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:

Introducing Your Cube, With Myagic! Mar 20, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony and special guest May talk about introducing your cube! The overview you write (or present) to your players is the first thing players often lean about your cube, so providing useful concise context is critical. They talk about the different audiences you may want to consider when writing about your cube, including players who want to get ready to draft and other designers looking to give feedback on the list.

They end the show with a pack 1, pick 1 from May’s very own Fae Cube, a flavorful, fairytale inspired list.

View all cards ⁠mentioned in the episode →⁠

Discussed in this episode:

Myagic on Twitter, YouTube, and Twitch

Timestamps

3:19 — Why it's important to write a good Cube description
6:04 — Describing the gameplay in practical terms
6:49 — Myagic's 6-point TLDR;
11:12 — The Pre-Draft Speech
14:52 — The Player Audience
22:43 — The Designer Audience
29:03 — Writing for different levels of investment
40:09 — Using images in your Cube description
46:39 — TLDL; for writing a good overview
53:20 — The case for Andy calling his cube "eternal"
57:39 — Fae Cube Pack 1, Pick 1

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.

Cube and the Soul of Limited With Ryan Saxe Mar 13, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony are joined by Ryan Saxe for a deep conversation on Cube design. They talk about the design of “low power” Cubes, lessons we can take from limited sets and apply to Cubes, and the important impacts of power level disparities on gameplay.

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps:

2:16 — Rotisserie Corner
4:30 — Is Cube somewhere between Limited and Constructed?
8:51 — What does “limited” mean to Ryan and Anthony?
17:41 — Heuristics vs. Cards — The Rules of Engagement of a Format
27:53 — Why a Flat Power Level Isn’t Necessarily a Good Thing
36:21 — Describing the Value of a Speculative Pick
43:47 — What percentage of a Cube is glue?
46:27 — The Irregular Cube and the Nature of Power Outliers
57:49 — Slot Equity
1:01:01 — What does NOT count as a “Limited” Cube?
1:10:14 — Does a truly flat power level ruin the draft?
1:18:50 — Designing for the Draft

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

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.

A Weeklong Game of Chicken with Justin Parnell Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony are joined by Justin Parnell to talk about their recent rotisserie draft. 10 players drafted Anthony’s Regular Cube in the weeks leading up to Magic Con Philadelphia. Over the course of the weekend players competed in a nail-biting round robin style tournament. The boys talk about their decks, their strategies going into the draft, and how rotisserie drafting compares to typical booster drafting.

Over the weekend our hosts along with Justin, Parker, and Gwen Dekker hed a panel on Cube, it’s history and future. Watch a recording of the panel .

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

Discussed in this episode:

Watch the Cube Panel at Magic Con
The Crystal Goblet Essay
Justin’s Series of Articles on SCG About Rotisserie Drafting Cubes Part one, two, and three
View the Whole Rotisserie Draft
Rotisserie Draft Explainer and Spreadsheet Templates
Episode 117: Regular Cube Draft Primer
Shigeki on the Cube Map
Justin’s YouTube Channel
Follow Justin on Twitter
CubeCon

Timestamps:

4:16 — Rotisserie Draft Background
7:19 — What is a Rotisserie Draft?
14:31 — Anthony's Draft Rundown
25:16 — Andy's Draft Rundown
44:57 — Justin's Draft Rundown
1:12:11 — Reflections on the Draft from a Design Perspective
1:19:38 — Justin's Takes Since the 540

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.

Phyrexia: All Will Be One Cube Community Set Review Feb 27, 2023

Show notes

Andy, Anthony, and Parker review the results of the ONE and ONC community set reviews. They talk about the top cards the community is most excited about, discuss why they think the cards rose to the top, and share their own takes on them. They also talk about some of the broader patterns and comments in the review responses.

Check out the full results for the Phyrexia: All Will Be One and partner Commander Decks.

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

If you missed your chance to participate in this survey, sign up for our infrequent newsletter to make sure you don’t miss the next one!

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps:

5:05 — Episode Format Explanation
8:28 — Parker's Dishonorable Melira Mention
14:18 — Sword of Forge and Frontier
16:46 — 13. Bloated Contaminator
26:23 — 12. Conduit of Worlds
28:56 — 11. Drown in Ichor
31:23 — 10. Experimental Augury
33:24 — 9. Vraan, Executioner Thane
35:22 — 8. Nissa, Ascended Animist
41:45 — 7. Atraxa, Grand Unifier
48:09 — 6. The Eternal Wanderer
52:49 — 5. Ossification
59:50 — 4. Mercurial Spelldancer
1:05:11 — 3. Planar Disruption
1:07:13 — 2. Sheoldred's Edict
1:09:23 — 1. Cankerbloom
1:13:24 — Phyrexia: All Will be One Commander Results
1:13:43 — 3. Otharri, Sun's Glory
1:14:52 — 2. Staff of the Storyteller
1:19:41 — 1. Glimmer Lens

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.

Cube Update Potpourri Feb 20, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about the state of their Cubes — recent changes they’ve made, how they feel they’ve changed, and how they expect them to change in the future.

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

Our listener submitted pack 1, pick 1 this week comes from Jared’s Cube Byrd Box. Thank’s Jared!

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps:

1:23 — Episode Outline
3:35 — Bun Magic Cube Baneslayer Check-In
4:03 — Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
9:56 — Irencrag Pyromancer
11:38 — Adeline, Resplendent Cathar
12:17 — Torens, Fist of the Angels
14:07 — Serra Paragon
16:27 — Scourge of the Skyclaves
20:23 — Embercleave
24:57 — Bedlam Reveler
26:58 — Third Path Iconoclast
30:15 — Dress Down
33:56 — Regular Cube Updates
50:28 — Degenerate Micro Cube
52:58 — Listener Submitted Pack 1, Pick 1

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.

Phyrexia: All Will Be One Cube Additions Feb 13, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about the cards they’re interested in giving a try in each of their own Cube environments. They talk about how they looked at the new set for the different contexts of their Cubes. Anthony cheats and also talks through some cards he’s interested in for a new Cube inspired by themes and mechanics in recent sets that haven’t fit well into his existing environments.

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

Cubes Discussed:

Timestamps:

1:14 — Episode Outline
3:11 — Anthony's Lone Addition to the Regular Cube — Cankerbloom
6:20 — Andy's Potential Additions to the Regular Cube
21:36 — Turbo Cube Additions
23:13 — Blade of Shared Souls
25:01 — Slobad, Iron Goblin
27:48 — Degenerate Micro Cube
28:58 — Honorable Mention: Minor Misstep
29:59 — Honorable Mention: Soulless Jailer
31:49 — Sheoldred's Edict
36:10 — The Mycosynth Gardens
39:42 — The Filigree Sylex
41:41 — Anthony's Untitled Cube Project Additions
50:55 — Bun Magic Cube
51:23 — Honorable Mention: Capricious Hellraiser
53:38 — Honorable Mention: Anoint with Affliction
55:41 — Honorable Mention: Ossification
58:09 — Nahiri, the Unforgiving
1:02:57 — Mercurial Spelldancer
1:06:44 — Glimmer Lens

Discussed in this episode:

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

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.

Phyrexia: All Will Be One Mechanics & First Impressions Feb 06, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about their first impressions of Phyrexia: All Will Be One, which is full of new takes on classic mechanics from Mirrodin block.

They talk through all the mechanics and themes of the set and their applications in Cubes. The set features a few relatively insular mechanics: Toxic and Corrupted, which make sense in an environment where they’re concentrated to a critical mass. While these are likely to be passed on by many cube designers, a change in Wizard’s design philosophy angled towards thematic singleton environments makes them more viable than they might seem.

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

Discussed in this episode:

Timestamps:

4:01 — Set Review Explanation
6:23 — Toxic and Corrupted
20:12 — For Mirrodin!
25:26 — Oil Counters
27:26 — Proliferate
32:21 — Artifacts Matter Theme
33:47 — Mite Tokens
35:17 — Noncreature Matters Theme
35:42 — The Dominus Cycle
37:43 — The Twilight Cycle
40:07 — The Spheres
41:27 — Compleated Planeswalkers
43:09 — The Skullbomb Cycle

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.

The Neoclassical Cube: The Spirit of Old-School Magic, With a Twist Jan 30, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about Andy’s latest cube creation, The Neoclassical Cube! The cube is intended to capture the spirit of old-school Magic, including iconic cards and themes, bolstered by a few new cards that feel in the spirit of old-school design. Andy plans to play it un-sleeved celebrating cards that show their history in their wear.

View all cards mentioned in the episode →

They finish the episode with a pack 1, pick 1 from the cube.

Discussed in this episode:

Shuffle Up and Play with Patrick and Cedric
Boonta Vista
The Neoclassical Cube
Old Border Foil Cube
Patrick Chapin’s “How To Fix Standard: A Detailed And Surprising Format Comparison”
Dear Sophie, Love Gonti by Rhystic Studies and the deck that inspired it
Degenerate Micro Cube Primer
Cube Surveys for Phyrexia: All Will Be One and Phyrexia: All Will Be One Commander

Timestamps:

7:59 — Introduction to main topic
9:03 — Background of the Neoclassical Cube
22:34 — Neoclassical Cube Design Principles
26:56 — Neoclassical Cube Themes
49:27 — Immediate Challenges: White and Black Cheap Threats
59:24 — Pack 1, Pick 1 from The Neoclassical 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.

The Common Pitfalls of First-Time Cube Designers Jan 23, 2023

Show notes

Andy and Anthony talk about common pitfalls new Cube designers fall into. There’s no right way to build a Cube, but new designers very often fall into similar patterns and a few pieces of feedback consistently come up.

Play more mana fixing lands
Lower the average mana cost of cards
Increase the amount of interactive spells
Lower the number of multi-color cards
Don’t let power outliers outshine the fun
Don’t feel obligated to adhere to 10 themes for each two color pair
Be aware of the high cost of rules modifications

Our listener submitted pack 1, pick 1 this week comes from Garrett Townsend’s Frozen Solid Cube. View all cards mentioned in the episode →

Timestamps:

2:59 — Regular Cube Draft Recap
13:12 — Common Pitfalls of New Cube Designers
15:38 — Mistake Number 1: Including Too Few Lands
21:52 — Mistake Number 2: Having Too High a Mana Curve
27:05 — Mistake Number 3: Not Including Enough Interaction
30:10 — Mistake Number 4: Including Too Many Gold Cards
33:17 — Summary of Mistakes: Focusing on Cards Instead of Decks
36:04 — Mistake Number 5: Overshadowing Synergies with Power Outliers
40:11 — Mistake Number 6: Rigidly Adhering to Two-Color Archetypes
42:42 — Mistake Number 7: Underestimating the Cost of Rules Modifications

Discussed in this episode:

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 Set Cubes Jan 16, 2023

Show notes

Full show notes on our website.

Andy and Anthony are joined by Aran, from their local playgroup, to talk about the design of Set Cubes. The talk about the spectra of ways to approach building Set Cubes ranging from faithfully recreating a limited environment, to loosely basing a Cube on a set or theme. They also talk about how they can be one of the easiest entry points to Cube, offering a starting point that already leverages the themes and balance of a limited environment that Cube designers can build off of.

They finish the episode with a pack 1, pick 1 from Aran’s Kamigawa Remastered Cube, which he started by sleeving up a curated selection from a box of Kamigawa: Neon Dynasty and has iterated on as we’ve been drafting it.

Discussed in this episode:

Past Lucky Paper Radio Episodes

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.