I kinda feel like the cards need to justify themselves in the decks we build. There's a danger I think of adding sweet cards in a cube while also putting in cards that are really strong on their own, because, they sort of push out the sweet cards out of a viable build. If people building the more synergy based decks end up getting robbed of some sweet victory stories because villain drafted the good cards, theyre not gonna explore as much.
It might be exaggeration, but there are some cards that vary in power level. Might play out better than it looks to me who's just skimming through the cube. I 'd love to try to eek out value out of a rotting rats, but if I can just jam some beefy cards into ob nixilis maybe that is just too much for the other deck.
The best way to check I think is to try and build a really really good version of the deck with the cards you want to keep, and try to see if it can beat a similarly idealistically built villain deck that just plays boring midrange. With two decks like that it might be easier to tune the cards, because I can sympathize and agree with the idea of having some cards stick out in power level.
I don't have a lot of time to test, so I probably end up using the crutch of theory more than some. Not ideal, but it is what it is. Part of the problem of testing in the way described is that I'd have to know what I want to keep! I want all of it! It's more like what does the format
need to keep
and have be successful, that work towards my goals. Well, what are my goals? What is the platonic ideal setup to achieve the goals? What cards are above the power level of my cube? What is the power level of my cube. It's more difficult than easy, is what I'm getting at. I've been running for a long time on the premise of "close enough" and jumping that barrier would take enormous effort.
All that aside, in general I do think that narrowing the power band to a degree is a great concept for broadening the diversity level of decks. I also think that it shouldn't be made too narrow, and risk a dull, samey environment. Basically, it's thrilling to have to find a way to beat the threat/it's thrilling to have the powerful swingy play, but only in moderation. I think if I can keep this sort of this to a good density, that'd be ideal. That good density being where the format still has plenty of exciting plays, but there aren't enough cards simply above the power level to ride a deck to victory on (without being all five colors). Maybe with the secondary condition that powerful cards specifically help out some of the synergy themes, so taking them as a lump might just be... awkward. Good example of this is one of my drafters GB decks from a while back. Definitely power maxing, as it were, but still dove into the card pool to enact a plan to make the deck run on 100 octane. Cards like
Evolutionary Leap and
Golgari Thug helped develop a GY axis, which could then be capitalized on with cards like
Soul of Innistrad and
Wretched Confluence. Honestly, if my midrange decks are buying into my cube themes, I'm happy. More recently had the UB deck that tried out the
Gisa and Geralf + Zombies plan as an engine built directly into their good spells and creatures and whatnot (including Ob Nixilis). Maybe this is more of my goal anyway? Maybe I should brainstorm some concrete goals? How much more fun can I extract out of the environment, and have it be worth the opportunity cost? So many questions.
So not to completely derail the suggested course of action I tried looking at some possible offenders on account of power level infringement. Turns out this is really hard, and having more than one pair of eyes becomes almost imperative. Designers get locked into certain paradigms, they ignore "minor" flaws, etc etc. And I am certainly just like that. Still saw what I could see, and found the likes of:
This was just a quick 2 minute brainstorm, and only a couple from each section. I'm sure with a concerted analytical session, a weekend of testing, etc. I could get a more complete picture, but that's largely impractical for my situation. Each color definitely had at least one card that
seemed to stand out from the others. And before I get into talking about them, the first thing that came into my head was "well, what's the proper course of action here? Lower the power level of high power cards, or increase the power level of low power cards? I guess I'm going with the former, because I am interested in mot choking out cool stuff.
Citadel Siege - Yeah, this card is pretty insane. Not sure exactly why I've been so damn attached to it? Could easily see it become something along the lines of
Griffin Guide
Angel of Serenity - This is a massive effect, but on a high cost body. Not sure about this one, that it even belongs in this list. Was the headliner of the Junk Rites deck, which was about as midrangey as you get, but it did have that cool plan built in, so ???. Not sure what It'd become...
silverblade paladin - definitely an offender on enabling power plans to go over the top with beaters. Could become
fabled hero or some other angle entirely, like
Vryn Wingmare
Fact or Fiction - Don't think I need to say much. Two top contenders for the slot are
Careful Consideration and
Fortune's Favor
Jace, Vryn's Prodigy - Ehh. Card's good. Card's also very cool, and very incremental. I'm inclined to keep this as a gemstone of sorts.
Glen elendra archmage - This card is too good. Haven't figured out what I want to do with this slot yet, maybe something like
silumgar sorcerer or maybe even
laboratory maniac???
Ob Nixilis Reignited - generic value through and through. Also inclined to keep this card simply for the fact that it goes in almost any black deck, even bigger aggro decks (around here at least).
Tasigur, the Golden Fang - Also fairly generic value. Really like delve, but not sure I need it to be attached to Tasigur? Or maybe I keep him and eject the
Tombstalker, making way for something dorkier and more utility.
Drana, liberator of Malakir - a beast from the east when it comes to aggro. No idea if she's too good, or just a good anchor? Also no idea what I'd do with the slot.
Flametongue Kavu - Posterchild fire and forget value. But I love it so much
. So...
simple. So...
clean cut. I'd need convincing on the Kavu.
Sarkhan, the dragonspeaker - I've actually been looking for a replacement for this. So far, come up blank beyond something else generic like
Siege-Gang commander. Need more time to develop a slot here. Also want to try to keep the 5 cost, because my red curve is already lower than all the rest. Don't think I want to make that worse. Could see bending a little and going with
Mizzix's Mastery
Nissa, Worldwaker - This is turning into
Nissa, Vital Force, who is much more geared for a grindy game, but can bring the beats if needed. Basically, still a little generic, but more aligned with my vision for green, and a little less explosive.
Vengevine - Haste and recursion and buff stats. An obvious grandslam for almost any green deck. Don't see myself cutting this though, it's so iconic and integral to GY shenanigans
.
kolaghan, the storm's fury - finishes the game, and quickly. I've been implored to keep this in, so for now it stays. But that slot is itching for something just right.
myr battlesphere - yeah, the battleball is plain and simple value. Not sure, I'll be potentially switching it out for the new
Metalwork Colossus.
Whew. And that's not even getting into what might be below the power level desired. That one is much harder for me, because every card had to have had some merit for me to include it, right?
All in all, balancing and tuning is many times harder than finding a vision and direction, at least for me. Mainly because you need to balance and
keep that vision and direction alive. Or start over with a new vision. Once I get my goal in mind, I grapple onto it with a steely grip. #shrug. Here's to the long road up, up and away towards reaching some sort of destination. Enjoying the journey while it lasts
