The only one that I really like is Lightning Angel. Doran, the Siege Tower is a cool include because he's a 5/5 and can make for some other interesting interactions with creatures that don't have the same P/T values (Murmuring Bosk is another good choice here). As far as the other three options go, I don't know what I'd use. Perhaps Hide // Seek as the RWB option (or the 1WRB enchantment for token aggro support). Animar, Soul of Elements is an okay creature that can enable a unique ramp/big creature build for that combination. The Mimeoplasm is a fun choice for BUG that can randomly be a busted creature. Those are probably the options I'd go with.
Ya, but the Dragonlord getting bigger later in the game isn't based around deck construction or available colors. He does it regardless of what red deck he's in. So with the Slaughtermaster, I'm either ensuring that I have multiple ways in my deck to make him bigger, or I'm playing Jund. Otherwise, I'd rather run the Dragonlord which isn't contingent upon either of those things to be better than a Bear.
The reason why you are adding the Viashino Slaughtermaster to a cube deck is not because you need some double strikers, but because you want a good 2 drop beater.
I disagree. If I don't have some way to make the double strike broken, I won't run it. Even in red, in the land of terrible 2-drops, a Grizzly Bears with a nerfed First Strike still sucks. You need anthems, pump, equipment or battle cry effects (something to pump its power) before it becomes maindeckable.
+1
Although I am not sure if I would be comfortable to have a card that will be used like a mono red card most of the time in one of these dedicated 3c slots.
I'd be more comfortable with that than excluding a card that will see a lot more play just because it has the potential of being stolen by non-3c decks.
The experience I have with Slaughtermaster is that it's fine in red decks, but I try and have some way to potentially pump it. It's far better when you can.
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My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
I disagree. If I don't have some way to make the double strike broken, I won't run it. Even in red, in the land of terrible 2-drops, a Grizzly Bears with a nerfed First Strike still sucks. You need anthems, pump, equipment or battle cry effects (something to pump its power) before it becomes maindeckable.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
I'd be more comfortable with that than excluding a card that will see a lot more play just because it has the potential of being stolen by non-3c decks.
The experience I have with Slaughtermaster is that it's fine in red decks, but I try and have some way to potentially pump it. It's far better when you can.
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!
My 630 Card Powered Cube
My Article - "Cube Design Philosophy"
My Article - "Mana Short: A study in limited resource management."
My 50th Set (P)review - Discusses my top 20 Cube cards from OTJ!