Top 10 Favourite Nerdy Things #8

Myles’ Number 8: Filming the Annual Holiday Cube Draft at Meeplemart

 

The Holiday Cube Draft is an annual invite-only Cube draft that doubles as a Holiday party for me and my friends. This year it was turned into the biggest production most of us had ever been a part of. The day long tournament was divided into seven episodes, each focusing on a featured match with an interview segment either before or after the match. The filming of the event was done professionally, but the play stayed casual to ensure everyone had an enjoyable time.

There were also a lot of new cards in the Cube that were being tested. Goblin Rabblemaster, Nissa Worldwaker, Dualcaster Mage, Malicious Affliction, Treasure Cruise, Monastery Swiftspear, Clever Impersonator, War-Name Aspirant and even Utter End were making their Cube debuts and a lot of those cards were picked very highly by players looking to try them out. After six picks in to pack one, Ian called me over and showed me his picks. He revealed to me five non-basic lands (including fetches) and a Treasure Cruise. Good on you, Ian, good on you.

There were a ton of amazing decks built by a diverse group of players at the Holiday Cube Draft 2014 and if you scroll to the bottom you will be able to check out the decklists of FlockOfNerds columnist, Chris Girardo and Flockin’ Around Special Guest, Mike Reay. We saw players play everything from the classic Recurring Nightmare with Deranged Hermit/Siege-Gang Commander to Simic Superfriends. One player even played Dimir Control splashing CHANNEL/EMRAKUL. People were pushing the boundaries of what was possible and exploring the limited environment as though it was a brand new set. It was easily one of my most exciting gaming experiences of 2014.

My Cube has changed so much over the last year because Wizards printed so many “Cube-worthy” cards in recent months. This goes to show how wonderful Magic has been. More unique cards are being printed now than ever before and it looks like there is no end in sight for design space. Cube is undoubtedly the best Magic: The Gathering format that exists and it can only ever get better as more cards are printed and more options become available to Cube designers.

 

THE DECKLISTS:

Chris Girardo 

CREATURES:

Akrasan Squire

Soldier of the Pantheon

Student of Warfare

Gorehouse Chainwalker

Cloistered Youth

Spirit of the Labyrinth

Accorder Paladin

Porcelain Legionnaire

Mirran Crusader

Flickerwisp

Boros Reckoner

Frontline Medic

Ghitu Slinger

Hero of Bladehold

Sublime Archangel

NON-CREATURES:

Path to Exile

Lightning Bolt

Chain Lightning

Chaos Orb

Winter Orb

Sword of Light & Shadow

Sword of Fire & Ice

Rift Bolt

Staggershock

Earthquake

Arid Mesa

Sacred Foundry

3x Mountain

10x Plains

 

Mike Reay 

CREATURES:

Herald of Anafenza

Mother of Runes

Thalia, Guardian of Thraben

Kor Skyfisher

Mesmeric Fiend

Kitchen Finks

Brimaz, King of Oreskos

Vampire Nighthawk

Fleshbag Marauder

Restoration Angel

Solemn Simulacrum

Baneslayer Angel

Karmic Guide

Reveillark

Sun Titan

Grave Titan

 

NON-CREATURE:

Vampiric Tutor

Dark Ritual

Skullclamp

Banishing Light

Oblivion Ring

Vindicate

Decree of Justice

Elspeth, Knight Errant

Faith’s Feathers

Volrath’s Stronghold

Kor Haven

Scrubland

Fetid Heath

6x Plains

6x Swamp