Search options (Page 23 of 54)

For one, you need the duals to really be competitive in standard constructed.  It pains me to say it, but you should be running Overgrown Tombs if you can get your hands on them or otherwise at least 2-4 Golgari Guildgate.

That aside, this has a bit more promise now that you're sitting on hexproof, but the big question is why not go white?  The G/W auras are sooooooo much better.  Between Unflinching Courage and Ethereal Armor and the heroic creatures to give more targets... you really can't go wrong.  All you're getting out of black here are four removal spells (Putrefy) which aren't even the most ideal or efficient removal most of the time, some enchantment/tiny token hate (Golgari Charm), Reaper of the Wilds, and Gift of Orzhova (which you will only hit inconsistently with it requiring BB in the casting cost).

I can just see where G/W auras/heroic/hexproof gives you a LOT better chance... but that's just me

I would normally say this isn't bad; however, the biggest issue you're going to run into is the fact that by focusing so intensely on creatures without hexproof and enchantments, you're going to be 2-for-1'ed A LOT.  The real reason most of the auras don't see much in the way of competitive constructed play is because the opponent can figure out after game 1 (or even if they just heard from someone else what your deck was doing in a previous round) that they should just wait until you put one (or more) enchantments on a creature to then remove it.  As a result, you're out multiple cards for only one removal spell.

As such, I see a few issues here. 

First off, bestow was cool in pre-release (I think we can all agree on that).  However, it will not hold up in the much faster standard environment.  Without sweepers and whatnot, RDW will kill you in 4-5 turns.  You'd be lucky to even get any of the bestow creatures online by then. 

Secondly, if you're going with enchantments, why not work in some of the better heroic creatures?  I'm thinking Fabled Hero, Phalanx Leader and things of that nature. 

Third, if you hope to hit the top of your curve with ANY consistency, you're going to want 24 lands.

Fourth, I could see where this would be better if you were to go W/G to include things like Unflinching Courage, Selesnya Charm and the like.

Lastly, why even put Mutavaults in?  I get that a 2/2 creature in a pinch can be nice and it survives sweepers... BUT... it's not like you're going to enchant it.  Anything you put on it would fall off immediately.

Scourge of Valkas and Shivan Dragon really won't help you much.  Scourge is alright, but only really works if you have other dragons in play or ways to clone it to get the ETB damage effect repeated.

If you're really looking for creatures to add, Ogre Battledriver is a decent option as it lets your tokens come in as 3/1s rather than just as 1/1s... this can be relevant for both attacking and defending.

Link?  Decklist?  Format?  Are you playing in FNMs or just casually?

It's sort of difficult to help you out if you don't provide any info for us to work with.

So a few things.  First off, the reason it looks like you're losing to your brother is because your mana curve is too high and the higher costed items in your deck really just don't deliver the sort of punch you need a 5-7 drop to deliver.  For instance, look at the difference between Armada Wurm and Voice of the Provinces.  Both come into play and create a token, but one is a 3/3 flyer that makes a 1/1, while the other is a 5/5 trample that makes a second 5/5 trample.  By the time you're getting to where you would play your larger stuff, your brother already has more value on the board (as it looks like his decks have some better value creatures).

That being said, you would benefit from pretty much ANYTHING from the RTR block as Selesnya is a big player.  Whether it be a playset of Loxodon Smiters (roughly $10), Centaur Healers (even less), Armada Wurm, Advent of the Wurm, or even just picking up a few Selesnya Charms they will go a long way for you.  Additionally, look for Thragtusk to drop even more in value in the next few weeks once it rotates.

As for attending an FNM, my suggestion would be to go to your LGS and just scout things out.  You don't have to play the first time you go, as you would benefit just getting to know some of the people, scope out what people are playing, what format it is, the cost to enter, how competitive it is, etc.  The reason I suggest this sort of peaceful fact-finding mission before just leaping in is because some FNMs are laid back and welcoming to even the most inexperienced players; but others are REALLY competitive, not all that different from Grand Prix trials - as you can imagine, you're likely to enjoy one but not so much the other.  In either event, I don't know that you're really well suited to perform well at one until you really invest a bit more on some newer cards, but you could easily still have fun.

Ash Zealot could be a solid option.  Good call.  The biggest catch is that you cannot use BTE to cast the Zealot, but that's really the only problem.

You're also right that Burning Earth is losing some punch as I think you're going to see primarily mono and two-colored decks once rotation hits.

Firedrinker Satyr, however, I simply have to disagree on.  Sure, it's a 2/1 for 1, BUT, the firebreathing it has is totally worthless and the ability of the opponent to load up on it to hurt you totally messes things up.  Imagine attacking with it into two creatures.  Regardless of the situation, the opponent has incentive to double-block it, dealing a bunch of damage to you while also dropping your creature.  I could see using it in a build with Legion Loyalist giving it first strike, but otherwise, I just see it as bad.  As another example, someone casts Lightning Strike on the Satyr... they've both removed the creature AND done three to you (if that's not a recipe for helping the opponent, I don't know what is).

I can say this won't do well at a Grand Prix.  Most players there are playing with tier 1 decks, and as such, I would advise looking up the top RDW lists either on TCG or SCG and just go with those. 

But just taking a quick glance at things, I'm seeing several sub-optimal creatures.  For instance, Firefist Striker is just better than Bomber Corps, Goblin Shortcutter, and Riot Piker.  You could easily slide Burning-Tree Emissary in here to help beef up the board presence on T2.  Additionally, you only have four one-drops.  Where are the Rakdos Cacklers, Foundry Street Denizens, and other one-drops?

Having said all of that, I would suggest trying to figure out post-rotation plans as both Goblin Arsonist and Lightning Mauler are rotating.  Rotation hits in two weeks and Theros has been fully spoiled, so it's worth a go to figure out what you're doing.

I'm admittedly not seeing how Truefire is anything even close to Reckoner, but perhaps you have some experience with it that I'm not aware of.  Firefist Striker, Gore-house Chainwalker, Wojek Halberdiers, even Daring Skyjek all strike me as better options.  You might not be able to pump them, but in an aggro build you're going to need all that mana for other stuff.

Pantheon strikes me as better than elite simply because of the protection and, perhaps more importantly, because it will be one of your primary sources of life-gain.  Without it in there, you might as well not be running Archangel of Thune.

Don't forget Spear of Heliod, Legion's Initiative and even potentially Path of Bravery if you're looking to pump your guys.

Keep in mind that Pillar of Flame is rotating.

I also don't know that I would run Truefire Paladin, but that's just me.  Firefist Striker is big in constructed at the moment for a reason.

I would probably also swap one Mizzium Mortars for a second Boros Charm.

Aside from those things, there's some promise here.  The two-color decks like this that wouldn't really do much before are going to pick up some serious steam once rotation hits.