Do current results warrent a shift to Nacatl's? SCG Indy featured a win from and the highest ranked finishes from Burn decks running the cat (I believe 4of the 5 top finishing burn decks ran Nacatl.)
In testing I have been incredibly back and forth on it, but it seems to have its advantages, especially against pro-red cards and in a format where burn usually needs consistent damage to win.
For reference I am currently playing Naya-AC burn without Nacatl.
What are your thoughts on Archangel Avacyn? Seems cheap enough to actually get some use out of the flash. And although she kills Kaalia if she flips, nearly any other creature you run will remain alive.
Hello!
Archangel Avacyn is not my first pick. If I wanted instant-based indestructibility, I would choose Boros Charm first. As a creature, Archangel Avacyn isn't as strong as other creatures in the 5 CMC slot. In my multiplayer games, I don't expect to have many creatures out, so I don't have much to protect via Archangel Avacyn. At most, I have 3 creatures, including Kaalia, at any given moment. Since I don't have much to protect, Archangel Avacyn's flipped side will not trigger often. Even if she does flip, her 3 damage is OK, but I have Balefire Dragon and Steel Hellkite to clean up the board, even if they cost more to hardcast. Balefire Dragon is something I want to launch from Kaalia's ability.
For my deck, I am going for the long game, so every creature needs to have a significant effect on the battlefield. I don't think Archangel Avacyn is good enough to meet my multiplayer needs.
Fair points. So then if you were to add more creatures to your list, which ones would you be looking into? I'm currently looking to add some more to mine.
Great list by the way, Definitely inspired some card choices in my own.
What are your thoughts on Archangel Avacyn? Seems cheap enough to actually get some use out of the flash. And although she kills Kaalia if she flips, nearly any other creature you run will remain alive.
That kind of parallels my current thinking. I've been running the following list for months to great success but have really only found myself siding Firewalker in for the mirror, and even then I see the match up far less than anything else.
My current consideration is swapping the Firewalkers for 2 Exquisite Firecraft, as the Nahiri decks seem to be getting popular, and we tend to lose control match ups by not squeaking out the last few points of damage.
Is Firewalker still worth a spot in the sideboard? Seems less and less people are playing burn these days and I find maybe only one match per tournament where I bring him in
For those of you who dropped Atarka's Command, mind sharing your thoughts on why? There's been a huge spike of burn in my area and I'm tempted to give Boros Drev a shot despite how much I like AC.
To me I wouldn't even drop Atarka's in a burn heavy meta, as you can easily side them out games 2 and 3. Game 1 it's not even terrible in the mirror as it combats opposing Helixes and can potentially save a Swiftspear or 2.
Thoughts on Shard Volley? I kind of want to test a singleton in the mainboard as an additional 1-mana 3 damage card, but I'm worried about the sacrificing a land clause screwing me over. Is it worth it?
I totaly agree about overboarding. I'm just saying if you feal comfortable with it Palm is a card that would be of definite value in the Burn mirror.
I don't -exactly- see it as overboarding, seeing as Helix and Skullcrack still completely go with our gameplan. I'm gonna keep trying my plan and see how it fairs. If it keeps failing me I'll reevaluate it.
Also, am I just playing the mirror incorrectly? I've been losing against it the last couple games and I'm starting to feel it's not just down to better draws. I tend to focus creatures early game . Side out Atarka's Command, Boros Charm and Eidolon (Draw) / Lava Spike (Play) for Firewalker, Path, Palm, Helix and Skullcrack.
You're bringing in Deflecting Palm for the mirror? That seems a little reactive rather than proactive. I'm not exactly sure, but I'm going to shoot in the dark and guess that you might over-sideboard a few games. Try not to bring out as many cards between games in the mirror, even if you really think you need the extra spots. It probably goes without saying that critical mass is important in Burn, and every card taken out that does damage dilutes the possibility of winning by a small margin. How close do the games get, if I can ask? What happens to make you lose?
I may just be making incorrect plays, such as Skullcracking too reactively when I have Firewalker in play, or being too afraid to lose Firewalker if they Skullcrack. (Which is still a 2-for-1 so I should be OK with it.)
Based on analysis and card choice, here's my current sideboard plan for the mirror:
On the play:
- 4 Atarka's Command
- 4 Lava Spike
- 1 Boros Charm
+ 2 Firewalker
+ 3 Path to Exile
+ 2 Lightning Helix
+ 2 Skullcrack
On the draw:
- 4 Atarka's Command
- 4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
- 3 Lava Spike
+ 2 Firewalker
+ 3 Path to Exile
+ 2 Lightning Helix
+ 2 Skullcrack
+ 2 Deflecting Palm
Atarka's isn't worth the damage for green mana, Path kills Firewalker and creatures are also very important in this matchup, and the rest are obvious. Thoughts?
Also, am I just playing the mirror incorrectly? I've been losing against it the last couple games and I'm starting to feel it's not just down to better draws. I tend to focus creatures early game . Side out Atarka's Command, Boros Charm and Eidolon (Draw) / Lava Spike (Play) for Firewalker, Path, Palm, Helix and Skullcrack.
In testing I have been incredibly back and forth on it, but it seems to have its advantages, especially against pro-red cards and in a format where burn usually needs consistent damage to win.
For reference I am currently playing Naya-AC burn without Nacatl.
Fair points. So then if you were to add more creatures to your list, which ones would you be looking into? I'm currently looking to add some more to mine.
Great list by the way, Definitely inspired some card choices in my own.
4 Goblin Guide
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Grim Lavamancer
Boomshockalocka
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lava Spike
4 Rift Bolt
4 Atarka's Command
4 Boros Charm
4 Searing Blaze
2 Skullcrack
1 Lightning Helix
11 Red Fetch Lands
3 Mountain
3 Sacred Foundry
2 Stomping Ground
On The Bench
4 Destructive Revelry
3 Path to Exile
2 Deflecting Palm
2 Skullcrack
2 Lightning Helix
2 Kor Firewalker
My current consideration is swapping the Firewalkers for 2 Exquisite Firecraft, as the Nahiri decks seem to be getting popular, and we tend to lose control match ups by not squeaking out the last few points of damage.
Thoughts? Coincidence?
I don't -exactly- see it as overboarding, seeing as Helix and Skullcrack still completely go with our gameplan. I'm gonna keep trying my plan and see how it fairs. If it keeps failing me I'll reevaluate it.
I may just be making incorrect plays, such as Skullcracking too reactively when I have Firewalker in play, or being too afraid to lose Firewalker if they Skullcrack. (Which is still a 2-for-1 so I should be OK with it.)
Here's my current list:
4 Goblin Guide
4 Monastery Swiftspear
4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
2 Grim Lavamancer
Monster Dunks
4 Lightning Bolt
4 Lava Spike
4 Rift Bolt
4 Boros Charm
4 Atarka's Command
4 Searing Blaze
2 Skullcrack
1 Lightning Helix
11 Red Fetches
3 Mountain
2 Stomping Ground
3 Sacred Foundry
From Downtown
2 Kor Firewalker
2 Lightning Helix
2 Skullcrack
3 Path To Exile
2 Deflecting Palm
4 Destructive Revelry
Based on analysis and card choice, here's my current sideboard plan for the mirror:
On the play:
- 4 Atarka's Command
- 4 Lava Spike
- 1 Boros Charm
+ 2 Firewalker
+ 3 Path to Exile
+ 2 Lightning Helix
+ 2 Skullcrack
On the draw:
- 4 Atarka's Command
- 4 Eidolon of the Great Revel
- 3 Lava Spike
+ 2 Firewalker
+ 3 Path to Exile
+ 2 Lightning Helix
+ 2 Skullcrack
+ 2 Deflecting Palm
Atarka's isn't worth the damage for green mana, Path kills Firewalker and creatures are also very important in this matchup, and the rest are obvious. Thoughts?
Also, am I just playing the mirror incorrectly? I've been losing against it the last couple games and I'm starting to feel it's not just down to better draws. I tend to focus creatures early game . Side out Atarka's Command, Boros Charm and Eidolon (Draw) / Lava Spike (Play) for Firewalker, Path, Palm, Helix and Skullcrack.