Hello and welcome to yet another cube review. This time we will be looking at Magic Origins. Magic Origins is considered Wizards last “Core set”. By that, they mean that core sets will no longer be released in between the block sets. Block sets will no longer be divided in three sections. Instead, block sets will be divided into two sections for quicker story telling and block releases. Since Magic Origins is technically a core set, keep in mind that I will be only going over the cards that have never seen print before the release of this set.

What is a Powered Cube?

Most of you know what a powered cube is. For those of you who don’t, a powered cube normally contains what is known as “The Power Nine” which are considered the nine most powerful cards known to Magic: the Gathering.

The Power Nine:

Now that formalities are out of the way, lets dig into the contents of Magic Origins!

Archangel of Tithes:

Cool card but she is too mana intensive to be useful in decks other than mono-white/there are better reanimation targets than her.

Verdict: Nope

Kytheon, Hero of Akros//Gideon, Battle-Forged:

Kytheon is a no-brainer include if your cube happens to run rares. As I have mentioned in previous posts, Wizards seems to be pushing one-drops with power and toughness of 2/1 and 2/2 like crazy in the past several sets. Kytheon is obviously leaps and bounds better than Elite Vanguard which has a place in several cube lists to this very date.

Verdict: Windmill slam it into your cube!

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

White Winnie

Aggro

Relic Seeker:

If you enjoy equipment as much as I do, know this. Relic Seeker is nowhere near as good as Stoneforge Mystic. Yeah, Relic Seeker is nifty and all but he will mostly be a 2/2 that ends up chumping half the time. If you really want to push equipment, run Enlightend Tutor and Stoneforge Mystic instead. At least Enlightened Tutor gives you many more options and Stoneforge doesn’t have to attack, deal damage, and become “renowned” to grab you an awesome piece of metal (Plus she can throw said metal into play).

Verdict: Nope!

Vryn Wingmare:

If you are looking for a flying Glowrider, here it is. I’m fine with Thalia holding her own for the time being so I’m going to pass on this one.

Verdict: Not for now

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Death and Taxes/Hatebears

Day’s Undoing:

We already have Timetwister, so that’ll be a NO but nice try.

Verdict: No

Desciple of the Ring:

She requires mana and lots of instants and sorceries in your graveyard in order to be decent.

Verdict: No, there are much better options

Harbinger of the Tides:

Before anyone gets too excited for this new fishy, keep this in mind. Most lists already run Aether Adept and Man-o’-War. You could then argue that each of those cards cost one more mana over Harbinger. You’re correct on that but keep in mind that Adept and Man-o’-War are able to bounce any creature that can be targeted, including your own, unlike Harbinger. You could also argue that Harbinger has another mode that allows him to be flashed. You are also correct on that, however, we have Venser, Shaper Savant which can not only bounce any PERMANENT that can be targeted, he can also bounce spells that are being casted. If you really want other bounce effects, you can give Harbinger a try but I will personally be overlooking this guy (My legacy Merfolk deck on the other hand could be testing this little fish out).

Verdict: No for me

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Control

Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy//Jace, Telepath Unbound:

At first I was’t thrilled with Origin’s new Jace until I remembered a card that several lists run, that I really dislike… with a passion! That card, of course, is Enclave Cryptologist. If you are unfamiliar with my dislike of said card, click HERE to for better understanding. Looters are fun cards and all but I do not feel they are a must unless your cube runs graveyard themed synergies. My cube does, so Jace could be seeing some test play in mine. The only down side to Jace is that his transformation into a Planeswalker isn’t optional if you prefer a looter over a sorcery speed Snapcaster.

(Added Note: heard mention that some cube owners are considering running Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy over Looter il-Kor. I believe that it would be a mistake unless you do not want to support aggro for blue. Looter il-Kor has been a champion for awhile now in my cube and I’m sure many other cube owners would say the same.)

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Reanimater

Control

Graveyard themed decks

Mizzium Meddler:

I’m a sucker for flash but I will not let that hinder my judgement… At least I will try not too. Okay, so this guy is a one time use Spellskite that can only be used once when he comes into play… Well, Spellskite can eat not only a spell that can target a creature, he can can also redirect a spell that could target an artifact. The difference between Spellskite and Meddler is that Spellskite costs one less and can be placed into any deck due to being colorless and his ability can be used by playing life and Spellskite’s ability can be used more than once. Meddler’s differences are being able to be flashed into play, he has attack power, and he can not only redirect a spell, but also an ability. I’m not entirely sold on the idea of running Meddler in my cube but I could see myself testing him out if my play-group is willing to give him a try.

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Control

Stone Blade

Whirler Rogue:

If token production excites you, her is an interesting token producer for blue. I personally like this girl and her gadgets and plan to test her out.

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Artifacts

Recurring Nightmare themed decks

Erebos’s Titan:

He is way too slow, mana intensive, conditional, and he only goes into your hand and not into play.

Verdict: No, no, no, and No!

Languish:

I feel that Damnation and Toxic Deluge are more than enough board wipes in my cube for black but if your cube is much larger, Languish could be the card you are looking for.

Verdict: No for me

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Control

Liliana, Heretical Healer//Liliana, Defiant Necromancer:



As a creature, Liliana isn’t a fantastic stand alone card for any cube but don’t let that hinder your decision on including her. Her 2/3 body with lifelink isn’t amazing but it’s good enough to block against wienies on the ground during the beginning of the game. If you are able to keep her alive while allowing another one of your non token creatures to die, your reward is worth it. Getting a 2/2 zombie plus an activation is awesome. Unlike most of the dual sided creature walkers in Origins, Liliana’s activations are all useful when she flips. With that said, do not replace your Liliana, of the Veil with this one by any means. Liliana of the Veil is much better. Heretical Healer should be seen as a replacement for any of your questionable creatures that never get highly picked. I recommend testing her at best.

Verdict: Read the last sentience of the last paragraph.

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Reanimater

Pox

Avaricious Dragon:

The way mono red works in my cube is that it is fast paced. Mono red, however, runs out of steam fast if the

player is stunted during the beginning of the game. At first glance, Avaricious Dragon seems to be a good fit for a mono red drafter in that sort of situation. However, Avaricious doesn’t shine in any other sort of deck unless you really want to dump your hand for no good reason. I personally will not be adding this guy for that very reason.

Verdict: Puff, the Magic NOPE

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Mono Red

Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh//Chandra, Roaring Flame:

Just like Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy, Chandra isn’t super exciting for a powered cube in my opinion. Sure, she could really shine in mono red burn but she doesn’t do anything special for any other type of deck, unlike Jace, Vryn’s Prodigy. Honestly, I don’t think I’ll even test her out due to the fact that she can only hit players as a creature and the simple fact that she is super slow for a powered cube.

Verdict: No!

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Mono Red Burn

Molten Vortex:

If your cube includes tons of non-basic lands that were made for control and a Life from the Loam, why not run this card? I’m going to give Molten Vortex a shot for now due to the fact that land decks have surfaced in my cube and have done well.

Verdict: I will be testing it

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Eternal Garden/Lands

Pia and Kiran Nalaar:

I personally like Pia and Kiran as much as I like Siege-Gang Commander. Granted Siege-Gang costs one more than Pia & Kiran but he generates an extra token, plus Siege-Gang’s activated ability costs one less per activation. I personally don’t run Siege-Gang in my list so there is a good chance that I will not be testing out Pia & Kiran but don’t let that detour your decision. The only edge that Pia & Kiran have over the Gang is that they cost one less to cast and that they make colorless flyers, which can obviously block creatures that have pro colors. Plus Pia & Kiran can sacrifice more that their thopters, which is nice, unlike the Gang which can only sacrifice goblin type creatures.

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Aggro

Artifacts

Recurring Nightmare builds

Scab-Clan Berserker:

I’m personally not a fan of the “renowned” mechanic so my outlook on this card isn’t that great. If Scab-Clan was a two drop, I would consider running her, but, sadly, she is not.

Verdict: No

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Aggro

Burn

Caustic caterpillar:

Here is smallest killer of artifacts and enchantments alike! I personally plan on running this little guy because he comes into play fast and will eat removal or go out with a mana-rock, equipment, artifact creature, or any of the insanely powerful enchantments that powered cubes contain.

Verdict: Run

Recomended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Any deck running green sources

Conclave Naturalists:

I like this other new green artifact/enchantment hater with large 4/4 body. However, we already have Wickerbough Elder which comes into play for four mana and you can destroy and artifact or enchantment when you so choose.

Verdict: No unless you need more creatures with this ability

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Any deck that happens to run green sources

Evolutionary Leap:

Evolutionary Leap could be a fun card to use in response to blocks and with token generation decks. I personally plan to test this card out.

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Creature based decks

Pox

Managorger Hydra:

This little hydra shows some potential plus he splashes into any deck easily unlike most of green’s 3 CMC creatures.

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Aggro/Midrange

Nissa, Vastwood Seer//Nissa, Sage Animist:

Nissa isn’t even going to be considered for my cube. She doesn’t get non-basic Forests, she doesn’t put the Forest into play, and she requires SEVEN lands (plus a “landfall” trigger) to flip. All I can say is horrible. The only thing I like about her is her flip-side, which is powerful, but she demands way to much to get to that point.

Verdict: No!

Woodland Bellower:

I like this beasty. I am, however, bummed that he cannot get Legendary Creatures, even though there aren’t many in green in a powered cube. I would like the option though. Also bummed he only gets green creatures as well. He is still a great card that I’m willing to give a test run though. Keep in mind, he is only as good as the 3 CMC or less green creatures that you draft along with him.

Verdict: Test

Recommended deck(s)/archetype(s):

Ramp

Mono-Green

That concludes my Powered Cube review of Magic Origins. I hope I was able to help in some sort of way in your decisions for your cube. Feel free to click follow if you are interested in future Powered Cube reviews and other Magic: The Gathering related posts.

Thanks for stopping by and for any comments.

–Hanzelgravey