View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk with Joe Anderson, proprietor of Cali Cube Champs, host of Joe’s Week in Magic , and a model local cube scene organizer about their theory of Cube Design and some of their favorite game moments. Discussed in this episode: Support Lucky Paper on Patreon Lucky Paper Cube Fellowship Application Nutritious Cube Sacred Geometry Cube The 540 The Third Power Solely Singleton Bun Magic Cube Atomic Cube Companion Cube Aquaone’s Powered Cube C...
Jul 21, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 261
View all cards mentioned in this episode Continuing on their archetype breakdown series, Andy and Anthony talk about midrange decks. They talk about the theory behind the tempo based meta-game and where midrange decks fit. They talk about ways to think of midrange in different cube environments, or if it even makes sense to. They also discuss strategy and how it can be used as a framework for thinking about the way a particular deck can win games. Discussed in this episode: Monster Factory The J...
Jul 14, 2025•59 min•Ep. 260
View all cards mentioned in this episode After five full years of Lucky Paper Radio, Andy and Anthony reflect on how their local playgroup, the podcast, and the broader cube community have evolved. They talk about their recent experience of keeping a weekly Cube night going without a local game store and how you can make it work. They also talk about the supportive, casual vibe of their local community and how a young player having a great time cubing is something of a litmus test for a strong c...
Jul 07, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 259
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony each draft the same seat of Andy’s Neoclassical Cube and then talk about it. They discuss strategy, what they were thinking as they went through each pick, and how they ultimately feel about the decks they drafted. Follow along with each, and see all of the cards from each pack they drafted on the cards mentioned page . If you want to draft this same seat as well, either before or after listening to the episode, follow these steps: Downlo...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 258
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are once again joined by Jenn who shares her expertise in designing set cubes. They talk about Jenn’s experience designing many many set and plane themed cubes and more broadly about the different ways to approach designing them. Discussed in this episode: Cube Con 2025 Tickets Ravnica Idealized Bloodburrow Khans Expanded Cube Episode 229: Fixing is Cringe with Jenn the Judge Sacred Geometry Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cu...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 257
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony send off Andy’s Degenerate Micro Cube . After many years, Andy has decided to take apart the Cube, reclaiming its cards, sleeves, and mental space. The Cube attempted to capture something about the most high powered vintage games with a twist on the typical draft format and a tiny deck size. They talk about why Andy’s decided to take it apart, it’s highs, and lows, and lessons learned from playing with it over the years. Discussed in this...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 256
View all cards mentioned in this episode This episode was recorded a few weeks ago, so forgive the untimely references to the Rhystic Studies video on 100 Ornithopters . At our weekly cube night, Andy and Parker swapped drafts of eachother’s simple cubes: Andy playing Parker’s cube Atavus and Parker playing Andy’s cube Sacred Geometry . On this episode we dive into the goals for each of these cubes, both of which focus on simple cards and strive to be an approachable cube to new drafters, and he...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 255
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony walk through (some of) the history of modal mechanics: cards that offer players choices between multiple effects. Starting with alpha they look at the different manifestations of modality, how they compare and contrast, and how they impact gameplay and fit into their Cube design philosophy. Discussed in this episode: An 11 hour game of commander ends in a draw and irrecoverable footage RhymeZone Neologism Episode: 243: In which Parker sha...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 254
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are joined by Jane (a.k.a. maramas) and Arlo (a.k.a. gaytransmulldrifter) to talk about taste and aesthetics in Cube design. Building off recent discussions on the show, they question if there is such a thing as “taste” in cube design and what it means. Find more of Arlo and Jane, along with a motley cast of Cube designers, on their new podcast Pack1, Slick 1s . Discussed in this episode: Trump’s ‘One, big, beautiful bill’ would ban care ...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 253
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about saprolings, sort of. Our hosts talk about aesthetics and their own personal tastes, and how that applies to their preferences in Magic. Anthony somehow tries to make the case that saprolings connect to a pattern of affinity for systems thinking, complex iterative processes with emergent properties. Discussed in this episode: Episode 211 — Book Club: The Beauty of Games by Frank Lantz Episode 251 — Book Club: Playing Oppression ...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 252
View all cards mentioned in this episode In the second episode of the Lucky Paper Radio Book Club , Andy, Anthony, and Parker discuss Playing Oppression by By Mary Flanagan and Mikael Jakobsson. The book explores the history of colonialism in games - the many roles games have played inculcating explicit propaganda or normalizing colonial value systems in their aesthetics and mechanics. Our club members, including call ins from listeners, talk about what they took from the book and whether it’s c...
May 12, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 251
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about a paradox they occasionally face in Cube design. Sometimes a particular card to strategy over performs and as curators we want to add cards that offer counter play. Often those cards end up being just as potent played alongside the problematic cards as they are against them, only making the problem worse. Our hosts talk about specific times they’ve faced this paradox in their own cubes, and different strategies to break out of ...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 250
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Parker talk about the results of the cube community survey for Tarkir: Dragonstorm. They discuss the sets new mechanics and how they function to support a the set’s themes and limited environment and how that relates to goals of many Cube designers. They also talk about the top cards catching interest on the survey and honorable mentions featuring new mechanics or exploring new space. Discussed in this episode: Community Survey Results ...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 54 min•Ep. 249
View all cards mentioned in this episode As they continue to attend more and more local, grassroots Cube events, Andy and Anthony find themselves asking: do people like these ‘tournament report’ episodes? They try to talk through their drafts at Boston Cube Party Two more quickly, but it still takes almost an hour to get through them. The episode concludes with a brief look at the decklists from Andy’s new cube, Sacred Geometry , which was only drafted three times prior to the event. The cube is...
Apr 21, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 248
View all cards mentioned in this episode In the final installment of ” The Barash Files ” (at least for now!), Zach — game designer at Wizards of the Coast — talks with Andy and Anthony about playtesting. The three talk about how they approach getting feedback on their specific different environments and how they use that information. Discussed in this episode: Episode 15: Playtesting & Theorycrafting Episode 231: The Barash Files 001 — The Principles of Game Design The Cascade Cube Neoclass...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 247
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk all things “combo”. After talking about both aggro and control on the show, they finally get around to this sometimes divisive part of the Magic landscape. They try to come up with a working definition of combo strategies, talk about their own history with it as players and cube designers. Discussed in this episode: Tarkir: Dragonstorm Cube Survey Tarkir: Dragonstorm Commander Cube Survey “The Daigo Parry” Episode 6: ABCs of Aggro Ep...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 246
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are joined by Judge Bones. As mid-sized Cube events have flourished, Bones has spearheaded the task of judging and carried valuable lessons over from event to event. Hot on the heels of The Salt Box in Baltimore, the three talk about Bones’ history with Cube and what it takes to host and judge a Cube event. Discussed in this episode: Eiganjo Drift The Amonkar Desert Cube Bones on Recross the Paths Loxodon Mierarch’s Desert Cube Hedron Net...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 245
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Patrick report on their experience at Baltimore’s first mid-sized Cube event: The Salt Box . Following the pattern of other regional events, the tournament featured multiple drafts of Cubes from the local area, organized by ranked choice selection. The three of them talk through the decks they drafted, highlights of their matches, and their experience beyond of the event, catching up with and hosting the regional cube-heads, at last in ...
Mar 24, 2025•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 244
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Parker talk about Aetherdrift and peripheral sets. They review the results of the Cube community survey where Cube designers submit the cards they’re giving a shot in their cubes and how highly they rate them. They also give their own overall impressions of the set in this single-episode review. Finally, they close with Parker’s rundown of his experience at Cube For a Cause in New York. Discussed in this episode: Aetherdrift and Aetherd...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 243
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy, Anthony, and Zach talk about improving as a Magic player, building a community and how they try to balance the two. They talk about the challenges of fostering positive social standards and how that can conflict with trying to improve at a competitive game. Discussed in this episode: The Null Hypothesis Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay. You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra: Andy’s “Bun Magic” Cube Anthony’s “Regular”...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 242
V iew all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony are joined by Julien from their local playgroup, fresh off the pro-tour, to offer his expert advice on an important topic: updating the Turbo Cube . In Anthony’s novelty cube, the rules are modified so all spells and activated abilities cost Discussed in this episode: The Turbo Cube Cube Events on Lucky Paper Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay. You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra: Andy’s “Bun Magic” Cube A...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 241
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about their favorite cards from the last year. They each go through their top favorite unique cards or cycles discussing their impact on their own cubes, cubes they’ve been playing, or their future potential for the format. Discussed in this episode: Aetherdrift and Aetherdrift Commander Cube surveys The Salt Box Check us out on Twitch and YouTube for paper Cube gameplay. You can find the hosts’ Cubes on Cube Cobra: Andy’s “Bun Magic...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 240
View all cards mentioned in this episode Inspired by two standards of beauty from different cultures — the Japanese Wabi-Sabi and the Italian Sprezzatura — Andy and Anthony are talking about a seemingly mundane card choice in 100 Ornithopters and how that reflects on the aesthetic values that are informally codified in cube design. Discussed in this episode: Aetherdrift and Aetherdrift Commander Cube surveys Boonta Vista 383: “Stanking Ass Or Otherwise” Wabi-Sabi Sprezzatura Wabi-Sabi for Artist...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 239
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about why they think Vintage Cube sucks. Riddled with unintelligibly complicated cards, self-solving puzzles, and value generating haymakers that take no investment or strategy to maximize, it’s not our hosts’ favorite kind of Cube. Discussed in this episode: Aetherdrift and Aetherdrift Commander Cube surveys Really Bad Chess Rusty Box o’ Goblins Quadrant Theory MTGO Vintage Cube on Cube Cobra No Holds Barred Cube on MTGO Parker’s Ar...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 238
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony recap Magic events they participated in this week. First, Anthony talks through his experience at Vertex Philadelphia , a ~100 person Cube tournament. Anthony had another solid run in his drafts, and the event was the first time his new Broadcast Shuffling method was tried at scale to reasonable success. Andy shares his experience helping organize and play in a charity stream for the Tabletop Workers United strike hardship fund . He ended...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 237
View all cards mentioned in this episode On the third installment of The Barash Files , Zach shares stories from his drafts of some of Andy and Anthony’s cubes over the last few years. He shares insights into how he approaches them as a player, and how effectively they deliver on their stated goals. Discussed in this episode: Drafting the Bun Magic Cube with Zach Barash Zach’s Roto Deck Anthony’s Roto Deck Zach’s First Article for Hipsters of the Coast “Level Up Moments” The Turbo Cube Reading R...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 236
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk with Carmen Klomparens , lead designer of the Foundations Starter Collection, about the set and how it’s a great option for new Cube players looking for a starting point. They talk about what’s in the set, how and how it was designed, and then each offer ideas and specific cards they’d add and cut to use it as a cube. Discussed in this episode: Nile on Twitch The full list of cards in the Foundations Starter Collection Foundations St...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 235
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony talk about changes to the design of Magic cards over the years: including some overt changes like “snap on equipment” and more subtle differences in how attack triggers are worded they feel would have been done differently in the past. They talk about how each changes the texture and focus of games and how they think about them as Cube designers, whether they add more options or are a reason to pick cards from particular eras of the game....
Jan 13, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 234
View all cards mentioned in this episode In the second installment of “The Barash Files”, Andy, Anthony, and Zach talk about Cube terminology. They talk about how the language we use effects that kinds of conversations we have which in turn effect the kinds of communities we build. New terminology can enable talking more efficiently about concepts that get condensed into a term, but also make it harder to communicate the nuance and variety in those concepts, potentially making communities harder...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 233
View all cards mentioned in this episode Andy and Anthony close out 2024 reflecting on their year in Magic. This year Magic’s new direction as a product driven primarily by marketing goals fueled with cheap gimmicks and cross branding feels solidified. Our hosts talk, kind of briefly, on how their relationships to the game have changed because of that. More importantly, they talk about their personal highs and lows with the game this year. Regardless of the direction Magic as a product is moving...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 232
