Topic: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

Here is my first aggro deck. It is almost "not humans", besides Ash Zealot. http://deckbox.org/sets/393537

Right now I have 8 too many creatures, probably I need to cut some of the 1 drops. Any suggestions?
Here are my doubts about the 1 drops:

  • I have the feeling that Legion Loyalist might be good as "first hit" but maybe it is less useful in the "long run" (turn 2 and thereafter). 

  • Rakdos Cackler: it will be "only" a 2/2 and has summoning sickness

  • Stromkirk Noble: it might have difficulties to deal damage to damage the player (attack is only in turn 2, and other player might have had already 2 full turns)

  • Vexing Devil. It might just be a nice 4 damage to the player, instead of helping later on with Hellrider

20 Mountain
4 Legion Loyalist
4 Pillar of Flame
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Stromkirk Noble
4 Vexing Devil
4 Ash Zealot
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Lightning Mauler
4 Searing Spear
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Brimstone Volley
4 Hellrider

Sideboard:
4 Mizzium Mortars
4 Skullcrack
4 Volcanic Strength
3 Blasphemous Act

One thing that I like about going Mono color is that it would be easier to transition this deck after the rotation occurs.

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

You're a bit heavy on the one-drops that won't really help all that much later in the game.  Legion Loyalist works really well in mono-red lists that include things like Dynacharge as you can easily blow out the opponent once you're hitting the battalion trigger.  To that end, Foundry Street Denizen is a fun option, as every creature you cast will trigger him.

My suggestion would be to try it with different combinations if you have the option to playtest, but I'd wager you'll want Cackler and Noble at the one-drop rather than the Loyalist and Vexing Devil.  Although I'd consider keeping the Devils in the SB as they're good threats later in the game in case you're running into a deck where you can work them down but just can't finish them off.

At your two-drop spot, Burning-Tree Emissary is obviously a great play, but it doesn't feed into Ash Zealot.  I recently ran a Jund Aggro with BTEs and Strangleroot Geists and often found myself stuck having to choose between the two plays on T2.  Perhaps slide the Zealots to the SB?

I'd also suggest splashing green just to put in Ghor-Clan Rampagers for their bloodrush.  +4/+4 and trample will decide a LOT more games than you realize or otherwise can work as a secondary source of removal.

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

Thanks for the suggestion, removing loyalist + sideboarding zealot and vexing devil, now i'm 4 cards short. (And a 23 cards sideboard)
I see how Dynacharge can be really useful with the Legion Loyalists

Last edited by kappolo (2013-05-28 02:55:31)

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

Staying with red though, I agree with ty, cut the devils and I would also cut the loyalist.  Truth be told RDW just isn't as strong as RG or Naya blitz right now. If you can go on the green plan, then BTE + flinthoof boar is a great play.  Getting the lands is a challenge though.

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

Thanks for your suggestions.
I think I will stick with Red only for a bit. (I'm running out of my "Magic Budget").
This is the deck I will test out in 2 weeks @ FNM (Probably, I'm open to sideboard variations)

20 Mountain
4 Pillar of Flame
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Stromkirk Noble
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Lightning Mauler
2 Mizzium Mortars
4 Searing Spear
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Brimstone Volley
4 Hellrider
2 Thundermaw Hellkite

Sideboard:
4 Vexing Devil
3 Ash Zealot
1 Mizzium Mortars
2 Skullcrack
2 Volcanic Strength
3 Blasphemous Act

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

Sticking with RDW is fine.  You're running quite a bit of removal.  if this is a meta choice for your play area then I understand but in general terms you're a bit heavy and could cut some here for some more board presence.

I would suggest the following (below). Stone wright gives you a mana dump when you run out of plays. Bonded with a zealot can help clear the way.  I like the blasphemous act sideboard, but you might still have trouble casting it if someone manages to clear your board.  Could be a surprise win against a slow deck though.  Alternately instead of zealot firefist striker could be good.  Synergizes with BTE and makes blocking harder for your opponent.

3 Stonewright
3 Rakdos Cackler
4 Stromkirk Noble
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Ash Zealot
4 Lightning Mauler
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Hellrider
2 Thundermaw Hellkite

3 Pillar of Flame
2 Brimstone Volley
3 Searing Spear

Last edited by elpablo (2013-05-28 20:35:56)

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

Btw, the winner of the PTQ last weekend in SD has a similar deck to this.
1 Hellion Crucible
21 Mountain
4 Firefist Striker
4 Boros Reckoner
4 Burning-Tree Emissary
4 Stromkirk Noble
4 Rakdos Cackler
4 Ash Zealot
4 Lightning Mauler
4 Hellrider
2 Thundermaw Hellkite
4 Searing Spear

Sideboard

4 Pyreheart Wolf
3 Mizzium Mortars
2 Skullcrack
2 Electrickery
2 Blasphemous Act
2 Legion Loyalist

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

that's how I do most of my research.  hard to develop a better deck than the guys that win tournaments. 

There are small changes I might make based on what you see more of in your area.

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

That guy is in my area, but in another store.
I think one problem with copying the deck is that you don't know how to play it and what decision did they make when building the sideboard. Especially it's hard to know their strategies and "tricks"

Re: [Standard] Mono-Red Aggro

all good decks have to be play tested... Even if you copy someone strategy.  You won't really understand deck building strategies on a competitive level until you really evaluate competitive decks.

Although arguably, RDW doesn't need much, you play your biggest dude each turn and turn them sideways as often as possible tongue