Best Anthony Mattox Podcasts (2024)

1
Cube Design Iron Chef: Goblin Charbelcher 1:07:17

28m ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Andy and Anthony revisit designing a Cube starting with a single card as inspiration. Starting with Goblin Charbelcher, they each explore themes and mechanics that could make the card relevant in a Cube, and build off those to create rough Cube skeletons. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Episode 182: Emergent C…

1
The Hardest Part is Just Getting Started, with Sam from Rhystic Studies 1:23:20

7d ago1:23:20

1:23:20

Andy and Anthony are joined by Sam from Rhystic Studies to talk about his first Cube design project. Sam, who produces thoughtful, carefully written videos on Magic, has been interested in Cube design for years and has finally made the leap to create his own list. They talk about what motivates Sam’s design goals, how he’s approached the project, a…

1
Magic on the Holodeck: Outlaws of Thunder Junction First Impressions and Personal Cube Additions 1:16:49

11d ago1:16:49

1:16:49

Our Cube Prospective Surveys for Outlaws of Thunder Junction is now open! Let us know what you are testing in your cube from the latest set. Andy and Anthony talk about their first impressions of Outlaws of Thunder Junction and the cards their interested in for their own Cube lists. Anthony is not too impressed by the aesthetics of the set, but the…

1
Striving for a More Accountable and Inclusive Playgroup 1:08:05

21d ago1:08:05

1:08:05

Guests Tara, Jenn, and Haiyue join Andy and Anthony for a discussion on making play spaces that are more accountable and inclusive to help grow more diverse playgroups. Tara brings her perspective as a professional diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant; Jenn, their experience organizing and judging events; and Haiyue what she’s learned managi…

1
100 Ornithopters in a Trenchcoat 1:00:23

26d ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Andy and Anthony talk about Andy’s newest Cube experiment: a cube who’s only creatures are Ornithopters. Andy couldn’t help but entertain the idea of an all-ornithopter Cube in a humorous tweet, and a recent draft of it in the Cube Con discord inspired him to flesh out the idea even further. Our first playmat is currently available for pre-order! I…

1
The episode concerning the art provokes. 1:17:44

1M ago1:17:44

1:17:44

Our first, limited edition playmat is now available for pre-order. The playmat is designed and illustrated by Andy and custom printed to order. Orders will only be available for a limited time. Pre-order a mat here. Andy and Anthony talk about “ART!” loosely as it relates to Magic: The Gathering. They talk about the role of creative work in the gam…

1
Vibes-Forward Cube Design with Ryan Overturf 1:06:30

1M ago1:06:30

1:06:30

Andy and Anthony are joined by Ryan Overturf, sharing his Cube design wisdom. Starting with Ryan’s articles on power outliers and letting fun drive Cube design, they talk about their approach to Cube design and how they let play experience, vibes, and taste inform their processes. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episod…

1
Murders at Karlov Manor Cube Community Set Review 1:00:55

2M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Andy, Anthony, and Parker review the results of the Murders at Karlov Manor Cube Community Survey and discuss the top cards, tested by the most Cube designers. They dig into some trends, patterns, and surprises in the cards people are giving a chance in their environments. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Usman…

1
Second Order Interaction in Cube Design 56:01

2M ago56:01

56:01

Andy and Anthony talk about layers of interaction in Cube design. Some cards interact with particular effects. Other cards are, in turn, resistant to those responses. Inevitably other cards get around those resistances. Our hosts talk about how they approach these orders of interaction. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this …

1
Peasant Cube, Accessibility, and Playing within Restrictions with Emma Partlow 1:00:27

2M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Well, it’s my (Andy’s) final week of writing the show notes as punishment for losing a bet against Anthony. But that’s ok, because writing these particular notes is a privilege, as we are joined by special guest Emma Partlow on this episode! We’be been trying to get Emma on the show for a long time and I’m really glad we were finally able to make i…

1
Murders at Karlov Manor and Ravnica: Clue Edition Personal Cube Additions 1:11:08

2M ago1:11:08

1:11:08

Well folks, it happened. I lost the bet on air last week about whether or not Wizards would include a physical, punch-out reminder for “suspected” creatures in the pre-release kit for Murders at Karlov Manor, so here I am writing the notes. I still think it’s weird that they literally include a counter for a mechanic that they explicitly designed t…

1
Murders at Karlov Manor and Ravnica: Clue Edition First Impressions 52:34

2M ago52:34

52:34

Andy and Anthony discuss the mechanics of Murders at Karlov Manor, along with satellite sets, and their first impressions of the set for Cube.⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠Discussed in this episode: Set Surveys: Murders at Karlov Manor Mechanics Mothership Article A new Returning Mechanic, but Tweaked, @luckypapermtg on Twitter Boonta …

1
Solving Game Design Issues with Marshmallows 1:10:11

3M ago1:10:11

1:10:11

Andy and Anthony talk about Anthony’s experimental Battle Box where players start at three life, can cast spells without paying their mana cost, and start the game with two Lightning Bolts on the stack. They talk about rapid prototyping and challenges in game design. The novel design didn’t initially play as hoped, and they brainstorm ideas to make…

1
Designing and Playtesting a New Archetype for the Turbo Cube 1:07:44

3M ago1:07:44

1:07:44

Andy and Anthony talk about updates to Anthony’s Turbo Cube and how changing a few cards can impact the way a cube feels. In this environment, all spells and activated abilities cost generic mana less. They cut some of the most potent win conditions including Teferi's Tutelage, and added a handful of cards to bolster black discard focused strategie…

1
Designing and Drafting a Cube on a Budget 1:11:27

3M ago1:11:27

1:11:27

Andy and Anthony talk about cubing on a budget. Between cards, sleeves, and other needs, putting a cube together is not without costs, but the format has some unique attributes that can still make it approachable on a budget. But first, they talk for a long time about Tetris. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Af…

1
Emergent Cube Design by Example 1:00:08

3M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Andy and Anthony talk through emergent cube design by example. Starting with a listener submitted card — Trade Routes — they explore ways to create a context where the card is a role player. Moving beyond direct synergies, they demonstrate how they’d use on card as a seed crystal to generate ideas for a mechanically coherent Cube. ⁠View all cards m…

1
Gold Cards and You 1:06:59

4M ago1:06:59

1:06:59

Andy and Anthony talk about gold cards in Cube. They talk about how they effect decks and drafts and their roles in their own cubes. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Uber Cube Podcast Episode 21: Commander Legends and a Cube that Glitters How Many Lands Should You Include in Your Cube Lucky Paper Radio Cubesmas…

1
Live from Maro’s Lap: the Cubesmas Wishlist Spectacular 1:01:12

4M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Andy, Anthony, and Parker climb up on Maro’s Lap and share their Christmas Cube wishes for the coming year: what cards do they want to see printed for their Cubes, what cycles do they want to see completed, and how much of a Grinch can Anthony be. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Timestamps 0:00 - A very long and involved series of intro…

1
The Changing Landscape of Magic — 2023 in Review 1:17:32

4M ago1:17:32

1:17:32

Andy and Anthony take a look back on 2023, and what a year it’s been! Our hosts discuss some of their favorite things happening this year, including the second annual CubeCon, and a growing number of Cube events. They talk about how valuable Magic has been as a vector for creative outlets. In a candid, critical discussion they share how Magic as a …

1
Holiday Mailbag 1:00:21

4M ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Andy and Anthony open up the mailbag and answer questions from listeners. Our hosts answer all your burning questions about Cube, soup, and probably egg nog? ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: I got a fever of 103 Boonta Vista Murphy’s Law Moore’s Law Sturgeon’s Law Ship of Theseus Heraclitus Midnight Diner bigso…

1
The Nature of Combo in Cube 1:09:43

5M ago1:09:43

1:09:43

Andy and Anthony talk about combos. What is a combo? Is it a spectrum? Almost certainly. How are they related to the aggro-midrange-control metagame? How do they affect the draft and gameplay of a given Cube? Does Anthony hate combos? Does Andy hate combos? Only one way to find out. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this epis…

1
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Cube Community Set Review 54:11

5M ago54:11

54:11

Andy, Anthony, and Parker discuss the results of The Lost Caverns of Ixalan Cube community survey. As always, we asked cube designers to share what cards they’re interested in from Magic’s newest premier set. Our hosts discuss the results: the top, and top rated, cards, as well as other patterns and surprises they found in the results. ⁠View all ca…

1
What Can and Cannot Be Learned From Studying Draft Pools 53:10

5M ago53:10

53:10

Following CubeCon 2023, all pool lists were released to let Cube owners learn about what was successful, or not, in their environments at the event. Andy and Anthony review and discuss the decks drafted from their cubes, how they feel about each environment, and how the outcomes may inform future changes. If you drafted the Bun Magic Cube, Regular …

1
The Lost Caverns of Ixalan First Impressions, Mechanics, and Personal Cube Additions 1:31:07

5M ago1:31:07

1:31:07

Andy and Anthony take a first look at The Lost Caverns of Ixalan. They talk about the set in broad strokes, what they think about the mechanics and how they can potentially slot into different Cube environments. Then the look into individual cards they’re interested in for their own, curated environments. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠…

1
Riding Siege Rhinos to Victory with Tim Meyers 1:42:14

6M ago1:42:14

1:42:14

Andy and Anthony are joined by Tim Meyers, a.k.a. donald_k_magic, CubeCon 2023 Champion who shares his wisdom and experience of his path to ultimate Victory! In a field of 400 Cube enthusiasts, Tim’s love of the game carried him to a spot in the top 64, to 3-0 is draft to earn a spot in the top 8 draft, and finally, working with a deck he felt had …

1
Refreshingly Dangerous Confusion with Dom Harvey 1:26:32

6M ago1:26:32

1:26:32

Dom Harvey joins Andy and Anthony for a recap of the second annual CubeCon. They discuss their experience at the con, the variety of cube they played, and get Dom’s take on how to be successful when approaching new, and sometimes strange, environments. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: MTG Cube Con Worlds 2012 C…

1
Cube Accessibility: Making Magic Approachable and Welcoming 50:47

6M ago50:47

50:47

Andy and Anthony talk about accessibility in Cube design: why it’s important, especially to the many of us who are trying to expand our local Cube playgroups, and key things to consider. They talk about the practical, surface level issues of cards that can be difficult to understand, as well as ways to design a Cube to make drafting it for the firs…

1
The Road to CubeCon 2023 13:19

6M ago13:19

13:19

We’re on our way to the second annual CubeCon! If you’re not able to attend, make sure to tune into the live stream, which Andy, Justin, and the rest of the coverage team have been working really hard on. If you’re attending CubeCon, we can’t wait to meet you or see you again. Please introduce yourselves and remind us of your online handle, if rele…

1
In Praise of Lower Mana Curves 1:03:06

6M ago1:03:06

1:03:06

Andy and Anthony talk about mana curves in cubes. They talk about how it influences gameplay and the relationship between curve, speed, and the more difficult to pin down “power level”. They also talk about how they as cube designers think about the mana curve. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: You Look Nice Tod…

1
Spike University Part Two with Justin Parnell 1:34:13

7M ago1:34:13

1:34:13

Andy, Anthony, and Justin continue last weeks discussion through the Cubes that will be featured in the imminent Cube Con of 2023 reviewing the second half of the cubes that will be featured on live and recorded coverage. They talk about their approaches to drafting each unique environment and what to expect. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episod…

1
Spike University Part One with Justin Parnell 1:51:30

7M ago1:51:30

1:51:30

This is your last chance to pre-order a Cube Map Print for Cube Con! Pre-order now Andy and Anthony are joined by Justin Parnell to talk about the Cubes that will be featured on coverage in Cube Con 2023. They go through the first half, cube by cube, and talk about what the Cube is, and how they’d approach drafting it, ending with a pack 1 pick one…

1
Bun Magic Cube Draft Primer 1:16:08

7M ago1:16:08

1:16:08

Andy and Anthony give a primer on drafting Andy’s Bun Magic Cube. They talk about how the environment compares to similar Cubes that play many of the most iconic, powerful cards in the game. They discuss key cards, strategies, and potential pitfalls players could fall into. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Cube…

1
Wilds of Eldraine Cube Community Set Review 1:28:25

7M ago1:28:25

1:28:25

Andy, Anthony, and Parker review the results of the Cube community set review of Wilds of Eldraine. They discuss the top cards from the set. No surprise, adventure cards dominate. They also reflect on some of the potentially changing attitudes of the Cube community reflected in the differences between this, and past set reviews. ⁠View all cards men…

1
The ABCs of Control 1:16:17

8M ago1:16:17

1:16:17

Andy and Anthony talk finally follow up on episode 6 and discuss control decks. They talk about what makes a control deck, what it takes to make them functional, and the different ways they look in different Cube environments. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Episode 132: Designing Set Cubes with Aran Episode 6…

1
Wilds of Eldraine First Impressions, Mechanics, and Personal Cube Additions 1:29:58

8M ago1:29:58

1:29:58

Andy and Anthony talk about their first impressions of Wilds of Eldraine. Fresh off the new set’s prerelease they talk about the mechanics, both returning and brand new, and what they offer Cube designers. Then they dive into the specific cards each of them is giving a try in their Cubes. View all cards mentioned in the episode → Discussed in this …

1
Draft Matters 1:00:26

8M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Andy and Anthony talk about mechanics and cards that interact with drafting. Coming just from the two conspiracy sets this small, unique set of cards change based on when they’re drafted or let players take additional actions during the draft. They focus in particular on Cogwork Librarian that’s a perfect draft twist that finds its way into many cu…

1
State of the Game 2023 1:04:37

8M ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Andy and Anthony talk about Mark Rosewater, Magic’s lead designer’s, yearly article on the game’s state of design for 2023. They reflect on the past year’s sets and how Mark’s internal design perspective lines up with their own experience. View all cards mentioned in the episode → Discussed in this episode: Labyrinth Oppenheimer Mark Rosewater’s St…

1
Admiring and Analyzing Aquaone’s Powered Cube 1:23:45

8M ago1:23:45

1:23:45

Andy and Anthony’s plan for this week’s episode fell through, so instead they’re sharing the audio from a stream in which they discussed Aquaone’s legendary Powered Cube with the designer himself. Discussed in this episode: Aquaone’s Powered Cube Caleb Gannon’s Algomancy on Kickstarter Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay. You…

1
Man vs. Machine 2: Judgment Day 1:12:03

9M ago1:12:03

1:12:03

Andy and Anthony look at the cards recommended by Cube Cobra’s ‘recommender’ which analyzes every Cube on Cube Cobra, and generates a list of cards that are unusual among similar lists. They look at the ‘suggested cuts’ for their main cubes and talk about why, or why not, they think these unique inclusions make sense. They also take a step back and…

1
Restrictions Breed Podcast Topics 50:27

9M ago50:27

50:27

Andy and Anthony talk about Cube restrictions. As they often say, restrictions breed creativity, but they can also provide an identity and structure to Cubes. Our hosts discuss how and why players choose design constraints, the advantages they bring to the table, and when to loosen up on them. View all cards mentioned in the episode → Discussed in …

1
Wishes, Lesson/Learn, and Companions: The Dynamics of Outside the Game Mechanics 59:28

9M ago59:28

59:28

Andy and Anthony talk about Wishes! Wishes are a special class of cards that let you access cards from outside your game. In competitive play and drafts, this means any card from your sideboard. In casual play anything at all from your collection. Andy talks about why it’s interesting to him and the challenges he’s faced trying to design a Cube foc…

1
Cheese Two Ways 56:55

9M ago56:55

56:55

Andy and Anthony dig into two kinds of cheese: “cheesing people out” in games of Magic and how to serve it up when hosting game nights. They talk about moments in games where it feels like one player steals a game that they shouldn’t have won. Are these positive or negative experiences and how can we curate Cubes to enable to discourage them? Next …

1
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Cube Community Set Review 1:25:47

10M ago1:25:47

1:25:47

Andy, Anthony, and Parker review the Cube community response to The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Magic’s first full, draftable crossover set comes with plenty of opportunities, and some surprises, for the Cube community. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Community Set Review Article Commander Review…

1
The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Mechanics & Cube Additions 1:19:51

10M ago1:19:51

1:19:51

This is your last week to fill out the Lord of the Rings and associated commander deck surveys! Share your own perspective on the new set. Andy and Anthony take a first look at Magic’s first, full crossover set: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. They talk about the mechanics and their first impressions of the set. Share some of the card…

1
Deeper than Winrate: Measuring Growth as a Player in Casual Magic 1:04:14

10M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

After tracking his wins and losses across all of his Cube drafts for six months, Andy is reviewing the results with Anthony and discussing why he is abandoning this practice. But, if he’s not tracking the results of his Cube matches, how does he know if he is growing as a player? What actually matters, and how do you measure it? Plus, our hosts ask…

1
Live from SCGCon Baltimore 2023: Bun Magic Cube Rotisserie Draft Review 1:11:05

10M ago1:11:05

1:11:05

After a long weekend of Cube drafts, Andy doesn’t have time to edit a proper episode of the show, so instead he piles four of his buddies into his cozy little basement studio to talk about a recent rotisserie draft of his Bun Magic Cube. Which deck came out on top? Are newer, more committal and synergistic cards pulling their weight? If Andy finall…

1
In Defense of Forcing: How to Draft Cube Successfully with Ryan Saxe 1:33:49

11M ago1:33:49

1:33:49

Andy and Anthony are joined once again by the legendary Ryan Saxe to talk about his approach to drafting and how he applies that to Cube. Building off the approach Ryan describes in an episode of Limited Level Ups they discuss about how and when it makes sense to ‘force’ a draft and focus on optimal outcomes over investing in reading the table. ⁠Vi…

1
The Risks and Rewards of Custom Rules in Cube 59:11

11M ago59:11

59:11

Andy and Anthony talk about custom rules in Cubes. Cube is a unique Magic space where designers truly have full control over the game and can change it however they like. Beyond just choosing the cards they include, designers change the game fundamental with plane-like effects. Our hosts discuss the very substantial risks of custom rules to accessi…

1
Xerox Theory and You 1:03:40

11M ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Andy and Anthony talk about “Xerox Theory” a strategic Magic concept involving cantrips, land count, a balance of resources. Andy explains the history and origins of the idea, as documented by Mike Flores’s 2005 article. They talk about how the concept applies differently in early and contemporary Magic and how it’s relevant, or not, to different t…

1
Going Against Your Intuition: A Different Approach to Tuning the Neoclassical Cube 1:00:49

11M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

Andy and Anthony talk about the current state of Andy’s Neoclassical Cube. They look at how drafts have played out, potential areas for change, and some specific directions Andy’s considering taking the cube. ⁠View all cards mentioned in the episode →⁠ Discussed in this episode: Andy’s Neoclassical Cube Regular Cube Update Episode with James The De…

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