Recross the Paths

This week, Dirk talks about turning trash into treasure with the Trash Bag Cube, a collaborative project built from the local bargain bin. We also unpack his journey from a tournament grinder to a cube designer and what he's learned along the way. We explore creating positive discomfort, playing Magic for the love of the game, and remembering that no cuber is an island... not even the Blue players.

Trash Bag Cube: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/Thisistrash

Dirk on CubeCobra: https://www.cubecobra.com/user/view/62450f237dd4c3409e7c9fc9

Dirk on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/dirkjay.bsky.social

Email the show at [email protected]

Andy graciously shares his passion this week by introducing us to Lucky Paper's Cube Fellowship, an opportunity to support the community by equipping dedicated players to participate in grassroots cube events. We explore attempting to define the cube community, the necessity of intentionality in community- and relationship-building, the value and growth of small cube events, and much more.

Participate in the Fellowship: https://luckypaper.co/cube-fellowship/

Learn more about all of Andy's projects: https://luckypaper.co/

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This week, Heather guides us through a tour of fascinating projects, starting with Urza's Saga Cube where players begin with the namesake card in their pool. From an Ancient Tomb-centric Dan-Dan variant, to a land-rich and threat-light desert, to a Rochester Planechase draft, there's plenty to be inspired and encouraged by. We discuss constructed influence on cube design, hosting proxy Vintage events, building mean cubes, and much more.

Urza's Saga Cube: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/urzas-saga

Wurm-Wurm: https://moxfield.com/decks/smvNdMfWzUChpzYZ6dERTg

land-ho: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/land-ho

Pilotwings: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/pilotwings

datcard: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/datcard

Heather is _frostyyy on Discord

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Get a Clue! This week, Jake guides us through his mystery-inspired, blue-focused environment that centers around a Clue-creating emblem. He also talks about some of his work writing creative text for Wizards of the Coast. We discuss balancing flavor and mechanics, using every part of a design element, the value of Tamiyo in Magic fiction, and much more.

Jake on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/maelstrompulse.bsky.social

The Casebook of Tamiyo Planewalker on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TamiyosCasebook

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This week, Chris shares some experiences from his local cube community that shape how he engages with the game. We unpack lessons he's learned on how you can support those around you wherever you fit in the group. We explore interrogating decisions, knowing when to ask for help, seeking inspiration outside the game, and much more.

Chris is iwasacashew on Discord

Though we don't talk about it much, The Dandy Cube is on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/thedandycube

If you're here in the show notes looking for info on the "Chipped Teacup" problem, I searched and couldn't find any evidence of this existing. If you have info I'd love to hear it - or if you're confident I made this up I'm happy to hear that too.

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Recross the Paths crosses the ocean for this week's chat! In this colorful conversation, J.Mul guides us through the Prismatic Desert, an all-gold desert cube. Together we explore embracing challenging experiences, learning valuable lessons in spite of outcomes, meeting your heroes, and much more.

Prismatic Desert on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/Prismatic%20Desert

J.Mul on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/ebcd59a1-7be5-48b8-bd7b-81567ae602db

J.Mul is J.Mul on Discord

Email the show at [email protected]

This week, Derek guides us through Falls Cube, a beautiful medium-powered Eternal environment that has evolved over more than a decade. We discuss pivot archetypes, taking steps to welcome people into your cube, the joy and privilege of sharing cube with your family, and much more.

Falls Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/FallsCube

Derek on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5f37503435fe7a0fb68cdbf0

Derek is decarabas. on Discord

Email the show at [email protected]

Three heads are better than one! This week, the team behind the Chicago Cube shares their philosophy for the project and the value of working as a team. We explore the use of lighthouses in cube design, trusting your friends, a reasonable amount of trash talk, and much more.

The Chicago Cube on CubeCobra⁠https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TheChicagoCube⁠

The Chicago Cube Discord (thanks Kyle!)https://discord.gg/jQDhXtJsXFThe Chicago Cube on Bskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thechicagocube.bsky.social The Chicago Cube YouTube Channelhttps://youtube.com/@thechicagocube?si=Y9jNq90q9Perh7nuEmail the show at [email protected]

There's no school like the Oldest School! Alex guides us through The Oldest School, a nostalgic retro-frame environment where Shivan Dragon and Serra Angel rule. We discuss recreating the feel of playground Magic, the power of Thawing Glaciers, creating the cube only you can create, and more.

The Oldest School on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/oldestschool

Alex on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/f667b1a3-6a8a-4dfe-9f3e-6967152aedbd

This American Life story that Alex references about comedian Gad Elmaleh: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/596/becoming-a-badger/act-one-5

Email the show at [email protected]

Saddle up for a wild ride through the Okk Corral! Jesse guides us through this bespoke (bespokke?) environment that celebrates everyone's favorite lumbering goblin. We discuss the importance of goals, giving players space to explore, depth behind the gimmicks, and more.

Showdown at the Okk Corral on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/OkkCorral

Jesse on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/6080f4704382111055b83c76

Jesse is no_bark on Discord

Email the show at [email protected]