Has Bedlam Reveller been tested in the Grim Lavamancer spot? Lavamancer may die before doing anything, but Reveler should net you some cards even if it dies with it's ETB trigger on the stack. Since Lavamancer's role is usually to continue burning while we're out of gas, it seems to me Reveler is doing a better job at that, no? Or are we playing too many creatures in the deck to make it good for us? There's certainly a logical explanation, and I don't want to learn it the hard way (re : during this weekend's PPTQ).
Has Bedlam Reveller been tested in the Grim Lavamancer spot? Lavamancer may die before doing anything, but Reveler should net you some cards even if it dies with it's ETB trigger on the stack. Since Lavamancer's role is usually to continue burning while we're out of gas, it seems to me Reveler is doing a better job at that, no? Or are we playing too many creatures in the deck to make it good for us? There's certainly a logical explanation, and I don't want to learn it the hard way (re : during this weekend's PPTQ).
If you have six spells in the yard to cast reveler on the cheap, you probably won or would have won with any non-land card besides reveler. It sounds appealing in midrange and control matchups, but I'd prefer major gy hate as those decks all abuse the yard in some way. Obviously that is a major antisynergy.
Can confirm its definitely got gas. Having access to effectively 16 1-mana burn spells (Lightning/Rift Bolt, Spike and Bump) instead of 12 increases the likelihood of your Monastery Swiftspear hitting for 3 a turn, potentially hitting your opponent for 9 in total on T2.
Thoughts?
I'm questioning Rain of Gore, but my Jeskai opponent hated it enough to bounce with a Cryptic Command and it stopped her casting Lightning Helix on my creatures. I'm also uncertain about Cage when I have the 4x Rakdos Charm...
I'm glad to hear that Black is working out better than it had been. It was the hot build when I started playing Burn and then it fell off as white took over, and I've always wanted it to "get there".
I don't like Rain of Gore because it doesn't touch lifelink. I think you can probably get by on 4 Skullcracks anyway, unless your meta is ridiculously anti-Burn.
5 graveyard hate is a lot. Is there a reason you'd want so many? RCharm is pretty expensive for a 1 shot anti-graveyard effect, but it does pick up a lot of points for the versatility of all the modes. Not being familiar with black, I'm not sure what you'd put in these slots if you took stuff out, though. Maybe another Firecraft and another Terminate?
I'm glad you're liking Rakdos! I'm also on Rakdos with a white splash for the board, and I'm thrilled with it.
I'm assuming you're running 4x Searing Blaze in the main. If so, I don't think you need 3x Searing Blood and 4x Rakdos Charm in the board--one or the other should do fine. Rakdos Charm is a great swarm hate card. I agree that I don't think you need the Cage if you're running Charm. I would definitely add in another Terminate, or potentially exchange them all for Go for the Throat. Alternatively,a single Murderous Cut might not be a bad idea if you're not running Lavamancer. But I think at least three midrange kill spells should be the standard for any sort of consistency in seeing them.
I don't like the idea of Go for the Throat not hitting Affinity. If I have 1B for GFTT, I'll also have RB for Terminate which is strictly better.
Go for the Throat is really good for RB Burn. You don't need to bring it in affinity when we already have access to Rakdos Charm if you want more artifact removal on top of a single stomping ground for revelry (or smash to smithereens if you don't have revelry) we should have plenty of removal for artifacts but Terminate is a good choice as well if you're not running into protection from red creatures. If there's merfolk in your meta or korr firewalker it can be a consideration. That being said.. yeah Sovereign's bite is really pulling it's weight in our RB lists. I'm also on the 19 lands plan.
I don't like the idea of Go for the Throat not hitting Affinity. If I have 1B for GFTT, I'll also have RB for Terminate which is strictly better.
Go for the Throat is really good for RB Burn. You don't need to bring it in affinity when we already have access to Rakdos Charm if you want more artifact removal on top of a single stomping ground for revelry (or smash to smithereens if you don't have revelry) we should have plenty of removal for artifacts but Terminate is a good choice as well if you're not running into protection from red creatures. If there's merfolk in your meta or korr firewalker it can be a consideration. That being said.. yeah Sovereign's bite is really pulling it's weight in our RB lists. I'm also on the 19 lands plan.
I agree. I expected it to be a passable card that you play to fill out the main 60 without having to splash, but it's overperforming for me. It's better than Skullcrack even at sorcery speed, and Burn has no problems maindecking those. Rakdos is a real deck now.
If I didn't run Rain of Gore I'd probably consider Go for the Throat or Fatal Push.
The only 3 Pro-Red things I'd be worried about at the moment are Kor Firewalker, Master of Waves and Phyrexian Crusader. Rain of Gore hilariously deals with Firewalker, and I'm not too fussed with the other 2 creatures - both are fringe in the meta at the moment.
Hello burnbros, new pilot here. Many thanks to elcon and the resident posters for a fantastic primer. I recently built burn and finally realized what I've been missing out on.
I played a fairly standard Boros list for my first event, maining 3 Searing Blaze, 3 Skullcrack, and 2 Lavamans.
The main takeaway I noticed is that every decision can (and often does) decide the game.
Round 2 I played the mirror, which was exhilarating. I ended up winning 2-0, but I had a tough time making the 'correct' decisions.
My first question: how does one properly sideboard? I sided out my eidolons since I was on the draw game 2. My second question is more specific:
We both played T1 Shock Fetch Guide and then passed turn 2. At the end of my turn he helixed me. I had the option to either Helix or Skullcrack but elected to Helix because I didn't want to go to 10. We both ended up flooding for a few turns but I drew better and pulled it out. How could I have played differently/more efficiently?
This is the list I'm gonna run tonight at my local (and it's totally not based off your list Reslin). I still have some love left for gonti's machinations and this is technically the first time I'm running black without GM. Also, not sure about the Fatal push either. I think Go for the throat is better than Terminate or Push. I'm actually thinking maybe to run more Searing blood instead of the pushes.
We both played T1 Shock Fetch Guide and then passed turn 2. At the end of my turn he helixed me. I had the option to either Helix or Skullcrack but elected to Helix because I didn't want to go to 10. We both ended up flooding for a few turns but I drew better and pulled it out. How could I have played differently/more efficiently?
I personally would have helixed his goblin in response. Creature are usually the big game winners in the mirror.
This is the list I'm gonna run tonight at my local (and it's totally not based off your list Reslin). I still have some love left for gonti's machinations and this is technically the first time I'm running black without GM. Also, not sure about the Fatal push either. I think Go for the throat is better than Terminate or Push. I'm actually thinking maybe to run more Searing blood instead of the pushes.
List looks solid! The only thing I'd change is the fatal push to Exquisite Firecraft but that depends how much control you have in your meta. Extra Searing Blood is also not a bad idea. You could also go up one searing blood and one Rakdos Charm for minus two Fatal push. Depends what you need. Let us know how it works out for you. Contaminated Ground has really been pulling it's weight for me and I seriously stand by the statement that Contaminated Ground + Rakdos Charm is why you go black. Though, Rain of Gore in certain metas gets a nod as well.
If I didn't run Rain of Gore I'd probably consider Go for the Throat or Fatal Push.
The only 3 Pro-Red things I'd be worried about at the moment are Kor Firewalker, Master of Waves and Phyrexian Crusader. Rain of Gore hilariously deals with Firewalker, and I'm not too fussed with the other 2 creatures - both are fringe in the meta at the moment.
Yeah, with your side that's exactly what I'd do and completely agree there. I just have a different board than you. We're definitely the control game against affinity. I personally board in 3 rakdos charm, 2 searing blood, and 4 destructive revelry which gives me 9 cards against affinity. Just like your changes. So sounds solid.
It's nice to see the uptick in Rakdos Burn, as I've always been a fan of the combo. I've always ran a Mardu Burn just for access to Bump in the Night and have been waiting for that next black "burn" spell to further justify the choice. For awhile, I pondered whether Fatal Push was that card, but that seemed more like sideboard tech than main deck, and of course burn decks want cards that deal actual damage. My eyes welled up when I saw Sovereign's Bite, giving me hopes that this would be the card to seal the Mardu Burn choice. It's nice to hear promising news on the battlefront.
Here's the list I'm sleeving up these days, since the release of Core 19.
Good morning all,
I'm happy to report two consecutive undefeated outings playing Burn. Thanks again for input and guidance.
My opponents:
Jeskai Control (2x)
G Tron
Bant Spirits
Mardu Pyromancer
Skred Dragons
Burn
Hollow One with Bridge from Below and 0-drops like Hangarback Walker (we agreed to draw but this would've been a tough one to win)
My List:
MB:
4x Goblin Guide
4x Monastery Swiftspear
4x Eidolon of the Great Revel
2x Grim Lavamancer
The reason for the Marsh Flats is that I don't own any more red fetches. Hopefully if I continue to win I will soon be able to replace them. I intend to cut an Inspiring Vantage for another Mountain upon doing so.
Spike Jester and Mana Tithe were my sideboard MVPs. I was able to defeat Jeskai twice (and Tron) on the back of Spike Jester, and Mana Tithe helped me slow down my opponents in the mirror and against Spirits (in addition to saving my Swiftspear from an opposing Helix even though it resolved). Sometimes I wished that Rakdos Charm was Smash to Smithereens but I like the rest of the sideboard enough that I'm willing to keep it for its versatility.
I realize my sideboard is unconventional and will need to undergo more thorough and rigorous testing, but thus far I am pleased with the list. Let me know what you think and happy burning!
First off, long time listener and love using this thread to help me improve and tweak this deck. I will premise that this inquiry i have is due to the unified team modern event coming up in about a month so bear with me. My teammates are on affinity and UW control. The problem is the UW deck NEEDS path to exile to function. We don't have time (or the funds for that matter) to switch decks. So my question is, if you are running RWg burn and couldn't run path to exile, what would you replace it with? My list is pretty stock, 20 lands, 3 skullcrack and 1 grim lavamancer with all the usual suspects as 4 ofs. My sideboard so far is below. Any input is greatly appreciated!
EDH is like French fries: some people like waffle cut, crinkle cut, or plain old straight cut, and while there's slight flavor difference and personal preference, at the end of the day they're still fries.
If you can't have path, I'd suggest dropping lavamancer and either one d-rev or skullcrack for a pair of ensnaring bridge to give you another means of stopping big creature decks. I think bridge has its own problems, but you are in a different situation where it makes more sense.
1st, GP Toronto Sunday Super Series 2016 : Ally Company RWBG
Top 8, PPTQ Shadows over Innistrad : Boros Humans WR.
Use a hypergeometric calculator for your deckbuilding maths,
and use TopDecked to manage your decks and collection on your Apple or Android device.
If you have six spells in the yard to cast reveler on the cheap, you probably won or would have won with any non-land card besides reveler. It sounds appealing in midrange and control matchups, but I'd prefer major gy hate as those decks all abuse the yard in some way. Obviously that is a major antisynergy.
Can confirm its definitely got gas. Having access to effectively 16 1-mana burn spells (Lightning/Rift Bolt, Spike and Bump) instead of 12 increases the likelihood of your Monastery Swiftspear hitting for 3 a turn, potentially hitting your opponent for 9 in total on T2.
My sideboard was:
4xRakdos Charm
3xSearing Blood
2xTerminate
2xRain of Gore
2xExquisite Firecraft
1xGrafdigger's Cage
1xShattering Spree
Thoughts?
I'm questioning Rain of Gore, but my Jeskai opponent hated it enough to bounce with a Cryptic Command and it stopped her casting Lightning Helix on my creatures. I'm also uncertain about Cage when I have the 4x Rakdos Charm...
I don't like Rain of Gore because it doesn't touch lifelink. I think you can probably get by on 4 Skullcracks anyway, unless your meta is ridiculously anti-Burn.
5 graveyard hate is a lot. Is there a reason you'd want so many? RCharm is pretty expensive for a 1 shot anti-graveyard effect, but it does pick up a lot of points for the versatility of all the modes. Not being familiar with black, I'm not sure what you'd put in these slots if you took stuff out, though. Maybe another Firecraft and another Terminate?
I'm assuming you're running 4x Searing Blaze in the main. If so, I don't think you need 3x Searing Blood and 4x Rakdos Charm in the board--one or the other should do fine. Rakdos Charm is a great swarm hate card. I agree that I don't think you need the Cage if you're running Charm. I would definitely add in another Terminate, or potentially exchange them all for Go for the Throat. Alternatively,a single Murderous Cut might not be a bad idea if you're not running Lavamancer. But I think at least three midrange kill spells should be the standard for any sort of consistency in seeing them.
I don't like the idea of Go for the Throat not hitting Affinity. If I have 1B for GFTT, I'll also have RB for Terminate which is strictly better.
Go for the Throat is really good for RB Burn. You don't need to bring it in affinity when we already have access to Rakdos Charm if you want more artifact removal on top of a single stomping ground for revelry (or smash to smithereens if you don't have revelry) we should have plenty of removal for artifacts but Terminate is a good choice as well if you're not running into protection from red creatures. If there's merfolk in your meta or korr firewalker it can be a consideration. That being said.. yeah Sovereign's bite is really pulling it's weight in our RB lists. I'm also on the 19 lands plan.
I agree. I expected it to be a passable card that you play to fill out the main 60 without having to splash, but it's overperforming for me. It's better than Skullcrack even at sorcery speed, and Burn has no problems maindecking those. Rakdos is a real deck now.
If I didn't run Rain of Gore I'd probably consider Go for the Throat or Fatal Push.
The only 3 Pro-Red things I'd be worried about at the moment are Kor Firewalker, Master of Waves and Phyrexian Crusader. Rain of Gore hilariously deals with Firewalker, and I'm not too fussed with the other 2 creatures - both are fringe in the meta at the moment.
My SB plan for Affinity is always to go heavy control with spot removal. I'd bring in 3xSearing Blood, 2xTerminate, 1xShattering Spree and 3xRakdos Charm, removing 4x Eidolon of the Great Revel, 4x Lava Spike and 1x Bump in the Night.
I played a fairly standard Boros list for my first event, maining 3 Searing Blaze, 3 Skullcrack, and 2 Lavamans.
The main takeaway I noticed is that every decision can (and often does) decide the game.
Round 2 I played the mirror, which was exhilarating. I ended up winning 2-0, but I had a tough time making the 'correct' decisions.
My first question: how does one properly sideboard? I sided out my eidolons since I was on the draw game 2. My second question is more specific:
We both played T1 Shock Fetch Guide and then passed turn 2. At the end of my turn he helixed me. I had the option to either Helix or Skullcrack but elected to Helix because I didn't want to go to 10. We both ended up flooding for a few turns but I drew better and pulled it out. How could I have played differently/more efficiently?
4 Goblin Guide
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
1 Grim Lavamancer
Burn Spells (28)
4 Skullcrack
4 Searing Blaze
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Bump in the Night
4 Lava Spike
4 Rift Bolt
4 Sovereign's Bite
1 Blackcleave Cliffs
2 Blood Crypt
4 Bloodstained Mire
4 Wooded Foothills
1 Stomping Ground
4 Arid Mesa
3 Mountain
1 Grim Lavamancer
2 Contaminated Ground
4 Destructive Revelry
2 Searing Blood
2 Fatal Push
2 Go for the Throat
2 Rakdos Charm
(W/B)BW Tokens(W/B) | (B/R)Rakdos Burn(B/R) | (U/R)Gift Storm(U/R)
(W/B)BW Tokens(W/B) | (B/R)Rakdos Burn(B/R) | (U/R)Gift Storm(U/R)
List looks solid! The only thing I'd change is the fatal push to Exquisite Firecraft but that depends how much control you have in your meta. Extra Searing Blood is also not a bad idea. You could also go up one searing blood and one Rakdos Charm for minus two Fatal push. Depends what you need. Let us know how it works out for you. Contaminated Ground has really been pulling it's weight for me and I seriously stand by the statement that Contaminated Ground + Rakdos Charm is why you go black. Though, Rain of Gore in certain metas gets a nod as well.
Yeah, with your side that's exactly what I'd do and completely agree there. I just have a different board than you. We're definitely the control game against affinity. I personally board in 3 rakdos charm, 2 searing blood, and 4 destructive revelry which gives me 9 cards against affinity. Just like your changes. So sounds solid.
Here's the list I'm sleeving up these days, since the release of Core 19.
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lava Spike
4 Rift Bolt
4 Boros Charm
2 Lightning Helix
4 Bump in the Night
4 Sovereign's Bite
4 Goblin Guide
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Grim Lavamancer
LANDS (20)
4 Wooded Foothills
4 Bloodstained Mire
1 Arid Mesa
1 Scalding Tarn
3 Blood Crypt
3 Sacred Foundry
4 Mountain
I'm hoping to have good results, and I'm thrilled to have another black "bullet" in Sovereign's Bite to add to the arsenal.
I'm happy to report two consecutive undefeated outings playing Burn. Thanks again for input and guidance.
My opponents:
Jeskai Control (2x)
G Tron
Bant Spirits
Mardu Pyromancer
Skred Dragons
Burn
Hollow One with Bridge from Below and 0-drops like Hangarback Walker (we agreed to draw but this would've been a tough one to win)
My List:
MB:
4x Goblin Guide
4x Monastery Swiftspear
4x Eidolon of the Great Revel
2x Grim Lavamancer
4x Lightning Bolt
4x Lava Spike
4x Rift Bolt
4x Boros Charm
4x Lightning Helix
3x Searing Blaze
3x Skullcrack
1x Shard Volley
4x Inspiring Vantage
4x Bloodstained Mire
2x Arid Mesa
1x Wooded Foothills
3x Marsh Flats
2x Sacred Foundry
1x Blood Crypt
2x Mountain
SB:
4x Rakdos Charm
3x Path to Exile
4x Mana Tithe
3x Spike Jester
1x Skullcrack
The reason for the Marsh Flats is that I don't own any more red fetches. Hopefully if I continue to win I will soon be able to replace them. I intend to cut an Inspiring Vantage for another Mountain upon doing so.
Spike Jester and Mana Tithe were my sideboard MVPs. I was able to defeat Jeskai twice (and Tron) on the back of Spike Jester, and Mana Tithe helped me slow down my opponents in the mirror and against Spirits (in addition to saving my Swiftspear from an opposing Helix even though it resolved). Sometimes I wished that Rakdos Charm was Smash to Smithereens but I like the rest of the sideboard enough that I'm willing to keep it for its versatility.
I realize my sideboard is unconventional and will need to undergo more thorough and rigorous testing, but thus far I am pleased with the list. Let me know what you think and happy burning!
1 Deflecting Palm
4 Destructive Revelry
2 Exquisite Firecraft
1 Grim Lavamancer
2 Relic of Progenitus
2 Searing Blood
1 Skullcrack