A podcast about Magic: The Gathering Cube, Game Design, and more by TrainmasterGT
cubeengineers.substack.com (https://cubeengineers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Cube Engineers Episode 52: By God Alone for Crusader Kings 3 Review: A Masterclass in Game System Redesigns
We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers!
In this episode, TrainmasterGT reviews the new By God Alone expansion for Crusader Kings III from a game-design standpoint, through the lens of two full campaigns he completed. By God Alone reworks the religion system in CK3, allowing faiths to evolve dynamically over time. Characters can also cultivate a personal relationship with their respective faiths through the new personal tenets system, creating new opportunities for roleplay and historically inspired gameplay. Learn how this expansion successfully executes the new religion system, and what lessons game designers can learn from its implementation!
All Aboard!
Did you know First Class ticket holders on Patreon can now get a signed card from TrainmasterGT on their birthday? Follow this link to find out more and support the show! (https://www.patreon.com/c/CubeEngineers)
Show Notes
Crusader Kings III on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1158310/Crusader_Kings_III/)
By God Alone DLC on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/4232900/Crusader_Kings_III_By_God_Alone/)
Crusader Kings III Chapter V Expansion Pass (https://store.steampowered.com/app/4232880/Crusader_Kings_III_Chapter_V/)
Special thanks to Paradox Interactive for providing an advance review copy of By God Alone for this episode.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com (https://cubeengineers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
We are back on the rails again for another exciting episode of Cube Engineers!
In this episode, TrainmasterGT once again invites the legendary Usman Jamil to review the Reality Fracture Set for Cube! Together, the pair traverse the planar chaos brought about by the creation of Jace’s echoverse. Find out what mirror-universe cards are hot, and which are not! Will this new reality empower Jace and fracture the way we view Cube, or will we fail to overwrite the multiverse in favor of more enlightened pursuits? These questions and more, answered today!
All Aboard!
Did you know First Class ticket holders on Patreon can now get a signed card from TrainmasterGT on their birthday? Follow this link to find out more and support the show! (https://www.patreon.com/c/CubeEngineers)
Show Notes
Off the Rails: Reality Fracture Live Review (https://www.patreon.com/CubeEngineers/posts/off-rails-3-live-170768328)
Usmantherad.com (https://usmantherad.com/)
Usman’s Reality Fracture Review (https://usmantherad.com/2026/09/22/cube-review-reality-fracture-with-kai/)
Usman on Benthic Explorers (https://rss.com/podcasts/benthic-explorers/3156048/)
St. Louis Cube Event: STL (https://stl3cu.be/)3 (https://stl3cu.be/)! (https://stl3cu.be/)
Abdul El-Sayed for Senate (https://abdulforsenate.com/)
Peggy Flannagan for Senate (https://peggyflanagan.com/)
Expunge Article (https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/decisions-decisions-part-ii-2009-08-06)
American Movie (https://clip.cafe/american-movie-1999/coven-man-we-got-get-sucker-done-though-seriously/)
The Mendoza Line (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendoza_Line)
Dum dum dee dee song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xssv5Je-6xk&t=59s)
Tunak Tunak Tun Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ2PtEx9-ls&list=RDeZ2PtEx9-ls&start_radio=1) (1998)
Tunak Tunak Tun History (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tunak_Tunak_Tun)
Kaizen Cube Article (https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/cube-holistic-wisdom-kaizen-and-being-rotty/)
All Tomorrows Lore Video by Alt Shift X (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imNtSPM3-r4)
All Tomorrows Cube (https://riptidelab.com/forum/threads/all-tomorrows.4228/)
Fear and Hunger (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear_%26_Hunger)
Cards Discussed
Vraska’s Final Mercy
Grim Bauble
Virtue of Persistence
Expunge
Bitter Triumph
Lich’s Relic
Way of the Pyromancer
Thundertrap Trainer
Orcish Bowmasters
Sheoldred, the Apocalypse
Mind Stone
Avatar of Burgeoning
No Admittance
Sinister Sabotage
Stingcaster Mage
Snapcaster Mage
Counterspell
Fiery Confluence
Lava Axe
Samut, Hazoret’s Champion
Marwyn, the Clearcutter
Marwyn, the Preserver
Groundskeeper
Kellan, Planar Trailblazer
Carnivorous Cultivator
Deeproot Wayfinder
Jund Landscape
Wooded Foothills
Taiga
Geist of Saint Thalia
Storm Crow
Baral, Chief of Compliance
Goblin Electromancer
Retrofitter Foundry
Squire
Sanctum Lurker
Liliana of the Veil
Elspeth, Sun’s Nemesis
Garruk, Curse Breaker
Overrun
Uldaros Theorix
Ultros, Obnoxious Octopus
Aerid Konstrari
North Wind Avatar
Denzilore Fatehold
Witherbloom Charm
Prismari Charm
Sphinx of False Conclusions
Stoic Sphinx
High Fae Trickster
Pompous Battlemage
Pyre Rhymer
Ajani Unrelenting
Garruk, Veiled Butcher
Liliana the Faultless
Mother of Runes
Giver of Runes
Variable Chaser
Extrapolate the Impossible
Assemble the Team
Demonic Tutor
Vampiric Tutor
Worldly Tutor
Restoration Angel
Flametongue Kavu
Sneak Attack
Griselbrand
Archon of Cruelty
Apex Altisaur
Xander’s Wake
Living Wish
Guiding Hydra
Mikaeus, the Lunarch
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com (https://cubeengineers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
8 Sept 2026
Cube Engineers Episode 50: Using Science to Build The Ultimate Cube!
We are back on the rails again with the season 2 finale of Cube Engineers!
What if we could combine science and game design theory to build a scientifically proven ultimate Cube? It’s more achievable than you might think! In this episode, TrainmasterGT invites the creator of the Data Generated Vintage Cube, Daniel Smith (also known as l0gr1thm1k), to attempt to build the ultimate Cube using data science. The pair discuss the origins and function of the Cube generation algorithm, then use it to create a Cube using designs previously discussed on Cube Engineers! Finally, TrainmasterGT takes the data-generated artifact and updates the list in an attempt to create something which could truly be considered The Ultimate Cube. Will this attempt at science-driven Cube design succeed, or will it be relegated to the dustbins of failed experiments?
All Aboard!
Cube Engineers is now on Patreon! Follow this link to support the show! (https://www.patreon.com/c/CubeEngineers)
Show Notes
The Data Generated Vintage Cube (https://cubecobra.com/cube/about/data?view=primer)
Scientifically Generated Cube Engineers Cube (2026) (https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/ScientificallyGeneratedCubeEngineersCube2026?view=mainboard)
The Scientifically Proven Ultimate Cube (https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/list/ScientificallyProven?view=mainboard)
The Little Red Book (https://www.cubecobra.com/cube/list/LittleRedBook?view=mainboard)
Cube Dataset Cubecobra IDs
Highball4K
unstablecubicorns
LittleRedBook
D%26TMirrorMicrocube
campoutcube
UsmanCube
UsmanPremiere
2010
100dollarcube
75281992-cbb7-43e4-92e2-901790678bfe
plusone
heritage
andymangold
neoclassical
degenerate-micro-cube
sacred-geometry
turbo
regular
thepaupercube
stickerv3
pulpnouveau
fairnuff
goblingame
ModularCore
companion
atomic
131313
dastro
joescube
bourbon
althistoryvintage
AugurOfBolas
BarCube
penrose
ho4k
1t3q2
ABQ
Boompile
sd4
PartyAtTheOwlHouse
Boudica
DMC420
Joe Cubes
44f3de0c-a5bc-4e85-b59f-4153a24932cbScrapyard
CardsILike.cube
SagasCubeGoldBorderCube0f52912c-38e3-4f9a-9f3c-96edb33732e2
DSK%20Expanded
StarField
Depths
FoodChain
4f45acfd-d750-4563-8a19-f1bc02363352
Kamigawa-TSPKamiWar
IPARemastered
Cards Discussed
The Power 9
Sol Ring
Mana Crypt
Force of Negation
Lightning Bolt
Skred
Guttersnipe
Shock
Reckless Charge
Outnumber
Mugging
Chain Lightning
Firebolt
Flame Slash
Lush Portico
Temple Garden
Windswept Heath
Mother of Runes
Giver of Runes
Sylvan Safekeeper
Marang River Regent
Stock Up
Mardu Siegebreaker
Taiga
Stomping Ground
Commercial District
Gruul Turf
Bribery
Orcish Bowmasters
Craterhoof Behemoth
Atraxa, Grand Unifier
Grave Titan
Time Vault
Manifold Key
Voltaic Key
Thoughtseize
Woodfall Primus
Whisper Squadron
Vault Skirge
Carrion Feeder
Bloodghast
Bloodsoaked Champion
Bloodbraid Elf
Merfolk Looter
Man o’ War
Steel Overseer
Wheel of Fortune
Fireblast
Magmatic Sinkhole
Goblin Guide
Molten Gatekeeper
Mulldrifter
Dig Through Time
Entomb
Necromancy
Archon of Cruelty
The Rail Lines
Golos, Tireless Pilgrim
Skirmish Rhino
Balance
Staff of the Storyteller
Cecil, Dark Knight
Myr Retriever
Perilous Myr
Hallowed Fountain
The Wandering Emperor
Phlage, Titan of Fire’s Fury
Balduvian Trading Post
Sephiroth, Fabled SOLDIER
Mantis Rider
Mantis Engine
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit cubeengineers.substack.com (https://cubeengineers.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)
Who has been a guest on Cube Engineers
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Joe Anderson
Greg Cortazzo
Chris Taylor
Andy Mangold
Dom Harvey
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 8 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
Contact Cube Engineers
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
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