Greetings, MTGS-keteers, I searched but found no evidence of a thread for the Mono-R Arclight Phoenx deck that is seeing some results. It's the Phoenix deck I want to play, so I thought I'd start a thread for us to discuss this particular build, which is quite different from the UR lists and seems to merit separate consideration.
First, what I understand to be the "current accepted 60" (obviously there are exceptions):
Some of the exceptions include Hazoret the Fervent in place of one or both Revelers, and Ramunap Ruins in place of a single Mountain. Some lists don't play all four Light Up the Stages.
Sideboards vary widely, but as I understand it they tend to feature:
So what do the players of this deck think? Did I overlook something important? What does your sideboard look like? What are the good and bad matches for this deck? What are some tips about sequencing? For instance, am I right generally playing Soul-Scar T1 over Swiftspear?
And: How often do you mull an opener with no one-drop creature? Could Bomat Courier be an early-game card-advantage replacement for Bedlam Reveler, while providing an extra discard outlet for Arclight Phoenix? Or am I crazy?
The closest we've previously made thread-wise to this Mono-Red Phoenix build was the Arclight Runaway Steam-Kin thread I'd made a while back. The Runaway build was an ancestor of this build but got supplanted relatively fast.
One important deck-building exception you haven't mentioned is Forked Bolt instead of Skewer the Critics. I generally support this swap to some degree, as I've found that this deck has a tougher time getting Spectacle than Burn does. The first guy who publicized this swap won a tournament with it.
My gut says that you should play Swiftspear over Soul-Scar on Turn 1, quite possibly even if they already have blockers. The early points of damage can be crucial. What's your reasoning for going with T1 Soul-Scar instead? Is it to lure removal?
Forked Bolt would be a good swap for Skewer, since getting spectacle active can be tough sometimes, and prowess means we want burn spells pre-combat as often as possible. Maybe go 2-2, I´m thinking.
Regarding leading with Soul-Scar/Swiftspear: If we have the choice, then we have both cards in-hand. Imagine this opener: Soul-Scar, Swiftspear, Lava Spike, Mountain x2, and two other cards. In this scenario we´ll get more damage total by T2 if we play the Soul-Scar first (7 points vs. 6 by leading with Swiftspear), because of dual prowess triggers. Also, if the opponent has removal, we still get to swing with a prowess creature on T2 by sequencing this way (5 points total damage vs. 4 from a T1 Swftspear). OTOH, with only one Mountain by T2, the Swiftspear leads by a point.
I´m curious how others evaluate this. One thing is that my example above disregards the option of playing Manamorphose T2 instead of playing out the second prowess creature. I guess in an opener with two lands and the two prowess critters, PLUS Manamorphose, Arclight, and Looting, the Swiftspear is better by a point? But then do we want to go all-in on T2, or do we want to hold off a turn and get an even bigger swing T3? My guess is that Soul-Scar is a better lead most of the time.
After reflection, I don´t think Bomat Courier is a good fit. Since we play so many sorceries, I find myself tapping out frequently. Keeping R up for Bomat seems tempo-negative. And, a 1/1 is just too small. Not sure I´m in love with Reveler, though.
Also, I wish I could fit in some copies of Mutagenic Growth, and I´m kind of tempted to heresy, and just jam a couple in there and go to 62 cards. Anybody else playing this deck? Seems great, and with Tormod´s Crypt over Surgical Extraction, it´s only $325 or so.
I have tried the bomat instead of soul-scar and it felt ok, you don't end up leaving Mana open till you have more cards under it then in hand. You loose the ability of crazy double prowess turn 2 though which is why I went back to soul
I have been running Chandra, torch of defiance in the side instead of hazoret and it's been pretty good. Triggering prowess and allowing you to clear the way or make Mana to empty you hand (or cast bedlam rev).
This deck occasionally gets results, but I'll revive this for another reason: Lava Dart looks like it'll completely replace Forked Bolt in this deck, right? Lava Dart is 2 pinging spells for cheap! (My slight testing with Lava Dart in this deck has been going quite well--helps bring back Arclight and turbocharge Prowess triggers.)
EDIT: Oh man, I tested 8 "canopy lands" (4 Sunbaked Canyon & 4 Fiery Islet) in this deck today and they felt like I was cooking with gas. They make this deck so, so much faster/more consistent that the extra pain is worth it.
I also recommend running 1 Finale of Promise, which means going for a 4/3 split between Lava Dart and Gut Shot. Going with eight horizon lands seems a bit too much for me as the damage does add up. Most lists I see run 3 (any configuration is fine).
Sideboard wise, I see many decks are now running 1 or 2 (typically 2) mass removal spells, which is usually Kozilek's Return. Although the new Flame Sweep from M20 may be better due to not hitting our phoenixes (the devoid part of return rarely matters). Many lists are also running two Shrine of Burning Rage now for some extra reach.
I also recommend running 1 Finale of Promise, which means going for a 4/3 split between Lava Dart and Gut Shot. Going with eight horizon lands seems a bit too much for me as the damage does add up. Most lists I see run 3 (any configuration is fine).
Sideboard wise, I see many decks are now running 1 or 2 (typically 2) mass removal spells, which is usually Kozilek's Return. Although the new Flame Sweep from M20 may be better due to not hitting our phoenixes (the devoid part of return rarely matters). Many lists are also running two Shrine of Burning Rage now for some extra reach.
I don't know how Finale of Promise encourages a 4/3 Lava Dart/Gut Shot split instead of a 3/4 one or a 4/4 one; Lava Dart doesn't stay in the graveyard for long in this deck.
I see that the most recent lists rarely go beyond 4 cantrip lands (Sunbaked Canyon, Fiery Islet), but I still have no clue why; I only uncommonly get to see cantrip lands whenever I play only 4 of them (Humans, Burn), and regardless of how aggro-filled the meta is, I'd still rather have the insane gas without mana screw of 8 cantrip lands, especially since unlike UR Phoenix, this deck doesn't really need any more than 3 lands.
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First, what I understand to be the "current accepted 60" (obviously there are exceptions):
18x Mountain
Critters (14)
4x Arclight Phoenix
4x Soul-Scar Mage
4x Monastery Swiftspear
2x Bedlam Reveler
4x Gut Shot
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Lava Spike
4x Skewer the Critics
4x Manamorphose
4x Faithless Looting
4x Light Up the Stage
Sideboards vary widely, but as I understand it they tend to feature:
Grave Hate (3-4)
- Surgical Extraction
- Tormod's Crypt
- Ravenous Trap
Artifact Hate (3-4)- Abrade
- Shattering Spree
- Shatterstorm
More Removal (3-4)- Rending Volley
- Flame Slash
- Dismember
Burn Hate (2-4)- Dragon's Claw
- Leyline of Sanctuary
Land Hate (2-3)So what do the players of this deck think? Did I overlook something important? What does your sideboard look like? What are the good and bad matches for this deck? What are some tips about sequencing? For instance, am I right generally playing Soul-Scar T1 over Swiftspear?
And: How often do you mull an opener with no one-drop creature? Could Bomat Courier be an early-game card-advantage replacement for Bedlam Reveler, while providing an extra discard outlet for Arclight Phoenix? Or am I crazy?
One important deck-building exception you haven't mentioned is Forked Bolt instead of Skewer the Critics. I generally support this swap to some degree, as I've found that this deck has a tougher time getting Spectacle than Burn does. The first guy who publicized this swap won a tournament with it.
My gut says that you should play Swiftspear over Soul-Scar on Turn 1, quite possibly even if they already have blockers. The early points of damage can be crucial. What's your reasoning for going with T1 Soul-Scar instead? Is it to lure removal?
Regarding leading with Soul-Scar/Swiftspear: If we have the choice, then we have both cards in-hand. Imagine this opener: Soul-Scar, Swiftspear, Lava Spike, Mountain x2, and two other cards. In this scenario we´ll get more damage total by T2 if we play the Soul-Scar first (7 points vs. 6 by leading with Swiftspear), because of dual prowess triggers. Also, if the opponent has removal, we still get to swing with a prowess creature on T2 by sequencing this way (5 points total damage vs. 4 from a T1 Swftspear). OTOH, with only one Mountain by T2, the Swiftspear leads by a point.
I´m curious how others evaluate this. One thing is that my example above disregards the option of playing Manamorphose T2 instead of playing out the second prowess creature. I guess in an opener with two lands and the two prowess critters, PLUS Manamorphose, Arclight, and Looting, the Swiftspear is better by a point? But then do we want to go all-in on T2, or do we want to hold off a turn and get an even bigger swing T3? My guess is that Soul-Scar is a better lead most of the time.
After reflection, I don´t think Bomat Courier is a good fit. Since we play so many sorceries, I find myself tapping out frequently. Keeping R up for Bomat seems tempo-negative. And, a 1/1 is just too small. Not sure I´m in love with Reveler, though.
Also, I wish I could fit in some copies of Mutagenic Growth, and I´m kind of tempted to heresy, and just jam a couple in there and go to 62 cards. Anybody else playing this deck? Seems great, and with Tormod´s Crypt over Surgical Extraction, it´s only $325 or so.
I have been running Chandra, torch of defiance in the side instead of hazoret and it's been pretty good. Triggering prowess and allowing you to clear the way or make Mana to empty you hand (or cast bedlam rev).
EDIT: Oh man, I tested 8 "canopy lands" (4 Sunbaked Canyon & 4 Fiery Islet) in this deck today and they felt like I was cooking with gas. They make this deck so, so much faster/more consistent that the extra pain is worth it.
Sideboard wise, I see many decks are now running 1 or 2 (typically 2) mass removal spells, which is usually Kozilek's Return. Although the new Flame Sweep from M20 may be better due to not hitting our phoenixes (the devoid part of return rarely matters). Many lists are also running two Shrine of Burning Rage now for some extra reach.
I don't know how Finale of Promise encourages a 4/3 Lava Dart/Gut Shot split instead of a 3/4 one or a 4/4 one; Lava Dart doesn't stay in the graveyard for long in this deck.
I see that the most recent lists rarely go beyond 4 cantrip lands (Sunbaked Canyon, Fiery Islet), but I still have no clue why; I only uncommonly get to see cantrip lands whenever I play only 4 of them (Humans, Burn), and regardless of how aggro-filled the meta is, I'd still rather have the insane gas without mana screw of 8 cantrip lands, especially since unlike UR Phoenix, this deck doesn't really need any more than 3 lands.