robdennis/gist:e9eee9abcab0b7d136b4

## gistfile1.txt
Going off this [list](http://archive.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/other/05202014/cube#cardlist) and assuming:
- we're talking evolution, not cube-wide revamp
- "not suck" really means "desirable in draft" (and not merely in the "I'm the only black drafter at the table" sense)
- "desirable in draft" as both a support and primary color

Some very quick background on how I see MTGO cube's philosophy:
- some low percentage archetypes that reward multiple drafts with the same list (namely storm)
- introduction to some of the history of Magic for newer players
- show "here's what we're doing nowadays" for returning players

Observations that aren't a cubewide critique, or merely disagreements with what the MTGO cube should be:
1) Black has extremely rigid color requirements and the payoff cards are mostly slightly better creatures (excluding necro)
  - contrast with white who gets to curve out into Armageddons, which is both a better plan and less risky if the monocolor plan doesn't comes together (e.g. boros/gw/uw aggro isn't that bad)
2) Mostly every good life-as-resource card is in the list, but since there's not an overwhelming amount of defensive cards (or significantly more removal than red/white) I'm always worried about failing to stabilize in anything that's on the controlling end (meaning that white is a better pair with comparable removal and better defensive options)
3) Storm decks in cube almost always include black (thanks to rituals/tutors/tendrils), and it's one of the most popular archetypes seen on stream so boosting it is always good

Proposed Changes:
1) I'm going to assume that the data shows that some of heavy black creature cards are underpicked/played vs expectations, some of these could turn to creatures with relaxed requirements, some could be repurposed for follow-on suggestions
2) Offset life-as-resource with some lifegain or defensive cards that support existing themes (examples):
  - Whip of Erebos
  - Consuming Vapors
  - Tribute to Hunger
  - Disciple of Bolas
  - Blood Artist
  - Drown in Sorrow
  - Ophiomancer
  - Pharika's Cure
3) Buffing storm in a way that's generally applicable (especially for reanimator) would be tutors and card draw (at a cost of adding more life as a resource cards but I'm assuming storm doesn't care and control will play 1 of these):
  - Read the Bones
  - Grim Tutor
  - Imperial Seal

Desired Results:
- People playing black/x aggro and midrange have as many options as before (since they couldn't justify BB or BBB anyway)
- UB played about as often as UW in control and Esper is more than just UW with more point removal
- Storm gets some slight percentage chance more workable which could turn into some renewed interest in the archetype on streams/videos. (Tutoring for your reanimation spell is also good)
	Going off this [list](http://archive.wizards.com/magic/magazine/Article.aspx?x=mtg/daily/other/05202014/cube#cardlist) and assuming:
	- we're talking evolution, not cube-wide revamp
	- "not suck" really means "desirable in draft" (and not merely in the "I'm the only black drafter at the table" sense)
	- "desirable in draft" as both a support and primary color

	Some very quick background on how I see MTGO cube's philosophy:
	- some low percentage archetypes that reward multiple drafts with the same list (namely storm)
	- introduction to some of the history of Magic for newer players
	- show "here's what we're doing nowadays" for returning players

	Observations that aren't a cubewide critique, or merely disagreements with what the MTGO cube should be:
	1) Black has extremely rigid color requirements and the payoff cards are mostly slightly better creatures (excluding necro)
	- contrast with white who gets to curve out into Armageddons, which is both a better plan and less risky if the monocolor plan doesn't comes together (e.g. boros/gw/uw aggro isn't that bad)
	2) Mostly every good life-as-resource card is in the list, but since there's not an overwhelming amount of defensive cards (or significantly more removal than red/white) I'm always worried about failing to stabilize in anything that's on the controlling end (meaning that white is a better pair with comparable removal and better defensive options)
	3) Storm decks in cube almost always include black (thanks to rituals/tutors/tendrils), and it's one of the most popular archetypes seen on stream so boosting it is always good

	Proposed Changes:
	1) I'm going to assume that the data shows that some of heavy black creature cards are underpicked/played vs expectations, some of these could turn to creatures with relaxed requirements, some could be repurposed for follow-on suggestions
	2) Offset life-as-resource with some lifegain or defensive cards that support existing themes (examples):
	- Whip of Erebos
	- Consuming Vapors
	- Tribute to Hunger
	- Disciple of Bolas
	- Blood Artist
	- Drown in Sorrow
	- Ophiomancer
	- Pharika's Cure
	3) Buffing storm in a way that's generally applicable (especially for reanimator) would be tutors and card draw (at a cost of adding more life as a resource cards but I'm assuming storm doesn't care and control will play 1 of these):
	- Read the Bones
	- Grim Tutor
	- Imperial Seal

	Desired Results:
	- People playing black/x aggro and midrange have as many options as before (since they couldn't justify BB or BBB anyway)
	- UB played about as often as UW in control and Esper is more than just UW with more point removal
	- Storm gets some slight percentage chance more workable which could turn into some renewed interest in the archetype on streams/videos. (Tutoring for your reanimation spell is also good)