Cube Engineers

TrainmasterGT
  • 5.0 (1)
  • DESIGN
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

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

    3D AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Cube Engineers Episode 31: Sensei's Divining Talks

    12/02/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 31: Sensei's Divining Talks

    In this episode, Chris Taylor takes the Engineer’s seat for a new extended Sensei’s Divining Talks Segment! Chris is joined by TrainmasterGT, a first-year dental student, to deliver an important message about Focal Enamel Hypoplasia. What is this dental disorder, how does it impact patients, and how can it be treated? Stay tuned to find out more! Show Notes Turner’s Tooth: A Rare Case with Review of Literature (2021) Turner’s hypoplasia and non-vitality: A case report of sequelae in a permanent tooth (2010) Management of Turner’s Hypoplasia Using Resin Infiltration: A Case Report Cards Mentioned Pacifism (7th Edition) Pacifism (7th Edition Foil) Pacifism (Onslaught) Pacifism (Mirage) Recycle Special Thanks to Chris Taylor for hosting 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

    30 min
  6. Cube Engineers Episode 30: Hosting Cube Events Large and Small with Dinrovahorror

    10/21/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 30: Hosting Cube Events Large and Small with Dinrovahorror

    We’re back on the rails again! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Greg Cortazzo (A.K.A. Dinrovahorror) to share his experiences hosting Cube events and discuss the differences between organizing small and large events. Greg is the founder of the Vertex Cube Event Series and a founding member of the new Shoebox Magic event. Learn valuable lessons about how to host Cube events, challenges for event organizers, and how to build the most fun Cube event possible! Additionally, the pair discusses the new Shoebox event, coming to Saint Paul, Minnesota, from March 13th-15th, 2026! All Aboard! Show Notes Shoebox Event Shoebox Badges Shoebox on Discord Dinrovahorror on Bluesky and Cube Cobra Vertex Cube Event Cali Cube Champs Capital Cube Champs Washington Cube Champs Boston Cube Party Cubes Mentioned Cascade Cube Tiny Leaders Cube Companion Cube Atomic Cube 100 Ornithopters Commander Cards, Regular Games Wheeler’s One Drops Value Vintage The Drownyard Cards Mentioned Maelstrom Nexus Original Dual Lands Chaos Orb Gimme Five! Heroes of the Realm Cards Ashnod’s Coupon Dinrova Horror Prophetic Prism Galewind Moose 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

    49 min
  7. Cube Engineers Episode 29: A Master Class in Cube Design with Usman Jamil and Chris Taylor (Season 1 Finale)

    08/19/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 29: A Master Class in Cube Design with Usman Jamil and Chris Taylor (Season 1 Finale)

    We’re back on the rails again with another exciting episode of Cube Engineers! In the season finale, TrainmasterGT invites back Usman Jamil and Chris Taylor to give a master class on Cube design! The trio discuss different Cube projects they have completed, and different lessons that can be applied from their designs. Learn about: * Making and using custom cards * Sizing and balancing your Cube * Writing Primers * Finding Ideas and Inspiration * Fixing and how to use Triomes * Basic Land Art Choices * Proxying * Nonsingleton * Microcubes * Setting Goals * And More! Special thanks to Usman and Chris for taking part in the finale, and to every other guest and viewer for being a part of this first season! Show Notes Cube Engineers Episode 3 The Dandy Cube (Full Cube) The Dandy Customs The Usman Cube The Death and Taxes Microcube The Campout Cube Snom Party Usman’s Article about Triomes Usman’s Spider-Man First Thoughts Derail (Rail War) 555-Jank Episode 1,243 of the Drive to Work Podcast Overanalyzing Avatar on YouTube The Sokka Video Essay Cards Noted Image Gallery Leeches Suncleanser Usher of the Fallen Staff of the Storyteller Esper Sentinel Icehide Golem Arcum’s Astrolabe Cranial Plating Nettlecyst Shrapnel Blast Galvanic Blast Tezzeret, Agent of Bolas Virus Bettle Blackmail Creepy Doll Dollhouse of Horrors Splitskin Doll Arabella, Abandoned Doll Twitching Doll Living Phone Stuffy Doll Cankerbloom Ancient Den Garruk Wildspeaker Ursine Monstrosity Death Greeter’s Champion Summon: Good King Mog XII Falcon Airship Sabin, Master Monk Summon: Brinhildr Spider-Punk Psychic Frog Psychatog Sphinx’s Revelation Helitrooper Cori-Steel Cutter Third-Path Iconoclast Gut, True-Soul Zealot Otharri, Suns' Glory Broadside Bombardiers Force of Will Force of Negation Swords to Plowshares Entomb Reanimate Atraxa, Grand Unifier Damnation Vaultborn Tyrant Necromancy Animate Dead Dance of the Dead Spitting Dilophosaurus Grim Bauble Dubious Delicacy Choco-comet Gwen Stacy Abbot of Keral Keep Descendant of Storms Zack Fair Summon: Yojimbo Marang River Regent Cecil, Dark Knight Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER Starting Town Tifa Lockheart Gau, Feral Youth Yuffie, Materia Hunter Thieving Skydiver Consult the Star Charts Stock Up Lazotep Quarry Heirloom Blade Lavaspur Boots Adakar Wastes The Landscapes Plains (New Capenna) Unsanctioned Basic Lands Serene Rememberance Thalia, Guardian of Thraben Wasteland Rishadin Port Wasteland Strangler Path to Exile Propaganda Tundra Ulamog, the Ceaseless Hunger Goblin Rabblemaster Chandra, Torch of Defiance The Flux Gaddock Teeg Forth Eorlingas! Glowrider Lightstall Inquisitor Judge’s Familliar Serra Avenger Tommik, Distinguished Advocate White Orchid Phantasm Flickerwisp Vryn Wingmare Restoration Angel Cataclysm Shattering Blow Keeper of the Lens Baleful Strix Thanks again for watching! —GT 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 51m
  8. Cube Engineers Episode 28: A Minecraft Episode with Andy Mangold

    08/12/2025

    Cube Engineers Episode 28: A Minecraft Episode with Andy Mangold

    In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites Andy Mangold to discuss a topic every Cube podcaster must grapple with at some point in their career: Minecraft! Arguably, the most elegant sandbox game of all time, Minecraft contains many great lessons for any designer. The question is: what can we learn and how can it be applied to Cube? Stay tuned to find out! All Aboard! Show Notes Luck Paper Radio Cube Engineers April Fools Episode Bdoubleo100 on YouTube PaulsoaresJr 100 Ornithopters Cube The Bun Magic Cube Dooby’s in Baltimore Cards Discussed Skirmish Rhino Edge Rover Jace, the Mind Sculptor Hazoret, the Fervent Ornithopter Dandân Oko, Thief of Crowns Questing Beast Fear of Lost Teeth Anticausal Vestige Pulling Teeth (Bella Note: I think TrainmasterGT, Future DDS, would have some better methods of accomplishing this…) Tooth Collector Pith Driller Restoration Specialist Brilliant Restoration Redress Fate Tooth and Nail Root Greevil Special thanks to Andy for being a guest on the show and Bella for doing the card links in the Show Notes! 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 12m
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About

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

Information

  • Creator
    TrainmasterGT
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © TrainmasterGT
  • Show Website
    Cube Engineers

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