Games

Lucky Paper Radio

Lucky Paper Radio is a podcast about Magic: the Gathering hosted by lifelong friends Andy Mangold and Anthony Mattox. Focused primarily on sandbox formats like Cube, which are free of banlists, rotation, and net decking, the show is about the best parts of Magic and how to get the most out of the game.

Latest Episodes:

Second Order Interaction in Cube Design Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about layers of interaction in Cube design. Some cards interact with particular effects. Other cards are, in turn, resistant to those responses. Inevitably other cards get around those resistances. Our hosts talk about how they approach these orders of interaction.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction

1:57 - What does it mean to ‘interact’ in Magic

6:38 - What sorts of mechanics limit ‘interactivity’?

8:37 - Andy’s concept of orders or tiers of interaction

38:27 - What densities and types of second-order interaction to Andy and Anthony include in their primary cubes?

Cubes Mentioned:

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Peasant Cube, Accessibility, and Playing within Restrictions with Emma Partlow Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Well, it’s my (Andy’s) final week of writing the show notes as punishment for losing a bet against Anthony. But that’s ok, because writing these particular notes is a privilege, as we are joined by special guest Emma Partlow on this episode! We’be been trying to get Emma on the show for a long time and I’m really glad we were finally able to make it happen. We use her Peasant Cube as a jumping off point to discuss playing Magic with rarity and budget restrictions, what traits describe the platonic ideal of an uncommon, how to navigate the endless sea of card variants spewing out of Wizards of the Coast these days, and the value of accessibility of all kinds.

My take on Thraben Inspector from last week, which you all have been ruthlessly dragging me for, did not come up. I presume she didn’t hear it and none of you better tell her!!! If you tell her I’m going to be so mad at you.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction

5:17 - How did Emma get introduced to Magic

8:17 - When did Emma discover the joy of Cube?

11:53 - Emma’s roots in rarity and budget restrictions

17:41 - Downshifts and rarity restricted Cube design

26:33 - What is the most uncommony uncommon card?

30:57 - On Emma’s inclusion of controversially powerful cards in her peasant Cube

37:52 - Emma’s local Cube playgroup

45:34 - Does Emma think of herself as a casual or competitive player?

47:05 - How does Emma prioritize accessibility vs. bling in her card variant selection for her cube?

52:33 - Potpurri

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Murders at Karlov Manor and Ravnica: Clue Edition Personal Cube Additions Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

Well folks, it happened. I lost the bet on air last week about whether or not Wizards would include a physical, punch-out reminder for “suspected” creatures in the pre-release kit for Murders at Karlov Manor, so here I am writing the notes. I still think it’s weird that they literally include a counter for a mechanic that they explicitly designed to NOT include a physical counter, but I forgot the precedence set by Exert in Amonket, so that’s on me.

This week is part two of our marathon, pre-Andy’s-vacation, recording session. We’re discussing additions from Murders at Karlov Manor and Ravnica: Clue Edition to our four relevant personal Cube projects. Tune in to find out what beloved Cube card Andy believes has jumped the shark, which two cards are clearing the high bar of the Degenerate Micro Cube, what Anthony is going to do with all of the amazing new options for the Turbo Cube, and what happens when you have two cost reduction mechanics with different stipulations in our new segment “Judge Bones”.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

4:35 - Additions to the Bun Magic Cube

10:50 - Honorable Mention: Tenth District Hero

12:19 - Honorable Mention: Deduce

14:07 - Honorable Mention: Drag the Canal

15:33 - Honorable Mention: Trostani, Three Whispers

17:48 - Honorable Mention: Necropsy

19:21 - Honorable Mention: Warleader’s Call

20:50 - The Surveil Lands

30:01 - Fugitive Codebreaker

33:59 - No More Lies

36:26 - Additions to the Regular Cube

38:10 - Curious Inquiry

40:07 - Push // Pull

42:28 - Cease // Desist

45:04 - The Surveil Lands (Again)

46:38 - No Ravnica: Clue Edition Cards for the Regular Cube?

48:38 - Additions to the Degenerate Micro Cube

49:03 - Pick Your Poison

50:43 - Doorkeeper Thrull

51:51 - Additions to the Turbo Cube

53:03 - Cerebral Confiscation

54:11 - Forensic Gadgeteer

56:29 - Torch the Witness

58:04 - Demand Answers

58:51 - Crime Novelist

1:00:15 - Vengeful Tracker

1:00:37 - Andy’s Potential Turbo Cube Inclusions

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Murders at Karlov Manor and Ravnica: Clue Edition First Impressions Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony discuss the mechanics of Murders at Karlov Manor, along with satellite sets, and their first impressions of the set for Cube. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Set Surveys: Murders at Karlov Manor Mechanics Mothership Article A new Returning Mechanic, but Tweaked, @luckypapermtg on Twitter Boonta Vista Timestamps 0:00 - Introduction 3:37 - Ward, Cloak, and Disguise 17:41 - Suspect 21:29 - Collect Evidence 26:16 - Cases 33:20 - Returning mechanic: Investigate 34:37 - Informal mechanics and emergent themes of MKM 40:41 - Ravnica: Clue Edition first impressions 44:32 - The prevalence of “can’t be countered” effects in this set Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay. You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra: Andy’s “Bun Magic” Cube Anthony’s “Regular” Cube If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord. If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen. Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Solving Game Design Issues with Marshmallows Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about Anthony’s experimental Battle Box where players start at three life, can cast spells without paying their mana cost, and start the game with two Lightning Bolts on the stack. They talk about rapid prototyping and challenges in game design. The novel design didn’t initially play as hoped, and they brainstorm ideas to make it work.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Cubes mentioned:

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Designing and Playtesting a New Archetype for the Turbo Cube Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about updates to Anthony’s Turbo Cube and how changing a few cards can impact the way a cube feels. In this environment, all spells and activated abilities cost generic mana less. They cut some of the most potent win conditions including Teferi's Tutelage, and added a handful of cards to bolster black discard focused strategies.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

0:00 - Introduction

4:09 - Small (but actually big) changes to the win conditions in the Turbo Cube

16:50 - Do the colors have identities in the Turbo Cube?

20:18 - The problem with black in the Turbo Cube

28:03 - Tournament report from the first draft of the new discard package

39:40 - Ideas for improving the archetype after the first playtest

54:12 - How will Anthony evaluate success or failure of this archetype moving forward?

58:34 - Tidebinder Corner

Discussed in this episode:

Cubes Mentioned:

Turbo Cube

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Designing and Drafting a Cube on a Budget Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about cubing on a budget. Between cards, sleeves, and other needs, putting a cube together is not without costs, but the format has some unique attributes that can still make it approachable on a budget.

But first, they talk for a long time about Tetris.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Cubes Mentioned:

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction

1:41 - Tetris Talk

25:53 - Introduction to Playing Cube on a Budget

35:49 - Tip 1: Play with the cards you have

40:11 - Tip 2: Most cards are not that expensive. Really!

42:02 - Tip 3: Be aware of the secondary market and pick up cards at the right time, if you can.

44:42 - Tip 4: Consider rarity restricted cubes, but be aware rarity and price are only mildly correlated!

48:26 - Tip 5: Use proxies

50:49 - Tip 6: Use BCW cardboard longboxes bought in bulk

54:39 - The biggest barrier to budget cubing: sleeves

1:03:46 - Tip 7: Get your playgroup to chip in cards

1:04:39 - Tip 8: Save and sell/buylist cards to subsidize bigger purchases

1:07:58 - Remember the most important thing: drafting a cube is FREE if you’re not the cube owner

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Emergent Cube Design by Example Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk through emergent cube design by example. Starting with a listener submitted card — Trade Routes — they explore ways to create a context where the card is a role player. Moving beyond direct synergies, they demonstrate how they’d use on card as a seed crystal to generate ideas for a mechanically coherent Cube.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps

0:00 - Introduction

1:18 - Episode Overview

6:29 - Step 0: Look for redundancy

8:35 - Step 1: Identify Cards with First Order Synergy

24:47 - Step 2: Identify Cards with Second Order Synergy and Emergent Themes

36:01 - Step 3: Look for natural answers to your emergent themes

40:33 - Step 4: Look at the bigger picture: What does aggro look like? What does interaction look like? What does fixing look like?

47:15 - Conclusion

Cubes Mentioned

The Turbo Cube

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Gold Cards and You Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about gold cards in Cube. They talk about how they effect decks and drafts and their roles in their own cubes.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Cubes Mentioned

Timestamps

0:00 - Show Notes Hangman and Nog Corner

7:07 - Finally getting to the actual topic

8:28 - Pedantry Corner: What is a gold card?

13:48 - How many gold cards should you run in your cube?

24:01 - Gold Card Counts from Our Cubes

35:42 - The Legacy of Gold Cards: Are they cool any more?

44:41 - Andy’s “Three S’s” of Gold Cards: Signposts, Splashables, and Scraps 53:31 - Anthony’s wrap up

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

Live from Maro’s Lap: the Cubesmas Wishlist Spectacular Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

Andy, Anthony, and Parker climb up on Maro’s Lap and share their Christmas Cube wishes for the coming year: what cards do they want to see printed for their Cubes, what cycles do they want to see completed, and how much of a Grinch can Anthony be.

⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠

Timestamps

0:00 - A very long and involved series of intros

7:37 - Overview of episode structure

9:03 - Parker’s Cubesmas List

35:08 - Andy’s Cubesmas List

48:55 - Anthony’s Cubesmas Grinch Corner

Discussed in this episode:

Cubes Mentioned

Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay.

You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra:

If want us to do a pack 1, pick 1 from your cube submit it on our website. Send in questions to the show at mail@luckypaper.co. You can also find both your hosts in the MTG Cube Talk Discord.

If you’d like to show your support for the show, please leave us a review on iTunes or wherever you listen.

Musical production by DJ James Nasty.

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