I've been thinking for a while that, while my normal cube is fun, playing in teams could be more of a hit than playing on your own. And this lead me to think, what would I like that format to be like?
And I think what I would like the most, is a format where palyers are constantly throwing spells, changing targets, helping each other and so on. Something with sequences like this:
Or this:
That seems fun, but it seems difficult, too! The core challenges I see:
1) Running out of steam - If the goal is to play a ton of cards, then players will need to have them. This means cards that bypass the resource system, creatures that give card advantage and cheap but unbound engines. For example:
2) High power or low power?
This is a difficult choice. At a glance, a high power level is more in line with the cube's goals. However, it may prove too much and many effects, like pumping creatures, may not be viable after a certain point. A lower power level seems more difficult, but it would also open a wider pool of cards.
There's a chance the correct choice is to run a generally low power level BUT with clear, high-power cards to support them. That is:
3) Preventing snowballing - 2HG is more snowbally than usual and a high-speed, interactive environment may make it worse. There's a real risk of players dumping their hands and then whoever sticks their play just winning. Two aggro players could become very hard to stop, too.
The format also increases first-player advantage, particularly the more compressed the game becomes. While free interaction and fast mana can help come from behind, it may also be more oppresive on one end than the other.
4) Archetypes, cooperation, fun? - This doesn't seem like a cube concept that lends itself to varied archetypes as much as raw combinations. Moreover, different archetypes are unlikely to support each other beyond "do I counter that?"
5) Commander? Since there's a need to always have cards to play and to resist interaction, why not make the cube a commander cube? That seems like a possible option with cards like this:
e
I'm not sure if these would be drafted alongside the cube or differently.
What do you think? Any ideas, suggestions?
And I think what I would like the most, is a format where palyers are constantly throwing spells, changing targets, helping each other and so on. Something with sequences like this:
Or this:
That seems fun, but it seems difficult, too! The core challenges I see:
1) Running out of steam - If the goal is to play a ton of cards, then players will need to have them. This means cards that bypass the resource system, creatures that give card advantage and cheap but unbound engines. For example:
2) High power or low power?
This is a difficult choice. At a glance, a high power level is more in line with the cube's goals. However, it may prove too much and many effects, like pumping creatures, may not be viable after a certain point. A lower power level seems more difficult, but it would also open a wider pool of cards.
There's a chance the correct choice is to run a generally low power level BUT with clear, high-power cards to support them. That is:
3) Preventing snowballing - 2HG is more snowbally than usual and a high-speed, interactive environment may make it worse. There's a real risk of players dumping their hands and then whoever sticks their play just winning. Two aggro players could become very hard to stop, too.
The format also increases first-player advantage, particularly the more compressed the game becomes. While free interaction and fast mana can help come from behind, it may also be more oppresive on one end than the other.
4) Archetypes, cooperation, fun? - This doesn't seem like a cube concept that lends itself to varied archetypes as much as raw combinations. Moreover, different archetypes are unlikely to support each other beyond "do I counter that?"
5) Commander? Since there's a need to always have cards to play and to resist interaction, why not make the cube a commander cube? That seems like a possible option with cards like this:
e I'm not sure if these would be drafted alongside the cube or differently.
What do you think? Any ideas, suggestions?