Zach Barash
@improphilo.bsky.social
Game designer. NYU Game Center MFA & Hipster of the Coast alumnus. #WotCStaff on MTG Arena. He/him.
Hello, world!
At 4:00pm EST (so, in ~40 minutes from the time of this post), I'm going live at twitch.tv/magic streaming Powered Cube to support Seattle Children's Hospital through #ExtraLife. We're under $50 away from my bonus stream stretch goal!
Come hang out and donate to a good cause.
At 4:00pm EST (so, in ~40 minutes from the time of this post), I'm going live at twitch.tv/magic streaming Powered Cube to support Seattle Children's Hospital through #ExtraLife. We're under $50 away from my bonus stream stretch goal!
Come hang out and donate to a good cause.
Magic - Twitch
EXTRA LIFE - EMPLOYEE TAKEOVER STREAM
twitch.tv
November 3, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Hello, world!
At 4:00pm EST (so, in ~40 minutes from the time of this post), I'm going live at twitch.tv/magic streaming Powered Cube to support Seattle Children's Hospital through #ExtraLife. We're under $50 away from my bonus stream stretch goal!
Come hang out and donate to a good cause.
At 4:00pm EST (so, in ~40 minutes from the time of this post), I'm going live at twitch.tv/magic streaming Powered Cube to support Seattle Children's Hospital through #ExtraLife. We're under $50 away from my bonus stream stretch goal!
Come hang out and donate to a good cause.
Reposted by Zach Barash
Incredibly cool to see @cubeforacause.upkeepnewyork.com shouted out on @tolariancommunitycollege.com in their latest video! I think this speaks to the joy coming from the proliferation of local cube events, literally across the world.
October 30, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Incredibly cool to see @cubeforacause.upkeepnewyork.com shouted out on @tolariancommunitycollege.com in their latest video! I think this speaks to the joy coming from the proliferation of local cube events, literally across the world.
Very, very excited to share the Arena Powered Cube list (and some design backstory).
magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
#wotcstaff
magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
#wotcstaff
Arena Powered Cube Design and Card List
Introducing Powered Cube, a Cube event with the Power Nine, Tolarian Academy, and even Booster Tutor.
magic.wizards.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Very, very excited to share the Arena Powered Cube list (and some design backstory).
magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
#wotcstaff
magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
#wotcstaff
Reposted by Zach Barash
Get ready to play with some VERY powerful Magic cards (say hi to Power Nine) in our new limited-time event, Arena Powered Cube! The drafting fun begins 10/28.
Learn more: magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
Learn more: magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
Announcing the Arena Powered Cube!
Harness some of the strongest cards in Magic's history with Powered Cube. Now, the power is in your hands.
magic.wizards.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Get ready to play with some VERY powerful Magic cards (say hi to Power Nine) in our new limited-time event, Arena Powered Cube! The drafting fun begins 10/28.
Learn more: magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
Learn more: magic.wizards.com/en/news/mtg-...
Reposted by Zach Barash
Congratulations to Shariq Moore claiming the crown this year!
Check out Shariq’s final match against Abe Corrigan on the twitch stream vod below:
www.twitch.tv/videos...
#Cubecon2025 #mtgcube
Check out Shariq’s final match against Abe Corrigan on the twitch stream vod below:
www.twitch.tv/videos...
#Cubecon2025 #mtgcube
October 20, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Congratulations to Shariq Moore claiming the crown this year!
Check out Shariq’s final match against Abe Corrigan on the twitch stream vod below:
www.twitch.tv/videos...
#Cubecon2025 #mtgcube
Check out Shariq’s final match against Abe Corrigan on the twitch stream vod below:
www.twitch.tv/videos...
#Cubecon2025 #mtgcube
Reposted by Zach Barash
This year, CubeCon is raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in honor of our dear friend Jonathan Brostoff, who we tragically lost 1 year ago. Please consider tuning in and donating to this important cause.
Tiltify - Made for Fundraisers
We give you the tools to engage with your donors and raise more for your charity
tilt.fyi
October 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This year, CubeCon is raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in honor of our dear friend Jonathan Brostoff, who we tragically lost 1 year ago. Please consider tuning in and donating to this important cause.
Reposted by Zach Barash
We're so excited for those of you at home to tune in live for four days of world class Cube coverage! Catch all the action here: www.twitch.tv/cubeco...
October 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
We're so excited for those of you at home to tune in live for four days of world class Cube coverage! Catch all the action here: www.twitch.tv/cubeco...
Reposted by Zach Barash
AND JUST SO Y’ALL KNOW HOW SERIOUS WE ARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AW26!!!
WE ARE GONNA BE BACK AS USUAL
2/21/26 - 2/22/26
WE ARE GONNA BE BACK AS USUAL
2/21/26 - 2/22/26
August 25, 2025 at 2:52 PM
AND JUST SO Y’ALL KNOW HOW SERIOUS WE ARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR AW26!!!
WE ARE GONNA BE BACK AS USUAL
2/21/26 - 2/22/26
WE ARE GONNA BE BACK AS USUAL
2/21/26 - 2/22/26
Reposted by Zach Barash
Our top 8 is truly so fire y’all
August 24, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Our top 8 is truly so fire y’all
Reposted by Zach Barash
Moment of vulnerability- when I sat down with @jenn-the-judge.bsky.social earlier this year for coffee and said I wanted to double #C4AC I thought it was a super ambitious & unrealistic goal. As of today we’ve sold 104 tickets and expanded what we do & offer and I’m so happy.
See y’all Saturday 😭
See y’all Saturday 😭
August 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Moment of vulnerability- when I sat down with @jenn-the-judge.bsky.social earlier this year for coffee and said I wanted to double #C4AC I thought it was a super ambitious & unrealistic goal. As of today we’ve sold 104 tickets and expanded what we do & offer and I’m so happy.
See y’all Saturday 😭
See y’all Saturday 😭
Reposted by Zach Barash
#mtgcube fam - we said we weren’t done with exciting announcements!
This #C4AC we’re partnering with our friend @andy.luckypaper.co and our pal @nyc-mtg.bsky.social for a 2 day charity stream with community special guests!!
Want to join us?
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
This #C4AC we’re partnering with our friend @andy.luckypaper.co and our pal @nyc-mtg.bsky.social for a 2 day charity stream with community special guests!!
Want to join us?
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
July 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM
#mtgcube fam - we said we weren’t done with exciting announcements!
This #C4AC we’re partnering with our friend @andy.luckypaper.co and our pal @nyc-mtg.bsky.social for a 2 day charity stream with community special guests!!
Want to join us?
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
This #C4AC we’re partnering with our friend @andy.luckypaper.co and our pal @nyc-mtg.bsky.social for a 2 day charity stream with community special guests!!
Want to join us?
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
Reposted by Zach Barash
If you’re coming to #MCVegas and looking to cube, definitely hit me or @dinrovahorror.mtgcu.be up. I’m sure we will be cubing every day. 🫡
June 17, 2025 at 6:43 AM
If you’re coming to #MCVegas and looking to cube, definitely hit me or @dinrovahorror.mtgcu.be up. I’m sure we will be cubing every day. 🫡
Reposted by Zach Barash
The pressure is off for Julien Henry @lyserg.bsky.social - strong finishes at the last 2 Pro Tours have secured him a slot on the pro circuit through the rest of the year. Now he can set his sights on qualifying for his first World Championship.
June 14, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The pressure is off for Julien Henry @lyserg.bsky.social - strong finishes at the last 2 Pro Tours have secured him a slot on the pro circuit through the rest of the year. Now he can set his sights on qualifying for his first World Championship.
Reposted by Zach Barash
A fix has been implemented, and #MTGArena is back online. We are continuing to monitor the situation.
🌐 Status Page: http://spr.ly/633294yZLb
🌐 Status Page: http://spr.ly/633294yZLb
Connectivity Issues
MTG Arena's Status Page - Connectivity Issues.
spr.ly
June 10, 2025 at 9:32 PM
A fix has been implemented, and #MTGArena is back online. We are continuing to monitor the situation.
🌐 Status Page: http://spr.ly/633294yZLb
🌐 Status Page: http://spr.ly/633294yZLb
The Cascade Cube returns to CubeCon! Each player has a Maelstrom Nexus emblem in the command zone and the environment strongly rewards building around it.
This pack is a great introductory pack, as there's a lot of sizzle but one best option.
#wotcstaff
This pack is a great introductory pack, as there's a lot of sizzle but one best option.
#wotcstaff
Up next, I hope you like Cascade! We have WotC Game Designer Zach Barash's Cascade Cube. Each player starts the game with a Malestrom Nexus on the battlefield. Cheat out cards, cast some free spells, what more could you want? How would you start? #CubeCon2025 #mtgcube
May 30, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The Cascade Cube returns to CubeCon! Each player has a Maelstrom Nexus emblem in the command zone and the environment strongly rewards building around it.
This pack is a great introductory pack, as there's a lot of sizzle but one best option.
#wotcstaff
This pack is a great introductory pack, as there's a lot of sizzle but one best option.
#wotcstaff
Reposted by Zach Barash
A menu of our cube offerings for our first Queer Magic Night TONIGHT! We can't wait to see everybody at Brooklyn Game Knight in Industry City at 7pm.
May 6, 2025 at 5:23 PM
A menu of our cube offerings for our first Queer Magic Night TONIGHT! We can't wait to see everybody at Brooklyn Game Knight in Industry City at 7pm.
Reposted by Zach Barash
If you watched this video
And you liked it
And you live in NYC
You should come to Upkeep
7 pm every Wednesday
@ Brooklyn Game Knight in industry city
We don’t have this one
But we do have great cubes
And a lot of fun
Cube is forever baby
Come game with us
#mtgcube
And you liked it
And you live in NYC
You should come to Upkeep
7 pm every Wednesday
@ Brooklyn Game Knight in industry city
We don’t have this one
But we do have great cubes
And a lot of fun
Cube is forever baby
Come game with us
#mtgcube
This video is about Andy Mangold’s unconventional Ornithopter cube and the community that has become its champion.
ft. @andy.luckypaper.co
🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...
ft. @andy.luckypaper.co
🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...
May 6, 2025 at 2:30 AM
If you watched this video
And you liked it
And you live in NYC
You should come to Upkeep
7 pm every Wednesday
@ Brooklyn Game Knight in industry city
We don’t have this one
But we do have great cubes
And a lot of fun
Cube is forever baby
Come game with us
#mtgcube
And you liked it
And you live in NYC
You should come to Upkeep
7 pm every Wednesday
@ Brooklyn Game Knight in industry city
We don’t have this one
But we do have great cubes
And a lot of fun
Cube is forever baby
Come game with us
#mtgcube
Reposted by Zach Barash
This video is about Andy Mangold’s unconventional Ornithopter cube and the community that has become its champion.
ft. @andy.luckypaper.co
🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...
ft. @andy.luckypaper.co
🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...
May 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This video is about Andy Mangold’s unconventional Ornithopter cube and the community that has become its champion.
ft. @andy.luckypaper.co
🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...
ft. @andy.luckypaper.co
🎥 youtu.be/Pddm1gbBuWE?...
Reposted by Zach Barash
CUBE FOR A CAUSE SS25 is LIVE!!
8/23-8/24 | MAKE THE ROAD NY |
Tickets can be bought HERE: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
Cube announcements and more are coming!!!
8/23-8/24 | MAKE THE ROAD NY |
Tickets can be bought HERE: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
Cube announcements and more are coming!!!
April 21, 2025 at 5:39 PM
CUBE FOR A CAUSE SS25 is LIVE!!
8/23-8/24 | MAKE THE ROAD NY |
Tickets can be bought HERE: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
Cube announcements and more are coming!!!
8/23-8/24 | MAKE THE ROAD NY |
Tickets can be bought HERE: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-ss25-ti...
Cube announcements and more are coming!!!
Home taking care of our newborn and LOVING seeing folks' updates from @bostoncubeparty.com. Please tag me for any and all #CascadeCube deck pics, notes, experiences, feedback, or even complaints.
April 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Home taking care of our newborn and LOVING seeing folks' updates from @bostoncubeparty.com. Please tag me for any and all #CascadeCube deck pics, notes, experiences, feedback, or even complaints.
Reposted by Zach Barash
MAGIC THE GATHERING PLAYERS!
We’re thrilled to announce the Cube For A Cause SS25 dates have been confirmed - 8/23-8/24! Mark your calendars! RTs are appreciated!
We’re thrilled to announce the Cube For A Cause SS25 dates have been confirmed - 8/23-8/24! Mark your calendars! RTs are appreciated!
March 13, 2025 at 4:56 PM
MAGIC THE GATHERING PLAYERS!
We’re thrilled to announce the Cube For A Cause SS25 dates have been confirmed - 8/23-8/24! Mark your calendars! RTs are appreciated!
We’re thrilled to announce the Cube For A Cause SS25 dates have been confirmed - 8/23-8/24! Mark your calendars! RTs are appreciated!
Reposted by Zach Barash
We've got @improphilo.bsky.social back in the studio for the third installment of our mini series "The Barash Files". This time around Zach is telling tales of the times he's drafted @anthony.luckypaper.co and my cubes luckypaper.co/podcast/236-...
Episode 236: The Barash Files 003 — Reflections on Cube Drafts Past — Lucky Paper Radio
Zach shares stories of his drafts of Andy and Anthony's Cubes over the last few years, offering insights into their designs and how he approaches them as a player.
luckypaper.co
January 27, 2025 at 3:10 PM
We've got @improphilo.bsky.social back in the studio for the third installment of our mini series "The Barash Files". This time around Zach is telling tales of the times he's drafted @anthony.luckypaper.co and my cubes luckypaper.co/podcast/236-...
An incredible human goes into incredible depth about shuffling. A+++ work from Anthony.
For years I've suspected the conventional way of shuffling cubes was not very effective. I did a detailed analysis, including simulations of common methods, to understand it better and come up with an efficient strategy: the Broadcast Shuffle.
luckypaper.co/articles/the...
luckypaper.co/articles/the...
The Shuffler Really is Broken: Finding the Best Method for Shuffling Cubes — Lucky Paper
The conventional Cube wisdom may be to shuffle a cube as a group, exchanging piles randomly around the table, but in this case the shuffler is in fact broken! Here's why and how to shuffle your cube t...
luckypaper.co
January 15, 2025 at 12:03 PM
An incredible human goes into incredible depth about shuffling. A+++ work from Anthony.
Reposted by Zach Barash
I got to chat with @woodwould.bsky.social about the designing of Slayer's Fang! Completely humbled to get to do what I do. This is so surreal. Thanks for the chat and thanks for a great first week of Slayer's Fang out in the wild!
www.gamesradar.com/games/destin...
www.gamesradar.com/games/destin...
The Destiny 2 dev behind Titan's game-changing Banner of War was also on its new Exotic shotgun Slayer's Fang: "I gotta live up to this, especially as my first gun"
The making of Slayer's Fang, the crown jewel of Kell's Fall
www.gamesradar.com
January 10, 2025 at 11:29 PM
I got to chat with @woodwould.bsky.social about the designing of Slayer's Fang! Completely humbled to get to do what I do. This is so surreal. Thanks for the chat and thanks for a great first week of Slayer's Fang out in the wild!
www.gamesradar.com/games/destin...
www.gamesradar.com/games/destin...
Reposted by Zach Barash
The next cube up that we’re thrilled to host is the Cascade Cube designed by @improphilo.bsky.social! In this iconic environment you start with a maelstrom nexus emblem in play giving your first spell each turn Cascade. cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-aw25-ti...
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-aw25-ti...
Cube Cobra Overview: The Cascade Cube
Hello, friend! Let me ask you a question: how would you feel about starting your next game of Magic with Maelstrom Nexus on the battlefield?
>>>
[[!Maelstrom Nexus]]
WHEEEEEE
=========
<<<
Now, befo...
cubecobra.com
January 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The next cube up that we’re thrilled to host is the Cascade Cube designed by @improphilo.bsky.social! In this iconic environment you start with a maelstrom nexus emblem in play giving your first spell each turn Cascade. cubecobra.com/cube/overvie...
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-aw25-ti...
Tix here: www.upkeepnewyork.com/c4ac-aw25-ti...