I'm trying to make my deck a bit more budget friendly, and this is what I've come up with. I didn't want to include any Hellriders as they are a bit out of my budget and they will be rotating out of standard in October. I also didn't include any Boros Reckoners but I might buy a set in the near future. I've got a set of Stomping Ground in the mail right now so I'm using a set of guildgates for the time being. Any advice on something I could change to make better? I'm a bit uncertain of what I could use for 3 drop creatures so I went with a few Pyreheart Wolves that I run in my RDW. I'm still working on a sideboard, but my meta here is very aggro heavy.
I thought it would be cheaper in MTGO. I'm planning to sell my hellkites and hellriders, heck my whole red deck for cards online. I've stopped going to local tournaments due to work and my thesis.
I remember when i bought a set of Hellriders for 4 $. My friends kept telling me it was the stupidest purchase i made me in my life. They said the same thing with the 2 Thundermaw Hellkites i bought for 5$ each when they came out. If 4 Hellriders and 2 Thundermaw Hellkites would i be able to make a optimal mono-red deck on MTGO?
I've been thinking of doing the same as Neophyte Pyromancer as I'm too busy to attend FNM and SNM anymore.If i scratched out the Hellrider's for the time being and played with Hound of Griselbrand with the above list, how much would it cost then?
I would still prefer just giving my Hound Volcanic strength anyways, if I had to use an enchantment.
The +2 Toughness gets him out of pillar and spear range pre-undying, and out of mortars range after.
I only consider Volcanic Strength worth it vs red. How are you gonna deal with removal with decks that run black sources? Rancor is alot better against anything else. Thats 1 mana for +2/0 and trample and return to the hand when you creature bites the dust.
If you noticed my post was aimed at decks in general, not just the mirror. As was my comment on Rancor for other creatures in your deck, not just Hound of Griselbrand.
Also one of the whole reasons for posting this was to tell people that the hounds have been winning me games. So I obviously would like to keep them in.
Hounds have been winning alot of games for others too. Its old tech from the last set where we needed ways to deal with G/W decks and Sweepers. I don't think that is surprising at all.
That's a negative on Mogg Flunkies. If you have it, then I can effectively ignore it by killing everything around it. There are much better alternatives for creatures at that cost. Ash Zealot is the hands-down best at 2cmc, but others like Gore-house Chainwalker and Rakdos Shred-Freak are decent. Lightning Mauler can also enable some good stuff, especially paired with a Pyreheart Wolf.
I was about to say the same thing. You beat me to it. If your running mono red Gore-House Chainwalker > Mogg Flunkies.
Things I did with Domri, which are more likely as someone might think:
- Bloodrush a creature, use -2 afterwards
- Azorius Charm, use +1
- Drop Reckoner/Domri T3/T4, fight for profit
- Trade a Rancored 1 Drop with something bigger (e.g. Smiter)
- Use ultimate (against control not unlikely, often times they are not prepared for a T3 Walker)
I played him against GW Midrange, Zombies, BG Aggro, Jund, RDW and Control (Have to find more testing partners :D)
I was never unhappy to see him post-board. But as said, could all have been luck or variance and I will try him on the next GPT. Afterwards Ill tell you if I still like him. I force no one to play him, I just tried him out and been very fond of him.
Sounds groovy. I've seen him as a 4-of in an all creature and land gruul deck at my local FNM. It didn't do too bad.
I love Rancor, but it just feels like an extra creature that gets damage through, right? Well since he doesn't work so well with Domri, and considering how good Wasteland Viper can be as an instant speed creature kill bloodrush card, I figure he would make the best card to replace Rancor.
I still do not feel good about it either, I think Domri should only be a 3 of, and I do not know who would fill the single card slot. With a top end of 3, Domri will sit in the hand and I know it! But for what, a 21'st land or a single answer type card like Clan Defiance or maybe a maindeck Gruul charm/Act of Treason? edit: Hellraiser Goblin?
Who knows.
Swing with Legion Loyalist, everyone has first strike, discard the Viper to your blocked guy, first strike damage resolves before combat damage, blocker dies, you laugh and save your big bloodrush spells for later.
Edit: In retrospect, playtesting this now feels much more efficient, because I do not want to play rancor until T4 with an optimal hand, haha. So a creature form instant kill spell is pretty nice, and it maintains the synergy of the deck design.
That full creature package does alot of justice to the planeswalker. I frown every time i see someone running more than 8 instants or sorceries along with Domri Rade. The only deck i've seen him actually have some success at my local FNM was a pure gruul creature deck.
If you could post results here of any success it would be appreciated.
I know what you're saying but my friend doesn't like control or combo because it's too hard for him to play at his level. His level is like a semi-beginner. He likes aggro decks better than control or combo.
So 12 $ aggro? As i've mentioned before you should go mono-red. Burn is cheap and so are their creature cards. If your hoping for a different type of aggro that consistently cast it creatures and spells without having to rely on Guild Gates then keep hoping. Plating mono-red won't be embarrassing to play and can do well in a competitive meta.
Tested him mainly against Aggro Decks with me on the Draw, when Im sure I have to go the control route now. Helped alot as removal, and he drew me a few cards, but mainly its his removal ability which made him viable for me. If they go to kill him, I gained tempo in the race and easily go over the top with Silverheart a lot of times. Perhaps its just me, but I like him as anti-aggro tech.
As said Ill try it on the next GPT and after this I can say if Domri is the real deal. But I knew I would be questioned about him and I can understand the suspicion. I would have asked myself "Why run Domri ?" ;p.
Wouldn't playing something else on that T 3 be more sufficient? By speed Gruul is as fast as if not faster than RDW. If your racing an aggro deck the number of creatures and combat tricks would be more than enough to accomplish that.
What kind of Aggro decks did you come across? Something more detailed of how he actually accomplished what you stated above would be much appreciated.
Im very happy with the MD and it performs really well so far. I will take it to the next GPT on 16th February, and Im ready to smack some faces.
Not sure about the whole Sideboard especially Pillar and Volcanic Strength, but I will see how it works out.
Suggestions for the Sideboard are welcome!
Edit: 1 Forest for Borderland Ranger. Completely forgot it.
I really like your MD. Looks very solid. Some questions about your SB.
What made you put in Domri Rade? What have you tested him against? Im curious how he really helps your deck over all seeing that your MD is very tight and looks consistent enough to do a t4 or t5 kill.
Well i give Rancore a try it's a great Card and the Thundermaw seems to slow with CC5
any other suggestions for the Slot or maybe a 1off^^
the Deck so faar plays well
Your calling Thundermaw Hellkite slow? An unblockable 5/5 Haste with flying for 5 is slow to you? That is nothing to laugh at. Its a very good finisher if you haven't killed them by turn 4.
You might want to try Hound of Griselbrand.
I remember when i bought a set of Hellriders for 4 $. My friends kept telling me it was the stupidest purchase i made me in my life. They said the same thing with the 2 Thundermaw Hellkites i bought for 5$ each when they came out. If 4 Hellriders and 2 Thundermaw Hellkites would i be able to make a optimal mono-red deck on MTGO?
I only consider Volcanic Strength worth it vs red. How are you gonna deal with removal with decks that run black sources? Rancor is alot better against anything else. Thats 1 mana for +2/0 and trample and return to the hand when you creature bites the dust.
If you noticed my post was aimed at decks in general, not just the mirror.
Hounds have been winning alot of games for others too. Its old tech from the last set where we needed ways to deal with G/W decks and Sweepers. I don't think that is surprising at all.
I was about to say the same thing. You beat me to it. If your running mono red Gore-House Chainwalker > Mogg Flunkies.
Same here. If he sticks he's definitely trouble. In my local meta I see U/W control decks run him all the time.
Sounds groovy. I've seen him as a 4-of in an all creature and land gruul deck at my local FNM. It didn't do too bad.
That full creature package does alot of justice to the planeswalker. I frown every time i see someone running more than 8 instants or sorceries along with Domri Rade. The only deck i've seen him actually have some success at my local FNM was a pure gruul creature deck.
If you could post results here of any success it would be appreciated.
-1 Thunderous Wrath
-1 Madcap Skills
-2 Ashmouth Hound
+2 Gore-House Chainwalker
+4 Lightning Mauler
Move the Zealous Conscripts to the sideboard and make that hound a 4 of.
Zealous conscripts only good for decks that side in fatties.
So 12 $ aggro? As i've mentioned before you should go mono-red. Burn is cheap and so are their creature cards. If your hoping for a different type of aggro that consistently cast it creatures and spells without having to rely on Guild Gates then keep hoping. Plating mono-red won't be embarrassing to play and can do well in a competitive meta.
21 Mountains
1 Hellion Crucible
Creatures:(25)
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Lightning Mauler
4 Gore-House Chainwalker
4 Stonewright
4 Hound of Griselbrand
3 Pyreheart Wolf
2 Henweir Lancer
3 Madcap Skills
Sorcery and Instants: (10)
4 Searing Spear
4 Pillar of Flame
2 Flames of the Firebrand
This is about 15 dollars give or take.
Wouldn't playing something else on that T 3 be more sufficient? By speed Gruul is as fast as if not faster than RDW. If your racing an aggro deck the number of creatures and combat tricks would be more than enough to accomplish that.
What kind of Aggro decks did you come across? Something more detailed of how he actually accomplished what you stated above would be much appreciated.
I really like your MD. Looks very solid. Some questions about your SB.
What made you put in Domri Rade? What have you tested him against? Im curious how he really helps your deck over all seeing that your MD is very tight and looks consistent enough to do a t4 or t5 kill.
Your calling Thundermaw Hellkite slow? An unblockable 5/5 Haste with flying for 5 is slow to you? That is nothing to laugh at. Its a very good finisher if you haven't killed them by turn 4.
If your planning to run Rancor you could consider Wolfir Silverheart.