Finally a new post up! This post explores the Metal line Metagross in the Cube, which I know at least one person was interested in. Let me know your thoughts about it.
Pretty sure I'm the 'at least one' who wanted to read this, so I'm pleased.
I enjoyed the part about the synergistic Stadium cards. It's good to know which Trainers you should keep an eye on when you're planning on drafting a particular evolution line.
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My Black & Silver Cube [360/Peasant/Draft It! EDH Decks: - Reya Dawnbringer // - Mistform Ultimus // - Balthor the Defiled // - Urabrask the Hidden // - Mirri, Cat Warrior
Finally a new post up! This post explores the Metal line Metagross in the Cube, which I know at least one person was interested in. Let me know your thoughts about it.
I dig the Metagross line. Thanks for keeping the content coming, btw! And I like you adding in the bits about trainers. That I like a lot.
Glad you enjoyed it. I am trying to incorporate other Cube cards you might want to draft along side some of the lines. This gives so direction towards drafting and better explains some of the lines.
I am really excited for the new set that is coming out in two weeks, since it two Blend Energies, which add count as four different types of Energy.
Glad you enjoyed it. I am trying to incorporate other Cube cards you might want to draft along side some of the lines. This gives so direction towards drafting and better explains some of the lines.
I am really excited for the new set that is coming out in two weeks, since it two Blend Energies, which add count as four different types of Energy.
Interesting. So there's like, "Blend Energy 1: Counts as your choice of Fire, Fighting, Electric, or Dark energy" and "Blend Energy 2: Counts as your choice of Water, Steel, Psychic, or Grass energy"?
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Interesting. So there's like, "Blend Energy 1: Counts as your choice of Fire, Fighting, Electric, or Dark energy" and "Blend Energy 2: Counts as your choice of Water, Steel, Psychic, or Grass energy"?
It's super exciting. I am hoping Energies like this help some type pairings. Overall this next set has some interesting cards, but right now these Energy are what I most excited for since fixing is always good.
It's super exciting. I am hoping Energies like this help some type pairings. Overall this next set has some interesting cards, but right now these Energy are what I most excited for since fixing is always good.
Are you gonna end up playing any of the dragon dudes?
Are you gonna end up playing any of the dragon dudes?
As of right now no. The only new Dragon types that are not part of a chain, are all EXs. We currently have a no Ex/EX policy for the Cube, since those cards can really really warp the game in very unfair way. (Plus they make many of the basic EX out shine even the best normal Stage 2 evolutions). If they end up printing some decent Dragons that aren't EX and aren't part of a chain, I would really consider making a home for them in the Cube.
What is the best way for us to put this cube together if we don't have a Pokemon collection?
Unlike magic, there is no use for cards once they've rotated out of the competitive format, which means anything that's not current is going to be VERY inexpensive. Buying each individual card shouldn't be too costly. They've referenced a site somewhere in this thread that's good for it, but I can't find it.
URGImperial AnimarGRU BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB WURNarset NostalgicRUW UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU UBlue BraidsU GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WUHanna, Pillowfort's NavigatorUW WBRAleshacratsBRW UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU URGYasova the ThreateningGRU BGGlissa the ArticiferGB WUSygg MerfolkUW RSquee, Value NabobR
I'm curious if there would be a way to make the cube so you can add more different pokemon without making hatedrafting a problem (i.e. have more electric pokemon evolutions than just Pikachu and Mareep). Since Travy's blog uses a 16 card Rochester Draft, why not just make a rule that if you draft a card that needs a prerequisite to play, you may take one of each necessary prerequisite when they pop up as your card for that round prior to anyone else's pick.
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Why do I like posting in lists:
1. It allows me to express multiple thoughts without a need to write an essay or make multiple posts. 2. I tend to have multiple thoughts at the same time. 3. Having the right first opinion is sometimes more glorious than having a grammatically correct second opinion. 4. It allows you as a reader to pick out the most erroneous point and counter-comment, allowing you the chance to express an opinion and look like a sensible person when I sound like a dummy.
I'm curious if there would be a way to make the cube so you can add more different pokemon without making hatedrafting a problem (i.e. have more electric pokemon evolutions than just Pikachu and Mareep). Since Travy's blog uses a 16 card Rochester Draft, why not just make a rule that if you draft a card that needs a prerequisite to play, you may take one of each necessary prerequisite when they pop up as your card for that round prior to anyone else's pick.
I asked a similar question, and he said hate drafting isn't really an issue. With evolution cards, it's much easier to hate draft, but at the same time if you dedicate a pick to hate drafting you can expect retaliation (everyone knows what you did >:O) and you're missing out on your chance to finish your own evolution lines/grab an important trainer/energy card. With much more rigid deck structures, each individual pick means more than in Magic and are thus unlikely to be wasted on hate.
URGImperial AnimarGRU BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB WURNarset NostalgicRUW UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU UBlue BraidsU GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WUHanna, Pillowfort's NavigatorUW WBRAleshacratsBRW UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU URGYasova the ThreateningGRU BGGlissa the ArticiferGB WUSygg MerfolkUW RSquee, Value NabobR
I've had my eye on this thread from the beginning and am now in the final stages of fine-tuning my Pokemon cube, which is strongly based on Travy's list. Troll & Toad has been a godsend in the construction process - they've had virtually every card I've needed in stock, and their Pokemon singles prices have been very reasonable.
The most significant modification I made to Travy's list was to cut all Metal and Darkness type Pokemon. I know that's a big deal, and that it plays havoc with the weakness/resistance balance within the cube, but it just didn't seem right to throw a bunch of (nonbasic) Metal and Darkness energies in a box along with the normal basic energies, but then have the rules baggage of limiting the number of Metal/Darkness energies to 4 per deck.
I'm curious if there would be a way to make the cube so you can add more different pokemon without making hatedrafting a problem (i.e. have more electric pokemon evolutions than just Pikachu and Mareep).
With lots of additional space opened up by cutting Metal and Darkness types, I am doing exactly what you propose here - running extra evolution lines within each colour.
(with an 8/6/4 breakdown for the Level 2 evolution line, and 6/4 for the other two lines.)
I also have an Eevee evolution package, colourless section, and "Big Basics" section, all of which are very similar to Travy's list.
I'm still considering replacing some of the evolution lines in my list:
Growlithe/Arcanine may become Magmar/Magmortar (thanks to some powerful Magmortars in recent sets);
Makuhita/Hariyama is probably becoming Gligar/Gliscor (the former hit harder, but the later seem much more interesting/interactive with their strong emphasis on status effects);
Chikorita/Bayleef/Meganium will almost certainly become Treecko/Grovyle/Sceptile (particularly to address the weaknesses of Bayleef that Travy mentioned in his blog);
Spoink/Grumpig need to be replaced by....something (these guys looked alright to me initially mainly because of their combination of status effects and Grumpig's reasonable damage output, but in hindsight they're not that great.) At this stage I think Drifloon/Drifblim might be worth a try....they have a weird mixture of attacks, but I particularly like Drifblim's free (or very low) retreat costs.
* * * * *
Travy, question for you -- what are your thoughts on Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir over Gastly/Haunter/Gengar as the main evolution line for Psychic? Is this a line you considered for your list? If so, what prompted you to go with Gengar? (For reference, I'm using Gardevoir from Emerald, Secret Wonders, Platinum, and Next Destinies.)
The most significant modification I made to Travy's list was to cut all Metal and Darkness type Pokemon. I know that's a big deal, and that it plays havoc with the weakness/resistance balance within the cube, but it just didn't seem right to throw a bunch of (nonbasic) Metal and Darkness energies in a box along with the normal basic energies, but then have the rules baggage of limiting the number of Metal/Darkness energies to 4 per deck.
I've had my eye on this thread from the beginning and am now in the final stages of fine-tuning my Pokemon cube, which is strongly based on Travy's list. Troll & Toad has been a godsend in the construction process - they've had virtually every card I've needed in stock, and their Pokemon singles prices have been very reasonable.
The most significant modification I made to Travy's list was to cut all Metal and Darkness type Pokemon. I know that's a big deal, and that it plays havoc with the weakness/resistance balance within the cube, but it just didn't seem right to throw a bunch of (nonbasic) Metal and Darkness energies in a box along with the normal basic energies, but then have the rules baggage of limiting the number of Metal/Darkness energies to 4 per deck.
With lots of additional space opened up by cutting Metal and Darkness types, I am doing exactly what you propose here - running extra evolution lines within each colour.
(with an 8/6/4 breakdown for the Level 2 evolution line, and 6/4 for the other two lines.)
I also have an Eevee evolution package, colourless section, and "Big Basics" section, all of which are very similar to Travy's list.
I'm still considering replacing some of the evolution lines in my list:
Growlithe/Arcanine may become Magmar/Magmortar (thanks to some powerful Magmortars in recent sets);
Makuhita/Hariyama is probably becoming Gligar/Gliscor (the former hit harder, but the later seem much more interesting/interactive with their strong emphasis on status effects);
Chikorita/Bayleef/Meganium will almost certainly become Treecko/Grovyle/Sceptile (particularly to address the weaknesses of Bayleef that Travy mentioned in his blog);
Spoink/Grumpig need to be replaced by....something (these guys looked alright to me initially mainly because of their combination of status effects and Grumpig's reasonable damage output, but in hindsight they're not that great.) At this stage I think Drifloon/Drifblim might be worth a try....they have a weird mixture of attacks, but I particularly like Drifblim's free (or very low) retreat costs.
* * * * *
Travy, question for you -- what are your thoughts on Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir over Gastly/Haunter/Gengar as the main evolution line for Psychic? Is this a line you considered for your list? If so, what prompted you to go with Gengar? (For reference, I'm using Gardevoir from Emerald, Secret Wonders, Platinum, and Next Destinies.)
Troll and Toad has been the best site we have found for ordering Pokemon cards.
As for Metal and Dark, a few years ago they stopped being Special Energy and are now just regular Energies. This is the only reason why we included them in the Cube because they now have basic types.
As for Gardevior line, we did consider that line for the Cube. It is a good line, but we decided to go with Gengar because it provided a different style of play. Gradevior should be a fine line too play too. We have also considered play Drifblim, so that seems also like a fine line to include.
The one down side by adding more evolution lines means you will have either more cards to draft (and a bigger cube) or less Trainers. Trainers tend to be the oil that helps the deck runs, so I would suggest not cutting down on those. Once you are able to do some drafts let me know how it goes for you. I am very interested in how it plays for others since I have had such a great time working on the Pokecube.
This is a fantastic idea! Is there any way that you could take pictures of the entirety of your cube and post them somewhere on your blog? I'd love to see it all together to get a better feel for it, and it would greatly help putting it together.
As for Metal and Dark, a few years ago they stopped being Special Energy and are now just regular Energies. This is the only reason why we included them in the Cube because they now have basic types.
Wow, I really dropped the ball there. I haven't even looked at Pokemon cards for years so I had to do lots of research to bring myself back up to speed, but I completely missed this huge change. I actually saw the (basic) Metal and Darkness energies while I was looking through stuff on T&T but it never clicked that they were basic - I thought they must have been textless versions or something. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
As for Gardevior line, we did consider that line for the Cube. It is a good line, but we decided to go with Gengar because it provided a different style of play. Gradevior should be a fine line too play too. We have also considered play Drifblim, so that seems also like a fine line to include.
Oh good, I'm glad I wasn't totally off the mark with my evaluation of the Gardevoir line. It was actually the stage-1s in this group that convinced me to go with these guys - some of those Kirlias seem absolutely brutal.
Drifloon/Drifblim, on the other hand, just seem hilarious.
The one down side by adding more evolution lines means you will have either more cards to draft (and a bigger cube) or less Trainers. Trainers tend to be the oil that helps the deck runs, so I would suggest not cutting down on those.
I absolutely agree with you about the importance of Trainers, so I'll probably just end up with a bigger cube. My group of players seems quite interested in the concept, so I suspect we'll end up needing support for plenty of drafters anyway.
Once you are able to do some drafts let me know how it goes for you. I am very interested in how it plays for others since I have had such a great time working on the Pokecube.
No worries, I'll report back once I have some feedback. Thanks again for your pioneering work on Pokecubes, your list and blog have been a massive help.
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Pretty sure I'm the 'at least one' who wanted to read this, so I'm pleased.
I enjoyed the part about the synergistic Stadium cards. It's good to know which Trainers you should keep an eye on when you're planning on drafting a particular evolution line.
EDH Decks:
- Reya Dawnbringer // - Mistform Ultimus // - Balthor the Defiled // - Urabrask the Hidden // - Mirri, Cat Warrior
I dig the Metagross line. Thanks for keeping the content coming, btw! And I like you adding in the bits about trainers. That I like a lot.
IDK if any of you play Dominion, but the way they do it on this blog is pretty nice: http://dominionstrategy.com/2012/07/10/prosperity-contraband/
Just posting at the end everything that's a combo and that's a non-combo is helpful.
I am really excited for the new set that is coming out in two weeks, since it two Blend Energies, which add count as four different types of Energy.
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Interesting. So there's like, "Blend Energy 1: Counts as your choice of Fire, Fighting, Electric, or Dark energy" and "Blend Energy 2: Counts as your choice of Water, Steel, Psychic, or Grass energy"?
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Exactly
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Hey! It's dual (Quad?) lands for Pokemon!
EDH Decks:
- Reya Dawnbringer // - Mistform Ultimus // - Balthor the Defiled // - Urabrask the Hidden // - Mirri, Cat Warrior
It's super exciting. I am hoping Energies like this help some type pairings. Overall this next set has some interesting cards, but right now these Energy are what I most excited for since fixing is always good.
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Are you gonna end up playing any of the dragon dudes?
As of right now no. The only new Dragon types that are not part of a chain, are all EXs. We currently have a no Ex/EX policy for the Cube, since those cards can really really warp the game in very unfair way. (Plus they make many of the basic EX out shine even the best normal Stage 2 evolutions). If they end up printing some decent Dragons that aren't EX and aren't part of a chain, I would really consider making a home for them in the Cube.
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I was hoping to see your avatar somewhere in that post.
EDH Decks:
- Reya Dawnbringer // - Mistform Ultimus // - Balthor the Defiled // - Urabrask the Hidden // - Mirri, Cat Warrior
It actually comes from a comic series: http://mareodomo.com/index.php?/comics/letters-to-an-absent-father/
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That is the most sad pokemon webcomic ever. At the end all he can do is climb a mountain and stay there
The Great Cube Map!
My Powered Cube
Draft it here!
They are very melancholy, but for some reason I really enjoy them.
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I thought it looked familiar. Pikachu looks pretty content just munching on those cookies.
EDH Decks:
- Reya Dawnbringer // - Mistform Ultimus // - Balthor the Defiled // - Urabrask the Hidden // - Mirri, Cat Warrior
I want to repost this entire post, because I agree with everything in it.
What is the best way for us to put this cube together if we don't have a Pokemon collection?
My cube list on CubeTutor.
Both are very much under construction. Please stop by and talk about it!
Unlike magic, there is no use for cards once they've rotated out of the competitive format, which means anything that's not current is going to be VERY inexpensive. Buying each individual card shouldn't be too costly. They've referenced a site somewhere in this thread that's good for it, but I can't find it.
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WBRAleshacratsBRW
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URGYasova the ThreateningGRU
BGGlissa the ArticiferGB
WUSygg MerfolkUW
RSquee, Value NabobR
1. It allows me to express multiple thoughts without a need to write an essay or make multiple posts.
2. I tend to have multiple thoughts at the same time.
3. Having the right first opinion is sometimes more glorious than having a grammatically correct second opinion.
4. It allows you as a reader to pick out the most erroneous point and counter-comment, allowing you the chance to express an opinion and look like a sensible person when I sound like a dummy.
I asked a similar question, and he said hate drafting isn't really an issue. With evolution cards, it's much easier to hate draft, but at the same time if you dedicate a pick to hate drafting you can expect retaliation (everyone knows what you did >:O) and you're missing out on your chance to finish your own evolution lines/grab an important trainer/energy card. With much more rigid deck structures, each individual pick means more than in Magic and are thus unlikely to be wasted on hate.
Living End Contributor and Enthusiast
Come Pucatrade with me
Rules Advisor
Modern: BRGLiving EndGRB
Legacy: UBGShardless BUGGBU
BRGProssh, Tokenmaker of KherGRB
WURNarset NostalgicRUW
UBR"I like your deck better" JelevaRBU
UBlue BraidsU
GAzusa, Lost but RampingG
WBRAleshacratsBRW
UBRGrixis Pew PewRBU
URGYasova the ThreateningGRU
BGGlissa the ArticiferGB
WUSygg MerfolkUW
RSquee, Value NabobR
The most significant modification I made to Travy's list was to cut all Metal and Darkness type Pokemon. I know that's a big deal, and that it plays havoc with the weakness/resistance balance within the cube, but it just didn't seem right to throw a bunch of (nonbasic) Metal and Darkness energies in a box along with the normal basic energies, but then have the rules baggage of limiting the number of Metal/Darkness energies to 4 per deck.
With lots of additional space opened up by cutting Metal and Darkness types, I am doing exactly what you propose here - running extra evolution lines within each colour.
Currently my list includes:
Fire: Torchic/Combusken/Blaziken; Vulpix/Ninetales; Growlithe/Arcanine
Fighting: Machop/Machoke/Machamp; Riolu/Lucario; Makuhita/Hariyama
Lightning: Mareep/Flaaffy/Ampharos; Pikachu/Raichu; Electrike/Manectric
Grass: Chikorita/Bayleef/Meganium; Yanma/Yanmega; Tangela/Tangrowth
Water: Horsea/Seadra/Kingdra; Magikarp/Gyarados; Remoraid/Octillery
Psychic: Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir; Misdreavus/Mismagius; Spoink/Grumpig
(with an 8/6/4 breakdown for the Level 2 evolution line, and 6/4 for the other two lines.)
I also have an Eevee evolution package, colourless section, and "Big Basics" section, all of which are very similar to Travy's list.
I'm still considering replacing some of the evolution lines in my list:
* * * * *
Travy, question for you -- what are your thoughts on Ralts/Kirlia/Gardevoir over Gastly/Haunter/Gengar as the main evolution line for Psychic? Is this a line you considered for your list? If so, what prompted you to go with Gengar? (For reference, I'm using Gardevoir from Emerald, Secret Wonders, Platinum, and Next Destinies.)
They make basic metal and darkness energies now.
Troll and Toad has been the best site we have found for ordering Pokemon cards.
As for Metal and Dark, a few years ago they stopped being Special Energy and are now just regular Energies. This is the only reason why we included them in the Cube because they now have basic types.
As for Gardevior line, we did consider that line for the Cube. It is a good line, but we decided to go with Gengar because it provided a different style of play. Gradevior should be a fine line too play too. We have also considered play Drifblim, so that seems also like a fine line to include.
The one down side by adding more evolution lines means you will have either more cards to draft (and a bigger cube) or less Trainers. Trainers tend to be the oil that helps the deck runs, so I would suggest not cutting down on those. Once you are able to do some drafts let me know how it goes for you. I am very interested in how it plays for others since I have had such a great time working on the Pokecube.
My Cube
The Pokecube
Twitter- TRenewer
Wow, I really dropped the ball there. I haven't even looked at Pokemon cards for years so I had to do lots of research to bring myself back up to speed, but I completely missed this huge change. I actually saw the (basic) Metal and Darkness energies while I was looking through stuff on T&T but it never clicked that they were basic - I thought they must have been textless versions or something. Thanks for bringing this to my attention!
Oh good, I'm glad I wasn't totally off the mark with my evaluation of the Gardevoir line. It was actually the stage-1s in this group that convinced me to go with these guys - some of those Kirlias seem absolutely brutal.
Drifloon/Drifblim, on the other hand, just seem hilarious.
I absolutely agree with you about the importance of Trainers, so I'll probably just end up with a bigger cube. My group of players seems quite interested in the concept, so I suspect we'll end up needing support for plenty of drafters anyway.
No worries, I'll report back once I have some feedback. Thanks again for your pioneering work on Pokecubes, your list and blog have been a massive help.