Going to a small local tourney. The usual location most of my friends use to play modern at only does standard now but I convinced another store to do modern. Because this is the first one it will most likely be a small gathering, mostly my friends. My main competition is a white-weenie deck (using Champion, Elite Inquisitor, Angelic Destiny, Grand Abolisher, Stave off, Divine Reflection, O-ring, and one-ofs or Sun Titan, Baneslayer and Gideon).
I only starting playing again recently and I mostly own older cards so I had to make this deck with what I have, I will be buying more cards soon (and hopefuly win a couple of packs of RtR this weekend) but I could use some advice on this deck, what to add and what to ditch. I think when I buy more modern-legal cards I will convert most of these cards to a RDW, but improving this deck is my goal before friday.
So far I, I need more creatures (Mogg Fanatics?), I need more mana fixing, possibly more removal? and I need more copies of many of the cards so I can have 4 of's and ditch others. I have more of some of the commons (dstress, etc.)
Since the deck produces pretty good card advantage, maybe using Jaya might be a good idea (I have two). Ideally I would like Dark Conidants (cant afford), Goblin Guides + Bloodghasts (on my to-buy list) and Olivia Volderan. Also Terminate.
If you know your main rival is white weenie, I would suggest a SB spot for Rain of Gore. And B/R DW combonation is doing pretty well, moreso that id say straight red burn, due to the lack of extreme nonbasic hate in modern, like Price of Progress. So id say dont really focus much on cutting out the black, as it will help broaden your answers to different decks. I would suggest Dark Confidant, but its a hefty price at the moment, im honestly hoping for a reprint in Gatecrash or the 3rd Rav block to bring the price down.
If you know your main rival is white weenie, I would suggest a SB spot for Rain of Gore. And B/R DW combonation is doing pretty well, moreso that id say straight red burn, due to the lack of extreme nonbasic hate in modern, like Price of Progress. So id say dont really focus much on cutting out the black, as it will help broaden your answers to different decks. I would suggest Dark Confidant, but its a hefty price at the moment, im honestly hoping for a reprint in Gatecrash or the 3rd Rav block to bring the price down.
I'm thinking off adding a couple of phyrexian arenas instead of Bobs so I don't have to spend as much. I will be updating this post with the current decklist after a bit tweaking. mostly 2 of's and I choose a few cards for a sideboard. What I think I need now is more mid-end game threats and good creatures to tutor for. Right now x1 of each of the following; Kokusho, Nefarox and Vengeful Pharaoh. Thinking about adding a Cryptborn Horror. Any ides on good red or black creatures in the 3-6 drop range that aren't too pricey would be great.
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URWBG
I play on Cockatrice, message me to play modern format.
Goblin guide does not belong in this deck as is, and bloodghast wants a lot of fetchlands to make it work. you run neither, I'd suggest another deck for these!
Gemstone mine is a good card, but not really here. In that same vein of thought, so is shimmering grotto. If you're going to run an "enters tapped" land, then you might as well run terramorphic expanse or evolving wilds. Basics are harder to hate on and these fetches offer budget splash options in other colors as needed without running the rare fetches. Even though they enter tapped, the flexibility is that much greater. In that same vein, you're running a control build. At least 23 to 24 lands in a deck that has such a high curve. The suggested mana acceleration later is in addition to this.
If you're going to run pyroclasm in this build, then surely run 4. It will help considerably against those weenie decks and stave off only protects one creature at a time!
3 pillar of flame, 1 magma spray? I actually like this split. It adds a bit of surprise factor and allows you to hit your bane, which is low cmc undying/persist guys. I would NOT run more than those 4, however.
Traitorous blood needs to go. You've no way to take advantage of it.
I don't know about rakdos's return. I like it better as a 3 of in the board, and only against heavy combo/control decks that your normal discard package only hinders a bit.
Lava spike is a pure burn card. You are definitely not pure burn. Needs to go! Same with bump in the night.
Distress is a cool card, but BB on t2 when you need to see that card is just too much in this mana base. If you had the budget for the fancier duals, then you'd much rather have thought seize. You could run more duress (I think 3 is a perfectly viable number here) and maybe some inquisition of kozilek. Both are nice budget and viable options you should easily be able to acquire.
Cryoclasm wouldn't even belong in the board here. Discard does a number on blue as it is, and red/black has much bigger troubles with great big green and white creatures. If you want a nice big color hating card, say hello to my little friend aka deathmark!
Eradicate and sever the bloodline also seem rather extreme. I'd just drop them entirely as you will have many more excellent anti creature options available to you! If you feel you still need a great big sweeper, then damnation is best, or mutilate. If you don't have it, then in combination with your pyroclasms, barter in blood does horrible things to bigger guys!
Vampire nighthawk should be a 4 of. Deathtouch and lifelink go a long way towards survival, and this is red/black control!
A cool card I would love to see in here would be gatekeeper of malakir, but BBB is way too hard to generate. There is, however, a good common that could work. It's even non targeted! I refer to fleshbag marauder, of course.
Unfortunately, as much of a cool dude as he is, hypnotic specter does too little too late to be worth it. If you want a discard flier, try liliana's specter or for something a turn earlier, then you can run ravenous rats. Both cool commons that generate card advantage for you.
Kokusho makes a pretty good finisher. Do you have any more of him or any other big guys in this range? I'd suggest 4 in a deck that doesn't really draw a ton of cards, which you don't. I would also suggest removing shivan wumpus as you have no reason to run him. You aren't land destruction!
Increasing vengeance and diabolic tutor do nothing for you. If you do want to run the tutors, I could see that. However, you'll need mana acceleration. Consider 4 rakdos signet or talisman of indulgence. These would go a long way towards bringing your mana along earlier in the game.
Terminate belongs here as a 4 of, for sure. You may also consider wrecking ball as a 2 or 3 of. Does wonders with blood moon. It'll be some of your better ways to handle those giant gideons and things that you can't hit with your sorcery speed stuff.
Incidentally, with 32 instants and sorceries and running 4 crumbling necropolis, 4 delver of secrets might be an interesting splash option. Reasoning? They have a better than even chance of flipping and allow you to apply pressure very very early without much issue.
Thanks for the advice Welt, I am considering the Delvers and will give them a play-test tomorrow. Right now Terminate, Blightning, Phyrexian Arena (or another 1-2 Bloodgift Demons), Rakdos Lord of Riots and another Rakdos's Return are on the list to get, as well as some Dragonskull Summits and Blood Crypts. Figure of Destiny also will fit in nice because it fills up my need for creatures and it comes out early but is FAR from a dead card late-game. It is like a 1, 2, 4 and 6 drop all in one and if I get him say turn 6-7 he will be an 8/8 flying first strike in no time at all. Dude that beat me friday had a few foil ones he was willing to trade and he was dead-set on trading for my Onslaught fetches, Wasteland and Stifles.
I went 4-2 at my local FNM this past week and right now I'm thinking I need more creatures, especially 2 and 4 drops, though I'm not entirely sure which spells I want to ditch. The person that beat me had the nicest deck I've seen, all foil promos UW control. Vendillion Cliques, Cryptic Commands, Snapcasters, Supreme Verdict, shock/fetch lands, etc. His deck was sick, I had him down to 5 and I had 28 thanks to Vampire Nighthawk and he still turned the game around in two turns.
I only starting playing again recently and I mostly own older cards so I had to make this deck with what I have, I will be buying more cards soon (and hopefuly win a couple of packs of RtR this weekend) but I could use some advice on this deck, what to add and what to ditch. I think when I buy more modern-legal cards I will convert most of these cards to a RDW, but improving this deck is my goal before friday.
So far I, I need more creatures (Mogg Fanatics?), I need more mana fixing, possibly more removal? and I need more copies of many of the cards so I can have 4 of's and ditch others. I have more of some of the commons (dstress, etc.)
Since the deck produces pretty good card advantage, maybe using Jaya might be a good idea (I have two). Ideally I would like Dark Conidants (cant afford), Goblin Guides + Bloodghasts (on my to-buy list) and Olivia Volderan. Also Terminate.
I play on Cockatrice, message me to play modern format.
URWBG
Modern: Twin URW Wilted Abzan WBG
Legacy: Stax WWW Maverick WBG
Cockatrice ID: Voltigasm
I'm thinking off adding a couple of phyrexian arenas instead of Bobs so I don't have to spend as much. I will be updating this post with the current decklist after a bit tweaking. mostly 2 of's and I choose a few cards for a sideboard. What I think I need now is more mid-end game threats and good creatures to tutor for. Right now x1 of each of the following; Kokusho, Nefarox and Vengeful Pharaoh. Thinking about adding a Cryptborn Horror. Any ides on good red or black creatures in the 3-6 drop range that aren't too pricey would be great.
I play on Cockatrice, message me to play modern format.
URWBG
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Traitorous Blood
2 Distress
1 Duress
2 Pyroclasm
2 Diabolic Tutor
2 Increasing Vengeance
2 Cryoclasm
2 Bump in the Night
1 Sever the Bloodline
2 Eradicate
3 Lava Spike
3 Pillar of Flame
1 Cry of Contrition
1 Sign in Blood
1 Rakdos' Return
1 Magma Spray
Creatures 9
3 Hypnotic Specter
2 Nantuko Shade
2 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Shivan Wumpus
1 Kukoshu, the Evening Star
Land 21
8 Swamp
7 Mountain
4 Crumbling Necropolis
1 Gemstone Mine
1 Shimmering Grotto
Gemstone mine is a good card, but not really here. In that same vein of thought, so is shimmering grotto. If you're going to run an "enters tapped" land, then you might as well run terramorphic expanse or evolving wilds. Basics are harder to hate on and these fetches offer budget splash options in other colors as needed without running the rare fetches. Even though they enter tapped, the flexibility is that much greater. In that same vein, you're running a control build. At least 23 to 24 lands in a deck that has such a high curve. The suggested mana acceleration later is in addition to this.
If you're going to run pyroclasm in this build, then surely run 4. It will help considerably against those weenie decks and stave off only protects one creature at a time!
3 pillar of flame, 1 magma spray? I actually like this split. It adds a bit of surprise factor and allows you to hit your bane, which is low cmc undying/persist guys. I would NOT run more than those 4, however.
Traitorous blood needs to go. You've no way to take advantage of it.
I don't know about rakdos's return. I like it better as a 3 of in the board, and only against heavy combo/control decks that your normal discard package only hinders a bit.
Lava spike is a pure burn card. You are definitely not pure burn. Needs to go! Same with bump in the night.
Distress is a cool card, but BB on t2 when you need to see that card is just too much in this mana base. If you had the budget for the fancier duals, then you'd much rather have thought seize. You could run more duress (I think 3 is a perfectly viable number here) and maybe some inquisition of kozilek. Both are nice budget and viable options you should easily be able to acquire.
Cryoclasm wouldn't even belong in the board here. Discard does a number on blue as it is, and red/black has much bigger troubles with great big green and white creatures. If you want a nice big color hating card, say hello to my little friend aka deathmark!
Eradicate and sever the bloodline also seem rather extreme. I'd just drop them entirely as you will have many more excellent anti creature options available to you! If you feel you still need a great big sweeper, then damnation is best, or mutilate. If you don't have it, then in combination with your pyroclasms, barter in blood does horrible things to bigger guys!
Vampire nighthawk should be a 4 of. Deathtouch and lifelink go a long way towards survival, and this is red/black control!
A cool card I would love to see in here would be gatekeeper of malakir, but BBB is way too hard to generate. There is, however, a good common that could work. It's even non targeted! I refer to fleshbag marauder, of course.
Unfortunately, as much of a cool dude as he is, hypnotic specter does too little too late to be worth it. If you want a discard flier, try liliana's specter or for something a turn earlier, then you can run ravenous rats. Both cool commons that generate card advantage for you.
Kokusho makes a pretty good finisher. Do you have any more of him or any other big guys in this range? I'd suggest 4 in a deck that doesn't really draw a ton of cards, which you don't. I would also suggest removing shivan wumpus as you have no reason to run him. You aren't land destruction!
If you can get more, then run up to 4 sign in bloods, or night's whisper. Phyrexian arena or the new RTR card underworld connections could work quite well for late game draw.
Increasing vengeance and diabolic tutor do nothing for you. If you do want to run the tutors, I could see that. However, you'll need mana acceleration. Consider 4 rakdos signet or talisman of indulgence. These would go a long way towards bringing your mana along earlier in the game.
Terminate belongs here as a 4 of, for sure. You may also consider wrecking ball as a 2 or 3 of. Does wonders with blood moon. It'll be some of your better ways to handle those giant gideons and things that you can't hit with your sorcery speed stuff.
Incidentally, with 32 instants and sorceries and running 4 crumbling necropolis, 4 delver of secrets might be an interesting splash option. Reasoning? They have a better than even chance of flipping and allow you to apply pressure very very early without much issue.
Credit to DolZero for this awesome sig!
I went 4-2 at my local FNM this past week and right now I'm thinking I need more creatures, especially 2 and 4 drops, though I'm not entirely sure which spells I want to ditch. The person that beat me had the nicest deck I've seen, all foil promos UW control. Vendillion Cliques, Cryptic Commands, Snapcasters, Supreme Verdict, shock/fetch lands, etc. His deck was sick, I had him down to 5 and I had 28 thanks to Vampire Nighthawk and he still turned the game around in two turns.
1 Rakdos's Return
2 Pyroclasm
2 Increasing Vengeance
2 Distress
2 Bump in the Night
2 Diabolic Tutor
2 Sign in Blood
2 Eradicate
1 Sever the Bloodline
1 Ultimate Price
2 Threaten
4 Lightning Bolt
2 Incinerate
Planeswalker (1)
1 Chandra, the Firebrand
Artifact (2)
2 Rakdos Keyrune
Creatures (13)
2 Hypnotic Specter
2 Nantuko Shade
4 Vampire Nighthawk
1 Doomed Necromancer
1 Bloodgift Demon
1 Nefarox, Overlord of Grixis
1 Kokusho, the Evening Star
1 Olivia Volderan
7 Mountain (Foil/Unglued/Unhinged )
4 Crumbling Necropolis
1 Gemstone Mine
2 Cryoclasm
2 Flashfires
1 Despise (Foil Promo )
1 Duress
1 Grafdigger's Cage
1 Magma Spray
2 Murder
1 Jaya Ballard, Task Mage
1 Magmaquake (full art foil promo )
1 Diabolic Tutor
I play on Cockatrice, message me to play modern format.
URWBG