Drafting the Vintage Cube on MTGO

Jeremy Dezani

What is good with cube is you can draft any kind of deck. Some players really prefer some strategies more than others. Personally, I can draft anything and play anything. I really enjoy cube and it is by far my favorite MTG format when I want to have fun with friends. So, I wrote an article about it here.

I prefer to draft the unpowered cubes like legacy Cube because midrange and control decks have the same power level as combo decks. Vintage cube makes the game totally different, combo decks are stronger and the best way to win against them is an aggressive or disruption deck. Fair decks have very low chances of making it in this jungle.

Disclaimer: Cube Draft is a single card copy format. So, when you counter pick a card you are sure to not have to face it. However, this is only true for the Single-elimination Draft, if you join the draft league counter picks don’t matter since you play against opponents from different pods.

Saying that, let’s draft an 8-man together!

Pack 1

Pick 1

Soldier of the PantheonHonor of the PureJace, Architect of ThoughtTinkerMesmeric Fiend
Goblin WelderKoth of the HammerTarmogoyfRakdos SignetWinter Orb
Wurmcoil EnginePolluted DeltaPernicious DeedEntombGreen Sun's Zenith

To see My Pick Click Here

Tinker

For me, the top 4 cards in this pack are: 《Koth of the Hammer》, 《Polluted Delta》, 《Entomb》 and 《Tinker》. 《Winter Orb》 is a good card but it’s power decreases too much with the presence of moxes and signets.

《Koth of the Hammer》 is the top high curve card of mono red and it’s a decent first pick considering there is no other card for the deck in the pack. 《Entomb》 is clearly for reanimator deck only. I think reanimator is a bad deck if 2 players are drafting it at the same time. I prefer to wait and see if 《Entomb》 is coming back or not, in this case I know I will be the only one to draft it and I could easily change my mind and draft it. 《Polluted Delta》 is a safe choice, I am not super happy to pick it as first pick considering all the great cards I can get in the vintage cube but I have good chance of playing it.

《Tinker》 is a crazy card who can put into play an early 《Blightsteel Colossus》 or 《Inkwell Leviathan》 which are by far the 2 best artifacts you can get with. What I like with a Pick One 《Tinker》 is cards you want with are not popular for other decks and I can have it later. Also, nobody but me saw it and this is great.

Pick 2

Selfless SpiritSwords to PlowsharesPhantasmal ImageGitaxian ProbeDark Confidant
Yawgmoth's WillRift BoltWestvale AbbeyEurekaEternal Witness
Rakdos's ReturnLightning HelixNykthos, Shrine to NyxSmuggler's Copter

To see My Pick Click Here

Swords to Plowshares

《Gitaxian Probe》 is a great card for combo decks. It digs deeper into your 40 card deck and I can get information about my opponent’s hand to know if I am safe or not. 《Eureka》 is a good alternative way to put the big artifacts I will play for 《Tinker》 from my hand into play.

But here I will pick 《Swords to Plowshares》, it is the best card of the pack and one of the best MTG removal spells, probably the best in Vintage Cube. Also, the card is so good against 《Blightsteel Colossus》 and if I get it, I will not feel super confidant if I am facing White decks.

Pick 3

Day of JudgmentInkwell LeviathanMind's DesireLifebane ZombieChandra, Torch of Defiance
Eidolon of the Great RevelOath of NissaFauna ShamanBlackcleave Cliffs
Simic SignetOrzhov SignetKitchen FinksOvergrown Tomb

To see My Pick Click Here

Inkwell Leviathan

I will not be greedy and I will pick this 《Inkwell Leviathan》. I passed an 《Entomb》, if someone took it, he could pick 《Inkwell Leviathan》 and it will be a disaster for my deck.

Pick 4

Vryn WingmareBanishing LightPhyrexian ArenaPack Rat
FireblastHellriderSurvival of the FittestManglehorn
Urborg, Tomb of YawgmothKozilek, Butcher of TruthTaigaKuldotha Forgemaster

To see My Pick Click Here

Kuldotha Forgemaster

Nothing is really great for my artifact deck here. I pick 《Kuldotha Forgemaster》 as an alternative 《Tinker》 but I need a lot of cheap artifact if I want to play it. Problem, cheap artifact are moxes and everybody pick them highly. But I could possibly get enough signets and such.

Pick 5

Knight of the White OrchidKarakasCollective BrutalityDismember
Bonfire of the DamnedSpirit of the LabyrinthElvish MysticPolukranos, World Eater
TerminateLumbering FallsPhyrexian Revoker

To see My Pick Click Here

Karakas

Nothing is really great for me in this pack. I already have a white card as 《Swords to Plowshares》 and 《Karakas》 is a great card against other combo decks who play 《Emrakul, the Aeons Torn》, 《Griselbrand》 or another insane big dude. Also, the card can combo well with some blue cards like 《Vendilion Clique》 or 《Venser, Shaper Savant》.

Pick 6

RepealDiabolic EdictFaithless LootingExquisite Firecraft
Stormbreath DragonWall of BlossomsBotanical Sanctum
Godless ShrineMemory JarSphinx of the Steel Wind

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Sphinx of the Steel Wind

I am not sure to get a 《Blightsteel Colossus》. Having only one target for my deck is not optimal. 《Sphinx of the Steel Wind》 is much better than 《Inkwell Leviathan》 in some matchups like Mono Green Ramp and Mono Red.

Pick 7

Linvala, Keeper of SilenceAwakening ZoneTezzeret the Seeker
Magus of the WillSeething SongRegrowth
Verdurous GearhulkTrygon PredatorPithing Needle

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Tezzeret the Seeker

I am little sad about this 《Pithing Needle》 but 《Tezzeret the Seeker》 is a great card for an artifact deck toolbox. I don’t have cheap artifacts yet, but I will pick some for my 《Tinker》 anyway. One more reason now with this Tezzeret in my deck.

Pick 8

Cast OutMental MisstepGushHypnotic Specter
Grave TitanChain LightningThundermaw HellkiteWall of Roots

To see My Pick Click Here

Cast Out

Nothing great here, I will pick 《Cast Out》. I can play it and it could be a good card against me.

Pick 9

Honor of the PureMesmeric FiendGoblin WelderKoth of the Hammer
Green Sun's ZenithTarmogoyfPernicious Deed

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Mesmeric Fiend

《Goblin Welder》 is not that bad but I still prefer to pick 《Mesmeric Fiend》 for the Combo Mirror Match or against control decks with counter spells.

Pick 10

Rift BoltWestvale AbbeyEternal WitnessRakdos's ReturnLightning HelixNykthos, Shrine to Nyx

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Westvale Abbey

Pick 11

Lifebane ZombieEidolon of the Great RevelOath of NissaBlackcleave CliffsOvergrown Tomb

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Overgrown Tomb

Pick 12

Phyrexian ArenaFireblastHellriderManglehorn

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Phyrexian Arena

Pick 13

Bonfire of the DamnedSpirit of the LabyrinthTerminate

To see My Pick Click Here

Spirit of the Labyrinth

Pick 14

Exquisite FirecraftStormbreath Dragon

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Exquisite Firecraft

Pick 15

Seething Song

Pack 2

Pick 1

Brimaz, King of OreskosElspeth, Knight-ErrantVenser, Shaper SavantCryptic CommandMurderous Cut
Rishadan PortSmash to SmithereensAvalanche RidersLlanowar ElvesDen Protector
Mox DiamondBoros CharmWooded FoothillsDimir SignetGilded Lotus

To see My Pick Click Here

Dimir Signet

Difficult choice between 《Venser, Shaper Savant》 who can be awesome with my 《Karakas》 or an artifact like 《Mox Diamond》, 《Dimir Signet》 or 《Gilded Lotus》. I have no cheap artifact now, it is not reasonable to not pick one here. 《Mox Diamond》 is too “all-In” for me and I prefer to pick 《Dimir Signet》, even if its slower.

Pick 2

Spectral ProcessionDeclaration in StoneMana DrainFact or FictionPainful Truths
Imperial RecruiterMonastery SwiftspearSylvan LibraryScavenging OozeGeist of Saint Traft
Bring to LightScrublandDragonlord DromokaMyr Battlesphere

To see My Pick Click Here

Mana Drain

There is another way to put big artifact into play easily, it is 《Mana Drain》. This card is just too good especially if your spells have a lot of colourless mana symbol in their mana cost.

Pick 3

Mardu Woe-ReaperUnexpectedly AbsentSnapcaster MageGifts UngivenDesecration Demon
Makeshift MannequinCharGoblin Dark-DwellersBeast Within
Ajani VengeantLotus BloomSpellskiteWandering Fumarole

To see My Pick Click Here

Spellskite

《Lotus Bloom》 become a 《Black Lotus》 with 《Tezzeret the Seeker》 but it is not great the rest of the time. I prefer to pick 《Spellskite》 who can protect my other artifacts, slow down aggressive decks and still works for my main plan.

Pick 4

Wall of OmensJace, Vryn's ProdigyCounterspellImpulse
Bone ShredderLooter il-KorShrine of Burning RageKargan Dragonlord
Mana ConfluencePlateauWatery GraveDack Fayden

To see My Pick Click Here

Counterspell

《Jace, Vryn's Prodigy》 is not good in my deck, the only card I can flashback is 《Swords to Plowshares》. 《Impulse》 could be great but I prefer to take the 《Counterspell》. Having it as backup for 《Tinker》 is great, I will play a lot of islands anyway since I picked 《Mana Drain》. Having 《Counterspell》 backup for 《Tinker》 is great.

Pick 5

Leyline of SanctityArmageddonDeceiver ExarchLiliana, Death's Majesty
Daretti, Scrap SavantGrim LavamancerSeasons PastSupreme Verdict
Sacred FoundryLion's Eye DiamondQasali Pridemage

To see My Pick Click Here

Daretti, Scrap Savant

《Daretti, Scrap Savant》 is just too perfect for my deck, much better than 《Goblin Welder》. 《Daretti, Scrap Savant》 is not taking removals, it puts big artifacts in the graveyard, he is digging into good cards and cycling extra lands and he can bring back artifacts from the graveyard same turn he comes into play if you already have a target. Let’s play red.

Pick 6

Leonin Relic-WarderMana TitheBaral, Chief of ComplianceGideon Jura
Hero's DownfallBrimstone VolleyFalkenrath Gorger
Mystic SnakeAncient GrudgeElectrolyze

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Electrolyze

Nothing great, but 《Electrolyze》 is good for killing small annoying dudes and cycling. Much better than a removal that is not drawing a card.

Pick 7

Exalted AngelDark PetitionMassacre Wurm
Through the BreachAbbot of Keral KeepProgenitus
Dragonlord AtarkaStirring WildwoodIzzet Charm

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Through the Breach

I could pick 《Izzet Charm》 but I think 《Through the Breach》 is an alternative plan for my deck. I also don’t want to face it.

Pick 8

Elesh Norn, Grand CenobiteWrath of GodBazaar of BaghdadGuttersnipe
Firedrinker SatyrNahiri, the HarbingerRazorverge ThicketVolcanic Island

To see My Pick Click Here

Volcanic Island

I need a lot of blue sources for my 2 double Blue Counter Spells, fixing the mana is important, especially if I am also playing white cards.

Pick 9

Brimaz, King of OreskosVenser, Shaper SavantMurderous CutRishadan Port
Smash to SmithereensDen ProtectorBoros Charm

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Venser, Shaper Savant

Merry Christmas, 《Venser, Shaper Savant》 came back. 《Karakas》 and him will do a dance together.

Pick 10

Spectral ProcessionFact or FictionPainful TruthsImperial RecruiterMonastery SwiftspearBring to Light

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Fact or Fiction

Pick 11

Mardu Woe-ReaperCharGoblin Dark-DwellersAjani VengeantWandering Fumarole

To see My Pick Click Here

Wandering Fumarole

Pick 12

Wall of OmensLooter il-KorKargan DragonlordPlateau

To see My Pick Click Here

Plateau

Pick 13

Grim LavamancerSacred FoundryQasali Pridemage

To see My Pick Click Here

Sacred Foundry

Pick 14

Brimstone VolleyFalkenrath Gorger

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Brimstone Volley

Pick 15

Abbot of Keral Keep

Pack 3

Pick 1

Student of WarfareEnlightened TutorThada Adel, AcquisitorThirst for KnowledgeSkinrender
NecromancyBurst LightningFlametongue KavuPrimal CommandNissa, Worldwaker
Azorius SignetSmokestackSword of War and PeaceTemple GardenBasalt Monolith

To see My Pick Click Here

Azorius Signet

Same as booster 2, I choose to pick a signet. This one is fixing blue and white, perfect for my deck. 《Basalt Monolith》 and 《Thirst for Knowledge》 are 2 cards I would love to see come back.

Pick 2

Mirran CrusaderOblivion RingMana LeakPonderFatal Push
Dark RitualMagma JetFiery ConfluenceSearch for TomorrowLeovold, Emissary of Trest
Ulamog, the Ceaseless HungerTidehollow ScullerNicol Bolas, PlaneswalkerSteam Vents

To see My Pick Click Here

Ponder

This pack is really difficult. I have to choose between mana fixing, 《Steam Vents》, one more counter spell, 《Mana Leak》 and a card which helps me to find key cards, 《Ponder》. What I like with 《Mana Leak》 is it works well with my signet. But I don’t want to stack so many counterspells in my Combo Deck and I will pick 《Ponder》 to be able to find 《Tinker》.

Pick 3

Baneslayer AngelJace BelerenTurnaboutCabal RitualExhume
Lightning BoltChandra, FlamecallerSakura-Tribe ElderReclamation Sage
Tolarian AcademyInspiring VantageSelesnya SignetSundering Titan

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Inspiring Vantage

Unfortunately, I disconnected during this pick and MTGO randomly chooses 《Inspiring Vantage》 for me. Not that bad considering I am playing these 2 colours but I would pick 《Tolarian Academy》 or 《Sundering Titan》 over it.

Pick 4

Gideon of the TrialsDisenchantBrainstormDuress
Oona's ProwlerLightning MaulerDelver of SecretsDissenter's Deliverance
Sweltering SunsNeedle SpiresDuplicantVerdant Catacombs

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Oona's Prowler

Same here I was disconnected but the loss is smaller, I have no fetch lands, brainstorm was not great for my deck. I got an unplayable 《Oona's Prowler》. I would have picked 《Disenchant》 in this pack.

Pick 5

Silverblade PaladinHymn to TourachSheoldred, Whispering OneDualcaster Mage
Burning of XinyeFyndhorn ElvesOppositionKolaghan's Command
Ugin, the Spirit DragonDragonlord SilumgarHissing Quagmire

To see My Pick Click Here

Ugin, the Spirit Dragon

I reconnected here and slamed this 《Ugin, the Spirit Dragon》 who is just amazing with 《Mana Drain》.

Pick 6

Emeria AngelVampire NighthawkInferno TitanOath of Druids
Garruk, Primal HunterHedron ArchiveMishra's Factory
Sword of Feast and FamineNevinyrral's DiskBayou

To see My Pick Click Here

Hedron Archive

Easy Pick 《Hedron Archive》 after getting 《Ugin, the Spirit Dragon》. My deck has a good plan B now.

Pick 7

Linvala, the PreserverLand TaxTasigur, the Golden Fang
FireboltChandra, PyromasterJoraga Treespeaker
Sphinx's RevelationMindslaverFire // Ice

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Mindslaver

《Mindslaver》 is just the best card I could get here. 《Tinker》, 《Mana Drain》 and 《Daretti, Scrap Savant》. My deck is already perfect for this card. Fun times incoming.

Pick 8

Riftwing CloudskatePutrid ImpCrater's ClawsSong of the Dryads
Thrun, the Last TrollFigure of DestinyDarkslick ShoresGolgari Signet

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Golgari Signet

The worst Signet I could get for my uwr deck but still a playable card for me.

Pick 9

Thada Adel, AcquisitorSkinrenderBurst LightningFlametongue Kavu
SmokestackSword of War and PeaceTemple Garden

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Thada Adel, Acquisitor

Everybody is playing artifacts. It can search for a mox or signet from an opponent’s deck every turn. Also, it is a legendary creature I can protect with 《Karakas》.

Pick 10

Fatal PushMagma JetFiery ConfluenceLeovold, Emissary of TrestTidehollow ScullerNicol Bolas, Planeswalker

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Magma Jet

Pick 11

Baneslayer AngelCabal RitualExhumeChandra, FlamecallerSakura-Tribe Elder

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Chandra, Flamecaller

Pick 12

Lightning MaulerDelver of SecretsNeedle SpiresDuplicant

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Needle Spires

Pick 13

Silverblade PaladinDualcaster MageHissing Quagmire

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Hissing Quagmire

Pick 14

Vampire NighthawkNevinyrral's Disk

To see My Pick Click Here

Nevinyrral's Disk

Pick 15

Chandra, Pyromaster

Final Decklist

Round Opp Result
Round 1Naya Ramp2-0
Round 2Esper Control2-0
Round 3Mono Green Ramp2-1

Thank you for reading,

Jeremy DEZANI

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