That's really cool as initially it was from Erik's, inscho's, dbs's and your cubes that I drew inspiration, will gladly steal more ideas
. First thing I notice is that you were brave enough to go down to 360. I've been meaning to, but keep postponing as cuts are tough.I'd love to hear your thoughts on some cuts that I hadn't considered:
Gitaxian Probe, Treasure Cruise and Blazing Rootwalla/Basking Rootwalla
And how do you draw the line in regards to interaction? I've noticed you run Swords to Plowshares, but omitted Thoughtseize and Daze. This is something I often struggle with!
A standout package that I should be running as it fixes two problems I've had in White: lack of 1 drops and lack of build arounds.
Love how potent these two one drops are. I mentioned wanting Ocelot in an above post, but hadn't connected it with the Guide because I kind of ignored energy. Seems like an oversight because Selesnya tokens looks like a beating
That is a really tight token package that can branch out easily into artifacts.
What I'd like are a few extra sources of life gain in Abzan to help the cat have more homes. Going to test
This card does so much in decks of all speeds that I will just add it back already. I initially cut it for being too generically good and while still true IMO, the upsides of having Flash, making tokens, gaining life and putting counters on stuff is really perfect.
Since I've seen how pivotal Warren Soultrader making Treasure tokens can be for Black/X decks, I've been thinking that the Provisioner should work similarly for Green decks, with the added bonus of working with the above Selesnya package thanks to Food tokens. Lands is as much an intergral archetype to Green as Sacrifice is to Black. It's another 3 drop for the lands deck though, but at this point it seems it can't be avoided. Better prioritize those mana dorks!
Fun little one drop that easily grows. Being Golgari isn't a huge problem since I see the Pride as an Abzan card and fixing is good. I've had it in before it was perfectly serviceable!
I am also considering these but they seem unlikely for now: Sorin of House Markov, Barrowgoyf and Phyrexian Fleshgorger.
Or maybe I can justify slotting in Umezawa's Jitte for the life gain synergy. Seems legit?!
I also like the minimal Berserkers package. Embercleave and Rancor in particular can fit into most aggressive or midrange decks no questions asked. Regal Bunnicorn is huge and fits the tokens package nicely.
White control package
In addition to the Wandering Empreror, I am going to be trying these three to bolster slower White decks. Reclamation would complete the grindy/sacrifice aspect of with combined with Pre-War Formalwear, Helping Hand, Serra Paragon and Second Sunrise. That is a lot of staying power for longer games!
Land Tax and Scroll Rack is an old school combo that I think has merit. Scroll Rack is great card selection with fetches, is useful for cheat decks that already have their targets in hand and prevents losing to self-mill. Land Tax is mostly to hit land drops, but also provides fodder for Firestorm or something. WIth the amount of land sacrifice in the cube, it's also an option to go down a land to trigger it. As Erik mentioned, Big Boros would love this and I agree.
6 months ago, inscho suggested Armageddon and I wasn't quite there yet. I am getting closer and closer to including it though. My biggest gripe was how badly it can close out a lead. That is still 100% valid I think, but I am now actively seeking cards that blow up lands and help tie the lands theme to other colors. Squandered Resources is great, but at smaller size, it's tough to justify because of how narrow it is. Key selling points for Armageddon:
- Aggro, midrange and combo will all be able to use it effectively.
- Goes well with all of White's recursive tools.
- I've been wanting to make the Green 1 drop mana dorks more relevant outside of just accelerating a 3 drop on turn 2 (that is extremely good mind you). Armageddon, Winter Orb and Paradox Engine are the type of cards I mean. Edric, Spymaster of Trest is another way to do so, but not the card I am looking for. Opposition is also a good way to use them, but a little easy and one-sided for my tastes.
- Related to the previous point, Insidious Roots, Earthcraft and Urza, Lord High Artificer are even better (not that the last 2 needed much help). A Bant land destruction deck looks hot.
Do any of you have experience with Armageddon?
I've been getting some sacrilegious thoughts that involve cutting some classics. It's bad, and I know I am not alone. Check out these cuts I am considering
I've been annoyed at how well things need to go for you to actually play these cards. With the uptick in enchantments and artifacts added to the cube, being limited to instants and sorceries is tough to get working consistently. If I draft a Pyrite Spellbomb, a Seal of Fire and an Unholy Heat, they aren't looking so hot. I really like these cards though and ultimately probably won't touch them, but they are really annoying to make work.
Instead I've been looking at
Making artifact tokens is super relevant and the PW ability can be situationally good too. Obviously 3 > 2 mana, which is a big draw to Young Pyro. But that noncreature text allows all of the cube's different synergies to come together so much cleaner. The Mage on the other hand is just a solid card for aggressive and combo decks. I like the flexibile mana cost, I like the token making aspect and once again the noncreature text.
The takeaway here is that I'll be keeping both of these because they are fun, unique, iconic and 2 mana.
-> If I want to draft an UB or RB spells deck, then Saheeli will fit into both just like the Witch. But it's more open ended and therefore gets the pick.
