I like 450, but thinking back I would probably go with 405. 360 is much tighter, but I can't imagine cubing without a couple of pet cards, that would make the list less fun to me. Looking at my 450 list there's a least a couple in each section I wouldn't mind going without. So 405 seems like a good compromise.
Maybe I should just go to 405? Too lazy lol, plus every now and then we get 10 people.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
My apologies, children, for I am afraid I cannot save you all.
360 and 450 seem like the best numbers for me. At a larger size than that numbers get iffy on some of the aggressive creatures.
For instance there are 6 white 1-drops that I feel are cubable. I don't want to be cubing with any creature weaker than elite vanguard. But if I go over 450 I need to include things like weathered wayfarer, Goldmeadow Harrier/Gideon Lawkeeper, or Icatian Javeleniers. Which is something I don't want to be doing.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That's the remarkable thing about life. It's never so bad that it can't get worse
Calvin and Hobbes Cube Tutor
My cube is sitting at 579 and I have no problem with that. I would rather play multiple drafts and see lots of different cards than have a super consistent cube that always produces the same cards every time.
I'm probably going to be cutting back a little bit soon, mostly in my (frankly oversized) artifact section, but I'm still not really likley to get down to 540 or below.
540 is the perfect number for an 8 man IMO, that way ~33% of the cube doesn't show up in draft, meaning there is a lot of good variance in what decks show up, it used to allow for some cool fringe playables, but nowadays the only pet cards I have left are the shards cycle for nicol bolas PW. I might move up to 720 some day just so that I can keep playing with some fun cards, but until they print a little bit better aggro support in black and white, it's not happening anytime soon.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to Cube but don't have one? Check the map if anyone is in your area and get cubing!
450 for me. I recently cut to that number and I'm really enjoying it. So far, it's been just the right size to balance variance and quality. And it's just "roomy" enough not to have to make too many agonizing cuts.
My cube was at 450 for the longest time and I agree that it provides a fairly ideal drafting environment if you can consistently get a full 8 as it strikes the delicate balance of power vs. variance. I recently made the drop to 360 because it has been getting harder to fill up a draft around here, mostly because of my very limited availability, and I want to be able to see the cards that I want to play on as much of a regular basis as possible. If they keep printing ridiculous cards, I may have to jump back up (It kills me that I don't have room for Slayers' Stronghold :-/, for example).
I voted 360, but my cube right now is floating right around 500 cards, not sure of the exact number. I've considered going down to 360, as cube drafts here typically max out at 6 people, usually 4 people though. And I also really like how a 360 card cube is generally the most powerful at least in common lists, sure you could theoretically have a really really strong 200 card cube for 4 person drafts but I've never heard of someone building a cube exclusively for 4 player drafts.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
"Yawgmoth," Freyalise whispered as she set the bomb, "now you will pay for your treachery."
After playing around with Cube for a while, I can't help but see multiples of 15 as "the round numbers." If it's not a multiple of 15, then "why don't you round up or down?" It's kind of the opposite for me. It's like the entire cube count is off.
After playing around with Cube for a while, I can't help but see multiples of 15 as "the round numbers." If it's not a multiple of 15, then "why don't you round up or down?" It's kind of the opposite for me. It's like the entire cube count is off.
Anyway, move along...
I love keeping the cube in multiples of 90, that way when you divide by 45 you get a nice, integer number that represents the amount of drafters you can have. And if you divide by 90 you get an integer for sealed. I just like how the numbers just flow and work well together
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Want to Cube but don't have one? Check the map if anyone is in your area and get cubing!
I voted for a different size than my own! I'm at 540. My play group is currently at around 10, and I feel like around 90 over playgroup size is about right. You get some varience while mostly consistent. I also like to have the option to invite new people and/or make new friends without over hauling the cube. Since "theoretical" group size is 8 I voted for 450.
My cube is currently 402 cards. It's 50 per colour, 50 for multicoloured (4 of each guild going from CMC 2-4 and then one card of 5+, and then 1 of each split cost guild pair), and finally some split of artifacts and lands that totals 100. That makes 400 cards even and allows for people to see the combos consistently while still adding some spice to each draft due to variance. It's unpowered but includes things like Library of Alexandria and is more of a fish-comboesque-complex board state meta.
The last two cards in the cube are a second Explore, because you know two Explores, and a pro-tour hall of fame card that's another running joke in our group... It's a dead card that you aren't required to play in your deck but most people do.
I run a 720 unpowered and don't see myself changing it any time soon and it's been tested with everything from 2-8. I just love the variety of cards you can include.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
Quote from Stardust »
Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
Quote from LuckNorris »
ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
Quote from Lanxal »
ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
I like 480. It gives some variety to 8-man drafts and gives more room to include pet cards while still being tight and streamlined enough to be consistently fun.
My cube went from about 630 down to 450 and then to 360. After that it went back up to 450 and is now at 495.
360 was fantastic for the overall power level of the cube but I found I was missing a lot of my favourite cards that didn't quite make 360.
450 for me had a nice variety and the power level didn't drop all that much. It also allowed the support of more archetypes. This is probably my favourite size.
495 is the current number of cards in my cube. It went up partially due to adding more guild cards. The variety of cards is great but I have noticed more of a drop off in power level (though this could be due to the expanded guild section size my group prefers).
I can't really comment on 630 because that was when I first built my cube (about 4-5 years ago) and it wasn't the greatest. It was essentially a group of the "best" cards out of a few my friends collections...you know the starter cube.
To more specifically answer MagicFever's question: My group really likes 2-3 colour decks and wanted an expanded guild section when RtR came out so we jumped up to 495 from 450. The breakdown of the guild section is 6 of each guild, 6 guild lands and then the signets for each guild.
I think 400-500 is probably the sweet zone on cube size. It's small enough where changes can be felt but large enough where you have room for a few pet cards.
Though if you do quite a few 2 player sealed drafts 540 is probably optimal. Letting you do 3x 2 player sealeds before you have to shuffle.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
That's the remarkable thing about life. It's never so bad that it can't get worse
Calvin and Hobbes Cube Tutor
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Maybe I should just go to 405? Too lazy lol, plus every now and then we get 10 people.
For instance there are 6 white 1-drops that I feel are cubable. I don't want to be cubing with any creature weaker than elite vanguard. But if I go over 450 I need to include things like weathered wayfarer, Goldmeadow Harrier/Gideon Lawkeeper, or Icatian Javeleniers. Which is something I don't want to be doing.
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor
I'm probably going to be cutting back a little bit soon, mostly in my (frankly oversized) artifact section, but I'm still not really likley to get down to 540 or below.
The Great Cube Map!
My Powered Cube
Draft it here!
Oh by the way: We only ever do 4, MAYBE 5 people. With 4 that gets the magic ~33.3% that MrDumpkins was talking about.
33% is a good number, makes sure archetypes are represented while not always having the same pieces come together as much!
The Great Cube Map!
My Powered Cube
Draft it here!
Current EDH Decks:
G Multani, Maro-Sorcerer
B Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed
GU Momir Vig, Simic Visionary
Currently Playing:
Retired
After playing around with Cube for a while, I can't help but see multiples of 15 as "the round numbers." If it's not a multiple of 15, then "why don't you round up or down?" It's kind of the opposite for me. It's like the entire cube count is off.
Anyway, move along...
Thread | Draft
I love keeping the cube in multiples of 90, that way when you divide by 45 you get a nice, integer number that represents the amount of drafters you can have. And if you divide by 90 you get an integer for sealed. I just like how the numbers just flow and work well together
The Great Cube Map!
My Powered Cube
Draft it here!
http://forums.mtgsalvation.com/showthread.php?t=385729
The last two cards in the cube are a second Explore, because you know two Explores, and a pro-tour hall of fame card that's another running joke in our group... It's a dead card that you aren't required to play in your deck but most people do.
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
إن سرقت إسرق جمل
Level 1 Judge
My Cube for use with 6th ed. Rules
Modern: Jund Legacy: RUG Delver EDH: Captain Sisay
360 was fantastic for the overall power level of the cube but I found I was missing a lot of my favourite cards that didn't quite make 360.
450 for me had a nice variety and the power level didn't drop all that much. It also allowed the support of more archetypes. This is probably my favourite size.
495 is the current number of cards in my cube. It went up partially due to adding more guild cards. The variety of cards is great but I have noticed more of a drop off in power level (though this could be due to the expanded guild section size my group prefers).
I can't really comment on 630 because that was when I first built my cube (about 4-5 years ago) and it wasn't the greatest. It was essentially a group of the "best" cards out of a few my friends collections...you know the starter cube.
To more specifically answer MagicFever's question: My group really likes 2-3 colour decks and wanted an expanded guild section when RtR came out so we jumped up to 495 from 450. The breakdown of the guild section is 6 of each guild, 6 guild lands and then the signets for each guild.
Though if you do quite a few 2 player sealed drafts 540 is probably optimal. Letting you do 3x 2 player sealeds before you have to shuffle.
Calvin and Hobbes
Cube Tutor