Cher talks through finding stability in The Elysian Cube and empowering players to play what they want in The Citadel of Madness. We discuss building around themes, using lands effectively, and much more.

Cher on ⁠Twitter⁠ (@cherjtankian) Cher is @pizzagirl1 on Discord

Cher on CubeCobra

The Elysian Cube on CubeCobra

The Citadel of Madness on CubeCobra

Email the show at Recrossthepaths@gmail.com

There's no Tempo like the present! Turner uses The Tempo Cube to discuss building for the gameplay you want, multi-level interaction, choosing 'sub-optimal' cards, and more.

Turner (grenrut) on CubeCobra

The Tempo Cube on CubeCobra

Turner is grenrut on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

On this episode, Greg joins me for my inaugural Cube interview. We dive into Companion Cube and explore how changing one rule can radically redefine an environment.

Greg's profile (dinrovahorror) on CubeCobra

Companion Cube on CubeCobra

Cards mentioned: Archidekt Link

Let's get weird! In this episode, D.S.B discusses building for tension, small-form design, creating for yourself, and much more.

D.S.B is d.s.b on Discord!

D.S.B (dsbcubes) on CubeCobra

(Cubes marked "5A" are 5 Alive projects)

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Two heads are better than one and Mike and Dan are out to prove it! In this double-length episode, this duo from Madison unpacks finding a connection, designing together, the benefits of Bar cube, and much more.

Dan (BearlyLupe) on CubeCobra

Mike (Mikujin) on CubeCobra

MAD Cube on CubeCobra

Spirits on Tap on CubeCobra

Be sure to check out the Madison Cube Discord!

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Every Penrose has it thorns... or at least a Thornglint Bridge. Lincoln unpacks designing toward archetypes and breaking free of rarity restrictions.

Capitol Cube Championship - Sign up now!

Lincoln on CubeCobra

Penrose Cube on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Jake unpacks the art of making losing fun in Bodleian Cube! Join us as we explore how to give and receive better feedback as cube designers and players.

Jake on CubeCobra

Bodleian Cube on CubeCobra

One of Jake's Set Retrospective Articles on CubeCobra

Jake on Twitter @HGSCube

Find Jake on Discord @deinonychus

(Here's a fun article about what a Deinonychus could have looked like)

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Three life, but perfectly balanced - as all things should be. Keldan shares about walking the razor's edge of designing Bolt Cube to be both novel and fun.

Connect with Keldan on Discord @theoinkinator (and be sure to ask about the Seattle Cube Discord!)

Keldan on CubeCobra

Bolt Cube on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Leave no stone unturned as Nick guides us through the Desert Rose! This beautiful environment embraces a challenging narrative through a compelling aesthetic and thoughtful design.

Nick (Strogie) on CubeCobra

Desert Rose on CubeCobra

Nick on Twitter (or X or whatever it's called these days)

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

The numbers don't lie! Daniel walks us through how hundreds of data points yield a fresh, fascinating look at building a cube. The Data Generated Vintage Cube is the quintessential result of his handiwork.

Daniel's profile page (l0gr1thm1k) on CubeCobra

Data Generated Vintage Cube on CubeCobra

Follow the CubeCobra link for even more to explore on this project!

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Kade joins me on this episode to discuss subverting expectations with their bite-sized Esper Commander Cube.

Kade's profile (Irreleverent) on CubeCobra

The Cut-Rate Commander Cube on CubeCobra

Cards mentioned: Archidekt link

Show email: recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Not all those who wander are lost! Thomas discusses his road to CubeCon, the challenge and reward of building a set cube, judging cube events, and more.

Thomas (magesandmentors) on CubeCobra

Lord of the Rings Expanded on CubeCobra

Tavern Cube on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Color pie? Where we're going, we don't need the color pie! Dan guides us through the Devoid Cube and the Colorshifted Cube, two projects that challenge notions of color in cube construction. We discuss color balance (or lack thereof), using cube size as a tool, embracing dangerously refreshing confusion, and more.

Dan on CubeCobra

Devoid Cube on CubeCobra

Colorshifted Cube on CubeCobra

Dan on Bluesky

Cube 'Starter Pack' on Bluesky

Dan is isticle on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

As iron sharpens iron, so one drafter sharpens another! Matt coordinates weekly drafts for designers and players in preparation for CubeCon. We discuss the process of hosting a digital draft for play on Magic Online, evaluating novel environments, the value of consistent scheduling, and more. Matt is mattbelcher on Discord

Join the CubeCon Discord at the following link and be sure to request the Digital Drafter role: https://discord.gg/pMgPQHCMQj

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Secret, Gift, or Competition? Henry unpacks the fascinating draft environment of Hanamikoji and its uses in Magic micro-projects. We also explore telling stories, participation vs. spectacle, and much more.

Henry (HenryClay1844) on CubeCobra

Hanamikoji Micro Cubes on CubeCobra

Henry is HenryClay1844 on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Joe guides us through the Alternate Timeline, a curated world without the peculiarities of modern Magic. We discuss intentional exclusions, Lunchables, balancing feedback with goals, and more.

Joe on CubeCobra (Check out more 5 Alive projects here)

Alternate Timeline on CubeCobra

Joe is JoeDonkey on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Dive into the gold mine of Daniel's Reading Rainbow cube this week, an all-multicolor experience! We discuss building projects you care about, balancing an opportunity-rich environment, making your cube fun, and more.

Daniel on CubeCobra

Reading Rainbow on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

All aboard! Join TrainmasterGT as he leads us through the Highball 4K. We discuss capturing a nostalgic feeling, using (and not using) format barometers, trains, and more.

Highball 4K on the RiptideLab forums

Highball 4K on CubeCobra

TrainmasterGT on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Attention campers! Neal guides us through the intricacies of his Micro Cube and the joy of bringing people together. We discuss the weight of decisions in small environments, embracing being a learner, drawing inspiration from the Duelist Kingdom arc of YuGiOh, and more.

Neal (baconeal) on CubeCobra

Neal's Micro Cube on CubeCobra

Neal is baconeal on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Catastrophe equals opportunity! Morgan explores the design and decisions behind Disaster Movie Cube. We talk card and spreadsheet aesthetics, balancing mechanics, playing what you love, and more.

Morgan (darthpinkhippo) on CubeCobra

Disaster Move Cube (CubeCon Edition) on CubeCobra

Morgan is DarthPinkHippo on Twitter

Connect with Morgan for more info about LGBTCube

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Here there be Dragons! Chill walks us through the frozen reaches of his beautiful Vorthos Desert cube. We unpack building a thematic world, managing overt complexity, being part of a welcoming community, and more.

Chill on CubeCobra

Dragons of Winter's Night on CubeCobra

Chill MTG on YouTube

Chill is ChillMTG on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Long live the king! Warren walks us through treacherous tri-color realms and the decisions that led to their creation. We discuss balancing a broad environment, strategies for playtesting, working with others, and more.

xoanon.net/cube - quick link for Warren's CubeCobra page

Melded Mardu Monarchy

The Bardu Cube

Tresserhorn Gardens

The Junk Cube

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Join us for a spell! Brett talks about his background in Scrabble, being bold to make changes, being the final arbiter of design for your cube, and more.

Brett (aibretty) on CubeCobra

Low Country Boil on CubeCobra

The Fire Swamp on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

On this episode, Danny guides us through the graveyard-focused Soskube: the Second Hand. We also explore Cogwork Librarian, a tool he developed for advanced cube-building queries and creation. We discuss building toward target gameplay goals, reinventing projects that have lost their spark, using resources to go from idea to table more quickly, and more.

Dive into Cogwork Librarian at: https://coglib.sosk.watch/

Find Danny's personal projects at: https://danielsoskey.com/

Danny (soskube) on CubeCobra

Soskube: the Second Hand on CubeCobra

Danny is .jawnsnow on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

"Creature spells? Where we're going, we don't need Creature spells!" - Ollie, probably

On this episode, Ollie guides us through The Creatureless Cube and - spoiler alert - there may be some creatures along the way. We discuss building with packages, cube as shared game design, serving your players, and more.

The Creatureless Cube on CubeCobra

Ollie on CubeCobra

Ollie on BlueSky

Ollie is @beeksy on Discord

Boston Cube Party official website

Boston Cube Party on BlueSky

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Arlo, the famous (or infamous) gaytransmulldrifter, guides us through a wild ride of projects and philosophy. We discuss how boring Jace, the Mind Sculptor is, building things your friends enjoy, whether you can actually be good at cube design, and more.

⁠Arlo's Podcast⁠ on Soundcloud

Arlo on CubeCobra

Pushstart on CubeCobra

The $5 Fair 'Nuff Cube on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Rojja shows off the bespoke and eclectic Rusty Box o' Goblins (also called the Cash Box). We discuss moonshine-flavored cards, jam sessions, the dangerous idea that other people were right all along, and more.

Rusty Box o' Goblins on CubeCobra

Photos of the Box!

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

I took things slow for the holidays this week, so enjoy a totally self-indulgent custom design retrospective with my friends Bones and Kyle. Bones and I have worked on several custom projects over the years and we burn some windshield time reminiscing on the good, the bad, and everything in between. Regular interviews will resume next week!

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Join us in the Junderdome! In this episode, Tyler - the tyrant of The Jund Cube - guides us through this accessibly harsh tri-color environment. We discuss curating for an ethos, pitfalls and opportunities of color-restricted environments, ease-of-brain, and more.

The Jund Cube on CubeCobra

Tyler on CubeCobra

Tyler on BlueSky

Tyler is tylerpug on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Me: Can we draft Ikoria?

Mike: We have Ikoria at Home.

This week, Mike guides us through the 'big three' pillars of the Ikoria at Home cube - the iconic cycling archetype, kindred humans, and mutating monsters - and many of the design decisions that impact its ongoing curation. We discuss finding and building cohesion, balancing humility and intentionality, and more.

Mike (BigTears) on CubeCobra

Ikoria at Home on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Haiyue unpacks the art of casting for coverage and casting ultimatums! We discuss following an emotional cadence, building for greed, holding onto the reins of your own projects, and more.

Oops! All Pips on CubeCobra

Haiyue on Bluesky

Haiyue on Twitter

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

"The modernity of yesterday is the tradition of today, and the modernity of today will be tradition tomorrow." - Jose Andres

In this thoroughly Modern conversation, Jabs takes us through The Modern Darlings Cube, a nostalgic museum of pre-Magic Origins constructed Modern with some thoughtful twists. We discuss digging deep to support archetypes, testing special seeded packs, not being afraid to seek out feedback, and more.

Jabs on CubeCobra

The Modern Darlings Cube on CubeCobra

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Anthony of Lucky Paper talks through several of the cube design tools he's helped craft as well as the joy of curating cubes and play groups. We explore building thoughtful processes, chains of eroding frustrations, and doing the best you currently can.

All of the tools referenced are hosted on luckypaper.co

Anthony on CubeCobra

Anthony on Blusky

Anthony's Shuffling Article is complete!

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Blink and you'll miss it! This week, Ian shows off the value and fun of the Bant Cube. We also talk about his ongoing interview project, Cuberviews. We explore building from cards you own, designing in ways you enjoy, learning from varied perspectives, and more.

Find Cuberviews anywhere fine podcasts are hosted!

Ian on CubeCobra

The Bant Cube on CubeCobra

Ian is ianbraverman on Discord and Reddit

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

When in Loam... This week, Gwen guides us through the intricacies of Loam Cube and talks about his role as the founder and admin of CubeCobra. We unpack considering archetypes in a color-imbalanced environment, convincing players to try new cubes, the joys and challenges of passion projects, and more.

Gwen is dekkaru on Discord

Loam Cube on CubeCobra

CubeCobra on Bluesky

Opportunities to support Gwen's work on CubeCobra including the CubeCobra Patreon

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This conversation is a landing place for curious designers and players about the particulars of building and interpreting land-restricted draft environments - Desert Cubes! Bones brings his tremendous expertise on the format to help highlight numbers, design ideas, and high-level ideas to help guide you toward your own positive Desert experience.

The Desert Cube (Corince) by Loxodon_Meyerarch

Amonkar Desert by Bones

Devoid Cube by Isticle

Dragons of Winter's Night by ChillMTG

The Monopoly by UberBear

Midwinter by Deinonychus

Giver Cube by The Oinkinator

Loam Cube by dekkerglen

Desert Rose by strogie

Post-Apocalyptic Cube by dinrovahorror

The Labyrinth by Bones

The Fire Swamp by aibretty

Pulp Nouveau by Parker (landofmordor)

Pulp Nouveau - A Tribute to Drafting Basic Lands by Parker LaMascus

Want more primers along with ongoing interviews? Let me know by emailing the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

"Garden as though you will live forever" - William Kent

In this episode, Scott (the mind behind Upkeep New York and Cube for a Cause) shares his insight on The Garden, a context-shifting cube where players start with a Lotus Field in play. We discuss stretch goals, Type 1 cubes, the value of aesthetics in cube design, and much more.

The Garden on CubeCobra

Scott on CubeCobra

C4AC - Cube for a Cause

Scott on BlueSky

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

May (also known as Myagic) unpacks finding the fun through May's Fae Cube! In this conversation we discuss aesthetics vs. gameplay, objective subjectivity, cube being like an ant farm, and much more.

May on CubeCobra

May's Fae Cube on CubeCobra

May on BlueSky

May is on the Uber Cube podcast!

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

What do you want out of a cube draft? In this episode, Sam talks through his experience as an avid retail limited player and how it relates to cube play and design. We discuss building toward open-endedness, power-forward design, the Twobert module, and much more. To hear more of Sam, check out his podcast, Rough Drafts!

Rough Drafts (Sam's limited podcast): https://open.spotify.com/show/4OnYIYmoCdnnlC7pUVyM0A

Sam on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/610c165b750a931047aa23b6

Samp's Arena Cube: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/samp

Sam on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social

Sam on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/samp_mtg

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Parker of Lucky Paper walks us through Atavus, an accessibility-focused environment that asks (and answers) foundational questions. In this conversation we discuss curatorial triangulation, helping players navigate a cloud of probability, Braum's ice cream, not listening to feedback, and much more.

Parker on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5d35b48796dd684d71e9fc2d

Atavus on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/atavus

Parker on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/parker.luckypaper.co

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

We're having a ball! In this conversation, Jane unpacks her inaugural experiences with The Ball Pit, a desert cube where every card can be played face-down as Chromatic Sphere. Join us on this wild ride as we explore cultivating community, competitive improvisation, gravedigging for artists, and much more.

The Ball Pit on CubeCobra

A Firsthand Account of "The Ballpit Incident"

Inland Northwest Cube Fest - https://www.tixtree.com/e/inw-cubefest-2025-17d12a2cb4ed

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Illuminous gives us an overview of the Chromatic Cube project, a mono-colored (and colorless) exploration of color-focused cubes. We discuss singleton breaks, striving for an ideal goal, building on cube clones, and more.

Illuminous is @tobyknight2013 on Discord

Illuminous on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/user/view/62bd188b9ed2640f77bbdf3c

The Red Cube on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/The%20Red%20Cube

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

A G.O.A.T. by any other name would still be a sweet draft! This week, Dave guides us through his synergy-driven peasant environment. We discuss designing for synergy in an increasingly powerful game, "the Box," inspiration for your own cube invitational, and more.

Dave is dnolan08 on Discord

Dave on CubeCobra https://www.cubecobra.com/user/view/5d8e33c43b499239566b7c91

The G.O.A.T. Peasant Cube on CubeCobra https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/GOAT_peasant

Dave on Bsky https://bsky.app/profile/dnolan08.bsky.social

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

In this conversation, Alex and I talk about cube and not about cube. We explore Upkeep, Alex's zine about cube as an outlet for other creativity, community, and chaos. Buckle up and enjoy the ride through unintentional therapy, a probably-stolen binder, heartache about foil stamps, and much more.

Alex on CubeCobra - https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5f1f15788b0b670fce74a752

Alatta - https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/alatta

Alex is Alveric on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Enjoy a brief archival recording this week! Jake, Joe, Bones, and I talk about feedback on a quick car ride.

Midwinter: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/midwinter

World War of the Spark: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/wwrav

Pink Sleeves was all my joy,
Pink Sleeves was my delight.

This week, Stephen guides us through Pink Sleeves, the blog and the eponymous cube. We discuss atomic effects, a library of agency, how accessibility and simplicity aren't the same, and much more.

Pink Sleeves (the Blog): https://zoydraft.tumblr.com/

Pink Sleeves (the Cube) on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/pink

Stephen on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5dc1705c8540e621ac8255e0

Stephen on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/zoydraft.bsky.social

Untap T.O. (Toronto Cube Event): https://untap.ca/

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Recross the Paths is one year old! Kade takes a moment this week to celebrate how far the project has come.

For those curious, the first episode aired as a podcast on June 25th, 2024.

Regular interviews resume next week.

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, my good friend Bones gives us a tour through the Sticker Cube, a wild project about building community through collaborative game design. We unpack the particulars of his version as well as the resources he's made available for you to create your own. We discuss managing mental load in complex projects, breaking singleton, lots of artists, and much more.

Sticker Cube Resources

Keyword Handout: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c7o9DJpegaEAfoUkdm1dpQXkcRU56sXl/edit

Sticker Printout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1keRZdGyc8qmkxyGwodHfkPmoNH5z5fnl/view

Reddit Post (with more details and resources): https://old.reddit.com/r/mtgcube/comments/1gqfhoq/draft_report_sticker_cube_draft_15_featuring_a/

Bones on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5ea095db12bf071086e7c065

Bones on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/goblingathering.bsky.social

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week I'm joined by Noah, the Cube Dungeon Master. We wax poetic about Old-Frame formats like Old School as well as the Alternate History Powered Cube, his take on a Vintage environment without select design decisions from the last five years. We discuss the vibes-spreadsheet spectrum, Descartes, the Cube Dungeon, and much more.

Noah on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/611ab36a728d3c103ec765ef

Alternate History on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/althistoryvintage

Cube Dungeon: https://cubedungeon.com/

Cheese Cube (Charity Event): https://cubedungeon.com/cheese-cube/

Wak-Wak - Old School Decklists: https://www.wak-wak.se/

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week I'm joined by Nick, a positive part of the New York cube community. Beyond dog talk, we discuss the benefits of escapism, cubing for mental health, as well as a Recross the Paths first - a live cube update!

Nick on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/60f9818508b0a5103bac14d0

Red Cube Wins! on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/redwins

Nick on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/nickzlmhc.bsky.social

Nick is frrtball. on Discord

Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com