faerie Conclave and Shelldock Isle for blue, Volrath's Stronghold and, dunno, Lake of the Dead for black, Ghitu Encampment and Barbarian Ring/Keldon Megaliths for red, Treetop Village and Yavimaya Hollow for green.
There's only the second black one that's a little lackluster, does anyone have a suggestion instead of Lake of the Dead?
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is a very good second choice as the manafixing boost you get from turning all your non-swamp lands into black duals is incredible. A good example of how to design a better* Swamp. The effect can be more potent than other better-than-a-basic lands like Karakas.
I actually have Nacatl organized in green. Probably less than ideal, but its working ok for now.
You are probably right here... but that begs the question:
Rhox War Monk v Bank Charm?
Bant Charm is pretty good, but so is the Monk. If it's for a C/U cube, I'd play the Rhox War Monk because increased creature quality is always welcome.
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450, Peasant*, unpowered**
Specialities about the cube:
U tempo, B aggro, R slow-ish are supported. G aggro is not.
Currently trying to support tokens in all colors but blue, in different ways: W pumps them, B sacrifices them, R suicides them, G has decent-sized ones.
cube list outdated
*literal C/U definition according to gatherer
**some cards are banned. Library of Alexandria, Land Tax, Sol Ring.
(For the record, the Cube will run all Shocklands and the Zendikar Fetchlands).
Thoughts?
I think liking the filters more than say the pain lands is a minority opinion, but I really like the filters.
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It also calmed down the number of 4-5c decks we were seeing, too. Good change.
-AA
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I also agree that too much fixing devalues the strongly-monocolored cards. I like the presence of cards like Angel of Jubilation, Cryptic Command, Gatekeeper of Malakir, Thunderblust and Vorapede because they provide you with a choice in draft and deckbuilding.
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Well, that is certainly true as well. My point was more that you don't have to work as hard to cast the color-intensive spells, which should be the bane of 4- and 5c decks. Sorry if I made it seem like they make bad bases awesome; what they do is allow you to do things that you shouldn't be able to do with a lot more help.
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
My Cube: http://cubetutor.com/viewcube/9029
Vorapede versus Chameleon Colossus
GWB Junk Stax Ghave BWG
It's hard to say with Entreat. When I played Decree, it was cycled 90+% of the time. Losing that ability would mean I wouldn't play it at all. Entreat has a good Miracle ability starting on T5, but any time before that (or in your starting hand) It'll basically be a Decree with no cycling power. That being said, the hardcast mode of Entreat is better than that of Decree's, so it's a tossup. I could see cutting Decree for Entreat, at least to test it out.
I prefer Vorapede. For an extra mana, you get more base power, evasion, vigilance and removal protection. On an open board, Colossus is better. But in most in-game scenarios where both players have creatures out, the Vorapede has been clutch.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
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My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
I think I still prefer Decree. The fact that you can cycle it is a huge difference. It makes it an uncounterable instant and it alleviates the build in weakness of finishers (being dead before late game).
Vorapede and Colossus are both good and I wouldn't fault anyone for playing them. It depends on how your 4 and 5 CC section look like. I think my vote goes to Vorapede as the Colossus has to fight with two Garruks for a spot at that casting cost.
I feel compelled to repeat everything I hear
I'm starting with this as my base:
white - kor haven (could be k.outpost but 'fog' is strong)
blue - faerie conclave (not going with academy)
green - treetop village (not going with cradle)
red - ghitu encampment or barbarian ring
black - thinking about volrath's stronghold
10th at SCG: Syracuse (2014), GP:NJ Last-Chance Grinder Winner (2014):: Former Legacy Mod
-AA
I use descriptive language. Assume that I'm being nice and respectful. (I'll tell you when I'm not.)
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There's only the second black one that's a little lackluster, does anyone have a suggestion instead of Lake of the Dead?
450, Peasant*, unpowered**
Specialities about the cube:
U tempo, B aggro, R slow-ish are supported. G aggro is not.
Currently trying to support tokens in all colors but blue, in different ways: W pumps them, B sacrifices them, R suicides them, G has decent-sized ones.
cube list outdated
*literal C/U definition according to gatherer
**some cards are banned. Library of Alexandria, Land Tax, Sol Ring.
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/other-formats/mtgo-pauper/developing/647850-primer-angler-delver
Modern: Sultai Death's Shadow
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/modern/deck-creation-modern/773885-sultai-deaths-shadow-bug-aggro]
Legacy: Snake&Show
http://www.mtgthesource.com/forums/showthread.php?27217-Deck-Sneak-and-Show
Discuss my Cube @ MTGsalvation:
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=207309
Erratic Portal - 450
crystal shard - 360
ring of gix - 360/450
icy manipulator - 360/450
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Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth is a very good second choice as the manafixing boost you get from turning all your non-swamp lands into black duals is incredible. A good example of how to design a better* Swamp. The effect can be more potent than other better-than-a-basic lands like Karakas.
*Better in Highlander formats.
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