For aggressive and tempo decks: Prioritize lands that enter untapped consistently ( Fetch Lands, Fast Lands, Pain Lands ) Avoid tapped entries that slow down early pressure Accept minor life loss as a reasonable trade-off for speed For control and value-oriented decks: Tapped entries matter less when casting expensive spells turn 4+ Extra utility like scry, cycling, or card draw provides long-term value Lands like Temples, Slow Lands, and Cycling Duals become viable options Budget Considerations Without Sacrificing Performance The best dual lands in MTG span an enormous price range, but strong mana bases exist at every budget level
Punishing draws has been a bit of a theme in the 2020s, and Nekusar has picked up some powerful upgrades in Orcish Bowmasters, Faerie Mastermind, and Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
Cartel Aristocrat A 2/2 that gains protection from colors isnt quite the threat it used to be, but Cartel Aristocrat still has a place in lower-powered cubes and EDH decks
Your own cube gets to represent you as a player, without bowing to any restrictions of playability or card legality