State of the Game 2025

View all cards mentioned in this episodeIn preparation for this year’s CubeCon, Andy and Anthony dive through some of Andy’s collection to put together a Stone Soup card pool for Andy to bring to the event. In this format, each player brings 45 cards of their choice. All the cards are combined and shuffled up and drafted like a collaboratively built cube. They talk about considerations for the kinds of cards to include while exploring stacks of cards, and ultimately picking out the 45 to bring.Discussed in this episode:Episode 265: Stone Soup, A Magical Community Stew with D.S.B.Cube Will Outlive Magic, Second Run Playmat Preorders on Stitcher’s SupplyThe Design of Everyday Things by Don NormanIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:00 - What is a stone soup draft10:55 - Choosing lands for the soup16:09 - Removal for the soup25:54 - 10 cool cards38:14 - Anthony critiques the soup45:58 - Full soup contribution recap50:36 - Addressing color imbalance in the soup54:41 - Second run of "Cube Will Outlive Magic" playmat preorders

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony brainstorm a brand new cube starting from a single card: Genesis Wave. Like the two previous episodes, featuring Goblin Charbelcher and Trade Routes, they expand from a single card considering what kind of environment it would make sense in. They take a few further steps considering more layers of cards that fit together in different ways. They end up with a rough sketch for a cube idea, including some general themes and a few open questions still to answer to turn their initial brainstorm into a playable list.Discussed in this episode:Second Edition of the Cube Will Outlive Magic Playmats Available for PreorderLucky Paper PatreonEpisode 197: Cube Design Iron Chef: Goblin CharbelcherEpisode 182: Emergent Cube Design by Example starting with Trade RoutesIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:30 - Building a Cube Starting from Genesis Wave7:55 - Why Andy Doesn't Like Genesis Wave16:34 - Level 1 Cards23:52 - Permanent Based Interaction26:54 - Landfall30:42 - ETB Payoffs34:28 - Level 2 Cards42:01 - Vendilion Clique Corner51:57 - Open Questions Remaining57:46 - Approaching the Manabase1:01:54 - Conclusion

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony talk about each of their top 5 favorite cards from the history of the game. They talk about where they first encountered them whether it was an exciting level up moment in a draft or as a key card that inspired a deck.Discussed in this episode:CubeConLucky Paper Cube FellowshipThe Eternal Glory PodcastAnthony’s First Ever 3-0 Deck Featuring Archfiend of IfnirEric Klug’s Peasant CubeRecross the PathsLords of LimitedIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro2:24 - Episode Start6:02 - Anthony Favorite Cards #1 Whitemane Lion12:43 - #2 Noosegraf Mob17:29 - #3 Genesis Wave21:45 - #4 Archfiend of Ifnir26:32 - #5 Sphinx's Tutelage34:40 - Andy Favorite Cards History36:55 - #1 Masticore42:10 - #2 Managorger Hydra48:49 - #3 Skeleton Ship53:55 - #4 Portent59:26 - #5 Ornithopter

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony talk about the last year in Magic and, in broad strokes, where they think the game stands from a design and product perspective. They start with Mark Rosewater’s own annual retrospective and talk about wether or not they agree on his take on the past year’s sets.Discussed in this episode:Mark Rosewater’s 2025 State of Design ArticlePack One Slick Ones - Episode #18 - Having a Healthy Relationship with Magic, Especially Outside of CubeGeneral Apathy on YouTubeOrnithological Studies Secret LairIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro05:48 - State of Design 202528:05 - The end of "hat" sets?46:48 - Meditations on Fandom Culture50:01 - State of Design Lighting Round

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony, along with Zach, Gabor, and Scott, recap their drafts from the most recent Capitol Cube Championship. The five of them, at sixty other players, spent a whole Saturday in DC Cube drafting. They talk about the cubes and decks they each drafted and highlights from the event.Discussed in this episode:Capitol Cube ChampionshipBodleian CubeAtomic CubeBun Magic CubeCompost CubeDepleted LandsPenrose CubeTresserhorn GardensAlattaTime Spiral Altered100 OrnithoptersIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro00:54 - Capitol Cube Champs03:30 - Compost Cube07:34 - Depleted Lands25:20 - Penrose Cube37:58 - Tresserhorn Gardens55:58 - Alatta01:02:26 - Time Spiral Altered01:10:56 - 100 Ornithopters01:23:31 - Anthony's Top Eight Draft

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony talk about the the new draft format Wizard’s intends for playing their latest release: Marvel’s Spider-Man. Designing the set approachable for small play groups, they propose a four player draft where each player takes two cards at a time from sealed booster packs. Our hosts talk about the design of the format, and the constraints in packaging and communication that informed it. They talk about the ways they prefer to draft with small groups and the options available to them as Cube organizers that they can take advantage of to have fun with any number of players.Discussed in this episode:Gavin’s Video Explaining Pick 2Good Luck High Five’s Episode on Pick 2 DraftHousman DraftGrid DraftDouble Decker DraftWimbledon DraftAlpha Reimagined CubeIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro2:34 - Main Topic: Pick 2 Draft8:04 - Potential Downsides of Pick 2 Draft20:49 - Other Implications of Double Picks27:29 - Fan Made Small Pod Draft Formats30:19 - Drafting with Smaller Pack Sizes33:44 - Housman Draft40:32 - Grid Draft43:46 - Ryan Spain’s 2-Deck Draft45:52 - Wimbledon Draft51:35 - Final Thoughts on Pick 2 Draft57:09 - 2 Card Combos in Drafts for Small Groups

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony co-draft Anthony’s Turbo Cube, talking through each of their picks as they navigate putting a deck together in this novel environment. In the Turbo Cube, all spells and activated abilities cost 2  mana less. While they draft, they discuss how the rules change effects each pick and their overall strategy.Because of the unique environment, our hosts collaborativly draft with eight real players rather than separately drafting the same simulated seat as they have in previous draft along episodes.Follow along with their draft on the cards mentioned page to see the full set of cards in each pack.Discussed in this episode:Turbo CubeNext “Book Club” Read: The Design of Everyday Things, by Donald NormanRecross the Paths, Episode with Andy Discussing the Cube FellowshipCube FellowshipPrevious open drafting episodes:The Bun Magic CubeRegular CubeNeoclassical CubeIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro5:27 - Book Club - The Design of Everyday Things6:59 - Cube Fellowship9:11 - Turbo Cube Draft Along14:29 - Draft Pack 126:38 - Draft Pack 237:06 - Draft Pack 345:11 - Draft Pack 454:10 - Deck Build58:02 - Deck Review and Grade

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAnthony is one again out sick, and trying to fill his sizable shoes are both judge Bones and Kade from Recross the Paths for a discussion with a potpurri of topics. They recap Cube for a Cause, talk about how to divorce player experience from the outcome of their matches, and, of course, The Devil Went Down to Georgia.Discussed in this episode:Cube for a Cause Coverage on YouTubeCube For A Cause (C4AC)If you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro8:55 - Main Topic Start18:58 - The Devil Went Down to Georgia31:20 - Vibe Curation40:33 - H** O***42:40 - Okay Maybe Winning Does Matter53:06 - Bones’ Judge Corner

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Parker look back at all the cards rotating out of Standard this summer. They look at the specific cards they were interested in for their cubes and talk about what they were right and wrong about.Search your own past survey submissions here.Discussed in this episode:2025 Standard Rotation Article by Parker LaMascusTheseusPulp NouveauSacred GeometryBun MagicNeoclassicalRegularCube for a Cause UMA Cube DraftIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro2:24 - Main Topic: Post Rotation Cube Survey Retrospective10:47 - Surprising Trends17:14 - Parker’s Lessons36:32 - Andy’s Picks50:07 - Correct Predictions57:29 - Wrap Up

View all cards mentioned in this episodeAndy and Anthony talk about how and why designers can present their cubes in ways that resonate with players. They talk about the presentational aspects available to communicate through, the values of making a connection, and how valuable it can be to set expectations with players.Discussed in this episode:Double Black Diamonds Cube (formerly “Mono Decent”)100 OrnithoptersTurbo CubeRegular CubeDon’t Call It That by Eli AldmanThe Fire SwampThe Giver CubeThe Red TerrorThe Mono Red CubeThe Jund CubeBun Magic CubePenrose CubePenrose Aperiodic TilingDichotomy CubeSacred GeometryMTGO Vintage CubeThe Pauper CubeThe CampaignMay’s Fae CubeCascade CubeThe BallpitEsper Bouncy CastleIf you’d like to show your support for the show, please consider backing Lucky Paper on Patreon or leaving us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:Andy’s “Bun Magic” CubeAnthony’s “Regular” CubeYou can find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. Send in questions to the show at [email protected] or our p.o. box:Lucky PaperPO Box 4855Baltimore, MD 21211Musical production by DJ James Nasty.Timestamps0:00 - Intro3:30 - What is Resonance in Cubes12:57 - What’s In A Name?34:14 - A Few Different Resonant Hooks44:12 - Intercube Dialogue51:59 - Shoebox, a Magic convention focused on creative expression and friendly competition.