Recross the Paths

On this episode, Leland welcomes us into The An-Havva Inn, a medium-high-powered, graveyard-focused, bar cube. We explore the value of number crunching, how fixing impacts archetypes, and cherishing the Dermotaxis in your life.Leland is the host of a monthly conversational Magic-focused podcast. Be sure to check out Wild Dogs on Spotify and YouTube!The An-Havva Inn on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/anhavvainnWild Dogs on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4VYrLLsN9eSm0uPzwWva2A?si=525d3957255045cfWild Dogs on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WildDogsPodLeland is on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wilddogspod... and on most socials @WildDogsPodEmail this show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Ben guides us through his gargantuan art project - a fully hand-drawn cube! Each card in bbsheps vintage cube was individually illustrated, painted, and cut out with a scalpel to prepare for the table. We discuss wrestling with perfectionism as an artist, evaluating legitimacy of proxies, putting part of yourself into things you care about, and much more.bbsheps vintage on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/bbsheps?view=spoilerBen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbshepsmtg/Ben on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/bbsheps.bsky.socialBen is @bbsheps on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Dirk talks about turning trash into treasure with the Trash Bag Cube, a collaborative project built from the local bargain bin. We also unpack his journey from a tournament grinder to a cube designer and what he's learned along the way. We explore creating positive discomfort, playing Magic for the love of the game, and remembering that no cuber is an island... not even the Blue players.Trash Bag Cube: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/ThisistrashDirk on CubeCobra: https://www.cubecobra.com/user/view/62450f237dd4c3409e7c9fc9Dirk on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/dirkjay.bsky.socialEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Andy graciously shares his passion this week by introducing us to Lucky Paper's Cube Fellowship, an opportunity to support the community by equipping dedicated players to participate in grassroots cube events. We explore attempting to define the cube community, the necessity of intentionality in community- and relationship-building, the value and growth of small cube events, and much more.Participate in the Fellowship: https://luckypaper.co/cube-fellowship/Learn more about all of Andy's projects: https://luckypaper.co/Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Heather guides us through a tour of fascinating projects, starting with Urza's Saga Cube where players begin with the namesake card in their pool. From an Ancient Tomb-centric Dan-Dan variant, to a land-rich and threat-light desert, to a Rochester Planechase draft, there's plenty to be inspired and encouraged by. We discuss constructed influence on cube design, hosting proxy Vintage events, building mean cubes, and much more.Urza's Saga Cube: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/urzas-sagaWurm-Wurm: https://moxfield.com/decks/smvNdMfWzUChpzYZ6dERTgland-ho: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/land-hoPilotwings: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/pilotwingsdatcard: https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/overview/datcardHeather is _frostyyy on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Get a Clue! This week, Jake guides us through his mystery-inspired, blue-focused environment that centers around a Clue-creating emblem. He also talks about some of his work writing creative text for Wizards of the Coast. We discuss balancing flavor and mechanics, using every part of a design element, the value of Tamiyo in Magic fiction, and much more.Jake on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/maelstrompulse.bsky.socialThe Casebook of Tamiyo Planewalker on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TamiyosCasebookEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Chris shares some experiences from his local cube community that shape how he engages with the game. We unpack lessons he's learned on how you can support those around you wherever you fit in the group. We explore interrogating decisions, knowing when to ask for help, seeking inspiration outside the game, and much more.Chris is iwasacashew on DiscordThough we don't talk about it much, The Dandy Cube is on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/thedandycubeIf you're here in the show notes looking for info on the "Chipped Teacup" problem, I searched and couldn't find any evidence of this existing. If you have info I'd love to hear it - or if you're confident I made this up I'm happy to hear that too.Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Recross the Paths crosses the ocean for this week's chat! In this colorful conversation, J.Mul guides us through the Prismatic Desert, an all-gold desert cube. Together we explore embracing challenging experiences, learning valuable lessons in spite of outcomes, meeting your heroes, and much more.Prismatic Desert on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/Prismatic%20DesertJ.Mul on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/ebcd59a1-7be5-48b8-bd7b-81567ae602dbJ.Mul is J.Mul on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Three heads are better than one! This week, the team behind the Chicago Cube shares their philosophy for the project and the value of working as a team. We explore the use of lighthouses in cube design, trusting your friends, a reasonable amount of trash talk, and much more.The Chicago Cube on CubeCobra⁠https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/TheChicagoCube⁠The Chicago Cube Discord (thanks Kyle!)https://discord.gg/jQDhXtJsXFThe Chicago Cube on Bskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/thechicagocube.bsky.social The Chicago Cube YouTube Channelhttps://youtube.com/@thechicagocube?si=Y9jNq90q9Perh7nuEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

There's no school like the Oldest School! Alex guides us through The Oldest School, a nostalgic retro-frame environment where Shivan Dragon and Serra Angel rule. We discuss recreating the feel of playground Magic, the power of Thawing Glaciers, creating the cube only you can create, and more.The Oldest School on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/oldestschoolAlex on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/f667b1a3-6a8a-4dfe-9f3e-6967152aedbdThis American Life story that Alex references about comedian Gad Elmaleh: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/596/becoming-a-badger/act-one-5Email the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

Saddle up for a wild ride through the Okk Corral! Jesse guides us through this bespoke (bespokke?) environment that celebrates everyone's favorite lumbering goblin. We discuss the importance of goals, giving players space to explore, depth behind the gimmicks, and more.Showdown at the Okk Corral on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/OkkCorralJesse on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/6080f4704382111055b83c76Jesse is no_bark on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, Brendan guides us through The Kuleshov Cube, a non-Red, enchantment- and graveyard-focused cube. We meander through discussing the Jace test, Crash Bandicoot, legibility, tentpole cards, package-based design, and more.Brendan on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/griselbrand.comBrendan is haganbmj on DiscordThe Kuleshov Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/meaningThe Kuleshov Cube will be at Captiol Cube Championship 2025: https://capitolcube.org/Further watching and listeningOriginal Kuleshov Effect Demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gGl3LJ7vHc,Andy Gavin; Crash Bandicoot development blog:https://all-things-andy-gavin.com/2011/02/02/making-crash-bandicoot-part-1/,Andy Gavin; Ars Technica Interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSHj5UKSylkEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

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/pinkStephen on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/5dc1705c8540e621ac8255e0Stephen on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/zoydraft.bsky.socialUntap T.O. (Toronto Cube Event): https://untap.ca/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 ResourcesKeyword Handout: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1c7o9DJpegaEAfoUkdm1dpQXkcRU56sXl/editSticker Printout: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1keRZdGyc8qmkxyGwodHfkPmoNH5z5fnl/viewReddit 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/5ea095db12bf071086e7c065Bones on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/goblingathering.bsky.socialEmail 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/611ab36a728d3c103ec765efAlternate History on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/althistoryvintageCube 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/60f9818508b0a5103bac14d0Red Cube Wins! on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/redwinsNick on Bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/nickzlmhc.bsky.socialNick is frrtball. on DiscordEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com

This week, the incomparable Zach Barash and I joyfully meander through conversation on parenting, self-toppling carts, implicit promises, creative projects being icebergs, and much more.Zach on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/611d11c41821250566960dc8Cascade Cube on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/cascadecubeEmail 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/4OnYIYmoCdnnlC7pUVyM0ASam on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/user/view/610c165b750a931047aa23b6Samp's Arena Cube: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/sampSam on bsky: https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.socialSam on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/samp_mtgEmail 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/5d35b48796dd684d71e9fc2dAtavus on CubeCobra: https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/atavusParker on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/parker.luckypaper.coEmail 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 CubeCobraA Firsthand Account of "The Ballpit Incident"Inland Northwest Cube Fest - https://www.tixtree.com/e/inw-cubefest-2025-17d12a2cb4edEmail the show at recrossthepaths@gmail.com