Recent content by shamizy

My cube isn't so focused on exploring new mechanics and trying to make it work like it used to as much as it is just refining existing archetypes and branching out with more synergy whenever possible. I just don't think I have as many flex spots available for swaps 10+ years in. For that reason...

I agree with y'all that the Hydra is definitely less scalable and impressive than Shivan Devastator, I think that's just one of the cleanest designs in years, but the treasures left behind aren't just trinket text. Depends on the Gx deck, but if they have their share of beef to trot out at 4 or...

This card is awesome. Bridging Landfall and +1/+1 counters themes, is early enough in the curve that it can be used to set up bigger plays down the line, and it can even function as a mana sink later in the game.

Theoretically yes, but I don't think I've ever activated it in nearly a decade. The drain off attack triggers is usually enough to push through the last bits of damage, especially if you have recursive aggro beaters ala Bloodsoaked Champion or Gravecrawler where it's cheap to deploy again.

Maul of the Skyclaves Just an excellent piece of equipment to push through that extra bit of damage and put the opponent in the danger zone once the ground gets clogged up and your wide board of little guys isn't as effective. Sometimes all it takes is one additional hit before you're in...

Champion of the Parish The GOAT. Changes sequencing decisions, makes you keep an eye out for humans up the curve when you draft, and it's so simple because almost every other decent aggressive creature is a human nowadays. Run a Champ or two in your list, make a few swaps up the curve where you...

I agree with you that it's not revolutionary or particularly unique, but I definitely disagree that EDH stigma isn't holding back certain cube designers from embracing design with a similar approach. I've seen more weird hate boners for that format and anything to do with it on cube forums and...

Yeah, I didn't claim it as anything revolutionary or particularly amazing, but I could see how it could be a newer approach to some cube designers if they weren't used to building or evaluating cards in that way. Not really a common sticking point here, but in other places it's definitely not...

There's not much to really share. When people build EDH decks they usually focus upon individual cards with effects that interest them (usually commanders) and branch out from there with interactions and synergies as they build out the rest of that deck. The difference between there and cube...

I can kind of understand why this might be revelatory for cube designers who don't fiddle with other formats beyond Limited, but this is basically just how people have built EDH decks forever. Cool that it's being more readily applied to cube design, but it's funny that the concept of EDH has...

Well I'm back at it with some long awaited updates to my cube as I might be able to fire a full 8-man draft off in the next month or so. It's been a busy 6ish months with just work and other commitments for me personally, but I'm interested in revisiting cube design and seeing what we've got to...

I really hope the lack of reminder text for crime doesn't continue with spoilers for the rest of the set. Such a pain whenever they do this with one-of mechanics that they feature for a set before shelving for years to come. It's not intuitive at all and just another obstacle for players to wade...

With all due respect, I think you're ignoring a fair bit of context. I'm not going oh the sky is falling just because of some short term fallout ala bad Standard or broken mechanics, the issue here is more that I don't believe upper management understands what sustained the game for 30 years to...

I think it's naïve to assume that there won't be format shifting staples coming down the pipeline through these sets given their track record in recent years. Almost every major move has been for short term profits to the detriment of the long term health of this game. They're going to keep...

Mostly an indifference to Magic the last few months. I still loving playing the game, but I just can't be anywhere near as engaged with so much coming out all the time. At some point it just became bloated beyond recognition. I'll glance through the list for a new set and take some mental notes...