Common themes include: Aggro thats real : low curves, sticky threats, burn/reach, disruptive creatures Tempo : cheap interaction, evasive threats, protecting a lead Midrange value : two-for-ones, planeswalkers, ETB creatures, grind plans Control : sweepers, card draw, removal suites, win conditions that stabilize Synergy decks (but still interactive): +1/+1 counters / tokens graveyard value (not always full reanimator) spells-matter artifacts (more value engine than Tinker you) The big difference vs Vintage is that Modern cubes generally have more games decided in combat , and fewer games decided by did you draw the broken accelerant. Who this category is for Pick a Modern MTG cube if: You want lower variance and fewer non-games
The later release dates and the fact that Wizards of the Coast specifically chose to rotate promos #1-20 for their Neo-On format lends credence to the fact that these promos comprise the Gen 1 era
Flusterstorm Even if youre not fighting a storm deck, Flusterstorm does a good Quench impression for just 1 mana
Bruenor Battlehammer Bruenor Battlehammer is a Forgotten Realms dwarf that can be your equipment-matters commander