Cube Engineers

In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman invite TheLameSauce to discuss The Modular Cube! Trainmaster and Usman were tasked by the wonderful CubeCon organizers to select a Cube to be featured in the main event of CubeCon 2025! After poring over the options, they picked The Modular Cube and invited its designer to talk about the list on Cube Engineers. The twist: TheLameSauce had no idea their Cube...

A black sun rises over the choked landscape. A world of greed thrives below. Welcome to Pulp Nouveau. In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Parker “Landofmordor” LaMascus to discuss Black Sun Cubes, also known as Semi-Desert Cubes. Like Desert Cubes, players in a Black Sun environment are expected to draft some number of their basic lands. Unlike in a Desert Cube, the basics of one color are free...

The past few years have been a tumultuous time for Magic, leading many players to ask the question: can Magic be fixed? In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Arlo (A.K.A. GayTransMulldrifter) attempt to answer that very question. They discuss how recent leadership priorities and audience have influenced both Magic’s game design and release schedule, and what those changes have meant for the game. Can...

Cube Engineers is back on the rails again! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Pauper Cube Committee member Omniczech to discuss the history of the official Pauper Cube community and how the committee uses big data. Learn about The Pauper Cube Polling App, Net Promoter Scores (NPS), and how community data is used to update one of the most visible Cubes in the community! It’s time for some good,...

In the epic conclusion of Tarkir month, TrainmasterGT and Usman return to conclude their review of Tarkir: Dragonstorm! Usman and Trainmaster take an all-out approach to the review, discussing the cards they’re most excited about for their Cubes! Will Tarkir: Dragonstorm soar like a Dragon, or Return to the Earth ? Stay tuned to find out! Show Notes A Good Omen Contest Guest Links: Usman’s Link Tr...

We’re back on the rails again with another Tarkir Month Cube Engineers Special! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites a fellow Tarkir enjoyer, Safra, to discuss the history of Tarkir and how the world has changed across time streams and visits. They talk about the relationship between the Clans and their real-life cultural inspirations, the characters of Tarkir, and compare and contrast the “grea...

In the third episode of Tarkir Month, TrainmasterGT invites the always awesome Judge Bones to discuss building Cubes that mirror the play patterns of Constructed formats. They discuss what it means to make a “constructed-like Cube”, and how to build one! By analyzing their Highball 4K and Museum of Modern Cubes, TrainmasterGT and Bones showcase strategies to create Cubes mirroring your favorite co...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT is once again joined by Usman Jamil for the official kickoff of Tarkir Month to discuss Tarkir: Dragonstorm! In the first of this two-part review, TrainmasterGT and Usman take a “dragonback” approach to analyzing the set, looking at all of the themes and mechanics. Which mechanics will soar like dragons, and which will be doomed to become dragon’s prey ? Stay tuned t...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT scrambles to create an episode after having to push back the first part of the Tarkir: Dragonstorm podcast by a week. Will he be able to create a decent episode in time? Maybe, but only with a little help from his friends! Show Notes: The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast (Usman Jamil’s Substack) Ubercubathon 2025 Lucky Paper Radio Neoclassical Cube Degenerate Microcube Bu...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT explores how emotional value plays a role in Cube design and why we find certain cards to be so special. Explore the universe of cards with heart, and a few examples from TrainmasterGT’s own collection! Grab your Penumbra Wurms, Wabi-Sabi Ugins, and misprint Godless Shrines, it’s going to be a wild ride! Show Notes The Pack One Slick Ones Podcast Episode 239 of Lucky...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT journeys to the Netherlands to meet with the legendary Cube designer Onderzeeboot and discuss one of the coolest Cubes around: Heritage! Heritage: a Sticker Cube combines classic Magic gameplay with elements from Legacy board games like Risk: Legacy and Gloomhaven. Learn all about how Heritage was designed, and how to build your own Heritage Cubes at home! Show Notes...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT explores what he thinks constitute the five best Cube sets ever released! This may be a simple premise, but there is an intriguing answer. Show Notes: Unstable Cubicorns Battle Box Cards Discussed: Introduction: The Power 9 The Original Dual Lands Lightning Bolt Llanowar Elves Counterspell Dark Ritual Amonkhet: Dusk//Dawn Claim//Fame Insult//Injury Drake Haven Archfi...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the host of the Recross the Paths Podcast, Kade Goforth, to discuss his experiences conversing with Cube designers. Learn the origins of Recross the Paths and how to get more out of your conversations with Cubers! Additional Links: Recross the Paths Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts Trade Routes Games Tulsa Cards Mentioned: Rise of the Dark Realms Sentine...

In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Chris “'Cashew” Taylor of Riptidelab fame to discuss how Cube designers can use custom cards in their Cubes! Learn how to make and use custom cards to improve your Cube, and how to upgrade existing cards to better suit your needs! Show Notes: —The Dandy Cube on Cubecobra and Riptidelab — Fox Stevenson (Official YouTube Channel) — Magic Set Editor Modern — Rai...

In this episode of Cube Engineers, TrainmasterGT invites special guest Usman Jamil to discuss Aetherdrift: the latest Magic: the Gathering set and its potential impact on the Cube format. We also discuss cards from the set we are excited about in various contexts. Start your engines; this will be fun! Guest Links: Usman’s Link Tree Usman’s Substack Cubes Discussed: UsmanCube Highball 4K Unstable C...

In the first episode of Cube Engineers, TrainmasterGT discusses the history and rebirth of Amonkhet. Cards Discussed: – The Gods of Amonkhet – Authoritarian Cards – The Hour Cycle – Ramunap-Related Cards – Leave // Chance – Basri Ket – The Hand That Moves Story – Cards of the New Amonkhet – Cards of the Chitin Court – Cards of the Maahestet – Captsone: Scoured Barrens This is a public episode. If...