For anyone who is curious about the growing scene of Cube tournaments, you've likely had logistical questions about how it works. How do you judge an event like that? How do you manage multiple simultaneous pods of unique draft environments? How do you manage security when you're letting strangers play with your Cube? For many Judges that sounds like a bit of a nightmare but for Judge Bones it's a dream.

Who Is Judge Bones?

Despite having a name that sounds like a boss from Dark Souls, Judge Bones is one of the most knowledgeable, friendliest Magic players you could ever hope to meet. He's an accomplished Cube designer with thought provoking projects like the Museum of Modern. But most notably his work as a Judge makes him the, pun intended, backbone of the Cube tournament scene.

If you've been to a Cube tournament in the US, odds are you've seen Judge Bones running between tables answering questions like "what happens if you mutate Illuna, Apex of Wishes onto Volo, Guide to Monsters." And it's his views on Magic, its community, and the importance of imparting knowledge in a friendly way that made me so excited to sit down with him in the first place.

The Linguist & The Educator

According to Bones, "Magic: The Gathering is a language that we use to express ourselves." Some of us have been speaking the language for years, while others are still learning to conjugate and use the stack. In this metaphor, Judge Bones is a linguist who not only mastered the language, but revels in its constant evolution.

Furthermore, he is not just a student of the language but a proficient teacher of its intricacies. Any time spent talking with him will showcase his thoughtful, calm, and warm ability to convey the most complex ideas with simple words.

Both of which are useful skills for anyone hoping to build a community and grow their own local scene. Whether it's Cube or another format like Premodern, the ability to lower the barrier of entry for a new player is crucial to getting them in the door. If you want to keep them around you'll also need to create a welcoming atmosphere like Judge Bones, where learning is encouraged and there are no stupid questions.

The Ultimate Puzzle

If Magic is a language, Judge Bones continues to elaborate that "Cube is the Ultimate puzzle." It is a space where you get to ask fascinating questions of your drafters and see what answers they come up with. As a Cube designer seeing how players solve your puzzle can often be more satisfying than attempting to solve it yourself. So, what questions does Judge Bones ask with his Cubes?

The Museum of Modern, is a nostalgic Cube that asks if it is possible to faithfully recreate the experience of playing Modern circa 2012-2018. The answer is yes. Eiganjo Drift asks how much fun you can have in a draft revolving around Vehicles, and the answer is a lot! The Amonkar Desert asks what if the planes of Amonkhet and Zendikar collided, and the answer is incredible.

For those who are unfamiliar, Desert Cubes are an environment where the players do not get access to basic lands after the draft. If you want a land, you need to draft it. The Amonkar Desert is one of these Cubes and seeks to overlay the harsh zombie filled desert environment of Amonkhet, with the lush yet dangerous exploration of Zendikar. Personally, I do not enjoy Desert Cubes. I'm not here to yuck anyones yum, but after countless attempts I've found that I just have more fun with other Cubes. That being said,

Amonkar is the exception. It is thoughtful, vibrant, fun and fair. If you are looking to build your first Desert Cube or refine a current list, I highly encourage you to take a look at the work that Judge Bones has done.

A Word to the Wise

As a content creator on the internet, I am legally required to ask clickbaity questions like "What's your hot take?" Judge Bones being the thoughtful person he is, not only answered the question with surprising earnestness, but also radically changed how I look at my own Cubes. His answer, "Fewer Cubes should be singleton."

The idea is simple. Duplicating key cards eases the mental load of your players, and balances unintended power discrepancies. If your Cube wants three Green mana dorks, just use three copies of Llanowar Elves. If Lightning Bolt is appropriate in your Cube, add a second copy before adding Shock.

Flooded Strand is a universally accepted pack one pick one, but should it be? If you want players to take the cool card before the fetchland, just add more fetchlands. If you're more likely to see them you're less likely to take them early. But don't take his word for it, take mine.

After our interview I reformatted my Cube, The Bargain Bin, so that it now has two copies of every non-creature spell, and the response was immediate. New players built better decks, power outliers were more easily identified, and games were more fun with less salt. So, what's the take away from all of this? People aren't just won over by a good opinion, they're more open to new ideas when they're conveyed by a trusted reliable source.

Be the Change You Want to See in the World

My time with Judge Bones reminded me quite of a bit of my personal hero, Mr. Rodgers. So, I thought it would be only fitting to conclude with one of his quotes. He once told viewers that in times of uncertainty you need to "Look For The Helpers." Judge Bones is that helper within the Cube community.

Whether you are talking with him at a Cube tournament or asking for rules clarifications on the MTG Cube Talk Discord, you will find his thoughtful approach to communication both reassuring and kind. And I for one think the world could use more people like Judge Bones.