Thanks for creating this post. Hopefully it will attract more attention so we can all share our thoughts on ways to improve the Vintage Cube experience. In my opinion, the cube would benefit from some changes to help strengthen underutilized archetypes, and help enhance & maintain the cube’s power level. Some suggestions below:
1) Hullbreacher! The cube needs this beast. The Draw 7s strategy is slow & largely ineffective rn with the rising power level of aggro decks. Hullbreacher is the best way to resurrect this amazing archetype, and add a lot of dynamism to the cube.
2) Time Vault package! Time Vault was oppressive the last time it was included in the cube (many years ago), simply because Voltaic/Manifold Key was included along with it, and that combo is just too fast and easy to assemble. In my vintage cube, we play Time Vault along with multicolor enablers like Ral Zarek (UR), Scheming Fence (UW), and artifacts like Mirage Mirror & Paradox Engine, which both combo with other cube staples which foster fun interactions & exciting combos. Mirage Mirror is especially nice, because it combos off with Dark Depths, further enhancing the lands deck.
3) White: Add Initiative cards! White Plume Adventurer & Seasoned Dungeoneer are both vintage cube power level cards, and a lot of fun to play. Also, I’m a big fan of Serra Paragon (another Lurrus effect), Danitha Benalia’s Hope, Enlightened Tutor, and efficient new removal spells like Prismatic Ending, March of Otherworldly Light, and Leyline Binding.
4) Green: How has Lotus Cobra not been added back in to the cube? It’s an absolute house in the lands deck, and is always amazing in pretty much any Green deck. Additionally, Worldly Tutor really needs to be added back into the cube, to help out the Sneak/Breach type decks, which seem really weak this time around (probably bc aggro creatures/decks keep getting better). Finally, Dryad of the Ilysian Grove, Tireless Provisioner, Goreclaw Terror of Qal Sisma, and End-Raze Forerunners would all give green decks a big boost.
5) Red: Fiery Confluence and Embercleave! These beasts absolutely need to be in the cube. Fiery Confluence was cut because it was bugged a few years back and mistakenly never added back in. Also, Red needs a good one mana tutor, and thankfully the perfect card already exists - Gamble! Finally, Robber of the Rich, Combat Celebrant, and Light up the Night are no brainer inclusions.
6) Black: Entomb is the most important card for the Reanimator deck, and there’s no other effect like it in the cube. For this reason, Unmarked Grave really needs to be included in the cube, to provide some much needed backup. I also think Dreams of Steel and Oil and Rotting Regisaur should be added as well.
7) Blue: Hullbreacher! By far the most important change. Also, Stasis would be spicy, and Lose Focus is strictly better than Miscalculation (it also let’s you counter Storm cards, which would be a first).
8) Artifacts: Kaldra Compleat! I have no idea why this amazing card was cut last time around. It’s miles ahead of Batterskull, and its inclusion had made Stoneforge Mystic spectacular once again. Please add it back in! It also pairs very well with Danitha Benalia’s Hope, as a really fun combo. Expedition Map also feels like a must include for me, as an assist to the lands deck. And, as mentioned above, Mirage Mirror & Paradox Engine are truly fantastic cards. Lastly, Mystic Forge is a fun one, and pairs very well with Sensei’s Divining Top.
9) Multicolor: Fire Covenant, Lim-Dul’s Vault, Winota Joiner of Forces, Chaos Defiler, Prismari Command, Tear Asunder, Boros Charm, and Kinnan Bonder Prodigy are all extremely powerful & fun options that will enhance & strengthen the cube.
10) Lands: I think one of the most consistent problems for the cube is the lack of reliable fixing, as folks have learned about its importance, and so the lands are drafted much higher these days than in years past. What this does is artificially reward the “boring” but streamlined single color aggro decks, and punish the more adventurous drafters who want to experiment with 4-5 color piles. We should give those drafters a hand! The single biggest improvement to remedy this would be to simply double the fetch lands, by including two copies of every Scalding Tarn, Misty Rainforest, Polluted Delta, etc. Just cut 10 of the weaker lands, and add 10 more fetches, it’s as simple as that!
Final Note: Thanks to Vandwedge for starting this thread, it was a great idea! I agree with almost all of his proposed cuts to the cube (cards that are simply too weak for vintage cube, or which don’t synergize well with the existing archetypes). I disagree only on the following cards, which I think should stay in mtgo’s vintage cube:
A) Life from the Loam & Crop Rotation: The lands deck is great and just needs a little help to be spectacular - i.e. the inclusion of Expedition Map & Mirage Mirror.
B) Mesmeric Fiend & Pack Rat: These staples definitely still perform for me, and Mesmeric Fiend is strictly better than Kitesail Freebooter, because of the trigger stacking combo, where you can permanently exile the card chosen from ur opponent’s hand.
C) Dragon Rage Channeler: Has performed well for me.
I agree with you on all the other cards you listed. They could all be cut & replaced with better alternatives, and no one would bat an eye.
. (Half-joke, I am sick to death of the god damn evoke losers and Ragavan)