It’s time for the moment you’ve been waiting for!

In this episode of Cube Engineers, the results of the “A Good Omen” contest are finally revealed! 25 contestants entered cards to compete for an epic prize: a full set of cards with the Omen mechanic, a foil Roiling Dragonstorm, and a signed foil copy of Skirmish Rhino! TrainmasterGT is joined by two guest-hosts: Chris Taylor of Riptidelab fame and the secret celebrity judge Kade Goforth of Recross the Paths! The trio discusses each amazing entry, giving their thoughts before the final deliberations.

Who will take the gold? Who will be eaten by Dragons? Stay tuned to find out!

All Aboard!

Show Notes

Sandara Tang Art (Artstation and Instagram)

TrainmasterGT+Usman’s Tarkir Dragonstorm Cube Review

The Modular Cube

The Pack One Slick Ones: The Bitterness Episode

Recross the Paths

Entries

Tempest Tyrant by Judge Bones//Luckylooter

Broodmate Mentor by Tachyzoite

Homestead Harrier by Henrizzlebear

Awoken Knollspine by TheLameSauce

Heapclanker Hellkite by StrionicAdventurer

Shivan Coastglider by gaytransmulldrifter

Wandering Spirit Dragon by Onderzeeboot

Omen, whose Nomen est Omen by J.mul

Nara, the Blinding Sun by Mycr0ft

Guin Water Wyvern by Alex/Alveric 

Athryxis, the Inexorable by Nanonox

Tyrant of Memory by LadyMapi

Glop of Dragon by TekLazar

Windwing Stormbrood by Auxiliaryotter

Atarka, Apex Reborn by Heavenly Evan

Dragon Ram by Eltangente

Cheshire Dragon by Packcats The System

Jealous Hoarder by Parallel

Menacing Meteorite by Anotak

Dozing Hellkite by Ravnic

Galvanizing Dragon by Kirblinx

Loreweaver Broodling by Margaram

Xerexi Abombination by Trainwreck

Harbinger of the Feast by TabbuneBot

Mausoleum Despot by Mown

Cards Discussed

Dragonstorm

Thought Monitor

Obsidian Charmaw

Dark Ritual

Animate Dead

Fire // Ice

Swords to Plowshares

Shoreline Ranger

Firebolt

Environmental Sciences

Sagu Wildling

Bloomvine Regent

Approach of the Second Sun

Displacer Kitten

Sleep

Marang River Regent

Fossil Find

Tasigur, the Golden Fang

Thermokarst

Assault Formation

Doran, the Siege Tower

Unsubstantiate

Twinmaw Stormbrood

Shiko, Paragon of the Way

Bladewing the Arisen

Sift

Maro

Young Red Dragon

Hall of Storm Giants

Grief

Tangle Wire

Yidaro, Wandering Monster (Bella’s Note: I love himb)

Altanak, Thrice-Called

Shipwreck Dowser

Void Winnower

Demon of Catastrophes

Demanding Dragon

Dragon Fodder

Flame Jab

Worm Harvest

Animate Dead

Chains of Mephistopheles

Siege Rhino

Jace, Wielder of Mysteries

Laboratory Maniac

Fable of the Mirror Breaker

Untethered Express

Inspiring Vantage

Special thanks to Bella for creating the “Cards Noted” section of the Show Notes!

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

Hej hej! In this episode, TrainmasterGT discusses his experiences playing at a Final Fantasy prerelease event at Alphaspel/Alphabar in Stockholm, Sweden. Find out what is different about playing Magic in Sweden compared to the United States, and how Magic exists as a global phenomenon through interviews with Swedish Magic Players! Grab your Fika, it’s going to be a wild ride!

Thanks again to everyone who was interviewed for this episode!

Pictured: An Ether drink from Alphabar.

Show Notes:

TrainmasterGT’s 3-0-1 Prerelease Deck (WIP)

Alphaspel and Alphabar

Highball 4K Cube

Unstable Cubicorns Battle Box

Cards Discussed:

Summon: Primal Odin

Vivi Ornitier

Moogle’s Valor

Venat, Heart of Hydaelyn

Kaldheim Swamp

Bad Wolf Beach Island

Esper Origins

Balamb T-Rexaur

Shinra Reinforcements

Seperoth’s Intervention

The Final Days

Gustav’s Favorites: Sin, Spira’s Punishment and Esper Origins

Blazing Bomb

Tonberry

Stuck in Summoner’s Sanctum

Pål’s Favorites: Cloud, Midgar Mercenary and Zenos yae Galvus

Stoneforge Mystic

Summon: Leviathan

Cornered by Black Mages

Dion, Bahamut's Dominant

Relm's Sketching

Phillip’s Favorites: The Crystals and Dion, Bahamut's Dominant

Venser, Shaper Savant

Ice Magic

Squall, SeeD Mercenary

Anton’s Favorites: Vivi Ornitier and Nibelheim Aflame

Abzan Devotee

Jumbo Cactaur

Fling

Special thanks to Bella, Chris, and Usman for helping me with the outro for 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

An Usman episode? That isn’t about a new set!? Impossible! But not today! In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman Jamil discuss their history of writing articles about Cube and how their approaches have evolved over time. Learn how Usman and Trainmaster have worked to keep their writings fresh and relevant in the ever-changing world of Cube Design.

All Aboard!

Show Notes

The Cube is Bigger than You

How Heirloom Blade made me a better Cube designer.

Additive Destraction Article

Usman’s first article: Cube Design Theory Part 1

Usman on the Cuberviews Podcast

Mono-Green Artifacts (Frontpage Article // Full Version)

Magic's Corset: The Core Set​

How to Port Constructed Archetypes into Cube

A Trainmaster’s Top 10 Articles: Strixhaven, Modern Horizons 2, and Adventures in the Forgotten Realms!

Usman’s Throne of Eldraine Cube Review (Part 1 +Part 2)

Joe’s Week in Magic Podcast

Highball 4K Cube

The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast

Trainmaster and Usman’s Foundations Article

Usman’s 2010 Cube

Fixing Magic with gaytransmulldrifter

Diggy Diggy Hole + Rave Version

Cards Mentioned

Heirloom Blade

Grafted Wargear

Siege Rhino

Hardened Scales

Metallic Mimic

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

Kaldheim Snow Duals

Dreadbore

Terminate

Spell Pierce

Opt

Portent

Miscalculation

Special thanks to Usman Jamil for being the guest for this 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 and Usman invite TheLameSauce to discuss The Modular Cube! Trainmaster and Usman were tasked by the wonderful CubeCon organizers to select a Cube to be featured in the main event of CubeCon 2025! After poring over the options, they picked The Modular Cube and invited its designer to talk about the list on Cube Engineers. The twist: TheLameSauce had no idea their Cube was selected! Learn all about The Modular Cube, and how to build your own!

Remember, submissions for the “A Good Omen” contest close on May 28th! Get your final entries in now!

All Aboard!

Show Notes

A Good Omen Contest

The Modular Cube

CubeCon 2025

MTG Cube Talk Discord Link

The Dynasty Cube

Usman’s Substack

The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast

Cards Discussed

Krark, the Thumbless

Persistent Petitioners

Crow Storm

Special thanks to the CubeCon 2025 organizers for allowing me and Usman to select a Cube for this year's main event and to Bella and Arlo (GayTransMulldrifter) for helping me with this week’s Cold Open!

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

A black sun rises over the choked landscape. A world of greed thrives below. Welcome to Pulp Nouveau.

In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Parker “Landofmordor” LaMascus to discuss Black Sun Cubes, also known as Semi-Desert Cubes. Like Desert Cubes, players in a Black Sun environment are expected to draft some number of their basic lands. Unlike in a Desert Cube, the basics of one color are free for all drafters! Learn what it means to build under a Black Sun, including how to design a mana base, curate the card selection, and more!

Remember, the “A Good Omen” Contest is ongoing! Entries close May 28th!

All Aboard!

Show Notes

Pulp Nouveau on CubeCobra and Riptidelab

Lucky Paper Radio Episode 142: Drafting your Lands with Parker LaMascus

Cuberviews Podcast

Amonkar Desert Cube

The Black Cube

The Devoid Cube

Patrick Chapin’s Investment Article: How To Fix Standard: A Detailed And Surprising Format Comparison

A Good Omen Contest

Cards Mentioned

Dragonstorm

Black Sun’s Zentih

Thoughtseize

Lightning Bolt

Vindicate

Putrefy

Brainstone

Mishra’s Bauble

Scrabbling Claws

Phyrexian Revoker

Bone Splitter

Onslaught Cycling Lands

Environmental Sciences

Combat Courier

Scrapwork Mutt

Deadeye Tracker

Landscape Cycle

Spawn-Gang Commander

Siege Gang Commander

Godless Shrine

Isolated Chapel

Orzhov Basilica

Stalwart Valkyrie

Rip Apart

Battlewing Mystic

Cut // Ribbons

Claim // Fame

Travel Preparations

Tear Asunder

Patrick Star

Bloodlord of Vasgoth

The Scarab God

Cleaving Reaper

Abundant Harvest

Dogged Detective

Professor of Symbology

Bushwack

Swords to Plowshares

Shadowborn Demon

Reduce to Memory

Petrify

Path to Exile

Ponder

Serum Visions

Portent

Brainstorm

Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer

Abundant Maw

Thragtusk

Geist of Saint Traft

Psychic Frog

Splinter Twin

Loxodon Smiter

Giada, Font of Hope

Mad Auntie

Thwart the Grave

Goblin King

Goblin Barrage

Goblin Warrens

War Falcon

Special thanks to Parker LaMascus for being the guest in this 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

The past few years have been a tumultuous time for Magic, leading many players to ask the question: can Magic be fixed? In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Arlo (A.K.A. GayTransMulldrifter) attempt to answer that very question. They discuss how recent leadership priorities and audience have influenced both Magic’s game design and release schedule, and what those changes have meant for the game. Can Magic be saved? Stay tuned to find out!

Stick around until the end of the episode for a special surprise!

All Aboard!

Show Notes

GayTransMulldrifter on YouTube

Usman’s Cube Writings & Podcasts (The Pack One Slick Ones)

A Good Omen Contest!

Milo Murphy’s Law

The Nadu Article

Parker Lamascus on “Perishable Backbone Mechanics”

LadyMapi’s Fasting Cube: Gotta Go Fast(ing)!

Terraformers

Cards Mentioned

Sensation Gorger

Zendikar Expeditions (BFZ and OGW)

Ajani, Nacatl Pariah

Fable of the Mirror Breaker

Elvish Visionary

Burglar Rat

Ravenous Rat

Smothering Tithe

Liege of the Tangle

Ursine Monstrosity

Pyrogoyf

Flametongue Kavu

Tarmogoyf

Ghalta and Mavren

Atraxa, Grand Unifier

Leyline of Anticipation

Descend Mechanic(s)

You Are Already Dead

Root Greevil

Ponies: The Galloping

Transformers Collection

Miss Bumbleflower

Jace, the Mind Sculptor ($400 Furbait Edition!)

Room Cards

Omen Cards

Bird Maiden

Gifts Ungiven

Impulsive Pilferer

Armageddon

Parallax Wave

Opalescence

Parallax Tide

Parallax Nexus

Saproling Burst

Chimney Imp

Chimney Goyf

Smokestack

Meditate

Worship

Worship (Amonkhet Invocation)

Omnisciense

Fasting

Lesson Learned

Talk to the Hand

Rush Down

Advantageous Proclamation

Pulling Teeth

Wurm’s Tooth

Tooth of Ramos

Tooth Collector

Fear of Lost Teeth

Fume Spitter

Special thanks to Chris Taylor for providing the outro for this episode (and to Arlo for playing along!)

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

Cube Engineers is back on the rails again! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Pauper Cube Committee member Omniczech to discuss the history of the official Pauper Cube community and how the committee uses big data. Learn about The Pauper Cube Polling App, Net Promoter Scores (NPS), and how community data is used to update one of the most visible Cubes in the community! It’s time for some good, common fun!

All Aboard!

Show Notes

A Good Omen Contest

The Pauper Cube Website

The Pauper Cube List

The Pauper Cube Official Discord

The Pauper Cube Polling App

The Cube Is Bigger Than You by Usman Jamil

Usman’s $100 Budget Cube

Cards Discussed

Arcanis the Omnipotent

Lightning Bolt

Carnophage

Omen Commons

Sagu Wildling

Sea Snidd

Avishkar Raceway

Syndic of Tithes

Derranged Assistant

Sakura Tribe Elder

Llanowar Elves

Yavimaya Elder

Special thanks to Bella for being this episode’s Cold Open guest!

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 epic conclusion of Tarkir month, TrainmasterGT and Usman return to conclude their review of Tarkir: Dragonstorm! Usman and Trainmaster take an all-out approach to the review, discussing the cards they’re most excited about for their Cubes! Will Tarkir: Dragonstorm soar like a Dragon, or Return to the Earth? Stay tuned to find out!

Show Notes

A Good Omen Contest

Guest Links:

Usman’s Link Tree

Usman’s Substack

The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast

Cubes Discussed:

UsmanCube

Highball 4K

Unstable Cubicorns (Mentioned Only).

Cards Discussed

Main Cards are in Bold.

Stock Up

Spirit Dragon Cycle

Teval, Arbiter of Virtue

The Triomes

Troll of Khazad-dûm

Entomb+Reanimate

Wooded Foothills

Splinter Twin

Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker

Deceiver Exarch

Cori-Steel Cutter

Sword of Forge and Frontier

Sword of Wealth and Power

Clarion Spirit

Shatter

Mabel and Cragflame

Auroral Procession

Regrowth

Up the Beanstalk

Growth Spiral

Explore

Shark Typhoon

Voracious Bibliophile

Swords to Plowshares

Tersa Lightshatter

Gut, True Soul Zealot

Broadside Bombardiers

Fable of the Mirror Breaker

Goblin Rabblemaster

Legion Warboss

Squee, Dubious Monarch

Najeela, the Blade-Blossom

Krenko, Tin Street Kingpin

Ivora, Insatiable Heir

Marauding Mako

Flame of Anor

Sin, Spira's Punishment

Flooded Strand

Songcrafter Mage

Mystic Confluence

Collected Company

Volcanic Hammer

Incinerate

Snapcaster Mage

Dark Ritual

Archmage’s Charm

Cryptic Command

Ugin, Eye of the Storms

Vindicate

Maelstrom Pulse

Ashes to Ashes

Smuggler’s Copter

Grave Titan

Jeskai Revelation

Marang River Regent

Descendant of Storms

Usher of the Fallen

Siege Rhino

Ensoul Artifact

Dragonlord Ojutai

Foul-Tongue Invocation

Caustic Exhale

Last Gasp

Ulcerate

Dispelling Exhale

Quench

Molten Exhale

Silumgar’s Scorn

Roiling Dragonstorm

Encroaching Dragonstorm

Explosive Vegetation

Dragonlord Atarka

Lava Coil

Thundering Rebuke

Timeless Dragon

The Dragonlords

Marang River Regent (Episode Key Art).

Scavenger Regent

Bloomvine Regent

Twinmaw Stormbrood

Roast

Loxodon Hierarch

Runescale Stormbrood

Sagu Wildling

Elspeth, Storm Slayer

Elspeth, Sun’s Champion

Garruk Wildspeaker

Teferi, Hero of Dominaria

Garruk, Cursed Huntsman

Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Adeline, Resplendant Cathar

Sage of the Skies

Baubles

Clarion Conqueror

Anafenza, Unyielding Lineage

Winternight Stories

Glacial Dragonhunt

Channeled Dragonfire

Unending Whisper

Special thanks to Usman for returning for this review!

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

We’re back on the rails again with another Tarkir Month Cube Engineers Special! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites a fellow Tarkir enjoyer, Safra, to discuss the history of Tarkir and how the world has changed across time streams and visits. They talk about the relationship between the Clans and their real-life cultural inspirations, the characters of Tarkir, and compare and contrast the “great man” theory of history with materialist analysis as it applies to fantasy stories. We also introduce the first Cube Engineers design contest: A Good Omen!

All aboard!

Contest Rules

Prompt:Design a custom creature card, preferably a Dragon, with an Omen.Main Regulations:–The card must be a Creature and have an Omen, either Instant or Sorcery.–The card does not need to have a render with art, but should contain all relevant mana costs, card types, spell names, text, power, and toughness.–While the card does not need to be a dragon, cards featuring dragons will be favored.–All submissions should be posted on the Riptidelab Forum thread or sent to TrainmasterGT on Discord. Forum thread submissions are preferred.Judging:The following panel of Judges will select the winner:@TrainmasterGT@Safra@Chris TaylorDeadline: May 28th, 2025The contest winner will receive a special prize (roughly $10-$20 USD in value), to be announced at a later date!

Full rules and regulations can be found on the Riptidelab forum post!

Show Notes

Sharzad V4 Cube

Yurts

Gerry Thompson’s Design Article about Khans of Tarkir Development

Z-O-M-B-I-E-S Franchise

David Graeber’s Debt: The First 5,000 Years

Ephemera Podcast

Cards Mentioned

Marang River Regent

Sift

Treasure Cruise

Monastery Mentor

Force of Will

Daze

Stubborn Denial

Death’s Shadow

The Dragonlords

Dragon Hunter

Silhana Ledgewalker

Siege Rhino

Ensoul Artifact

Call the Spirit Dragons (The Stormnexus Ritual but on a card)

Vizzerdrix

New Siege Cycle

Taigam, Master Opportunist

Humble Defector

Dalkovan Packbeasts

Sonic Shrieker

Voice of Victory

Avenger of the Fallen

See the Unwritten

Rattleclaw Mystic

Dragonback Assault

Sarkhan the Dragonspeaker

Sarkhan Unbroken

Narset, Enlightened Master

Time Warp

Time Stretch

Ugin Cards

Roiling Dragonstorm

Special thanks to Safra for being the guest in 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 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