Cube Engineers

TrainmasterGT

A podcast about Magic: The Gathering Cube, Game Design, and more by TrainmasterGT cubeengineers.substack.com

  1. Cube Engineers Episode 37: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cube Review!

    1D AGO

    Cube Engineers Episode 37: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cube Review!

    We are back on the rails again with another episode of Cube Engineers!TrainmasterGT and Usman return to help you navigate your second draft as a proud Cube designer at Oko Fazfae’s Pizza. This time, we venture deep into the back rooms of the establishment to determine what is to be done with the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle cards in the bulk bins. Can this set be salvaged to the benefit of Cube designers? Does the card file contain anything that might be of interest to people who don’t like Ninja Turtles? The answer might surprise you!All Aboard! Show Notes Usman’s Substack Video Essay about the history and artistry of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Comic Epic Rap Battles of History: Ninjas Vs. Artists 2004-5 NHL Lockout Derrick Green Sepultura Interview Reddit Thread about White One Drops The Ball Pit Cube Casey Jones and his Commemorative Stamp Highball 4K Cube Price Chopper Time Stamps and Major Cards 1:41: Episode Begins 21:06: Prehistoric Pet 33:33: Sneak Cards 54:40: Ravenous Robots 1:01:55: Splinter and Leo, Father and Son 1:07:32: Casey Jones, Jury-Rig Justicar 1:14:50: Raph and Leo, Sibling Rivals 1:22:29: Death in the Family 1:26:11: The Ooze 1:34:01: North Wind Avatar 1:41:36: Triceraton Commander 1:52:14: Finale 1:54:43 Outro and Post Credits Scene (Foot Elite in Battle Box) Cards Discussed Electric Seaweed Eliminate (M21) Prehistoric Pet Raphael, the Nightwatcher Dark Leo and Shredder Leonardo, Leader in Blue Kytheon, Hero of Akros Descendant of Storms Karakas Mox Amber Flowering of the White Tree Ravenous Robots Young Pyromancer Myr Battlesphere Nettlecyst Chromatic Sphere Signal Pest Splinter and Leo, Father and Son Orcish Bowmasters United Front Blade Splicer April O’Neil, Kunoichi Trainee Casey Jones, Jury-Rig Justicar Raph and Leo, Sibling Rivals Combat Celebrant Fear of Missing Out Bebop and Rocksteady Tokka and Rahzar, Terrible Twos Eidolon of the Great Revel Sulfuric Vortex Death in the Family Anoint with Affliction The Ooze Tormod’s Crypt Ghost Vacuum North Wind Avatar Burning Wish Cunning Wish Living Wish Baloth Prime Generous Ent Wilderness Reclamation Swords to Plowshares Vivi Ornitier Expressive Iteration Inzerva, Master of Insights Abrade Triceraton Commander Lorehold, the Historian Foot Elite Foot Chopper Special thanks to Usman Jamil for co-hosting and editing this episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

    1h 58m
  2. Cube Engineers Episode 36: Lorwyn Eclipsed Cube Review!

    JAN 27

    Cube Engineers Episode 36: Lorwyn Eclipsed Cube Review!

    We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! Usman and I wanted to record a podcast for you, to help you get settled in on your first Lorwyn Eclipsed Cube night! We actually Cubed with the set before you, we’re finishing up our last draft now as a matter of fact! So, we know it can be a bit overwhelming, but we’re here to tell you there’s nothing to worry about, and there are indeed some cool cards in this set. You’ll do fine! So, let’s just focus on getting you through your first draft, okay? The Cube Engineers Podcast is not responsible for damage to property or person. Upon discovering that damage or death has occurred, a missing person report will be filed within 90 days, or as soon as any and all evidence of wrongdoing has been converted into a 3/3 Green Elk creature. All Aboard! Show Notes Usman’s Substack, home of the Pack One Slick Ones Podcast Usman’s Bluesky Blue Öyster Cult Chapters 7:00 - Vivid 8:22 - Blight 21:19 - Moonshadow 32:25 - Wistfulness and the other Evoke Elementals 45:37 - Abundant Countryside 55:04 - Ajani, Outland Chaperone 1:02:31 - The Reaper, King No More 1:08:55 - Wanderbrine Trapper 1:21:27 - Figure of Fable 1:28:18 - Glamer Gifter 1:31:42 - Oko, Lorwyn Liege 1:41:45 - Sapling Nursery 1:51:30 - Cube Testing and Inclusions Cards Mentioned Bloom Tender Bad River Scuzzback Scrounger Vivid lands Scarscale Ritual Sear Moonshadow Stalactite Stalker Fallen Shinobi Psychic Frog Wild Mongrel Noose Constrictor Wistfulness Grim Bauble Virtue of Persistence Cruel Ultimatum Obliterating Bolt Hieroglyphic Illumination Fact or Fiction Field of the Dead Thespian’s Stage Dark Depths Monastery Mentor Helping Hand Abundant Countryside Ancient Ziggurat Gwen Stacy Flame of Anor Thalia, Guardian of Thraben Dark Confidant (Bob) Headliner Scarlett Crib Swap Realmwalker Ajani, Outland Chaperone Liliana of the Veil Liliana, the Last Hope Grist, the Hunger Tide Nissa, Voice of Zendikar Daretti, Ingenious Iconoclast Chandra, Acolyte of Flame Saheeli, Sublime Artisan SOLDIER Military Program Wedding Announcement Adeline, Resplendant Cathar Cosmogrand Zenith Enduring Inn Flickerwisp Monastery Mentor Ranger Captain of Eos Skyclave Apparition Suki, Corageous Rescuer Abandoned Air Temple: The Reaper, King No More Necroskitter Skinrender Gran-Gran Wanderbrine Rootcutters Barrenton Cragtreads (Crackheads) Tibor and Lumia Gideon’s Lawkeeper Law-Rune Enforcer Goldmeadow Harrier Zurgo Bellstriker Lightstall Inquisitor: Figure of Fable Figure of Destiny Warden of the First Tree Ascendant Spirit Frodo, Sauron’s Bane Ajani, Nacatl Pariah Evolved Sleeper Kellan, Planar Trailblazer Glamer Gifter Circuitous Route Sygg, Wanderbrine Wisdom Oko, Lorwyn Liege Majestic Metamorphosis Mu Yanling Sky Dancer: Sapling Nursery Sigil of the Empty Throne Reach of Branches Rhys, the Evermore Kinscaer Sentry Kinbinding Flitterwing Nuisance Glen Elendra Whatever Loch Mare Disrupter of Currents Bitterbloom Bearer Twilight Diviner Iron-Shield Elf Dawnhand Dissident Hexing Squelcher Formidable Speaker Bristlebane Battler Eirdu Tam, Mindful First-Year Abigale Personify Thirst for Identity Unwelcome Sprite Auntie’s Sentence Requiting Hex Chomping Changeling Midnight Tilling Mutable Explorer Eclipsed Kithkin This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

    2h 3m
  3. Cube Engineers Episode 35: Maximizing Fun in Vintage Cube with Joe Anderson

    JAN 6

    Cube Engineers Episode 35: Maximizing Fun in Vintage Cube with Joe Anderson

    IT’S ALL JOEVER NOW. For the final episode of the Cube Engineers Winter Arc, TrainmasterGT invites one of the most prolific Cube players of all time, Joe Anderson, to share his expertise regarding Vintage Cubes. Together, they trace the history and evolution of Vintage Cube, unpack how “powermaxxing” has shaped players' perceptions of these designs, and explore practical ways to maximize fun without sacrificing depth or replayability. Along the way, Joe offers advice on customizing a Vintage Cube, so it feels unique and tuned to one’s personal tastes. By the end, you’ll be ready to bring a Vintage Cube to your table that not only plays great, but feels unmistakably yours. All Aboard! Show Notes Cali Cube Champs Joe’s Week in Magic Podcast The Anarchy Cube Aquaone’s Vintage Cube The MTG Cube Talk Discord Cards Mentioned Cogwork Librarian Gaea’s Skyfolk White Knight Rite of Flame Manamorphose Dark Ritual Lightning Bolt Opposition Murktide Regent Abhorrent Occulus Three Steps Ahead Timetwister High Tide Fastbond HullbreacherMinsc and Boo, Timeless Heroes Elspeth Tirel Goblin Guide Kavaron Harrier Nadu, Winged Wisdom Ketramose, the New Dawn Phelia, Exuberant Shepherd Overlord of the Balemurk Ghost Vacuum Nihil Spellbomb Mirage Mirror Time Vault Dark Depths Channel Emrakul, the Aeons Torn Noble Heirarch Sol Ring Comet, Stellar Pup White-Plume Adventurer Forth Eorlingas! Otharri, Sun’s Glory Tendrils of Agony Smokestack Teferi, Hero of Dominaria Upheval Generous Plunderer Gau, Feral Youth Abbot of Keral Keep Ajani Vengant Lightning Helix Sentinel of the Nameless City Dryad of the Ilysian Grove Valakut, the Molten Pinnacle Field of the Dead Knight of the Reliquary Thespian’s Stage Tinker Zurgo Bellstriker Ragavan, Nimble Pilferer Ignoble Heirarch Professor Oak’s HintPot of Greed Innovate Mind Goblin Seething Song Stormscale Scion Thassa’s Oracle Lightning Strike Evolving Wilds Scalding Tarn Llanowar Elves Elvish Mystic Joraga Treespeaker Lore Seeker Thought Seize Tarmogoyf Grist, the Hunger Tide Doom Blade Mana Crypt Black Lotus Time Walk Contract from Below Ancestral Recall Cogwork Librarian Time Spiral Brain Freeze Price of Progress Invasion of Ikoria Goblin Sharpshooter Special thanks to Joe Anderson for appearing as a guest on this episode! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

    1h 22m
  4. Cube Engineers Episode 34: 2025 Year in Review

    12/30/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 34: 2025 Year in Review

    In this episode, TrainmasterGT and Usman Jamil reflect on the year 2025! They discuss the design and mechanics of the new sets, cover the coolest cards, and share what developments influenced their thoughts and feelings the most. Did any sets prove themselves to be a cut above the rest? Which sets are destined for the dustbins of history? Was 2025 even a good year for Magic? Stay tuned to find out! All Aboard! Timestamps 3:19:00 Aetherdrift: The First Set of 2025! 22:46:00 Tarkir: Dragonstorm 39:34:00 Final Fantasy 56:18:00 Edge of Eternities 1:07:06:00 Spooder Man 1:18:48:00 ATLA 1:21:46:00 Hits and Misses for the Year 1:26:53:00 Cards of the Year 1:30:40:00 Magic in 2026 1:38:25:00 Conclusion Show Notes Usman’s 2025 Cube Cards: Set Overview Article Hej Hej from Sweden! Shoebox 2026 (Also Listen: Interview with Shoebox Organizer Dinrovahorror!) Usman’s Substack Usmantherad on Bluesky Cards Discussed Locust Spray Marauding Mako Monument to Endurance Vanilla and Vanilla Matters in Aetherdrift Spikeshell Harrier Stock Up Thunderous Velocipede Vigean Hydropod Marketback Walker Hangarback Walker Walking Ballista The “Behold a Dragon” Cards Statute of Denial Troll Scavenger (Legends of Runeterra) Sagu Wildling The Siege Cycle Boulder Dragon Dragonstorm Globe Embermouth Sentinel Dragon’s Play Cori-Steel Cutter Frostcliff Siege Quantum Riddler Elspeth, Storm Slayer Twinmaw Stormbrood Roast The Spirit Dragons The Dragonlords Summon: Primal Odin Summon: Brynhildr Hraesvelgr of the First Brood Commune with the Beavers Clive, Ifrit’s Dominant Buster Sword Garland, Knight of Cornelia Yuna’s Whistle Cecil, Dark Knight Gran-Gran Death’s Shadow Mulldrifter Bonecrusher Giant Smuggler’s Copter Kavaron, Memorial World Bygone Colossus Monoist Sentry Consult the Star Charts Icetill Explorer Crucible of Worlds Anticausal Vestige Siege Rhino Spider-Man UK Ultimate Green Goblin Scarlet Spider, Ben Reilly Badgermole Cub City Pigeon Momo, Playful Pet Spectacular Save Secret Identity Fire Nation Occupation Abandoned Air Temple Mai, Scornful Striker Zhao, the Moon Slayer Marang River Regent Casey Jones, Jury-Rig Justicar Thank you for listening, and for an excellent 2025! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

    1h 43m
  5. Cube Engineers Episode 33: Avatar: The Last Airbender Cube Review Part 2: Cabbages Unquenched

    12/23/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 33: Avatar: The Last Airbender Cube Review Part 2: Cabbages Unquenched

    We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT is once again joined by Usman Jamil to discuss their favorite cards in the Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic Set. Find out what cards are destined to save the world, and which cards have a lot to learn before they can save anyone… All Aboard! Show Notes The Pack One Slick Ones on Usman’s Revamped Substack Usman’s Article: Avatar: The Last Airbender for Cube A photo of Big Mac the Cat Cards Mentioned Main Discussion Cards Bolded with Timestamps! Badgermole Cub Aang, Swift Savior Llanowar Elves Sylvan Caryatid Anzrag, the Quake Mole Pothole Mole 5:55: Fire Nation Occupation Heirloom Blade Mistbind Clique Pyrogoyf Wan Shi Tong, Librarian Lazotep Quarry Brazen Borrower Snuff Out Parallax Wave Emperor of Bones Stormchaser’s Talent Force of Will Subtlty Endurance Consider 17:54: Katara, Waterbending Master Wilderness Reclamation Spell Peirce Dispel Kitsa, Otterball Elite Meren of Clan Nel Toth Otharri, Suns’ Glory Plagon, Lord of the Beach 26:25: Aang’s Iceberg Oblivion Ring Banishing Light Swords to Plowshares Stormplain Detainment March of Otherworldly Light Prismatic Ending Unexpectedly Absent 32:02 True Ancestry Stern Scolding Starting Town Divide by Zero Professor of Symbology Eyetwitch Poet’s Quill Gnarled Professor Academic Dispute Pop Quiz Sparring Regimen Origin of Spider-Man Spectacular Spider-Man Spider-Woman, Stunning Savior Peter Parker Redirect Lightning Cori-Steel Cutter Think Twice Nature’s Spiral Regrowth It’ll Quench Ya! 43:04: Suki, Courageous Rescuer Glorious Anthem Crusade Honor of the Pure Orcish Oriflame Savannah Lions Ephemerate Soulherder 46:30: Mai, Scornful Striker Siege Rhino Thalia, Guardian of Thraben Eidolon of the Great Revel 51:32: Ba Sing Se The Modern Horizons 2 Bridges Ensoul Artifact The Restless Lands Restless Cottage Restless Prairie Restless Reef Restless Vinestalk The Hideouts Sandbender’s Storm Earthshape 58:14: Zhao, the Moon Slayer Price of Progress 1:03:45: Raven Eagle Graveyard Trespasser Lingering Souls 1:09:09: Firebending Student Heartfire Hero Ouroboroid Monstrous Rage Chainsaw Bonesplitter Burst Lightning The Legend of Roku Showdown of the Skalds 1:16:12: Conclusion Firebender Ascension Sunset Sabotuer Unlucky Cabbage Merchant Tough Cookie This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

    1h 26m
  6. Cube Engineers Episode 32: The Quenchiest Avatar: The Last Airbender Cube Review with Usman Jamil

    12/16/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 32: The Quenchiest Avatar: The Last Airbender Cube Review with Usman Jamil

    We are back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites back the always wonderful Usman Jamil to discuss the mechanics of the Avatar: The Last Airbender Magic: The Gathering set! Find out which mechanics translate best from screen to card, and how to implement Avatar themes into your Cube! Will this set quench our thirst for cool new mechanics, or will the set never rise from the ashes of shame and humiliation? Stay tuned to find out! Show Notes The Pack One Slick Ones on Usman’s Substack Standard Bant Airbending A Minecraft Episode with Andy Mangold Thomas Comes to Breakfast Cards Mentioned Waterbender Ascension Aang’s Iceberg Benevolent River Spirit Fire Nation Occupation Waterbender Restoration Foggy Swamp Visions Claim // Fame Unearth Helping Hand Kappa Cannoneer Murktide Regent The Boulder, Ready to Rumble Badgermole Cub Haru, Hidden Talent Darksteel Citadel Modern Horizons 2 Bridges Rampaging Ravine Restless Cottage Restless Vent Restless Anchorage Zuko, Exiled Prince Fire Nation Attacks Loyal Fire Sage Firebending Student Stoke the Flames Hired Claw Kytheon, Hero of Akros Snapcaster Mage Magma Jet Firedrinker Satyr Kellan, Planar Trailblazer Airbending Lesson The Shrine Cycle Aang, Swift Savior Spell Queller Divine Purge Appa, Steadfast Guardian Avatar’s Wrath Whirlwind Technique Cruel Ultimatum Doc Aurlock, Grizzled Genius Xolatoyac, the Smiling Flood Avatar Enthusiasts Drana, Liberator of Malakir Expedition Envoy Gideon, Ally of Zendikar United Front Great Divide Guide Loyal Fire Sage Wan Shi Tong, Librarian Unlucky Cabbage Merchant The Cabbage Merchant That’s Rough Buddy It’ll Quench Ya! Iroh’s Demonstration Thundering Rebuke Divide by Zero Professor of Symbology Poet’s Quill Gnarled Professor Academic Dispute First Day of Class Empty the Warrens Chatterstorm Skirk Prospector Enter the Avatar State Boomerang Basics Monastery Mentor Eyetwitch True Ancestry Fact or Fiction Think Twice Cram Session Study Break Ruinous Waterbending Shared Roots Field Trip Fear of Missing Teeth Igneous Inspiration Char Sparring Regimen Hulking Raptor Ulvenwald Entity Flametongue Kavu Ajani, Nacatl Pariah Guy in the Chair Bagel and Schmear Mai, Scornful Striker Zhao, the Moon Slayer Gran Gran Avatar’s Wrath Wandering Musicians Fire Nation Occupation Katara, Waterbending Master Strip Mine Venser, Shaper Savant Gifts Ungiven Do or Die Truth or Tale Special thanks to Usman for returning to do another set review! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com

    1h 44m

About

A podcast about Magic: The Gathering Cube, Game Design, and more by TrainmasterGT cubeengineers.substack.com

You Might Also Like