Hello! I'm Harper O'Neill (@imharperoneill on Twitter), and I'm here to introduce you to the exciting refresh of the Core Set Cube.

As the senior retail development specialist for the Wizards Play Network, I put a premium on unique experiences that a wide audience of players can enjoy. It is a big part of the reason why I have such a deep respect for the role that core sets play. They're approachable, resonant, and encapsulate everything fun about Magic in a package easy for new players to digest.

Core sets are like coming home, or like checking in on friends you haven't seen in a while.

The original Core Set Cube debuted on Magic Online just two years ago, and since then, we've had two new sets of cards with which to upgrade it. I have also added in some old core set powerhouses that were absent from the last version so you can try new strategies. Overall, about a third of the cube is different, so you are in for a fresh experience.

You can draft the new Core Set Cube from November 24 to December 2.

THE CORE PHILOSOPHY

If this is your first time, here's the overview. The design rules for this cube are:

1. It includes only cards from core sets ranging from Seventh Edition to Core Set 2021 (including Magic Origins).
2. It's 540 cards, Singleton.
3. It goes big on nostalgia and the most recognizable Magic archetypes.

This cube is a longtime favorite of our cubing group in the Wizards building. The core set restriction allows a great number of perfectly powerful cards to shine in a new environment, as you probably wouldn't see them as often in traditionally powered cubes.

We've learned a lot since the last time it's been on Magic Online. There are more flexible removal options and ways to deal with bombs, more of an ability to splash colors, and you can still draft Goblins or Elves.

THIS CUBE HAS EVERYTHING

Just because it's a core set cube doesn't mean it doesn't pack the same punch as "those other cubes." I mean, what do they have that we don't?

We have a Lotus and several gem-inspired rocks!

 

We have powerful "Sword of"s!

 

We have 'Goyfs, extra turns, and powerful discard effects!

 

We have dual lands, creature lands, and fetch lands!

 

We even have Splinter Twin combo!

 

KEEPING CORE

Control, Aggro, Mid-Range, Combo, Ramp, Spells, Tokens, Value, Reanimator, Life Gain, Mill, Lands, Goblins vs. Elves, Draw-Go, Burn . . . they're all here!

The Core Set Cube features the traditional Draft archetypes you know and love, except supercharged with a nostalgic core set flavoring. Below is where you can find these strategies the most, but these are not the only options available. Experiment with the card pool to discover exciting things to try!

White-Blue Control

 

Blue-Black Reanimator

 

Black-Red Sacrifice

 

Red-Green Ramp

 

Green-White Enchantments

 

White-Black Life Gain

 

Black-Green Midrange

 

Green-Blue Value

 

Blue-Red Spells

 

Red-White Go Wide

 

FIFTEEN THINGS TO TRY

Looking for a challenge? Check out these strategies to add some spice to your Core Set Cube experience.

1. Try sacrificing Mitotic Slime to a Bloodthrone Vampire. Then Fling it.
2. Rebuy Jester's Cap over and over with Buried Ruin and Crucible of Worlds.
3. Cast Scapeshift into Field of the Dead with Zendikar's Roil in play.
4. Make an impossibly huge creature with Kalonian Hydra and Invigorating Surge.
5. Build a deck with Polymorph and no creature spells other than Darksteel Colossus.
6. Cast a turn-two Thundermaw Hellkite off a Seething Song and a Llanowar Elves.
7. Reanimate an Omniscience or Form of the Dragon with Starfield of Nyx, then attack with it!
8. Go infinite with Natural Affinity, Intruder Alarm, and Ant Queen.
9. Get swampy with Dread Presence and Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth.
10. Take the Door to Nothingness challenge!
11. Kick Hornet Nest with a giant Earthquake.
12. Pillage and Plow Under your opponent's lands and beat in with Magnivore.
13. Pick up your lands with Trade Routes and throw them with Molten Vortex.
14. Copy Warp World with Pyromancer's Goggles.
15. Double a creature's power with Unleash Fury, then do it again with Overwhelming Stampede!

What is your favorite core set card? Share your decks and cool moments on Twitter with #CoreSetCube, and I will see you in the queues!

Harper O'Neill
@imharperoneill on Twitter

FULL CUBE LIST

Card Name	Color
Ajani Steadfast	White
Ajani's Chosen	White
Ajani's Pridemate	White
Ancestral Blade	White
Angelic Ascension	White
Angelic Destiny	White
Archangel of Thune	White
Attended Knight	White
Aura of Silence	White
Auramancer	White
Baneslayer Angel	White
Banisher Priest	White
Basri Ket	White
Basri's Lieutenant	White
Basri's Solidarity	White
Beacon of Immortality	White
Breath of Life	White
Captain of the Watch	White
Cavalier of Dawn	White
Chastise	White
Condemn	White
Consul's Lieutenant	White
Containment Priest	White
Day of Judgment	White
Devouring Light	White
Elite Vanguard	White
Faith's Fetters	White
Fiendslayer Paladin	White
Fortify	White
Gideon Jura	White
Gideon's Lawkeeper	White
Glorious Anthem	White
Gods Willing	White
Grand Abolisher	White
Hail of Arrows	White
Hanged Executioner	White
Harm's Way	White
Heliod's Pilgrim	White
Hixus, Prison Warden	White
Hushwing Gryff	White
Imposing Sovereign	White
Invoke the Divine	White
Knight of Glory	White
Kytheon, Hero of Akros	White
Leonin Vanguard	White
Leonin Warleader	White
Mangara, the Diplomat	White
Mentor of the Meek	White
Oblivion Ring	White
Open the Vaults	White
Oppressive Rays	White
Pacifism	White
Pariah	White
Peace of Mind	White
Pillar of Light	White
Raise the Alarm	White
Relic Seeker	White
Remorseful Cleric	White
Reprisal	White
Resplendent Angel	White
Return to the Ranks	White
Rhox Faithmender	White
Runed Halo	White
Safe Passage	White
Savannah Lions	White
Seasoned Hallowblade	White
Selfless Savior	White
Sephara, Sky's Blade	White
Serra Ascendant	White
Sigil of the Empty Throne	White
Soul Warden	White
Spectra Ward	White
Spirit Bonds	White
Spirit Link	White
Spirit Mantle	White
Starfield of Nyx	White
Sublime Archangel	White
Sun Titan	White
Swift Response	White
Timely Reinforcements	White
Topan Freeblade	White
Tragic Arrogance	White
Triplicate Spirits	White
Vryn Wingmare	White
War Priest of Thune	White
Windborn Muse	White
Wrath of God	White
Spectral Sailor	Blue
Brineborn Cutthroat	Blue
Harbinger of the Tides	Blue
Jace, Vryn's Prodigy	Blue
Merfolk Looter	Blue
Phantasmal Image	Blue
Thought Courier	Blue
Void Stalker	Blue
Æther Adept	Blue
Ambassador Laquatus	Blue
Barrin, Tolarian Archmage	Blue
Chasm Skulker	Blue
Cloudkin Seer	Blue
Jhessian Thief	Blue
Mirror Image	Blue
Mizzium Meddler	Blue
Archaeomancer	Blue
Clone	Blue
Dungeon Geists	Blue
Talrand, Sky Summoner	Blue
Whirler Rogue	Blue
Cavalier of Gales	Blue
Disciple of the Ring	Blue
Shipwreck Dowser	Blue
Soulblade Djinn	Blue
Stormwing Entity	Blue
Frost Titan	Blue
Jace's Mindseeker	Blue
Agent of Treachery	Blue
Sphinx of Uthuun	Blue
Waker of Waves	Blue
Stormtide Leviathan	Blue
Jace Beleren	Blue
Mu Yanling, Sky Dancer	Blue
Teferi, Master of Time	Blue
Tezzeret, Artifice Master	Blue
Force Spike	Blue
Opt	Blue
Peek	Blue
Quicken	Blue
Boomerang	Blue
Counterspell	Blue
Disperse	Blue
Essence Scatter	Blue
Mana Leak	Blue
Memory Lapse	Blue
Negate	Blue
Peel from Reality	Blue
Remove Soul	Blue
Telling Time	Blue
Twincast	Blue
Artificer's Epiphany	Blue
Cancel	Blue
Dissipate	Blue
Rain of Revelation	Blue
Rewind	Blue
Ætherspouts	Blue
Evacuation	Blue
Jace's Ingenuity	Blue
Opportunity	Blue
Sublime Epiphany	Blue
Time Stop	Blue
Nexus of Fate	Blue
Ponder	Blue
Preordain	Blue
Sleight of Hand	Blue
Displacement Wave	Blue
Mind Spring	Blue
Polymorph	Blue
Sift	Blue
Talent of the Telepath	Blue
Talrand's Invocation	Blue
Bribery	Blue
Time Warp	Blue
Flood of Tears	Blue
Trade Routes	Blue
Claustrophobia	Blue
Equilibrium	Blue
Intruder Alarm	Blue
Sphinx's Tutelage	Blue
Teferi's Tutelage	Blue
Capture Sphere	Blue
Thopter Spy Network	Blue
Patient Rebuilding	Blue
Persuasion	Blue
Confiscate	Blue
Omniscience	Blue
Archfiend's Vessel	Black
Knight of the Ebon Legion	Black
Stitcher's Supplier	Black
Vampire of the Dire Moon	Black
Viscera Seer	Black
Will-o'-the-Wisp	Black
Black Cat	Black
Bloodthrone Vampire	Black
Doomed Dissenter	Black
Graveyard Marshal	Black
Kitesail Freebooter	Black
Knight of Infamy	Black
Ravenous Rats	Black
Reassembling Skeleton	Black
Crypt Rats	Black
Doomed Necromancer	Black
Embodiment of Agonies	Black
Fleshbag Marauder	Black
Hypnotic Specter	Black
Liliana, Heretical Healer	Black
Nantuko Husk	Black
Phyrexian Rager	Black
Rotting Regisaur	Black
Vampire Aristocrat	Black
Vampire Nighthawk	Black
Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose	Black
Xathrid Necromancer	Black
Carrion Grub	Black
Demon of Catastrophes	Black
Disciple of Bolas	Black
Dread Presence	Black
Fell Specter	Black
Hell's Caretaker	Black
Mindslicer	Black
Mortivore	Black
Nekrataal	Black
Cavalier of Night	Black
Fallen Angel	Black
Priest of the Blood Rite	Black
Shadowborn Demon	Black
Vampire Sovereign	Black
Grave Titan	Black
Massacre Wurm	Black
Soul of Innistrad	Black
Lord of the Pit	Black
Rune-Scarred Demon	Black
Demon of Death's Gate	Black
Liliana of the Dark Realms	Black
Liliana, Waker of the Dead	Black
Sorin Markov	Black
Disfigure	Black
Ulcerate	Black
Abnormal Endurance	Black
Doom Blade	Black
Eliminate	Black
Grasp of Darkness	Black
Terror	Black
Murder	Black
Tendrils of Corruption	Black
Finishing Blow	Black
Blackmail	Black
Duress	Black
Ostracize	Black
Consume Spirit	Black
Distress	Black
Macabre Waltz	Black
Mind Shatter	Black
Sign in Blood	Black
Smallpox	Black
Read the Bones	Black
Blood for Bones	Black
Languish	Black
Mutilate	Black
Zombify	Black
Beacon of Unrest	Black
Necromantic Summons	Black
Sever Soul	Black
Corrupt	Black
Sorin's Vengeance	Black
Zombie Infestation	Black
Demonic Embrace	Black
Engineered Plague	Black
Phyrexian Arena	Black
Stab Wound	Black
Demonic Pact	Black
Liliana's Contract	Black
Sanguine Bond	Black
Frenzied Goblin	Red
Goblin Arsonist	Red
Goblin Glory Chaser	Red
Grim Lavamancer	Red
Mogg Fanatic	Red
Abbot of Keral Keep	Red
Dark-Dweller Oracle	Red
Dismissive Pyromancer	Red
Ember Hauler	Red
Generator Servant	Red
Goblin Instigator	Red
Goblin Piledriver	Red
Heartfire Immolator	Red
Stormblood Berserker	Red
Viashino Pyromancer	Red
Young Pyromancer	Red
Ball Lightning	Red
Bolt Hound	Red
Chandra, Fire of Kaladesh	Red
Chandra's Phoenix	Red
Ghirapur Gearcrafter	Red
Goblin Chieftain	Red
Goblin King	Red
Goblin Rabblemaster	Red
Guttersnipe	Red
Scab-Clan Berserker	Red
Thopter Engineer	Red
Viashino Sandstalker	Red
Krenko, Mob Boss	Red
Magnivore	Red
Ogre Battledriver	Red
Pia and Kiran Nalaar	Red
Scampering Scorcher	Red
Cavalier of Flame	Red
Siege-Gang Commander	Red
Terror of the Peaks	Red
Thundermaw Hellkite	Red
Inferno Titan	Red
Shivan Dragon	Red
Drakuseth, Maw of Flames	Red
Bogardan Hellkite	Red
Chandra, Acolyte of Flame	Red
Sarkhan, Fireblood	Red
Chandra, the Firebrand	Red
Lightning Bolt	Red
Shock	Red
Fling	Red
Guerrilla Tactics	Red
Incinerate	Red
Lightning Strike	Red
Reverberate	Red
Searing Spear	Red
Thrill of Possibility	Red
Unleash Fury	Red
Burn Bright	Red
Seething Song	Red
Goblin Wizardry	Red
Stoke the Flames	Red
Beacon of Destruction	Red
Banefire	Red
Crash Through	Red
Earthquake	Red
Fireball	Red
Magmatic Insight	Red
Thud	Red
Dragon Fodder	Red
Krenko's Command	Red
Pyroclasm	Red
Tormenting Voice	Red
Volcanic Hammer	Red
Exquisite Firecraft	Red
Flames of the Firebrand	Red
Hammer of Bogardan	Red
Mark of Mutiny	Red
Molten Birth	Red
Pillage	Red
Threaten	Red
Transmogrify	Red
Chandra's Ignition	Red
Cone of Flame	Red
Wildfire	Red
Destructive Force	Red
Warp World	Red
Mask of Immolation	Red
Hammerhand	Red
Molten Vortex	Red
Form of the Dragon	Red
Arbor Elf	Green
Birds of Paradise	Green
Caustic Caterpillar	Green
Elvish Reclaimer	Green
Llanowar Elves	Green
Elvish Visionary	Green
Fauna Shaman	Green
Joiner Adept	Green
Jolrael, Mwonvuli Recluse	Green
Leaf Gilder	Green
Satyr Wayfinder	Green
Scavenging Ooze	Green
Skinshifter	Green
Sylvan Ranger	Green
Thorn Lieutenant	Green
Utopia Tree	Green
Azusa, Lost but Seeking	Green
Elvish Archdruid	Green
Elvish Champion	Green
Elvish Rejuvenator	Green
Hornet Nest	Green
Llanowar Visionary	Green
Managorger Hydra	Green
Nissa, Vastwood Seer	Green
Reclamation Sage	Green
Thrashing Brontodon	Green
Troll Ascetic	Green
Wood Elves	Green
Elvish Piper	Green
Master of the Wild Hunt	Green
Nightpack Ambusher	Green
Obstinate Baloth	Green
Roaring Primadox	Green
Yeva, Nature's Herald	Green
Acidic Slime	Green
Ant Queen	Green
Cavalier of Thorns	Green
Kalonian Hydra	Green
Mitotic Slime	Green
Seedborn Muse	Green
Silklash Spider	Green
Thragtusk	Green
Primeval Titan	Green
Soul of Zendikar	Green
Hornet Queen	Green
Pelakka Wurm	Green
Genesis Hydra	Green
Primordial Hydra	Green
Voracious Hydra	Green
Garruk Wildspeaker	Green
Nissa, Worldwaker	Green
Vivien Reid	Green
Giant Growth	Green
Ranger's Guile	Green
Heroic Intervention	Green
Return to Nature	Green
Fungal Rebirth	Green
Invigorating Surge	Green
Natural Affinity	Green
Might of Oaks	Green
Chord of Calling	Green
Primal Might	Green
Farseek	Green
Gather the Pack	Green
Rampant Growth	Green
Cultivate	Green
Nissa's Pilgrimage	Green
Bramblecrush	Green
Fungal Sprouting	Green
Ranger's Path	Green
Scapeshift	Green
Overwhelming Stampede	Green
Plow Under	Green
Hurricane	Green
Rancor	Green
Wild Growth	Green
Evolutionary Leap	Green
Fertile Ground	Green
Arachnus Web	Green
Blanchwood Armor	Green
Gift of Paradise	Green
Overgrowth	Green
Rites of Flourishing	Green
Verdant Haven	Green
Zendikar's Roil	Green
Primeval Bounty	Green
Prodigious Growth	Green
Dauntless River Marshal	Multicolor
Tomebound Lich	Multicolor
Flinthoof Boar	Multicolor
Radha, Heart of Keld	Multicolor
Satyr Enchanter	Multicolor
Corpse Knight	Multicolor
Poison-Tip Archer	Multicolor
Garruk, Apex Predator	Multicolor
Risen Reef	Multicolor
Enigma Drake	Multicolor
Experimental Overload	Multicolor
Skyknight Vanguard	Multicolor
Heroic Reinforcements	Multicolor
Chromium, the Mutable	Multicolor
Nicol Bolas, the Ravager	Multicolor
Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker	Multicolor
Vaevictis Asmadi, the Dire	Multicolor
Kykar, Wind's Fury	Multicolor
Yarok, the Desecrated	Multicolor
Hangarback Walker	Colorless
Phyrexian Revoker	Colorless
Adaptive Automaton	Colorless
Palladium Myr	Colorless
Skyscanner	Colorless
Solemn Simulacrum	Colorless
Scuttling Doom Engine	Colorless
Triskelion	Colorless
Pentavus	Colorless
Platinum Angel	Colorless
Darksteel Colossus	Colorless
Brittle Effigy	Colorless
Elixir of Immortality	Colorless
Pithing Needle	Colorless
Charcoal Diamond	Colorless
Fellwar Stone	Colorless
Fire Diamond	Colorless
Howling Mine	Colorless
Marble Diamond	Colorless
Mazemind Tome	Colorless
Mind Stone	Colorless
Moss Diamond	Colorless
Ratchet Bomb	Colorless
Sky Diamond	Colorless
Star Compass	Colorless
Sword of the Animist	Colorless
Crucible of Worlds	Colorless
Darksteel Ingot	Colorless
Dragon's Hoard	Colorless
Druidic Satchel	Colorless
Loxodon Warhammer	Colorless
Sigiled Sword of Valeron	Colorless
Sword of Vengeance	Colorless
Haunted Plate Mail	Colorless
Icy Manipulator	Colorless
Jester's Cap	Colorless
Perilous Vault	Colorless
Quicksilver Amulet	Colorless
Trading Post	Colorless
Coat of Arms	Colorless
Gilded Lotus	Colorless
Meteorite	Colorless
Pyromancer's Goggles	Colorless
Door to Nothingness	Colorless
Golos, Tireless Pilgrim	Colorless
Adarkar Wastes	Land
Glacial Fortress	Land
Dismal Backwater	Land
Drowned Catacomb	Land
Underground River	Land
Dragonskull Summit	Land
Sulfurous Springs	Land
Karplusan Forest	Land
Rootbound Crag	Land
Blossoming Sands	Land
Brushland	Land
Sunpetal Grove	Land
Caves of Koilos	Land
Scoured Barrens	Land
Temple of Silence	Land
Jungle Hollow	Land
Llanowar Wastes	Land
Temple of Malady	Land
Temple of Mystery	Land
Yavimaya Coast	Land
Shivan Reef	Land
Temple of Epiphany	Land
Battlefield Forge	Land
Temple of Triumph	Land
Wind-Scarred Crag	Land
Buried Ruin	Land
Cathedral of War	Land
City of Brass	Land
Evolving Wilds	Land
Fabled Passage	Land
Faerie Conclave	Land
Field of the Dead	Land
Foundry of the Consuls	Land
Gargoyle Castle	Land
Mutavault	Land
Mystifying Maze	Land
Quicksand	Land
Rupture Spire	Land
Terramorphic Expanse	Land
Treetop Village	Land
Urborg, Tomb of Yawgmoth	Land