The Cube

The Cube is a Magic: The Gathering draft format where the packs are formed from a large pre-prepared pool of cards. The format originated in Toronto, Canada and spread from there. The pool of cards ("The Cube") consists of all of the best cards in Magic, so when you open your pack, it looks something like this:

In the Cube, every pack will contain limited bombs, constructed powerhouses, some old school classics, and some new school brokenness. Hopefully by the end of the draft your deck will look more like a constructed deck than a limited deck.

To read more about how this works out, see Noah Weil's StarCity article, the coverage of the "Cube Pro Tour" (part 2, part 3, part 4, finale), Sam Gomersal's StarCity article, Tom LaPille's Cube FAQ, or Evan Erwin's Cube Site. Some variations include making a Cube of all bad cards, making a Cube of all gold cards, and of course Ben Bleiweiss's Big Draft Box.

Some advice to potential Cube-builders: Although you don't want too have too many boring cards in there, you need to make some concessions to allowing a decent mana curve and having a sufficient number of creatures. You'll want to give the beatdown deck a chance against the more powerful control cards. You'll also need some basic utility cards such as artifact removal.

Also, when I started the Cube I had a lot of proxies -- a necessity for those who don't own or want to risk their Power or other good cards. In fact, I considered at one point making every card a proxy just to be consistent. Unfortunately, I started down the slippery slope of trying to pimp out the Cube with the coolest versions of every card. This is a deadly trap that will lead to financial ruin. To soften the blow, I've got a Collector's Edition set to stand in for the pricier Beta items.

A well-built Cube will provide many, many entertaining drafts with great card interactions. In case you need some suggestions for cards to include, here's the latest version of my Cube:

Name	Set	Notes
Academy Rector		foil, signed
Ajani Goldmane		Pro Tour promo, foil
Akroma, Angel of Wrath		foil
Akroma's Vengeance		foil
Armageddon		judge promo, altered art, foil, signed
Aura of Silence		FNM promo, foil, signed
Balance		judge promo, foil
Baneslayer Angel		foil
Calciderm		JSS promo, foil, signed
Cataclysm		altered art, signed
Catastrophe		signed
Cloudgoat Ranger		foil
Condemn		foil
Day of Judgment		buy a box promo, foil
Decree of Justice		Judge promo, foil
Disenchant		promo, foil
Eight-and-a-Half Tails		foil
Elesh Norn, Grand Cenobite		foil
Elspeth, Knight-Errant		Duel Decks promo, foil, signed
Elite Vanguard		foil
Emeria Angel		Game day promo, foil, signed
Enlightened Tutor		Arena League promo, foil
Eternal Dragon		Pro Tour promo, foil
Exalted Angel		Judge promo, altered art, foil, signed
Faith's Fetters		foil
False Prophet		Prerelease promo, foil
Fiend Hunter		foil
Ghostly Prison		FNM promo, foil
Gideon Jura		foil, signed
Hero of Bladehold		prerelease promo, foil
Hokori, Dust Drinker		foil
Honor of the Pure		buy a box promo, foil
Icatian Javelineers		Gateway promo, foil
Isamaru, Hound of Konda		foil
Journey to Nowhere		foil
Jotun Grunt		foil, signed
Kami of Ancient Law		foil, signed
Karmic Guide		foil, signed
Knight of the White Orchid		foil
Kor Skyfisher		promo, foil, signed
Land Tax		judge promo, foil, signed
Loam Lion		foil
Mana Tithe		foil
Mikaeus, the Lunarch		From the Vault: Legends, foil
Mirran Crusader		buy a box promo, foil
Mirror Entity		foil, signed
Moat
Mother of Runes		FNM promo, foil
Oblivion Ring		FNM promo, foil, signed
Path to Exile		promo, foil
Pristine Angel		foil
Radiant's Dragoons		foil, signed
Ravages of War
Reveillark		foil
Porcelain Legionnaire		foil
Savannah Lions		foil
Seal of Cleansing		FNM promo, foil
Serra Angel		promo, foil
Serra Avenger		Champs promo, foil
Silver Knight		FNM promo, foil
Soltari Priest		FNM promo, foil
Steppe Lynx		foil
Stoneforge Mystic		foil
Student of Warfare		foil, signed
Sun Titan		prerelease promo, foil, signed
Swords to Plowshares		FNM promo, foil
Thalia, Guardian of Thraben		foil
Tithe
Weathered Wayfarer		altered art, foil
Whipcorder		FNM promo, foil, signed
White Knight		FNM promo, foil
Wing Shards		FNM promo, foil
Wrath of God		foil
Yosei, the Morning Star		foil
Wall of Omens		FNM promo, foil
Ancestral Recall
Ancestral Vision		foil, signed
Brainstorm		FNM promo, foil
Bribery		foil, signed
Capsize		FNM promo, foil
Compulsive Research		foil
Condescend		foil
Confiscate		foil
Consecrated Sphinx		foil
Control Magic
Coralhelm Commander		foil
Counterspell		judge promo, foil
Cryptic Command		foil
Deep Analysis		FNM promo, foil, signed
Delver of Secrets		foil
Dismiss		Arena League promo, foil
Dissipate		FNM promo, foil
Exclude		foil
Fact or Fiction		FNM promo, foil, signed
Forbid		FNM promo, foil
Force of Will		signed
Frantic Search		foil
Frost Titan		promo, foil
Future Sight		foil, signed
Gifts Given		holiday promo, foil, signed
Gush		foil
Impulse		FNM promo, foil
Intuition		judge promo, foil
Jace Beleren		Duel Decks promo, foil
Jace, Memory Adept		foil, signed
Jace, the Mind Sculptor		altered art, foil, signed
Keiga, the Tide Star		foil
Kira, Great Glass-Spinner		foil
Lu Xun, Scholar General
Mana Drain		altered art, signed
Mana Leak		Arena League promo, foil, signed
Man-o'-War		Arena League promo, foil
Meloku the Clouded Mirror		foil
Memory Lapse		judge promo, foil, signed
Mind Control		promo, foil
Miscalculation		foil
Misdirection
Morphling		judge promo, altered art, foil, signed
Mulldrifter		FNM promo, foil
Ninja of the Deep Hours		altered art, foil, signed
Old Man of the Sea		extended art
Palinchron		foil
Phantasmal Image		foil
Phyrexian Metamorph		release promo, foil
Ponder		altered art, foil, signed
Preordain		foil
Psionic Blast		foil
Repeal		foil, signed
Rewind		Arena promo, foil
Serendib Efreet		From the Vault: Exiled, foil
Snapcaster Mage		foil
Sower of Temptation		foil
Stroke of Genius		judge promo, foil
Teferi, Mage of Zhalfir		From the Vault: Legends, foil
Thirst for Knowledge		altered art, foil, signed
Time Spiral		signed
Time Walk
Time Warp		judge promo, foil, signed
Timetwister
Tinker		From the Vault: Exiled, foil, signed
Tradewind Rider		judge promo, foil
Trinket Mage		foil
Treachery		foil
Upheaval		foil
Vendillion Clique		judge promo, foil
Venser, Shaper Savant		foil, signed
Vesuvan Shapeshifter		foil
Voidmage Prodigy		MPR promo
Waterfront Bouncer		foil, foil
Willbender		FNM promo, foil
Abyssal Persecutor		foil
Animate Dead		foil
Bane of the Living		foil
Bitterblossom		judge promo, foil
Black Knight		FNM promo, foil
Black Sun's Zenith		game day promo, foil
Bloodghast		altered art, foil, signed
Bone Shredder		foil
Carnophage		FNM promo, foil, signed
Chainer's Edict		FNM promo, foil
Coffin Queen		signed
Damnation		foil
Dark Confidant		foil
Dark Ritual		judge promo, foil, signed
Dauthi Slayer		Arena League promo, foil
Demonic Tutor		judge promo, altered art, foil, signed
Diabolic Edict		FNM promo, foil
Diabolic Servitude		foil
Diregraf Ghoul		game day promo
Dismember
Doom Blade		foil
Duress		FNM promo, foil
Exhume		foil
Faceless Butcher		foil
Gatekeeper of Malakir		FNM promo, foil, signed
Go for the Throat		FNM promo, foil
Graveborn Muse		foil
Grave Titan		promo, foil
Hollow Specter		foil, signed
Hymn to Tourach		foil
Hypnotic Specter		MPR promo, foil
Ink-Eyes, Servant of Oni		Prerelease promo, foil
Juzam Djinn		signed
Kagemaro, First to Suffer		foil
Kokusho, the Evening Star		From the Vault: Dragons, foil
Vampire Hexmage		foil, signed
Liliana Vess		Duel Decks promo, foil
Living Death		judge promo, foil
Makeshift Mannequin		foil, signed
Mesmeric Fiend		foil
Mind Twist
Nantuko Shade		foil
Necromancy		signed
Necropotence		Deckmaster, altered art, foil
Nekrataal		foil
Nezumi Graverobber		foil
Night's Whisper		foil
Ob Nixilis, the Fallen		foil
Order of the Ebon Hand		signed
Phyrexian Arena		foil
Phyrexian Negator		judge promo, foil
Phyrexian Scuta		foil
Plague Sliver		foil
Profane Command		foil
Ravenous Rats		foil
Reanimate		FNM promo, foil
Recurring Nightmare
Sarcomancy		signed
Shriekmaw		release promo, foil, signed
Sheoldred, Whispering One		prerelease, foil, signed
Sinkhole		judge promo, foil
Skinrender		promo, foil
Skittering Skirge		Arena League promo, foil, signed
Slaughter Pact		foil
Smother		FNM promo, foil
Entomb		foil
The Abyss		signed
Thoughtseize		foil, signed
Tombstalker		foil, signed
Vampire Nighthawk		promo, foil
Vampiric Tutor		judge promo, foil
Visara the Dreadful		From the Vault: Legends, foil
Withered Wretch		FNM promo, foil
Yawgmoth's Bargain		foil
Yawgmoth's Will		foil
Akroma, Angel of Fury		foil
Avalanche Riders		FNM promo, foil, signed
Ball Lightning		judge promo, foil
Banefire		foil
Blast from the Past		foil
Blistering Firecat		foil
Blood Knight		Champs promo, signed
Bogardan Hellkite		From the Vault: Dragons, foil
Burst Lightning		foil
Chain Lightning		foil
Chandra Nalar		Duel Decks promo, foil
Chandra, the Firebrand		signed
Chandra's Phoenix		buy a box promo foil, foil
Char		15th Anniversary promo, foil
Comet Storm		Prerelease promo, foil
Countryside Crusher		foil
Devil's Play		buy a box promo, foil
Empty the Warrens		foil
Fiery Temper		Gateway promo, foil
Fire Imp		signed
Fireblast		FNM promo, foil
Firebolt		FNM promo, foil, signed
Fireslinger		FNM promo, foil
Firestorm		signed
Flame Javelin		foil
Flametongue Kavu		FNM promo, foil, signed
Fork
Forked Bolt		foil
Stromkirk Noble		foil
Genju of the Spires		Arena League promo, foil
Ghitu Slinger		foil
Goblin Ruinblaster		foil
Inferno Titan		Duels of the Planeswalkers promo, foil
Kiki-Jiki, Mirror Breaker		From the Vault: Legends, foil
Goblin Guide		foil
Gorilla Shaman		signed
Goblin Welder		judge promo, foil
Greater Gargadon		foil, signed
Grim Lavamancer		judge promo, foil
Hammer of Bogardan		judge promo, foil
Hellspark Elemental		promo, foil
Imperial Recruiter
Incinerate		Deckmaster promo, foil
Jackal Pup		FNM promo, foil
Jaya Ballard, Task Mage		promo, foil, signed
Kird Ape		FNM promo, foil
Kargan Dragonlord		foil, signed
Koth of the Hammer
Kumano, Master Yamabushi		foil
Lightning Bolt		judge promo, foil, signed
Magus of the Scroll		foil
Magma Jet		FNM promo, foil
Mogg Fanatic		FNM promo, foil
Molten Rain		foil
Orcish Artillery		misprinted casting cost, signed
Orcish Settlers		signed
Pillage		Arena League promo, foil
Rift Bolt		FNM promo, foil
Rolling Earthquake
Rorix Bladewing		foil
Seething Song		foil
Siege-Gang Commander		Duel Decks promo, foil
Skirk Marauder		Arena League promo, foil, signed
Slith Firewalker		JSS promo, foil
Sneak Attack
Spikeshot Elder		foil
Squee, Goblin Nabob		foil
Stormblood Berserker		Game Day promo
Sudden Shock		Release promo, foil
Sulfuric Vortex		foil
Tin Street Hooligan		foil
Urza's Rage		Duel Decks promo, foil
Violent Eruption		foil
Volcanic Hammer		JSS promo, foil, signed
Wheel of Fortune		judge promo, foil
Acidic Slime		foil
Albino Troll		FNM promo, foil
Ant Queen		release promo, foil
Berserk		From the Vault: Exiled, foil
Birds of Paradise		buy a box promo, foil
Blastoderm		FNM promo, foil
Call of the Herd		GP promo, foil
Chameleon Colossus		foil
Channel		From the Vault: Exiled, foil
Creeping Mold		Arena League promo, foil
Deranged Hermit		judge promo, foil
Elves of Deep Shadow		FNM promo, foil, signed
Eternal Witness		FNM promo, foil
Fastbond		signed
Fauna Shaman		foil
Fyndhorn Elves
Garruk, Primal Hunter		foil, signed
Garruk Relentless		foil
Garruk Wildspeaker		Xbox promo, foil
Genesis		foil, foil
Green Sun's Zenith		foil
Harmonize		foil, signed
Harrow		foil, signed
Imperious Perfect		Champs promo
Jungle Lion
Cultivate		FNM promo, foil
Kodama's Reach		foil, signed
Krosan Tusker		FNM promo, foil
Leatherback Baloth		promo, foil
Life from the Loam		foil
Llanowar Elves		FNM promo, altered art, foil, signed
Lotus Cobra		foil, foil
Master of the Wild Hunt		foil
Natural Order		judge promo, foil
Naturalize		foil
Noble Hierarch		foil
Obstinate Baloth		foil, signed
Ohran Viper		foil
Overrun		foil
Plow Under		foil
Pouncing Jaguar		Arena League promo, foil, signed
Quirion Ranger		promo foil, foil
Rampaging Baloths		prerelease promo, foil
Rancor		FNM promo, foil
Ravenous Baloth		judge promo, foil
Regrowth		judge promo, foil
River Boa		FNM promo, foil
Roar of the Wurm		FNM promo, foil
Rofellos, Llanowar Emissary		foil
Rude Awakening		foil
Sakura-Tribe Elder		JSS promo, foil
Saproling Burst		foil, signed
Scavenging Ooze
Spike Feeder		FNM promo, foil, signed
Spike Weaver		foil
Strangleroot Geist		Game Day promo, foil
Survival of the Fittest		judge promo, foil
Sylvan Library
Tarmogoyf
Terastodon		foil
Thrun, the Last Troll		foil, signed
Tooth and Nail		foil
Troll Ascetic		foil, signed
Uktabi Orangutan		Arena League promo, foil
Vengevine		foil
Verdant Force		foil
Viridian Shaman		foil
Wall of Blossoms		FNM promo, foil, signed
Wall of Roots		FNM promo, foil, signed
Werebear		foil
Wild Mongrel		FNM promo, foil
Wild Nacatl		FNM promo, foil
Woodfall Primus		foil
Yavimaya Elder		foil, signed
Yavimaya Granger		foil, foil
Aether Vial		From the Vault: Relics, foil
Ankh of Mishra
Batterskull		foil
Black Lotus
Black Vise		From the Vault: Relics, foil
Blightsteel Colossus		foil, signed
Bottle Gnomes		FNM promo, foil, signed
Chimeric Idol		foil, signed
Chrome Mox		foil
Coalition Relic		foil
Crystal Shard		foil
Cursed Scroll		signed
Duplicant		foil
Emrakul, The Aeons Torn		prerelease promo, foil, signed
Engineered Explosives		foil
Everflowing Chalice		FNM promo, foil
Gauntlet of Might
Grim Monolith		foil
Icy Manipulator		FNM promo, foil
Isochron Scepter		FNM promo, foil
Juggernaut		FNM promo, foil
Karn Liberated		foil, signed
Karn, Silver Golem		Arena League promo, foil
Lightning Greaves		FNM promo, foil
Loxodon Warhammer		foil, signed
Mana Crypt		judge promo, foil
Mana Vault		signed
Masticore		From the Vault: Relics, foil
Memory Jar		From the Vault: Relics, foil
Millstone		foil, signed
Mindslaver		foil
Mind Stone		FNM promo, foil
Molten-Tail Masticore		foil
Mox Diamond		From the Vault: Relics, foil
Mox Emerald
Mox Jet
Mox Pearl
Mox Ruby
Mox Sapphire
Myr Battlesphere		foil, foil, signed
Nevinyrral's Disk		From the Vault: Relics, foil, signed
Oblivion Stone		foil
Panoptic Mirror		foil
Pentavus		foil
Phyrexian Processor		stamped, foil
Platinum Angel		foil
Powder Keg		MPR promo, crimped, foil
Razormane Masticore		foil
Scroll Rack		artist proof, signed
Sensei's Divining Top		From the Vault: Exiled, foil
Shrine of Burning Rage		promo, foil
Skullclamp		From the Vault: Exiled, foil
Solemn Simulacrum		foil
Sol Ring		judge promo, altered art, foil, signed
Spellskite		foil
Sword of Body and Mind		From the Vault: Relics, foil, signed
Sword of Feast and Famine		foil, signed
Sword of Fire and Ice		judge promo, foil
Sword of Light and Shadow		foil
Tangle Wire		foil
Temporal Aperture		signed
Triskelion		foil
Umezawa's Jitte		GP promo, foil
Vedalken Shackles		foil
Wayfarer's Bauble		foil
Winter Orb		signed
Wurmcoil Engine		Prerelease promo, foil
Zuran Orb		From the Vault: Relics, foil
Ajani Vengeant		Prerelease promo, foil, signed
Anurid Brushhopper		foil, signed
Armadillo Cloak		FNM promo, foil, signed
Azorius Guildmage		Release promo, foil, signed
Bloodbraid Elf		FNM promo, foil, signed
Cruel Ultimatum		foil
Debtor's Knell		foil
Dimir Guildmage		Release promo, foil
Doran, the Siege Tower		Champs promo, foil
Eladamri's Call		foil
Electrolyze		Champs promo, signed
Figure of Destiny		Release promo, foil
Fire/Ice		FNM promo foil, foil, signed
Fires of Yavimaya		foil
Geist of Saint Traft		foil
Gerrard's Verdict		FNM promo, foil
Hull Breach		foil
Huntmaster of the Fells		foil
Kitchen Finks		FNM promo, foil
Knight of the Reliquary		Duel Decks promo, foil
Lightning Helix		foil
Loxodon Hierarch		foil
Mirari's Wake		Pro Tour promo, foil
Murderous Redcap		FNM promo, foil, signed
Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker
Niv-Mizzet, the Firemind		Champs promo, foil
Olivia Voldaren		foil
Oona, Queen of the Fae		From the Vault, foil
Pernicious Deed		judge promo, foil
Psychatog		promo, foil, signed
Putrefy		foil
Putrid Leech		foil
Qasali Pridemage		FNM promo, foil
Recoil		foil, signed
Selesnya Guildmage		foil
Shadowmage Infiltrator		foil
Simic Sky Swallower		foil, signed
Spiritmonger		Grand Prix promo, foil
Terminate		FNM promo, foil
Vindicate		judge promo, foil
Void		foil
Watchwolf		FNM promo, foil
Who/What/When/Where/Why		foil
Ancient Tomb
Arid Mesa		foil, foil
Azorius Chancery		foil, signed
Badlands
Barbarian Ring		foil, signed
Barren Moor		foil, signed
Bayou		painted
Bazaar of Baghdad
Blood Crypt		foil, signed
Bloodstained Mire		foil, signed
Boros Garrison		foil, signed
Breeding Pool		foil, signed
Celestial Colonnade		buy a box promo, foil, signed
City of Brass		JSS promo, foil, signed
Diamond Valley		signed
Dimir Aqueduct		foil, signed
Dust Bowl		foil, signed
Evolving Wilds		foil
Faerie Conclave		promo, foil
Forgotten Cave		foil
Flooded Strand		judge promo, altered art, foil, signed
Gaea's Cradle		judge promo, foil
Gavony Township		foil
Gemstone Mine		judge promo, foil
Ghitu Encampment		foil
Godless Shrine		foil, signed
Golgari Rot Farm		foil, signed
Gruul Turf		foil, signed
Hallowed Fountain		foil, signed
Izzet Boilerworks		foil, signed
Karakas		signed
Kessig Wolf Run		foil
Kjeldoran Outpost		signed
Krosan Verge		foil
Library of Alexandria
Lonely Sandbar		foil, signed
Marsh Flats		foil
Maze of Ith		judge promo, foil
Mishra's Factory		judge promo, foil
Misty Rainforest		foil
Moorland Haunt		foil
Orzhov Bascilica		foil, signed
Overgrown Tomb		foil, signed
Plateau		painted
Polluted Delta		foil, signed
Rakdos Carnarium		foil, signed
Rishadan Port		foil
Sacred Foundry		foil, signed
Savannah		painted
Scalding Tarn		foil, foil
Scrubland
Secluded Steppe		foil, signed
Selesnya Sanctuary		foil, signed
Shelldock Isle		altered art, foil, signed
Simic Growth Chamber		foil, signed
Steam Vents		foil, signed
Stomping Ground		foil, signed
Strip Mine		From the Vault: Exiled, foil, signed
Taiga		painted
Temple Garden		foil, signed
Terramorphic Expanse		foil
Thawing Glaciers		judge promo, foil
Tranquil Thicket		foil, signed
Treetop Village		promo, foil
Tropical Island
Tundra
Underground Sea
Undiscovered Paradise
Verdant Catacombs		foil
Volcanic Island
Volrath's Stronghold
Wasteland		MPR promo, foil
Watery Grave		foil, signed
Windswept Heath		foil, signed
Wooded Foothills		judge promo, foil, signed

Recent changes

Recent changes

Recent changes