I agree that despite the 1/1 Weathered Wayfarer is a good utility card and he will probably end up back in the cube with the vanilla Elite Vanguard being removed. My group does not get together a lot but they do like to see new cards so I try and rotate a few in each set. That doesn't mean cards stay in forever. In fact, in my cube if a card doesn't earn its spot as a "staple" over time most of the time those are the same slots that are changed out for a new card in a new set.
As for card roles I consider this for every change I make, but it should be noted that the theme of this cube is all-foil so for a long time I was running less than optimal cards in some slots because the best card was not available in foil - and there are still a few in there. When a new set comes out I have the opportunity to tighten up archetypes with cards that have a foil version. On occasion this means sometimes cards get exchanged out that do not fill the same role. Feel free to update your cube however you like, but I update for my playgroup and cube archetypes and not to please the forum at large.
As for Ugin, I run a 450 card powered cube. I support super-ramp so I need quite a few targets for the end game. My environment is one that has seen Emrakul, the Aeons Torn hard cast several times. Ugin, the Spirit Dragon has the upside of being colorless, making him attractive to folks outside of green (artifact ramp). Yes - Karn is better, IMO, but that doesn't take away from the fact Ugin is a solid card. If you can cast it you will most likely take the game. I took out Ratchet Bomb because honestly I enjoy everything in my Artifact section better, and it rarely sees play.
Yeah I was on the fence with him, but given that I think Bone Shredder has become way outclassed, I'm going to stick him in and see how he does I updated the post above!
I may add some of the other tribids after I see which ones most people seem to keep over time. I am trying to limit the amount of thrash that occurs in the cube with hype of the next great thing not lasting after the new shiny wears off. I tend to buy cards on impulse I really am not into running a wedge / shard cycle, but I will run the ones that become staples for sure.
Whoo Hoo! Great to be back with new sets! Hope everyone had a great holiday break!
Here are my changes for Fate Reforged. I stuck to a pretty thin list of changes - mainly because I officially have a freshman attending the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and I have to pay for that too!
I'll be playing this guy in green. I love this card and the hybrid is great allowing it to pair with several decks. Also its good to note that there are green cards (and a few artifacts) in cube that tap for any color mana - so there is that as well.
Even if I can't trigger the ability, a 4 power trample creature for 3 is pretty good and sick with a sword
Trying a few new things here. I started this update to strengthen my planeswalker slots. With a single planeswalker slot in each color I want them all to be stellar.
In blue I am putting baby Jace back in because Architect has not impressed much at all. I'm also adding Dig Through Time I really think this card is underrated.
In red I am bringing in Koth who I think is a slam dunk upgrade for Pyromaster. Giving Purphoros a try, but I am wary that the cube may not have enough support to trigger the devotion - we shall see
Thanks for catching the Cube Tutor miss. It is now updated
Orcish Oriflamme
I run this at 1R. It has been a really fun and aggressive card at that cost A black bordered Oriflamme is really not that expensive if you decide to consider it. I have been thinking about switching this (or something else) out for Purphoros, God of the Forge. I like to run flexible cards in the 180, and Purphorous is a good example of this. He is a solid enchantment with great abilities and he has the upside of becoming a great late game creature.
Mana Confluence
This card is essentially City of Brass with corrected tempting. City had old rules wording that could allow your opponent to tap it from across the table and do one direct damage to you. Since I run Icy Manipulator, this is a corner case that would lead to a case of the "feel bads". I try to keep this cube fun as it is meant to be a light diversion while at a con or on the road so I saw this as a good upgrade.
Liliana of the Veil
I go back and forth on these two. I can see running either Liliana Vess or Liliana of the Veil. I like the creature removal of Liliana of the Veil, but I'm not in love with either one. We play this cube most often as a multiplayer attack to the right defend to the left format, and Liliana of the Veil is also nice in that context with her +1 since it hits everyone at the table.
Don't know how I missed your post - but I love the cube! I'm going to try and get some drafts in on Cube Tutor tomorrow 😄 I love some of the more budget choices, so you may be inspiring some changes in my cube!
So here is how this update worked. I swapped out one card out of every color for the Moxen, three additional blue cards, one artifact and one land to cover the power 10. That was pretty straight forward. Here's where it gets confusing. I have been running 3½ cycles of Mana fixing. I needed to add the ABU dual lands and the 5 Khans fetches (which are already pre-ordered) so I needed to change out 15 slots. To make this work I removed the 5 Vivid Lands, one additional card from each color and 5 of the pain lands (the color combos that have a Man Land).
These look so much better in real life. The lighting sucks in my living room and when you combined that with foils its problematic at best. I also double sleeved the cube this weekend prepping for all this, so now it has twice the plastic to reflect a light
My best blue update ever!
Artifact Update
ABU Full Art Duals
The other stuff I proxied
Here's My new Cube Vault that came in the mail today as well (dark green box with green felt)!!
Finally a pic of my real power cards that I store in the Cube Vault.
As for card roles I consider this for every change I make, but it should be noted that the theme of this cube is all-foil so for a long time I was running less than optimal cards in some slots because the best card was not available in foil - and there are still a few in there. When a new set comes out I have the opportunity to tighten up archetypes with cards that have a foil version. On occasion this means sometimes cards get exchanged out that do not fill the same role. Feel free to update your cube however you like, but I update for my playgroup and cube archetypes and not to please the forum at large.
As for Ugin, I run a 450 card powered cube. I support super-ramp so I need quite a few targets for the end game. My environment is one that has seen Emrakul, the Aeons Torn hard cast several times. Ugin, the Spirit Dragon has the upside of being colorless, making him attractive to folks outside of green (artifact ramp). Yes - Karn is better, IMO, but that doesn't take away from the fact Ugin is a solid card. If you can cast it you will most likely take the game. I took out Ratchet Bomb because honestly I enjoy everything in my Artifact section better, and it rarely sees play.
I may add some of the other tribids after I see which ones most people seem to keep over time. I am trying to limit the amount of thrash that occurs in the cube with hype of the next great thing not lasting after the new shiny wears off. I tend to buy cards on impulse I really am not into running a wedge / shard cycle, but I will run the ones that become staples for sure.
IN -----> OUT
B
Mardu Strike Leader -----> Bone Shredder
G
Warden of the First Tree -----> River Boa
Going to miss the little guy, but he has become completely outclassed in the environment.
Here are my changes for Fate Reforged. I stuck to a pretty thin list of changes - mainly because I officially have a freshman attending the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and I have to pay for that too!
IN -----> OUT
W
Mardu Woe-Reaper -----> Weathered Wayfarer
Monastery Mentor -----> Precinct Captain
B
Mardu Strike Leader -----> Bone Shredder
G
Warden of the First Tree -----> River Boa
X
Ugin, the Spirit Dragon -----> Ratchet Bomb
Even if I can't trigger the ability, a 4 power trample creature for 3 is pretty good and sick with a sword
In blue I am putting baby Jace back in because Architect has not impressed much at all. I'm also adding Dig Through Time I really think this card is underrated.
In red I am bringing in Koth who I think is a slam dunk upgrade for Pyromaster. Giving Purphoros a try, but I am wary that the cube may not have enough support to trigger the devotion - we shall see
IN -----> OUT
W
Disenchant (Textless) -----> Disenchant
U
Jace Beleren -----> Jace, Architect of Thought
Dig Through Time -----> Deep Analysis
R
Purphoros, God of the Forge -----> Orcish Oriflamme
Koth of the Hammer -----> Chandra, Pyromaster
Orcish Oriflamme
I run this at 1R. It has been a really fun and aggressive card at that cost A black bordered Oriflamme is really not that expensive if you decide to consider it. I have been thinking about switching this (or something else) out for Purphoros, God of the Forge. I like to run flexible cards in the 180, and Purphorous is a good example of this. He is a solid enchantment with great abilities and he has the upside of becoming a great late game creature.
Mana Confluence
This card is essentially City of Brass with corrected tempting. City had old rules wording that could allow your opponent to tap it from across the table and do one direct damage to you. Since I run Icy Manipulator, this is a corner case that would lead to a case of the "feel bads". I try to keep this cube fun as it is meant to be a light diversion while at a con or on the road so I saw this as a good upgrade.
Liliana of the Veil
I go back and forth on these two. I can see running either Liliana Vess or Liliana of the Veil. I like the creature removal of Liliana of the Veil, but I'm not in love with either one. We play this cube most often as a multiplayer attack to the right defend to the left format, and Liliana of the Veil is also nice in that context with her +1 since it hits everyone at the table.
I can direct you to a person that can help you make some proxies. PM me and I will give you some info.
Some more proxy goodies came in!
W
Moat -----> Ranger of Eos
B
Pox -----> Bane of the Living
IN -----> OUT
B
Bloodsoaked Champion -----> Vampire Lacerator
U
Clever Impersonator -----> Willbender
Dig Through Time -----> Exclude
R
Arc Lightning (New Art)
Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker -----> Chandra Nalaar
Fetches went in with the power update, but technically they are KTK
I also bought a War-Name Aspirant, but I have no idea what to take out, so she may just go into the On Deck binder
B
Bloodsoaked Champion -----> Will O’ The Wisp
So I finally have some really nice foil proxies for the "Power 10" (9 + Library of Alexandria) as well as the ABU Dual Lands. I also scored foil Proxies of Recurring Nightmare, Control Magic and Force of Will.
So here is how this update worked. I swapped out one card out of every color for the Moxen, three additional blue cards, one artifact and one land to cover the power 10. That was pretty straight forward. Here's where it gets confusing. I have been running 3½ cycles of Mana fixing. I needed to add the ABU dual lands and the 5 Khans fetches (which are already pre-ordered) so I needed to change out 15 slots. To make this work I removed the 5 Vivid Lands, one additional card from each color and 5 of the pain lands (the color combos that have a Man Land).
That puts my 4 cycles at the following:
ABU Dual Lands
RTR Shock Lands
ZEN+KTK Fetch Lands
MANLANDS (w/Pain Placeholders).
Here are the changes with pictures below!
[The Power 9+1]
Ancestral Recall -----> Ancestral Vision
Time Walk -----> Mental Misstep
Timetwister -----> Coastal Piracy
Mox Pearl -----> Resurrection
Mox Sapphire -----> Gush
Mox Jet -----> Diabolic Servitude
Mox Ruby -----> Mogg War Marshal
Mox Emerald -----> Harmonize
Black Lotus -----> Isochron Scepter
Library of Alexandria -----> Shelldock Isle
[ABU Dual Lands]
Badlands -----> Vivid Marsh
Bayou -----> Overwhelming Stampede
Plateau -----> Silverblade Paladin
Savannah -----> Vivid Meadow
Scrubland -----> Nantuko Shade
Taiga -----> Vivid Grove
Tropical Island -----> Keiga, the Tide Star
Tundra -----> Vivid Crag
Underground Sea -----> Vivid Creek
Volcanic Island -----> Shrine of Burning Rage
[Complete Fetch Cycle]
Flooded Strand -----> Adarkar Wastes
Polluted Delta -----> Underground River
Bloodstained Mire -----> Sulfurous Springs
Wooded Foothills -----> Karpulsian Forest
Windswept Heath ----->Brushland
[Other]
Recurring Nightmare -----> Despise
Control Magic -----> Mind Control
Force of Will -----> Capsize
Now for some pictures!
These look so much better in real life. The lighting sucks in my living room and when you combined that with foils its problematic at best. I also double sleeved the cube this weekend prepping for all this, so now it has twice the plastic to reflect a light
My best blue update ever!
Artifact Update
ABU Full Art Duals
The other stuff I proxied
Here's My new Cube Vault that came in the mail today as well (dark green box with green felt)!!
Finally a pic of my real power cards that I store in the Cube Vault.
Thanks for reading this far
Good lord this is a great quote - signature worthy for sure!
U
Chasm Skulker -----> Dungeon Geists
R
Rolling Earthquake -----> Devil's Play
UR
Electrolyze -----> Ral Zarek
X
Scuttling Doom Engine -----> Triskelion