This week, the incomparable Zach Barash and I joyfully meander through conversation on parenting, self-toppling carts, implicit promises, creative projects being icebergs, and much more. Zach on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/611d11c41821250566960dc8 Cascade Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/cascadecube Email the sh…

What do you want out of a cube draft? In this episode, Sam talks through his experience as an avid retail limited player and how it relates to cube play and design. We discuss building toward open-endedness, power-forward design, the Twobert module, and much more. To hear more of Sam, check out his podcast, Rough Drafts! Rough Drafts (Sam's limited…

This week, Parker of Lucky Paper walks us through Atavus, an accessibility-focused environment that asks (and answers) foundational questions. In this conversation we discuss curatorial triangulation, helping players navigate a cloud of probability, Braum's ice cream, not listening to feedback, and much more. Parker on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.…

We're having a ball! In this conversation, Jane unpacks her inaugural experiences with The Ball Pit, a desert cube where every card can be played face-down as Chromatic Sphere. Join us on this wild ride as we explore cultivating community, competitive improvisation, gravedigging for artists, and much more. The Ball Pit on CubeCobra A Firsthand Acco…

This week, Illuminous gives us an overview of the Chromatic Cube project, a mono-colored (and colorless) exploration of color-focused cubes. We discuss singleton breaks, striving for an ideal goal, building on cube clones, and more. Illuminous is @tobyknight2013 on Discord Illuminous on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/user/view/62bd188b9ed2640f77…

A G.O.A.T. by any other name would still be a sweet draft! This week, Dave guides us through his synergy-driven peasant environment. We discuss designing for synergy in an increasingly powerful game, "the Box," inspiration for your own cube invitational, and more. Dave is dnolan08 on Discord Dave on CubeCobra https://www.cubecobra.com/user/view/5d8…

In this conversation, Alex and I talk about cube and not about cube. We explore Upkeep, Alex's zine about cube as an outlet for other creativity, community, and chaos. Buckle up and enjoy the ride through unintentional therapy, a probably-stolen binder, heartache about foil stamps, and much more. Alex on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/user/view/…

Enjoy a brief archival recording this week! Jake, Joe, Bones, and I talk about feedback on a quick car ride. Midwinter: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/midwinter World War of the Spark: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/wwrav

"Garden as though you will live forever" - William Kent In this episode, Scott (the mind behind Upkeep New York and Cube for a Cause) shares his insight on The Garden, a context-shifting cube where players start with a Lotus Field in play. We discuss stretch goals, Type 1 cubes, the value of aesthetics in cube design, and much more. The Garden on C…

May (also known as Myagic) unpacks finding the fun through May's Fae Cube! In this conversation we discuss aesthetics vs. gameplay, objective subjectivity, cube being like an ant farm, and much more. May on CubeCobra May's Fae Cube on CubeCobra May on BlueSky May is on the Uber Cube podcast! Email the show at [email protected]…

On this episode, Danny guides us through the graveyard-focused Soskube: the Second Hand. We also explore Cogwork Librarian, a tool he developed for advanced cube-building queries and creation. We discuss building toward target gameplay goals, reinventing projects that have lost their spark, using resources to go from idea to table more quickly, and…

"Creature spells? Where we're going, we don't need Creature spells!" - Ollie, probably On this episode, Ollie guides us through The Creatureless Cube and - spoiler alert - there may be some creatures along the way. We discuss building with packages, cube as shared game design, serving your players, and more. The Creatureless Cube on CubeCobra Ollie…

Join us in the Junderdome! In this episode, Tyler - the tyrant of The Jund Cube - guides us through this accessibly harsh tri-color environment. We discuss curating for an ethos, pitfalls and opportunities of color-restricted environments, ease-of-brain, and more. The Jund Cube on CubeCobra Tyler on CubeCobra Tyler on BlueSky Tyler is tylerpug on D…

Me: Can we draft Ikoria? Mike: We have Ikoria at Home. This week, Mike guides us through the 'big three' pillars of the Ikoria at Home cube - the iconic cycling archetype, kindred humans, and mutating monsters - and many of the design decisions that impact its ongoing curation. We discuss finding and building cohesion, balancing humility and intent…

This week, Haiyue unpacks the art of casting for coverage and casting ultimatums! We discuss following an emotional cadence, building for greed, holding onto the reins of your own projects, and more. Oops! All Pips on CubeCobra Haiyue on Bluesky Haiyue on Twitter Email the show at [email protected]…

"The modernity of yesterday is the tradition of today, and the modernity of today will be tradition tomorrow." - Jose Andres In this thoroughly Modern conversation, Jabs takes us through The Modern Darlings Cube, a nostalgic museum of pre-Magic Origins constructed Modern with some thoughtful twists. We discuss digging deep to support archetypes, te…

This week, Anthony of Lucky Paper talks through several of the cube design tools he's helped craft as well as the joy of curating cubes and play groups. We explore building thoughtful processes, chains of eroding frustrations, and doing the best you currently can. All of the tools referenced are hosted on luckypaper.co Anthony on CubeCobra Anthony …

Blink and you'll miss it! This week, Ian shows off the value and fun of the Bant Cube. We also talk about his ongoing interview project, Cuberviews. We explore building from cards you own, designing in ways you enjoy, learning from varied perspectives, and more. Find Cuberviews anywhere fine podcasts are hosted! Ian on CubeCobra The Bant Cube on Cu…

When in Loam... This week, Gwen guides us through the intricacies of Loam Cube and talks about his role as the founder and admin of CubeCobra. We unpack considering archetypes in a color-imbalanced environment, convincing players to try new cubes, the joys and challenges of passion projects, and more. Gwen is dekkaru on Discord Loam Cube on CubeCob…

This conversation is a landing place for curious designers and players about the particulars of building and interpreting land-restricted draft environments - Desert Cubes! Bones brings his tremendous expertise on the format to help highlight numbers, design ideas, and high-level ideas to help guide you toward your own positive Desert experience. T…

This week, Arlo, the famous (or infamous) gaytransmulldrifter, guides us through a wild ride of projects and philosophy. We discuss how boring Jace, the Mind Sculptor is, building things your friends enjoy, whether you can actually be good at cube design, and more. ⁠Arlo's Podcast⁠ on Soundcloud Arlo on CubeCobra Pushstart on CubeCobra The $5 Fair …

This week, Rojja shows off the bespoke and eclectic Rusty Box o' Goblins (also called the Cash Box). We discuss moonshine-flavored cards, jam sessions, the dangerous idea that other people were right all along, and more. Rusty Box o' Goblins on CubeCobra Photos of the Box! Email the show at [email protected]…

I took things slow for the holidays this week, so enjoy a totally self-indulgent custom design retrospective with my friends Bones and Kyle. Bones and I have worked on several custom projects over the years and we burn some windshield time reminiscing on the good, the bad, and everything in between. Regular interviews will resume next week! Email t…

Color pie? Where we're going, we don't need the color pie! Dan guides us through the Devoid Cube and the Colorshifted Cube, two projects that challenge notions of color in cube construction. We discuss color balance (or lack thereof), using cube size as a tool, embracing dangerously refreshing confusion, and more. Dan on CubeCobra Devoid Cube on Cu…

As iron sharpens iron, so one drafter sharpens another! Matt coordinates weekly drafts for designers and players in preparation for CubeCon. We discuss the process of hosting a digital draft for play on Magic Online, evaluating novel environments, the value of consistent scheduling, and more.Matt is mattbelcher on Discord Join the CubeCon Discord a…

This week, Joe guides us through the Alternate Timeline, a curated world without the peculiarities of modern Magic. We discuss intentional exclusions, Lunchables, balancing feedback with goals, and more. Joe on CubeCobra (Check out more 5 Alive projects here) Alternate Timeline on CubeCobra Joe is JoeDonkey on Discord Email the show at recrossthepa…

Dive into the gold mine of Daniel's Reading Rainbow cube this week, an all-multicolor experience! We discuss building projects you care about, balancing an opportunity-rich environment, making your cube fun, and more. Daniel on CubeCobra Reading Rainbow on CubeCobra Email the show at [email protected]…

All aboard! Join TrainmasterGT as he leads us through the Highball 4K. We discuss capturing a nostalgic feeling, using (and not using) format barometers, trains, and more. Highball 4K on the RiptideLab forums Highball 4K on CubeCobra TrainmasterGT on CubeCobra Email the show at [email protected]…

Attention campers! Neal guides us through the intricacies of his Micro Cube and the joy of bringing people together. We discuss the weight of decisions in small environments, embracing being a learner, drawing inspiration from the Duelist Kingdom arc of YuGiOh, and more. Neal (baconeal) on CubeCobra Neal's Micro Cube on CubeCobra Neal is baconeal o…

Catastrophe equals opportunity! Morgan explores the design and decisions behind Disaster Movie Cube. We talk card and spreadsheet aesthetics, balancing mechanics, playing what you love, and more. Morgan (darthpinkhippo) on CubeCobra Disaster Move Cube (CubeCon Edition) on CubeCobra Morgan is DarthPinkHippo on Twitter Connect with Morgan for more in…

Here there be Dragons! Chill walks us through the frozen reaches of his beautiful Vorthos Desert cube. We unpack building a thematic world, managing overt complexity, being part of a welcoming community, and more. Chill on CubeCobra Dragons of Winter's Night on CubeCobra Chill MTG on YouTube Chill is ChillMTG on Discord Email the show at recrossthe…

Long live the king! Warren walks us through treacherous tri-color realms and the decisions that led to their creation. We discuss balancing a broad environment, strategies for playtesting, working with others, and more. xoanon.net/cube - quick link for Warren's CubeCobra page Melded Mardu Monarchy The Bardu Cube Tresserhorn Gardens The Junk Cube Em…

Join us for a spell! Brett talks about his background in Scrabble, being bold to make changes, being the final arbiter of design for your cube, and more. Brett (aibretty) on CubeCobra Low Country Boil on CubeCobra The Fire Swamp on CubeCobra Email the show at [email protected]

Secret, Gift, or Competition? Henry unpacks the fascinating draft environment of Hanamikoji and its uses in Magic micro-projects. We also explore telling stories, participation vs. spectacle, and much more. Henry (HenryClay1844) on CubeCobra Hanamikoji Micro Cubes on CubeCobra Henry is HenryClay1844 on Discord Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmai…

Not all those who wander are lost! Thomas discusses his road to CubeCon, the challenge and reward of building a set cube, judging cube events, and more. Thomas (magesandmentors) on CubeCobra Lord of the Rings Expanded on CubeCobra Tavern Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at [email protected]

Cher talks through finding stability in The Elysian Cube and empowering players to play what they want in The Citadel of Madness. We discuss building around themes, using lands effectively, and much more. Cher on ⁠Twitter⁠ (@cherjtankian)Cher is @pizzagirl1 on Discord Cher on CubeCobra The Elysian Cube on CubeCobra The Citadel of Madness on CubeCob…

There's no Tempo like the present! Turner uses The Tempo Cube to discuss building for the gameplay you want, multi-level interaction, choosing 'sub-optimal' cards, and more. Turner (grenrut) on CubeCobra The Tempo Cube on CubeCobra Turner is grenrut on Discord Email the show at [email protected]…

Let's get weird! In this episode, D.S.B discusses building for tension, small-form design, creating for yourself, and much more. D.S.B is d.s.b on Discord! D.S.B (dsbcubes) on CubeCobra (Cubes marked "5A" are 5 Alive projects) Email the show at [email protected]

Two heads are better than one and Mike and Dan are out to prove it! In this double-length episode, this duo from Madison unpacks finding a connection, designing together, the benefits of Bar cube, and much more. Dan (BearlyLupe) on CubeCobra Mike (Mikujin) on CubeCobra MAD Cube on CubeCobra Spirits on Tap on CubeCobra Be sure to check out the Madis…

Every Penrose has it thorns... or at least a Thornglint Bridge. Lincoln unpacks designing toward archetypes and breaking free of rarity restrictions. Capitol Cube Championship - Sign up now! Lincoln on CubeCobra Penrose Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at [email protected]

Jake unpacks the art of making losing fun in Bodleian Cube! Join us as we explore how to give and receive better feedback as cube designers and players. Jake on CubeCobra Bodleian Cube on CubeCobra One of Jake's Set Retrospective Articles on CubeCobra Jake on Twitter @HGSCube Find Jake on Discord @deinonychus (Here's a fun article about what a Dein…

Three life, but perfectly balanced - as all things should be. Keldan shares about walking the razor's edge of designing Bolt Cube to be both novel and fun. Connect with Keldan on Discord @theoinkinator (and be sure to ask about the Seattle Cube Discord!) Keldan on CubeCobra Bolt Cube on CubeCobra Email the show at [email protected]…

Leave no stone unturned as Nick guides us through the Desert Rose! This beautiful environment embraces a challenging narrative through a compelling aesthetic and thoughtful design. Nick (Strogie) on CubeCobra Desert Rose on CubeCobra Nick on Twitter (or X or whatever it's called these days) Email the show at [email protected]…

The numbers don't lie! Daniel walks us through how hundreds of data points yield a fresh, fascinating look at building a cube. The Data Generated Vintage Cube is the quintessential result of his handiwork. Daniel's profile page (l0gr1thm1k) on CubeCobra Data Generated Vintage Cube on CubeCobra Follow the CubeCobra link for even more to explore on t…

Kade joins me on this episode to discuss subverting expectations with their bite-sized Esper Commander Cube. Kade's profile (Irreleverent) on CubeCobra The Cut-Rate Commander Cube on CubeCobra Cards mentioned: Archidekt link Show email: [email protected]

On this episode, Greg joins me for my inaugural Cube interview. We dive into Companion Cube and explore how changing one rule can radically redefine an environment. Greg's profile (dinrovahorror) on CubeCobra Companion Cube on CubeCobra Cards mentioned: Archidekt Link