So, after reading articles and watching videos, I'm getting ready to start looking at building my very first Cube, and as someone who plays on a budget off and on for 10+ years, I'm looking to my existing collection.
Already I am overwhelmed, and I need limits to get started. So I have two boxes of EMA, and one each of MM1, and MM2. I'm thinking on building a medium-sized cube out of that pool as a starting point.
Has anyone else attempted this? Because I've been looking at lists and haven't found a good template yet.
Any thoughts on mechanics or archetypes I'll need to be sure I balance appropriately?
You're not going to find a good template for a cube made up of a few boxes of MMA and EMA. If you're serious about building a cube, and you're on a budget, I'd suggest selling all the unopened boxes, then use the money to invest in singles.
Assuming you haven't already opened the boxes, that would be pretty economical. If you have already opened them, though, there are a lot of cube staples in all three of those sets, so I could think of worse places to start (like my own collection of Theros and RTR block draft leftovers that I used to build my original cube). It won't be perfect, no cube ever is, but you'll have fun drafting it. I assume you have more on hand than the 4 booster boxes of Eternal Masters and MMA/MM2? While you could find a list you like, copy it, and buy all the cards you don't currently have I recommend just starting with the best of what you have on hand.
Because I've been looking at lists and haven't found a good template yet.
If you're looking for a good mid-sized unpowered cube to base your first cube off of, I'd like to recommend the following 360, 450, and 540 card unpowered cubes that I consider very well curated and balanced.
You don't need to have every single card in any of these cubes, but I think that building a cube list that copies these CMC curves in each color with the best card you have available that costs the same and/or holds a very similar card in each slot would be a great starting point. These cubes also run what I consider the ideal number of multicolored cards and mana fixing lands for their sizes. Don't worry about having the exact cards in these cubes, just run the closest analogs in casting cost and function you can. Don't have an Archangel Avacyn? No problem, add Reveillark. Don't have a Reveillark? Run Serra Angel. No Damnation? Run Black Sun's Zenith or Mutilate. No Cryptic Command? Run Dismiss or Repulse. No ABU duals, fetch lands, or shock lands? Run pain lands, check lands, and tri-lands or whatever else you have for now. The list of budget cube cards Juju linked to above is full of great cards that you should be able to buy or trade for cheaply if you don't already have them on hand.
Any thoughts on mechanics or archetypes I'll need to be sure I balance appropriately?
The most important thing you want to make sure you have balanced in your cube is the amount of support for aggro, midrange, and control. If you follow the CMC curves in the cubes I linked to above, you'll have that. The archetypes you want to support are really up to you, and there's a great guide to archetypes you could support in your cube here. I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about that in your first build, though. Just keep in mind that the more versatile cards you put into your cube, the more interactions and drafting strategies will be available in your drafts.
I hope that helps. Got more questions? Fire away.
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465 card Unpowered cube thread. Draft it here and I'll be happy to return the favor.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.
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Already I am overwhelmed, and I need limits to get started. So I have two boxes of EMA, and one each of MM1, and MM2. I'm thinking on building a medium-sized cube out of that pool as a starting point.
Has anyone else attempted this? Because I've been looking at lists and haven't found a good template yet.
Any thoughts on mechanics or archetypes I'll need to be sure I balance appropriately?
Gah. I'm already lost. Need so very much help...
Check the cube staples for less than $2 thread:
http://www.mtgsalvation.com/forums/the-game/the-cube-forum/cube-card-and-archetype/603665-budget-cube-cards-that-cost-less-than-2-usd
Juju Alters - Altered MTG Cards
Or are you interested in a Fiora flavor cube? Conspire and win!
Level 2 Judge
If you're looking for a good mid-sized unpowered cube to base your first cube off of, I'd like to recommend the following 360, 450, and 540 card unpowered cubes that I consider very well curated and balanced.
Don D's 360
Dschumm's 450
Steve Man's 540
You don't need to have every single card in any of these cubes, but I think that building a cube list that copies these CMC curves in each color with the best card you have available that costs the same and/or holds a very similar card in each slot would be a great starting point. These cubes also run what I consider the ideal number of multicolored cards and mana fixing lands for their sizes. Don't worry about having the exact cards in these cubes, just run the closest analogs in casting cost and function you can. Don't have an Archangel Avacyn? No problem, add Reveillark. Don't have a Reveillark? Run Serra Angel. No Damnation? Run Black Sun's Zenith or Mutilate. No Cryptic Command? Run Dismiss or Repulse. No ABU duals, fetch lands, or shock lands? Run pain lands, check lands, and tri-lands or whatever else you have for now. The list of budget cube cards Juju linked to above is full of great cards that you should be able to buy or trade for cheaply if you don't already have them on hand.
The most important thing you want to make sure you have balanced in your cube is the amount of support for aggro, midrange, and control. If you follow the CMC curves in the cubes I linked to above, you'll have that. The archetypes you want to support are really up to you, and there's a great guide to archetypes you could support in your cube here. I wouldn't necessarily worry too much about that in your first build, though. Just keep in mind that the more versatile cards you put into your cube, the more interactions and drafting strategies will be available in your drafts.
I hope that helps. Got more questions? Fire away.
450 card Peasant cube thread. Draft it here.