Hey cube aficionados! Ever thought about shaking things up with a custom format centered around those often-overlooked small monsters? You know, the 1-3 mana creatures that can pack a serious punch in the right environment. Well, you're not alone! Diving into the world of low-to-the-ground strategies and synergy-driven decks can breathe new life into your cube drafts. The key here is finding those little guys with interesting effects that can warp the game in unique ways.
Why Small Monsters Matter in Cube
Before we dive into specific creatures, let's talk about why focusing on small monsters can be such a blast. First off, they promote faster, more aggressive gameplay. Forget durdling around for the first few turns – these creatures hit the board early and start applying pressure immediately. This leads to more dynamic board states and interactive games, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. Speaking of interaction, small monsters often come with a suite of disruptive abilities. Think removal, hand disruption, and taxing effects that can throw a wrench in your opponent's plans. This creates opportunities for skillful maneuvering and outplaying your opponent, rather than just relying on raw power. Moreover, small monsters are the glue that holds synergistic archetypes together. They're the cheap enablers that fuel your graveyard strategies, sacrifice decks, and tempo-based plans. Building a cube around these synergies can lead to incredibly rewarding draft experiences, where players are constantly discovering new and exciting combinations.
Secondly, the inclusion of small monsters in your cube can drastically influence the drafting dynamics. Players are forced to evaluate cards differently, prioritizing creatures that might seem underwhelming in a traditional cube environment. This can lead to some unexpectedly powerful decks and a more diverse metagame. It also opens up design space for archetypes that might not be viable otherwise. Imagine a flicker deck built around creatures with powerful enters-the-battlefield effects, or a tokens deck that floods the board with cheap creatures and overwhelms the opposition. These strategies become much more appealing when small monsters are the stars of the show. Furthermore, small monsters often have a lower mana value, which means players can cast multiple spells per turn. This can lead to explosive turns and complex decision-making, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay. It also rewards players who can effectively manage their mana and sequence their plays optimally.
Finally, focusing on small monsters can make your cube more accessible to newer players. The lower mana curves mean games are less likely to be decided by who draws their expensive bombs first. This allows newer players to learn the fundamentals of the game without being overwhelmed by complex interactions and powerful threats. It also encourages them to focus on board control, resource management, and efficient trading, which are all essential skills for becoming a better Magic player. Small monsters often have simpler abilities, making them easier to understand and evaluate. This can help newer players feel more confident in their drafting and deckbuilding choices. It is important to build a welcoming and inclusive environment for players of all skill levels, and a cube that emphasizes small monsters can be a great way to achieve this.
Must-Have Small Monsters for Your Cube
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty! We're going to explore some specific small monsters that bring interesting effects and synergy potential to the table. These creatures aren't just about raw stats; they're about disruption, value, and enabling powerful strategies. Get ready to take notes, cube designers!
White Weenies with Bite
White is the color of small, efficient creatures and disruptive effects, making it a natural fit for a small monster cube. Let's start with thraben inspector, a humble 1/2 for one mana that leaves behind a clue token. This card is all about value and card advantage. The clue token provides extra draw power in the late game, while the body can chump block or trade with an early attacker. It is a quintessential white weenie, providing early board presence and card advantage.
Next up, we have Esper Sentinel, a one-mana human that can quickly spiral out of control. This card is a tax effect on a stick, punishing opponents for casting noncreature spells. The sentinel gets stronger as the game goes on, as a 1/1 creature quickly becomes a 2/2 or even a 3/3, making it a formidable threat. It is a powerful tool for slowing down your opponent and generating card advantage.
Don't forget the Flickerwisp, a three-mana flying creature that can blink another permanent. This card is a swiss army knife, disrupting your opponent's board, saving your own creatures from removal, or generating value by blinking creatures with enters-the-battlefield effects. The Flickerwisp is a key piece in blink strategies, and its versatility makes it a valuable addition to any white deck. It provides tempo advantage and disruption, making it a valuable asset in a fast-paced game.
Blue's Bag of Tricks
Blue is the color of card draw, control, and tricky creatures. When it comes to small monsters, blue offers a plethora of options for disrupting your opponent and generating value. Let's kick things off with Snapcaster Mage, a two-mana powerhouse that can flashback an instant or sorcery from your graveyard. This card is all about card advantage and versatility. It allows you to replay key spells, giving you an edge in the mid-to-late game. It is also a powerful tool for controlling the board, as it can be used to flashback removal spells or counterspells.
Another blue staple is spell stutter sprite, a faerie rogue that can counter a spell with mana value equal to the number of faeries you control. This card is a powerful counterspell in the right deck, especially in faerie-themed strategies. It can also be used to protect your own creatures from removal spells. It is a strong incentive to draft faerie tribal decks, and it is a valuable addition to any blue control deck.
Let's not forget Brazen Borrower, a three-mana creature that can bounce a nonland permanent upon entering the battlefield. This card is a tempo powerhouse, allowing you to set back your opponent's plans and gain an advantage on the board. It can also be used to save your own creatures from removal. It is a versatile threat and removal spell in one, making it a valuable addition to any blue deck.
Black's Dark Minions
Black is the color of discard, removal, and creatures that come with a cost. Black's small monsters often involve sacrifice or life loss, but the payoffs can be huge. Starting with Oona's Prowler, a two-mana creature that forces your opponent to discard a card when it deals combat damage. This card is all about hand disruption, and it can be a nightmare for control decks. It is a powerful tool for disrupting your opponent's plans and limiting their options. It is a strong choice for aggressive black decks that want to pressure the opponent's hand.
Then we have Carrion Feeder, a one-mana zombie that can sacrifice creatures to get +1/+1 counters. This card is a sacrifice enabler, perfect for decks that want to sacrifice creatures for value. It can also grow into a formidable threat if left unchecked. It is a core component of sacrifice strategies and a valuable addition to any black deck that wants to utilize the graveyard.
Lastly, let's look at Bloodghast, a two-mana creature that returns to the battlefield from the graveyard whenever you play a land. This card is a relentless attacker, constantly pressuring your opponent. It is a key component of graveyard-based strategies and a powerful addition to any black aggro deck. It is resistant to most forms of removal, making it a difficult creature to deal with.
Red's Fiery Threats
Red is the color of aggression, burn, and impulsive creatures. Red's small monsters are all about dealing damage quickly and efficiently. One standout is Goblin Guide, a one-mana 2/2 with haste that reveals the top card of your opponent's library. This card is an aggressive powerhouse, putting immediate pressure on your opponent. The drawback of revealing your opponent's top card is often worth the early damage output. It is a staple in red aggro decks and a powerful turn-one play.
Another red staple is Monastery Swiftspear, a one-mana creature that gets +1/+0 until end of turn whenever you cast a noncreature spell. This card is all about spells matter, rewarding you for playing instants and sorceries. It is a powerful finisher in red decks that want to burn their opponents out quickly. It is a core component of spells matter strategies and a valuable addition to any red tempo deck.
And let's not forget Bonecrusher Giant, a two-mana creature with an adventure side that deals two damage to a target. This card is a two-for-one, providing both a creature and a removal spell. It is a versatile card that can be used in a variety of red decks. The removal spell can be used to clear the way for your attackers, while the creature can apply pressure on the board. It is a valuable addition to any red deck that wants to control the board and deal damage.
Green's Growing Army
Green is the color of creature-based strategies, ramp, and value. Green's small monsters often generate mana or provide value in other ways. Let's start with Llanowar Elves, a one-mana creature that taps for green mana. This card is a ramp staple, allowing you to play your bigger creatures ahead of schedule. It is a foundational card for many green decks, enabling you to cast your powerful spells earlier in the game. It is a key component of ramp strategies and a valuable addition to any green deck that wants to cast expensive spells.
Next up, we have wall of roots, a one-mana defender that can tap for green mana, but it takes a -0/-1 counter each time. This card is another ramp option, providing mana while also stalling the board. It is a valuable tool for control decks that want to survive the early game and transition to the late game. It is a strong choice for decks that want to control the board and generate mana.
Lastly, let's consider basking rootwalla, a one-mana 1/1 that can be discarded to give a creature +1/+1 until end of turn. This card is a combat trick on a stick, allowing you to surprise your opponent in combat. It is a versatile card that can be used both offensively and defensively. It is a strong choice for aggressive green decks that want to pressure their opponents. It is a valuable addition to any green deck that wants to win combat and deal damage.
Building Your Small Monster Cube
So, you've got a list of potential all-stars. Now, how do you actually build a cube around small monsters? Here are a few key considerations:
- Mana Curve is King: Aim for a very low mana curve, with the majority of your creatures costing 1-3 mana. This will ensure fast, action-packed games. Players should be able to cast multiple spells per turn, leading to more complex decision-making and exciting gameplay.
- Synergies Galore: Focus on synergistic archetypes. Think sacrifice decks, blink strategies, spells matter decks, and tribal themes. These synergies will make your cube more rewarding to draft and play. The more synergies you include, the more likely players will find unique and powerful combinations.
- Removal and Interaction: Include plenty of removal spells and interactive elements. This will prevent games from becoming one-sided blowouts and reward skillful play. Removal spells are essential for controlling the board and disrupting your opponent's plans. Interactive elements, such as counterspells and discard spells, can add another layer of depth to the gameplay.
- Power Level Balance: Carefully balance the power level of your cards. Avoid including overly powerful cards that can warp the game. The goal is to create an environment where skill and synergy are rewarded more than raw power. A balanced cube will lead to more competitive and enjoyable games.
Final Thoughts
Building a cube around small monsters is a fantastic way to inject new life into your draft nights. It promotes faster gameplay, encourages synergistic deckbuilding, and creates a unique and engaging experience. So, gather your favorite little creatures, brew up some fun archetypes, and get ready to unleash the chaos! What small monsters are you most excited to include in your cube? Let's discuss in the comments below!
