In folklore and mythology, the concept of the "witch hunter" has often been associated with men who sought to eradicate perceived evil or witchcraft in their communities. However, throughout history, there have also been notable instances of women taking on the role of witch hunters. These female witch hunters often faced unique challenges and displayed exceptional courage and determination in their pursuits. One notable example of a female witch hunter is the Scottish woman Isobel Gowdie. In the 17th century, Gowdie confessed to practicing witchcraft and provided detailed accounts of her encounters with the devil and her participation in a witches' coven. She implicated several other women in her confession, leading to their eventual persecution and execution.
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For reasons that I ll explain below, it worked best to separate full cube rotations into two groups rotations and orientations lacking a better name. Usually you ll want to keep the top performers and introduce some random changes, for example, you can slightly mutate a candidate solution or combine two solutions.
She implicated several other women in her confession, leading to their eventual persecution and execution. Gowdie's case demonstrates how women could not only be accused of witchcraft but also actively participate in hunting down and betraying their fellow witches. Another example is Matthew Hopkins' assistant, Elizabeth Clarke, in 17th-century England.
Over 3 years I've worked on a Pokemon Mutant Cube. Today, I'd like to share the enjoyment that is mutant cubing!
Hello r/pkmntcg! I hope posts like these are allowed and that I've abided all the rules. Over the past few years I've enjoyed cubing with my siblings and cousins. I've decided that the cube is currently sitting in a good place - all types are represented equally and there aren't any major imbalances. I've come to share with you the joy that is cubing, and why you should start one! I'd also like to talk a little bit about my own cube and hopefully encourage discussion and inspire others to at least consider building one!
What is Cube, and what is a Mutant Cube?
A cube is a collection of cards chosen by the cube designer (hopefully you!) to allow for drafting and sealed play. This is a format taken from Magic: The Gathering. Now, what is Mutant Cube? Mutant Cube bends the rules of evolution by allowing PKMN to evolve from any PKMN of the same type. That means a Gyarados can evolve from a Squirtle, and a Metapod can evolve from a Chikorita! This allows the cube designer to incorporate a lot of unique synergies not otherwise possible in the Pokemon TCG. Like stacking energy with Rotom from Majestic Dawn and then unleashing all of the energy as Raichu from D&P. This allows for many very unique decks to be built and allows almost all Pokemon to be used. There does exist the traditional Pokemon Cube with standard evolution lines, but I found that when I tried drafting them, the experience felt too 'linear' - just a personal preference, there is nothing wrong with these types of cubes!
Why Should You Start One?
I get it, it's a big investment. But honestly you could even proxy the cards. Cube is an enclosed set designed by you. It will never see 'tournament play' or anything like that. It's a lot of fun to create unique decks, and every draft is a different experience! Plus you can play with different people! If you're a cube designer, YOU put what you want into the cube - you choose what archetypes are allowed. Love SP Pokemon? Include SP Pokemon and all SP matters cards! Like Night March? Might be difficult but it can work!
My Own Mutant Cube
So my cube started off very small and I pulled the idea from a post on sixprizes.com many years ago. My cube is a mutant cube and is 360 Pokemon Cards, and 250 Trainer Cards. It supports up to 8 players in a draft, or 4 players in sealed. The main exception I have in my cube is that Pokemon-EX cannot evolve, and that I try to incorporate the lower powered EX Pokemon. This allowed players to make EX decks that can still contest with evolution decks (there are EX-hate cards, though).
Problems I Overcame
At first, my cube only had 7 types. Packs of 15 were comfortable in drafts, but were still inconsistent. I then found a post on r/mtgcube: https://www.reddit.com/r/mtgcube/comments/34fet8/novel_method_for_shuffling_a_cube/ which increased consistency of colours and trainers in packs (1 of each colour guaranteed)! However, once I introduced metal and dark, the shuffling method didn't really work anymore with how many types and trainers there were - I found decks were too low powered and players weren't enjoying it as much. A solution I came up with was to separate Pokemon and Trainer Cards and create 3 packs of Pokemon Cards, and 2 packs of Trainer Cards. This meant players would draft 5 packs instead of 3, but allowed for consistent Pokemon Packs and a plethora of Trainer Cards to choose from. This dramatically increased the power of decks and was a lot more enjoyable. Another problem I encountered in sealed specifically was that sometimes you just did not get the right evolutions. You might get a 5-1-3 split between basics/stage1/stage2 and there was nothing you could do about it. To combat this, I included a "daycare" containing a bunch of basic and stage 1 Pokemon of each type. The caveat is that these Pokemon suuuuuck - they're just meant as filler for when you really need to flesh out your colour.
In the end, cube is a never-ending format. I find myself always looking at new sets to see if there are any possible cards to include in my cube. It's a constant work-in-progress, and I've learned many things about Pokemon Cubing over the years. I have started YouTube Channel to go over my cube and processes (such as why I chose certain cards over others). Hopefully you can support my channel and learn from my own cube to construct yours. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the format, and if you have a cube of your own I'd love to see a list! I'm always looking to improve my own cube.
Links (Please use my cube as a resource to build your own! Remember you can make up rules to enhance the experience!)
My Cute Little Instruction Manual
TL;DR: Make a cube now. Also ask me anything I'd love to share.
It was a fun project and I’m satisfied with the results for now. Maybe I’ll try to optimize the fitness function or the overall stategy in the future. If you want to experiment or improve the program, you can find the source code on GitHub.
Hopkins is infamous for his role in the witch trials of East Anglia, where he claimed to have uncovered and executed numerous witches. Clarke played a crucial role in assisting Hopkins by gathering evidence against those accused of witchcraft. This included performing physical examinations known as "pricking" to identify "witches' marks" or areas of insensitivity on their bodies. Clarke's involvement highlights the active role that some women played in the persecution of witches. However, it is important to note that not all female witch hunters were in support of the witch trials. Many women, such as outspoken English writer and pamphleteer Margaret Cavendish, spoke out against the witch hunts and the mistreatment of women accused of witchcraft. Cavendish condemned the brutality and injustice of the trials, advocating for a more rational and humane approach to dealing with accusations of witchcraft. The stories of these female witch hunters challenge the traditional narrative of men being the sole perpetrators in the witch trials. They highlight the complexity and diversity of historical experiences and remind us of the agency that women could exert in various ways, even in the midst of a patriarchal society. In conclusion, while the image of the male witch hunter has dominated popular understanding, there is evidence to suggest that women also played significant roles in the hunt for witches. Whether actively participating in persecution or advocating against it, these women defied societal expectations and made their mark on history. The actions and beliefs of female witch hunters serve as a reminder of the complexity of gender dynamics in historical periods and the need to challenge simplistic narratives..
Reviews for "A Secret Sisterhood: Female Witch Hunters and Their Bonded Relationships"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Female Witch Hunter" to be a disappointment. The story felt shallow and lacked any real depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development. The dialogue was also stilted and unconvincing. Overall, the book failed to engage me and I struggled to finish it.
2. Emily - 2 stars
While I appreciate the concept of "Female Witch Hunter," I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing of the story was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The plot was predictable and didn't offer any surprises. Additionally, I felt that the world-building was underdeveloped and lacked sufficient explanation. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Female Witch Hunter," but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The writing style was simplistic and lacked sophistication. The characters felt flat and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their journeys. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I also found some inconsistencies in the story, which further frustrated me. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it.