In the third episode of Tarkir Month, TrainmasterGT invites the always awesome Judge Bones to discuss building Cubes that mirror the play patterns of Constructed formats. They discuss what it means to make a “constructed-like Cube”, and how to build one! By analyzing their Highball 4K and Museum of Modern Cubes, TrainmasterGT and Bones showcase strategies to create Cubes mirroring your favorite constructed formats! Learn how to choose a format to emulate, an era to draw inspiration from, and how to port constructed decks as limited archetypes. If you can dream it, you can construct it!

All aboard!

Shownotes:

Museum of Modern Cube

Highball 4K Cube

MTGTop8

Cards Mentioned:

Tibor and Lumia

Leyline of Lightning

Aether Vial

Fecundity

Empty the Warrens

Skirk Prospector

Force of Will

Stingscourger

Man o’ War

Atarka’s Command

Tarmogoyf

Krark-Clan Ironworks

Seeker of the Way

Heir of the Wilds

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Heartfire Immolator

Mage-Ring Bully

Delver of Secrets

Jace, the Mind Sculptor

Bloodbraid Elf

Stoneforge Mystic

Treasure Cruise

Dig Through Time

Deathrite Shaman

Birthing Pod

Splinter Twin

Inferno Titan

Collected Company

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

Chord of Calling

Bitterblossom

Force of Vigor

Death’s Shadow

Temur Battle Rage

Stubborn Denial

Gurmag Angler

Blood Moon

Cryptic Command

Spreading Seas

Sphinx’s Tutelage

Faithless Looting

Young Pyromancer

Arclight Phoenix

Cathartic Reunion

Tormenting Voice

Careful Study

Shock

Lightning Bolt

Thoughtseize

Inquisition of Kozilek

Daze

Wild Nacatl

Kird Ape

Loam Lion

Burning-Tree Emissary

Reckless Bushwacker

Mana Leak

Condescend

Remand

Smallpox

Bloodghast

Ensoul Artifact

Tezzeret, Betrayer of Flesh

Zoetic Glyph

Blackstaff of Waterdeep

Fatal Push

Sandsteppe Citadel

The Triomes

Jetmir’s Garden

The Bridges

The Snow Gates

Pyrogoyf

Flametongue Kavu

Scavenging Ooze

Elspeth, Sun’s Champion

Deceiver Exarch

Pestermite

Swords to Plowshares

Silkwrap

Banishing Light

Journey to Nowhere

Venser, Shaper Savant

Silumgar’s Scorn

Foul Tongue Invocation

Crux of Fate

Dragonlord Ojutai

Dragonlord Silumgar

Silumgar, the Drifting Death

Teferi, Hero of Dominaria

The Exhale Cycle

Scapeshift

Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle

Saheeli Cat Combo Cards

Thragtusk

Special thanks to Onderzeeboot for providing the Cold Open for this episode. Please note that the Dutch Tourism and Culture Export Board is not a real organization and that Cube Engineers is not sponsored by any entity, real or fictional, at this time.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT is once again joined by Usman Jamil for the official kickoff of Tarkir Month to discuss Tarkir: Dragonstorm! In the first of this two-part review, TrainmasterGT and Usman take a “dragonback” approach to analyzing the set, looking at all of the themes and mechanics. Which mechanics will soar like dragons, and which will be doomed to become dragon’s prey? Stay tuned to find out!

Show Notes

Usman Jamil’s Substack and The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast

Usman’s Cube

Highball 4K Cube

Cards Discussed

Dig Through Time

Treasure Cruise

Siege Rhino

Mantis Rider

Skirmish Rhino

Savannah Lions

Dirgur Island Dragon

Bloomvine Regent

Twinmaw Stormbrood

Roast

Marang River Regent (The Blue Rare Omen)

Bonecrusher Giant

Brazen Borrower

Murderous Rider

Rimrock Knight

Sagu Wildling (Text Only)

Dispelling Exhale

Foul Tongue Invocation

Dragonlord's Prerogative

Molten Exhale

Thundering Rebuke

Fanged Flames

Lava Coil

Sarkhan, Dragon Ascendant

Champion of Dusan

Quarsi Revenant

Vampire Nighthawk

Lasyd Prowler

Constrictor Mage

Rot-Curse Rakshasha

Devoted Duelist

Clarion Spirit

Ledger Shredder

Raging Battle-Mouse

Cori-Steel Cutter

Taigam, Master Opportunist

Unending Whisper

Songcrafter Mage

Channeled Dragonfire

Firebolt

Winternight Stories

Fortress Kin-guard

Descendant of Storms

Usher of the Fallen

Shock Brigade

Kari Zev, Skyship Raider

Goblin Bombardment

Voice of Victory

Avenger of the Fallen

Stadium Headliner

Zurgo, Thunder’s Decree

Goblin Rabblemaster

Dalkovan Packbeasts (0/4 with Mobilize 3)

Grand Abolisher

Kin-Tree Severance

Up the Beanstalk

Rakshasha’s Bargain

Riverwheel Sweep

Sea Snidd

Megamorph Dragon Cycle

Teval, Arbiter of Virtue

Ureni, the Song Unending

Dragonlord Atarka

Ureni of the Unwritten

Teval, the Balanced Scale

Anafenza, the Foremost

Dragonlord Ojutai

Dragonlord Silumgar

Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger

Dragonlord Dromoka

Oath of Druids

Jeskai Shrinekeeper

Lightning Angel

Jeskai Revelation

Death Begets Life

Dragonback Assault

The Sieges

Eshki Dragonclaw

Sage of the Skies

Flamehold Grappler

Thank you again to Usman for coming back on the show!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT scrambles to create an episode after having to push back the first part of the Tarkir: Dragonstorm podcast by a week. Will he be able to create a decent episode in time? Maybe, but only with a little help from his friends!

Show Notes:

The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast (Usman Jamil’s Substack)

Ubercubathon 2025

Lucky Paper Radio

Neoclassical Cube

Degenerate Microcube

Bun Magic Cube

Sacred Geometry

Turbo Cube

The Pauper Cube

Cards Discussed:

Sagu Archer

Arc Lightning

Monastery Flock

Vedalken Shackles

Skirmish Rhino

Siege Rhino

Mulldrifter

Unearth

Helping Hand

No One Left Behind

Recommission

Collected Company

Skirmish Rhino

Siege Rhino

Rhino Tribal Enablers

Lightning Helix

Fruit of the First Tree

Tree of Redemption

Skirmish Rhino

Siege Rhino

Flame Slash

Soulherder

Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd

Rhino-

Vedalken Shackles

Special thanks to:

Uberbear

The other hosts of The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast, Arlo Jessie, Jane, and Usman

Andy Mangold

Anthony ‘Skirmish Rhino’ Mattox

Onderzeeboot

Chris Taylor

Judge Bones

Shep

Jason Waddell

Kade Goforth

Markiplier

Rocco Dupris

Wadi-Safra

Thanks for listening!

LEGAL NOTICE: The Dutch Tourism and Culture Export Board does not actually exist, it is a fabrication for this podcast. We still haven’t sold out!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT explores how emotional value plays a role in Cube design and why we find certain cards to be so special. Explore the universe of cards with heart, and a few examples from TrainmasterGT’s own collection! Grab your Penumbra Wurms, Wabi-Sabi Ugins, and misprint Godless Shrines, it’s going to be a wild ride!

Show Notes

The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast

Episode 239 of Lucky Paper Radio

Wabi-Sabi (Wikipedia)

Cards Discussed

Rot Wolf

Oak Street Innkeeper

Mwonvuli Beast Tracker

Roaring Primadox

Penumbra Wurm

Teysa, Envoy of Ghosts

Shivan Dragon

Godless Shrine

Batterskull

Reap Intellect

Vraska the Unseen

Elspeth, Sun’s Champion

Siege Rhino

Courser of Kruphix

Kolaghan, the Storm’s Fury

Whisperwood Elemental

Soulflayer

Tasigur, the Golden Fang

Silumgar, the Drifting Death

Crux of Fate

Wild Slash

Mardu Woe-Reaper

Whisperer of the Wilds

Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

Chord of Calling

Jace, Vyrn’s Prodigy

Collected Company

Temple of Triumph

Peak Eruption

Polukranos, World Eater

Roast

Temur Charm

Wooded Foothills

Elvish Mystic

Seeker of the Way

Savage Ventmaw

Muscle Sliver

Sinew Sliver

Predatory Sliver

Glistener Elf

Blighted Agent

Yahenni, Undying Partisan

Ral, Storm Conduit

Fblthp, the Lost

Roalesk, Apex Hybrid

Chandra, Fire Artisan

Gideon Blackblade

Ugin, the Ineffable

Wrenn and Six

Fable of the Mirror Breaker

Up the Beanstalk

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Stoneforge Mystic

Borderless Furbait

Furry Jace

Jace, the Mind Sculptor

30th Anniversary Year Promos

Liliana of the Veil

Nissa, Vastwood Seer

Vandalblast

Blood Artist

Thanks for watching! Tune in next week for the introduction to Tarkir month!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT journeys to the Netherlands to meet with the legendary Cube designer Onderzeeboot and discuss one of the coolest Cubes around: Heritage! Heritage: a Sticker Cube combines classic Magic gameplay with elements from Legacy board games like Risk: Legacy and Gloomhaven. Learn all about how Heritage was designed, and how to build your own Heritage Cubes at home!

Show Notes

Heritage: A Sticker Cube Links:

Riptidelab Thread

CubeCobra Link

Modified Cards Gallery

Jason Waddell’s article on Multicolor Cubes and Onderzeeboot’s thoughts on the article

Omniczech’s Sticker Cube

Dave Chalker’s Article about the original Victor’s Spoils mechanic

Cards Discussed

Faerie Seer

Treasure Cruise

Basri, Tomorrow's Champion

Icatian Javelineer

Scab-Clan Giant

Ash Barrens

Electrolyze

Snapback

Wicked Akuba

Syr Konrad, the Grim

Corpse Knight

Dismember

Audacious Thief

Modified Discussed Card Image Gallery

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT explores what he thinks constitute the five best Cube sets ever released! This may be a simple premise, but there is an intriguing answer.

Show Notes:

Unstable Cubicorns Battle Box

Cards Discussed:

Introduction:

The Power 9

The Original Dual Lands

Lightning Bolt

Llanowar Elves

Counterspell

Dark Ritual

Amonkhet:

Dusk//Dawn

Claim//Fame

Insult//Injury

Drake Haven

Archfiend of Ifnir

Astral Slide

Censor

Hieroglyphic Illumination

Cast Out

Glorybringer

Snapcaster Mage

Gust Walker

Khans of Tarkir

Treasure Cruise

Dig Through Time

The Khans

The Charms

Siege Rhino

Mantis Rider

Throne of Eldraine

Bonecrusher Giant

Lovestruck Beast

Edgewall Inkeeper

Lucky Clover

Gingerbrute

Gilded Goose

The Adamant Mechanic

The Quad-Hybrid Cards

Irencrag Feat

Fires of Invention

Once Upon a Time

Oko, Thief of Crowns

Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty

Double-Faced Sagas

Fable of the Mirror Breaker

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

The Shattered States Era

Boseuju Reaches Skyward

Blade of the Oni

Rabbit Battery

Neon Dynasty Ninjutsu

Colossal Skyturtle

Twinshot Sniper

Touch the Spirit Realm

The Neon Dynasty Spirit Dragons

The Champions of Kamigawa Spirit Dragons

Honorable Mentions

Spyglass Siren

Cenote Scout

Deep-Cavern Bat

Bitter Triumph

Dinosaurs with Landcycling

Trumpeting Carnosaur

Sentinel of the Nameless City

Delirium Cards from Duskmourn

Example of Cool Duskmourn Enchantments: The Overlords

Modern Horizons 2

Mox Opal (and its original banning)

Thought Monitor

Thoughtcast

Memnarch

Red White Modular Cards

Green Storm Cards

Dragon’s Rage Channeler

Lose Focus

Prismatic Ending

Unholy Heat

Hard Evidence

Murktide Regent

Abiding Grace

Scuttletide

Fae Offering

Priest of Fell Rites

Archon of Cruelty

Serra’s Emmisary

Evoke Elementals

Force of Will

Grief

Unmask

Thanks for listening!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the host of the Recross the Paths Podcast, Kade Goforth, to discuss his experiences conversing with Cube designers. Learn the origins of Recross the Paths and how to get more out of your conversations with Cubers!

Additional Links:

Recross the Paths Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts

Trade Routes Games Tulsa

Cards Mentioned:

Rise of the Dark Realms

Sentinel Sliver

Kalonian Hydra

Sphinx’s Revelation

Supreme Verdict

Pack Rat

Maze’s End

Special thanks to Kade for being a guest on the episode!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Chris “'Cashew” Taylor of Riptidelab fame to discuss how Cube designers can use custom cards in their Cubes! Learn how to make and use custom cards to improve your Cube, and how to upgrade existing cards to better suit your needs!

Show Notes:

—The Dandy Cube on Cubecobra and Riptidelab

—Fox Stevenson (Official YouTube Channel)

—Magic Set Editor Modern

—Rail War Set

—High Noon Set

—The Coalesce Mechanic

—Art Station

Cards Discussed:

—Sudden Shock

—Grave Titan

—Oni Cult Anvil

—Snapcaster Mage

—Ice Cauldron (Read at your own risk!)

—Agatha’s Soul Cauldron

—Adeline, Resplendant Cathar

—Uro, Titan of Nature’s Wrath

—Repentance

—Thraben Inspector

—The Rail Line Cards

—Warning Shot

Special thanks to Chris Taylor for being a guest on the episode!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In this episode of Cube Engineers, TrainmasterGT invites special guest Usman Jamil to discuss Aetherdrift: the latest Magic: the Gathering set and its potential impact on the Cube format. We also discuss cards from the set we are excited about in various contexts. Start your engines; this will be fun!

Guest Links:

Usman’s Link Tree

Usman’s Substack

Cubes Discussed:

UsmanCube

Highball 4K

Unstable Cubicorns

Eiganjo Drift

Cards Discussed:

FULL LIST

Shark Typhoon

Zenith Flare

Flourishing Fox

Drannith Stinger

Valiant Rescuer

Loot, the Pathfinder

Boommobile

Draconautics Engineer

Gas Guzzler

Debris Beetle

Siege Rhino

Dracosaur Auxiliary

Redshift, Rocketeer Chief

Greasewrench Goblin

Fable of the Mirror-Breaker

Cursecloth Wrappings

Whip of Erebos

Bulwark Ox

Selfless Spirit

Ornery Tumblewagg

Amonkhet Raceway

Arena of Glory

Avishkar Raceway

Muraganda Raceway

Molt Tender

Birds of Paradise

Patchwork Beastie

Flooded Strand

Fabled Passage

Escape Tunnel

Fyndhorn Elves

Llanowar Elves

Stridehangar Automaton

Pia and Kiran Nalaar

Thraben Inspector

Voldaren Epicure

Thunderous Velocipede

Dragon’s Rage Channeler

Agonasaur Rex

Kalonian Hydra

Verdurous Gearhulk

Momentum Breaker

Trial of Ambition

Nurturing Pixie

Hopeless Nightmare

Hopeful Vigil

Tithing Blade

Nowhere to Run

Grim Bauble

This Town Ain’t Big Enough

Kor Skyfisher

Mishra’s Bauble

Glint Hawk

Riptide Gearhulk

Ravenous Chupacabra

Monastery Swiftspear

Monastery Mentor

Ensoul Artifact

Dragonlord Ojutai

Galvanic Blast

Defend the Rider

Royal Treatment

Tamiyo’s Safekeeping

Intimidation Tactics

Thoughtseize

Gastal Raider

Ketria Triome

Despise

Diversion Unit

The Aetherspark

FULL LIST

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

In the first episode of Cube Engineers, TrainmasterGT discusses the history and rebirth of Amonkhet.

Cards Discussed:

–The Gods of Amonkhet

–Authoritarian Cards

–The Hour Cycle

–Ramunap-Related Cards

–Leave // Chance

–Basri Ket

–The Hand That Moves Story

–Cards of the New Amonkhet

–Cards of the Chitin Court

–Cards of the Maahestet

–Captsone: Scoured Barrens

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com