Magic: The Gathering Cube design is often talked about in terms of power level, archetypes, and card choices, but much less is said about the people quietly building and nurturing these environments. In a recent interview with Kade aka "DomriKade," host of the Recross the Paths Podcast we explored the human side of Cube, the philosophy behind intentional design, and why showcasing diverse voices matters so much for the Magic community.

Who Is Kade?

Kade wears a lot of hats.

• Musician - Kade holds a master's degree in trumpet performance, plays in local symphonies, and even recorded the intro/outro stingers for the Recross the Paths Podcast
• Magic Judge - Years of judging have sharpened his understanding of rules, interactions, and how players actually experience the game.
• Cube-focused interviewer - Through Recross the Paths, Kade spotlights Cube designers, organizers, and thinkers from across the community, especially those who aren't already front-and-center in the content space.

If you're searching for more content on Cubes, Kade's work is a prime example of how to do it with intention and kindness.

The Counters of Monte Cristo: A Synergistic, Accessible Cube

Kade's signature project: Counters of Monte Cristo, is his first Cube and a long-running labor of love. The core concept focuses on counters of all kinds, but narrows in on +1/+1 counters and charge counters. Instead of trying to jam every counter type in Magic's history, Kade deliberately narrows the focus. The result is a Cube with certain qualities.

• Readable at a glance - It's usually obvious what affects power and toughness and what doesn't.
• Synergistic by default - If you draft cards from the Cube, "they generally play together pretty nicely."
• Low failure rate - Even newer drafters can assemble functional decks, because the environment quietly funnels you into synergy.

Design Over Time

Kade has been curating Counters of Monte Cristo for roughly six years. During that time, some things have changed.

• Wizards has expanded how they use counters and diversified counter types.
• Kade has intentionally stayed focused on +1/+1 and charge counters to retain clarity and simplicity.
• He's tuned the mana fixing and power band to avoid five-color soup and excessive card advantage, maintaining a flatter, more interactive experience.

This long-term iteration makes the Counters of Monte Cristo an instructive case study for how to evolve a custom cube without losing its identity.

Naming, Identity, and the Power of the Elevator Pitch

In a world where events like CubeCon feature 60+ Cubes, and Discord servers are full of lists, a Cube needs a hook. Kade nails this with the memorable and descriptive Counters of Monte Cristo, but he also has excellent advice for folks trying to refine their own pitch.

A memorable name, like Counters of Monte Cristo, is the first step because it makes people pause. From there you need to develop an elevator pitch that is both concise and informative. Potential drafters quickly understand what they're signing up for. Lastly, a good name and elevator pitch can help the designer stay honest to their original vision.

Wisdom for Aspiring Cube Designers

Beyond the importance of naming conventions, Kade offers three additional kernels of wisdom for aspiring Cube designers.

1. Start with what excites you. A single mechanic, a Constructed format, an aesthetic, or a story. Whatever grabs your attention will sustain you through the hard parts of curation and iteration.
2. Find fulfillment in the process, not just the results. Not every idea will resonate with your group or the wider community, but if the process teaches you about your own preferences, you've already succeeded. If others also love it and want to draft again, that's just a bonus.
3. Lastly, and perhaps most divisively, Kade encourages people to break singleton more often. For the uninitiated, most Cubes stick to singleton ruleset like Commander where you will only see one copy of each card. Kade offers some compelling arguments as to why people should reconsider Cube to be a singleton format by default.

Hot Takes: Breaking Singleton and Redundancy in Cube

In many Cubes, Red removal suites are a pile of near-clones: Lightning Bolt, Lightning Strike, Incinerate, Pillar of Flame, and so on... Kade argues that you should find the speed and strength of burn you want for your environment, and play multiple copies of that effect instead of a dozen slightly different versions.

As a result, you reduce the mental load of your players, keep interaction more predictable, and avoid the "my opponent got the strictly better burn spell" feel-bads. The argument was so compelling, that I tried it out in my budget Cube, The Bargain Bin, and I couldn't be happier. The Cube does a better job of accomplishing the gameplay I want to promote, and new drafters have a much easier time picking up on the themes and power level.

Recross the Paths: A Podcast for Cube Voices

Beyond his own Cubes, Kade's biggest impact may be through his podcast, Recross the Paths, an interview-focused, Cube-centered show.

Kade intentionally seeks out less-amplified voices: local organizers, niche designers, and people with diverse perspectives and lived experiences. The tone is curious, generous, and community-focused. It avoids shock value in favor of deep listening and genuine interest. The level of calm curiosity that Kade brings into each interview creates a platform where even the most timid public speakers get a chance to be heard. The format and the execution of his Podcast are truly an inspiration and serve as a guide for anyone looking to do interviews right.

Closing Thoughts: Curiosity Over Judgment

As a Podcast host and person, Kade embodies a philosophy that everyone could take notes from:

For players searching for positive Magic content, healthy community culture, and inclusivity, Kade's outlook offers a refreshing alternative to the doom-and-gloom you might find elsewhere.