I run a cycle of spell lands (Sandstone Bridge, Halimar Depths, Mortuary Mire, Teetering Peaks, Fertile Thicket). Right now they're in my color section and they've been included whenever they're pulled. I also have a "free" land section that I'm thinking of moving them to. The problem is, if I put them in the colored section, they push out an excellent color card. If I put them in the free-land section, players might pick one of those instead of taking a color-fixing land which is what the free-land section is there for. I believe they belong in the cube and have been fun to play with. So for now, they have earned their place in the color section.
I run a separate land section in addition to the lands in my cube. Each player is allowed to take either an Alara/Tarkir tri-land or a Theros temple scry-land. I do this to provide a smooth mana base, and also to push that two color decks will get access to really smooth mana, but there is a safety net if you want to push for the splash. That said, I am considering adding mono-colored lands to that section like Mortuary Mire and Blighted Woodland, and would even bring back Teetering Peaks for the red slot. I just don't want to mislead players who would pick a mono-colored land over a tri-land if they build a 3-color deck etc. So I'm not sure. My cube doesn't support mono-color decks, but since I have a "free" land section, spell lands are nice. Hmmmm.
Anywho, is Swell of Growth on anybody's radar? I run a 360 unpowered, and any chance to combine resources (ramp and pump) into one card seems invaluable to me.
I only have room in my cube for 1 Grixis colored card. Bolas is beautiful, but Specter seems to me to be more of a "glue" card that can hold the three color deck together, as are my other three colored cards.
When evaluating cards for this cube, I consider the following:
- Each card must have seen some competitive play in a constructed format. Cards that make a greater impact on constructed get priority.
- Cards that represent an entire Tier 1 deck get preference, even if the other cards from that deck can't fit. For example, Whirler Virtuoso for Temur Energy (Standard) or Vines of Vastwood for Infect (Modern).
- This cube excludes cards printed prior to the Lorwyn block and cards printed in supplemental products.
Set Statistics A numeric record of the original post-mending, Standard-legal printing for each card, arranged by plane and set.
Introduction
"A Neowalker's Arsenal" aims to showcase the most powerful spells that were once Standard legal from the Lorwyn block forward. The selection is heavily influenced by the cards and decks that saw competitive play during their lifetime in Standard (and to a lesser extent Modern). An average FNMer should feel nostalgic while playing this cube.
Cube Info Size: 360 Breakdown: 50 each color, 60 multicolor, 20 hybrid, 30 colorless Formats: Designed to be drafted by 8 or sealed pool by 4 Balance: Balanced by Color, Planeswalkers per color, and creature/non-creature ratio appropriate to each color Color Placement: Cards are grouped by which color decks can play them Features: While choosing basic lands, each player selects for their pool one card from the Ravnica Shocklands to assist with color fixing.
Stormbreath Dragon vs. Glorybringer
Sejiri Steppe vs. Sandstone Bridge
Halimar Depths vs. Skyline Cascade
Khalni Garden vs. Fertile Thicket
I mean, I think its pretty obvious that Mortuary Mire and Teetering Peaks are the best spell lands for their colors.
Anywho, is Swell of Growth on anybody's radar? I run a 360 unpowered, and any chance to combine resources (ramp and pump) into one card seems invaluable to me.
Scatter to the Winds > Faerie Trickery
Drana, Liberator of Malakir > Sidisi, Undead Vizier
The two man-lands once the cycle is complete, and probably Greenwarden of Murasa > Vigor once it is vetted in Standard.
I think the Familiar is the stronger card, but the Adept gives an off-color effect to either color if it connects.
I only have room in my cube for 1 Grixis colored card. Bolas is beautiful, but Specter seems to me to be more of a "glue" card that can hold the three color deck together, as are my other three colored cards.
- Each card must have seen some competitive play in a constructed format. Cards that make a greater impact on constructed get priority.
- Cards that represent an entire Tier 1 deck get preference, even if the other cards from that deck can't fit. For example, Whirler Virtuoso for Temur Energy (Standard) or Vines of Vastwood for Infect (Modern).
- This cube excludes cards printed prior to the Lorwyn block and cards printed in supplemental products.
Set Statistics
A numeric record of the original post-mending, Standard-legal printing for each card, arranged by plane and set.
M10 (14) – M11 (9) – M12 (8) – M13 (8) – M14 (3) – M15 (4) – Magic Origins (6) – (52)
Lorwyn (11) – Morningtide (10) – Shadowmoor (5) – Eventide (6) – (32)
Shards of Alara (12) – Conflux (4) – Alara Reborn (4) – (20)
Zendikar (21) – Worldwake (11) – Rise of the Eldrazi (9) – Battle for Zendikar (6) – Oath of the Gatewatch (7) – (54)
Scars of Mirrodin (4) – Mirrodin Besieged (13) – New Phyrexia (15) – (32)
Innistrad (15) – Dark Ascension (9) – Avacyn Restored (12) – Shadows over Innistrad (8) – Eldritch Moon (2) – (46)
Return to Ravnica (20) – Gatecrash (15) – Dragon’s Maze (3) – (38)
Theros (21) – Born of the Gods (4) – Journey into Nyx (3) – (28)
Khans of Tarkir (17) – Fate Reforged (7) – Dragons of Tarkir (9) – (33)
Kaladesh (4) – Aether Revolt (6) – (10)
Amonkhet (5) – Hour of Devastation (7) – (12)
Ixalan (3) – Rivals of Ixalan (2) – (5)
"A Neowalker's Arsenal" aims to showcase the most powerful spells that were once Standard legal from the Lorwyn block forward. The selection is heavily influenced by the cards and decks that saw competitive play during their lifetime in Standard (and to a lesser extent Modern). An average FNMer should feel nostalgic while playing this cube.
Cube Info
Size: 360
Breakdown: 50 each color, 60 multicolor, 20 hybrid, 30 colorless
Formats: Designed to be drafted by 8 or sealed pool by 4
Balance: Balanced by Color, Planeswalkers per color, and creature/non-creature ratio appropriate to each color
Color Placement: Cards are grouped by which color decks can play them
Features: While choosing basic lands, each player selects for their pool one card from the Ravnica Shocklands to assist with color fixing.
Cube List
1 Kytheon, Hero of Akros
1 Skymarcher Aspirant
1 Soul Warden
1 Steppe Lynx
1 Student of Warfare
1 Thraben Inspector
Two CMC Creatures
1 Accorder Paladin
1 Knight of Meadowgrain
1 Seeker of the Way
1 Selfless Spirit
1 Thalia, Guardian of Thraben
1 Wall of Omens
Three CMC Creatures
1 Blade Splicer
1 Brimaz, King of Oreskos
1 Flickerwisp
1 Mirran Crusader
1 Monastery Mentor
1 Porcelain Legionnaire
1 Hero of Bladehold
1 Linvala, Keeper of Silence
1 Restoration Angel
Five CMC Creatures
1 Archangel Avacyn
1 Baneslayer Angel
1 Reveillark
Six+ CMC Creatures
1 Angel of Serenity
1 Sun Titan
Zero CMC Spells
1 Sandstone Bridge
One CMC Spells
1 Condemn
1 Gods Willing
1 Gryff’s Boon
1 Path to Exile
Two CMC Spells
1 Blind Obedience
1 Declaration in Stone
1 Feeling of Dread
1 Journey to Nowhere
1 Mastery of the Unseen
1 Revoke Existence
1 Valorous Stance
1 Lingering Souls
1 Oblivion Ring
1 Oketra’s Monument
1 Spear of Heliod
Four CMC Spells
1 Angelic Destiny
1 Cast Out
1 Day of Judgment
1 Elspeth, Knight-Errant
Five CMC Spells
1 End Hostilities
1 Gideon Jura
Six+ CMC Spells
1 Secure the Wastes
1 Terminus
1 Cloudfin Raptor
1 Delver of Secrets
1 Phantasmal Bear
1 Sidisi’s Faithful
Two CMC Creatures
1 Augur of Bolas
1 Fog Bank
1 Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy
1 Phantasmal Image
1 Snapcaster Mage
Three CMC Creatures
1 Champion of Wits
1 Sea Gate Oracle
1 Thassa, God of the Sea
1 Vendilion Clique
Four CMC Creatures
1 Dungeon Geists
1 Glen Elendra Archmage
1 Master of Waves
1 Phyrexian Metamorph
1 Sower of Temptation
1 Icefall Regent
1 Mulldrifter
Six+ CMC Creatures
1 Pearl Lake Ancient
1 Consecrated Sphinx
1 Frost Titan
Zero CMC Spells
1 Halimar Depths
One CMC Spells
1 Gitaxian Probe
1 Ponder
1 Preordain
1 Rapid Hybridization
1 Spell Pierce
1 Vapor Snag
Two CMC Spells
1 Censor
1 Cyclonic Rift
1 Deprive
1 Disdainful Stroke
1 Essence Scatter
1 Into the Roil
1 Mana Leak
1 Negate
1 Search for Azcanta
1 Disallow
1 Dissipate
1 Dissolve
1 Supreme Will
Four CMC Spells
1 Cryptic Command
1 Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Five CMC Spells
1 Tamiyo, the Moon Sage
1 Time Warp
Six+ CMC Spells
1 Curse of the Swine
1 Syncopate
1 Treasure Cruise
1 Diregraf Ghoul
1 Dread Wanderer
1 Fume Spitter
1 Vampire Lacerator
Two CMC Creatures
1 Blood Artist
1 Knight of Infamy
1 Oona’s Prowler
1 Pack Rat
1 Scrapheap Scrounger
1 Vampire Hexmage
1 Vault Skirge
Three CMC Creatures
1 Fleshbag Marauder
1 Lifebane Zombie
1 Phyrexian Rager
1 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Vengeful Rebel
1 Desecration Demon
1 Erebos, God of the Dead
1 Kalitas, Traitor of Ghet
1 Ravenous Chupacabra
Five CMC Creatures
1 Bloodgift Demon
1 Gray Merchant of Asphodel
1 Shriekmaw
Six+ CMC Creatures
1 Grave Titan
1 Massacre Wurm
1 Tasigur, the Golden Fang
Zero CMC Spells
1 Mortuary Mire
One CMC Spells
1 Appetite for Brains
1 Duress
1 Thoughtseize
1 Tragic Slip
Two CMC Spells
1 Bitterblossom
1 Doom Blade
1 Go for the Throat
1 Ultimate Price
1 Warren Weirding
1 Dismember
1 Hero's Downfall
1 Liliana of the Veil
1 Read the Bones
1 Tribute to Hunger
1 Underworld Connections
Four CMC Spells
1 Languish
1 Whip of Erebos
Five CMC Spells
1 Crux of Fate
1 Murderous Cut
1 Unburial Rites
Six+ CMC Spells
1 Profane Command
1 Killing Wave
1 Sorin Markov
1 Falkenrath Gorger
1 Firedrinker Satyr
1 Goblin Guide
1 Grim Lavamancer
1 Monastery Swiftspear
1 Vexing Devil
1 Zurgo Bellstriker
Two CMC Creatures
1 Ash Zealot
1 Earthshaker Khenra
1 Hellspark Elemental
1 Kari Zev, Skyship Raider
1 Lightning Mauler
1 Plated Geopede
1 Stormblood Berserker
1 Young Pyromancer
Three CMC Creatures
1 Ahn-Crop Crasher
1 Chandra's Phoenix
1 Goblin Rabblemaster
1 Hell's Thunder
1 Taurean Mauler
1 Hellrider
1 Hero of Oxid Ridge
1 Thunderbreak Regent
Five CMC Creatures
1 Stormbreath Dragon
1 Thundermaw Hellkite
1 Zealous Conscripts
Six+ CMC Creatures
1 Inferno Titan
Zero CMC Spells
1 Teetering Peaks
One CMC Spells
1 Burst Lightning
1 Faithless Looting
1 Lightning Bolt
Two CMC Spells
1 Abrade
1 Arc Trail
1 Desperate Ravings
1 Incinerate
1 Magma Jet
1 Smash to Smithereens
1 Shrine of Burning Rage
1 Brimstone Volley
1 Flames of the Firebrand
1 Slagstorm
1 Traitorous Blood
Four CMC Spells
1 Chandra, the Firebrand
1 Manabarbs
1 Splinter Twin
1 Stoke the Flames
Five+ CMC Spells
1 Bonfire of the Damned
1 Devil's Play
1 Hour of Devastation
1 Sarkhan, the Dragonspeaker
1 Birds of Paradise
1 Experiment One
1 Noble Hierarch
1 Ulvenwald Tracker
1 Wild Nacatl
Two CMC Creatures
1 Duskwatch Recruiter
1 Den Protector
1 Scavenging Ooze
1 Sylvan Advocate
1 Sylvan Caryatid
Three CMC Creatures
1 Boon Satyr
1 Courser of Kruphix
1 Great Sable Stag
1 Nissa, Vastwood Seer
1 Tireless Tracker
Four CMC Creatures
1 Chameleon Colossus
1 Master of the Wild Hunt
1 Polukranos, World Eater
1 Thrun, the Last Troll
1 Vengevine
1 Acidic Slime
1 Thragtusk
1 Vorapede
1 Whisperwood Elemental
1 Wolfir Silverheart
Six+ CMC Creatures
1 Genesis Hydra
1 Hornet Queen
1 Carnage Tyrant
1 Primeval Titan
Zero CMC Spells
1 Fertile Thicket
One CMC Spells
1 Groundswell
1 Mutagenic Growth
1 Nature’s Claim
1 Oath of Nissa
1 Rancor
1 Vines of Vastwood
1 Deglamer
1 Explore
1 Farseek
1 Lignify
1 Rampant Growth
Three CMC Spells
1 Beast Within
1 Harrow
Four CMC Spells
1 Birthing Pod
1 Collected Company
1 Garruk Relentless
1 Garruk Wildspeaker
Five CMC Spells
1 Overrun
Six+ CMC Spells
1 Green Sun's Zenith
1 Become Immense
1 Venser, the Sojourner
1 Dragonlord Ojutai
1 Supreme Verdict
1 Geist of Saint Traft
1 Celestial Colonnade
Dimir
1 Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
1 The Scarab God
1 Hostage Taker
1 Dimir Charm
1 Creeping Tar Pit
Rakdos
1 Sarkhan the Mad
1 Falkenrath Aristocrat
1 Blightning
1 Terminate
1 Lavaclaw Reaches
Gruul
1 Sarkhan Vol
1 Bloodbraid Elf
1 Ghor-Clan Rampager
1 Huntmaster of the Fells
1 Raging Ravine
1 Ajani, Mentor of Heroes
1 Advent of the Wurm
1 Fleecemane Lion
1 Voice of Resurgence
1 Stirring Wildwood
Orzhov
1 Sorin, Lord of Innistrad
1 Obzedat, Ghost Council
1 Anguished Unmaking
1 Tidehollow Sculler
1 Shambling Vents
Izzet
1 Ral Zarek
1 Keranos, God of Storms
1 Whirler Virtuoso
1 Izzet Charm
1 Wandering Fumarole
Golgari
1 Vraska the Unseen
1 Maelstrom Pulse
1 Abrupt Decay
1 Putrid Leech
1 Hissing Quagmire
1 Ajani Vengeant
1 Aurelia, the Warleader
1 Boros Charm
1 Veteran Motorist
1 Needle Spires
Simic
1 Kiora, the Crashing Wave
1 Bounding Krasis
1 Kiora’s Follower
1 Simic Charm
1 Lumbering Falls
Three-Color
1 Rafiq of the Many
1 Esper Charm
1 Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker
1 Sprouting Thrinax
1 Woolly Thoctar
1 Siege Rhino
1 Mantis Rider
1 Sultai Charm
1 Crackling Doom
1 Sarkhan Unbroken
1 Judge’s Familiar
1 Oona’s Gatewarden
1 Murderous Redcap
1 Manamorphose
1 Kitchen Finks
1 Stillmoon Cavalier
1 Inside Out
1 Deathrite Shaman
1 Figure of Destiny
1 Snakeform
1 Flooded Strand
1 Polluted Delta
1 Bloodstained Mire
1 Wooded Foothills
1 Windswept Heath
1 Marsh Flats
1 Scalding Tarn
1 Verdant Catacombs
1 Arid Mesa
1 Misty Rainforest
1 Emrakul, the Promised End
1 Wurmcoil Engine
1 Lodestone Golem
1 Solemn Simulacrum
1 Palladium Myr
1 Hedron Crawler
1 Perilous Myr
1 Phyrexian Revoker
1 Spellskite
1 Steel Overseer
1 Hangarback Walker
1 Walking Ballista
1 Ugin, the Spirit Dragon
1 Karn Liberated
1 Batterskull
1 Eldrazi Monument
1 Hedron Archive
1 Aethersphere Harvester
1 Chromatic Lantern
1 Sword of Feast and Famine
1 Sword of War and Peace
1 Heart of Kiran
1 Smuggler’s Copter
1 Everflowing Chalice
1 Mana Confluence
1 Mutavault
1 Nykthos, Shrine to Nyx
1 Scavenger Grounds
1 Tectonic Edge
1 Westvale Abbey