I think I'll work with 2 more cards per color . That should solve the issue.
Also, I would like input on Memory Jar. Generally, which deck you pick it? How does its effect turn out? I never ever used it, so I'm clueless about it.
Artifacts: So I have to cut 10 brown cards. Lets see the weakests links:
The first of all is Molten-Tail Masticore. It is very mana intensive to play it on straight aggro decks and for midrange, it locks up the magical 4cmc slot. In control too, you most likely will find yourself without creatures on the GY. Great card and all, but I think it is taking up the space of some decent colored cards.
Second on the list is Ratchet Bomb - I already have Engineered Explosives and I've cut Powder Keg, that is very similar. It's kinda slow for it's effect, and I like more "right now" cards like EE.
I'm afraid that if I start cutting many artifacts my beloved Stax will hit the bin along with them.
People in my cube are underestimating picking Duals, so I'll hit the signets for now as it is too easy to draft a five color control and be succesful with it.
Bye bye Azorius, Dimir, Rakdos, Gruul and Selesnya Signets. Three cards to go.
Watching the list, I think I'll cut Lodestone Golem, that serves mostly for Stax and not for a multipurpose deck, Memory Jar (unless someone makes my mind about it!) and Mishra's Helix. I love the Helix and all, but I think there are better things to add.
For some reason I thought Thirst for Knowledge was sorcery, so I've put Research in its place.
What you think I should cut to fit in Calciderm? Devout Lightcaster?
White is already really strong, so there's little space to cut cards. The weakest card is probably Ronom Unicorm, that can be cut for Soltari.
Black, like I said, is all over the place, but I certainly don't want to lose sudden spoiling. I included it in my last session and it was a great MVP. It lead a BG rock deck to extreme blowouts against white and green decks and I'm really happy about the card.
Arc Trail was originally in the cube, but some annoying member of the party kept talking badly about the card, so I cut it instead of stressing why the card was good. He is the same person that said Tooth and Nail was bad (then I Tooth and Nailed Terastodon + Woodfall Primus to his table).
I'll be swapping Khalni Heart Expedition for Joraga Treespeaker ASAP.
Plow Under: Green, as you can see, is really tight and we already have a really strong ramp/land denial theme with RG. I'm afraid that if I put Plow Under the deck is going to be extremely good. I'm a big fan of the card, but mostly, the other drafters aren't very good magic players. I'm kinda teaching them the good stuff about magic, so they mostly don't know how to evaluate a card like Plow Under or Tooth and Nail, which makes me kinda sad. It's mostly sad because I can force whatever strategy I want and get a really good deck out of it, because I've got that fifth pick Recurring Nightmare or eight pick Primeval Titan.
I ask that if you nominate a card for the cube, please remember to put something for us to cut, since we really hate when there are cards left! Thanks!
I'm here to ask you guys for help. The skeleton of the cube was made so each color can support a few decks.
White: W/x Aggro, Zoo, W/x Control
Blue: Blue based control, Library Manipulation for Combos and midranges
Black: Reanimator, B/x Control, <today, as it is, black discard>
Red: RG Mana Ramp, Midranges with Red, Removal in general.
Green: Stompy, Mana Ramp, The Rock, Bg reanimator.
There are some other strategies, such as: Stax, Reveillark Combo (someone even lived the dream with Lark, Body Double, Mirror Entity and infinite damage/draw with Triskelion/Mulldrifter), the dreaded five color control.
But still, I think something is missing. For instance, Black is all over the place. I always get frustrated if I'm drafting black (and its not reanimator).
Red is also lacking agressiveness, but from the drafts we had so far, he was always on the top decks, so there shouldn't be much tweaks to it.
So, I ask for your opinions. What should I cut, what should I put it in? Also, what cards that are in the cube that can be replaced with better ones for the same usage? (Like Shock -> Lightning Bolt)
I want Black beats, but I'm not sure what to cut down.
Please send me feedback! Thanks.
I have a system to define decks mana ratios based on the cards you want to play.
First of all, count the number of cards you have that aren't lands. Since you're saying you run a 24 land deck, lets use for the example 36.
Now separate those two piles into colors and into colored mana costs - like B, BB, G, GG, GGG.
Pick one color to start. Use this system of sum: One colored is 1, two colored is 1.5 and three colored is 3. Reach the sum number. Let's say I have 16 black cards wich 10 are XB, 5 are BB and one is BBB. I'll have reached the sum of 10*1 +5*1.5 +3*1 = 20,5.
Now divide 20,5 by the number of nonland cards you have - 36. aprox. 57%. That means 57% or more of your mana-cards must generate black so you won't be mana screwed. Since you're running 24 lands, roughly 13.6 lands must be black sources. You generally will want to use this number rounded up - 14. Then you will probably end up with one or two more lands than you need if you're not running any dual lands. If so, you need to cut them.
Of course, cards like Verdant Catacombs count both for black mana and green mana. Also, if you're playing something like Legacy, fetch lands count as any color of mana.
#7 is related to Morphling - Kal-El is Superman's native name and it indeed needs a lot of water.
It is 2/5ths related, so it has two os its abilities. Probably U: Shroud and U: Flying.
3/4, maybe?
Well, I full foil-proxy my decks. It costs about the price of the foils to blank, the ink to print, some transparency sheets and the acetone to remove the ink.
My first alteration! It isn't much, and I screwed up quite a bit, but I like it.
Oh, and could someone please tell me the rules for tournament-legal alterations? I want to make a deck and alter the whole thing to a theme, like Star Wars, and use it in FNM.
Oh, and has anyone done a playset of Sakura-Tribe Elders, one for each Ninja Turtle? I really wanna do that if I get good.
EDIT: R2 needs a background. Any suggestions would be appreciated...
AFAIK, you need the Name and casting cost of the card to appear. (pretty much the same thing as a textless card).
I think I'll work with 2 more cards per color . That should solve the issue.
Also, I would like input on Memory Jar. Generally, which deck you pick it? How does its effect turn out? I never ever used it, so I'm clueless about it.
Artifacts: So I have to cut 10 brown cards. Lets see the weakests links:
The first of all is Molten-Tail Masticore. It is very mana intensive to play it on straight aggro decks and for midrange, it locks up the magical 4cmc slot. In control too, you most likely will find yourself without creatures on the GY. Great card and all, but I think it is taking up the space of some decent colored cards.
Second on the list is Ratchet Bomb - I already have Engineered Explosives and I've cut Powder Keg, that is very similar. It's kinda slow for it's effect, and I like more "right now" cards like EE.
I'm afraid that if I start cutting many artifacts my beloved Stax will hit the bin along with them.
People in my cube are underestimating picking Duals, so I'll hit the signets for now as it is too easy to draft a five color control and be succesful with it.
Bye bye Azorius, Dimir, Rakdos, Gruul and Selesnya Signets. Three cards to go.
Watching the list, I think I'll cut Lodestone Golem, that serves mostly for Stax and not for a multipurpose deck, Memory Jar (unless someone makes my mind about it!) and Mishra's Helix. I love the Helix and all, but I think there are better things to add.
I'll put the changes on the OP.
What you think I should cut to fit in Calciderm? Devout Lightcaster?
White is already really strong, so there's little space to cut cards. The weakest card is probably Ronom Unicorm, that can be cut for Soltari.
Black, like I said, is all over the place, but I certainly don't want to lose sudden spoiling. I included it in my last session and it was a great MVP. It lead a BG rock deck to extreme blowouts against white and green decks and I'm really happy about the card.
Arc Trail was originally in the cube, but some annoying member of the party kept talking badly about the card, so I cut it instead of stressing why the card was good. He is the same person that said Tooth and Nail was bad (then I Tooth and Nailed Terastodon + Woodfall Primus to his table).
I'll be swapping Khalni Heart Expedition for Joraga Treespeaker ASAP.
Plow Under: Green, as you can see, is really tight and we already have a really strong ramp/land denial theme with RG. I'm afraid that if I put Plow Under the deck is going to be extremely good. I'm a big fan of the card, but mostly, the other drafters aren't very good magic players. I'm kinda teaching them the good stuff about magic, so they mostly don't know how to evaluate a card like Plow Under or Tooth and Nail, which makes me kinda sad. It's mostly sad because I can force whatever strategy I want and get a really good deck out of it, because I've got that fifth pick Recurring Nightmare or eight pick Primeval Titan.
I ask that if you nominate a card for the cube, please remember to put something for us to cut, since we really hate when there are cards left! Thanks!
That's some really helpful info I have in my hands already.
Cube Size: 360 cards.
Cube Average CMC: 3.04
Standard of Themed Cube: Standard.
Average # of players: 8. Always 8.
How often Drafted: Twice per month.
Card Selection:
Powered?: Yes
Portal?: Not yet. Thinking about Rolling Earthquake.
Snow?: No
"Un-" Cards: Not Yet
Banned Cards: No
Errata: No
Student of Warfare
Steppe Lynx
Isamaru, Hound of Konda
Mother of Runes
Elite Vanguard
Savannah Lions
Eight-and-a-Half-Tails
Stoneforge Mystic
Wall of Omens
Ronom Unicorn
Knight of Meadowgrain
Soltari Monk
Soltari Priest
Silver Knight
Kor Skyfisher
Paladin en-Vec
Mirror Entity
Mirran Crusader
Calciderm
Ranger of Eos
Kor Sanctifiers
Hero of Bladehold
Reveillark
Baneslayer Angel
Cloudgoat Ranger
Sun Titan
Exalted Angel
Yosei, the Morning Star
Akroma, Angel of Wrath
Condemn
Land Tax
Path to Exile
Swords to Plowshares
Momentary Blink
Journey to Nowhere
Balance
Disenchant
Glorious Anthem
Oblivion Ring
Faith's Fetters
Elspeth, Knight-Errant
Day of Judgment
Armageddon
Wrath of God
Ajani Goldmane
Gideon Jura
Elspeth Tirel
Catastrophe
Akroma's Vengeance
Looter il-Kor
Willbender
Pestermite
Vendilion Clique
Man-o'-War
Glen Elendra Archmage
Venser, Shaper Savant
Sower of Temptation
Vesuvan Shapeshifter
Body Double
Meloku the Clouded Mirror
Mulldrifter
Brine Elemental
Keiga, the Tide Star
Force Spike
Ancestral Recall
Preordain
Ponder
Brainstorm
Mystical Tutor
Time Walk
Remand
Arcane Denial
Mana Drain
Memory Lapse
Counterspell
Mana Leak
Miscalculation
Thirst for Knowledge
Tinker
Jace Beleren
Timetwister
Crystal Shard
Vedalken Shackles
Mystical Teachings
Wash Out
Dismiss
Fact or Fiction
Control Magic
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Gifts Ungiven
Deep Analysis
Cryptic Command
Treachery
Bribery
Capsize
Time Spiral
Logic Knot
Vampire Hexmage
Oona's Prowler
Bloodghast
Dark Confidant
Hypnotic Specter
Stinkweed Imp
Bone Shredder
Vampire Nighthawk
Nekrataal
Graveborn Muse
Guul Draz Specter
Braids, Cabal Minion
Skinrender
Skithiryx, the Blight Dragon
Shriekmaw
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni
Kokusho, the Evening Star
Grave Titan
Innocent Blood
Vampiric Tutor
Reanimate
Duress
Thoughtseize
Entomb
Chainer's Edict
Exhume
Diabolic Edict
Demonic Tutor
Animate Dead
Bitterblossom
Night's Whisper
Hymn to Tourach
Go for the Throat
Sudden Spoiling
Stupor
Sudden Death
Phyrexian Arena
Recurring Nightmare
Necromancy
Consuming Vapors
Dread Return
Damnation
Snuff Out
Liliana Vess
Mind Twist
Black Sun's Zenith
Profane Command
Gorilla Shaman
Goblin Welder
Dragonmaster Outcast
Grim Lavamancer
Goblin Guide
Greater Gargadon
Ember Hauler
Blood Knight
Keldon Marauders
Kargan Dragonlord
Hellspark Elemental
Plated Geopede
Sulfur Elemental
Goblin Ruinblaster
Keldon Vandals
Hell's Thunder
Blistering Firecat
Hero of Oxid Ridge
Keldon Champion
Flametongue Kavu
Avalanche Riders
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker
Siege-Gang Commander
Inferno Titan
Bogardan Hellkite
Burst Lightning
Lightning Bolt
Firebolt
Chain Lightning
Arc Trail
Pyroclasm
Incinerate
Magma Jet
Fatal Frenzy
Urza's Rage
Staggershock
Pillage
Molten Rain
Slagstorm
Char
Aftershock
Koth of the Hammer
Incendiary Command
Wildfire
Destructive Force
Lavaball Trap
Banefire
Comet Storm
Joraga Treespeaker
Noble Hierarch
Birds of Paradise
Llanowar Elves
Wild Nacatl
Wild Mongrel
Fauna Shaman
Wall of Blossoms
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Lotus Cobra
Tarmogoyf
River Boa
Eternal Witness
Yavimaya Elder
Troll Ascetic
Ohran Viper
Chameleon Colossus
Oracle of Mul Daya
Obstinate Baloth
Thrun, the Last Troll
Vengevine
Phantom Centaur
Blastoderm
Mold Shambler
Wickerbough Elder
Indrik Stomphowler
Genesis
Acidic Slime
Primeval Titan
Rampaging Baloths
Krosan Tusker
Woodfall Primus
Terastodon
Vines of Vastwood
Rancor
Regrowth
Life from the Loam
Survival of the Fittest
Sylvan Library
Krosan Grip
Call of the Herd
Cultivate
Harmonize
Garruk Wildspeaker
Creeping Mold
Plow Under
Tooth and Nail
Green Sun's Zenith
Venser, the Sojourner
Wall of Denial
Dimir Doppelganger
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Blightning
Bituminous Blast
Terminate
Sarkhan Vol
Bloodbraid Elf
Burning-Tree Shaman
Kird Ape
Mirari's Wake
Kitchen Finks
Qasali Pridemage
Loam Lion
Vindicate
Mortify
Stillmoon Cavalier
Electrolyze
Prophetic Bolt
Gelectrode
Pernicious Deed
Maelstrom Pulse
Putrefy
Ajani Vengeant
Lightning Helix
Figure of Destiny
Simic Sky Swallower
Trygon Predator
Mystic Snake
Phyrexian Revoker
Masticore
Razormane Masticore
Duplicant
Wurmcoil Engine
Triskelion
Sundering Titan
Black Lotus
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Sapphire
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Brittle Effigy
Bonesplitter
Sol Ring
Sensei's Divining Top
Pithing Needle
Skullclamp
Basilisk Collar
Lightning Greaves
Winter Orb
Umezawa's Jitte
Scroll Rack
Sword of Body and Mind
Sword of Light and Shadow
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sword of Feast and Famine
Loxodon Warhammer
Coalition Relic
Tangle Wire
Mimic Vat
Crucible of Worlds
Oblivion Stone
Grafted Wargear
Phyrexian Totem
Nevinyrral's Disk
Smokestack
Mishra's Helix
Memory Jar
Mindslaver
Chimeric Mass
Engineered Explosives
Academy Ruins
Polluted Delta
Flooded Strand
Sacred Foundry
Steam Vents
Breeding Pool
Overgrown Tomb
Godless Shrine
Temple Garden
Stomping Ground
Blood Crypt
Bloodstained Mire
Underground Sea
Badlands
Taiga
Savannah
Scrubland
Watery Grave
Tropical Island
Volcanic Island
Plateau
Hallowed Fountain
Bayou
Tundra
Rishadan Port
Wasteland
Strip Mine
Library of Alexandria
Maze of Ith
Mutavault
Mishra's Factory
Ancient Tomb
City of Brass
Wooded Foothills
Windswept Heath
Marsh Flats
Verdant Catacombs
Misty Rainforest
Scalding Tarn
Stirring Wildwood
Celestial Colonnade
Creeping Tar Pit
Lavaclaw Reaches
Raging Ravine
Arid Mesa
Treetop Village
Volrath's Stronghold
Shelldock Isle
I'm here to ask you guys for help. The skeleton of the cube was made so each color can support a few decks.
White: W/x Aggro, Zoo, W/x Control
Blue: Blue based control, Library Manipulation for Combos and midranges
Black: Reanimator, B/x Control, <today, as it is, black discard>
Red: RG Mana Ramp, Midranges with Red, Removal in general.
Green: Stompy, Mana Ramp, The Rock, Bg reanimator.
There are some other strategies, such as: Stax, Reveillark Combo (someone even lived the dream with Lark, Body Double, Mirror Entity and infinite damage/draw with Triskelion/Mulldrifter), the dreaded five color control.
But still, I think something is missing. For instance, Black is all over the place. I always get frustrated if I'm drafting black (and its not reanimator).
Red is also lacking agressiveness, but from the drafts we had so far, he was always on the top decks, so there shouldn't be much tweaks to it.
So, I ask for your opinions. What should I cut, what should I put it in? Also, what cards that are in the cube that can be replaced with better ones for the same usage? (Like Shock -> Lightning Bolt)
I want Black beats, but I'm not sure what to cut down.
Please send me feedback! Thanks.
Artifacts:
-Mishra's Helix
-Mindslaver
-Ratchet Bomb
-Signets
White:
-Devout Lightcaster
-Accorder Paladin
+Calciderm
+Soltari Monk
+Student of Warfare
+Sun Titan
Blue:
-Compulsive Research
+Looter il-Kor
+Thirst for Knowledge
+Force Spike
Black:
-Liliana's Caress
+Graveborn Muse
+Nekrataal
+Liliana Vess
Red:
-Cunning Sparkmage
+Arc Trail
+Burst Lightning
+Ember Hauler
Green:
-Khalni Heart Expedition
-Naturalize
+Krosan Grip
+Joraga Treespeaker
+Chameleon Colossus
+Plow Under
I would like to thank eidolon232 for the marvelous tool he made and sexyindiancurry for the thoughtful feedback. =]
First of all, count the number of cards you have that aren't lands. Since you're saying you run a 24 land deck, lets use for the example 36.
Now separate those two piles into colors and into colored mana costs - like B, BB, G, GG, GGG.
Pick one color to start. Use this system of sum: One colored is 1, two colored is 1.5 and three colored is 3. Reach the sum number. Let's say I have 16 black cards wich 10 are XB, 5 are BB and one is BBB. I'll have reached the sum of 10*1 +5*1.5 +3*1 = 20,5.
Now divide 20,5 by the number of nonland cards you have - 36. aprox. 57%. That means 57% or more of your mana-cards must generate black so you won't be mana screwed. Since you're running 24 lands, roughly 13.6 lands must be black sources. You generally will want to use this number rounded up - 14. Then you will probably end up with one or two more lands than you need if you're not running any dual lands. If so, you need to cut them.
Of course, cards like Verdant Catacombs count both for black mana and green mana. Also, if you're playing something like Legacy, fetch lands count as any color of mana.
It is 2/5ths related, so it has two os its abilities. Probably U: Shroud and U: Flying.
3/4, maybe?
Hooray
http://www.wizards.com/Magic/Magazine/Article.aspx?x=judge/article/20090414a
As it is, the Head Judge will always have the final word, but I believe the general modern consensus is Card name and casting cost visible.
AFAIK, you need the Name and casting cost of the card to appear. (pretty much the same thing as a textless card).