Why Cube Draft is a rabbit hole worth diving into

• You control the format: every card in the pool is one you hand-picked.
• It makes your bulk collection actually do something besides sit in boxes.
• You can draft again and again without needing booster packs.
• It scratches both the deckbuilding and the “curator” itch.

Step 1: Decide your cube size before you buy sleeves in bulk

• 360 cards: Great for a consistent 8-person draft where every card gets used.
• 540 cards: More variety; players won’t see every card each draft.
• 720 cards: High replay value, but you’ll be digging deep into your collection or your wallet.

Most new cube builders start at 360 because it’s manageable and affordable. Sleeving that many cards still feels like a small workout, but it won’t break the bank.

Step 2: Power level check—are you playing Moxen or Murder?

• Powered cube: The most busted cards in Magic (Black Lotus, Ancestral Recall, Time Walk). Fun, but unless you’re sitting on a lottery-winning collection, these will vaporize your wallet.
• Unpowered cube: Strong staples like Sol Ring, Lightning Bolt, and Llanowar Elves. Feels powerful but doesn’t require a second mortgage. (Side note: Llanowar Elves is the GOAT card. Just sayin.)
• Pauper cube: Only commons. Shockingly fun and dirt cheap.
• Theme cube: Tribal, artifact-heavy, graveyard-based, or even meme-focused. Basically an excuse to show off your weirdest pile.

Step 3: Balance is not optional

A good cube gives each color and archetype enough support to feel real. If you want red aggro to be draftable, include one-drop creatures, burn spells, and curve toppers. If you want blue control, pack counterspells, draw engines, and finishers. Without balance, your cube turns into “five people drafting midrange and one person regretting their life choices.”

Step 4: Mana fixing saves friendships

• Shocklands and fetchlands if you own them.
• Budget versions like Evolving Wilds, Terramorphic Expanse, and guildgates if you don’t.
• Signets, talismans, and mana rocks help multicolor decks function smoothly.

The golden rule: If players can’t cast their cards, they won’t have fun. And they’ll blame you.

Step 5: Archetypes make the draft dynamic

You don’t need to lock every slot into an archetype, but at least aim for a few across colors:

• White: Aggro with weenies and anthem effects.
• Blue: Control and tempo with counterspells and flyers.
• Black: Sacrifice, reanimator, or midrange grind.
• Red: Aggro, burn, and artifact synergy.
• Green: Ramp, fatties, and graveyard recursion.

If you want to go deeper, cross-color archetypes make drafts spicy. Think white/black aristocrats or blue/red spells-matter.

Step 6: Don’t underestimate sleeves and storage

Your cube will get shuffled, drafted, and jammed into boxes constantly. Cheap penny sleeves split after a few sessions, and nothing kills the vibe like your cube looking like it went through the laundry. Mid-tier sleeves (Dragon Shield or KMC) are worth it. For storage, a good deck box or long storage box keeps everything organized and portable. For ideas, check out the deck boxes, sleeves, and playmats on a budget guide we put together for casual players.

Step 7: Build with what you own, upgrade later

The fastest way to drain your wallet is to decide you need the “perfect” list from day one. Instead, raid your collection first. You’ll be surprised how many cube-worthy cards you already have hiding in bulk. Over time, swap in upgrades as you trade or find deals. Check recent eBay sold listings to avoid overpaying—prices swing wildly, especially for Commander staples that also double in cubes.

Step 8: Playtest, tweak, repeat

Your cube is a living project. After a draft, note what worked and what didn’t:

• Did an archetype never come together? Add support cards.
• Did one strategy dominate every time? Dial back the power level.
• Was fixing too weak? Add more duals, rocks, or ramp.
• Was the curve clunky? Smooth it out with cheaper plays.

The first draft will never be perfect, and that’s the fun—you get to tune it over time.

Cube on a budget: yes, it’s possible

Not everyone wants to throw $5,000 into a “Vintage Cube.” Here’s how to keep costs reasonable:

• Build a Pauper cube—commons are pennies and drafting them feels surprisingly balanced.
• Use proxies for absurdly expensive staples if your playgroup is cool with it.
• Lean on budget alternatives. Oblivion Ring does a fine impression of fancier removal spells.
• Draft fewer players. A 360-card cube can comfortably run with 4–6 drafters if you simulate packs correctly.

Social contract matters

A cube isn’t just cardboard; it’s a shared experience. Talk with your group about power level. If half the table expects powered cube and the other half shows up with “Grizzly Bears tribal,” nobody’s going home happy. Align expectations and you’ll get way more mileage out of your cube.

How cube overlaps with Commander

Many cube staples are Commander staples, which means you can double-dip your collection. Cards like Sol Ring, Lightning Greaves, or Rhystic Study serve both formats well. If you want a taste of Commander staple theory, check our breakdown of Zask, Skittering Swarmlord—a deck that thrives on recursion and value engines that also shine in cube environments. Cube and Commander both reward consistency, variety, and “moments” where everyone at the table groans or cheers.

Don’t let perfection kill your cube

The internet is full of “optimal” cube lists. They’re great inspiration, but your cube doesn’t need to match anyone else’s. A cube built from your collection, your playgroup’s taste, and your budget will see more drafts than a half-finished “perfect” list you never get around to completing. Remember: you’re not curating a museum, you’re curating fun.

Final thought

• Cube is one of Magic’s purest formats because it’s yours. Start small, balance colors, respect mana fixing, and grow it at your own pace. Every draft will teach you something new, and over time your cube will become as much a part of your playgroup’s history as any single deck.