[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":80},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-post-how-to-create-your-first-magic-the-gathering-cube":3},{"title":4,"description":5,"date":6,"updated":6,"cover":7,"coverAlt":8,"tags":9,"draft":13,"path":14,"slug":15,"body":16},"How to Create Your First Magic: The Gathering Cube","Learn how to build your first Magic: The Gathering Cube with a clear concept, draftable archetypes, basic balance, and practical testing steps.","2026-06-24","\u002Fblog\u002Ffirst-cube.webp","Colorful glowing cubes arranged in a stack",[10,11,12],"cube","guide","mtg",false,"\u002Fguides\u002Fhow-to-create-your-first-magic-the-gathering-cube","how-to-create-your-first-magic-the-gathering-cube",{"html":17,"segments":18,"toc":21},"\u003Cp>Building your first Magic: The Gathering cube can feel intimidating. Where do you even start? How many cards do you need? What if you pick the wrong ones? These questions swirl around as you stare at your collection, wondering if you are ready to take the plunge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The good news: you are more ready than you think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might look at established cube lists and see hundreds of carefully chosen cards, balanced archetypes, perfect mana curves, custom draft rules, and years of tuning. It is easy to think that you need to understand everything before you start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You do not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your first cube does not need to be perfect. It does not need to be flawlessly balanced or support every archetype equally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your first cube only needs to do one thing:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Give you and your friends a fun draft.\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guide will help you build a playable first version: choose a clear theme, assemble a starting card pool, run your first draft, and use what you learn to tune the cube over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Caside class=\"article-notice article-notice-static article-notice-static-info\" role=\"note\" aria-label=\"What is an MTG cube?\">\n  \u003Cdiv class=\"article-notice-static-header\">\n    \u003Cspan class=\"article-notice-static-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\">i\u003C\u002Fspan>\n    \u003Cp>What is an MTG cube?\u003C\u002Fp>\n  \u003C\u002Fdiv>\n  \u003Cdiv class=\"article-notice-body\">\u003Cp>A cube is a custom draft environment made from cards you choose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of opening sealed booster packs from a specific Magic set, players draft from a curated pool of cards. That pool can be anything you want:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>your favorite cards from across Magic’s history\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a low-power casual environment\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a nostalgic old-border cube\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fguides\u002Fset-cube-generator-how-to-create-a-set-cube\">set-inspired cube\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a Commander cube\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>...\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>The key idea is simple: you create the card pool, then players draft from it again and again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a deeper primer, read \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fguides\u002Fwhat-is-an-mtg-cube\">What Is an MTG Cube?\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Faside>\n\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-1-choose-the-kind-of-cube-you-want-to-build\">Step 1: Choose the Kind of Cube You Want to Build\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Before choosing cards, decide what kind of experience you want your cube to create.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This does not need to be complicated. For a first cube, a simple sentence is enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Csection class=\"article-quote-examples article-quote-examples-static\">\n  \u003Cdiv class=\"article-quote-examples-static-grid\">\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I want a casual cube with my favorite cards from recent sets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I want a lower-power cube where creature combat matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I want to recreate the feeling of old Limited formats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>I want a fast, simple cube I can draft with newer players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003C\u002Fdiv>\n\u003C\u002Fsection>\n\n\u003Cp>That sentence is not a rulebook. It is a filter. When you are unsure whether a card belongs in the cube, ask whether it helps create the kind of draft you described.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Try to avoid starting with “a cube that has everything I like.” That usually turns into a pile of individually cool cards that do not quite point in the same direction. A focused cube is easier to build, more fun to draft, and much easier to improve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cubes can be much stranger, sharper, and more personal than a generic list of good cards. You could build:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>a graveyard cube where every color uses the discard pile differently\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a combat-focused cube full of tricks, equipment, tokens, and board stalls that actually matter\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a build-around cube where weird rares and forgotten signpost cards are the stars\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a two-player cube designed specifically for Winston Draft, Grid Draft, or quick weeknight games\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a story-driven cube based on a plane, faction war, favorite characters, or a specific era of Magic\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>a chaos-light cube where big splashy cards show up, but the games still stay interactive\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>The best first cube is the one that makes you want to shuffle it up and see what happens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-2-pick-a-starting-size\">Step 2: Pick a Starting Size\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The most common cube size is 360 cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That number is popular because it supports an 8-player draft with 3 packs of 15 cards per player:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>8 players × 3 packs × 15 cards = 360 cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But you do not need to start there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you mostly draft with fewer players, a smaller cube can be easier to build and test. For example:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>180 cards works well for small drafts or Winston Draft\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>270 cards gives you more variety while staying manageable\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>360 cards is the classic full-size starting point\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>450+ cards adds replayability but is harder to tune and handle\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For your first cube, 180 or 360 cards are both reasonable choices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you are building digitally, starting with 360 is fine because you can add, remove, and test cards quickly. If you are building from paper cards you already own, starting smaller may be easier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-3-decide-your-main-archetypes\">Step 3: Decide Your Main Archetypes\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Archetypes are the draftable strategies, themes, or play patterns your cube encourages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They do not have to be tied to neat two-color pairs. An archetype can be a mechanic, a card type, a speed, a resource, or even a mood. “Artifacts matter,” “graveyard value,” “go-wide tokens,” “spellslinger,” “slow control,” “lands in the graveyard,” and “big dumb creatures” are all valid archetypes if the cube gives players enough cards to make them real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You also do not need every color pair to have a perfectly defined identity. If you cannot stand Dimir, do not force Dimir to have a dedicated archetype. It is your cube, so go wild.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a first cube, it is better to choose a few clear themes and support them well than to include too many half-supported ideas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A good rule:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cblockquote>\n\u003Cp>If you want players to draft an archetype, include enough cards that make the archetype obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003C\u002Fblockquote>\n\u003Cp>One sacrifice card is just a card. Ten sacrifice cards, plus payoffs and enablers, become an archetype.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When choosing archetypes, think in terms of three types of cards:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Enablers\u003C\u002Fstrong>\nCards that make the strategy work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Payoffs\u003C\u002Fstrong>\nCards that reward the player for drafting the strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Flexible cards\u003C\u002Fstrong>\nCards that are useful even when the player is not fully committed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flexible cards are especially important in cube. If every card only belongs in one narrow archetype, drafts can become fragile. Good cube cards often support multiple strategies at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-4-keep-an-eye-on-basic-balance\">Step 4: Keep an Eye on Basic Balance\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Once you know the main directions you want to support, check that the cube has enough basic balance to produce real draft decks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means each color should have a reasonable number of cards, but the counts do not need to be identical. If one color has 46 cards and another has 54, that is not a problem by itself. The real question is whether each color gives players something coherent to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a first cube, focus on the basics:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>enough cheap plays that decks can start the game\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>enough interaction that games do not become goldfish races\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>enough threats that decks can actually win\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>enough fixing or lands for the amount of multicolor cards you include\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>enough overlap that cards work in more than one deck\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>A common beginner mistake is to fill the cube with splashy expensive cards and forget the glue. Big finishers are fun, but draft decks still need two-drops, removal, mana fixing, and flexible role-players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think of this step as a quick sanity check. It does not decide what makes your cube special. It just makes sure the drafts function once players sit down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-5-add-interaction\">Step 5: Add Interaction\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Interaction is what stops games from becoming repetitive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If your cube has powerful creatures but not enough removal, games may become simple races. If it has too many removal spells, creatures may feel pointless. If it has no answers to artifacts, enchantments, graveyards, or planeswalkers, some cards may dominate every game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You do not need perfect answers to everything, but each color should have some way to interact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Examples of interaction include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>creature removal\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>counterspells\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>combat tricks\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>bounce spells\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>discard\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>artifact and enchantment removal\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>sweepers\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>graveyard hate\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>For a beginner cube, prioritize interaction that creates good games. Cheap, flexible answers are useful, but too many hyper-efficient answers can make the cube feel more competitive than you intended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The right amount depends on your power level. A casual creature-focused cube needs a different removal suite than a high-power cube full of fast combo cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-6-pay-attention-to-mana\">Step 6: Pay Attention to Mana\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Mana fixing is one of the easiest things to underestimate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If your cube supports multicolor decks, players need lands and artifacts that help them cast their spells. Without enough fixing, drafts can become frustrating: players see exciting gold cards but cannot reliably play them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a first 360-card cube, 30 to 40 fixing lands is a reasonable place to start, depending on how multicolor you want the environment to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want mostly two-color decks, use enough dual lands to make those decks consistent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want slower three-color decks, add more fixing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you want aggressive one- and two-color decks to be strong, avoid giving every deck perfect mana for free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana fixing is not just a technical detail. It shapes the whole draft environment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-7-build-a-first-version-not-a-final-version\">Step 7: Build a First Version, Not a Final Version\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>At some point, you need to stop planning and build the first list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is where many first-time cube designers get stuck. They keep researching, comparing lists, and replacing cards before the cube has ever been drafted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not worry about getting every slot right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your first version is a prototype. It exists so you can draft it, play it, and learn what works.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A good first version should answer basic questions:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Are all colors playable?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Do players understand what the archetypes are?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are games fun?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are there enough early plays?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Is there enough interaction?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are any cards obviously too strong or too weak?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Do players want to draft it again?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>You will learn more from one draft than from hours of theory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-8-draft-the-cube\">Step 8: Draft the Cube\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Once you have a list, draft it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can draft with friends in paper, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fmtg-draft-simulator\">test it digitally\u003C\u002Fa>, or run solo drafts to see how decks come together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Do not only look at whether the games are balanced. Also pay attention to the draft itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ask:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Were there interesting choices?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Did players find open lanes?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Did archetypes come together naturally?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Were some cards always last picks?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Were some cards always first picks?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Did mana feel good or frustrating?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Did players build decks they were excited to play?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>A cube is both a draft format and a gameplay format. The draft should be fun before the games even start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-9-make-small-changes\">Step 9: Make Small Changes\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>After your first draft, you will probably want to change many cards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But avoid replacing too much at once. If you change 80 cards after one draft, it becomes hard to know what actually improved the cube.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Start with the clearest problems.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Good first changes include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>removing cards nobody wanted\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>replacing cards that were too strong\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>adding more two-drops\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>improving mana fixing\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>making archetype signals clearer\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>cutting narrow cards that did not come together\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>adding flexible cards that support multiple decks\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>Cube design is iterative. Each draft gives you more information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The goal is not to “finish” your cube. The goal is to keep making it more fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"step-10-keep-notes\">Step 10: Keep Notes\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>A simple change log is incredibly useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Write down what you changed and why. After a few drafts, it becomes hard to remember whether a card was removed because it was too weak, too strong, too narrow, or simply boring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Useful notes include:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>cards players loved\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>cards nobody drafted\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>archetypes that felt under-supported\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>games that ended too quickly\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>games that stalled too often\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>mana problems\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>cards you want to test later\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>You do not need a complex system. Even a few notes after each draft can help you improve the cube much faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"common-first-cube-mistakes\">Common First Cube Mistakes\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"adding-too-many-expensive-cards\">Adding Too Many Expensive Cards\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Big splashy cards are exciting, but decks need early plays. If every pack is full of five- and six-mana cards, games will feel clunky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"supporting-too-many-archetypes\">Supporting Too Many Archetypes\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>It is tempting to include every cool theme. But if an archetype only has two enablers and one payoff, it probably will not work consistently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"forgetting-mana-fixing\">Forgetting Mana Fixing\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Multicolor cards are fun, but players need the lands to cast them. Weak fixing makes drafts frustrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"overvaluing-raw-power\">Overvaluing Raw Power\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>The strongest card is not always the best cube card. A slightly weaker card that creates better games may be the better choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"changing-too-much-too-quickly\">Changing Too Much Too Quickly\u003C\u002Fh3>\n\u003Cp>Iteration is good, but huge changes after every draft can make the cube harder to understand. Make focused changes and learn from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"a-simple-first-cube-checklist\">A Simple First Cube Checklist\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Before your first draft, check:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Do all five colors have enough playable cards?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Do aggressive decks have enough early creatures?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Do slower decks have enough ways to stabilize?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Is there enough removal?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Is there enough mana fixing?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are the main archetypes visible in the draft?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are there cards that work in more than one deck?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are there enough exciting cards to pull players into colors?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Can players build functional 40-card decks?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>Are you excited to draft it?\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>If the answer is mostly yes, your cube is ready to test.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Your first cube does not need to be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it probably should not be. A cube becomes better through drafting, playing, changing cards, and discovering what your group enjoys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Start with a clear idea. Build a first version. Draft it. Take notes. Make small improvements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you are ready, \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fcubes\u002Fcreate\">create your first cube in CubeForge\u003C\u002Fa> and start testing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That is cube design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best cube is not the one with the most famous cards or the most polished list. It is the one your players want to draft again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n",[19],{"type":20,"html":17},"html",{"title":22,"searchDepth":23,"depth":24,"links":25},"",2,3,[26,29,32,35,38,41,44,47,50,53,56,59,62,65,68,71,74,77],{"id":27,"text":28,"depth":23},"step-1-choose-the-kind-of-cube-you-want-to-build","Step 1: Choose the Kind of Cube You Want to Build",{"id":30,"text":31,"depth":23},"step-2-pick-a-starting-size","Step 2: Pick a Starting Size",{"id":33,"text":34,"depth":23},"step-3-decide-your-main-archetypes","Step 3: Decide Your Main Archetypes",{"id":36,"text":37,"depth":23},"step-4-keep-an-eye-on-basic-balance","Step 4: Keep an Eye on Basic Balance",{"id":39,"text":40,"depth":23},"step-5-add-interaction","Step 5: Add Interaction",{"id":42,"text":43,"depth":23},"step-6-pay-attention-to-mana","Step 6: Pay Attention to Mana",{"id":45,"text":46,"depth":23},"step-7-build-a-first-version-not-a-final-version","Step 7: Build a First Version, Not a Final Version",{"id":48,"text":49,"depth":23},"step-8-draft-the-cube","Step 8: Draft the Cube",{"id":51,"text":52,"depth":23},"step-9-make-small-changes","Step 9: Make Small Changes",{"id":54,"text":55,"depth":23},"step-10-keep-notes","Step 10: Keep Notes",{"id":57,"text":58,"depth":23},"common-first-cube-mistakes","Common First Cube Mistakes",{"id":60,"text":61,"depth":24},"adding-too-many-expensive-cards","Adding Too Many Expensive Cards",{"id":63,"text":64,"depth":24},"supporting-too-many-archetypes","Supporting Too Many Archetypes",{"id":66,"text":67,"depth":24},"forgetting-mana-fixing","Forgetting Mana Fixing",{"id":69,"text":70,"depth":24},"overvaluing-raw-power","Overvaluing Raw Power",{"id":72,"text":73,"depth":24},"changing-too-much-too-quickly","Changing Too Much Too Quickly",{"id":75,"text":76,"depth":23},"a-simple-first-cube-checklist","A Simple First Cube Checklist",{"id":78,"text":79,"depth":23},"final-thoughts","Final Thoughts",1785740054265]