Cubes

Logo from Cube Cobra, a go-to site for Magic Cube design

I've been sputtering over this holiday season as I explore a concept new to me in Magic: a Cube.

A Cube is "a collection of cards used for drafting and playing limited." This quote (and a great introduction to the format) is from this official link. In other words, a Cube is where you create your own set of Magic cards (from the existing card pool) and put it into packs to play draft or sealed with a group of friends. You could take the 'best of' from different Magic sets, or explore specific themes, or whatever you like. You could build a pauper Cube (meaning the cards are cheap- probably commons), a powerful Cube (everything is high-octane), or whatever you like. It sounds amazing. And like a lot of work to design and pack.

Design

Most Cubes are singleton for whatever reason (balance, per the article, but I'm not sure I buy that), which means there is only one copy of any given card. Common Cube sizes are 360, 540, or 720 cards (this does not count basic lands- those are never drafted, only added at the end as each player makes their deck). 360-card Cubes appear to be the minimum size, enabling eight players to draft with three packs of 15 cards each (like a typical draft experience). A 720-card Cube would enable multiple drafts for that number of players without 'resetting' (reshuffling and re-packing the cards).

The goal in design, per Tolarian Community College (see Resources below), is that "everything is awesome." In other words, create a card pool where every card has value [in this particular format]. Anyone who's done a traditional Magic draft knows that some cards just aren't good for drafting. Customization allows you to avoid those and focus on the gold.

Pack

Once you have your Cube, you have to pack it, meaning randomizing the cards and putting them into 15-card packs so it can be drafted or used for sealed play. Most people first sleeve the cards, and then use plastic pack boxes like Cubeamajigs or Dragon Shield Cube Shells to hold the packs. I've used the former, and it is nice- if time-consuming- to do this. Especially as you'd have to re-pack the cards after every draft.

Resources

In addition to the earlier link, I recommend Tolarian Community College's introductory videos on Cubes (here and here). Cube Cobra is the go-to site for Cube ideas, with thousands of user-created Cubes for every taste and budget. 

Personal Goal

Cubes have been around for a long time, apparently. But I've never designed, built, or drafted one. I'd like that to change this year. I want to build a Cube that I keep over several drafts and continually evolve. Right now, the French Vanilla cube at Cube Cobra is my model. This 540-card Cube focuses on basics with a little bit of 'flair,' but not much. Perfect for newer players or people like me that like to focus on the core of the game. I'm looking at that design and merging it with my general love of core sets to produce something that will (hopefully) be fun and enjoyable for both new players and veterans. We'll see.

Secret Lair

Secret Lair is a series of sealed products (generally featuring a small number of known cards) sold directly by Wizards. Each is available for only a limited time, and a given Secret Lair release is called a 'drop.' From their site, "each drop puts a brand-new spin on your favorite cards and might even have something new entirely." They're expensive but fun.

With the release of the latest Innistrad sets (and their gothic horror theme), it's no surprise that there is now a Secret Lair with 'Dracula lands.' These cards feature artwork inspired by the novel, and look amazing:

At $29.99 a pop (for just 5 lands), this is an 'enjoy from afar' moment for me. I did pick up the digital versions of these for free.

Holy Skeletons!

Today is a deck dump of sorts, presenting variations on two home brews I've recently developed. One is Golgari (black/green) 'skeletal' deck, based on Skeletal Swarming and creature sacrifice. The other is mono-white clerics, focused on life gain and Righteous Valkyrie. First up: Skeletons.

I love tribal decks in Magic, and have a soft spot for skeletons (for some reason). The tribe has never been viable on its own, but I was excited to see Skeletal Swarming, and wanted to build a Standard deck around that. The first iteration was decent:

3 Skeletal Swarming (AFR) 232

10 Forest (MID) 384

11 Swamp (MID) 382

4 Binding the Old Gods (KHM) 206

4 Ecstatic Awakener (MID) 100

2 Eaten Alive (MID) 99

1 Tainted Adversary (MID) 124

1 Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia (MID) 108

4 Plumb the Forbidden (STX) 81

2 Lolth, Spider Queen (AFR) 112

2 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

4 The Meathook Massacre (MID) 112

4 Prosperous Innkeeper (AFR) 200

1 Darkbore Pathway (KHM) 254

3 Deadly Brew (STX) 176

1 Daemogoth Woe-Eater (STX) 175

2 Grizzly Ghoul (MID) 226

1 Daemogoth Titan (STX) 174

The second added another copy of Skeletal Swarming and Jadar, dropping out Eaten Alive:

4 Skeletal Swarming (AFR) 232

10 Forest (MID) 384

11 Swamp (MID) 382

4 Binding the Old Gods (KHM) 206

4 Ecstatic Awakener (MID) 100

1 Tainted Adversary (MID) 124

2 Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia (MID) 108

4 Plumb the Forbidden (STX) 81

3 Lolth, Spider Queen (AFR) 112

2 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

4 The Meathook Massacre (MID) 112

4 Prosperous Innkeeper (AFR) 200

1 Darkbore Pathway (KHM) 254

3 Deadly Brew (STX) 176

1 Daemogoth Woe-Eater (STX) 175

2 Grizzly Ghoul (MID) 226

The third (and current) iteration dropped down the Ecstatic Awakener copies and removed Daemogoth and Grizzly Ghouls, opting for more Shambling Ghasts (for mana acceleration):

4 Skeletal Swarming (AFR) 232

9 Forest (MID) 384

12 Swamp (MID) 382

4 Binding the Old Gods (KHM) 206

1 Ecstatic Awakener (MID) 100

2 Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia (MID) 108

3 Plumb the Forbidden (STX) 81

3 Lolth, Spider Queen (AFR) 112

4 Shambling Ghast (AFR) 119

4 The Meathook Massacre (MID) 112

4 Prosperous Innkeeper (AFR) 200

1 Darkbore Pathway (KHM) 254

2 Deadly Brew (STX) 176

1 Bloodline Culling (MID) 89

2 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107

4 Skullport Merchant (AFR) 120

Overall, it does alright. Getting multiple copies of Skeletal Swarming out can make for some fun.

Now, clerics. 

I enjoy this tribe, too, and there are plenty of good options currently in Standard. Cleric Class is a great card and good opener. The first iteration:

4 Cleric Class (AFR) 6

24 Plains (MID) 380

4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27

4 Dawnbringer Cleric (AFR) 9

4 Luminarch Aspirant (ZNR) 24

4 Righteous Valkyrie (KHM) 24

4 Kor Celebrant (ZNR) 22

4 Priest of Ancient Lore (AFR) 35

2 Valkyrie Harbinger (KHM) 374

4 Attended Healer (ZNR) 6

2 Story Seeker (KHM) 34

Based on the mana curve, it had too many lands, so I dropped two out, added Voice of the Blessed, and some removal with Doomskar for version 2:

4 Cleric Class (AFR) 6

22 Plains (MID) 380

4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27

3 Dawnbringer Cleric (AFR) 9

3 Luminarch Aspirant (ZNR) 24

4 Righteous Valkyrie (KHM) 24

4 Kor Celebrant (ZNR) 22

3 Priest of Ancient Lore (AFR) 35

2 Valkyrie Harbinger (KHM) 374

4 Attended Healer (ZNR) 6

2 Story Seeker (KHM) 34

2 Doomskar (KHM) 9

3 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44

Still tweaking, Sunset Revelry was a welcome addition:

4 Cleric Class (AFR) 6

22 Plains (MID) 380

4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27

3 Dawnbringer Cleric (AFR) 9

3 Luminarch Aspirant (ZNR) 24

4 Righteous Valkyrie (KHM) 24

4 Kor Celebrant (ZNR) 22

3 Priest of Ancient Lore (AFR) 35

2 Valkyrie Harbinger (KHM) 374

4 Attended Healer (ZNR) 6

2 Doomskar (KHM) 9

3 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44

2 Sunset Revelry (MID) 38

The fourth and current iteration adds one land back in, more removal (Borrowed Time), and drops out Valkyrie Harbinger:

4 Cleric Class (AFR) 6

23 Plains (MID) 380

4 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27

3 Dawnbringer Cleric (AFR) 9

3 Luminarch Aspirant (ZNR) 24

4 Righteous Valkyrie (KHM) 24

4 Kor Celebrant (ZNR) 22

3 Priest of Ancient Lore (AFR) 35

3 Borrowed Time (MID) 6

4 Attended Healer (ZNR) 6

2 Doomskar (KHM) 9

3 Voice of the Blessed (VOW) 44

It also does alright. It's more aggressive- it generally wins fast (with Righteous Valkyrie) or not at all.

More Art in Magic

I've posted a few times about the art in Magic, and its importance to the game. I was reminded again of its beauty today, as I perused prints for sale at the Original Magic Art store. 

I'm continually impressed by the amount of time and effort that goes in to making one picture for one Magic card. One set includes hundreds of cards, and there are more than 22,000 unique cards printed at this point. How many hours have gone into just the art- let alone the game design? Astonishing. Anyway, here are some of my favorite prints from OMA:

How many cards (2021)?

The Grand Calculatron

How many Magic cards have been made? I looked at that question and the difficulty it creates in this post last year. Today, I simply update the numbers. This post will focus on how many unique cards have been made.

As with last year, Scryfall will be our guide. Any commands shown below were typed into the main Scryfall search bar. And all results are accurate only as of this writing- 16 November 2021- as the numbers are always changing.

The first query: how many unique Magic cards have been made? Using Scryfall's syntax, we search as follows, and get the result (presented immediately after and copied from Scryfall's explanation):

• not:reprint  
• 22,818 cards where the cards aren’t reprints

Cool. But this includes funny cards . . . let's drop those:

• not:reprint not:funny  
• 22,341 cards where the cards aren’t reprints and the cards aren’t funny

Now let's remove those digital-only cards:

• not:reprint not:funny not:digital  
• 22,292 cards where the cards aren’t reprints and the cards aren’t funny and the cards aren’t digital prints

Great. Now let's look at how many unique cards have appeared in core sets:

• not:reprint st:core  
• 1,685 cards where the cards aren’t reprints and the card is in a core set

And now expansions:

• not:reprint st:expansion  
• 18,395 cards where the cards aren’t reprints and the card is in an expansion set

All that remains are cards that weren't in core sets or expansions:

• not:reprint -st:core -st:expansion  
• 2,738 cards where the cards aren’t reprints and the card is not in a core set and the card is not in an expansion set

Oops, that includes funny and digital cards. Adjusting:

• not:reprint -st:core -st:expansion not:funny not:digital  
• 2,212 cards where the cards aren’t reprints and the card is not in a core set and the card is not in an expansion set and the cards aren’t funny and the cards aren’t digital prints

Alright, I think that's it for today. So in summary, as of today,

• 22,292 unique Magic cards have been released in core sets, expansions, or other special releases that are not funny and not digital only [+1826 from last year]. The breakdown:
• 1,685 unique Magic cards in core sets [same as last year]
• 18,395 unique Magic cards in expansions [+1320 from last year]
• 1,706 unique Magic cards in special releases [+506 from last year]

The numbers are always changing; here's a screenshot on how the numbers have changed over the past few months. Note that the "-is:" or "-st:" syntax is interchangable with "not:" in some cases:

That's a lot of Magic cards, and quite a jump from last year.

Crimson Vow Drafting

The latest set, Crimson Vow, is out! I participated in two types of drafts; below recaps both.

1) Traditional Draft

Here, you draft (with other players, not AI) and play three best-of-3 matches. This was my first time playing best-of-3 format; I prefer individual games. In my three matches, I went 1-2, but my overall game record was 4-5 (1-2, 1-2, 2-1). My white-blue deck wasn't very effective, though I always won the first game of a match.

1 Inspired Idea (VOW) 64

1 Valorous Stance (VOW) 42

1 Fleeting Spirit (VOW) 14

1 Heron-Blessed Geist (VOW) 19

1 Resistance Squad (VOW) 32

1 Vampire Slayer (VOW) 43

1 Scattered Thoughts (VOW) 74

2 Parish-Blade Trainee (VOW) 29

1 Estwald Shieldbasher (VOW) 11

2 Lunar Rejection (VOW) 67

1 Twinblade Geist (VOW) 40

1 Repository Skaab (VOW) 73

1 Stitched Assistant (VOW) 81

1 Cruel Witness (VOW) 55

1 Unholy Officiant (VOW) 41

1 Distracting Geist (VOW) 9

1 Soulcipher Board (VOW) 79

1 Gryff Rider (VOW) 15

1 Serpentine Ambush (VOW) 77

1 Syncopate (VOW) 83

1 Dreadlight Monstrosity (VOW) 57

1 Traveling Minister (VOW) 39

8 Island (VOW) 399

8 Plains (VOW) 398

2) Premier Draft

Here, you draft (with other players, not AI) and play individual games until you hit 3 losses. I prefer this format. I started strong (3-0) before flaming out and finishing 4-3. My black-red 'blood token' deck was pretty powerful, but apparently susceptible to green (my three losses where to GB, GW, and GU decks, respectively).

1 Hero's Downfall (VOW) 120

1 Falkenrath Celebrants (VOW) 156

3 Bloodcrazed Socialite (VOW) 96

1 Sanguine Statuette (VOW) 177

1 Blood Petal Celebrant (VOW) 146

2 Ragged Recluse (VOW) 127

1 Wedding Invitation (VOW) 260

1 Undying Malice (VOW) 134

1 Bloodvial Purveyor (VOW) 98

1 Falkenrath Forebear (VOW) 111

2 Persistent Specimen (VOW) 125

1 Lacerate Flesh (VOW) 166

1 Reckless Impulse (VOW) 174

1 Sure Strike (VOW) 179

1 Abrade (VOW) 139

1 Bleed Dry (VOW) 94

1 Doomed Dissenter (VOW) 106

1 Pointed Discussion (VOW) 126

1 Desperate Farmer (VOW) 104

1 Blood Fountain (VOW) 95

1 Bloody Betrayal (VOW) 147

7 Mountain (VOW) 401

8 Swamp (VOW) 400

Overall

The set seems fun for black, red, and green. I'm not sold on white and the 'training' ability. Blue seems good only when paired with black or green.

Color Pie

If you follow the official Magic page, you'll note that they recently did a new series on the 'color pie'- the five colors of Magic, with each of their strengths and common mechanics. That article is here and well worth your time. They did one a week prior- here- that gave some backstory and links to older articles on the topic.

Though Magic is now almost 30 years old, the official site still does a great job of publishing 'introductory' articles like this one- not simple regurgitations of ones prior, but revised looks at core concepts.

Zombies!

It's Halloween! What better way to celebrate than with a Zombie deck? Here's a home brew I've been trying out; it's standard-legal and has fared pretty well so far:

2 Champion of the Perished (MID) 91

22 Swamp (MID) 382

2 Necrosynthesis (MID) 115

2 Bloodchief's Thirst (ZNR) 94

4 Eaten Alive (MID) 99

4 Jadar, Ghoulcaller of Nephalia (MID) 108

2 Tainted Adversary (MID) 124

4 Hobbling Zombie (MID) 106

2 Inscription of Ruin (ZNR) 108

4 Morbid Opportunist (MID) 113

4 Death-Priest of Myrkul (AFR) 95

4 No Way Out (MID) 116

4 The Meathook Massacre (MID) 112

The concept is simple: zombies. Jadar, Ghoulcaller is great for generating zombies each turn, and Morbid Opportunist benefits from their 'decayed' ability to draw a card each turn. Death-Priest of Myrkul makes zombies bigger and gives a way for more sacrificial fodder (skeletons) should need arise. Force your opponent to discard with No Way Out and Inscription of Ruin. Champion of the Perished can get crazy big with all the dying going on. And Meathook Massacre can be a game-ender.

Though pleased with it overall, I'm thinking of one change:

- swapping out No Way Out for . . . something. Crawl from the Cellar? Ecstatic Awakener? Something else? I have time to play with it. For now, though, this one is working well enough.

Jump In!

 

Arena is currently running a "Jump In!" event, and it's great. The concept is similar to Jumpstart- each time you join the event, you get to pick two 20-card themed decks, which you shuffle to make your 40-card event deck. But this time, the themes are based on current cards in Standard, making this a great way to explore the new metagame. The event entry cost (1000 coins) is low and the win condition is easy (one win with your deck nets you a free card), so I participated six times. Here were my decks, with colors in brackets:

Dead and Buried Kicker (UG)

1 Deathbonnet Sprout (MID) 181

1 Willow Geist (MID) 207

1 Gnarlid Colony (ZNR) 185

1 Eccentric Farmer (MID) 185

1 Eccentric Farmer (MID) 185

1 Shadowbeast Sighting (MID) 198

1 Rise of the Ants (MID) 196

1 Dryad's Revival (MID) 183

1 Mage Duel (STX) 137

1 Tapping at the Window (MID) 201

1 Stony Strength (ANB) 105

1 Bala Ged Recovery (ZNR) 180

1 Coralhelm Chronicler (ZNR) 54

1 Tazeem Roilmage (ZNR) 84

1 Cleric of Chill Depths (ZNR) 51

1 Cunning Geysermage (ZNR) 55

1 Roost of Drakes (ZNR) 74

1 Risen Riptide (ZNR) 73

1 Roost of Drakes (ZNR) 74

1 Merfolk Falconer (ZNR) 69

1 Bubble Snare (ZNR) 47

1 Into the Roil (ZNR) 62

1 Field Research (ZNR) 58

1 Umara Wizard (ZNR) 86

1 Rimewood Falls (KHM) 266

1 Rimewood Falls (KHM) 266

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

Zombies Sacrificial (UB)

1 Wight (AFR) 127

1 Bladestitched Skaab (MID) 212

1 Siege Zombie (MID) 121

1 Falcon Abomination (MID) 52

1 Mistwalker (KHM) 68

1 Organ Hoarder (MID) 66

1 Drownyard Amalgam (MID) 50

1 Bloodchief's Thirst (ZNR) 94

1 Revenge of the Drowned (MID) 72

1 Startle (MID) 78

1 Crawl from the Cellar (MID) 93

1 Malakir Rebirth (ZNR) 111

1 Ecstatic Awakener (MID) 100

1 Novice Occultist (MID) 117

1 Vengeful Strangler (MID) 126

1 Jerren, Corrupted Bishop (MID) 109

1 Morbid Opportunist (MID) 113

1 Covert Cutpurse (MID) 92

1 Morkrut Behemoth (MID) 114

1 Deadly Alliance (ZNR) 96

1 Ghoulish Procession (MID) 102

1 Blood Beckoning (ZNR) 92

1 Eaten Alive (MID) 99

1 Malakir Rebirth (ZNR) 111

1 Ice Tunnel (KHM) 262

1 Ice Tunnel (KHM) 262

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

Doctor Landfall (WG)

1 Lunarch Veteran (MID) 27

1 Steadfast Paladin (AFR) 38

1 Trelasarra, Moon Dancer (AFR) 236

1 Celestial Unicorn (AFR) 5

1 Honor Troll (STX) 134

1 Sigarda's Splendor (MID) 33

1 Attended Healer (ZNR) 6

1 Ravenous Lindwurm (KHM) 187

1 Cleric Class (AFR) 6

1 Rabid Bite (ZNR) 199

1 Pacifism (ANB) 16

1 Skyclave Cleric (ZNR) 40

1 Kazandu Nectarpot (ZNR) 190

1 Territorial Scythecat (ZNR) 213

1 Canopy Baloth (ZNR) 182

1 Eccentric Farmer (MID) 185

1 Kazandu Stomper (ZNR) 191

1 Scurrid Colony (STX) 142

1 Druid Class (AFR) 180

1 Roiling Regrowth (ZNR) 201

1 Rabid Bite (ZNR) 199

1 Lotus Cobra (ZNR) 193

1 Skyclave Pick-Axe (ZNR) 204

1 Khalni Ambush (ZNR) 192

1 Evolving Wilds (AFR) 256

1 Arctic Treeline (KHM) 249

1 Arctic Treeline (KHM) 249

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

Warriors Armory (WR)

1 Fireblade Charger (ZNR) 139

1 Goma Fada Vanguard (ZNR) 141

1 Kargan Intimidator (ZNR) 145

1 Expedition Champion (ZNR) 138

1 Expedition Champion (ZNR) 138

1 Scorch Rider (ZNR) 158

1 Goblin Gang Leader (ANB) 70

1 Relic Axe (ZNR) 248

1 Dueling Rapier (AFR) 140

1 Stolen Vitality (MID) 161

1 Heated Debate (STX) 106

1 Akoum Warrior (ZNR) 134

1 Sea Gate Banneret (ZNR) 36

1 Beskir Shieldmate (KHM) 4

1 Armory Veteran (AFR) 130

1 Kargan Warleader (ZNR) 224

1 Akiri, Fearless Voyager (ZNR) 220

1 Stalwart Valkyrie (KHM) 31

1 Dwarven Hammer (KHM) 133

1 Bruenor Battlehammer (AFR) 219

1 Resolute Strike (ZNR) 35

1 Relic Axe (ZNR) 248

1 Heated Debate (STX) 106

1 Akoum Warrior (ZNR) 134

1 Alpine Meadow (KHM) 248

1 Alpine Meadow (KHM) 248

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

1 Plains (MID) 380

Vampires Rock and Roll (BR)

1 Florian, Voldaren Scion (MID) 223

1 Vampire Socialite (MID) 249

1 Falkenrath Perforator (MID) 136

1 Stromkirk Bloodthief (MID) 123

1 Vampire Spawn (AFR) 123

1 Death-Priest of Myrkul (AFR) 95

1 Bat Whisperer (MID) 86

1 Mounted Dreadknight (MID) 150

1 Run Amok (KHM) 147

1 Infernal Grasp (MID) 107

1 Burn the Accursed (MID) 132

1 Spikefield Hazard (ZNR) 166

1 Brazen Dwarf (AFR) 134

1 Goblin Morningstar (AFR) 145

1 Breakneck Berserker (KHM) 124

1 Twinscroll Shaman (STX) 118

1 Chaos Channeler (AFR) 136

1 Delina, Wild Mage (AFR) 138

1 Swarming Goblins (AFR) 162

1 Earth-Cult Elemental (AFR) 141

1 Barbarian Class (AFR) 131

1 Critical Hit (AFR) 137

1 Farideh's Fireball (AFR) 142

1 Kazuul's Fury (ZNR) 146

1 Sulfurous Mire (KHM) 270

1 Sulfurous Mire (KHM) 270

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Mountain (MID) 383

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

1 Swamp (MID) 382

Elves Flashback (UG)

1 Jaspera Sentinel (KHM) 178

1 Reckless Amplimancer (STX) 141

1 Elvish Warmaster (KHM) 167

1 Taunting Arbormage (ZNR) 212

1 Elderleaf Mentor (KHM) 165

1 Grizzled Outrider (KHM) 173

1 Elven Bow (KHM) 166

1 Rabid Bite (ZNR) 199

1 Snakeskin Veil (KHM) 194

1 Clear Shot (MID) 176

1 You Meet in a Tavern (AFR) 215

1 Bala Ged Recovery (ZNR) 180

1 Curate (STX) 40

1 Dragonsguard Elite (STX) 127

1 Quandrix Apprentice (STX) 216

1 Quandrix Pledgemage (STX) 219

1 Shadowbeast Sighting (MID) 198

1 Karok Wrangler (STX) 135

1 Leyline Invocation (STX) 136

1 Mage Duel (STX) 137

1 Dryad's Revival (MID) 183

1 Winterthorn Blessing (MID) 251

1 Secrets of the Key (MID) 73

1 Beyeen Veil (ZNR) 46

1 Reclaim the Wastes (ZNR) 200

1 Rimewood Falls (KHM) 266

1 Rimewood Falls (KHM) 266

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Forest (MID) 384

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

1 Island (MID) 381

Overall, this is a fantastic way to explore the cards and themes of Standard on a level playing field. Highly recommended.

Jumpstart Deck Dump

 

Another post dumping Arena decks based on an old Jumpstart event. Released last year, this fun format- "pick two 20-card theme packs, shuffle, and play"- is a hit. Here are some decks

Milling Reanimated:

1 Bruvac the Grandiloquent (JMP) 10

1 Belltower Sphinx (JMP) 141

1 Reckless Scholar (JMP) 168

1 Wall of Lost Thoughts (JMP) 190

1 Teferi's Tutelage (M21) 78

1 Selhoff Occultist (JMP) 174

1 Sweep Away (JMP) 180

1 Thought Collapse (JMP) 184

1 Weight of Memory (JMP) 74

1 Thriving Isle (JMP) 36

1 Vedalken Entrancer (JMP) 188

1 Towering-Wave Mystic (JMP) 186

1 Capture Sphere (M21) 47

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Gravewaker (JMP) 241

1 Woe Strider (JMP) 123

1 Mire Triton (JMP) 257

1 Zombie Infestation (JMP) 288

1 Goremand (M21) 101

1 Eliminate (M21) 97

1 Crypt Lurker (M21) 93

1 Rise Again (M21) 119

1 Crow of Dark Tidings (JMP) 221

1 Bond of Revival (JMP) 80

1 Funeral Rites (JMP) 235

1 Miasmic Mummy (JMP) 256

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

1 Swamp (JMP) 56

Milling Spooky:

1 Bruvac the Grandiloquent (JMP) 10

1 Belltower Sphinx (JMP) 141

1 Reckless Scholar (JMP) 168

1 Wall of Lost Thoughts (JMP) 190

1 Teferi's Tutelage (M21) 78

1 Selhoff Occultist (JMP) 174

1 Sweep Away (JMP) 180

1 Thought Collapse (JMP) 184

1 Weight of Memory (JMP) 74

1 Thriving Isle (JMP) 36

1 Vedalken Entrancer (JMP) 188

1 Towering-Wave Mystic (JMP) 186

1 Capture Sphere (M21) 47

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Island (JMP) 50

1 Black Market (JMP) 204

1 Malefic Scythe (M21) 112

1 Bone Picker (JMP) 212

1 Eternal Taskmaster (JMP) 228

1 Gristle Grinner (JMP) 242

1 Liliana's Devotee (M21) 109

1 Crypt Lurker (M21) 93

1 Caged Zombie (M21) 91

1 Dutiful Attendant (JMP) 226

1 Finishing Blow (M21) 99

1 Plagued Rusalka (JMP) 268

1 Sanitarium Skeleton (JMP) 273

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

Minions Rainbow:

1 Ghoulcaller Gisa (JMP) 236

1 Witch's Cauldron (M21) 129

1 Eliminate (M21) 97

1 Goremand (M21) 101

1 Liliana's Devotee (M21) 109

1 Innocent Blood (JMP) 244

1 Fetid Imp (M21) 98

1 Dutiful Attendant (JMP) 226

1 Ghoulcaller's Accomplice (JMP) 237

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Shambling Goblin (JMP) 277

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Village Rites (M21) 126

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Swamp (JMP) 54

1 Maelstrom Archangel (JMP) 454

1 Chamber Sentry (JMP) 461

1 Dinrova Horror (JMP) 450

1 Fusion Elemental (JMP) 451

1 Mirrodin's Core (JMP) 492

1 Raging Regisaur (JMP) 455

1 Ironroot Warlord (JMP) 452

1 Alloy Myr (JMP) 457

1 Auger Spree (JMP) 449

1 Terramorphic Expanse (JMP) 78

1 Lawmage's Binding (JMP) 453

1 Prophetic Prism (JMP) 478

1 Rupture Spire (JMP) 495

1 Skittering Surveyor (JMP) 486

1 Prismite (M21) 235

1 Forest (M21) 273

1 Island (M21) 265

1 Mountain (M21) 271

1 Plains (M21) 260

1 Swamp (M21) 268

Rogues Dragons:

1 Thieves' Guild Enforcer (M21) 125

1 Corpse Traders (JMP) 220

1 Oona's Blackguard (JMP) 261

1 Rogue's Gloves (JMP) 479

1 Stab Wound (JMP) 281

1 Alchemist's Gift (M21) 87

1 Masked Blackguard (M21) 113

1 Corpse Hauler (JMP) 219

1 Lawless Broker (JMP) 249

1 Last Gasp (JMP) 247

1 Nightshade Stinger (JMP) 258

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Swamp (JMP) 57

1 Lathliss, Dragon Queen (JMP) 340

1 Gadrak, the Crown-Scourge (M21) 146

1 Hellkite Punisher (M21) 151

1 Rapacious Dragon (JMP) 358

1 Scorching Dragonfire (JMP) 139

1 Dragonlord's Servant (JMP) 311

1 Furnace Whelp (JMP) 323

1 Dragon Fodder (JMP) 309

1 Dragon Hatchling (JMP) 310

1 Lightning Shrieker (JMP) 345

1 Sarkhan's Rage (JMP) 360

1 Thriving Bluff (JMP) 33

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

1 Mountain (JMP) 62

Tree-hugging Cats:

1 Primordial Sage (JMP) 422

1 Burlfist Oak (M21) 174

1 Warden of the Woods (M21) 213

1 Nature's Way (JMP) 412

1 Wall of Blossoms (JMP) 442

1 Llanowar Visionary (M21) 193

1 Snarespinner (M21) 207

1 Ambassador Oak (JMP) 375

1 Crushing Canopy (JMP) 386

1 Explore (JMP) 393

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Wildsize (JMP) 445

1 Gnarled Sage (M21) 187

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Forest (JMP) 70

1 Feline Sovereign (M21) 180

1 Enlarge (JMP) 392

1 Keeper of Fables (JMP) 407

1 Nature's Way (JMP) 412

1 Canopy Stalker (M21) 175

1 Sabertooth Mauler (M21) 202

1 Pridemalkin (M21) 196

1 Crushing Canopy (JMP) 386

1 Feral Invocation (JMP) 396

1 Initiate's Companion (JMP) 403

1 Pouncing Cheetah (JMP) 419

1 Thriving Grove (JMP) 34

1 Feral Prowler (JMP) 397

1 Forest (JMP) 74

1 Forest (JMP) 74

1 Forest (JMP) 74

1 Forest (JMP) 74

1 Forest (JMP) 74

1 Forest (JMP) 74

1 Forest (JMP) 74

Vampires Spooky:

1 Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose (M21) 127

1 Silversmote Ghoul (M21) 122

1 Blood Host (JMP) 208

1 Bloodbond Vampire (JMP) 209

1 Gifted Aetherborn (JMP) 239

1 Sanguine Indulgence (M21) 121

1 Agonizing Syphon (JMP) 199

1 Child of Night (JMP) 218

1 Eternal Thirst (JMP) 229

1 Last Gasp (JMP) 247

1 Nocturnal Feeder (JMP) 16

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Gloom Sower (M21) 100

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Swamp (JMP) 60

1 Black Market (JMP) 204

1 Malefic Scythe (M21) 112

1 Bone Picker (JMP) 212

1 Eternal Taskmaster (JMP) 228

1 Gristle Grinner (JMP) 242

1 Liliana's Devotee (M21) 109

1 Crypt Lurker (M21) 93

1 Caged Zombie (M21) 91

1 Dutiful Attendant (JMP) 226

1 Finishing Blow (M21) 99

1 Plagued Rusalka (JMP) 268

1 Sanitarium Skeleton (JMP) 273

1 Thriving Moor (JMP) 37

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61

1 Swamp (JMP) 61