Zach Barash

#mtgcube fam - we said we weren’t done with exciting announcements!

This #C4AC we’re partnering with our friend @andy.luckypaper.co and our pal @nyc-mtg.bsky.social for a 2 day charity stream with community special guests!!
Want to join us?
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...

How would you say you've been struggling with the cube? Is it...
- Stress/lack of direction during the draft?
- Trouble with deckbuilding?
- You feel like you're winning games but then they each slip away?
- You keep drafting or losing to certain kinds of cards?

All that's to say, well done, Anthony!

I think improving card draw *is* the best use for Echoing Boon (and every now and then making your Echoing Truth nearly uncounterable). Going all in on pump spells exposes you to getting blown out by disruption like Truth, while drawing cards gives you the most important resource in the cube.

AHHHH!!!! CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU!!!

I encourage everyone to use both hats, but intentionally - *especially* if you're struggling with one hat dominating.

I've found that editor hat becomes harder to remove the more one gets into design. It's easy to shoot down ideas before giving them a try. Especially when time is scarce.

Again, I could easily be wrong because, well, I'm just guessing how you're feeling and what you mean by your words. But it sounds like maybe you've always got that editor hat on and you miss just writing without it getting in the way.

Need to edit but got your writer hat on? You keep interrupting yourself with new ideas when you just need to finish.

Both hats are essential, but they're antisynergistic. You have to wear them separately.

Need to write but got your editor hat on? You throw out ideas as fast as you generate them. You're overly critical and get nowhere.

The metaphor:

Writer hat is creative. It's generative. It just throws things at the wall.

Editor hat is critical. It's analytical or destructive. It looks at what's on the wall and sees what sticks.

I'd like to get a better sense of what you mean by "jaded" and "idealistic" to get a better sense of what sorts of responses would be helpful. I'd assume it sounds like burnout. What you're describing here sounds similar to the "writer hat / editor hat" metaphor (which could also be burnout).

If you’re coming to #MCVegas and looking to cube, definitely hit me or @dinrovahorror.mtgcu.be up. I’m sure we will be cubing every day. 🫡

The pressure is off for Julien Henry @lyserg.bsky.social - strong finishes at the last 2 Pro Tours have secured him a slot on the pro circuit through the rest of the year. Now he can set his sights on qualifying for his first World Championship.

❤️

Connectivity Issues MTG Arena's Status Page - Connectivity Issues.

A fix has been implemented, and #MTGArena is back online. We are continuing to monitor the situation.

🌐 Status Page: http://spr.ly/633294yZLb

The Cascade Cube returns to CubeCon! Each player has a Maelstrom Nexus emblem in the command zone and the environment strongly rewards building around it.

This pack is a great introductory pack, as there's a lot of sizzle but one best option.

#wotcstaff

A menu of our cube offerings for our first Queer Magic Night TONIGHT! We can't wait to see everybody at Brooklyn Game Knight in Industry City at 7pm.

If you watched this video
And you liked it
And you live in NYC
You should come to Upkeep
7 pm every Wednesday
@ Brooklyn Game Knight in industry city
We don’t have this one
But we do have great cubes
And a lot of fun

Cube is forever baby
Come game with us

#mtgcube

This video is about Andy Mangold’s unconventional Ornithopter cube and the community that has become its champion.

ft. @andy.luckypaper.co

🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...

As part of a grand celebration, you've got one pod that's drafting three different designers' cubes. Who're the seven in the pod with you and what three cubes are you drafting?

CUBE FOR A CAUSE SS25 is LIVE!!
8/23-8/24 | MAKE THE ROAD NY |
Tickets can be bought HERE: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
Cube announcements and more are coming!!!

Thank you! She's pretty friggin' amazing.

Home taking care of our newborn and LOVING seeing folks' updates from @bostoncubeparty.com. Please tag me for any and all #CascadeCube deck pics, notes, experiences, feedback, or even complaints.

Mazel tov!!

...in this case, opted for what the cube needs to answer A+ threats even though it creates that aesthetic awkwardness and diminished dynamism in removal.

As for 3 fetch / 2 shock, this is trying something big with the option of scaling back rather than experimenting by small degrees.

#wotcstaff

It is indeed! Thank you for the tag, Julien, and for the excellent analysis, Jean-Emmanuel.

I hear you on Strangle + Shove Aside + Lightning Bolt. There's a need for critical mass of cheap interaction to answer the high density of cheap threats and an aesthetic desire for diversity...

#wotcstaff

MAGIC THE GATHERING PLAYERS!
We’re thrilled to announce the Cube For A Cause SS25 dates have been confirmed - 8/23-8/24! Mark your calendars! RTs are appreciated!

I love a fetchland and wouldn't be surprised if Hymn or Reprieve's the card most likely to lead to a 3-0... but I know myself. I'm taking Jace.

Mazel tov!!!!

Gut says Rabblemaster, though I can see an argument for Urabrask with the goal of wheeling Chaos Maw. Rabblemaster is independently strong, but it falls to all removal while 4+ toughness creatures don't.