I've been away from home (and therefore away from my cube) for the last 6 weeks and have not thought about changes. I had some free time today so here is what I'd like to do upon my return.
I wish... the art and flavor text are so sweet. Plus my buddy Dave Caplan was part of the article spoiling this card. However it amounts to a generic 2/2 DS for 3, and I think there are many better white 3 drops that this one is expendable.
I cubed with Corpse Dance for a long time, and I think I like this card more. The initial investment is higher, and it can be destroyed without effect but its less conditional (Not the top creature card of GY), and the ability is 1 cheaper than using CD with buyback. Plus lifelink is gravy... I think this card is a difficult one to fight through for a number of decks.
That said, Corpse Dance has been homeless for over a year, and I don't know how much this effect will add to the cube.
She can do such amazing things, but she can also be murdered her first turn out and only milling 3.
And also likely gaining you 5 life in the process from creatures that aren't hitting you. For a UB deck that sounds pretty good. I think this card is quite good in control mirrors, and I like that its cheap, comes down early and seems very innocuous initially.
I have to say, in addition to disagreeing with a lot of the evaluations, I didn't enjoy the tone of the article.
I also agree with this. I found about halfway through that the whole experience was very off-putting. Maybe I just was feeling blessed from this gem of a set review last time around for GTC.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy dissent. Opposition to popular opinion is how real change is made. I just feel like this could have been less abrasive, and less defensive sounding.
Master is so close to being good enough, as it stands he has too many strikes against him.
1. Costs 5 mana, doesn't pass the Vindicate test
2. Can't alpha attack due to only being able to attack alone
3. Is not a may ability, meaning he can't actually finish the game.
Unfortunate, as the name, ability and art are so sweet.
I really want to try out this guy. Another potential 2 power 1-drop is appealing. This guy has been tearing up standard so I want to see what he can do in cube.
I figured I would try out the Hoof Goof because I want to see on which side of the argument I fall in the end. I figure there will be some situations in which no other card could win me the game, and some games he will just be an overcosted trampler.
I was between cutting both Eldrazi and cutting only Ulamog. I went with the latter because there are a number of ways to kill Kozilek making more interactive games. I just got back from a trip where I picked up a Paradise, which I think will make a nice addition to the land suite.
So I finally decided to resleeve my cube, and I decided to go with KMC matte black and KMC perfect size. I had n I had no problems with feedin with feeding perfect fits into the KMC ones, they have made the perfect fits a little tighter and the mattes a fraction larger. This cements them as my favorite sleeves, I would highly recommend them now!
We are sleeve twins! And I 100% agree with you. I would recommend these sleeves to anyone. Its a big investment, but they offer good protection with nice longevity and a sleek look. They shuffle nicely too.
Just finally got around to posting my cube list and uploading deckstats. In the comparison thread my cube has come back most similar to yours. I really enjoy your list and think we have similar card evaluations. Would you do me a favor and glance over my list. I'll be updating some mistakes and add a synopsis to each color. I feel lost with black. If you see any glaring holes or missing cards Id love it. I'm trying use eidolon's functional suggestions as a guide.
Now that I finally have a free second I will wander over there! We are now cube brethren.
I like that round of changes. I'd keep Dance of the Dead at 540 because the concentration of cheap reanimation spells isn't where it could be at 360 or 450, but otherwise a very solid update all around!
I also dislike the filters for the reasons you mentioned. Plus, I like to split my mana between turns and phases, and they disallow that in some situations.
Thanks, yeah I realized my density of reanimation spells is about perfect with DotD and toying with it made the option to run reanimator a lot worse than if I were to cut Stupor (Which is good, but undoubtedly less important within the black section).
It was actually the splitting of mana which made the most sense to me of all the arguments not to run the filters. Many of the other points why they are less than ideal have been made before, but this was the first time someone had mentioned this snag.
I agree with the guys above, nice changes, but I would keep DotD too.
I would also keep Zo-Zu above Hell's Thunder. Or plenty of things at other CMCs if you are happy to cut something more expensive, like Goblin Settler, Firecat, or Kiki-Jiki. Second Ankh - on a duder no less - is a nice boost for red and I'm pretty sure I'd re-add it at 400.
On the Eldrazi point, seeing as I recently posted this elsewhere:
So yeah, I would rather have more versatile creatures that do the job just as well. Especially if your group doesn't find the 'drazi fun (which is the implication) - that seems to me the only reason to run them.
Zo-Zu was a very challenging cut because I really like him as a way to keep control decks off 6+ mana without some degree of punishment. I just find he's pretty average on the draw and I don't like some of my aggro cards to be worse in a game where I don't have the first turn to get in there for some quick damage.
That being said, the 3-cmc spot for red is a tough void to fill and maybe I will look to bring him back in.
Another card I am missing in my cube right now is Keldon Champion who has the record for most games won out of nowhere (though this title will soon go to Zealous Conscripts). I like that Goblin Settler goes well with cards like Zo-Zu the Punisher, but it has been lower impact now that my cube is smaller and tighter. I will continue to evaluate his performance but I suspect he may be settling on the bench some day soon.
Thanks for backing me up on the Eldrazi situation. I might have to do an in-depth Gatherer search to try to bring up random cards which are good with some combination of the below:
a) Tinker
b) Sneak Attack
c) Natural Order
d) Eureka/Show and Tell
e) Reanimation spells
f) Straight up hardcasting like a champ
I picked up a Craterhoof Behemoth recently but I feel he is kinda crappy outside of hard casting with 2+ untapped creatures on the board. For some reason I am really digging the idea of Gaea's Revenge again, even if it can be blocked forever.
Token's can't flip. They officially don't have the other side.
Theros Changes:
Out --> In
WWhiteW
Eternal Dragon --> Soldier of the Pantheon
Glorious Anthem --> Spear of Heliod
Elspeth Tirel --> Elspeth, Sun's Champion
UBlueU
Daze --> Thassa, God of the Sea
Cyclonic Rift --> Omenspeaker
BBlackB
Reassembling Skeleton --> Tormented Hero
Black Sun's Zenith --> Hero's Downfall
Shadowborn Demon --> Nighthowler
RRedR
Reckless Waif --> Firedrinker Satyr
Fireslinger --> Lightning Strike
Pyrewild Shaman --> Hammer of Purphoros
Bogardan Hellkite --> Ember Swallower
GGreenG
Beast Within --> Sylvan Caryatid
Chameleon Colossus --> Polukranos, World Eater
Mayor of Avabruck --> Boon Satyr
WUBRGMultiWUBRG
Duskmantle Seer --> Ashiok, Nightmare Weaver
Sarkhan Vol --> Xenagos, the Reveler
Desolate Lighthouse --> Steam Augury
TLandT
Simic Growth Chamber --> Temple of Mystery
Any comments or criticism is always appreciated!
Aaaaaand I didn't see the sorcery part at the end.
This card is not happening.
That said, Corpse Dance has been homeless for over a year, and I don't know how much this effect will add to the cube.
And also likely gaining you 5 life in the process from creatures that aren't hitting you. For a UB deck that sounds pretty good. I think this card is quite good in control mirrors, and I like that its cheap, comes down early and seems very innocuous initially.
Here were the changes I made with DGM:
Gifts Ungiven --> Far//Away
Keiga the Tide Star --> Aetherling
Liliana of the Dark Realms --> Blood Scrivener
Yawgmoth's Will --> Spike Jester
Rift Bolt --> Ral Zarek
Goblin Patrol --> Pyrewild Shaman
Bramblecrush --> Voice of Resurgence
Here are some other changes I made:
Entreat the Angels --> Aurelia's Fury
Champion of the Parish --> Precinct Captain
Dance of the Dead --> Reassembling Skeleton
Absorb --> Sphinx's Revelation
Boggart Ram-Gang --> Ghor-Clan Rampager
Putrid Leech --> Abrupt Decay
Perilous Myr --> Isochron Scepter
Stormbind --> Domri Rade
And finally here are my potential changes for M14:
Stormfront Pegasus --> Imposing Sovreign
Liliana's Specter --> Liliana's Reaver
Ob Nixilis, the Fallen --> Shadowborn Demon
Zo-Zu the Punisher --> Chandra, Pyromancer
Firestorm --> Young Pyromancer
Pouncing Jaguar --> Elvish Mystic
Somberwald Sage --> Kalonian Hydra
Craterhoof Behemoth --> Garruk, Caller of Beasts
I also have my cube up on CubeTutor. Check it out!
Nice to be back!
Daniel
I think it is time to go watch some Game Show Network.
Also no card has been as universally hated in my cube as JMA. It is unlikely to ever make it back in.
I also agree with this. I found about halfway through that the whole experience was very off-putting. Maybe I just was feeling blessed from this gem of a set review last time around for GTC.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy dissent. Opposition to popular opinion is how real change is made. I just feel like this could have been less abrasive, and less defensive sounding.
1. Costs 5 mana, doesn't pass the Vindicate test
2. Can't alpha attack due to only being able to attack alone
3. Is not a may ability, meaning he can't actually finish the game.
Unfortunate, as the name, ability and art are so sweet.
Precinct Captain --> Champion of the Parish
I really want to try out this guy. Another potential 2 power 1-drop is appealing. This guy has been tearing up standard so I want to see what he can do in cube.
Goblin Settler --> Zo-Zu the Punisher
As discussed before, Settler just isn't good enough in my environment. Which is too bad, because how often do you get to cast this chick?
Pelakka Wurm --> Craterhoof Behemoth
I figured I would try out the Hoof Goof because I want to see on which side of the argument I fall in the end. I figure there will be some situations in which no other card could win me the game, and some games he will just be an overcosted trampler.
Aurelia's Fury --> Boros Reckoner
Fury just didn't do what my RW decks wanted. Hopefully Reckoner fills the spot nicely.
Ulamog, the Infinite Gyre --> Undiscovered Paradise
I was between cutting both Eldrazi and cutting only Ulamog. I went with the latter because there are a number of ways to kill Kozilek making more interactive games. I just got back from a trip where I picked up a Paradise, which I think will make a nice addition to the land suite.
Hey, sleeving up the first card and the last card feels pretty damn good. Sleeving up the 538 in between... well that's a different story.
We are sleeve twins! And I 100% agree with you. I would recommend these sleeves to anyone. Its a big investment, but they offer good protection with nice longevity and a sleek look. They shuffle nicely too.
Now that I finally have a free second I will wander over there! We are now cube brethren.
Thanks, yeah I realized my density of reanimation spells is about perfect with DotD and toying with it made the option to run reanimator a lot worse than if I were to cut Stupor (Which is good, but undoubtedly less important within the black section).
It was actually the splitting of mana which made the most sense to me of all the arguments not to run the filters. Many of the other points why they are less than ideal have been made before, but this was the first time someone had mentioned this snag.
Zo-Zu was a very challenging cut because I really like him as a way to keep control decks off 6+ mana without some degree of punishment. I just find he's pretty average on the draw and I don't like some of my aggro cards to be worse in a game where I don't have the first turn to get in there for some quick damage.
That being said, the 3-cmc spot for red is a tough void to fill and maybe I will look to bring him back in.
Another card I am missing in my cube right now is Keldon Champion who has the record for most games won out of nowhere (though this title will soon go to Zealous Conscripts). I like that Goblin Settler goes well with cards like Zo-Zu the Punisher, but it has been lower impact now that my cube is smaller and tighter. I will continue to evaluate his performance but I suspect he may be settling on the bench some day soon.
Thanks for backing me up on the Eldrazi situation. I might have to do an in-depth Gatherer search to try to bring up random cards which are good with some combination of the below:
a) Tinker
b) Sneak Attack
c) Natural Order
d) Eureka/Show and Tell
e) Reanimation spells
f) Straight up hardcasting like a champ
I picked up a Craterhoof Behemoth recently but I feel he is kinda crappy outside of hard casting with 2+ untapped creatures on the board. For some reason I am really digging the idea of Gaea's Revenge again, even if it can be blocked forever.