Hi all,
I have a few equipment-related questions to run by the collective brain. The overarching question that animates the rest is whether it makes any sense to put a value Stoneforge Mystic in my cube when I eschew the classic targets for power-level considerations. That is, I do not run the swords, Batterskull, Jitte, and I recently cut Skullclamp. For reference, here is my cube: http://www.cubetutor.com/viewcube/77247 (360 unpowered; no Upheaval, Jace TMS, or Grave Titan as a quick power level snapshot).
1. Should I include Stoneforge for value, without the major targets?
2. Do you all have any suggestions for equipment that make sense at my power level? I have been running Bonesplitter, Mortar Pod, and Swiftfoot Boots. (I know the last could be upgraded to Lightning Greaves; I just haven't bothered). I recently slotted in Helm of the Host from DOM to test it, and while it's undoubtedly clunky, my playgroup has been enjoying it, particularly in a UWx blink deck as another copy of Brago or Venser, effectively. We have only drafted the cube twice since I put Helm in there, but the tentative consensus is that people like it.
I have considered Grafted Wargear, but I feel as if it occupies similar space as Mortarpod, and I think I like the latter better, as it allows for saccing at instant speed. But maybe a Tokens deck or go-wide aggressive deck that doesn't care about Aristocrats effects would rather have Wargear. If Wargear is better, I imagine it replaces Mortarpod rather than supplements it in a 360 cube.
3. Do you all have any opinions about the other rare equipment from Dominaria: Blackblade Reforged or Forebear's Blade? How does the latter stack up against Loxodon Warhammer or Sword of Vengeance? The former seems like its effect is potentially powerful but not especially interesting.
4. Bonus question that is on entirely a different topic: I am currently running 40 lands with no utility lands at all (20 duals, 2x10 fetches). I don't want to run manlands like Celestial Colonnade, and I don't want anything too busted like Kessig Wolf Run. (At least I think it's busted. I was playing Standard when Wolf Run Ramp was killing everyone, and the only room for innovation was whether or not to splash Black or Blue.) I am sort of loathe to add more land, but I could see finding, say, five artifacts to cut in favor of some utility lands. Any thoughts on this topic or recommendations? I guess I should also say that I know the Riptide method calls for a separate land draft, which seems like a really cool idea, but I would prefer to keep the cube self-contained and to draft lands as usual.
Thank you for your insights and feedback!
I have a few equipment-related questions to run by the collective brain. The overarching question that animates the rest is whether it makes any sense to put a value Stoneforge Mystic in my cube when I eschew the classic targets for power-level considerations. That is, I do not run the swords, Batterskull, Jitte, and I recently cut Skullclamp. For reference, here is my cube: http://www.cubetutor.com/viewcube/77247 (360 unpowered; no Upheaval, Jace TMS, or Grave Titan as a quick power level snapshot).
1. Should I include Stoneforge for value, without the major targets?
2. Do you all have any suggestions for equipment that make sense at my power level? I have been running Bonesplitter, Mortar Pod, and Swiftfoot Boots. (I know the last could be upgraded to Lightning Greaves; I just haven't bothered). I recently slotted in Helm of the Host from DOM to test it, and while it's undoubtedly clunky, my playgroup has been enjoying it, particularly in a UWx blink deck as another copy of Brago or Venser, effectively. We have only drafted the cube twice since I put Helm in there, but the tentative consensus is that people like it.
I have considered Grafted Wargear, but I feel as if it occupies similar space as Mortarpod, and I think I like the latter better, as it allows for saccing at instant speed. But maybe a Tokens deck or go-wide aggressive deck that doesn't care about Aristocrats effects would rather have Wargear. If Wargear is better, I imagine it replaces Mortarpod rather than supplements it in a 360 cube.
3. Do you all have any opinions about the other rare equipment from Dominaria: Blackblade Reforged or Forebear's Blade? How does the latter stack up against Loxodon Warhammer or Sword of Vengeance? The former seems like its effect is potentially powerful but not especially interesting.
4. Bonus question that is on entirely a different topic: I am currently running 40 lands with no utility lands at all (20 duals, 2x10 fetches). I don't want to run manlands like Celestial Colonnade, and I don't want anything too busted like Kessig Wolf Run. (At least I think it's busted. I was playing Standard when Wolf Run Ramp was killing everyone, and the only room for innovation was whether or not to splash Black or Blue.) I am sort of loathe to add more land, but I could see finding, say, five artifacts to cut in favor of some utility lands. Any thoughts on this topic or recommendations? I guess I should also say that I know the Riptide method calls for a separate land draft, which seems like a really cool idea, but I would prefer to keep the cube self-contained and to draft lands as usual.
Thank you for your insights and feedback!
