Magic: the Gathering- Cube Drafting!

My Moving Van is Here

2010-07-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

I'm moving this blog over to wordpress, which seems generally better. That is going to be done sometime this week, and I have a first post up talking about my M11 updates already. Check it out
here.

I'll also be doing more magic writing in general there- talking about standard, new extended, and of course the cube. Oh yeah- and videos!

06/17/10 Changes

2010-06-16T08:59:00.001-07:00

Avenger of Zendikar in for Terastadon, who just seemed excessively awkward every time he was played and is a bad reanimation target anyway.

6/10/10 Changes

2010-06-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

Wickerbough Elder in for Snake Umbra

Joraga Treespeaker in for Boar Umbra

Poor Umbras. Just still not good enough.

SCG 5k Philadelphia

2010-06-06T13:50:00.000-07:00

EDIT: If you read this, I'd love if you would comment! I haven't written a report like this so any feedback is much appreciated :)

We just got back from the 5k, and I wanted to write a little bit about my deck and how it worked out. I thought about playing Mythic Conscription, but eventually decided to go with Jund because I think it can win from more unfavorable position, and is better against slightly rogue-y stuff like Time Sieve or Runeflare.

I was, however, really concerned about the UW and UWr matchup. At nationals qualifiers, I played Trace of Abundance but I felt like it didn't quite do enough and of course requires that you haven't been Spreading Seased already. I also wanted to have a definite plan in the mirror, and against Vengevine decks. Here's what I played:

4 Bloodbraid Elf
1 Broodmate Dragon
3 Goblin Ruinblaster
4 Hell's Thunder
4 Putrid Leech
2 Siege-Gang Commander
4 Sprouting Thrinax

2 Bituminous Blast
2 Lightning Bolt
4 Maelstrom Pulse
2 Sarkhan the Mad
2 Terminate

4 Dragonskull Summit
3 Forest
1 Lavaclaw Reaches
3 Mountain
4 Raging Ravine
4 Savage Lands
3 Swamp
4 Verdant Catacombs

Sideboard:

3 Blightning
1 Chandra Nalaar
2 Consuming Vapors
1 Doom Blade
2 Forked Bolt
3 Jund Charm
2 Prophetic Prism
1 Siege-Gang Commander

I cut the main deck Blightnings for two reasons. I expected a lot of UWx, and the deck has so many cantrips now that an early Blightning often doesn't do much. In fact, until I know whether they are playing UW or Super Friends, I don't really want to Blightning since you can improve the Super Friends matchup quite a bit if every Blightning hits a planeswalker. Obviously a late Blightning (when they have two cards in hand) is still great, but I didn't feel like it was really earning the maindeck spot. Secondly, there are at least three reasonable-to-good Vengevine decks in the format now, and I didn't ever want to get blown out that way game one.

Instead, I ran Hell's Thunder main. I wasn't worried about blowing them early against control since they come back, and they kill every Ajani V the turn after he comes out, while Blightning doesn't. They are a completely awesome cascade off a Bloodbraid, and as anyone who has played Jund vs RDW knows, really good in the mirror. Furthermore, your opponent will often try to not go to three against Jund for fear of Bloodbraid, Blightning, or Bolt, so the one extra damage is sometimes important.

The other slightly weird thing is the Ruinblasters. I included them because I wanted to have plenty of answers to Colonnades without running any more Broodmates. I decided that they were likely to be good in nearly every matchup, and I found that I was often playing Bloodbraid with 5 mana in testing anyway, because of the number of CITP tapped lands in the format combined with the fact that you usually play a Catacombs first against UWx.

Alright, onto the games! I'll talk about the sideboard as it comes up.

Round 1 vs Super Friends

Game 1 I lost the die roll, and my opponent mulliganed to 5, but I had a slow hand that I didn't feel I could mulligan. We played the attrition game for a very long time until I finally won with a double activated Ravine (so that it wouldn't trade with a Colonnade- I learned that from Brad Nelson's videos, thanks!) The bad news is that the game took 30 minutes. I was super nervous about running out of time at this point.

I brought in:

- 4 Sprouting Thrinax
- 2 Terminate

+ 2 Consuming Vapors
+ 1 Doom Blade
+ 2 Prophetic Prism
+ 1 Chandra Nalaar

I wanted to bring in removal that couldn't be Flashfreezed, and I like Chandra against control since she kills big things and her ultimate is pretty quick should you need to hit shroud critters (it's not a perfect solution but it gives you an out). Thrinax is a badass but gets worse with Purge and is clearly hard to cast in the matchup.

Game 2 I mulliganed to 5, had a land made into an island, and generally lost to Baneslayer (out of the board) without doing much. We went on to game 3 with 7 minutes.

Game 3 I kept a reasonable hand, but had to deal with a turn 3 Elspeth and then a turn 4 Gideon, so I wasn't close to winning when time was called. I think with more time I would have won, but that's neither here nor there.

My opponent was really nice and great to play against, but I was surprised when I found out that he assumed I had boarded out removal for game 2. I don't think I would want to take out removal in this matchup regardless, because you are always happy to hit a wall, Colonnade, Elspeth token, or active Gideon. I just wanted to make the point that I think a lot of players assume that their opponents will board so as to make their lives easier, and I think it's a lot better to respect the matchup and realize that your opponent has an idea of what you might be doing. A similar thing happened to my fiance, who was playing UW. He played against Jund, and after boarding his opponent played a Malakir Bloodwitch. Justin played Day of Judgement, and his opponent was absolutely offended that he had kept them in. Yeah. He didn't want to lose to Bloodwitch. It's shocking.

Just a note- I don't think I boarded correctly there. I boarded differently against Super Friends for the rest of the day.

Round 2 vs Super Friends

In Game 1, I felt that my opponent and I both had good draws, but about four planeswalkers and one Siege-Gang in, I found a second Siege-Gang and he didn't have an answer.

I brought in:

- 2 Terminate
- 4 Sprouting Thrinax

+ 3 Blightning
+ 2 Prophetic Prism
+ 1 Doom Blade

I realized that against UWr I really wanted the Blightnings, and planned to bring in Consuming Vapors if I saw Sphinx of Jwar Isle. I also have possible outs to the Sphinx in form of Sarkhan dragons, so it's not hopeless.

Game 2: What I remember about this game is that my opponent played Gideon, I didn't have a pulse, and his deck turn played Elspeth and made Gideon a dude. I had terminate mana, and killed it. He played a Kor Firewalker protecting Elspeth, and I Doom Bladed it. On his next turn he played a wall, I played a Bit Blast into Bloodbraid into Blightning, and got Mind Spring and Jace from his hand as well as offing the Elspeth. In other words, I had sick cascades and he took a couple risks that I happened to have the answers to. With that said, I felt really good about UWx all day and was definitely hoping for that matchup.

Round 3 vs Billy Moreno's LD deck

Game 1 I mulliganed and kept a slow hand with Bloodbraid, and he accelerated into Bloodbraid into Resounding Wave on a manland and then Roiling Terrain. It wasn't pretty, and Chandra finished me off.

I brought in:

-4 Putrid Leech
-4 Hell's Thunder

+ 2 Forked Bolt
+ 3 Jund Charm
+ 1 Chandra
+ 2 Prophetic Prism

I wasn't sure how to board this matchup. I'd played the deck so I knew what was in it (although Chandra isn't canon). I wanted to kill his Cobras, and I thought Jund Charm could either sweep his board (their guys are small) or possibly hit my graveyard to stop Roiling Terrain from killing me in a dire situation. I'd bring in Prophetic Prism against any Spreading Seas deck.

Game 2 was, as my (SUPER nice and not smug) opponent said, his best possible draw. He went Spreading Seas, bounce your land, Roiling Terrain, Roiling Terrain, Acidic Slime. I died with one land in play. Yikes. Oh, and I mulliganed to 5.

We talked afterwards and my opponent said he felt that he couldn't lose to Jund. Can I just say that I disagree with this in every way? For one thing, saying that about any two decks is basically just untrue. Every deck in the format right now is capable of falling on it's own face and just failing to find things or do anything. Secondly, any deck that is three colors can have a problem with Blightning and LD, and that is definitely what I found in testing. Finally, double all of that when you are playing against Jund. Jund has insanely powerful draws, out card-advantages everyone, and can win out of nowhere. That's why it's annoying, that's why it's powerful, that's why people play it. Sometimes you just win. I'm not some sort of filthy Jund apologist- I think it has a number of rough matchups right now and I approach this format with a lot of respect for the tier one decks. There are a lot of really hard to beat god draws out there. Let's not claim that any particular matchup is a bye. It's not, and it's not helpful to act like it is.

Alright, end aside.

Round 4 vs WG tokens with Vengevine

I lose the die roll and play manlands and Hell's Thunder to my opponents not playing anything. I play a Siege-Gang, he O-rings it, and I pulse the O-ring. I ride my 7 goblins to victory. He discarded a couple times, and I saw Elspeth, Vengevine, and a last ditch Martial Coup.

I boarded:

- 3 Goblin Ruinblaster
- 4 Leech
- 1 Hell's Thunder

+ 2 Forked Bolt
+ 2 Consuming Vapors
+ 3 Jund Charm
+ 1 Doom Blade

I'm sure this wasn't optimal but I wasn't sure what he was playing. I didn't see any non basics, and I wanted the Hell's Thunders in, so I took out Goblin Ruinblasters. Of course this is going to bite me in the ass.

Game 2 I keep a good hand, and play a turn 3 Thrinax. My opponent plays a Vengevine and declines to attack. I untap and Consuming Vapors. He plays a Ranger and fetches a Scute Mob, and plays both, bringing the Vine back, and doesn't attack. He ends his turn and goes to bin the Ranger, and I have to stop him. I untap, put the Consuming Vapors on the stack, and Jund Charm, and feel deeply fulfilled. Then he Rangers twice, I jund charm for his double vengevined graveyard, and he kills me with Stirring Wildwoods I can't answer.

Game 3 I take a few hits from Vengevine and deal with a Firewalker and kind of stabilize. I play a Sarkhan and make a dragon and things look good. He O-rings my Sarkhan and paths my dragon and attacks me 7. I block with a land the next turn and go to 4, and then he plays a scute mob and a Vengevine and swings for a million. Le sigh. My fiance is 3-0-1 now so I'm playing still.

Round 5 vs Super Friends

I sit down, and the guy next to me says that he likes my tattoos. The guy on the other side is like "That's a good line. 'Does this smell like cloroform?' is a better one." Laughs all around. Geez, I just COULDN'T SAY why more girls don't play magic.

My opponent wins the die roll and plays a colonnade. Then I play Hell's Thunders and attack with lands while my opponent never finds another land. He discards Gideon, Elspeth, other control-y type stuff, and is remarkably not angsty about the whole thing.

I didn't see any Ajanis, so I board for UW:

- 2 Terminate
- 4 Thrinax

+ 2 Prophetic Prism
+ 2 Consuming Vapors
+ 1 Chandra
+ 1 Doom Blade

Game I get a little flooded, a leech gets Purged, and a doom blade on an active Colonnade gets negated. I go down to one while he has two Colonnades. I resolve a Bit Blast into prophetic prism (not the sexiest but it got a land off the top), and then the next turn I resolve a Ruinblaster on the second Colonnade, and win from there. My opponent is really friendly the whole time, probably the best experience I have had while winning in pretty luck driven ways.

Round 6 vs Mythic Conscription

I sit down and my opponent and I introduce ourselves. A judge drops off the slip and I'm like, "Oh, you're that Jonathan!" It's Jonathan Medina, who I follow on twitter. We chat a bit and I joke that I'm excited to finally play against Mythic. I lose the roll and mulligan twice, and then draw my card and find Consuming Vapors, and scoop them up. I explain that I forgot to de-sideboard, and that I get a game loss. Jonathan doesn't want to call a judge because we're both sure it's a game loss. I realized after the match that we should have anyway because I should have gotten a warning, but I didn't think about it at the time. That was embarrassing moment number 1, by the way. I sideboard:

- 4 Leech
- 4 Hell's Thunder
- 1 Broodmate

+ 2 Consuming Vapors
+ 1 Doom Blade
+ 2 Forked Bolt
+ 1 Chandra Nalaar
+ 3 Jund Charm

I'm on the play so I would consider bringing in Blightning, but I suspect that Jonathan is bringing in Vengevine, and Jund Charm is never dead in the matchup. It sweeps some boards, clears up for consuming vapors, and makes a Knight smaller. And then when you are ready to win, it helps you do that.

I keep a hand with forked bolt and consuming vapors. Jonathan opens with a turn 2 cobra, but I have the forked bolt, and I'm relieved that I had it when I see the fetchland the next turn. He makes a Hierarch and a Cobra, I Vapors, and then I Bloodbraid into Thrinax. He Bant Charms the Thrinax and swings in with a Vengevine. I trade next turn, he plays another, I kill it, and then the turn after I cascade into Jund charm and remove them from the game, then win with Chandra.

Game 3 I keep a removal heavy hand again and Forked Bolt a cobra. I ruinblast a colonnade, kill a knight, and eventually play out a Siege Gang he can't answer.

Jonathan was super gracious the whole time, and told me that he was going to drop and get to the trading. We talked about the Pack to Power project a bit, and about Mythic and Jund in general. This was my first biggish event so I was super excited to not only meet but actually play someone I knew of from the magic writing world.

As a side note, yeah, I know I was pretty lucky to know what Jonathan was playing in some detail. That's the magic of the internet, I guess.

Round 7 vs UW (Justin Treadway)

This round I was paired against my fiance. This is a big bummer, since we decided that we'd drop when we were both x-3.

Game 1 I won easily. I had an early Putrid Leech and Hell's Thunder, he played a Jace, I played another Hell's Thunder and ate the Jace. He played a Baneslayer, I topdecked a terminate and then cascaded into third Hell's Thunder off a Bloodbraid.

I boarded like so:

- 2 Terminate
- 4 Thrinax

+ 2 Prophetic Prism
+ 2 Consuming Vapors
+ 1 Chandra
+ 1 Doom Blade

He had a spreading seas but I had a prism, and put enough pressure on that he had to play Gideon and then Baneslayer without negate backup, after I Ruinblasted a Colonnade. I topdecked the land I needed to Bit Blast a wall, and Hell's Thunders saw me through the last points.

Sooo.... that's not how I wanted that to go. At Nationals Qualifiers we were paired up in round 2, though, so I guess it's an improvement. Nonetheless, I'm super excited to have done very well against control after being worried about the matchup. I definitely got lucky, but my opponents for the most part had decent draws and plenty of action, and I felt like the Hell's Thunders were critical.

Round 8 vs Jund

In this round, I'm paired against the guy that gave Justin his second loss, so I know he's playing Vengevine Jund. I keep a land with a few too many tap lands, and have a slow start while he stalls out on lands but has a cobra. I keep back a ruinblaster to try to stabilize, but eventually he terminates it, finds a fetch land, and Vengevines me to death.

I board:

-4 Leech
-3 Ruinblaster

+ 3 Jund Charm
+ 2 Forked Bolt
+ 1 Siege-Gang
+ 1 Consuming Vapors

I saw an assortment of fetchlands including Terramorphic and Marsh Flats game one, and think he might not be playing many nonbasics.

Game 2 he accelerates into a Siege Gang off a Lotus Cobra, and I Jund Charm for profit, then beat down with a Bloodbraid and Thrinax while he can't find much action.

Game 3 I mulligan and keep an unexciting hand some lands, an Bloodbraid, a Jund Charm, and a Consuming Vapors. He accelerates into a Leech and a Ruinblaster off a Cobra, and I Jund Charm in response to his destroying my only red source and go to 12 from the Leech. He plays a Vengevine and takes me to six, and I untap on my turn 5 with 3 lands and draw a red source. I miscount, play Consuming Vapors instead of Bloodbraid, and die to Vengevine and a Raging Ravine. Of course I realize my mistake as soon as I do it, my heart sinks, and I spend the rest of the night thinking about what would have happened. I look at my deck afterwards and find that the Bloodbraid would have hit a Thrinax, so that's particularly heartbreaking. I guess you have to make mistakes to learn from them, but I know I'm going to be thinking about that one for days. Yep, that's embarrassing thing to admit on the internet number 2.

Anyway, I had an awesome time, played against universally rad opponents, and was super happy with my deck. I'd recommend it for control and mythic heavy metas, but I think I need to work on it or practice more against Vengevine decks. Starcity Games throws a great event- it was a beautiful venue, basically ran on time, and seemed really smooth throughout. Maybe I can talk Justin into the Baltimore 5k in November? :)

4/26/10

2010-04-26T17:18:00.000-07:00

Trying out some stuff:

Birds of Paradise in for Heartwood Storyteller

Terastodon in for Wolfbriar Elemental

Grafted Wargear in for Platinum Angel

:( :(

Sulfuric Vortex in for Rakka Mar

Zo-Zu in for Beacon of Destruction

Smash to Smithereens in for Shattering Pulse

Trying out a bunch of stuff that people seem to like. Smash seems like the Searing Blaze of Shatters. Rakka Mar hasn't really done enough. Wolfbriar is rad but we've had two drafts now where the person playing green had him, but wasn't green enough to play him as anything but a 4/4.

4/24/10 Changes

2010-04-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

Wall of Omens in for Hyena Umbra

Sorry, little Umbra buddy. No way you were making the cut.

Crater Hellion in for Caldera Hellion

Trying this out. The sac outlet is interesting, but oh well.

Snake Umbra showed up yesterday and seems ok enough. We'll see- I really want the umbras to show up in a draft with Troll Ascetic or Uril, for maximum dreamy effect.

04/20/10 Changes

2010-04-20T07:07:00.000-07:00

Trying out a bunch of stuff to see what sticks. I'm sure some of these aren't right, but we wanted to give a bunch of things we've been curious about a shot.

Heartwood Storyteller in for Reclaim

I haven't been too hyped up on Reclaim, and we wanted to get more card draw into green. We'll see how it goes.

Boar Umbra in for Hunting Pack

Snake Umbra in for Saproling Burst

We wanted to get a few more auras into the cube. I imagine that whatever doesn't work out will be replaced with Hunting Pack, but we'll see.

Land Tax in for Glorious Anthem

Hyena Umbra in for Pianna, Nomad Captain

Transcendent Master in for Soltari Champion

Knight of the White Orchid in for Otherworldly Journey

Oh god I'm so sad about that.

but I'm really happy about this:

Razormane Masticore in for Dolmen Gate

The Crusher might not be right- we'll see- but at least the Masticore is back!

We just made a bunch of changes to white, so I'll address this here: I agree that our cube doesn't support aggro, and I think that's ok. Actually I think that is normal for a limited format. I know a lot of people really want aggressive red/white decks to be draftable in their cube. For me, it's ok if the most aggressive deck still has 4 and 5 drops, which is how our cube works in practice.

4/19/10 Changes

2010-04-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

I'll write more about this later, but for now:

Gilded Drake in for Chronozoa

Wolfbriar Elemental in for Rhox

Sylvan Library in for Kamahl, Fist of Krosa

Careful Consideration in for Brine Elemental

04/19 Draft 2

2010-04-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

This is probably the sickest cube deck in recent memory. I'm embarrassed to show you mine, by comparison.

Justin's deck:

Needless to say I was never in any of the games we played.

Mine:

Rise of the Eldrazi Changes - Final

2010-04-17T14:22:00.000-07:00

Student of Warfare in for Akrasan Squire

Linvala, Keeper of Silence in for Galepowder Mage

Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief in for Dark Hatchling

Kargan Dragonlord in for Taurean Mauler

Flame Slash in for Fork

Momentous Fall in for Gaea's Anthem

Vengevine in for River Boa

All is Dust in for Triskelavus

Ulamog's Crusher in for Razormane Masticore

Just trying this out... the masticores don't see enough play to justify having both in.

Google Docs Version

2010-04-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Here as web page and here as a doc

Rise of the Eldrazi Changes

2010-04-10T20:55:00.000-07:00

So far, here's what I'm thinking:

Student of Warfare in for Akrasan Squire

Super excited, don't feel like there is much to go wrong here.

Linvala in for Galepowder Mage

One of those cards that worked better in theory. Linvala seems super powerful and a decent body regardless.

All is Dust in for Triskelavus

( I guess it is the colorless section now)

Sorry, buddy. Rules changes were no good at all for you.

Momentous Fall in for Gaea's Anthem

Seems too rad to not include, right?

4/5/10 Draft

2010-04-05T22:38:00.000-07:00

Ok, so my notes aren't super detailed for this draft, but let's just note- our decks are both awesome and with one exception, every game was totally interesting and fun.

Justin ending up winning, basically with one card each time- Kodama, then Overrun, then Stonewood Invocation. Man, I assume you love Stonewood Invocation too. Right?

The last game was crazy. I decree of pained for 15 cards, nearly decked myself, but I had Platinum Angel to make sure I could still live. Then I turned into an insane person and decided to wait a turn before playing the angel, and a sprout swarm token invocationed right into my face for lethal. Still! Really exciting and I got to live all of my dreams: Bloodghast & Attrition, Urza's Factory and Attrition, Platinum Angel and almost losing, Platinum Angel and Pact, Stuffy Doll and drawing Stuffy Doll every game.

Justin had probably the raddest sideboard in the history of the cube- vedalken shackles for stuffy doll. I'm still charmed by that.

Platinum Angel gets a lot of shit but she really held it down in this series. I think she will still get replaced by All is Dust, but now it will be a bittersweet type of replacement.

My deck:

Justin's:

4/5/10 Changes

2010-04-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

Undermine in for Wydwen, the Gale that Bites

(that's Justin's remark <3 <3 <3)

Worldwake Manlands in for M10 Duals

These have been AWESOME so far. Sorry I ever doubted you, Lava Horse.

4/4 Draft

2010-04-04T21:15:00.000-07:00

I lost this one - we went to game 5 - through the awesome decision to NOT include a black source in my deck game 1. I found that out when I went to fetch a land in preparation for my Mana Drain-fueled turn 5 Thrax. Le sigh.

Here's me:

And JT:

I believe Justin directly won two games with Mindslaver. Yay Mindslaver!

3/22/10 Draft 2

2010-03-22T23:32:00.000-07:00

I'm almost positive Justin won this one.

Look at his deck- doesn't it look rad:

I remember Dominus being the MVP, and Obsidian Fireheart is a ridiculous badass.

Mine:

03/22/10 Draft One

2010-03-22T00:36:00.000-07:00

Ok, I'm trying something new here. After our draft last night, Justin and I took some pictures of our decks and made some notes about them. I'm hoping this is entertaining, but it would also be cool to eventually do some data mining... I'm not sure exactly what. If you have any thoughts about what would be interesting or useful to keep track of, let me know!

Here is Justin's deck:

and here is the decklist (minus basic lands, which I'll try to write down in the future)

and here is mine:

and here is the decklist

I won the series, largely of the back of Library. I think the series went to game 5, but my deck definitely performed exceptionally well- I had Reveillark shenanigans, aether vial-into-mirri, and recurring Nekrataals all over.

Mock Interview:

What was your first pick?
J: Day of Judgement. I started in blue as well, but moved into green when that dried up. Call of the Herd was the first green card I took intentionally (Note: we do a "Let's Make a Deal" draft. Basically, you put one card in three piles, then the person who goes first looks at the first card. They can either take it, or add one card from the stack to the pile and move to the next pile. If you don't like any cards you see, you take one off the top. I like this format a lot because you get signals and have the ability to hate out something you just can't deal with, but there is an element of luck as well.)
T: Bane of the Living. I got Laquatus's Champ soon after, and then Baneslayer to put me in white.

What were your MVPs?
J: Time Walk and Austere. Austere won a game where I had tokens and Thea was at 3 with a bunch of huge blockers.
T: Library! Also Ob Nixilis was rad. I think I Necromancy-ed for Laquatus to win once. Yay Necromancy!

What is the one card you wish you had had in your deck?
J: Library.
T: Divinity of Pride, of course.

A Shinier Multicolor

2010-03-14T10:39:00.001-07:00

If I could I would put every full art card in the cube.

2/23/10 Draft

2010-02-23T21:26:00.000-08:00

I had a very "whatever I need, when I need it" couple of games with this deck- I won the series but it probably wasn't that representative of what should have happened. Aether Vial is pretty much the best ever though. This was a debut for Thunderblust and he was awesome. Oh, I also had LD on turn 4 every game. Yikes.

My deck:

Justin's:

2/22 Draft 2

2010-02-22T21:12:00.000-08:00

Yuckers. This is one of the worst decks I've drafted in the cube:

And Justin decided to prove why mono-red-hybrid is the raddest:

I don't like to say blowout, but there we are.

2/22 Draft 1

2010-02-22T21:08:00.000-08:00

How many times will Nemesis of Reason destroy me? Enough. Library doesn't hurt either.

My deck:

And Justin's:

2/19 Draft

2010-02-19T21:00:00.000-08:00

Alright, so turns out a month and a half later all I remember is whose decks were whose. SPOILER ALERT: This deck is jerkier than the other one so it was probably mine. I think I one this series, although it is by no means obvious since Justin's deck is also rad.

Here's mine:

And here is Justin's:

If I'm remembering correctly, the deal was that Sarkhan never ever showed up for Justin. Has anyone else tried the Persecutor in the cube? Thoughts? I'm sold on it, but I think I might be the only one.

2/16/09 Changes

2010-02-16T12:31:00.000-08:00

Alright, so we laid out each color today to talk about the curve we wanted, and decided on a few changes as a result.

First, the changes:

Kor Skyfisher in for Kor Aeronaut

This effect is just never not good. The definition of a not-drawback.

Journey to Nowhere in for Scepter of Dominance

The scepter is really good, but the commitment to white is pretty high, and white has a lot of other cards that are more powerful with a strong color requirement such as Sacred Mesa and Eight-and-a-half-Tails

Bloodghast in for Malakir Bloodwitch

Conservation of vamp.... nevermind. We really wanted Bloodghast in and the curve for black seemed high enough.

Necromancy in for Makeshift Mannequin.

Seems better, right?

Searing Blaze in for Carbonize

Seems nice.

Thunderblust in for Changeling Berserker

Trying it out. Kazuul is another option here, but I'm not sure that's what red wants. Red doesn't have a lot of high end creatures though.

Rampaging Baloths in for Baru, Fist of Krosa

Again, green doesn't have a lot of huge monsters. Hey look! A monster.

So, now for the stats.

	Creatures	Spells	Avg Creature CMC	Average Spell CMC
White	35	25	3.7	3.6
Blue	31	29	4.3	3.0
Black	30	30	4.0	2.8
Red	35	25	4.1	2.3
Green	40	20	3.9	3.0

Bloodhall Ooze = Optogenetics

2010-02-07T19:07:00.000-08:00

Or is a neuron. Either way, the resemblance is pretty stunning.

02/07/10 Changes

2010-02-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

Goblin Guide in for Ghost-Lit Raider

Ravenous Baboons in for Hearth Kami

Trying some stuff out. We really want to get Bloodghast in too, but don't know how.

Tie-in!

2010-02-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Ross Campbell posted this a few days ago- I'm so charmed.

1/30/10 Changes

2010-01-30T06:39:00.000-08:00

Worldwake and miscellaneous other stuff.

Comet Storm in for Forked Lightning

Giant Solifuge in for Deus of Calamity

Too many occasions where we could have played the solifuge but not the deus. Oh well.

Gaea's Anthem in for Evolution Charm

River Boa in for Loaming Shaman

Vithian Renegades in for Apocalypse Hydra

Jace, the Mind Sculptor in for Jace Beleren

Kor Aeronaut in for Sigiled Paladin

Pilgrim's Eye in for Darksteel Ingot

Basilisk Collar in for Empyrial Plate

Anger in for Pain Kami

Stroke of Genius in for Opportunity

Abyssal Persecutor in for Phyrexian Plaguelord

Dark Hatchling in for Rise from the Grave

Rhox in for Birds of Paradise

More 1/16/10 Changes

2010-01-16T13:19:00.001-08:00

Malakir Bloodwitch in for Sengir Nosferatu

We wanted white to have a few more problems

Equilibrium in for Into the Roil

Trying it out for the most underpowered blue card.

01/16/10 Changes

2010-01-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Deus of Calamity in for Giant Solifuge

All the other spirit avatars have been all-stars; but we're just trying it out. Don't trade away your solifuges yet, in other words.

Things are getting fancy around here, though:

01/08/2010 Changes

2010-01-08T08:48:00.000-08:00

Thirst for Knowledge in for Dream Cache

Wydwen, the Biting Gale in for Moroii

... the never played.

Also, the "Canon" pages should all be accurate now, and I copied Joe and marked foils.

12/4/09 Changes

2009-12-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

Memory Jar in for Sigil of Distinction

Dream Cache in for Word of Undoing

The whole effect is kind of bland.

Hearthfire Hobgoblin in for Fire at Will

Hunting Pack (back!) in for Summoning Trap

Rampant Growth in for Explosive Vegetation

Late November Changes

2009-12-02T15:31:00.000-08:00

Grim Monolith in for Akroma's Memorial

That was quick.

Borderland Ranger in for Lotus Cobra

11/6/09 Changes

2009-11-09T10:16:00.000-08:00

Akroma's Memorial in for Puppet Strings

According to Justin, at some mythical time someone played puppet strings. I don't believe it.

Zendikar Inclusions

2009-09-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

Alright, this is what we did:

White

Day of Judgement for Martial Coup

Emeria Angel for Elspeth

Blue

Into the Roil for Repeal

Rite of Replication for Dominate

Sphinx of Lost Truths in for Fatestitcher

Sphinx of Jwar Isle in for Errant Ephemeron

That's what you get for being boring.

Black

Ob Nixilis in for Plague Sliver

Trying it out.

Sorin Markov for Liliana Vess

Trying it.

Vampire Nighthawk in for Simian Specter

What are you doing here?!

Red

Burst Lightning in for Firebolt

Goblin Ruinblaster in for Wheel of Fortune

Hellkite Charger in for Ball Lightning

Green

Mold Shambler for Viridian Zealot?

Less green and hey planeswalkers, fuck you.

Summoning Trap in for Hunting Pack

This is a little sad, but here we are.

Lotus Cobra in for Joiner

Fairly straightforward.

Lands.

Enemy fetches in for Vivids

2/5 done!

Powerful packs!

2009-09-09T14:41:00.000-07:00

These are the type of nuts packs that our cube can produce:

Pack two, first pick, playing white, what do you think the right pick is?

PSH Proxies

2009-09-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

For me:

Tarmagoyf
Baneslayer
Rav. enemy duals.
ZEN enemy fetches, hey-oh.

For Justin (what I can assume, anyway):

Baneslayer
Keiga
Yosei
Solemn
Pristine
Seige-Gang
Ink-Eyes
Tarmagoyf

let's call it Rav allied duals for justin.

PSH Comparisons!

2009-08-17T23:15:00.000-07:00

PSH Comparisons!

White:1

Joe	Thea	Justin
Path to Exile	Path to Exile	Rebuff the Wicked
Harm's Way	Harm's Way	Condemn
Akrasan Squire	Condemn	Path to Exile
Weathered Wayfarer	Sunlance	Weathered Wayfarer
Ritual of Restoration	Genju of the Fields	Blessed Breath

White:2

Joe	Thea	Justin
Disenchant	Disenchant	Whitemane Lion
Otherworldly Journey	Otherworldly Journey	Jotun Grunt
Momentary Blink	Momentary Blink	Kor Skyfisher
Jotun Grunt	Hoofprints of the Stag	Momentary Blink
Ronom Unicorn	Kami of Ancient Law	Kami of Ancient Law

White:3

Joe	Thea	Justin
Crib Swap	Crib Swap	Stonecloaker
Oblivion Ring	Oblivion Ring	Paragon of the Amesha
Paragon of the Amesha	Paragon of the Amesha	Kor Sanctifiers
Sacred Mesa	Sacred Mesa	Shrieking Grotesque
Terashi's Grasp	Aven Trailblazer	Azorius Herald

White:4

Joe	Thea	Justin
Wrath of God	Wrath of God	Emeria Angel
Guardian Seraph	Guardian Seraph	Sanctum Gargoyle
Return to Dust	Return to Dust	Guardian of the Guildpact
Resounding Silence	Resounding Silence	Resurrection
Seed Spark	Guardian of the Guildpact	Seedspark

White:5

Joe	Thea	Justin
Baneslayer Angel	Baneslayer Angel	Cloudgoat Ranger
Battlegrace Angel	Battlegrace Angel	Baneslayer Angel
Aerie Mystics	Cloudgoat Ranger	Reveillark
Saltblast	Saltblast	World Queller
Evangelize	Serra Angel	Archon of Justice

White:6

Joe	Thea	Justin
Austere Command	Austere Command	Yosei, the Morning Star
Final Judgement	Final Judgement	Feudkiller's Verdict
Pristine Angel	Yosei, the Morning Star	Captain of the Watch
Adarkar Valkyrie	Twilight Shepherd	Adarkar Valkyrie
Yosei, the Morning Star	Mirror Sigil Sergeant	Pristine Angel

Blue:1

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Ponder	Ponder
	Sleight of Hand	Unsummon
	Unsummon	Serum Visions
	Mystic Speculation	Drowned Rusulka
	Serum Visions	Sage of Epityr

Blue:2

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Essence Scatter	Dreamscape Artist
	Sejiri Merfolk	Willbender
	Telling Time	Peel from Reality
	Willbender	Trade Routes
	Trade Routes	Jushi Apprentice

Blue:3

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Pulse of the Grid	Wake Thrasher
	Thoughtbind	Court Hussar
	Kathari Screecher	Compulsive Research
	Kira, the Great Glass Spinner	Silkwing Scout
	Compulsive Research	Kira

Blue:4

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Concentrate	Aeon Chronicler
	Clone	Sakashima
	Plagiarize	Thieving Magpie
	Careful Consideration	Clone
	Theiving Magpie	Ninja of the Deep Hours

Blue:5

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Ethersworn Adjudicator	Body Double
	Fathom Trawl	Vesuvan Shapeshifter
	Mulldrifter	Sphinx of Lost Truths
	Meloku the Clouded Mirror	Ethersworn Adjudicator
	Tidings	Mulldrifter

Blue:6

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Keiga, the Tide Star	Jetting Glasskite
	Draining Whelk	Sharding Sphinx
	Govern the Guildless	Keiga, the Tide Star
	Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar	Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar
	Brine Elemental	Sphinx of Jwar Isle

Black:1

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Raise Dead	Raise Dead
	Executioner's Capsule	Cremate
	Ghost-Lit Stalker	Rag Dealer
	Cremate	Soul Stair Expedition
	Wretched Banquet	Ghost-Lit Stalker

Black:2

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Doom Blade	Pit Keeper
	Terror	Undertaker
	Grim Harvest	Macabre Waltz
	Night's Whisper	Nezumi Graverobber
	Nezumi Graverobber	Grim Harvest

Black:3

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Dark Banishing	Phrexian Rager
	Rend Flesh	Recover
	Drag Down	Fleshbag Marauder
	Sudden Death	Vampire Nighthawk
	Phrexian Arena	Cemetary Reaper

Black:4

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Damnation	Heartstabber Mosquito
	Gravedigger	Vigor Mortis
	Zombify	Nekrataal
	Ambition's Cost	Gravedigger
	Barter in Blood	Zombify

Black:5

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Shriekmaw	Shriekmaw
	Rise from the Grave	Okiba Gang Shinobi
	Incremental Blight	Woebearer
	Puppeteer Clique	Kagemaro
	Kagemaro, First to Suffer	Rise from the Grave

Black:6

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Enslave	Skeletal Vampire
	Skeletal Vampire	Exhumer Thrull
	Vein Drinker	Phrexian Gargantua
	Betrayal of Flesh	Ink-Eyes, Servant of the Oni
	Ink-Eyes, Servant of the Oni	Grixis Slavedriver

Red:1

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Kird Ape	Kird Ape
	Lightning Bolt	Lightning Bolt
	Bloodhall Ooze	Burst Lightning
	Shock	Lightning Axe
	Lightning Axe	Shattering Spree

Red:2

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Slavering Nulls	Punishing Fire
	Tin Street Hooligan	Squeeling Devil
	Ancient Grudge	Tin Street Hooligan
	Magma Jet	Hearth Kami
	Ashling, the Pilgrim	Ancient Grudge

Red:3

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Jund Battlemage	Torch Slinger
	Dark Temper	Jund Battlemage
	Smash	Dragonsoul Knight
	Sedge Sliver	Pain Kami
	Dragonsoul Knight	Goblin Assault

Red:4

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Stalking Yeti	Yuki-Onna
	Yuki-Onna	Worldheart Phoenix
	Worldheart Phoenix	Stalking Yeti
	Rakka Mar	Desolation Giant
	Grab the Reins	Henchfiend of Ukor

Red:5

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Magma Phoenix	Caldera Hellion
	Skeletonize	Anarchist
	Caldera Hellion	Siege-Gang Commander
	Seige-Gang Commander	In the Web of War
	Arc-Slogger	Kumana, Master Yamabushi

Red:6

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Flameblast Dragon	Flameblast Dragon
	Capricious Efreet	Hellkite Charger
	Ryusei, the Falling Star	Skarrgan Firebird
	Godo, Bandit Warlord	Oni of Wild Places
	Patron of the Akki	Iron Barbed Hellion

Green:1

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Llanowar Elves	Wild Nacatl
	Reclaim	Reclaim
	Birds of Paradise	Scute Mob
	Oxidize	Commune with Nature
	Wild Nacatl	Greenseeker

Green:2

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Sakura-Tribe Elder	Tel-Jilad Justice
	Into the North	Joiner Adept
	Farseek	Sakura-Tribe Elder
	Naturalize	Naturalize
	Elvish Visionary	Tarmogoyf

Green:3

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Eternal Witness	Imperious Perfect
	Krosan Grip	Civic Wayfinder
	Troll Ascetic	Ohran Viper
	Kodama's Reach	Thornscape Battlemage
	Thornscape Battlemage	Eternal Witness

Green:4

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Harmonize	Mold Shambler
	Mystic Melting	Patagia Viper
	Glissa Sunseeker	Master of the Wild Hunt
	Seek the Horizon	Oracle of Mul Daya
	Shard Convergence	Llanowar Empath

Green:5

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Ant Queen	Thornling
	Acidic Slime	Golgari Grave-Troll
	Golgari Grave-Troll	Indrik Stomphowler
	Indrik Stomphowler	Ant Queen
	Jolrael, Empress of Beasts	Acidic Slime

Green:6

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Primordial Sage	Deadwood Treefolk
	Tromp the Domains	Lurking Predators
	Deadwood Treefolk	Wild Pair
	Wild Pair	Verdoloth the Ancient
	Lurking Predators	Primordial Sage

Artifacts:1

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Scrabbling Claws	Scrabbling Claws
	Wanderer's Twig	Voyager Staff
	Moratorium Stone	Synod Sanctum
	Sensei's Divining Top	Sensei's Divining Top
	Wayfarer's Bauble	Expedition Map

Artifacts:2

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Armillary Sphere	Candles of Leng
	Lightning Greaves	Armillary Sphere
	Empyrial Plate	Darksteel Pendant
	Journeyer's Kite	Lightning Greaves
	Darksteel Pendant	Mask of Memory

Artifacts:3

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Sculpting Steel	Oblivion Stone
	Darksteel Ingot	Crystal Shard
	Loxodon Warhammer	Staff of Domination
	Crystal Shard	Loxodon Warhammer
	Pilgrim's Eye	Proteus Staff

Artifacts:4

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Vedalken Orrery	Etched Oracle
	Solemn Simulacrum	Vedalken Orrery
	Manaforce Mace	Icy Manipulator
	Icy Manipulator	Solemn Simulacrum
	Etched Oracle	Shield of Kaldra

Artifacts:5

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Mind's Eye	Skyreach Manta
	Pewter Golem	Gilded Lotus
	Gilded Lotus	Mind's Eye
	Stuffy Doll	Stuffy Doll
	Skyreach Manta	Pewter Golem

Artifacts:6

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Mirror Golem	Duplicant
	Tatsumasa, the Dragon's Fang	Obelisk of Alara
	Triskelion	Tatsumasa, the Dragon's Fang
	Obelisk of Alara	Triskelion
	Duplicant	Mirror Golem

Lands

Joe	Thea	Justin
	Enemy Ravnica Duals
	Alara Fetch lands
	Karoos
	Snow Taplands
	Taplands
	Shard lands

8/7/09 Changes

2009-08-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

M10 duals in for allied karoos

These have been great. The end. Also the art is pretty.

Deck update

2009-08-11T02:02:00.001-07:00

Alright, so from now on when I update my psh deck I am just going to edit the list.

So now what you read down below is my current deck list.

One more thing. Thea, I was able to find a Pristine Angle but no Arena.

Yet another psh update

2009-08-09T00:58:00.000-07:00

Woo, got another two cards to go in!

Crib Swap in for Ghostway

Puppeteer Clique in for Sengir Nosferatu

less than 15 left to go, to bad that includes a Damnation and a Tarmogoyf and a Baneslayer Angel... thats like $60 worth of cards...

Another point that we have finally decided on is that just having no planeswalkers is the easiest and best way to solve that issue so that is what we are going with.

And Thea, when you get a chance, do you want to post the differences between our two psh decks? Would you also want to post all the proxies that are needed in both the cube and your psh deck?

New additions to my psh deck

2009-08-08T02:10:00.001-07:00

Alright, its time to add some more new cards to my psh deck:

Siege-Gang in for Word of Seizing

Austere Command in for Solar Tide

Caldera Hellion in for Anarchist

Ethersworn Adjudication in for Vesuvan Shapeshifter

Flameblast Dragon in for Oni of Wild Places

Ant Queen in for Seedborn Muse

Harms Way in for Condemn

Lurking Predators in for Primordial Sage

Some of these might be a little iffy, but I want to at least give these guys a try. It was also nice to finally have something to trade for again, boy its been a while.

So how about that Prismatic Stairwell Highlander?

2009-08-07T01:06:00.000-07:00

Alright, so Thea and I have decided that we want to bring back psh. The reason for this is we have grown tired of standing around waiting for drafts to start, and this seams like a good answer. Revamping psh is going to be no small task as our group has not played in over two blocks. Seeing as how I am just updating mine deck, if you could call it that (adding about 60 cards) I am going to post my deck list mostly for Thea's benefit, but others are welcome to see what psh is all about.

For those who are new to psh, I will give a short breakdown of what makes up a psh deck, at least in our play group.

1. 5 cards for each casting cost from 1 through 6 in each color + artifacts

2. No gold/hybrid

3. No X spells

4. The sets that are available to use are Mirrodin block forward

5. Banned cards are as follows

Kokusho

Sword of fire and ice

Sword of light and shadow

Skullclamp

Overwhelming Intellect

Jitte

Mindslaver

All Suns Dawn

(could be more, but I think this is all of them)

6. Currently only one set of rare nonbasic lands is aloud. We are thinking about changing this.

7. Any amount of nonrare nonbasic lands can be run as long as they are in a set of 5 and have no nonmana abilities.

8. Thea and I are still trying to figure out what we want to do about Planeswalkers. We started out thinking that 5, one in each color, would be good, but than we agreed that would be to many. One per deck also didn't seam good, one player would get one and own with it. Right now it looks like we might go with 3 per deck but we might wait for Zendikar to give us more Planeswalkers to work with.

Here is my deck list:

---White---

1) Akrasan Squire

Path to Exile

Ritual of Restoration

Condemn

Weathered Wayfarer

2) Disenchant

Momentary Blink

Ronom Unicorn

Jotun Grunt

Otherworldly Journey

3) Paragon of the Amesha

Crib Swap

Oblivion Ring

Terashi's Grasp

Sacred Mesa

4) Resounding Silence

Guardian Seraph

Return to Dust

Seed Spark

Wrath of God

5) Aerie Mystics

Battlegrace Angel

Baneslayer Angel

Salt blast

Evangelize

6) Austere Command

Yosei, The morning star

Adarkar Valerie

Final Judgement

Pristine Angel

---Green---

1) Reclaim

Might of Alara

Avoid Fate

Oxidize

Wild Nacatl

2) Cylian Sunsinger

Tarmogoyf

Naturalize

Tel-Jilad Justice

Farseek

3) Matca Rioters

Recollect

Kodama's Reach

Krosan Grip

Eternal Witness

4) Chameleon Colossus

Shard Convergence

Creeping Mold

Thelonite Hermit

Greater Mossdog

5) Acidic Slime

Thornling

Ant Queen

Indrik Stomphowler

Spike Tiller

6) Paleoloth

Lurking Predators

Phantom Wurm

One Dozen Eyes

Verdeloth the Ancient

---Red---

1) Lighting Bolt

Shock

Electrostatic Bolt

Lighting Axe

Shattering Spree

2) Ashling the Pilgrim

Pyroclasm

Ancient Grudge

Magma Jet

Tin Street Hooligan

3) Dragonsoul Knight

Resounding Thunder

Viashino Sandstalker

Sedge Sliver

Yamabushi's Flame

4) Magnivore

Rakka Mar

Changeling Berserker

Grab the Reins

Desolation Giant

5) Caldera Hellion

Siege-Gang

Magma Phoenix

Kumano, Master Yamabushi

Arc-Slogger

6) Godo, Bandit Warlord

Flash Conscription

Shivan Dragon

Flameblast Dragon

Fiery Fall

---Black---

1) Wretched Banquet

Bone Splinters

Cremate

Ghost-Lit Stalker

Rag Dealer

2) Terror

Cruel Edict

Macabre Waltz

Nights Whisper

Shred Memory

3) Drag Down

Eyeblight's Ending

Rend Flesh

Phyrexian Arena

Sudden Death

4) Damnation

Zombify

Nekrataal

Barter in Blood

Ambition's Cost

5) Incremental Blight

Puppeteer Clique

Rise from the Grave

Kagemaro, First to Suffer

Beacon of Unrest

6) Vein Drinker

Phyrexian Gargantua

Ink Eyes, Servant of the Oni

Betrayal of Flesh

Skeletal Vampire

---Blue---

1) Ponder

Sleight of Hand

Telepathy

Serum Visions

Annul

2) Telling Time

Trickbind

Muddle the Mixture

Willbender

Trade Routes

3) Kire, Great Glass-Spinner

Trinket Mage

Silkwing Scout

Compulsive Research

Drift of Phantasms

4) Sift

Plagiarize

Careful Consideration

Shifting Borders

Thieving Magpie

5) Covenant of Minds

Vesuvan Shapeshifter

Aeon Chronicler

Body Double

Ethersworn Adjudicator

6) Brine Elemental

Govern the Guildless

Tomorrow, Azami's Familiar

Confiscate

Draining Whelk

---Artifacts---

1) Wayfarer's Bauble

Moratorium Stone

Scrabbling Claws

Sensei's Divining Top

Wanderer's Twig

2) Journeyer's Kite

Darksteel Pendant

Mask of Memory

Lightling Greaves

Armillary Sphere

3) Crystal Shard

Darksteel Ingot

Staff of Domination

Spectral Searchlight

Oblivion Stone

4) Etched Oracle

Vedalken Orrery

Icy Manipulation

Solemn Simulacrum

Manaforce Mace

5) Mirari

Mind's Eye

Clockwork Hydra

Skyreach Manta

Cauldron of Souls

6) Obelisk of Alara

Duplicant

Phyrexian Snowcrusher

Triskelion

Mirror Golem

---Lands---

Allied Ravnica Duels

Invasion Duels

Ravnica karoos

Snow Duels

Alara Tri-lands

Alara Fetch lands

This is still changing as I get more cards to add, Im trying to keep as few proxies in my deck as possible, hence why some of these cards might be dated.

Moratorium

2009-08-06T15:04:00.000-07:00

So, Treads and I were thinking that we should just not make any changes until Zendikar is out. Just kind of let stuff ferment for a bit. That seems to be good to me.

That said- I think there are a few cards that at least to me, are on some kind of short list:

The Karoos: I've defended the crap out of these guys, but I think that the M10 lands are great (often better than Ravnica duals == great) and fit better in an aggro or aggro-ish strategy.

Unsummon: I cut this a lot. I want it to hit permanents. I want blue to have another planeswalker answer. I want to whine about this card.

Glasskite: you know what you did.

And of course, the planewalker question. Namely, the how-many-planewalker question. Thoughts?

8/1/09 Changes

2009-08-02T22:29:00.000-07:00

Shimmering Glasskite in for Condescend

We decided that it was a mistake to put in Force of Will without taking out a counter- this might just be a placeholder, but we'll see.

7/30/09 Changes

2009-07-30T13:16:00.000-07:00

Hellspark Elemental in for Skirk Marauder

Trying out a new minitheme.

Wheel of Fortune in for Fireblast

Ghost-Lit Raider in for Roc of Kher Ridges

Sorry, buddy, but you were boring.

Ball Lightning in for Ghitu Slinger.

Rolling Thunder in for Volcanic Geyser

Shimian Specter in for Hollow Specter

Demigod of Revenge in for Ashenmoor Liege

7/26/09 Changes

2009-07-27T18:14:00.000-07:00

Apocalypse Hydra in for Branching Bolt

Branching Bolt is obviously thing best thing ever in Shards limited, but it just didn't seem to getting it done in the cube, and we've been wanting to try the Hydra out.

And Louis- we've been gradually trading for foils, but especially having all foil commons seems reasonable. I'm sure some things, like the Ravnica duals, will never be foil- they are just super expensive and I'd rather have a real Mana Drain.

Unrelated

2009-07-22T21:06:00.000-07:00

Dorky iPhone photo.

Since I'm cataloguing stuff:

Real stuff we need:**

Moxes (yeah, Moxen, but that just irks me for some reason)
Ancestral Recall
Time Walk
Black Lotus
Mana Drain
Library

**and may never get! but we can hope.

Also, as the post below shows, I'm foiling out commons! Hope our apartment doesn't burn down.

7/22/09 Changes

2009-07-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

Voidslime in for Assault Zepelid

I'm excited to counter some triggered abilities. Not sure which ones. But I'm excited. Maybe a Keiga-graveyard-trigger? So many choices!

Finest Hour in for Empyrial Archangel

Sadly, shroud-guard wasn't getting it done, and Finest Hour seems like a fun effect. If it doesn't work out, Rafiq is the understudy.

Also, foiling stuff out! Some dude at Eudo today was like "But those are all commons". I was like, you don't understand limited. Also, you are creeping me out.

2009-07-14T08:34:00.000-07:00

Force of Will in for Mark of Eviction

Yay! Turn one Rumbling Slum last night convinced us.

Glen Elendra Archmage in for Djinn of Wishes

Palinchron in for Sharding Sphinx

7/13/09 Changes

2009-07-13T15:23:00.000-07:00

Baru, Fist of Krosa in for Iwamori

Overrun in for Restock

Razia, Boros Archangel in for Firemane Angel

Trying it. Maybe Captain's Manuever would be good too. We'll see.

7/9/09 Changes

2009-07-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

Burning-Tree Shaman in for Spellbreaker Behemoth

Obelisk of Alara in for Scroll of Origins

Tidehollow Sculler in for Ghost Council of Orzhova

Rise from the Grave in for Dread Return

Nemesis of Reason in for Wydwen, the Biting Gale

Guardian Seraph in for Cloudchaser Kestrel

Baneslayer Angel in for Genju of the Fields

Guardian of the Guildpact in for Griffin Guide

Briarhorn in for Elephant Guide

Great Sable Stag in for Albino Troll

Acidic Slime in for Timbermare

Ant Queen in for Mycoloth

Juggernaut in for Deathrender

Djinn of Wishes in for Morphling

Roc of Kher Ridge in for Mogg Fanatic

Fork in for Goblin Assault

Necrogenesis in for Grave-Shell Scarab

Master of the Wild Hunt in for Heartwood Storyteller

Caldera Hellion in for Sulpheric Blast

Opportunity in for Deep Analysis

Rules Changes

2009-06-10T10:01:00.001-07:00

Hey guys. Let's talk about what might get bad enough that it should not longer be in.

My initial thoughts are:

Mogg Fanatic gets lots lots worse.

Genju of the Fields is less exciting for sure.

Ravenous Baloth? My guess is that he's still fine.

Forcefield does its job.

2009-05-17T22:53:00.000-07:00

Lorescale Coatl + Graveborn Muse + Scroll of Origins + Brainstorm + Compulsive Research is pretty good.

Forcefield doesn't care about that.

5/9/09 Changes

2009-05-09T19:07:00.001-07:00

Birds of Paradise in for Pouncing Jaguar

Echo was kind of prohibitive. This is like the anti-echo!

Hurricane in for Sylvan Library

Yeah, this needed to be in.

Plague Sliver in for Juzam Djinn

Trying it! And yeah Joe, you discerned my motives.

Willbender in for Chromeshell Crab

!!!!

Torrent of Souls in for Rakdos Guildmage

Forcefield in for Gilded Lotus

Hell's Thunder in for Keldon Champion

Call the Skybreaker in for Noggle Bandit

Scroll of Origins in for Nuisance Engine

Slivers, Birds, Skybreakers

2009-05-08T09:08:00.001-07:00

I know this my millionth post in about two days, but I've had lots of thoughts.

1. Let's try Call the Skybreaker. One person who runs it and Spitting Image actually called this better, so I think it's worth a shot.

2. I don't want Isochron Scepter, because I think it fails to help green and we don't need that.

3. Speaking of helping green: Birds of Paradise? More consistent (frequent) acceleration in green would be nice, I think, and maybe help get an eclectic dragon or two played.

4. I'd like to try Plague Sliver for Juzam. I think it is going to be equivalent except when it's better. Thoughts?

Other Possible Artifacts

2009-05-07T22:13:00.000-07:00

Isochron Scepter, which Justin is not into.

Forcefield: Sounds super good to me.

Akroma's Memorial: ?

5/7/09 Changes

2009-05-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

Mirrorweave in for Mistmeadow Witch

Sorry, you broke the rules.

5/6/09 Changes

2009-05-06T23:41:00.000-07:00

Fire//Ice in for Noggle Hedge-Mage

We want to play things, I guess, not just make jokes about Ass Wizards.

Vedalken Shackles moved to blue, kicking out Fathom Seer. Justin: "Fathom Seer's had it coming"

Gifts Ungiven in for Thirst for Knowledge

Trying stuff out!

Five new artifacts to go in: (We are literally just throwing things against metaphorical walls, because who knows?)

Out: Weatherseed Totem, Pyrite Spellbomb, Leonin Sun Standard, Executioner's Capsule

In: Pithing Needle, Nuisance Engine (foil, oh shit), Gilded Lotus, Puppet Strings, Deathrender

More thoughts! Thoughts forever.

2009-05-06T10:09:00.000-07:00

On many topics.

1. Color-aligned artifacts. I think only one would make it in on it's own merits, in its color. So I propose (and I think JT is in) that we throw shackles in Blue, which it unambiguously is, and cut the rest. I think Fathom Seer is the thing to cut here.

2. Artifacts. That gives us some room. We can cut those spots, which were artificially added, according to Justin. Or we can add some stuff. Sun Droplet and Juggernaut could go back in, we can think of other stuff, maybe Pithing Needle (a sideboard card that's probably maindeckable), whatevs. Isochon Scepter? I don't know. Other people run it. We can totally throw stuff in, try it, take out and/or love it forever.

3. How about split cards in Hybrid? Fire//Ice?? Eh?

4. Gifts Ungiven for Thirst for Knowledge? Another card people say they took out for being too good, and good with Reanimator.

5/4/09 Changes

2009-05-04T22:26:00.000-07:00

Recurring Nightmare in for Skinthinner

I'm so excited.

Miraculous Recovery in for Blinding Beam

Less conditional, you know? And SO RAD.

Death Grasp in for Tidehollow Sculler

In the "answers" section:

Loaming Shaman in for Cradle Guard

Relic of Progenitus in for Juggernaut

Dude just doesn't get played.

Scrabbling Claws in for Sun Droplet

Thoughts!

2009-05-04T09:20:00.001-07:00

Recurring Nightmare

I keep reading about people taking this out of their cubes for being too good.
I could see taking out Thoughtseize or Skinthinner.

Miraculous Recovery

Dunno, seems nice.

Bituminous Blast for Shambling Remains

??
It's been good so far in Shards, and I worry that black/red creatures that can't block isn't a very viable archetype.

As Justin pointed out, we should probably put in some graveyard removal stuff, since right now it is is Stonecloaker and Stonecloaker. Maybe Loaming Shaman for Cradle Guard, and an artifact- Relic of Progenitus, or Tormod's Crypt?

And finally, how about Death Grasp for Tidehollow Sculler? I like the sculler lots, but Death Grasp is like the ability from P-Command that wins games, you know?

Ashling, the totally-unfair-with-a-warhammer

2009-04-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

So yesterday or so, Justin had Ashling, the Pilgrim wearing a Warhammer, and totally popped that thing for 7 damage to everything and gained 35 life. Sweet.

I actually ended up winning the game thanks to sweet Pristine Angel/Behemoth Sledge (I know! same draft!) action, but basically it gave me nightmares.

4/26/09 Changes

2009-04-26T15:40:00.000-07:00

Wall of Denial in for Sky Spirit

Qasali Pridemage in for Watchwolf

Upgrade like whoa.

Behemoth Sledge in for Knight of the Reliquary

Dauntless Escort in for Saffi Eriksdotter

Mycoid Shepherd in for Phantom Nishoba

I'm excited to get this a little (a lot?) lower-end.

Soul Manipulation in for Blizzard Specter

Short little foray into the cube, sorry buddy.

Arashi, the Sky Asunder in for Krosan Tusker

If you are going to be overcosted AND not trample, at least cycle for colorless or something, mmkay?

Bloodbraid Elf in for Savage Twister

Spellbreaker Behemoth in for Burning-Tree Shaman

Maelstrom Pulse in for Nath of the Gilt-Leaf

Spellbound Dragon in for Izzet Chronarch

Thraximundar in for Grixis Charm

Uril, the Miststalker in for Meglonoth

Empyrial Archangel in for Rafiq of the Many

Sphinx of the Steel Wind in for Tower Gargoyle

Hybrid vs. Things That Are Good

2009-04-24T13:53:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! I've been contemplating things. This is apparently my constant battle, but I want to find a way to make hybrid good without actually being a total cheater. This is what I was thinking- what if we allow cards with off-color activations in for hybrid, or possibly just for one, hybrid spot? I think this fits in the sense of "hybrid cards are playable with one color, but better with two". The analogy isn't perfect, since Kird Ape, for example isn't possible without red, but it's also not terrible far off. And some cards in hybrid spots aren't actually playable with one color- I'm looking at you, Mistmeadow Witch.

Look, I'm just trying to figure out how to get Momentary Blink back in. What do you think?

Here is what I think could be replaced. Keep in mind that I don't see this as a permanent thing. In 20 years when there have been like 8 more hybrid sets I'm sure we can find stuff that is decent. But goddamn do I have to keep seeing Ass Wizards in the meantime?

Mistmeadow Witch -> Momentary Blink. Oh. Or Mirror Sigil Sergeant, hey buddy.

Noggle Hedge-Mage -> Ogre Savant

Noggle Bandit -> ??

Wilt-Leaf Liege

2009-04-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Finally got to use the discard ability, off of a Recoil. Score! I'm so excited.

Rules Clarity

2009-04-24T11:45:00.001-07:00

On the off chance that someone other than the four of us looks at this- I thought I would enumerate the rules we are using, so that no one has to lose sleep over the fact that we don't include Fire//Ice.

1. Multicolor has to require both colors; hence, no split cards.

2. Nothing with off-color activations- this includes things like Mirror Sigil Sergeant or Kird Ape.

3. This is a cube for limited- so no combo pieces, and if there could be a decent curve, that would be nice.

4. Each color should not do just one thing. Blue should have creatures and red should have some non-burn spells and such.

Alara Reborn Changes - Summary

2009-04-21T09:54:00.000-07:00

All of Alara Reborn is spoiled now- so we can start making some awesome, awesome swaps. Please comment with your thoughts!

White/Blue

Current	Possible Inclusions
Sky Spirit	Wall of Denial
Deft Duelist
Iridescent Angel
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
Ith, High Arcanist

White/Green

Current	Possible Inclusions
Saffi Eriksdotter	Dauntless Escort
Watchwolf	Qasali Pridemage
Phantom Nishoba	Behemoth Sledge
Loxodon Hierarch	Mycoid Shepherd
Knight of Reliquary

Blue/Black

Current	Possible Inclusions
Agony Warp	Nemesis of Reason
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Moroii
Wydwen, the Biting Gale
Blizzard Specter

Blue/Red

Current	Possible Inclusions
Izzet Chronarch	Spellbound Dragon
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Prophetic Bolt
Suffocating Blast
Electrolyze

Blue/Green

Current	Possible Inclusions
Simic Sky Swallower	Sages of the Anima
Assault Zeppelid	Lorescale Coatl
Trygon Predator
Mystic Snake
Jhessian Infitrator

Black/Green

Current	Possible Inclusions
Pernicious Deed	Maelstrom Pulse
Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
Putrefy
Grave-Shell Scarab
Spiritmonger

Black/Red

Current	Possible Inclusions
Shambling Remains	Lightning Reaver
Wrecking Ball
Void
Terminate
Blazing Specter

Green/Red

Current	Possible Inclusions
Savage Twister	Spellbreaker Behemoth
Sarkhan Vol	Bloodbraid Elf
Burning-Tree Shaman	Vithian Renegades
Branching Bolt
Rumbling Slum

White/Blue/Green

Current	Possible Inclusions
Rafiq of the Many	Empyrial Archangel

White/Blue/Black

Current	Possible Inclusions
Tower Gargoyle	Sphinx of the Steel Wind
	Enigma Sphinx

Blue/Black/Red

Current	Possible Inclusions
Grixis Charm	Thraximundar

Red/Green/White

Current	Possible Inclusions
Meglonoth	Uril, the Miststalker

More Alara Reborn

2009-04-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

Behemoth Sledge

Hi.

Also this guy, with no image yet:

Dauntless Escort
1{g}{w}

Sacrifice Dauntless Escort: Creatures you control are indestructible this turn.

3/3

And another one, getting ready to kick Deft Duelist in the face, in my opinion.

Wall of Denial
1{w}{u}

Defender, Flying, Shroud

0/8

Possible Alara Reborn inclusions

2009-04-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Just throwing this out stuff out there. I'll keep updating this one.

Thraximundar

Sphinx of the Steel Wind

On one hand, everything shouldn't cost a million. On the other hand, tricolor is probably where it is more acceptable for things to cost a million, since you should have all your colors by turn million. You know?

Spellbound Dragon

Have I mentioned how much I hate Izzet Chronarch? Also, it's like Knollspine Invocation on a stick. For free. Kind of. I'm into it.

Maelstrom Pulse

I'm not opposed to including another non-red way to deal with planeswalkers.

Spellbreaker Behemoth

For Burning-Tree Shaman, probably?

Qasali Pridemage

Mycoid Shepherd

I'm a sucker for any card with "Shepherd" in the name. Laters, Saffi and/or Watchwolf.

Lightning Reaver

Competition is tough in this slot. Blazing Specter probably stays, but I love the Razerunner effect.

Uril, the Miststalker

OMG forever.

Retaliator Griffin

Also charming, but less so.

Enigma Sphinx

What do you think about this vs. Sphinxkroma?

Aaaaand... probably not for the cube but it's literally blowing my mind:

Sen Triplets

4/15/09 Changes

2009-04-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

foil Blizzard Specter in for Recoil

It's my blog and I'll write what I want.

4/14/09 Changes

2009-04-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

Mask of Memory in for Prismatic Lens

We thought the lens wasn't really necessary. Thoughts??

L4D Photos

2009-04-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Off subject!

I'm trying to look the poster where Zoey is practically rolling her eyes at all this zombie bullshit.

4/12/09 Changes

2009-04-12T14:17:00.000-07:00

Etched Oracle in for Epochrasite

Something less lame.

4/11/09 Changes

2009-04-12T13:43:00.000-07:00

Heat Ray in for Urza's Rage

No one ever gets to Kicker mana on Urza's Rage.

Blistering Firecat in for Goblin Razerunners

Everyone else with a cube can't be wrong. Or at least might not be wrong. Sorry for dismantling your dream team, Joe.

Artifacts

2009-04-09T09:10:00.001-07:00

So we've been thinking that the artifact sector needs a bit of a reboot. Specifically I am sad every time I see Epochrosite in a draft, and maybe Dolmen Gate isn't right either. Thoughts? More equipment?

Nucklavee

2009-04-08T13:40:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to comment on this. I complain about Nucklavee probably more than any other human. However! A few drafts ago, I used a Nucklavee to get back a Pact of Negation and Banefire, and was not complaining about it. Little dude has his moments.

4/5/09 Changes

2009-04-05T23:43:00.001-07:00

Cradle Guard in for Rhox Charger

"Rhox Charger wasn't getting the job done."

3/29/2009 Changes

2009-03-30T13:06:00.001-07:00

Ghitu Slinger in for Kird Ape

Poor Kird Ape. Rules are rules, buddy.

Also, Joe! We miss you terribly already.

3/23/09 Changes

2009-03-23T20:50:00.000-07:00

Jace Beleren in for Equilibrium

Adamaro, First to Desire in for Warbreak Trumpeter

Knollspine Invocation in for In the Web of War

Civic Wayfinder in for Elvish Warrior

Sakashima the Imposter in for Crookclaw Transmuter

Sky Spirit in for Azorius First Wing

Iridescent Angel in for Sky Hussar

Ghastlord of Fugue in for Glen Elendra Liege

3/22/09 Changes

2009-03-22T15:05:00.000-07:00

White

Mirror Entity in for Radiant's Judgement

Reveillark in for Crovax, Ascendant Hero

We've been wanting to find a place for the Reveillark, and Crovax is just kind of difficult in a two color deck.

Soltari Champion in for Soltari Monk

We didn't know this card existed! We could have replaced Pianna, but that seemed silly.

Sarkhan Vol in for Stormbind

Again, I've been complaining about this forever.

3/16/09 Changes

2009-03-15T23:07:00.000-07:00

Eventide filter lands in for enemy karoos

I'm not sure which is better, but we wanted to try out the filter lands and maybe encourage two- rather than three-color decks.

3/15/09 Changes

2009-03-15T14:41:00.000-07:00

Executioner's Capsule in for Pewter Golem

We wanted a black-aligned artifact that was better, since some of the others (Shackles, Leonin Sun Standard) are so rad. This is a little bit of a hack, but technically it works.

Pyrite Spellbomb in for Goblin Replica

Again, a better color-aligned artifact

Corpse Dance in for Grim Harvest

Yep, this is exciting and all thanks to seeing it on Wizard's cube list.

Nath of the Gilt-Leaf in for Vulturous Zombie

Just trying something different and maybe with a little more impact.

3/8/09 Changes

2009-03-08T20:45:00.000-07:00

Terror in, replacing Smother

It's kind of exchanging one limitation for another, but that's the call we made.

Juggernaut in for Lurebound Scarecrow

We've been underwhelmed with the Scarecrow for a while, and just got around to thinking of something that might be more exciting.

Graveborn Muse in for Withered Wretch

I've been whining about Withered Wretch for months and I think Justin just got sick of it.

Hybrid - Current

2009-03-03T16:01:00.000-08:00

W/U
Azorius Guildmage
Plumeveil
Swans of Bryn Argoll
Mirrorweave
Thistledown Liege

W/B
Debtor's Knell
Unmake
Stillmoon Cavalier
Divinity of Pride
Deathbringer Leige

W/R
Spitemare
Nobilis of War
Figure of Destiny
Balefire Liege
Hearthfire Hobgobin

W/G
Kitchen Finks
Mercy Killing
Oversoul of Dusk
Wilt-Leaf Cavaliers
Wilt-Leaf Liege

U/B
Dimir Guildmage
Inkfathom Infiltrator
Oona, Queen of the Fae
Ghastlord of Fugue
Wasp Lancer

U/R
Call the Skybreaker
Mindwrack Liege
Dominus of Fealty
Fire//Ice
Nucklavee

U/G
Overbeing of Myth
Snakeform
Cold Eyed Selkie
Murkfiend Liege
Spitting Image

B/R
Ashenmoor Gouger
Demigod of Revenge
Fulminator Mage
Murderous Redcap
Torrent of Souls

B/G
Diety of Scars
Cankerous Thirst
Gleancrawler
Creakwood Liege
Rendclaw Trow

R/G
Boartusk Leige
Boggart Ram-gang
Giant Solifuge
Firespout
Vexing Shusher

Multicolor - Current

2009-03-03T15:59:00.000-08:00

W/U
Deft Duelist
Grand Arbiter Augustin IV
Iridescent Angel
Ith, High Arcanist
Wall of Denial

W/B
Angel of Despair
Death Grasp
Mortify
Tidehollow Sculler
Vindicate

W/R
Brion Stoutarm
Bull Ceradon
Lightning Helix
Ajani Vengeant
Soltari Guerillas

W/G
Behemoth Sledge
Dauntless Escort
Loxodon Hierarch
Mycoid Shepherd
Qasali Pridemage

U/B
Shadowmage Infiltrator
Soul Manipulation
Agony Warp
Nemesis of Reason
Undermine

U/R
Electrolyze
Suffocating Blast
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind
Prophetic Bolt
Spellbound Dragon

U/G
Lorescale Coatl
Mystic Snake
Simic Sky Swallower
Trygon Predator
Voidslime

B/R
Bituminious Blast
Blazing Specter
Terminate
Void
Wrecking Ball

B/G
Nath of the Gilt-Leaf
Maelstrom Pulse
Pernicious Deed
Putrefy
Spiritmonger

R/G
Bloodbraid Elf
Rumbling Slum
Sarkhan Vol
Burning-Tree Shaman
Vithian Renegades

Tricolor

W/U/B
Sphinx of the Steel Wind

W/B/G
Teneb, the Harvester

W/U/G
Rafiq of the Many

W/U/R
Lightning Angel

W/R/G
Uril, the Miststalker

U/B/G
Vorosh, the Hunter

U/R/G
Intet, the Dreamer

U/B/R
Thraximundar

B/R/G
Broodmate Dragon

R/W/B
Oros, the Avenger

Land - Current

2009-03-03T15:55:00.000-08:00

Dual (10)
Ravnica Shocklands (10)
-Sacred Foundry
Worldwake Manlands (5)
-Celestial Colonnade
-Creeping Tarpit
-Raging Ravine
Hybrid Filter (10)
-Flooded Grove
-Rugged Prarie
-Mystic Gate
-Cascade Bluffs
Fetchlands (10)
Shard Lands (5)
-Savage Lands
-Arcane Sanctum
-Jungle Shrine
-Crumbling Necropolis
Library of Alexandria
Maze of Ith
Mishra's Factory
Mutavault
Reflecting Pool
Rupture Spire
Strip Mine
Terramorphic Expanse
Thawing Glaciers
Urza's Factory

Artifacts - Current

2009-03-03T15:54:00.000-08:00

Creatures

Duplicant
Etched Oracle
Grim Poppet
Juggernaut
Masticore
Pilgrim's Eye
Platinum Angel
Razormane Masticore
Solemn Simulacrum
Stuffy Doll
Triskelion
Ulamog's Crusher

Equipment

Basilisk Collar
Bonesplitter
Lightning Greaves
Loxodon Warhammer
Mask of Memory
Skullclamp
Sword of Fire and Ice
Sword of Light and Shadow
Umezawa's Jitte

Other spells

Aether Vial
Armillary Sphere
Azorious Signet
Black Lotus
Boros Signet
Darksteel Pendant
Dimir Signet
Engineered Explosives
Erratic Portal
Forcefield
Golgari Signet
Grim Monolith
Gruul Signet
Icy Manipulator
Izzet Signet
Memory Jar
Mindslaver
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Sapphire
Nevinyrral's Disk
Oblivion Stone
Obelisk of Alara
Orzhov Signet
Phrexian Processor
Pithing Needle
Rakdos Signet
Relic of Progenitus
Scrabbling Claws
Scroll Rack
Selesnya Signet
Sensei's Divining Top
Serrated Arrows
Simic Signet
Sol Ring
Wayfarer's Bauble

Green - Current

2009-03-03T15:53:00.000-08:00

Creatures

Acidic Slime
Ant Queen
Arashi, the Sky Asunder
Avenger of Zendikar
Blastoderm
Borderland Ranger
Briarhorn
Caller of the Claw
Chameleon Colossus
Civic Wayfinder
Deranged Hermit
Eternal Witness
Genesis
Great Sable Stag
Hystrodon
Imperious Perfect
Indrik Stomphowler
Joraga Treespeaker
Kavu Titan
Kodama of the North Tree
Masked Admirers
Master of the Wild Hunt
Mold Shambler
Nantuko Vigilante
Noble Hierarch
Ohran Viper
Phantom Centaur
Rampaging Baloths
Ravenous Baloth
Sakura-Tribe Elder
Simian Grunts
Spectral Force
Tarmogoyf
Thelonite Hermit
Thornling
Troll Ascetic
Vengevine
Vigor
Viridian Shaman
Wickerbough Elder
Yavimaya Elder

Other spells

Call of the Herd
Farseek
Garruk Wildspeaker
Harmonize
Harrow
Kodama's Reach
Krosan Grip
Momentous Fall
Naturalize
Overrun
Rampant Growth
Rancor
Reclaim
Regrowth
Sprout Swarm
Squall Line
Squirrel Nest
Stonewood Invocation
Sylvan Library

Red - Current

2009-03-03T15:37:00.000-08:00

Creatures

Adamaro, First to Desire
Akroma, Angel of Fury
Anger
Ashling, the Pilgrim
Avalanche Riders
Blistering Firecat
Blood Knight
Bogardan Hellkite
Caldera Hellion
Countryside Crusher
Fire Imp
Flameblast Dragon
Flametongue Kavu
Goblin Guide
Greater Gargadon
Grim Lavamancer
Goblin Ruinblaster
Hell's Thunder
Hellkite Charger
Hellspark Elemental
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
Jeska, Warrior Adept
Kargan Dragonlord
Kumano, Master Yamabushi
Obsidian Fireheart
Rakka Mar
Ravenous Baboons
Skizzik
Squee, Goblin Nabob
Stalking Yeti
Tahngarth, Talruum Hero
Thunderblust
Yuki-Onna
Rorix Bladewing
Siege-Gang Commander

Other spells

Banefire
Beacon of Destruction
Burst Lightning
Chain Lightning
Chandra Nalaar
Char
Comet Storm
Earthquake
Flame Javelin
Flame Slash
Grab the Reins
Incinerate
Lightning Bolt
Magma Jet
Molten Disaster
Pulse of the Forge
Puncture Blast
Pyroclasm
Rolling Thunder
Searing Blaze
Shattering Pulse
Shattering Spree
Starstorm
Sudden Shock
Volcanic Fallout

Black - Current

2009-03-03T15:35:00.000-08:00

Creatures

Abyssal Persecutor
Ashling, the Extinguisher
Bane of the Living
Black Knight
Bloodghast
Boneshredder
Dauthi Horror
Drana, Kalastria Bloodchief
Fleshbag Marauder
Graveborn Muse
Hypnotic Specter
Ink-Eyes, Servant of the Oni
Kagemaro, First to Suffer
Keening Banshee
Kokusho, the Evening Star
Mirri the Cursed
Nantuko Shade
Nekrataal
Nezumi Shortfang
Nezumi Graverobber
Okiba-Gang Shinobi
Oona's Prowler
Puppeteer Clique
Ob Nixilis
Shreikmaw
Silent Specter
Skeletal Vampire
Laquatus's Champion
Vampire Nighthawk
Visara the Dreadful

Other spells

Ambition's Cost
Animate Dead
Ashes to Ashes
Attrition
Barter in Blood
Beacon of Unrest
Bitterblossom
Chainer's Edict
Corpse Dance
Damnation
Decree of Pain
Demonic Tutor
Diabolic Edict
Diabolic Servitude
Eyeblight's Ending
Hymn to Tourach
Innocent Blood
Mind Twist
Necromancy
Night's Whisper
Phyrexian Arena
Profane Command
Reanimate
Recurring Nightmare
Slaughter Pact
Snuff Out
Sorin Markov
Sudden Death
Terror
Thoughtseize

Blue - Current

2009-03-03T15:32:00.000-08:00

Creatures

Aeon Chronicler
Body Double
Clone
Glen Elendra Archmage
Draining Whelk
Echo Tracer
Gilded Drake
Shaper Parasite
Keiga, the Tide Star
Kira, the Great Glass-Spinner
Looter il-Kor
Man-o-War
Meloku, the Clouded Mirror
Mulldrifter
Ninja of the Deep Hours
Palinchron
Pestermite
Quicksilver Dragon
Serendib Efreet
Shimmering Glasskite
Sower of Temptation
Sphinx of Jwar Isle
Sphinx of Lost Truths
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir
Thieving Magpie
Vendilion Clique
Venser, Shaper Savant
Vesuvan Shapeshifter
Wakethrasher
Willbender

Other Spells

Ancestral Recall
Brainstorm
Bribery
Capsize
Careful Consideration
Compulsive Research
Control Magic
Counterspell
Cryptic Command
Desertion
Dissipate
Fact or Fiction
Force of Will
Gifts Ungiven
Impulse
Into the Roil
Jace, the Mind Sculptor
Mana Drain
Mana Leak
Opposition
Pact of Negation
Ponder
Rite of Replication
Psionic Blast
Stroke of Genius
Telling Time
Thirst for Knowledge
Time Walk
Treachery
Vedalken Shackles

White - Current

2009-03-01T12:58:00.000-08:00

Creatures

Adarkar Valkyrie
Akroma, Angel of Vengeance
Archon of Justice
Baneslayer Angel
Brigid, Hero of Kinsbaile
Calciderm
Celestial Crusader
Cloudgoat Ranger
Eight-and-a-Half-Tails
Emeria Angel
Eternal Dragon
Exalted Angel
Goldmeadow Harrier
Guardian of the Guildpact
Guardian Seraph
Isamaru, Hound of Konda
Karmic Guide
Knight of the White Orchid
Knight of Meadowgrain
Kor Skyfisher
Linvala, Guardian of Silence
Mirror Entity
Mother of Runes
Paladin-en-Vec
Pristine Angel
Reveillark
Serra Avenger
Silver Knight
Soltari Priest
Soltari Visionary
Stonecloaker
Student of Warfare
Transcendent Master
Wall of Omens
White Knight
Yosei, the Morning Star

Other spells

Ajani Goldmane
Akroma's Vengeance
Austere Command
Balance
Crib Swap
Decree of Justice
Disenchant
Day of Judgement
Faith's Fetters
Feudkiller's Verdict
Final Judgement
Journey to Nowhere
Land Tax
Miraculous Recovery
Oblivion Ring
Path to Exile
Prison Term
Pulse of the Fields
Return to Dust
Rout
Sacred Mesa
Spectral Procession
Swords to Plowshares
Wrath of God

Italics indicates a card is foil or a promo version.

February 2009 Changes - Hybrid

2009-02-28T20:10:00.000-08:00

Gleancrawler in for Hag Hedge-Mage

Mistmeadow Witch in for Silkbind Faerie

Just looking for something less underwhelming.

Cards We Would Like To Include

2009-02-28T19:55:00.000-08:00

White

Kami of Ancient Law

Blinking Spirit

Resurrection

Evangelize

Blue

Serendib Sorcerer

Undo

Maelstrom Djinn

Ancestral Vision

Black

Enslave

Red

Patron of the Akki

Skarrgan Firebird

Rough // Tumble

Thunderblade Charge

Green

Tromp the Domains

One Dozen Eyes

Gaea's Anthem

Imperiosaur

Molder

Quagnoth

Multicolor

Necrotic Sliver

February 2009 Changes - Multicolor

2009-02-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

Knight of the Reliquary in for Mystic Enforcer

Tower Gargoyle in for Dromar's Charm

Broodmate Dragon in for Jund Charm

Meglonoth in for Rith, the Awakener

February 2009 Changes - Land

2009-02-28T19:44:00.000-08:00

Shards Tri-lands in for Mirin the Moaning Well, Vesuva, Ancient Tomb, Strip Mine, and Wasteland.

This cube is pretty color intensive, so it seemed like we were always cutting colorless land, and we wanted to see how the Shard lands worked out.

Also, with this iteration we are taking all or most of the land destruction out (Wasteland, Befoul, Creeping Mold).

February 2009 Changes - Artifact

2009-02-28T19:38:00.000-08:00

Dolmen Gate in for Coalition Relic

Dolmen Gate is less redundant.

Armillary Sphere in for Cursed Scroll

Armillary Sphere does a totally awesome thing, and Cursed Scroll never really got any action.

February 2009 Changes - Green

2009-02-28T19:29:00.000-08:00

Thelonite Hermit for Rude Awakening

Mystic Melting for Creeping Mold

Mycoloth in for Cloudthresher

We wanted to tone down the million-costed-ness of green. And Mycoloth is a huge problem.

Noble Hierarch in for Llanowar Elves

Total upgrade.

Thornling in for Plow Under

Plow Under seemed like a 24th card most of the time, and we wanted to give the Thornling a chance.

Cards We Want to Swap Out

2009-02-28T19:15:00.000-08:00

White

Blue

Black

Red

Green

Artifacts

Mask of Memory

Lands

Multicolor

Hybrid

Nucklavee

February 2009 Changes - Red

2009-02-28T19:02:00.000-08:00

Goblin Assault in for Pillage

Goblin Razerunners for Chartooth Cougar

Warbreak Trumpeter for Dwarven Blastminer

Jeska, Warrior Adept in for Spikeshot Goblin

Ashling the Pilgrim in for Hell's Thunder

Rakka Mar in for Word of Seizing

Banefire in for Demonfire

Starstorm in for Slice and Dice

Same-ish effect, instant speed.

Volcanic Fallout for Hammer of Bogardan

We didn't want to cut Pyroclasm, and Hammer of Bogardan seemed not-outstanding.