I've seen no mention to Sylvok Lifestaff yet and I have to speak up for it. Sure, it can't really be compared to the sheer efficiency of Bonesplitter, but I think it is way better than all the other cheap 1-Drop Equipment not named Bonesplitter or Skullclamp. Both the casting AND the equip cost are cheap, the +1/+0 effect is small but far from irrelevant, and the lifegain clause helps aggro race/trade against midrange, breaks the aggro mirror in half, and is a good help in heavy Black decks (it helps with all the lifeloss). It's a small and unassuming card, but it was played in Cawblade (so it has at least some tournament pedigree) and I think it is (at least) testable in medium Cubes (around 540/600) and a solid inclusion at 720.
This card is not unreasonable and I could see it work as a 5th UW card, although I like Lyev Skyknight a little better in that slot (I cut it recently when I went down to 600, but it was almost always maindecked when I played it). I don't think I would run it over Sphinx's Revelation, but...
Anyone going to GP Utrecht? I won't be able to bring my Cube and I will not have much time as I'm judging, but it would be nice to meet some of you people there, talk a bit about stuff and maybe even playing some games of Cube...
This week, we talk about 1-drops (and 0-drops). What are some really strong plays you can make on turn 1 in Cube? Which 1-drops need to be played turn 1 for full effect, and which retain value if played later in the game? Why do we want as many aggressive 1-drops as we can get? What can we learn about the roles of the different colours in Cube by their choice of 1-drops? What are the differences between creature and non-creature 1-drops?
This is part 1 on a 6-part series on X-Drops in Cube. We will try to give some insight on the very foundation of Cube design by looking at the game play and some usual card choices as we move along the mana curve.
I play them at the cost that I believe is reasonable for them to see play. That means I have Ire Shaman, Rattleclaw Mystic and Stratus Dancer at 2, Ainok Survivalist, Den Protector, Exalted Angel, Grim Haruspex, Hidden Dragonslayer, Silumgar Assassin and Willbender at 3, Blistering Firecat at 4 and Sagu Mauler at 6. Again, this is not to say that (for example) Sagul Mauler can't be played for 3 or Silumgar Assassin can't be played for 2 - it just means I slotted them at the mana cost that felt more likely/reasonable considering the card in question and the usual flow of the game(s). I don't think it matters too much for most cards, though - at the end of the day, slotting Stratus Dancer at 2 or 3 is mostly irrelevant.
One thing that I find very cool is your ability to pinpoint the exact changes needed to bring a new package to the Cube. Some of the cards you just brought in are cards that I like a lot and that I wouldn't mind playing again but I couldn't find the room for them, but your proposed cuts look so spot on for your Cube that they give some guidance on what to look for in one's list (and this is not the only time that happens). Kudos, man, and keep up the good work.
The changes look very cool overall. It's cool that you're bringing in the artifact package and you are now playing most of the important pieces. I also love how you're bringing in Farseek in the place of Twinblade Slasher - not that it's a bad card, but I think Green decks overall would prefer the ramp spell. The UG and the UR painlands are better than the respective filters, so that's also a plus. I would personally keep Falkenrath Aristocrat rather than Murderous Redcap but I assume that the Redcap plays better with your Pox decks.
Yep. A ham sandwich is probably better than Narset.
Oppressive Rays
Eager Cadet
Card on the right says "2015" next to the copyright info.
#caseclosed
This is part 1 on a 6-part series on X-Drops in Cube. We will try to give some insight on the very foundation of Cube design by looking at the game play and some usual card choices as we move along the mana curve.
The link to the episode: http://manadeprived.com/mtgin3d-017-zeros-and-ones/
Cheers,
mrbrightside